Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letterResidents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Councilman Johnny Streets retires after nearly 20 years of service After nearly two decades of service, Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets is retiring.
Local human trafficking survivor speaks out It’s a question many of us think we know the answer to: What is human trafficking? A Collier County woman told WINK her definition changed after she survived it.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
Sheriff’s Office: Teen victim knew suspect in deadly Collier County shooting There is new information on the deadly shooting late Saturday of a teenage girl in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Inauguration ceremony for Lee Board of County Commissioners Lee County held an inauguration ceremony for a newly appointed county commissioner and two incumbents.
FGCU FGCU volleyball prepares to defend ASUN Tournament title FGCU volleyball looks to secure its fourth straight ASUN Tournament title this week and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers city leaders sworn in On Tuesday night, the City of Fort Myers swore in newly elected councilmember Diana Giraldo, who will take over Ward 2 for the next four years.
FORT MYERS Thomas Golisano pledges $85M to SWFL non-profits Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Galisano.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council vacancy application period extended Marco Island City Council members have voted to extend the application period for people interested in filling a vacant seat on the council.
Man tells troopers he fell asleep before fatal Alligator Alley crash at mile marker 72 A 37-year-old man has been arrested after his involvement in a deadly crash that killed one person and injured another.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers veteran worried about FEMA code compliance letter One marine veteran is worried sick over having to raise his home.
Residents oppose U-Haul storage unit development in Collier County A lush line of trees in Collier County may turn into storage units, and neighbors are unhappy.
LEHIGH ACRES Parents want changes made to Lee County Schools JROTC The Lee County School District is making changes after 25 students were treated by emergency services for heat exhaustion at a local high school on Friday.
FORT MYERS BEACH La Ola speaks out a day after FEMA deadline A day after the FEMA deadline for temporary structures on Fort Myers Beach to be removed, the scenery remains largely unchanged.
FORT MYERS Neighbors react to plans for new Amazon warehouse in Fort Myers Amazon will soon have the largest building in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS Councilman Johnny Streets retires after nearly 20 years of service After nearly two decades of service, Fort Myers City Councilman Johnny Streets is retiring.
Local human trafficking survivor speaks out It’s a question many of us think we know the answer to: What is human trafficking? A Collier County woman told WINK her definition changed after she survived it.
PORT CHARLOTTE 8 illegal immigrants arrested in Charlotte County Eight people have been arrested in Port Charlotte for being in the country illegally.
Sheriff’s Office: Teen victim knew suspect in deadly Collier County shooting There is new information on the deadly shooting late Saturday of a teenage girl in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Inauguration ceremony for Lee Board of County Commissioners Lee County held an inauguration ceremony for a newly appointed county commissioner and two incumbents.
FGCU FGCU volleyball prepares to defend ASUN Tournament title FGCU volleyball looks to secure its fourth straight ASUN Tournament title this week and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers city leaders sworn in On Tuesday night, the City of Fort Myers swore in newly elected councilmember Diana Giraldo, who will take over Ward 2 for the next four years.
FORT MYERS Thomas Golisano pledges $85M to SWFL non-profits Christmas came early for non-profit foundations and agencies across Southwest Florida, thanks to Thomas Galisano.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council vacancy application period extended Marco Island City Council members have voted to extend the application period for people interested in filling a vacant seat on the council.
Man tells troopers he fell asleep before fatal Alligator Alley crash at mile marker 72 A 37-year-old man has been arrested after his involvement in a deadly crash that killed one person and injured another.
The Florida Capitol. CREDIT: WINK News A bill in Tallahassee has brought liberals and some conservatives together. Critics believe the bill could eliminate some of the voices you listen to, the people you read, and what you see on TV. House Bill 757 was introduced by Republicans, and liberal groups oppose it. People on conservative and Christian radio said this bill could silence them instead. “It’s an activist lawyer’s dream. I mean, almost certainly come after local folks like you and your station,” said a person who called into The Drive with Trey Radel on 92.5 FOX News. On 92.5 FOX News, which is owned by a company affiliated with WINK, callers are worried about what this GOP-sponsored measure could mean for conservative talk radio. “I just wanted to call, and I took the time, and I emailed all of the politicians that were on your list on Fox plus Governor DeSantis,” added a caller. The bill pushed by Pensacola Representative and lawyer Alex Andrade has critics, like host Trey Radel, worried. They believe the bill would make it easier for public figures to sue anyone for defamation. “Their thinking is that we’re gonna lower these thresholds or create these rules to make it easier for conservatives to sue these organizations that they believe are acting against their interests,” explained Radel. “But the reality is that this cuts both ways. You can’t just set up the rules to sue those organizations and not expose people who might report the news in a different way.” First Amendment Lawyer Jim Lake, who works for Thomas & LoCicero Law Firm, which represents us here at WINK, said this would make liberal, conservative, and Christian broadcasters targets. “Litigation is certainly something that’s being used against conservatives, and this would be another tool in the toolbox of folks who want to go after conservative voices,” added Lake. Why? He felt that this bill allows something called forum shopping, which means whoever brings the suit picks the court where it will be argued. “So a conservative broadcaster in your area might be dragged across Florida to answer for a conservative view in Broward County,” explained Lake. Andrade, the bill’s sponsor, faced off with Radel on 92-5 FOX News and disagreed with this analysis of what the bill would do. “There’s nothing that makes it easier to draft a defamation lawsuit,” stated Andrade. He pointed out that judges would still be able to deny forum shopping, and he denies that the other provisions of the bill would lead to more lawsuits. “But you’re calling it opening the gates for frivolous lawsuits,” added Andrade. Republican Byron Donalds, who as a U.S. Congressman wouldn’t directly work or vote on a state law, agreed on 92.5 FOX News that free speech shouldn’t be limited. “I’m an absolutist when it comes to free speech. I think that if you’re going to say something, you can be as stupid as you want to be. And it’s important for people to read how stupid you are or hear how stupid you are,” said the Congressman. The First Amendment Foundation, also fighting this bill, gave us an example of how it could work. “Hunter Biden would be a good target,” said Bobby Block. “Let’s say a religious broadcaster said he, it’s absolutely clear, he’s corrupt based on what’s coming out of Washington D.C., and he’s godless, and something like that. Well, if Hunter Biden’s legal team were listening to this, they could find the most liberal part of Florida and make sure those broadcasts were accessible from Broward County, which is blue. And, they could launch his lawsuit.” Andrade insisted the courts wouldn’t allow that. “If it’s a frivolous lawsuit being brought in Broward County about a topic being discussed in Duval County, every judge in America, not just Florida, every judge in America would be overturned on appeal.” But listeners on this conservative talk radio station, along with its hosts and owners, said their voice, and yours, are on the line. The Better Business Bureau opposed the bill. They said it would allow un-trustworthy businesses to claim defamation and sue more easily, costing the non-profit more to defend itself. WINK News Anchor Chris Cifatte asked Andrade and Governor Ron DeSantis for interviews and didn’t hear back. Click here to read the BBB letter to Peter Cuderman Click here to read the BBB letter to Speaker Paul Renner and Senator Passidomo Kathleen.