What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area?Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
BIG CYPRESS PRESERVE What changes if Big Cypress National Preserve becomes a Wilderness Area? America’s first nationally designated preserve is in Southwest Florida’s backyard, and it is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.
Method to treat IBD being used for other health issues Trying to get treatments for the brain when fighting neurological diseases like epilepsy and ALS is a challenge.
FORT MYERS NTSB report reveals new details in helicopter crash after Hurricane Ian The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a helicopter crash that occurred in Iona, Florida, shortly after Hurricane Ian.
‘Latinos in Action’ empowers all students to succeed WINK News talked with teachers who are a part of the program, helping kids reach their full potential.
Immokalee ‘The eyes always draw me in’; Immokalee portrait artist turns dark times into color One of Southwest Florida best portrait artist, Martha Maria Cantu, almost gave up art. Now she’s on the forefront of the city of Immokalee, to make her community filled with color.
GOLDEN GATE Collier commissioners approve agreement for golf complex in Golden Gate Collier commissioners unanimously approved a long term lease and operating agreement to reopen the Golden Gate golf course Tuesday.
PUNTA GORDA Motorcyclists ride in SWFL to help veterans battle suicide A group of veterans from the American Legion are grabbing their helmets and boots for a motorcycle ride to bring awareness to the staggering rates of suicide among veterans.
SARASOTA Alleged sexual abuse victims of Port Charlotte priest comes forward Father Riley worked at three churches in Charlotte County and another in Naples. On Friday, new allegations emerged from a news conference in Sarasota.
PORT CHARLOTTE Port Charlotte priest accused of sexual abuse appears in court A priest accused of sexually abusing four altar boys in Iowa nearly 40 years ago returned to Charlotte County court.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prepares for opening at Mercato The newest movie theater in Southwest Florida opens April 29, and it does so with an array of entertainment offerings that go beyond the usual options across the region.
Let’s Waffle opens in Cape Coral Let’s Waffle is one of two businesses the Feix family launched locally, with the FMS Florida Boat Tours and Limousine Service owned and operated by Feix’s husband, Alexander.
Planned Punta Gorda hotel, pub, brewery faces construction delay Kevin Doyle, owner of Celtic Ray Public House Irish pub in downtown Punta Gorda, and his partner, S4 Global Investments, were found in violation of the city’s exposed soils code.
Three Sisters Spring Toast the manatee released by FWC, SeaWorld and Casey DeSantis near Crystal River A manatee named Toast was released back into the Florida waters after a final medical evaluation from wildlife officials.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral Man arrested and charged with over 90 counts of fraud The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a man for allegedly stealing items from a business and then pawning them.
Man accused of pulling gun on someone ordering at Collier County Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru A man has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on someone ordering at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru in Collier County.
Credit: ParentingPatch / Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 via MGN Before the COVID-19 pandemic, one in three families in the U.S. struggled to afford to buy enough diapers for their young children. But while “diaper need,” as it’s referred to, has long been a condition of living in poverty, it has become even more pervasive over the course of the pandemic, according to the National Diaper Bank Network (NBDN), a coalition of 240 member diaper banks — sites that distribute diapers to community organizations — across the U.S. “The issue of diaper need has existed for a long time,” Joanne Goldblum, chief executive of NDBN, told CBS MoneyWatch. “But during COVID, some of our member diaper banks have seen upward of a 500% increase in people asking for product.” Network-wide, across all 240 facilities, demand for diapers has increased by about 70% in 2021, according to Goldblum. “Of course it’s no surprise. So many Americans are struggling financially and this is one thing families need to spend their money on,” she said. Sufficient supply of diapers for one child can cost a family between $75 and $100 a month, according to NDBN. In 2017, one in three American families could not afford to keep their babies clean and dry, according to the NDBN’s latest report on diaper need. Effects of the pandemic have made it even harder for families to get their hands on baby products. A nationwide child care crunch pushed many women in particular out of the labor force, for instance, thereby reducing families’ combined incomes with one parent remaining at home to provide child care. Rash of price hikes on baby products In addition, commodity prices have risen as manufacturers grapple with supply chain challenges and worker shortages. Pampers maker Procter & Gamble, one of the largest producers of diapers in the U.S., in April reported it started hiking prices on baby care products, including diapers “to offset a portion of the impact of rising commodity costs.” The price increases, ranging from mid-to-high single-digit percentages, went into effect last month, according to Procter & Gamble. Kimberly-Clark, another large player in baby care with its Huggies and Pull-Ups brands, announced similar price hikes on consumer products “to help offset significant commodity cost inflation” in March, which went into effect over the summer. Even a modest increase in the price of goods can make household items like diapers unaffordable for low-income families. “The increase impacts families who need diapers, and in the U.S., we allow for prices of commodities to increase but we don’t require pay increases,” Goldblum said. “Given all of this, we are not surprised we are seeing such an increase in need.” Some families relied on government assistance to pay for essentials like diapers. In July, the parents of 60 million U.S. children began receiving monthly checks through the expanded federal Child Tax Credit, geared toward families struggling to afford basics. Child Tax Credit helps Sabrina Smith, a 36-year-old mother from Port Clinton, Ohio, said she spent a portion of her $600 monthly payment on diapers. “Just with diapers, wipes, the essentials you have to buy on a regular basis, it is incredibly helpful,” she told CBS MoneyWatch in July. The Austin Diaper Bank in Texas has observed a dramatic uptick in diaper need locally, tied to sudden, pandemic-related job losses. Demand for free diapers has increased significantly since the beginning 2020, spiking during the months of March, April and May. Today, the organization is serving 18% more families struggling to afford diapers every month, compared to early 2020. “Families we work with say they are playing catch up from what has happened over the last year and a half. Some are back to work but have incurred credit card debt that they are paying off,” said Holly McDaniel, executive director of Austin Diaper Bank. “Day care centers are at capacity, kids are at home, so one parent is home and hasn’t gone back to work yet and their income is lower than it was before the pandemic.” — With additional reporting from CBS MoneyWatch’s Aimee Picchi