Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio DiazDemonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March
ESTERO Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio Diaz The Lee County Sheriff’s Office faced the Suffolk County Sheriff’s hockey team in a Sheriff Showdown at Hertz Arena in Estero on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
ESTERO Sheriff Showdown: Charity hockey game held for family of Elio Diaz The Lee County Sheriff’s Office faced the Suffolk County Sheriff’s hockey team in a Sheriff Showdown at Hertz Arena in Estero on Saturday.
FORT MYERS Demonstrators gather for Fort Myers Women’s March Dozens gathered at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and US 41 in Fort Myers for the annual Women’s March on Saturday morning.
Two-vehicle crash causes rollover near Pine Ridge Road A two-vehicle crash occurred near Pine Ridge Road and Premiere Way late Saturday morning, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
LCSO investigates early morning shooting near Wawa on Alico Road The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning.
ENGLEWOOD Charlotte County deputies fatally shoot man in Englewood, investigation ongoing Deputies from the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office shot and killed a man who was reportedly acting erratically.
the weather authority Warm weekend ahead with increased rain chances on the way The Weather Authority says a warm Saturday is on tap, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s into the afternoon.
Bodycam video shows warning signs from teen accused of killing mother In newly released body camera footage, a mother questions her son’s violence months before her murder.
Veteran injured in crash that killed wife WINK News has learned that a veteran’s wife was killed in a crash on Wednesday on State Road 82.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda to repair old city hall building The City of Punta Gorda is scrapping plans to build a new city hall.
SWFL teen injured in New Orleans terror attack released from hospital According to the mom of one of the teens injured in the New Orleans Terror attack on New Year’s Day, she has been released from the hospital.
NAPLES Jay Leno comedy show coming to Southwest Florida One of the most famous comedians in the world is coming to Southwest Florida.
SOUTH NAPLES Collier neighbors anticipating second Costco location Members of a community are waiting for one of the most popular wholesale stores, but there is something standing in the way.
AVE MARIA Caught on camera: Massive gator seen in front of Ave Maria home A massive alligator was seen using a walking path in front of an Ave Maria home, and it was all caught on camera.
NCAA approves plan to pay women’s basketball tournament teams In a historic unanimous vote, the NCAA approves of a plan to pay women’s basketball teams that compete in March Madness.
Bottles of medication at a pharmacy. (CBS News photo) Democrats and Republicans are divided over many issues in Washington right now. But saving you money on prescriptions is one topic bringing the two parties together. Pamela Hunt, who lives in Fort Myers, depends on several affordable medications to live. “I can afford $16,” Hunt said, “even if I don’t have a job.” That is with insurance, but paying for that medicine has not always been so easy. During times when her bank account has a low balance, back when she was between jobs, she has skipped her medication every other day. “I don’t know how people do it year after year,” Hunt said. “They can’t be healthy.” Now, leaders in Washington are working to make sure Americans like Hunt do not have to go without those medications essential to their health. Chuck Grassley, a Republican senator from Iowa, is pushing the Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019. The goal of the bill is to keep prescription prices from rising. An issue he is working on closely with democrats, such as Senator Ron Wyden from Oregon. “This is a bipartisan effort,” Wyden said. The Congressional Budget Office analyzed the bill discussed on Thursday. It said the bill would save taxpayers more than $100 billion, lower Medicare patients’ out of pocket cost by $27 billion, along with lowering premiums by $5 billion over the next 10 years. “This is the time to decide if we actually want to reduce drug prices for people,” Grassley said, “or just give the problem lip service.” However, Hunt is not holding her breath. She does not believe it will happen. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America said, “The Senate Finance Committee legislation is the wrong approach to lowering drug prices. It would siphon more than $150 billion from researching and developing new medicines.” The bill passed the Senate Finance Committee Thursday. Congressman Francis Rooney said in a statement: “Greater accountability and pricing competitive with the rest of the developed world is exactly what Americans need. Senator Grassley’s Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act is a good idea and would complement the many bills that I have sponsored in the House of Representatives. I have introduced three bipartisan, bicameral pieces of legislation. The first would ensure Americans do not pay more for prescription drugs than people do in other developed countries, the second would require transparency for pharmaceutical corporations that plan to increase drug prices, and the third would codify President Trump’s rule requiring drug prices in TV ads. With these bills having sponsors in both the House and Senate, I am hopeful that we can pass meaningful reforms that make a difference for Southwest Florida families.” As leaders look for solutions, folks like Hunt are just trying to get by with the medications they need. “It’s hard,” Hunt said. “I don’t know how some people do it all the time and live on so little.”