Featured

Nov. 1 rain compared to Great Florida Flood of 1947

“The South Florida community is fortunate to have the Central and South Florida (C&SF) flood control system,” SFWMD Executive Director Drew Bartlett …

Lake O no longer among the 'top 10' dirtiest lakes in America

Lake Okeechobee is no longer on Lake.com’s “dirtiest lakes” list.

USACE lake operations support strong season for endangered Okeechobee gourd

A small native vine is having a big year in the wetlands surrounding Lake Okeechobee....

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Community

How Florida’s specialty license plates help fund breast cancer research and education

For Florida drivers, choosing a specialty license plate is about more than personalizing their vehicle.

LHSMV and FHP Ask motorists not to ‘Wing It’ and Arrive Alive this holiday season

Thanksgiving is a cherished tradition that brings families and friends together around the table.

AAA: Saturday Halloween raises the stakes for road safety

Halloween brings added dangers to the road every year, but AAA warns motorists...

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Lake Okeechobee

SFWMD announces November meetings

SFWMD announces upcoming November meetings

Water management infrastructure protects our communities and water resources

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Human Interest

USPS Operation Santa adoption registration is officially open!

Having survived two bouts of breast cancer, Darlene Bass is a fighter

Darlene Bass is a fighter and describes herself as an overachiever. Unfortunately, her body is overachieving in the wrong direction.

Young heroes offer inspiration and great hope

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes , a national award that recognizes inspiring, public-spirited young people, announces its 2026 winners.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Big Dog Ranch Rescue final transfer of 155 beagles on August 12

On Aug. 10, Big Dog Ranch Rescue (BDRR) announced that, by August 12, the final 155 beagles will have been released

Ten Florida children lost to drowning since the Fourth of July

Disability Advocacy & Support Specialists (DASS) is urging Florida families and community recreational programs…

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Opinion

I got an overpayment from Social Security – what should I do?

AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor answers questions about Social Security.

We can - and must - make sports more inclusive for Americans with disabilities

The US Open -- America's premier tennis tournament -- crowned a new generation of champions...

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Current conditions

Observed from: Okeechobee County Airport

Fair, 77 °F

Sunny, with a high near 76. North northeast wind around 5 mph. Get the full forecast

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Schools

Locals graduate from University of Maryland Global Campus

niversity of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) graduated more than 4,300 students worldwide in the summer...

Florida educators’ due process rights upheld in DOAH ruling

The Florida Education Association (FEA) welcomes a recent Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) ruling, which strongly ...

The Florida Bar announces annual High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition

On Oct. 8, The Florida Bar announced the commencement of its annual High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition, an event that provides ...

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Police & Fire

FWC investigation results in conviction, 8-year prison sentence

An FWC investigation into an elaborate scheme targeting Florida hunters has resulted in a conviction and an 8-year prison sentence.

The Florida Gaming Control Commission kicks off Illegal Gambling Awareness Week

The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is joining with its partners around the world ...

FHP marks the season of giving with its “Stuff the Charger” Food Drive

It’s time to “Stuff the Charger” again and help Floridians in need this holiday season!

FDC reaffirms commitment to public safety during Halloween

As families across Florida prepare to celebrate Halloween, the FDC, in partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies, is taking proactive measures...

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Sports

Celebrate the year’s biggest bass at FWC’s TrophyCatch Hall of Fame Ceremony

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program is recognizing the top eight bass ...

FWC Lionfish Challenge sets a new standard

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) annual Lionfish Challenge has come to an end, achieving record participation ...

TrophyCatch launches season 15 with new challenges and prizes

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program is celebrating 15 seasons...

Football around the lake this week: Oct. 2

Glades Central and Glades Day were the only area teams to win last week, and the Raiders did it in a big way with a 60-0 shutout to open district play. Okeechobee is headed into Homecoming Week this week.

Football around the lake this week: Sept. 18

Football around Lake Okeechobee saw a shutout, a pair of blowouts and the end of Pahokee's unbeaten start last week.

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Government

U.S. Postal Service to observe Veterans Day Holiday, Nov. 11

The U.S. Postal Service will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11.

Tax Collector Gannon announces property tax bills are in the mail

Constitutional Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon announced on Oct. 30, the start of the 2026 Property Tax season ...

IRS reminder: Year-round tax planning can make filing easier

On Oct. 23, The Internal Revenue Service encouraged taxpayers to take simple steps now to make filing easier and avoid tax-time surprises next year.

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Business

The Florida Bar seeks a public member to serve on its governing board

Continuing its practice of public involvement, The Florida Bar seeks a new nonlawyer to serve on its governing board.

IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2027

The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax year 2027 annual inflation adjustments...

BBB: November is “Thank a Business Month”

As the holiday shopping season approaches, Better Business Bureau (BBB) is encouraging consumers to recognize the businesses that have made a difference in their lives. This November, BBB’s Thank a …

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Veterans

Red Cross Hero Care App connects military families when every minute matters

This Veterans Day, the American Red Cross is highlighting a little-known resource that helps active-duty...

They fought for this country. they shouldn’t have to leave it to heal

Veterans with severe PTSD and depression are increasingly traveling overseas for treatments they cannot legally access in the United States.

DAV & RecruitMilitary to host Virtual Veteran & Military Spouse Hiring Event

DAV & RecruitMilitary will host a virtual Military Community Job Fair connecting service members, veterans, Guard/Reserve, and military spouses with employers ...

DAV & RecruitMilitary to host Transitioning Service Member & Spouse Virtual Career Fair

DAV & RecruitMilitary to host Transitioning Service Member & Spouse Virtual Hiring Event on Tuesday, June 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time.

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Health

Health Care District and Tampa General Hospital expanding access to cancer care

On Oct. 22, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and Tampa General Hospital (TGH) hosted a Community Town Hall ...

The GLP-1 conversation is missing muscle and bone

For millions of Americans, GLP-1 medications have become an important tool for managing diabetes...

Florida's "Support Autism Programs" specialty license plate generates funds to bring expanded and enhanced autism services to counties across Florida. (Courtesy of Arc Broward)

Florida’s “Support Autism Programs” license plate fuels nearly $170,000 in grants

Thanks to 16,000 Florida vehicle owners choosing the “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plate this year, ...

Florida receives $16,740,989 in federal funding to deliver home visiting services to families

On Oct. 7, Florida received $16,740,989 in federal funding through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program

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Traffic & Road Work

AAA: More than one-third of drivers fail to slow down or move over

Most drivers say they slow down or move over when approaching a vehicle stopped on the roadside.

AAA: Rising oil prices could push Florida gas prices higher

Florida gas prices jumped early last week, reaching $4.23 per gallon on Thursday before declining...

AAA: Florida gas prices declined 29 cents last week

Florida drivers are finally seeing relief at the gas pump after a sharp run-up in prices last month.

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Entertainment

Florida Lottery encourages Floridians to “Gift responsibly” this holiday season

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Agriculture

Florida Farm Bureau opens Disaster Relief Fund for farmers and ranchers affected by flooding

As flooding continues to impact farm families across Florida's east coast, Treasure Coast...

A close-up of pasture mealybugs on sugarcane. [Photo by Suzie Linn., UF/IFAS]

Researchers secure USDA-NIFA Rapid Response grant to address pasture mealybug invading sugarcane

University of Florida researchers have secured $200,000 in federal funding to combat the invasive pasture mealybug, an emerging threat ...

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Wildlife & Environment

An Aerial view of a large Mteck 2100E dragline excavator used to remove 33.2 million cubic yards of dirt. This massive heavy-equipment machine is used in large-scale surface mining and civil engineering to remove overburden and move earth. It operates via a bucket suspended from a long boom by cables, pulling (dragging) the bucket toward the operator to scoop material, with capacities often reaching over 100 cubic yards. &#xA;Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle announced decisive action to fast-track completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project, with construction now targeted for completion by 2029 and select project actions delegated to the State of Florida. Expedited completion of the EAA Reservoir Project is a prime example of the Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative in action: to finish nationally significant work with greater effort and emphasis and leverage support from our non-federal partners as a force multiplier for faster delivery. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)&#xA;

EAA Reservoir work is ahead of schedule

Construction of the foundation and cutoff wall for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir, a major project....

Manatees can be challenging to spot in the water, despite their large size as adults. If you're heading out on a boat designate someone to watch for them.

November means manatees are on the move

November is Manatee Awareness Month, marking the time when Florida’s manatees start their seasonal...

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