Lehigh Acres work trailer explosion injures one personTrump and DeSantis, once GOP rivals, meet in South Florida to talk about 2024 election
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres work trailer explosion injures one person The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District responded to a work trailer explosion that injured one person.
CBS News Trump and DeSantis, once GOP rivals, meet in South Florida to talk about 2024 election Florida Governor Ron DeSantis met privately with former President Donald Trump for several hours on Sunday morning to talk, in part, about fundraising ahead of the 2024 general election, several sources familiar with the meeting tell CBS News.
Jupiter Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Jupiter Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Jupiter.
WINK NEWS Florida Prepaid open enrollment deadline approaches All parents fear the expense of college for their children; however, the state offers a great option in the Florida Prepaid Plan.
The Weather Authority Few showers this Monday afternoon after a pleasant and dry morning The Weather Authority is tracking a cool and pleasant Monday morning start with the possibility of afternoon rain showers.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead, 1 arrested after North Fort Myers shooting While details are limited, what is available is that Lee County Sheriff’s deputies are actively investigating a shooting that killed one man.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Bishop of the Diocese of Venice releases statement following sexual abuse allegations by SWFL priest The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice is speaking out after Charlotte County Reverend Leo Riley was arrested on five counts of sexual battery stemming from his past work as a priest in Iowa.
NEW YORK (AP) Biden officials indefinitely postpone ban on menthol cigarettes amid election-year pushback President Joe Biden’s administration is indefinitely delaying a long-awaited menthol cigarette ban, a decision that infuriated anti-smoking advocates but could avoid a political backlash from Black voters in November.
FORT MYERS Gone but not forgotten: Traveling Vietnam Memorial pays tribute to veterans A powerful symbol of honor and remembrance is standing proudly here in Southwest Florida. The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is open to the public, a reminder of those we lost who served our country.
LEE COUNTY Two arrested for street racing in Lee County Two people have been arrested for street racing in Lee County according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
CAPE CORAL Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal On an average day, it’s pretty common to see people fishing or swimming in a canal. One neighbor in Cape Coral saw something unusual in his backyard Friday afternoon.
FORT MYERS Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers A crash involving at least two vehicles sent one person to the hospital.
The Weather Authority: Clouds, sunshine, wind, and the possibility of a brief shower for your Sunday Clouds and occasional sunshine this Sunday. A few brief showers are possible late in the afternoon and this evening.
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.
LEHIGH ACRES Lehigh Acres work trailer explosion injures one person The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District responded to a work trailer explosion that injured one person.
CBS News Trump and DeSantis, once GOP rivals, meet in South Florida to talk about 2024 election Florida Governor Ron DeSantis met privately with former President Donald Trump for several hours on Sunday morning to talk, in part, about fundraising ahead of the 2024 general election, several sources familiar with the meeting tell CBS News.
Jupiter Gov. DeSantis to hold news conference in Jupiter Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to hold a news conference in Jupiter.
WINK NEWS Florida Prepaid open enrollment deadline approaches All parents fear the expense of college for their children; however, the state offers a great option in the Florida Prepaid Plan.
The Weather Authority Few showers this Monday afternoon after a pleasant and dry morning The Weather Authority is tracking a cool and pleasant Monday morning start with the possibility of afternoon rain showers.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead, 1 arrested after North Fort Myers shooting While details are limited, what is available is that Lee County Sheriff’s deputies are actively investigating a shooting that killed one man.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Bishop of the Diocese of Venice releases statement following sexual abuse allegations by SWFL priest The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice is speaking out after Charlotte County Reverend Leo Riley was arrested on five counts of sexual battery stemming from his past work as a priest in Iowa.
NEW YORK (AP) Biden officials indefinitely postpone ban on menthol cigarettes amid election-year pushback President Joe Biden’s administration is indefinitely delaying a long-awaited menthol cigarette ban, a decision that infuriated anti-smoking advocates but could avoid a political backlash from Black voters in November.
FORT MYERS Gone but not forgotten: Traveling Vietnam Memorial pays tribute to veterans A powerful symbol of honor and remembrance is standing proudly here in Southwest Florida. The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is open to the public, a reminder of those we lost who served our country.
LEE COUNTY Two arrested for street racing in Lee County Two people have been arrested for street racing in Lee County according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
CAPE CORAL Boaters with rifles seen in Cape Coral canal On an average day, it’s pretty common to see people fishing or swimming in a canal. One neighbor in Cape Coral saw something unusual in his backyard Friday afternoon.
FORT MYERS Car flips, one sent to hospital after two car crash in Fort Myers A crash involving at least two vehicles sent one person to the hospital.
The Weather Authority: Clouds, sunshine, wind, and the possibility of a brief shower for your Sunday Clouds and occasional sunshine this Sunday. A few brief showers are possible late in the afternoon and this evening.
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.
Testing new foam pads to cleanup algae in SWFL. Photo credit: Scott Smith Representative Francis Rooney is hosting a roundtable of federal, state and local leaders to discuss harmful algal blooms at Florida Gulf Coast University on Tuesday. Representatives from the CDC, EPA and NOAA will attend the event, which is not open to the public or press. “I am encouraged that these key agency officials are coming together to help our community prepare for future algae outbreaks,” wrote Rooney in a press release. However, emails obtained by WINK News show a more specific purpose of the meeting. Dr. Michael Parsons, a marine scientists at FGCU taking part in the panel, suggested in April to Rooney senior legislative aide Ken Clifford that the roundtable include other agencies like Fish and Wildlife, the Florida Department of Agriculture, The Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Health. Clifford wrote back, “We left the USACOE, SFWMD and FL Ag out of this because they get so much coverage on the issue. The Congressman really wants to focus on human health effects and future recovery.” The email went on to explain, “We wanted to bring in the (Florida Department of Health) but with the confirmation delay, we have held off.” The meeting has generated a lot of attention on social media because it is closed to the public. “Sniff sniff. Closed meetings always smell funny. They may well be above board, but easier for the press and public to digest when the meetings are open. Closed meetings never generate trust,” wrote a WINK News viewer on Facebook. On Friday, an attorney for WINK News wrote a letter to Rooney and the confirmed participants in the meeting laying out arguments for why holding the meeting in private is a violation of the state’s sunshine law. MORE: Read our full legal argument why this meeting should be open to the public Rooney’s office has not responded to that letter or multiple requests from WINK News. Some in southwest Florida are in favor of the private meeting. “Every meeting shouldn’t be open to the public. It makes it a dog and pony show rather than a real meeting to discuss many ideas and issues,” wrote another WINK News viewer on Facebook. It’s important to point out that a publicly accessible meeting does not have to be held as a town hall style meetings where the public is asked to speak. For example, Representative Charlie Crist held a meeting in August with scientists and local Tampa-Bay area leaders on red tide. The meeting was in a small conference room, and members of the public were not in attendance, but the media was invited to document the outcome of the meeting. Rooney’s office has not responded to that letter or multiple requests from WINK News. Some in Southwest Florida are in favor of the private meeting. “Every meeting shouldn’t be open to the public. It makes it a dog and pony show rather than a real meeting to discuss many ideas and issues,” wrote another WINK News viewer on Facebook. It’s important to point out that a publicly accessible meeting does not have to be held as a town-hall-style meeting where the public is asked to speak. For example, Representative Charlie Crist held a meeting in August with scientists and local Tampa Bay area leaders on red tide. The meeting was in a small conference room, and members of the public were not in attendance, but the media was invited to document the outcome of the meeting. Held roundtable on #redtide with local scientists and community leaders. Clear need for robust research investments and common-sense environmental protections to help prevent the kind of crisis plaguing Florida’s waters this summer. pic.twitter.com/8orE1bdwWh — Rep. Charlie Crist (@RepCharlieCrist) August 27, 2018 Rooney’s office invited the media for a press conference following Tuesday’s close-door meeting. However, staffers did not respond to questions from WINK News about whether or not a transcript or any record of the private meeting would be made available to the public following the actual roundtable. The roundtable discussion will take place at 12 p.m. at FGCU’s Emergent Technology Institute. For a full list of attendees, click here.