About SWFL Spotlight
Hyper-local. Human-written. On purpose.
SWFL Spotlight is a positive-focused, community-first local media brand. We cover Southwest Florida every Thursday for the people who live here, run things here, and love it here.
Where we are today
2,480
weekly readers
54%
average open rate
112
stories published
18
community partners
What we stand for
Three promises.
We don’t put a lot in writing. These three are non-negotiable.
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Always positive
We cover what’s working. There is a time and place for hard news — this isn’t it. SWFL has plenty of venues for criticism; we’re not one of them.
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Never political
We don’t cover partisan politics, elections, or activism. Not because we don’t care — because our readers come here to take a break from it.
♥
Always local
Every story, every partner, every sponsor lives in SWFL. No syndicated content. No out-of-market brands pretending to be local.
The team
The humans behind every Thursday.
Melannie D.
Editor in Chief
Runs editorial, writes most features, leads partnerships, and drinks too much coffee. Former local newspaper editor; SWFL transplant turned lifer.
Lloyd D.
Lead Journalist & Videographer
Our camera on the ground. Shoots photo essays, directs our video work, and writes the Under the Sun series. Surfs when the wind’s right.
Tyler N.
Contributors, friends, family
A rotating cast of local contributors — photographers, students, nonprofit partners, and the occasional retired journalist. Every Thursday is a team effort.
Get in touch
Want to work with us?
Whether you’re a business, a nonprofit, a reader with a tip, or just someone who wants to say hi — we read everything that comes in.