Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission

Conservationists have a 5-amendment rights of nature ballot drive going on right now. This is the fifth in a series looking at each of the rights of nature amendments. Today's story is about the proposed captive wildlife hunting ban

Conservationists have a five-amendment rights of nature ballot drive going on right now. This is the second in a series looking at each of the rights of nature amendments.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, in St. Petersburg to see the devastation to Tampa Bay caused by red tide, said a state of emergency — requested by the city and business and environmental groups — is not necessary to support the efforts.

They say the state is directing resources for the cleanup, including money and spotter planes. But they maintain that a state of emergency declaration — which some have called for — won't change anything.

The letter from the group follows a request from St. Petersburg's mayor and city council last week to help fund cleanup of what is being called the worst red tide outbreak ever in Tampa Bay.

"My office has not heard from the governor. I'm not sure if the county has," said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman. "So far, it's been kind of silent. And we sure would like some help from the governor's office."

A mysterious illness is killing songbirds in the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States. Florida wildlife officials have not received any related reports.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that 841 manatee deaths were recorded through July 2 — breaking the previous record of 830 deaths in 2013.

The award will go to this year's Florida Python Challenge participant who removes the most pythons.

DeSantis critized the Biden adminstration, saying “they have revoked policies designed to secure our border and keep Americans safe.” State Democrats call it a political stunt.

Researchers continue their efforts to help the Apalachicola Bay’s oyster industry recover. Now a team from Florida State University is experimenting with different materials to see which is best for repopulating oyster habitats.

It will be the longest season since the FWC began managing red snapper.