/tags/southwest-florida southwest florida en-US WLRN Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:00:00 GMT /arts-culture/2023-04-05/sanibel-shell-museum-features-exhibit-on-island-people-and-recovery-from-hurricane-ian Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel reopened to the public on February 1, after Hurricane Ian shut the island down for months. Now, alongside their popular shell displays, is another unique and interactive exhibit. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:00:00 GMT /arts-culture/2023-04-05/sanibel-shell-museum-features-exhibit-on-island-people-and-recovery-from-hurricane-ian Pam James, Tom James /florida-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-03-28/after-hurricane-ian-fort-myers-beach-struggles-to-become-a-functional-paradise Nearly every building on the barrier island in Southwest Florida was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Ian's 15-foot storm surge. It's left the town with almost a clean slate for redevelopment. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 09:00:26 GMT /florida-news/npr-breaking-news/2023-03-28/after-hurricane-ian-fort-myers-beach-struggles-to-become-a-functional-paradise Greg Allen /environment/2023-03-22/nimble-business-owners-in-southwest-florida-grapple-with-financial-impact-of-red-tide Business owners and tourism experts in Southwest Florida explain how red tide impacts the bottom line. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT /environment/2023-03-22/nimble-business-owners-in-southwest-florida-grapple-with-financial-impact-of-red-tide Sandra Viktorova /government-politics/2023-03-14/new-group-looks-to-build-back-better-on-southwest-floridas-barrier-islands As the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva continue to assess the damage to homes and businesses after Hurricane Ian, some community organizations and concerned citizens have joined to create the SanCap Citizens for a Resilient Future. Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2023-03-14/new-group-looks-to-build-back-better-on-southwest-floridas-barrier-islands Pam James /npr-breaking-news/2023-03-06/what-to-know-about-the-red-tide-hitting-florida-beaches The toxic Karenia brevis algae has returned to the Gulf Coast for another year, killing fish and causing health problems in people. Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:32:07 GMT /npr-breaking-news/2023-03-06/what-to-know-about-the-red-tide-hitting-florida-beaches Joe Hernandez /health/2022-12-21/in-florida-health-freedom-activists-exert-influence-over-a-major-hospital Earlier this year, three activists who are opposed to COVID vaccines and standard treatment protocols for the illness were elected to the board of Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Wed, 21 Dec 2022 21:53:52 GMT /health/2022-12-21/in-florida-health-freedom-activists-exert-influence-over-a-major-hospital Zach Hirsch /environment/2022-12-13/shorebirds-return-to-sanibel-captiva-at-record-numbers-post-ian Shorebird counts on Sanibel and Captiva islands in November were the highest they've been in five years, despite devastation to the region caused by Hurricane Ian in September. Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:00:00 GMT /environment/2022-12-13/shorebirds-return-to-sanibel-captiva-at-record-numbers-post-ian Tom Bayles /economy/2022-11-28/small-business-owners-share-obstacles-to-recovery-as-sba-disaster-lending-in-florida-hits-1-billion Small business owners in the greater Tampa Bay region and nearby counties are approved to receive $900 million in lending — so far — to help in recovery from Hurricane Ian. Mon, 28 Nov 2022 12:30:00 GMT /economy/2022-11-28/small-business-owners-share-obstacles-to-recovery-as-sba-disaster-lending-in-florida-hits-1-billion Gabriella Paul /hurricane-coverage/2022-11-23/people-displaced-by-hurricane-ian-reflect-on-thanksgiving-in-a-shelter As many as 300 people will wake up Thanksgiving morning in a shelter in North Fort Myers. Many of those displaced by Hurricane Ian have been living in shelters for nearly eight weeks. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 13:30:00 GMT /hurricane-coverage/2022-11-23/people-displaced-by-hurricane-ian-reflect-on-thanksgiving-in-a-shelter Mike Walcher /hurricane-coverage/npr-breaking-news/2022-11-08/still-reeling-from-ian-florida-shrimpers-are-desperate-to-get-back-on-the-water Fishers in southwest Florida are desperate to save their shrimping fleet, and their lifestyle, decimated by Hurricane Ian more than a month ago. Tue, 08 Nov 2022 22:00:00 GMT /hurricane-coverage/npr-breaking-news/2022-11-08/still-reeling-from-ian-florida-shrimpers-are-desperate-to-get-back-on-the-water Danielle Kaye, Marisa Peñaloza