12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidaysFort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
NAPLES 12-year-old collecting donations for the needy during the holidays A 12-year-old Naples boy isn’t worried about what he’s getting for Christmas. Instead, he’s working on his 6th annual “Holiday Sock Drive.”
Fort Myers man facing homelessness before the holidays A 75-year-old man is on the brink of homelessness despite working over 80 hours a week.
NAPLES Adoptee uses non-profit to provide suitcases for foster children This holiday season, a Naples woman is on a mission to bring foster children something many take for granted: a suitcase filled with dignity.
MARCO ISLAND City of Marco Island discusses lead awareness during city council meeting The city of Marco Island sent out 4900 letters to residents warning them that their pipes could contain plastic or lead.
NAPLES The future of electric planes in Southwest Florida Features of living near an airport include persistent headache-inducing engine rumbles and foul-smelling jet fuel, but electric planes could play a part in the solution.
PORT CHARLOTTE Neighbors awaiting answers on Port Charlotte Beach Park repairs Neighbors said a contractor hired by the Florida Division of Emergency Management mishandled the boats at Port Charlotte Beach Park.
FGCU introduces new technology for cognitive health screenings Ten minutes. That’s all it takes for doctors to assess how well you remember, how quickly you learn things, and how your brain is working overall.
WINK Investigates: Disgraced contractor faces new lawsuits and allegations Paul Beattie, a disgraced home builder is back doing business but legal challenges continue as another one of his businesses gets sued. Former employees of Beattie speak out, only to WINK.
SWFL reacts to UNC hiring Bill Belichick Southwest Florida reacts to North Carolina hiring Bill Belichick as its new head football coach and how that could impact the decisions of local recruits.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Some Floridians want more alone time during the holidays The holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, but nearly half of Americans say they really want more alone time during the holiday.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
Aggressive driving concerns on the rise in Southwest Florida The arrest of a man who, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said, killed a motorcyclist after crashing into him on purpose is raising concerns over aggressive driving in Southwest Florida.
SANIBEL Sanibel School students prepare for community Christmas performance The school that has had to claw and fight its way back more than once to reopen is getting the chance to celebrate.
FORT MYERS Rock For Equality: SWFL music scene to hold benefit concert for Palestine A two-venue, eight-band benefit concert is coming to Southwest Florida.
NAPLES Naples man sentenced in deadly bar shooting A man has been sentenced for a deadly shooting that took place at a Naples bar in March 2021.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 26: The US Capitol Building is seen past the Washington Monument as the sun sets on December 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. Lawmakers in Congress are continuing to work on the coronavirus relief package following President Donald Trump’s threat to veto the bill despite it being passed in the House and Senate by overwhelming majorities. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images) via CBS News. Several changes in Florida laws will take hold as 2024 begins, from an expansion of the state’s “move over” traffic law to stricter rules involving investments in Iran. State lawmakers during the 2023 regular legislative session and during special sessions approved five laws that will take effect in January. But the arrival of 2024 also will bring other changes, from new campsite reservation rules to the end of a program that provides credits to frequent toll-road users. Florida’s ‘Move Over’ law expands in 2024 One of the most-visible changes is an expansion of the “move over” law, which requires drivers to get out of lanes closest to stopped vehicles such as police cars, ambulances and utility trucks. As part of a wide-ranging transportation bill (HB 425) passed during the regular session, motorists starting Monday will have to provide space when disabled vehicles are stopped along roads with people visible or such things as warning lights on. Violations will carry a fine of up to $158 for a noncriminal traffic infraction. Meanwhile, a change will take effect that was passed during a November special session to show support for Israel during the war with Iran-backed Hamas. The law (HB 5C), starting Jan. 10, will expand a list of “scrutinized” companies where state investments can’t be made because of ties to Iran. Lamar Taylor, interim executive director and chief investment officer of the State Board of Administration, which oversees state investments, said last week that “we are on track to be able to implement that legislation by the effective date.” The federal government has imposed a wide range of economic sanctions against Iran in the decades since hostages were taken at the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. The Legislature during the November special session expanded on a 2007 state law that requires the State Board of Administration to divest from “scrutinized” companies with links to Iran’s petroleum industry. Under the expansion, companies will be added to the list if more than 10 percent of total revenues or assets are linked to Iran and involve economic sectors such as energy, manufacturing or shipping. Companies can avoid being added to the list by demonstrating “substantial action” to correct the issues flagged by the state. Among other changes that will happen in January: Mayors and other elected municipal officials will have to submit more-detailed financial disclosure information about issues such as incomes, assets and liabilities. Legislators and statewide elected officials already file the more-detailed forms. Florida businesses will see an overall 15.1 percent decrease in workers’ compensation insurance rates, though rate changes will vary for individual businesses. A back-to-school tax “holiday” will be held from Monday through Jan. 14. Shoppers will be able to avoid paying sales taxes on clothes that cost $100 or less, school supplies that cost $50 or less, learning aids that cost $30 or less and personal computers that cost $1,500 or less. Floridians will be able to start reserving campsites and cabins at state parks 11 months in advance, while non-Floridians will only be able to make reservations 10 months in advance. County courthouses by Monday will be required to provide lactation spaces, with some exceptions. As part of a law that expands eligibility for coverage in the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program, the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. will establish premium tiers based on household incomes. A year-long program to provide credits to frequent toll-road users will end Sunday. The program has provided 50 percent credits to motorists who use SunPass or other Florida transponders and make 35 or more toll-road trips in a month.