“Curated information is essential.” –Tony Ridgway

Collier County Government News

1. Collier board split on whether to recommend conversion of orange grove into homes

The project includes for-sale affordable housing, which has garnered support from local employers and the Naples Chamber of Commerce. Environmentalists and neighbors oppose the development, citing concerns over wildlife, traffic, and the loss of environmentally sensitive land. County commissioners will have the final say. (Naples Daily News, 10/3/25)

2. Immokalee celebrates completion of infrastructure project

The Immokalee Area Improvements Project, a $23 million initiative aimed at enhancing pedestrian and cyclist safety, has been completed. “I promised when I came into office in 2016 that I wanted to turn Immokalee, transform it into the economic epicenter of Collier County,” Commissioner Bill McDaniel said, “and that’s what you do through infrastructure.” ( Gulf Coast News, 10/1/25)

3. Oct.21 Open Forum with Commissioner Daniel Kowal

An open forum from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at the Naples Regional Library offers residents the opportunity to learn more about current projects, initiatives, and community issues. It also serves as a platform for open dialogue, where attendees can share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage directly with a member of county government. RSVP required. (Commissioner email, 10/7/25)

4. Supervisor of Elections Office launches new website

The Collier County Supervisor of Elections office officially launched its new website, CollierVotes.gov, this week, featuring a fresh look and an improved user-friendly experience. The new mobile-optimized website enables voters to easily navigate and interact with content from any device, including computers, smartphones, and tablets. (News Release, 10/3/25)

5. News from Collier Clerk Crystal K. Kinzel

In this month’s report: updates on domestic violence survivor support services, Collier’s $41.6M “total monetary contribution” to the State Veterans’ Nursing Home project, the final FY 2025-2026 county budget hearing, amendments to the Conservation Collier Program Purchasing Policy, and more. (The Clerk’s Report, October 2025)

City of Naples Government News

6. Naples City Council repeals effort to exert development oversight at airport

The Naples City Council has repealed a resolution that expanded its control over development at the Naples Airport. That should effectively stop legal action by the Friends of the Naples Municipal Airport, which last month sent a letter of intent to sue the city over the expansion of power. (Florida Politics, 10/2/25)

7. FAA approves new flight paths for Naples Airport to reduce noise and enhance safety

Chris Rozansky, executive director of the Naples Airport Authority, emphasized the importance of its collaboration with Hughes Aerospace, an FAA-authorized third-party evaluator, in achieving these changes. He highlighted the airport’s commitment to aviation safety and being a good neighbor by enhancing safety and preserving the quality of life for its neighbors. (WINK Digital Team, 10/2/25)

Florida Government News

8. DeSantis announces Florida has cut state debt in half since 2019

“Since I’ve been Governor… we will have paid off 50 percent of [Florida’s debt],” DeSantis declared during a press conference at Jacksonville International Airport. Early repayment benefits taxpayers by avoiding future interest costs, he said. (The Floridian, 10/2/25)

9. DHS approves Florida’s $608 million request to pay for Alligator Alcatraz

FEMA has approved the state’s application for a $608 million grant to cover expenses related to immigration detention and enforcement, including at Alligator Alcatraz. Although the application was approved on Sept. 30, the state has yet to receive any of the money. (Miami Herald, 10/3/25)

10. DOJ contradicts DeSantis: Some detainees at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ likely never in removal proceedings

Since the facility opened, DeSantis has been saying publicly that each detainee has gone through the process of determining that they can’t legally be in the United States. The U.S. government attorneys’ statement was made in connection with a lawsuit in which civil rights groups allege the facility’s detainees have been denied proper access to attorneys in violation of their constitutional rights. (WLRN Public Media, 10/6/25)

11. Rubber-stamping claims plague firm handling attorney access at Alligator Alcatraz

To ensure detainees at its immigration detention camp in the Everglades can communicate with their attorneys, the state of Florida is relying on a contractor that has been repeatedly accused of rubber-stamping inspections at federal facilities. The findings raise questions about the DeSantis administration’s vetting of vendors at Alligator Alcatraz and provide some context for the legal-access issues being brought by lawyers. (Miami Herald, 10/2/25)

12. DeSantis, Cabinet OK $14 million in state money for immigration enforcement

Days after the federal government approved millions for Florida law enforcement partnering with ICE, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved the first $14 million of a $250 million state grant to fund immigration enforcement. (Florida Phoenix via WLRN Public Media, 9/30/25)

13. How Florida DOGE is teeing up DeSantis’ push to cut property taxes

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ goal to slash property taxes has one glaring problem: Local governments use that revenue to pay for basic services, such as police, fire, and schools. But what if there’s reason to believe those governments are misusing those funds? (Axios Tampa Bay, 10/7/25)

14. DeSantis ups property tax reduction pressure by floating special session

Florida House lawmakers plan to vote on something during the 2026 legislative session, which voters would then have to approve during next year’s election. DeSantis is upping the pressure. He’s suggesting a special session if the Legislature doesn’t get it done. (WUSF Public Media, 10/3/25)

15. Prosecutors convening grand jury in Hope Florida investigation

Prosecutors in Tallahassee are convening a grand jury relating to the Hope Florida Foundation, reinvigorating a scandal that has engulfed the charity spearheaded by Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife. The move marks a major development that could lead to criminal charges, escalating the stakes in a controversy that has undermined Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and placed the first lady’s political future in doubt. (Tampa Bay Times, 10/3/25)

16. Ron DeSantis just re-stacked the deck on the board that sets electricity rates in Florida

A little over a year ago, Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a backwards-looking energy bill that, among other things, scrubbed the term “climate change” from state laws, banned the development of offshore wind energy, and rolled back regulations on gas pipelines and other fossil-fuel infrastructure. Now, DeSantis wants to put the sponsor of that law in charge of regulating the state’s energy companies. (Jason Garcia: Seeking Rents, 10/5/25)

17. Hearings on Florida Power & Light’s latest base rate begin

The Florida Public Service Commission began hearings on Oct. 6 to consider Florida Power & Light Co.’s petition for a base rate increase that, while lower than its originally proposed $10 billion hike, would still provide a return on equity higher than the national average. The new proposal reduced the rate increase to $7 billion but still maintained a return on equity of 10.95%. (Florida Phoenix, 10/3/25)

18. Report: Florida is No. 1 in school book removals and restrictions for the third year in a row

PEN America, which has filed a lawsuit challenging removals in the state, reported that Florida had more than 2,300 titles pulled from campus shelves during the last school year. The group defines “book ban” as any time a book was removed — permanently or pending an investigation — or restricted in public school libraries. (WUSF Public Media, 10/1/25)

19. Florida SAT scores increase in 2025, but still lag national averages

Florida’s average SAT score rose to 970 out of 1600, a 22-point increase from 2024, according to recently released data from the College Board, compared to a national average score of 1029. The increase largely mirrors the national trend. Overall, the percentage of Florida test takers who achieved the SAT’s “college ready” benchmark increased in both math and reading this year. (Orlando Sentinel, 10/1/25)

20. Spending soars, rankings fall at New College of Florida

While state officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, have celebrated the death of what they have described as “woke indoctrination” at the small liberal arts college, both graduation and retention rates have fallen since the takeover in 2023. Those metrics are down even as New College spends roughly $134,000 per student, more than 10 times what the other 11 members of the State University System spend, on average. (Inside HigherEd, 10/1/25)

21. Paw and order: Trooper’s Law to protect dogs during hurricanes now in effect

The law creates a new enhanced animal cruelty offense for leaving a dog tied up outside during a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado warning or evacuation order. If convicted, a person could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. (Florida Politics, 10/2/25)

22. Court curbs searches based on pot smell

Pointing to laws allowing the use of medical marijuana and hemp, the state’s 2nd District Court of Appeals reversed course and said police officers can’t search vehicles only on the basis of smelling cannabis. Citing the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, the court backed away from what it described as a “plain smell doctrine” related to cannabis. (News Service of Florida via WLRN Public Media, 10/3/25)

23. Your Florida breaks down the state’s Sunshine Laws

Florida’s Sunshine Laws are meant to ensure transparency, allow public participation and foster public trust in government. Some new exemptions passed this year make the personal information of elected officials and their families private and remove information from non-criminal court records that could defame or harm someone’s reputation. (WUSF Public Media, 10/6/25)

2026 Election News: In the CD19 Race

24. Madison Cawthorn officially enters race for Byron Donalds’ House seat

His decision to enter the race makes official what had been long-expected chatter in Republican circles that the 29-year-old firebrand would try to reestablish himself as a MAGA candidate in the Sunshine State race. Florida Politics, 10/1/25)

25. After months of speculation, Catalina Lauf jumps into race to succeed Byron Donalds

A member of President Donald Trump’s first administration, Lauf said she would bring MAGA values with her to Congress. Lauf is entering a field with several high-profile Republicans already in the mix. (Florida Politics, 10/2/25)

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Sparker’s Digest is part of the Sparker’s Soapbox platform, a nonpartisan civic-information resource for Collier County voters.

Sparker’s Soapbox also includes Sparker’s Primers, introductory guides to Florida and Collier County civics, and Sparker’s Research, in-depth election-year looks at the candidates and ballot issues on Collier voters’ ballots.

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