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.
Gabby Petito’s disappearance prompts discussions on domestic violence and how to identify patterns of abuse. Emotional, upset and having a hard time catching her breath. That is how 22-year-old Gabby Petito appeared in bodycam footage taken on Aug. 12 as she spoke to a police officer in Moab, Utah after an onlooker called the police to report a fight she had with her fiancé Brian Laundrie. Almost a month later, Petito was reported missing by family after Laundrie returned to his North Port home without her. A week and one day later, her remains were discovered in Grand Teton National Park. Laundrie is now a wanted fugitive for unauthorized use of a debit card. Instagram and YouTube paint a different picture, one of happiness where Petito poses for the camera, seemingly in love with Laundrie. But what was really happening when there were no cameras. “Domestic violence is, it’s a very subtle thing,” said Linda Oberhaus, CEO for the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Oberhaus said there were signs in the video of an unhealthy relationship. “If these abusers hit victims on the first date, no one would ever date these guys,” Oberhaus said. “They tend to show up very charming, they tend to be narcissistic. And it’s sort of gradual and very progressive.” Petito’s friend called Laundrie possessive. And often, when relationships go wrong, the question becomes how come no one said or did anything? “How could we have intervened? What could we have done to potentially save her life? But I can tell you that many victims, they don’t realize the grave danger they’re in. Some do, but many don’t,” Oberhaus said. “They don’t actually believe that that person would ever take it that far. And they do.” The biggest question becomes, why didn’t she leave? “There’s a fair amount of victim-blaming that happens from well-meaning family members and friends and so forth. But leaving a domestic violence relationship is not easy. And it can be very scary,” Oberhaus said. In an interview with Dr. Phil, Petito’s father Joseph Petito said he didn’t see any signs. “There were no red flags that stuck out. Nothing that popped in my head that, said, listen to this boy is not a good boy. If there were I would have discouraged (her) from going on the trip,” Joseph Petito said. But abusers and victims don’t have a description. “You’ll hear the neighbors say, well, you know, he was such a great guy, because that’s really the face that these abusers, that’s the face that they show the world but behind closed doors, it’s a whole different deal” Oberhaus said. Instead of asking why doesn’t she leave, Oberhaus challenges society to ask another question. “Ask, you know, why does he abuse? Why does he batter the people that he’s supposed to love him and protect,” she said. MORE: Both men and women can be victims of abuse. If you are in an abusive relationship and want to leave your partner, Oberhaus said it is important to have a plan in place. Get in contact with a shelter that can help. The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples can be reached at 239-775-1101. Abuse, Counseling & Treatment Inc. in Lee County can be reached at 239-939-3112 The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233.