Founded in 1884 by Stafford C. Cleveland, The News-Press began as the Fort Myers Press, serving the small but growing community of Fort Myers, Florida. Cleveland, a Union Army veteran and experienced newspaperman, saw an opportunity to provide news and information to the developing region. The paper went through several name changes and mergers over the years, eventually becoming The News-Press. Today, The News-Press is owned by Gannett, one of the largest news media companies in the United States, which acquired the paper in 1971.The News-Press covers a wide range of topics focusing on Southwest Florida, particularly Lee County and the surrounding areas. Their coverage includes local and state politics, community events, sports (with emphasis on local teams and the Boston Red Sox spring training), business, environmental issues, tourism, and lifestyle content. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, the newspaper serves as a primary source of news for residents of Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties. The News-Press also maintains a strong online presence, offering digital subscriptions and regularly updated content on their website.One interesting fact: The News-Press has a unique connection to one of America's most famous inventors. Thomas Edison, who had a winter home in Fort Myers, was a regular reader of the newspaper and even contributed articles to it. In fact, The News-Press was the first newspaper to report Edison's successful creation of the light bulb, thanks to the inventor's close relationship with the paper.