Daily
Fort Myers
Saturday, May 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Fort Myers. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 23rd of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Cape Coral residents can honor fallen military on Memorial Day weekend by attending a free service at Coral Ridge Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Monday, a museum tribute with a ship bell ceremony, or a family BBQ on Sunday—each event offering a moment to reflect on local heritage. Cape Coral Breeze
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War is honoring drummer boy Christian Funck on Memorial Day, May 25, at City of Fort Myers Cemetery given his service in the Union Army during the Civil War and his lasting impact on the community. The News-Press
- ➤ A Fort Myers studio is offering hands-on Polynesian dance and lei making classes that invite locals to learn authentic traditions — the courses pass down moves and craft techniques through generations. WINK News
- ➤ Southwest Florida airfields played a key role in training pilots and flexible gunners during World War II, and many local sites now honor that legacy. A recent event at Buckingham and displays in Centennial Park remind Fort Myers residents of the brave service that helped secure victory. WGCU
- ➤ Tech Sgt. Charles C. Palmer, a WWII turret gunner whose B-24H Liberator was shot down over Kassel on Sept. 27, 1944, will have his remains presented to his cousin Bonnie Rolquin of Bonita Springs on June 5 in ceremonies in Fort Myers & Sarasota National Cemetery. The News-Press
- ➤ The Fourth Annual Fort Myers Fringe Festival runs May 28–31 at Off Broadway Palm. Founder Bill Taylor handpicked a lineup featuring musical storytelling, youth shows, & cult comedy including 'Beers About Songs' & a one-night gorilla performance, with ticket prices under $20. WGCU
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ On May 22, the Lee County Teachers Association said that 457 non-renewal notices, including 275 for teachers, have led to larger class sizes and heavier workloads in local schools — a strain compounded by a loss of about $75 million to voucher programs — and they urged officials to review staffing and funding practices. WGCU
- ➤ Florida’s major school districts, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange and Palm Beach, lost tens of thousands of students from 2023-24 to 2025-26, prompting potential school closures and teacher retrenchments due to lower state funding * Lee County lost 2,315 students and is revising its budget. The News-Press
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A pregnant manatee near term was struck by a boat in Matanzas Pass off Fort Myers Beach on Friday, May 15 and died on Sunday, May 17 at ZooTampa after suffering severe internal injuries; officials urge boaters to follow manatee protection zones & maintain safe speeds. Beach Observer and Beach Bulletin
- ➤ The FWC will host the Florida Python Challenge from July 10 to July 19 on commission-managed lands to remove invasive Burmese pythons that threaten the Everglades ecosystem. The event includes mandatory online training and clarifies that the nonvenomous snakes do not attack or eat people. The News-Press
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Boating safety expert Ted Sensenbrenner advises boaters to check life jackets, test batteries and inspect safety gear before leaving the dock to avoid common early-season errors — practices crucial as holiday traffic boosts boating in local waters. The News-Press
-
Protoje & The Indiggnation with Jesse Royal
7-10 p.m. — The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon — Ticket prices vary — Experience the reggae invasion featuring Protoje's greatest hits live in Fort Myers.
-
Weird Al Yankovic Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Hertz Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience the hilarious and iconic musical comedy of Weird Al Yankovic in an unforgettable multimedia show.
-
Cape Coral / Fort Myers Speed Dating for Singles Aged 35-49
8:15-10:15 p.m. — Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center — Ticketed event — Connect with local singles through engaging mini-dates at a vibrant art venue.
-
Brincos Dieras
8-11 p.m. — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall — Tickets start at $117 — Enjoy an engaging theatrical experience in Fort Myers.
-
FGCU Storytelling Conference
Jun 5-7 — Florida Gulf Coast University — Free entry — Explore the healing power of storytelling with workshops and performances from renowned storytellers.
-
Fleet Feet Big Run
8:00 – 10:30 AM — Bell Tower — Free entry — A welcoming event for walkers and runners of all levels at a key Fort Myers destination.
-
K-PopKon Fest
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Myers — $20 — Experience Florida's premier K-Pop convention with diverse fandoms and collectibles.
-
LA Hardy Comedy Show
7:30-9 p.m. — Snappers Comedy Club Fort Myers — Comedy show — Enjoy a night filled with laughter from La Hardy at one of Fort Myers' favorite venues.
-
Bell Tower Yappy Hour
6-8 p.m. — Bell Tower — Free entry — Enjoy happy hour with your furry friends at this local landmark.
-
Candlelight Concert: Coldplay and Imagine Dragons
8:30-9:30 p.m. — Music & Arts Community Center - Gulf Coast Symphony — Ticket prices vary — Experience the enchanting music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons performed by a string quartet under candlelight.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Fort Myers
Welcome to the Daily Fort Myers, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Fort Myers, Florida community. If you like the Daily Fort Myers, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Fort Myers.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Fort Myers and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Fort Myers
A free Fort Myers community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyfortmyers.com/sitemap