Ollie’s Pub, the home of SWFL’s local music scene, closes after 4 memorable yearsNew FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis puts business degree to use
CAPE CORAL Ollie’s Pub, the home of SWFL’s local music scene, closes after 4 memorable years Ollie’s Pub, once the center of local original music in Southwest Florida, is closing after a prosperous yet arduous four years.
New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis puts business degree to use Hargis began his new job at FGCU on April 29 knowing he would have about $15 million in annual funding—and also knowing the budget has more than doubled in the last decade.
Future unknown for Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel site What’s to come of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and adjoining Hurricane Charley’s Sushi, Raw Bar & Grill after demolition is yet to be determined.
(CBS) Trump held in contempt for violating gag order in “hush money” trial. Here’s how much he owes. The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York held him in contempt of court on Tuesday for violating a gag order.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Shootout that killed 4 law officers began as task force tried to serve a warrant, police say A shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others in North Carolina began as officers went serve a warrant.
WINK NEWS Semi-truck crash shuts down multiple lanes at Pine Ridge Road A crash involving a semi-truck caused lanes at Pine Ridge Road to close temporarily on Tuesday.
FORT MYERS Man accused of fatal North Fort Myers shooting held without bond The North Fort Myers man arrested for allegedly shooting into a truck, killing a man is being held without bond following a court appearance.
Lake Park Diner expands with Founders Square location Not only will the new Founders Square location of Lake Park Diner serve the growing population in North Naples and Golden Gate Estates, the second helping of the local dining spot will serve as the prototype for future iterations of the casual restaurant concept.
IONA Woman discovered in Bayside Inlet, condition unknown According to the fire district, reports of a woman in a canal were issued at around 7:50 a.m. at Junonia Court in Iona.
NAPLES Gov. DeSantis waives entrance fees for Florida State Parks for Memorial Day Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the suspension of all entry fees in Florida state parks during Memorial Day weekend.
FORT MYERS Annual SWFL Wellness Fair in Fort Myers to promote well-being The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is partnering with the SWFL Wellness Fair to offer a day of fun and inspiration in Fort Myers.
Tampa Gov. DeSantis renews the Freedom Sales Tax holiday in Florida Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the renewal of the Freedom Sales Tax holiday in Tampa.
NEW YORK (AP) Protesters take over Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall in escalation of anti-war demonstrations Dozens of protesters took over a building at Columbia University in New York early Tuesday, barricading the entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag out of a window in the latest escalation of demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war that have spread to college campuses nationwide.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Isolated storms to develop Tuesday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a dry Tuesday morning with the possibility of isolated rainstorms throughout the afternoon and into the evening
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral red tag hearings begin in wake of FEMA’s threatened removal of flood insurance discount Residents of Cape Coral are experiencing confusion, frustration and possibly fines due to red tags popping up on buildings under construction.
CAPE CORAL Ollie’s Pub, the home of SWFL’s local music scene, closes after 4 memorable years Ollie’s Pub, once the center of local original music in Southwest Florida, is closing after a prosperous yet arduous four years.
New FGCU athletic director Colin Hargis puts business degree to use Hargis began his new job at FGCU on April 29 knowing he would have about $15 million in annual funding—and also knowing the budget has more than doubled in the last decade.
Future unknown for Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel site What’s to come of the Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and adjoining Hurricane Charley’s Sushi, Raw Bar & Grill after demolition is yet to be determined.
(CBS) Trump held in contempt for violating gag order in “hush money” trial. Here’s how much he owes. The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York held him in contempt of court on Tuesday for violating a gag order.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Shootout that killed 4 law officers began as task force tried to serve a warrant, police say A shootout that killed four law enforcement officers and wounded four others in North Carolina began as officers went serve a warrant.
WINK NEWS Semi-truck crash shuts down multiple lanes at Pine Ridge Road A crash involving a semi-truck caused lanes at Pine Ridge Road to close temporarily on Tuesday.
FORT MYERS Man accused of fatal North Fort Myers shooting held without bond The North Fort Myers man arrested for allegedly shooting into a truck, killing a man is being held without bond following a court appearance.
Lake Park Diner expands with Founders Square location Not only will the new Founders Square location of Lake Park Diner serve the growing population in North Naples and Golden Gate Estates, the second helping of the local dining spot will serve as the prototype for future iterations of the casual restaurant concept.
IONA Woman discovered in Bayside Inlet, condition unknown According to the fire district, reports of a woman in a canal were issued at around 7:50 a.m. at Junonia Court in Iona.
NAPLES Gov. DeSantis waives entrance fees for Florida State Parks for Memorial Day Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the suspension of all entry fees in Florida state parks during Memorial Day weekend.
FORT MYERS Annual SWFL Wellness Fair in Fort Myers to promote well-being The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is partnering with the SWFL Wellness Fair to offer a day of fun and inspiration in Fort Myers.
Tampa Gov. DeSantis renews the Freedom Sales Tax holiday in Florida Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the renewal of the Freedom Sales Tax holiday in Tampa.
NEW YORK (AP) Protesters take over Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall in escalation of anti-war demonstrations Dozens of protesters took over a building at Columbia University in New York early Tuesday, barricading the entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag out of a window in the latest escalation of demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war that have spread to college campuses nationwide.
THE WEATHER AUTHORITY Isolated storms to develop Tuesday afternoon and evening The Weather Authority is tracking a dry Tuesday morning with the possibility of isolated rainstorms throughout the afternoon and into the evening
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral red tag hearings begin in wake of FEMA’s threatened removal of flood insurance discount Residents of Cape Coral are experiencing confusion, frustration and possibly fines due to red tags popping up on buildings under construction.
LGBTQ Pride flag. Credit: CBS Florida Republicans have introduced three separate expansion bills that would build upon the state’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, which was enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis nearly a year ago. The current law, officially named Parental Rights in Education, bans public school teachers and districts from discussing gender identity and sexuality in kindergarten through third grade classrooms — citing the “fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding upbringing and control of their children.” It faced extensive pushback from both parents and LGBTQ+ advocates. The three Florida house expansion bills — H.B. 1223, H.B. 1069, and H.B. 1320 — all take aim at different aspects of gender and sexuality education in the state. H.B. 1123 would expand the law to charter schools and would extend the restrictions to pre-kindergarten and beyond third grade, prohibiting conversations around gender and sexuality through eighth grade. For students in grades nine through 12, conversations around such topics “must be age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards,” the bill reads. The bill would also define “sex” as “an immutable biological trait” rather than leaving room for individual self-identification. In all public K-12 schools, educators, other school employees and students would not be required to use a student’s pronouns if they differ from the student’s assigned sex at birth. School employees and educators would also be prohibited from telling students their own titles and pronouns if they differ from the sex they were assigned at birth. Additionally, school employees and contractors would be prohibited from asking students what their preferred titles and pronouns are. Similarly, H.B. 1069 moves to define “sex” as “determined by biology and reproductive function at birth,” adding that “reproductive roles are binary, stable, and unchangeable.” The bill would also limit teaching about “acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, or health education when such instruction and course material contains instruction in human sexuality” to only students in grades six through 12. The third bill, S.B. 1320, contains similar provisions as the previous two bills, including placing restrictions on school employees sharing their pronouns and asking students about theirs. It would also prohibit teaching about sexuality or gender identity from pre-kindergarten through grade 8. During the current legislative season, Florida lawmakers have filed at least 11 bills explicitly targeting LGBTQ+ people, according to the ACLU. Last year, the state came under fire when it banned gender-affirming care for trans youth, and in 2021, enacted a law banning trans youth from competing on sports teams concurrent with their gender identities. In January, a judge ordered that a lawsuit challenging the law should be reopened, reigniting the legal battle in the state for trans folks in athletics.