WINK NEWS Car fire on I-75 northbound closes multiple lanes A car on fire has been reported near Bonita Beach Road on I-75 northbound.
downtown fort myers The downtown Fort Myers post office has reopened The downtown Fort Myers post office has officially reopened.
WINK NEWS Woman allegedly involved in one of Southwest Florida’s largest drug rings scheduled in court for plea hearing One woman suspected of being involved in one of the largest drug rings in Southwest Florida is set to appear in court for a plea hearing.
PUNTA GORDA Accused hitman in Punta Gorda double homicide will be in court for arraignment An accused hitman involved in a double homicide in Punta Gorda is scheduled to appear in court this morning for his arraignment.
WINK NEWS Poll results reveal more children are drinking caffeine For many, the morning routine is incomplete without a cup of coffee, but do you remember how old you were when you started your caffeine kick?
FORT MYERS Detective returns to work after Christopher Jordan investigation The detective with the Fort Myers Police Department who shot and killed an unarmed black man is set to return to work.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, supreme leader’s protégé, dies at 63 in helicopter crash Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protégé of the country’s supreme leader who helped oversee the mass executions of thousands in 1988 and later led the country as it enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels and launched a major drone-and-missile attack on Israel, has died. He was 63.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Not as hot for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and dry Monday with most of Southwest Florida staying dry; however, isolated storms are expected inland.
FORT MYERS Police investigate homicide in front of Fort Myers beauty salon The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a homicide after police found a man’s dead body in the parking lot of a Fort Myers beauty salon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: road rage, domestic violence and camper fire This weeks segment of WINK Neighborhood watch features: An angry driver, a posterior puncture, and a family camper up in flames.
OCALA Memorial held for migrant bus crash victims A memorial was held in Ocala Friday night after a bus crash left eight people dead and 45 injured this past Tuesday.
IMMOKALEE ROAD 3 injured in deadly crash on Immokalee road The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating a deadly crash on Immokalee road.
NAPLES Collier deputies investigating car submerged in water The Collier County Sheriffs Office is investigating the scene of a submerged vehicle in Naples.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball reflects on season and team’s legacy FGCU softball reflects on the historic season following their elimination doubleheader Saturday as well as what made this team special.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your Sunday Expect sun and clouds throughout the day, along with scattered rain. Some of the storms have the potential to become severe.
WINK NEWS Car fire on I-75 northbound closes multiple lanes A car on fire has been reported near Bonita Beach Road on I-75 northbound.
downtown fort myers The downtown Fort Myers post office has reopened The downtown Fort Myers post office has officially reopened.
WINK NEWS Woman allegedly involved in one of Southwest Florida’s largest drug rings scheduled in court for plea hearing One woman suspected of being involved in one of the largest drug rings in Southwest Florida is set to appear in court for a plea hearing.
PUNTA GORDA Accused hitman in Punta Gorda double homicide will be in court for arraignment An accused hitman involved in a double homicide in Punta Gorda is scheduled to appear in court this morning for his arraignment.
WINK NEWS Poll results reveal more children are drinking caffeine For many, the morning routine is incomplete without a cup of coffee, but do you remember how old you were when you started your caffeine kick?
FORT MYERS Detective returns to work after Christopher Jordan investigation The detective with the Fort Myers Police Department who shot and killed an unarmed black man is set to return to work.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran President Ebrahim Raisi, supreme leader’s protégé, dies at 63 in helicopter crash Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a hard-line protégé of the country’s supreme leader who helped oversee the mass executions of thousands in 1988 and later led the country as it enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels and launched a major drone-and-missile attack on Israel, has died. He was 63.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Not as hot for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a hot and dry Monday with most of Southwest Florida staying dry; however, isolated storms are expected inland.
FORT MYERS Police investigate homicide in front of Fort Myers beauty salon The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a homicide after police found a man’s dead body in the parking lot of a Fort Myers beauty salon.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: road rage, domestic violence and camper fire This weeks segment of WINK Neighborhood watch features: An angry driver, a posterior puncture, and a family camper up in flames.
OCALA Memorial held for migrant bus crash victims A memorial was held in Ocala Friday night after a bus crash left eight people dead and 45 injured this past Tuesday.
IMMOKALEE ROAD 3 injured in deadly crash on Immokalee road The Florida Highway Patrol is currently investigating a deadly crash on Immokalee road.
NAPLES Collier deputies investigating car submerged in water The Collier County Sheriffs Office is investigating the scene of a submerged vehicle in Naples.
GAINESVILLE FGCU softball reflects on season and team’s legacy FGCU softball reflects on the historic season following their elimination doubleheader Saturday as well as what made this team special.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA The Weather Authority: Scattered storms in the forecast for your Sunday Expect sun and clouds throughout the day, along with scattered rain. Some of the storms have the potential to become severe.
MGN image Economists say we haven’t seen inflation rates spike like this since the energy crisis of the 1970s. For so many families, the cost of living is now outpacing what most people earn. Whether you make $20,000 or $200,000 a year, the price of the necessities in Southwest Florida is digging into everyone’s wallets. Gas, food and housing are all rising with no end in sight. “It’s worrisome for every family when prices rise faster than money wages do,” said FGCU Economics Professor Victor Claar. Claar said across the board we are paying roughly 10% more for what we need now compared to last year. The average family in Fort Myers is paying $1,760 in rent. In Naples, that number is $2,000, and that is if you can find a place to rent. At the current rate, you will likely spend $160 more per month at the pump than this time last year as gas prices continue to rise. The pain is also felt at the grocery store, where prices are up 7%. “Whatever you used to buy with $1 now costs at least $1.10 across the board in Southwest Florida. So families need to be really careful with budgeting and watching how prices are changing, especially on the staple things that they buy every single month,” said Claar. Claar said now is the time to have an honest conversation about your finances with your family and your employer, “because it’s a time when employers are desperate for people who will come in turn up when they’ve said that they’ll turn up, and tell their friends about open positions. So this might actually be a pretty good time. There’s never a great time to ask for a raise.” Asking for a raise is easier said than done. Claar said there is no timetable as to when you could see prices going back to normal. Some of it depends on what happens with Ukraine. Not everyone can ask for a raise. Carolyn Medugno said she and her husband are retired. Going back to work is not an option for them. “No matter how much money you have. It still hurts,” said Medugno. She first noticed the price spikes at the grocery store. “I probably only shop like every six weeks. So I’m going to say maybe $300 at BJs? And maybe $150 here?” Medugno said last year, “Probably maybe, $250 BJs? And maybe $100 here.” Then she started to see it at the gas station, but thankfully she said, she doesn’t need to fill up too often. “The last time I got gas was probably two weeks ago. And it was $3.45 in the same place. It’s $3.99 today,” said Medugno. While Medungo owns her home, she knows the home values are soaring too. “And the houses there are twice the price what we paid in 2019. So it’s really it’s ridiculous.” The National Association of Realtors says in Lee County, just 53% of families can afford to buy a home. In Charlotte County, that number is 50%. In Collier County, it is even lower at just 40%. In other words, in the last year, 22,500 families have been priced out of a home in Southwest Florida. Submit Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.