FORT MYERS, Fla – Many Southwest Floridians are still working from home, more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. A big question on many minds: Will we ever see a full return-to-work, and if so, when? Fox 4 spoke with CareerSource Southwest Florida to help answer those questions. CareerSource works with several local business owners to understand their hiring needs, so they have a good grasp on what most companies are doing. It said the short answer is yes, we will see a return-to-work for a majority of companies.

The University of Florida has pioneered a method that uses artificial intelligence to find a disease early so growers who produce summer squash can keep it under control. Early detection gives farmers a fighting chance at a better crop. Summer and winter squash are grown commercially throughout the US state, particularly in southeast and southwest Florida. In 2019, Florida growers harvested 7,700 acres of squash, with a production value of US$35.4 million, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. But powdery mildew disease, common throughout the world, can decrease yields.