Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoonStudents react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
MGN TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – As the NFL season kicks off, another big contest may be soon be played in the halls of the Florida Capitol. The growing fantasy sports industry, which is already subjecting television viewers to a barrage of wall-to-wall advertising with the new football season, is now setting its sights on getting the blessings of the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. Two rival fantasy sports companies, FanDuel and DraftKings, have joined forces to hire one of Tallahassee’s most prominent lobbying firms led by a well-known GOP fundraiser. The reason? Despite promises to players that fantasy sports are completely legal, questions remain about whether participating in such games violates Florida’s gambling laws. Peter Schoenke, president of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, said his group also decided to hire lobbyist Brian Ballard and his firm this summer because it’s “important to establish a presence in Tallahassee and begin educating legislators about the dynamics of fantasy sports.” Schoenke’s group contends that as many 3 million Florida residents participate in fantasy sports contests where big money often is at stake, including traditional fantasy football leagues or the daily and weekly contests run by FanDuel and DraftKings. Those two companies have paid for a flood of television and radio ads promising big payouts to players. DraftKings’ website says it is guaranteeing that more than $1 billion will be paid out in 2015. But a well-known gambling and sports law attorney warns that as the industry grows and becomes more lucrative it could invite scrutiny. “As more money flows into fantasy sports and the character of the games begin to more closely resemble gambling (rather than an informal social game), the risk of a criminal prosecution heightens,” wrote Daniel Wallach, an attorney with the Fort Lauderdale office of Becker & Poliakoff, in a recent analysis of Florida law. “As unlikely as that may seem to many, all it takes is one aggressive prosecutor or attorney general to jeopardize Florida’s lucrative and established fantasy sports market.” While federal law has an exception utilized by those in the fantasy sports industry, the legal situation in Florida in murkier, thanks in part to a 1991 opinion authored by then-Attorney General Bob Butterworth. He flatly stated that an NFL fantasy league – where team owners paid $100 to join and won money based on the performance of their team – was illegal gambling. Butterworth stated that while there may be some skill in picking a fantasy team, the prizes in a league are based on the performance of a player in an actual football game and that it is like placing a bet. Schoenke would not comment on the opinion, but he did note it was issued back when “fantasy sports was still in its infancy and well before it became our country’s new national pastime.” Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office has no plans to revisit the issue, said her spokesman, Whitney Ray. He also said the attorney’s general does not rescind previous legal opinions. While Bondi’s office – and a spokeswoman for the fantasy industry – say there are no current investigations, Wallach has suggested it’s time for legislators to clarify whether fantasy sports are legal. House Majority Leader Dana Young, who tried and failed to pass a comprehensive gambling bill last year, said she would support changing state law to make it clear fantasy leagues are allowed. “That’s something that a lot of people enjoy doing and it’s not gambling,” said Young, a Tampa Republican.