Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 peopleCape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Milton.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
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.