TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
TALLAHASSEE (CBS) Governor DeSantis signs AI and vape bills Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed 28 bills, including a measure requiring disclaimers on certain political ads created using artificial intelligence and a bill about regulation of vape products.
ESTERO Gold Star Golf Tournament honors fallen veteran Behind each putt and swing of a golf club at the Gold Star Golf Tournament is someone who knew John Wirka Junior.
NEW YORK (AP) How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time. What’s now in question is whether it will be around much longer and, if so, in what form?
FORT MYERS Man wanted for armed robbery at Fort Myers convenience store Crime Stoppers is asking the public for help identifying an armed robber who held up a convenience store Saturday morning.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WINK Neighborhood Watch: Rifles, inappropriate texts and Donut shop debacle This week’s segment of WINK Neighborhood Watch features a scary mall trip, an inappropriate coach, and a Dunkin Donuts assault.
The Weather Authority: Sunny Saturday with a nice breeze; fire danger increases Warm temperatures for your Saturday with a nice breeze into the afternoon.
NORTH NAPLES Senior Airman surprises cousin on Aubrey Rogers softball senior night Aubrey Rogers senior pitcher and infielder McKenzie Vargas was surprised by her Air Force cousin for Senior Night.
BONITA SPRINGS Police: 15-year-old injured after accidentally shot in the leg Lee County deputies say the teen was accidentally shot in the leg.
PUNTA GORDA Exclusive: Brother and best friend of accused pedophile priest speak out Riley’s brother reached out to WINK on Friday, saying people aren’t getting the full story.
IMMOKALEE Caught on video: Huge gator crosses Immokalee neighborhood Fridays in Florida are for gators
FORT MYERS FGCU softball pitcher making a name for herself One season in FGCU, freshman pitcher Allison Sparkman is already ruffling feathers in the circle.
Surrendering-pets trend at Gulf Coast Humane Society raises concerns An large amount of pets are being surrendered by their owners. About half of the dogs at the Gulf Coast Humane Society are surrender dogs.
Students benefitting from millions in sales tax dollars So far, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax has brought in $507 million for the Lee County School District.
PORT CHARLOTTE ‘Shady’: One woman feels misled after federal student loan consolidation It takes some people decades to pay off their student loans. One woman’s last payment was in sight until she took a gamble she said she was told to take.
FORT MYERS Homeless encampments inch closer to neighborhoods Law enforcement has swept multiple encampments, cleaning the trails of mess and muck left behind, and some of these encampments are right in our backyards.
Photo by WINK News. When we think about disease, we may start to have thoughts about limitations. For athletes, disease can be viewed as something that will certainly create problems. But for one athlete in Southwest Florida, disease never took him away from his ultimate goal — play ball. Pitcher Tyler Shuck is a starter for FGCU baseball. Shuck also has type 1 diabetes. Before his diagnosis, Shuck’s dreams of playing professional baseball began as a young boy watching games at FGCU’s Swanson Stadium. “The first college game I ever attended was Florida Gulf Coast versus the Gators,” Shuck said. “I think I was 8 years old.” Shuck grew up in Cape Coral, where he began working toward his goal of taking the field for the Eagles. But his body started working against him. “I just turned 13,” Shuck said. “I dropped 20 pounds in a week, feeling thirsty all the time.” After being rushed to the hospital, Shuck learned he had developed type 1 diabetes. “It’s a very serious disease,” Shuck said. Shuck realized diabetes would be an obstacle, but it wouldn’t be an end to his baseball journey. “Kids with conditions such as mine, they shouldn’t let these things control who they are,” Shuck said. “And don’t let anything hold them back.” Photo by WINK News. Shuck pitches for the Eagles, performing his craft, while managing his health. He is able to reflect on in-game moments when he has overcome his diabetes. “The win against FIU was a big one for me, a pretty proud moment,” Shuck said. Shuck said athletic accomplishments like his are made possible by the insulin pod he wears on the field and someone on the sideline who knows his struggle. Photo by WINK News. “Our assistant coach, coach [Brandon] Romans, he actually had the exact same monitor as me,” Shuck said. “He was kind of the one that got me hooked on the actual pump that I have right now. Because I used to be on shots, and shots was so much harder.” Shuck and Romans share the same disease, but, more importantly, the same positive attitude about a limitless life with diabetes. “Once I got here, that’s the first thing I was kind of drawn to, since I’m a type 1 diabetic,” Romans said. “Helping him out and he helps me out too.” Head coach Dave Tollett sees the advantage Roman’s bond with Shuck has for Shuck’s continued performance for the Eagles on the mound. “Those two have really gotten to become close,” Tollett said. “Last year, Tyler was just so up and down because of his sugar. He’d have good days, and he’d have bad days. So Brandon talked to him … and he’s a totally different player.” Romans doesn’t see a disadvantage for Shuck or himself when it comes to the impact athletes with diabetes can have in professional sports and in general. “There’s a number of athletes that have type 1 diabetes, people in the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball,” Romans said. “It’s not something to hold you back.”