The Federal Trade Commission, Florida and 21 other states are suing Amazon, alleging the company spent years secretly inflating the prices Florida businesses pay to advertise on its platform, costs that were passed on to Florida families.
Attorney General James Uthmeier; “Amazon hid a surcharge, padded its own profits, and those costs landed on Florida families buying groceries, medicine, and everyday essentials. Amazon should expect to be held accountable.”
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Amazon represented for years that it ran “second-price” auctions in which the winning advertiser would pay only one cent more than the next-highest bidder. In practice, Amazon added an undisclosed surcharge and used an “invented auction participant” to drive prices higher than genuine competition would have produced. By 2024, Amazon charged Sponsored Products advertisers their own winning bid approximately 80 percent of the time, converting a nominally second-price auction into a first-price auction without telling customers.
The complaint alleges Amazon began testing hidden surcharges in 2019 and 2020. After concluding advertisers could not detect the extra charges, Amazon rolled them out across the platform and ramped them higher on Prime Day and Black Friday. Internal documents quoted in the complaint describe “a surcharge hidden in it” and a “clever non-transparent way to charge first price.”
The complaint alleges that a significant portion of the advertising costs paid by Amazon sellers “are ultimately passed through to and paid by Amazon shoppers in the form of higher prices,” including on low-margin necessities families buy every day. Sellers and vendors based in Florida have been overcharged by hundreds of millions of dollars over more than four years, the complaint alleges.
Amazon understood that disclosing the change would cause advertisers to lower their bids. The complaint alleges the company concealed the surcharges, gave false and misleading answers when advertisers asked whether the auction format had changed, and continued the practice after the FTC notified Amazon of its investigation.
The lawsuit alleges Amazon violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Attorney General Uthmeier seeks a permanent injunction, consumer restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, attorney’s fees, and other relief authorized by Florida law.
Florida is joined by the Federal Trade Commission and the attorneys general of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Washington.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Two Locks Closing For Maintenance In 2027
The W.P. Franklin Lock will be closed to all traffic for dewatering and major maintenance from January 4, 2027 to March 1, 2027. No passage through W.P. Franklin Lock will be available during this critical scheduled maintenance. The Ortona Lock will be open to local traffic only from January 4, 2027 to March 1 2027.
The Ortona Lock will be closed to all traffic for dewatering and major maintenance from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027. No passage through the Ortona Lock will be available during this critical scheduled maintenance. The W.P. Franklin Lock will be open to local traffic only from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
The Ortona Lock will be closed to all traffic for dewatering and major maintenance from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027. No passage through the Ortona Lock will be available during this critical scheduled maintenance. The W.P. Franklin Lock will be open to local traffic only from March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027.
For the current Lake Okeechobee water levels, please see: https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml
Georgia Lilly Veale Dies At 86
Georgia Lilly Veale
February 22, 1940 – September 10, 2026
Georgia Lilly Veale, 86, of Clewiston, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on September 10, 2026, while under the gentle care of Vitas Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Vitas Hospice for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.
Her Life and Legacy
Georgia was born on February 22, 1940, in Panama City, Florida, to the late William Marcus Sutton and Lilly Bell Bryant. A dedicated and sharp businesswoman, Georgia worked for many years at S & M Drugs. Later, she and her sister, Ginny, co-founded the Quick Stop convenience store in Clewiston. When Ginny eventually relocated, Georgia successfully managed and operated the business independently alongside her employees until her well-earned retirement.
Beyond her professional success, Georgia was defined by her great love, boundless generosity, and strong spirit. She was an incredibly talkative and social person who truly never met a stranger. She took great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially traveling, fishing, and camping trips with her family. Summer trips taking her grandchildren to the beach held a very special place in her heart. At home, she could often be found working on puzzles or playing games.
Georgia’s heart was happiest when she was blessing others. She loved the holidays and any gathering that brought her family together, always cooking and baking enough to feed everyone. She was an avid shopper who took great delight in hunting down sales—not for herself, but so she could buy gifts to surprise and bless those around her. Whenever anyone was in need, Georgia was the very first to step forward and help.
Family
Georgia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Veale, as well as her siblings, Bill Sutton, Paul Sutton, Jep Sutton, and Ginny Miller.
Her legacy of love will be carried on by her surviving family:
• Sons: Charles “Steve” Sauls (Anita) of Moore Haven, FL, and Randy Sauls of Pembroke, GA.
• Brothers: Norman Sutton (Lilly) of Lake Placid, FL, and Sam Sutton (Donna) of Mentone, AL.
• Sister: Becky Meeler of Clewiston, FL.
• Grandchildren: Courtney, Brittany, Cody, Logan, and Kirstan
• Great-Grandchildren: She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren who brought so much joy to her life.
Services
Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Georgia's life:
• Viewing: Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Funeral Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Graveside Service: To follow immediately after the funeral at Ridgelawn Cemetery, 520 Ridgelawn Rd, Clewiston, FL 33440.
February 22, 1940 – September 10, 2026
Georgia Lilly Veale, 86, of Clewiston, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on September 10, 2026, while under the gentle care of Vitas Hospice in Fort Myers, Florida. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Vitas Hospice for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.
Her Life and Legacy
Georgia was born on February 22, 1940, in Panama City, Florida, to the late William Marcus Sutton and Lilly Bell Bryant. A dedicated and sharp businesswoman, Georgia worked for many years at S & M Drugs. Later, she and her sister, Ginny, co-founded the Quick Stop convenience store in Clewiston. When Ginny eventually relocated, Georgia successfully managed and operated the business independently alongside her employees until her well-earned retirement.
Beyond her professional success, Georgia was defined by her great love, boundless generosity, and strong spirit. She was an incredibly talkative and social person who truly never met a stranger. She took great joy in life’s simple pleasures, especially traveling, fishing, and camping trips with her family. Summer trips taking her grandchildren to the beach held a very special place in her heart. At home, she could often be found working on puzzles or playing games.
Georgia’s heart was happiest when she was blessing others. She loved the holidays and any gathering that brought her family together, always cooking and baking enough to feed everyone. She was an avid shopper who took great delight in hunting down sales—not for herself, but so she could buy gifts to surprise and bless those around her. Whenever anyone was in need, Georgia was the very first to step forward and help.
Family
Georgia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Veale, as well as her siblings, Bill Sutton, Paul Sutton, Jep Sutton, and Ginny Miller.
Her legacy of love will be carried on by her surviving family:
• Sons: Charles “Steve” Sauls (Anita) of Moore Haven, FL, and Randy Sauls of Pembroke, GA.
• Brothers: Norman Sutton (Lilly) of Lake Placid, FL, and Sam Sutton (Donna) of Mentone, AL.
• Sister: Becky Meeler of Clewiston, FL.
• Grandchildren: Courtney, Brittany, Cody, Logan, and Kirstan
• Great-Grandchildren: She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren who brought so much joy to her life.
Services
Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Georgia's life:
• Viewing: Friday, September 25, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Funeral Service: Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Evangel Assembly of God, 350 South Berner Road, Clewiston, FL 33440.
• Graveside Service: To follow immediately after the funeral at Ridgelawn Cemetery, 520 Ridgelawn Rd, Clewiston, FL 33440.
Mosquito Treatment Schedule For September
Hendry County will be conducting aerial adult mosquito control operations over the Caloosa Estates, Caloosa Shores, Double J Acres, Felda, Ft. Denaud, Ft. Denaud Acres, LaBelle Acres (Case and Evans Roads), LaBelle Ranchettes (alphabet roads), North LaBelle, Northwest Hendry County, South LaBelle, Phillips and Murray Roads, and Port LaBelle community Thursday, September 17th, 2026, weather permitting, through Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
These operations will continue throughout the remainder of the year as mosquito levels warrant. The insecticide to treat for adult mosquitoes is approved for application by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida.
This operation will be conducted by Clarke.
Community Survey Online For Hendry/Glades Counties
Hendry and Glades Counties' community survey is now available. The survey results will help us make Hendry and Glades counties healthier places to live and work.
These surveys are part of the Community Health Needs Assessment we conduct in Hendry and Glades Counties in collaboration with the Healthier Hendry/Glades Taskforce
Here’s how you can help:
Take the survey links below!
Please complete the survey if you live and/or work in Hendry or Glades County.
The survey is available in multiple languages:
English Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26HendryGladesCommunitySurvey
Here’s how you can help:
Take the survey links below!
Please complete the survey if you live and/or work in Hendry or Glades County.
The survey is available in multiple languages:
English Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26HendryGladesCommunitySurvey
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