Florida Gulf News Launches Digital Journalism Outlet in Southwest Florida
FLGulfNews.com: "Dedicated to journalism that dives beneath the surface to reveal what lies beyond the waves."
By Dick LaFontaine
A new Southwest Florida Digital Journalism outlet is making waves.
Florida Gulf News (www.FLGulfNews.com) is bringing a fresh perspective to the news scene in Southwest Florida.
We strive to illuminate the truth behind environmental, political, and social issues affecting our beaches, coastal communities, state, and nation. By holding power to account, safeguarding the public interest, and fostering an informed citizenry, we commit to maintaining integrity, transparency, and relentless pursuit of the truth. Our work is dedicated to protecting our way of life and empowering our readers with the knowledge they need to effect positive change. - FLORIDA GULF NEWS
Richard Luthmann has been tapped as the outlet’s chief. He is a writer, editor, commentator, and investigative reporter with degrees from Columbia University and the University of Miami. Originally from the Northeast, Luthmann now lives in Southwest Florida. He is a member of the National Writers Union.
Previously, as the Editor-in-Chief of the Sun Bay Paper (http://www.sunbaypaper.com/), Richard Luthmann oversaw the local news outlet's coverage, content development, production, and distribution of the print format periodical. He is committed to contributing to the recovery and growth of Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and neighboring SWFL communities by providing helpful, informative, and engaging content and commentary.
“Florida Gulf News is a digital experiment. If it is successful, I want to see it incorporated into Sun Bay Paper’s legacy media offering,” Luthmann said.
Luthmann says he will begin by focusing on four “silos” of coverage for digital readers in Southwest Florida.
“The goal is to provide a good mix of local, regional, state, and national news and commentary. Ground Zero for us is Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Estero Bay. We will also include interesting news, discussions, and investigative reports about issues from Port Charlotte to Marco Island and everywhere in between in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties,” Luthmann said.
Luthmann says he is building a contributor network that will address various topics.
“There are no sacred cows. Journalists will investigate, gather news, and report fairly and accurately. Columnists and opinion writers will not be censored - this isn’t MSM or NPR. We’ll get into issues others won’t, like religion and politics. We’ll talk about public and governmental figures from flanks others would not dare open,” Luthmann said.
He believes the first solution to solving political and social problems is not less speech but more speech. And that only matters if people you don’t like say things you don’t want to hear.
“Central to being a virtuous citizen is being an informed community participant. You ought to consider all perspectives when formulating reasoned choices that affect you and your family,” Luthmann said. “We will not feed anyone’s ‘party line’ without a clear counterbalanced perspective. Sean Hannity was most effective when he had Alan Colmes.”
Luthmann says that the publication will have a conservative bent. “We will have all voices represented. But everyone knows coming in that the values of God, Family, and Country come before everything else. While we welcome debate, as long as I am involved, this outlet will embrace the Judeo-Christian Tradition, the Western Canon, and our nation’s Enlightenment roots.”
Florida Gulf News will cover beachside news and politics. The digital outlet will also detail other pursuits, including food, lifestyle, sports, theater, concerts, and community interest.
“Everything is fair game, particularly fishing and boating. So many readers tell me how much they love hearing about those things in beautiful Southwest Florida,” said the new outlet’s chief. “And baseball. Two things Americans will never get tired of are sex and baseball.”
Luthmann also contributes to numerous national publications, including Art Voice (https://artvoice.com/), Newsbreak, Substack (Luthmann.substack.com), and the Frank Report (https://frankreport.com/).
The new chief wants to build an outlet allowing SWFL writers to showcase their core competencies and best work.
“I am a journalist who does deep-dive investigative reporting and covers legal issues. Exposing the bottom feeders and crooks is sometimes the only way to make them pay the price for their injustice and misdeeds. That’s what I do well. Others come from different backgrounds, and I want to give contributors a place to publish for a Southwest Florida-focused audience,” Luthmann said.
Florida Gulf News’ first series is about a developer’s battle with Fort Myers Beach: Jesse Schmid vs. FMB Town Council.
“This one has all the workings of high drama: Characters. Greed. Destruction. Community. Rebuild. Backstabbing. Strong-Arming. It’s like Fargo meets Goodfellas meets Wild Things set on a Florida beach. You couldn’t write this one better because it’s all true,” Luthmann said. “If things go way south, and there’s a chance they will, this one will end up as a courtroom drama - and I could have a Pultizer. I won’t give too much away, but this one could turn into The Insider quickly.”
Luthmann says everyone can submit tips, story ideas, comments, or pieces for publication. Florida Gulf News can be reached at (239) 766-5800 or rluthmann@flgulfnews.com.
Luthmann also says advertisers should give him a call.
“We’re putting together full banner packages for $100 a month and side ad spots for $25 a month. This is introductory, and advertisers that lock in for the full year will get those prices honored through the end of next season - May 2025. Not only is it a bargain, but it’s affordable for everyone.”