Collier County

Activists keep track of Alligator Alcatraz traffic in hopes of signs of a shutdown

‘Why a Cuban family?’ Trump singles out South Florida man once detained at Alligator Alcatraz

A former detainee of the Florida immigrant detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz is being singled out by President Donald Trump.

Operations at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ starting to wind down, according to detainee reports

The number of detainees at the Florida immigration detention facility known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is dropping.

State official says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ remains open, told to ‘continue to expect individuals’

Protesters were again rallying outside "Alligator Alcatraz" for what they said was the 42nd consecutive Sunday.

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to stay open amid federal funding process, state official says

Florida officials say there are no orders to shut down the Everglades detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” and the state is preparing to receive its first federal reimbursement for operating costs.

Amid closure reports, DeSantis says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ made ‘huge difference’

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis spoke on Wednesday about the reported soon closure of the Everglades detainment facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.

Florida plans to close ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Report

Florida is planning to close Alligator Alcatraz, according to a report from the New York Times.

Report: Florida in talks with Trump administration to shut down Alligator Alcatraz

Florida is in talks with the Trump administration to shut down the Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention facility, according to a report from The New York Times.

Environmentalists ‘eager’ to continue Alligator Alcatraz fight despite court loss

Environmental advocates are speaking out following a federal appeals court ruling that the migrant detention facility known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ will remain open.

Firefighters contain 70% of Collier County wildfire after more than 1,730 acres burn

The Florida Forest Service reported the Picayune Strand State Forest fire had burned more than 1,730 acres and remained active on Wednesday night.

Naples wildfire burns about 1,700 acres

First responders are working to extinguish a wildfire in Collier County.

‘A huge burden’: Scrutiny intensifies over costs, conditions at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

One day after a federal court heard arguments over whether to shut down the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility in the Everglades due to environmental concerns, questions are also growing about the cost to taxpayers.

Prayer vigils continue outside Alligator Alcatraz as advocates hope new court ruling helps detainees

Even with rain pouring down, advocates continued their monthslong demands for Alligator Alcatraz to close.

The ‘purr’-fect shot? Florida panther gives photographer a moment she’ll never forget

A wildlife photographer got a once-in-a-lifetime shot she’ll never forget.

Police: Naples man arrested for trying to meet Miami teen for sex

A 62-year-old man stands accused of planning to meet a 15-year-old girl to pay her for sex in Miami, according to police.

Alligator Alcatraz protesters demand closure after court-ordered records release

“No American Aushwitz,” and “Free Them” were some of the signs that about a dozen protesters held on Monday outside Alligator Alcatraz, a Florida-run immigration detention center on Miami-Dade County-owned land that records show faces uncertainty on funding.

Florida lawmakers discuss who will foot bill for Alligator Alcatraz

A large alligator was seen roaming outside of the immigration detention center that bares its nickname, an ironic symbol for a controversial facility that’s tightly guarded day and night.

Hot spots from Big Cypress fire flare up near Alligator Alley

A massive wildfire continued to burn in the Big Cypress National Preserve on Thursday, sending thick smoke across Alligator Alley as dry conditions persisted across the state.

Big Cypress fire causes smoky conditions for drivers on Alligator Alley

A massive brush fire in Collier County’s Big Cypress National Preserve is causing smoky conditions on Alligator Alley, affecting visibility and travel.

New images show large Big Cypress brush fire as officials monitor dry conditions

In South Florida, a massive 25,000-acre brush fire in Collier County is causing smoky skies and posing a significant risk, especially for those with respiratory issues.

Florida man wins $5 million prize from scratch-off ticket

A Florida man scored a $5 million prize playing the $5,000,000 CA$H MONEY scratch-off game, lottery officials announced earlier this week.

Friends of the Everglades sues Florida over ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ records

Friends of the Everglades filed suit against the Florida Division of Emergency Management, alleging the agency is withholding public records tied to the state’s Everglades immigration detention center, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” according to court records obtained by Local 10 News on Tuesday.

Florida awarded FEMA reimbursement for state-run detention facilities, including Alligator Alcatraz

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Local 10 News Thursday that Florida did submit an application for FEMA reimbursement after building the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center, and on Tuesday (a day before the government shutdown), was awarded the full amount it applied for -- $608 million.

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to stay open for now as panel pauses federal judge’s ruling

An appeals court on Thursday blocked a federal judge’s order to close Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility.

Judge to soon decide whether ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees were unlawfully kept from attorneys

While the operation of the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in the Everglades appears to be over, a judge will soon decide whether the detainees who were kept there were unlawfully kept from their attorneys.

Efforts continue to ramp down at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ but questions remain

Tractor trailers going in and out has become a common scene at the rural Everglades detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’

Judge’s ruling against ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center could affect detainee rights case

A federal judge’s order to shut down a controversial immigration detention center in the Everglades is already reverberating beyond environmental law — with another judge set to weigh how the ruling could impact a separate case over detainees’ legal rights.

Push for transparency continues as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ fights to stay operational

It is not just immigrants, but public information that also appears to be detained within the tents of Alligator Alcatraz.

New federal lawsuit filed by ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainee looks to halt all new arrivals

A third federal lawsuit has been filed surrounding the temporary makeshift detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’

Florida AG says state will ‘continue operating’ facility dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ despite judge ruling

The effort to reverse a judge’s ruling to shutdown ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is ramping up.

Miami-Dade mayor calls Alligator Alcatraz ‘reckless and dangerous’ after judge’s shut down order

The days at “Alligator Alcatraz” may be numbered after a federal judge ordered the state to begin winding down operations at the detention center within two months.

Congressman on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ tours: ‘Deliberate cruelty packaged for optics’

On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost, a Cuban-American Democrat from Central Florida, returned to the remote state-run immigration detention facility in the Everglades state officials call ‘Alligator Alcatraz.”

Civil rights attorneys mark victory for Alligator Alcatraz detainees

After a hearing in federal court on Monday in Downtown Miami, civil rights attorneys said there was more clarity about the migrant detainees’ legal recourse while held in Alligator Alcatraz, in the Florida Everglades.

Arguments to continue in Miami in federal lawsuit against Alligator Alcatraz

A federal judge in Miami will continue to hear arguments Monday over whether detainees at Florida’s temporary immigrant detention center dubbed Alligator Alcatraz have been denied their legal rights.

Mass service at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ calls for justice for families in detention

More than a hundred people gathered outside the Everglades Detention Center, also known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” Saturday for a milestone Mass hosted by Father Frank O’Laughlin.

Federal judge will decide if ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ can remain open

Months of debate has left the future of the ICE detention facility known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in the hands of a federal judge.

Hearings continue as environmental advocates push for closure of Alligator Alcatraz

The judge who ruled against new construction at the immigration detention center in the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz is being asked to shut down the entire camp.

Sunday prayer vigil planned outside ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as judge halts construction

Sunday afternoon, people are planning to gather at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ for a weekly vigil outside the immigrant detention facility.

Bear hunt proposal moves forward in Florida following fatal attack; protesters push back

Florida wildlife officials are moving forward with plans to reinstate a state-sanctioned bear hunt, a decision drawing both support and opposition in the wake of the state’s first fatal bear attack earlier this year.

Judge orders temporary halt to construction at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center

A federal judge on Thursday ordered a temporary halt to construction of an immigration detention center — built in the middle of the Florida Everglades and dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” — as attorneys argue whether it violates environmental laws.

Weekly vigils outside ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ begin Sunday night

Starting this week, vigils are expected to take place every Sunday outside of the Everglades detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Environmentalists continue fight to preserve area where Everglades detention camp was built

Battle lines were drawn in federal court Wednesday as the state of Florida is trying to move a lawsuit filed by environmental groups over the migrant detention camp in the Everglades out of the Southern District.

Deportation flights from Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center have begun, DeSantis says

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Friday morning at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention facility in Collier County and said deportation flights from the remote Everglades lockup began in the past few days.

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees’ families speak about poor health conditions, medical issues

A detainee held at the migrant detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is sharing details of his experience.

Environmentalists’ lawsuit to halt Alligator Alcatraz filed in wrong court, Florida official says

Florida’s top emergency official says a judge should resist a request by environmentalists to halt an immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz in the middle of the Florida Everglades because it was filed in the wrong jurisdiction.

Florida environmentalists take fight against ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to courts

Another powerful group has petitioned to join a federal lawsuit to shut down the Everglades migrant detention camp known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” given that the state has given no end date, and no assurances that this will not become a permanent facility.

Gov. DeSantis appoints Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s new chief financial officer

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Florida’s new chief financial officer, elevating the conservative lawmaker to a powerful cabinet post that oversees state finances, insurance regulation and emergency response operations.

Questions remain over who exactly is being held at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Just days after lawmakers toured Alligator Alcatraz for the first time, Local 10 News is working to uncover who exactly is being detained at the facility.

Republicans tour Alligator Alcatraz and joke detainees shouted, ‘Vote Trump!’

Florida Sen. Blaise Ingoglia wore a University of Florida golf polo with an alligator icon to a guided tour of Alligator Alcatraz on Saturday in Collier County.

Demonstrators outside Alligator Alcatraz describe scene as ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘sad’

Andrew Closson was among the civilians standing outside the Alligator Alcatraz on Saturday afternoon in Collier County.

Lawmaker doesn’t think Saturday’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ tour will paint true picture of facility

Local 10 News heard from Florida lawmakers Friday who are suing the state for access to the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility, just hours before they join fellow Democrats and Republicans on a tour of the controversial center.

Lawsuit filed after Florida lawmakers turned away from ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility

South Florida lawmakers are demanding answers about what’s happening inside a controversial migrant detention site some have dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” as concerns mount over the treatment of hundreds being held at the remote Everglades Detention Center.

Attorney says she was denied access to client at Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention site

Roughly 600 people are currently being detained at the migrant detention facility in South Florida known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” authorities told Local 10 News Wednesday.

Environmentalists raise concerns over latest work done at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Newly-released aerial photos taken over the remote airport site of the state-built migrant detention facility “Alligator Alcatraz” led environmental groups to question whether it contradicted officials’ claims that no new construction would be done at the site.