wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
port charlotte Suspected impaired driver in custody after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department are investigating a crash involving a suspected impaired driver slamming into a home garage.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
FORT MYERS Community aids in search for missing pitbull after Lee County crash A crash on I-75 near Daniels Parkway in Lee County turned a routine drive into a heartbreaking search for a missing pet.
LEHIGH ACRES Community supporting Lehigh Acres church after destructive fire A massive fire recently burned the Christ at Crossroads Church in Lehigh Acres, and the community is rallying to support the church’s recovery.
FORT MYERS Kids battling cancer in Fort Myers receive cuddly companions from donor Children battling cancer in Fort Myers are finding comfort in a special friend thanks to a generous donor.
2 SWFL veterans find relief at Harry Chapin Food Bank Two veterans in Southwest Florida routinely receive vital support through local food distributions, highlighting a significant issue affecting many who have served our country.
wink news Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
the weather authority Another warm afternoon for your Tuesday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a warm Tuesday afternoon with stray rain showers expected in our inland communities.
port charlotte Suspected impaired driver in custody after slamming into Port Charlotte home’s garage The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and North Port Police Department are investigating a crash involving a suspected impaired driver slamming into a home garage.
NORTH FORT MYERS Cape Coral man faces 16 charges after fleeing multiple traffic stops Marcus Selby, 24, is facing multiple charges after a dramatic series of events involving Cape Coral police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
SANIBEL Sanibel residents brace for traffic surge with new advisory and app aid Sanibel residents are bracing for increased traffic as the city issued a “heavy traffic advisory” for the entire week.
FGCU FGCU’s Casey Santoro battles back from Achilles injury FGCU women’s basketball player Casey Santoro is back on the floor after suffering an Achilles injury a season ago.
BABCOCK RANCH Heaviest Florida panther ever recorded located in Babcock Ranch Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists recently captured and collared the heaviest Florida panther ever recorded.
Lee County deputies using VR for safe high-risk training scenarios The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant step forward in training by incorporating virtual reality technology.
NAPLES FC Naples signs local soccer star Joffre followed his dream across continents after graduating from Gulf Coast. Now he’s back on the professional soccer pitch in his hometown.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach businesses face floodplain compliance deadline Fort Myers Beach’s businesses face pressure to comply with floodplain regulations or leave the island by March 1.
NAPLES Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.
FORT MYERS Community aids in search for missing pitbull after Lee County crash A crash on I-75 near Daniels Parkway in Lee County turned a routine drive into a heartbreaking search for a missing pet.
LEHIGH ACRES Community supporting Lehigh Acres church after destructive fire A massive fire recently burned the Christ at Crossroads Church in Lehigh Acres, and the community is rallying to support the church’s recovery.
FORT MYERS Kids battling cancer in Fort Myers receive cuddly companions from donor Children battling cancer in Fort Myers are finding comfort in a special friend thanks to a generous donor.
2 SWFL veterans find relief at Harry Chapin Food Bank Two veterans in Southwest Florida routinely receive vital support through local food distributions, highlighting a significant issue affecting many who have served our country.
Florida governor’s mansion and state capitol building. Credit MGN TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) After a contentious session that saw top Republicans snipe at one another and Gov. Rick Scott for more than two months, the GOP-controlled Florida Legislature finally called it quits Monday after approving a roughly $83 billion state budget. The immediate question for legislators is whether or not their escape will be short-lived since Scott continues to hint that he may veto the budget and force the Legislature back into session between now and the end of June. Scott has traveled across the state and railed against legislators for failing to include his top priorities – including money for business incentives and money for Florida’s tourism marketing agency – in the new budget. He was noticeably absent from the customary end-of-session celebration where top legislative leaders boasted about the work they had done during their 63 days at the state Capitol. “There’s no question what we accomplished was bold, transformational and life-changing for Floridians,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran said. The annual session was supposed to end last week, but legislative leaders didn’t reach an agreement on a new budget in time so they were forced to extend it by three days. State law requires the budget to be finished 72 hours before a final vote. In the final frantic day, legislators approved a long line of budget-related bills, including a sweeping education bill that drew the scorn of many Democrats because it directs state money to charter schools. They also approved a measure that cuts funding to Visit Florida by two-thirds and imposes strict new restrictions on the agency. Legislators also voted for measure that expands college financial aid. The total spending approved by legislators this year comes to roughly $83 billion and includes an across-the-board pay raise for state workers. Legislators last week approved an ambitious plan to build a reservoir system south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce harmful discharges that have been blamed for “guacamole-thick” muck in coastal waterways. Scott has already said he plans to sign the Lake Okeechobee bill into law, but he has refrained from making promises about other high-priority bills including one shepherded by Corcoran on the final day that puts more than $400 million into charter schools and teacher bonuses. The Legislature also rebuffed Scott on his pitch for a $600 million tax cut package, opting instead to pass a much smaller $180 million package that exempts tampons from sales taxes and creates two small sales tax holidays for later this year. If Scott signs the tax cut bill, there will be a three-day tax holiday in August when residents can purchase clothes tax-free. The legislation also calls for a three-day period in June where residents can purchase items such as batteries, flashlights and generators tax-free. Unlike past years, there was limited debate on the budget. The House approved it by a 98-14 vote while the Senate voted for the budget 34-4. That’s enough of a margin to override Scott if he vetoes the budget. Corcoran predicted that the Legislature has the vote to override a budget veto, while Senate President Joe Negron contended that Scott supports much of what was included in the budget. “I think that all of us will spend some time over the next week to 10 days to make our case, and we have the burden of proof with the governor,” Negron said. “I’m optimistic the governor will recognize most of what’s contained in the budget are items that he supports.” WINK News Anchor Corey Lazar discussed the proposed budget on Facebook Live: