
Health warning for blue-green algae near Davis Boat Ramp
Health officials are warning people to be careful about a profusion of blue-green algae on the Caloosahatchee River near the Davis Boat Ramp in Fort Myers Shores.

Wet Thursday morning leads to more isolated storms
Due to the continuation of onshore flow with winds out of the southwest, isolated storms will develop along the coast throughout the morning, strengthening into the afternoon while tracking east and dissipating by the evening.

People speak out at city council meeting for Cape Coral Yacht Club
Cape Coral City Council is hosting a meeting to discuss the fate of the Cape Coral Yacht Club. A majority speak on behalf of the yacht club.

‘Let’s go, Blades!’ Florida Everblades one win away from Kelly Cup
Cowbells are ringing! The Florida Everblades are one win away from sweeping the Idaho Steelheads in the Kelly Cup Finals.

WINK News Hurricane Special 2023:”Preparing After Ian”
With each hurricane season seeming more ominous than the next, one of nature’s most destructive forces, year after year, closes in on Florida.

Shy Wolf Sanctuary and Home Base Florida team up to help veterans
The Shy Wolf Sanctuary Education and Experience Center joined forces with Florida to offer a unique experience to veterans.

Discovered human remains identified in Collier County
The human remains found in a wooded area last year have been identified.

FDOT: Gas leak repairs could take 3 or more days
Gas is spewing from a broken line on State Road 31 off Palm Beach Boulevard, closing SR-31 traffic in both directions.

Whale dies during rescue attempt in Rose Marina off Marco Island
A whale has died in Rose Marina off Marco Island after a day-long excavation to rescue it. People were saddened to see a whale in distress.

NAACP files ethics complaint against city of Fort Myers
The NAACP has joined forces with the owner of Classy Chics Event Planning and Catering to file ethics complaints against four Fort Myers officials.
Gulfshore Business

Pokémon trading card store opens in Cape Coral
When Matt Foster first opened a sports trading card shop in Cape Coral, he had no space dedicated to selling Pokémon cards until customers began asking for it. Soon, they began demanding it. Pokémon, which is short for pocket monsters, originated in Japan in 1996, took a foothold in the U.S. and have been popular […]

Dave Harner to succeed retiring Roger Desjarlais as Lee County Manager
Lee County Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to appoint Deputy County Manager Dave Harner as the new county manager following Roger Desjarlais’ retirement announcement Monday. The appointment is subject to a contract negotiation between Chairman Brian Hamman and Harner, with the assistance of the county attorney’s office. The contract will be brought to the commissioner meeting […]

Bleu Rendezvous French restaurant reopens on Sanibel Island
The Vivet family’s story of resiliency began with Mari Vivet sheltering with her 5-year-old schnauzer, Blue, in the interior bathroom of her Sanibel Island home on Sept. 28.
Campaign Central

Mike Pence files paperwork launching 2024 presidential bid
Former Vice President Mike Pence filed paperwork on Monday declaring his campaign for president in 2024, setting up a challenge to his former boss, Donald Trump, just two years after their time in the White House ended with an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and Pence fleeing for his life.

DeSantis hits Trump from the right while the ex-president looks ahead to the general election
In his first week on the campaign trail as a presidential candidate, Gov. Ron DeSantis repeatedly hit his chief rival, Donald Trump, from the right.

Florida’s new immigration law already being felt, not yet in effect
Construction workers say they are losing their jobs because employers fear Florida’s new immigration law.

Ron DeSantis raises $8.2 million in first 24 hours after launching presidential campaign
Gov. Ron DeSantis has raised a record $8.2 million in the first 24 hours after the launch of his 2024 presidential campaign, as he barrels toward an expensive and combative primary led by former President Donald Trump.
Investigations

Florida couple claims insurance company isn’t following their own policy
Hurricane Season 2023 has officially begun, but Hurricane Ian recovery is far from ending. Many Southwest Florida homeowners blame their insurance companies for the slow recovery.

BREAKING: Fort Myers selects finalists in police chief search
Who made the cut to become the next Fort Myers Police Chief?

Thousands of Hurricane Ian insurance claims remain open: ‘I just want my life back’
Deborah Croquart’s bedroom in her Cape Coral home used to be the place she relaxed at the end of the day. The place that brought peace now brings the opposite. It’s stripped to nothing but concrete, wooden posts and wires hanging from the walls.

Adderall shortage: ADHD medication remains in short supply with no clear resolution
For some, Adderall is a life-changing drug. But prescriptions spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating increased demand and restricted supply that’s gone on for months now.

Hurricane Ian victims still waiting for insurance checks in Florida
Three different homeowners are having the same problem with the same insurance company. They can’t get their homes back to normal after Hurricane Ian because their insurance company hasn’t sent over their checks. It’s a problem many Southwest Floridians are still dealing with almost eight months after the storm.
Health and Medical

Miracle Monday: ER doctor competes in 80-mile paddleboard race to fight cystic fibrosis
On this week’s Miracle Monday, you’ll meet a doctor who will literally cross the ocean for his patients.

Transgender adults in Florida `blindsided’ that new law also limits their access to health care
The debate surrounding Florida’s new restrictions on gender-affirming care focused largely on transgender children. But a new law that Republican presidential candidate and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last month also made it difficult – even impossible – for many transgender adults to get treatment.

What does ‘on the spectrum’ mean? Data shows connection to drowning
The death of Evelyn Geer is a terrible tragedy. But due to the nature of autism, accidents happen more often than you might think.

Treating mental health at Baker Senior Center Naples
Isolation, loneliness, and grief are a growing problem in the older population that often leads to depression.

‘Maximum results with minimal treatment’: new disc sealant for chronic back pain
A controversial approach has been found for chronic back pain without involving surgery. A Naples doctor uses new disc sealant on patients.
The Environment

Non-profit Risk Factor assess flooding, heat concerns for Fort Myers
Southwest Florida is susceptible to severe weather events, so much so that a ranking of the 100 most populated cities placed Fort Myers in the second spot for risk of fire, flood, heat and wind damage

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, begins erupting after 3-month pause
Kilauea, the second largest volcano in Hawaii, began erupting on Wednesday after a three-month pause, U.S. Geological Survey officials said.

Reforestation effort begins at WP Franklin Park
Reforestation has started at the WP Franklin Recreation Park. The mission is to plant 24 thousand little pollinator plants.

Lake Okeechobee blue-green algae levels rising
Summer means high air and water temperature, rainy afternoons, and blue-green algae.

Algae swirling on the Gulf Coast brings a stink near Matlacha
Algae swirling in the Gulf Coast is bringing a smelly odor to the air.