Gina Tomlinson

Just in the past few months, the Lee County School Board welcomed its first African American board member. “For students to be able to see someone that looked like them,” said Gwen Gittens, who became the first black person on the school board. Watch the video above to see how Lee County school district has […]

A government agency will hold a vote on new rules to protect sharks and beachgoers. If implemented, it will change how fishers catch these marine animals. Reeling in a shark, straight from the shoreline is a magical moment that some want to capture. “Just for that picture session and just to show everybody,” said Bruce […]

Before Hurricane Irma struck Southwest Florida, Bob Johnson and his wife sold one of the few you-pick orange groves left to a young couple. After the storm, the couple vanished. The old orange grove on Misty Morning Lane, off Corkscrew Road, may look run down now, but the branches along the ten-acre lot hold history. “Their […]

It may seem like a majority of people living in Southwest Florida are from somewhere else. Just ask your next door neighbor or the people living down the street. The tropical climate and prices make the Southwest Florida region attractive to foreign investors. Like many enjoying Fort Myers Beach right now, Joerg Ifler originally came […]

Water, sand and sun — what’s missing? Plastic straws littering the beach. But will a push to bring plastic back ruin paradise? Saving our environment is important to Rachell Kaltak who’s son, Arlin, does not need a straw to enjoy his saccharine snow-cone on their family vacation. Kaltak and others do like Janet Roth said the […]

Kitty Medica tried to fly home to Chicago Wednesday, but now she is missing her boyfriend’s birthday – even though her flight at Southwest Florida International Airport is rescheduled for Thursday. “The weather is the same in Chicago tomorrow, basically,” Medica said. “I decided I should just wait.” Noel Sterchele is one of the lucky ones. […]

A new leash on life. Seven the dog still loves people. But that may be hard to believe if you know her past. The 3-year-old pit bull was shot multiple times by a Lehigh Acres man before she was taken in by Big Hearts for Big Dogs Director Trinity Hansen. “We heard her story and […]

Captain Billy Norris is finally booking charter trips again now that red tide is keeping away from his boat in Bonita Springs. It was just months ago that piles of stinky dead fish on the beaches scared business away. Red tide has had a massive impact on Southwest Florida. It forced researchers from Florida Gulf […]

Inside the Southwest Florida International Airport, security lines keep moving, even though the Transportation Security Administration workers are not getting compensated. “They need to pay their mortgages, they need to buy their food, they need to pay stuff for the kids,” said Noreen Traxler, a passenger. “I just think it’s a shame.” Air traffic controllers continue to […]

A mobile food pantry to help federal employees who are struggling to make ends meet during the federal government shutdown was held Friday at the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). A second mobile pantry will be held at the same location from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. The Harry Chapin Food Bank, […]