TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior. FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning. SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault. The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon. NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night. BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg. PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story. IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle. Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs. Gulfshore Business View all Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region. Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander. Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code. League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism. 3 new restaurants coming this fall to Coconut Point Fresh Catch Bistro, PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant and Real Seafood Co. are launching upscale casual restaurants in units previously home to TGI Fridays, The Saloon and Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, respectively. Cape Coral City Council salary, stipend won’t appear on November ballot After being presented with four proposals at an April 24 committee of the whole meeting, Council couldn’t come to a legitimate consensus for City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner to formulate a referendum for the November ballot. Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox Sign up for e-mail alerts from WINK News Investigations ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take. Fired deputy charged with crimes had troubled past in law enforcement A local police officer resigned in lieu of termination after dozens of disciplinary actions against him, so how was he hired at another SWFL law enforcement agency? The Lee County School District proposes changes to address safety and discipline on school grounds Lee Schools changing the rules to improve safety and discipline. Sheriff Carmine Marceno addresses incident after deputy pulled over, taken home Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno sat down exclusively with Investigative Reporter Peter Fleischer to provide answers about why an off-duty deputy was driven home instead of to jail. More green space needed in Fort Myers; Parks ‘Master plan’ unveiled The fate of the long-awaited park at the old Dunbar sludge site might lie in Fort Myers voters’ hands. State News View all Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products. How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form? Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota. Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials. What’s next for Punta Gorda hotel with asbestos? The owner of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites and Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar and Grill has chosen Pece of Mind Environmental to remove the mineral. Health & Medical View all Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge. Magic mushrooms may help ease depression, but are they safe? The potential of magic mushrooms to act as a ‘magic’ solution to treat depression is getting a lot of attention. One of the most important aspects is safety. Naples med center using tech to help people live longer Advances in medicine are helping people live longer and experts in the field of longevity believe there is still room to enjoy more quality years. Diagnosing stomach issues with breath and motility Forty percent of all Americans suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, such as nausea, fecal incontinence, and IBS. Lee Health official discusses advantages of patient portal for Spanish speakers Having access to healthcare records at your fingertips was widely available but out of reach for Hispanics in Southwest Florida. Breast Cancer treatment is evolving; Same day mastectomies are becoming more common Eileen Wesley is diligent about her health, and for good reason. Breast cancer runs in her family. The Environment View all The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon. What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Endangered smalltooth sawfish deaths more than double since mid-March Wildlife officials have announced five more endangered smalltooth sawfish mortalities occurred in the last two weeks of the ongoing abnormal fish behavior event in the Florida Keys. WINK Sports View all Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night. From Verot to The Show: Blaze Alexander is living his MLB dream Former Bishop Verot star Blaze Alexander is now living his MLB dream as he got called up to join the Arizona Diamondbacks. Man proves polio doesn’t have to be a strikeout so you can swing for the fences too Dave Clark shocked doctors when he survived infancy and he shocked the world when he played professional baseball on crutches. Guiding young men keeps former FSW coach motivated as he joins NCAA For Eric Murphy, performance on the floor only scratches the surface of what it means to be a coach. Legally blind Bonita Springs man hits hole in one 85-year-old Vincent Costa from Bonita Springs hit a hole in one at Vasari Country Club despite being legally blind. Estero teen to represent U.S. golf on international stage At only 16-years-old Gianna Clemente already has a resume that most golfers only dream of and she’s just getting started. Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright talks changes in college basketball Former Villanova men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright shares his thoughts on the current state of college basketball. FGCU golfer swings with the pros at the PGA Tour in Texas After winning a college tournament, Joe Sullivan, a Florida Gulf Coast University golfer, was given an automatic bid to play in an official Professional Golfers Association tour event with some of the best in the world. Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani faces bank fraud charges in sports betting case U.S. Attorney Marin Estrada announced the charges Thursday. FGCU’s Rivers showing off skills in College Slam Dunk Championship Rivers is the first to represent FGCU in the dunk contest and hopes to be the first to bring home the crown. Campaign Central View all ‘Catch and kill’ will be described to jurors in Donald Trump’s hush money trial as testimony resumes A tabloid publisher was expected Tuesday to tell jurors about helping Donald Trump stifle unflattering stories during the 2016 campaign. President Biden speaks at Reproductive Freedom Event in Tampa President Joe Biden is in Tampa and gave remarks at the Reproductive Freedom Event on Tuesday. Trump tried to ‘corrupt’ the 2016 election, prosecutor alleges as hush money trial gets underway Donald Trump tried to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election by preventing damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the start of the former president’s historic hush money trial.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
League Club of Naples awards record $683K in grants to Collier, Lee nonprofits At a mid-April breakfast event, the 35 area nonprofit agencies—chosen from a record number of applicants—were awarded grants from the women’s volunteer organization in areas ranging from arts education, to fighting hunger and homelessness, to providing bikes and wheelchairs to children in need
Tim Aten Knows: Chick-fil-A drive-thru proposal faces criticism in Naples Chick-fil-A is proposing a drive-thru restaurant at the site of the former Red Lobster restaurant on U.S. 41 in Naples, but the project is facing early criticism.
3 new restaurants coming this fall to Coconut Point Fresh Catch Bistro, PJK Neighborhood Chinese Restaurant and Real Seafood Co. are launching upscale casual restaurants in units previously home to TGI Fridays, The Saloon and Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill, respectively.
Cape Coral City Council salary, stipend won’t appear on November ballot After being presented with four proposals at an April 24 committee of the whole meeting, Council couldn’t come to a legitimate consensus for City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner to formulate a referendum for the November ballot.
‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
Fired deputy charged with crimes had troubled past in law enforcement A local police officer resigned in lieu of termination after dozens of disciplinary actions against him, so how was he hired at another SWFL law enforcement agency?
The Lee County School District proposes changes to address safety and discipline on school grounds Lee Schools changing the rules to improve safety and discipline.
Sheriff Carmine Marceno addresses incident after deputy pulled over, taken home Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno sat down exclusively with Investigative Reporter Peter Fleischer to provide answers about why an off-duty deputy was driven home instead of to jail.
More green space needed in Fort Myers; Parks ‘Master plan’ unveiled The fate of the long-awaited park at the old Dunbar sludge site might lie in Fort Myers voters’ hands.
Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
What’s next for Punta Gorda hotel with asbestos? The owner of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites and Hurricane Charley’s Raw Bar and Grill has chosen Pece of Mind Environmental to remove the mineral.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
Magic mushrooms may help ease depression, but are they safe? The potential of magic mushrooms to act as a ‘magic’ solution to treat depression is getting a lot of attention. One of the most important aspects is safety.
Naples med center using tech to help people live longer Advances in medicine are helping people live longer and experts in the field of longevity believe there is still room to enjoy more quality years.
Diagnosing stomach issues with breath and motility Forty percent of all Americans suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, such as nausea, fecal incontinence, and IBS.
Lee Health official discusses advantages of patient portal for Spanish speakers Having access to healthcare records at your fingertips was widely available but out of reach for Hispanics in Southwest Florida.
Breast Cancer treatment is evolving; Same day mastectomies are becoming more common Eileen Wesley is diligent about her health, and for good reason. Breast cancer runs in her family.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Endangered smalltooth sawfish deaths more than double since mid-March Wildlife officials have announced five more endangered smalltooth sawfish mortalities occurred in the last two weeks of the ongoing abnormal fish behavior event in the Florida Keys.
Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
From Verot to The Show: Blaze Alexander is living his MLB dream Former Bishop Verot star Blaze Alexander is now living his MLB dream as he got called up to join the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Man proves polio doesn’t have to be a strikeout so you can swing for the fences too Dave Clark shocked doctors when he survived infancy and he shocked the world when he played professional baseball on crutches.
Guiding young men keeps former FSW coach motivated as he joins NCAA For Eric Murphy, performance on the floor only scratches the surface of what it means to be a coach.
Legally blind Bonita Springs man hits hole in one 85-year-old Vincent Costa from Bonita Springs hit a hole in one at Vasari Country Club despite being legally blind.
Estero teen to represent U.S. golf on international stage At only 16-years-old Gianna Clemente already has a resume that most golfers only dream of and she’s just getting started.
Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright talks changes in college basketball Former Villanova men’s basketball head coach Jay Wright shares his thoughts on the current state of college basketball.
FGCU golfer swings with the pros at the PGA Tour in Texas After winning a college tournament, Joe Sullivan, a Florida Gulf Coast University golfer, was given an automatic bid to play in an official Professional Golfers Association tour event with some of the best in the world.
Former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani faces bank fraud charges in sports betting case U.S. Attorney Marin Estrada announced the charges Thursday.
FGCU’s Rivers showing off skills in College Slam Dunk Championship Rivers is the first to represent FGCU in the dunk contest and hopes to be the first to bring home the crown.
‘Catch and kill’ will be described to jurors in Donald Trump’s hush money trial as testimony resumes A tabloid publisher was expected Tuesday to tell jurors about helping Donald Trump stifle unflattering stories during the 2016 campaign.
President Biden speaks at Reproductive Freedom Event in Tampa President Joe Biden is in Tampa and gave remarks at the Reproductive Freedom Event on Tuesday.
Trump tried to ‘corrupt’ the 2016 election, prosecutor alleges as hush money trial gets underway Donald Trump tried to illegally influence the 2016 presidential election by preventing damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public, a prosecutor told jurors Monday at the start of the former president’s historic hush money trial.