Pedestrian dead after crash on McGregor BoulevardSunday brings sun and clouds with chance for a stray shower
FORT MYERS Pedestrian dead after crash on McGregor Boulevard The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a crash that left at least one person dead Saturday night.
Sunday brings sun and clouds with chance for a stray shower The Weather Authority forecasts another seasonal day across Southwest Florida, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s to low 80s this afternoon.
Family of Eagles: FGCU volleyball star graduates with Master’s Degree Saturday marked a special day for Florida Gulf Coast University as more than 1,800 students graduated. For one student-athlete, graduating from FGCU runs in the family.
lehigh acres LCSO: Man shot by car owner protecting property The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County residents wait hours for D-SNAP assistance The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is at the Lee Civic Center all weekend, ready to help southwest Florida.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA First eaglet hatches in famous SWFL eagle nest Welcome E24! The third eaglet from the nest of M15 and F23 has hatched according to the Southwest Florida eagle camera.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
FORT MYERS Pedestrian dead after crash on McGregor Boulevard The Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a crash that left at least one person dead Saturday night.
Sunday brings sun and clouds with chance for a stray shower The Weather Authority forecasts another seasonal day across Southwest Florida, with temperatures reaching the upper 70s to low 80s this afternoon.
Family of Eagles: FGCU volleyball star graduates with Master’s Degree Saturday marked a special day for Florida Gulf Coast University as more than 1,800 students graduated. For one student-athlete, graduating from FGCU runs in the family.
lehigh acres LCSO: Man shot by car owner protecting property The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting in Lehigh Acres early Saturday morning.
NORTH FORT MYERS Lee County residents wait hours for D-SNAP assistance The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) is at the Lee Civic Center all weekend, ready to help southwest Florida.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA First eaglet hatches in famous SWFL eagle nest Welcome E24! The third eaglet from the nest of M15 and F23 has hatched according to the Southwest Florida eagle camera.
Rock for Equality: SWFL non-profit hosts benefit concert for Palestine A Southwest Florida non-profit hosted a benefit concert on Friday night to help with humanitarian aid in Palestine.
Warm, breezy Saturday with a few showers possible The Weather Authority is forecasting a breezy, warm weekend in store across Southwest Florida, with the chance of a few showers, particularly on Saturday.
CAPE CORAL Active investigation underway in South Cape Coral Cape Coral police are investigating at a home on Southwest 49th Terrace in South Cape Coral early Saturday morning.
16 transported after 2 airboats crash in Collier County According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, two airboats crashed south of U.S. 41 east between mile markers 74 and 75, leaving well over a dozen people injured.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA New bill filed: Auto shop and law enforcement must work together to solve hit-and-run crashes There could be new detectives on the block, located in your nearest auto shop. A new state bill aims at trying to stop hit-and-run drivers from getting away.
CAPE CORAL New leash on life; Cape Coral shelter dog beats cancer with drug being tested for humans A drug now being studied in human trials to kill cancerous tumors, is already approved and helping animals.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral planning a new interchange with I-75 The city of Cape Coral is in the early stages of planning a new interchange with I-75, an idea that has been discussed for more than a decade.
Tracking invasive species after hurricanes Hurricanes Helene and Milton didn’t just bring wind and rain, they brought new threats to southwest Florida’s ecosystem.
PUNTA GORDA Woman in Punta Gorda shooting charged with 2nd degree murder A woman in a homicide investigation on Nasturtium Drive in Punta Gorda has been charged with 2nd-degree murder.
Governor Ron DeSantis held a briefing Monday afternoon in Tallahassee. DeSantis signed a $92.2 billion budget after a veto of more than $1 billion of the $93.2 billion legislature-approved version. As an example of the vetoes, he said they include $20 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund, an economic-development program. Lawmakers passed the budget in March, just as the economic impacts of coronavirus were beginning to be felt. In the midst of the pandemic, the Governor ensured Floridians that the state will be fiscally stable for the year to come. “Despite the present challenges Florida faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget ensures the state’s priorities are protected and funded,” said Governor DeSantis. “Our current economic landscape is vastly different since the Legislature passed this budget in March. As Governor, I must remain a mindful steward of taxpayer dollars. This budget reflects a steadfast commitment to Floridians by safeguarding important investments in key areas including education, the environment, infrastructure, public safety and more. As we move forward with our Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery, we will overcome the adversities before us and emerge stronger than before,” he added. In terms of education, the budget includes $500 million to raise the starting salary for new teachers in K-12 schools. Also included is $4 billion for both the Florida College System and the State University System. There is also an increase of $18.9 million for Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Florida. Environmentally, the budget includes $625 million for Everglades restoration and protection of water sources. Additionally, $160 million was added for targeted water quality improvement. More provisions in the budget include $138.1 million to fight the opioid crisis in Florida, $117 million for families and children that receive assistance from Florida’s child welfare system and more than $8 million to expand the state’s crime databases. Lastly, pay increases for most state employees, namely correction officers. The state budget includes a $17.3 million for a program that transitions these officers form 12 to 8.5-hour shifts. Below is a partial list of vetoes that specifically impact Southwest Florida: Collier Community Abstinence Program, CCAP (HB 4377) (Senate Form 1359) $200,000 City of Cape Coral – Real-Time Crime Center (HB 9059) (Senate Form 1615) $250,000 Arcadia Rodeo Multi-Functional Facility (HB 3217) (Senate Form 1739) 200,000 Charlotte County Countryman Ackerman Septic-to-Sewer (HB 4315) (Senate Form 1236) $1,000,000 Collier County Cocohatchee River Critical Dredge Project (HB 4829) (Senate Form 1042) $100,000 Collier County Golden Gate City Outfall Restoration Project Phase 1 (HB 3369) (Senate Form 1040) $100,000 Fort Myers Beach Estero Boulevard Water Improvements (HB 9051) (Senate Form 1689) $200,000 Naples Design of Phase 2 – Naples Bay Red Tide Septic Tank Mitigation Program (HB 4835) (Senate Form 1039) $1,100,000 Punta Gorda Boca Grande Area Water Quality Improvements (HB 4317) (Senate Form 1743) $100,000 Charlotte County Firefighter Decontamination Equipment (HB 4313) – 300,000 Marco Island Regional Maritime, Fire, EMS Training and Operations Facility (HB 4825) (Senate Form 1055) – $650,000 Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue Service District – New Station 106 (HB 4877) (Senate Form 2037) $1,250,000 Special Categories – Glades County E-911 Public Safety Facility 700,000 —– Statewide Comprehensive Flood Plain Model $2,000,000 Mental Health Assistance Allocation for Florida Virtual Schools (Senate Form 2420) $625,000 PDF: Read the full list of line-item vetoes The News Service of Florida also contributed to this report. Watch the press conference here: