Esther Bower
Esther Bower joined FOX 35 as a reporter in February 2023, and reports on Florida’s Space Coast part of our Brevard County news bureau.
While she didn’t grow up in the Sunshine State, she was born in Zephyrhills, Florida, making this a homecoming of sorts. Bower is a passionate journalist who is dedicated to connecting communities and empowering viewers.
Before joining FOX 35, she worked in Spokane, Washington, where she covered the tragic story of the four University of Idaho students who were murdered in their home, the sentencing for one of the first school shootings in the Inland Northwest, and the growing homelessness crisis on the West Coast.
Esther grew up in the farmland of Indiana, graduated from Ball State University, and studied at Northwestern University before starting her professional career. She loves the opportunity to bring people together and highlight humanity through stories of hope stemming from tragedy and neighbors supporting each other.
In her free time, she cherishes spending time with her family, trying new foods (the spicier the better!), running, dancing, and growing her faith. She’s so excited to call Central Florida home.
The latest from Esther Bower
Man accused of sexually assaulting woman at knifepoint in Merritt Island had 30 priors before latest attack
A man accused of violently raping a woman by knifepoint was not given a bond during his first appearance.
Cape Canaveral City Council asks BPS to pause elementary school closure for a year
The fight to keep Cape Canaveral’s only public elementary school open intensified Tuesday as city leaders urged the Brevard County School Board to delay a decision to close Cape View Elementary.
New experiment proves grass clippings are a leading threat to Indian River Lagoon health
Grass clippings are polluting the Indian River Lagoon. ORCA research shows they fuel algae blooms that destroy seagrass habitats. Here's what the research showed
Families frustrated with short sentences for suspects in murders of 2 teens in vape pen robbery
Brevard County families in a 2024 vape robbery and murder said justice wasn’t served for their lost loved ones.
Florida family frustrated after man convicted in teen's death receives 4-year sentence as 'youthful offender'
The family of Joseph Cardella, a teen who was shot and killed in 2024 when attempting to sell THC vape pens, is speaking out, warning that the four-year sentencing of John Govea sets a "dangerous precedent" for violent crime in Florida.
Whales near extinction spotted along the Space Coast: 'A marvel'
North Atlantic right whales were spotted off the coast of Brevard near Canova Park on Wednesday.
Brevard, Seminole State Attorney starts new special victim's unit to support most vulnerable crime survivors
A prosecutor in Brevard and Seminole Counties is now starting a program for crime survivors after his own brush with death.
Cocoa man arrested for shooting cat he claims was messing with his car
After being shot in the leg – leading to the amputation of that leg – a cat, named Liam by his new owners, has recovered as the suspected shooter faces jail time.
Inside 'House of Horrors,' rat nightmares as condemned home conditions worsen, neighbors say
After an Indialantic home was condemned earlier this month – with county officials trying to get to the bottom of this "nuisance property" – neighbors are saying the state of the home is giving them nightmares.
Birds falling out of the sky in Florida? Here's what's really going on
Thousands of Gannett birds are in the middle of their migration from Canada and other northern areas south towards the Gulf.