Florida

Florida panthers are dying at a near-record rate this year

Published

1 year ago

December 11, 2024

Florida panthers are dying at a near-record rate this year

So far, 32 panthers have died, mostly getting hit by vehicles on increasingly busy roads in their stronghold in southwest Florida.

Traci Deen is president of the environmental group Conservation Florida. She says what little habitat the cats have left is becoming increasing squeezed by new developments and roads to funnel traffic to them.

Conservation Florida CEO Traci Deen

“The population in Florida is somewhere between 130 maybe to 230. So losing 32 panthers in one year is a tremendous loss to the Florida panther population,” she said. “It could represent, you know, over 10 percent of those population in our states. It’s devastating.”

Deen said protecting natural lands along their migratory routes is the best way to ensure that panthers can thrive in the future.

“If we want our state animal to not only survive but thrive now and into the future, land conservation has to be a huge part of that solution,” she said, “and we need all Floridians to get involved and let it be known that this matters and support land conservation across the state.”

Deen says creating highway underpasses that allow animals like the panther to safely migrate along wildlife corridors is another way to help preserve the species far into the future.

She said panthers need 200 to 400 square miles to roam, but every single day 1,000 new Floridians move to the state. One way to protect them is to help preserve the Florida Wildlife Corridor: an 18 million-acre network of green spaces that panthers call home. Ten million acres are protected, but eight million acres of this corridor are still at risk for development.

Last week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced today that the remains of a juvenile male Florida panther had been found in Glades County. It’s thought that the panther was killed by a vehicle collision.

“This little panther’s tragic death illustrates the dire need for wildlife officials and state lawmakers to save this species before it’s too late,” said Jason Totoiu at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Development keeps eating away at the little bit of habitat left in southwest Florida, and it’s remarkable this panther made it this far north. It appears this animal tried hard to find safe passage through a narrow strand of habitat only to be hit by a car.

“We can’t keep hoping that panthers run the gauntlet north to get to safer ground. We need the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to act on its long-stated vision and work with Florida officials to move panthers north of the Caloosahatchee River. State lawmakers need to establish dedicated funding for wildlife crossings that are strategically placed to facilitate movement. Many states have done this already, and Florida needs to follow suit.”

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Florida

Preview: December 19 at Florida | Carolina Hurricanes

Published

6 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Preview: December 19 at Florida | Carolina Hurricanes

SUNRISE, Fla. – The Carolina Hurricanes will try to move their win streak to six on Friday when they take on the two-time defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers.

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When: Friday, Dec. 19

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

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Canes Record: 22-9-2 (46 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 4-1 Win over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, Dec. 17

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Panthers Record: 18-13-2 (38 Points, 5th – Atlantic Division)

Panthers Last Game: 3-2 Win over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, Dec. 17

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Florida

Florida football’s Tank Hawkins announces entry into transfer portal

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Florida football’s Tank Hawkins announces entry into transfer portal

Florida football receiver Tank Hawkins announced Wednesday through social media that he plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, bringing his time in Gainesville to a close after two seasons with the Gators.

Hawkins thanked Gator Nation on a social media post, accompanied by a graphic that reflected on his journey with the Orange and Blue and confirmed his decision to explore new opportunities.

The sophomore wideout’s announcement makes him one of the latest Florida players to enter the portal during the winter window.

A former four-star recruit out of IMG Academy, Hawkins arrived in Gainesville as part of Florida’s 2024 recruiting class.

Florida’s roster continues to see movement as the program navigates the offseason, with departures and additions expected to reshape the depth chart ahead of the 2026 season.

Hawkins’ career at Florida

Hawkins appeared in 11 total games during his two seasons with the Gators, contributing as both a receiver and occasional ball carrier.

As a true freshman in 2024, he played in seven games and recorded 10 receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown, while adding three rushing attempts for 11 yards. He caught a 36-yard touchdown against Samford, which marked his first collegiate reception.

In 2025, Hawkins appeared in just four games. He finished the season with two receptions for 16 yards.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

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Florida

Florida man set to be executed for killing 2 during a home invasion – WTOP News

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Florida man set to be executed for killing 2 during a home invasion – WTOP News

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman during home invasion robbery and later…

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman during home invasion robbery and later confessing to three other killings is scheduled to be executed Thursday evening.

Frank Athen Walls, 58, is set to receive a lethal injection starting at 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. Walls was convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, burglary and theft and sentenced to death in 1988. The Florida Supreme Court later reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial, and Walls was again convicted and sentenced to death in 1992.

It would be Florida’s 19th death sentence carried out in 2025, further extending a state record for total executions in a single year.

According to court records, Walls broke into the Florida Panhandle mobile home of Eglin Air Force Base airman Edward Alger and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson, in July 1987. Walls tied the couple up, but Alger managed to break free and attack Walls. Walls cut Alger’s throat and them shot him in the head when the airman continued to fight. Walls then went to attack Peterson and shot her as she struggled.

Walls was arrested the day after the bodies were found when his roommate tipped off police about Walls’ odd behavior. During a search of the home, investigators reported finding items from the crime scene, and Walls later admitted to the killings.

After his conviction, DNA evidence linked Walls to the May 1987 rape and murder of a woman, Audrey Gygi. Walls pleaded no contest, avoiding another trial and possible death sentence. Walls also admitted responsibility for the killings of Tommie Lou Whiddon in March 1985 and Cynthia Sue Condra in September 1986 as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Attorneys for Walls filed appeals in state court claiming that his intellectual disability and other medical issues should disqualify him from execution, but the Florida Supreme Court ruled against Walls last week. Appeals were still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.

A total of 46 men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., and more than a dozen other people are scheduled to be put to death in 2026.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year, followed by Alabama, South Carolina and Texas with five each.

All Florida executions are conducted by lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections.

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Follow David Fischer on the social platform Bluesky: ‪@dwfischer.bsky.social‬

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