Save Energy: LCEC urges customers to forego heaters as temperatures dropCold and sunny for your Thursday plans
Save Energy: LCEC urges customers to forego heaters as temperatures drop The Lee County Electric Cooperative, LCEC, is encouraging people to conserve energy as temperatures drop throughout Southwest Florida.
the weather authority Cold and sunny for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a frigid Thursday with more sunshine expected this afternoon.
Structure fire fills Charlotte County neighborhood with smoke Several fire departments are on the scene of a structure fire that broke out, filling a Charlotte County neighborhood with smoke.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
Save Energy: LCEC urges customers to forego heaters as temperatures drop The Lee County Electric Cooperative, LCEC, is encouraging people to conserve energy as temperatures drop throughout Southwest Florida.
the weather authority Cold and sunny for your Thursday plans The Weather Authority is tracking a frigid Thursday with more sunshine expected this afternoon.
Structure fire fills Charlotte County neighborhood with smoke Several fire departments are on the scene of a structure fire that broke out, filling a Charlotte County neighborhood with smoke.
Web Exclusive: Rachel Cox-Rosen’s Construction Heads-Up As construction may dampen your commute, WINK News traffic anchor Rachel Cox-Rosen knows the best way to traverse the roadways in this web-exclusive feature.
NAPLES Expert at Naples Botanical Garden speaks on prescribed burns There’s no need to sound the alarms for this smoke in the air, as Southwest Florida is actually seeing many controlled or ‘prescribed’ fires.
Sawfish caught with fishing wire tied around rostrum and hooks in mouth; removed and released An endangered smalltooth sawfish was not what Mac expected to be at the end of his fishing line after fishing with buddies New Year’s Day.
Florida Power and Light Set to potentially raise prices in 2026 Florida Power and Light has announced their proposal for a need to increase rates from 2026 – 2029.
PORT CHARLOTTE Home of Port Charlotte couple destroyed due to mold from Hurricane Ian A Port Charlotte couple inherited a home after the wife’s parents died. The home is now destroyed because of mold from Hurricane Ian.
NAPLES Update on the Naples Pier construction The Naples Pier has been destroyed since Hurricane Ian. Since then, the city has considered ways to restore the pier but questions linger over the work, especially on how long it will take to complete.
FORT MYERS BEACH Pink Shell resort expansion project moves onto final vote The future for the expansion of a Fort Myers Beach staple comes down to one vote.
PUNTA GORDA Fatal crash on Burnt Store Road, all lanes blocked A crash on Burnt Store Road near Charlee Road in Charlotte County has reportedly resulted in a fatality.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral’s school zone safety plan hits a speed bump Thanks to new cameras, speeders in Cape Coral school zones would be facing fines this week, but due to delays in the contractor’s schedule, they will not.
Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams Law enforcement and the city of Fort Myers are warning you to think twice before scanning QR codes so you can avoid “quishing.”
IMMOKALEE Is the Florida citrus industry on its way out? The orange is the iconic symbol of Florida. While the fruit may be on the state’s license plates, the citrus industry has been on the decline for more than a decade.
Arthrex showcase explores diverse careers for students A chance for young minds to get a crack at being a part of one of the biggest and most innovative companies in the world.
Lee County School District (CREDIT: WINK News) The state is laying down the law on our largest school district. The Department of Education says Lee County School Board members tried to get around enforcing new, controversial laws in schools. The Department of Education (DOE) sent them a specific and aggressive letter. In no uncertain terms, the interim commissioner of the state Department of Education accuses Lee County schools of discussing “Ways to circumvent the upcoming requirements set forth” by three new Florida laws: On critical race theory, parental rights, and curriculum transparency. “We must follow the law,” said Lee County School Board Attorney Kathy Bruno. In the meeting in question, Bruno makes it clear that the school board should always follow the law. WINK News listened to all four hours of the meeting in question, and it’s not clear what the DOE heard that led the commissioner to write the letter and accuse the board of trying to break the law. We asked the DOE what triggered the letter, but they have not answered, only calling it a “proactive measure.” However, board members did ask questions about how to enforce the new state laws. Questions like: what if they conflict with federal laws? “Balance that with Title 9, Title 6, all federal laws, and the Department of Ed, so it’s vast,” said board member Betsy Vaughn. What if the DOE doesn’t release guidance on implementing the laws before the school year? “Is there a statute of limitations for implementation?” asked board member Gwynetta Gittens during the meeting. Some board members and their lobbyists worry about how the new laws would impact teachers and students. School Board Chair Debbie Jordan said the board follows the law even when certain members disagree with the law. “And we are in the process of making sure that our policies are written as such, and they will be brought back to the board,” said Jordan. The Lee County School Board also asked the DEO what comment specifically triggered the letter. The school board also said they have not received a response. WINK News heard back from board members Betsy Vaughn, Gwyn Gittens, Mary Fischer, and Chris Patricca. All denied any attempt to work around state law.