Cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral say there are funds to stay afloat – for now

The City of Sanibel has already furloughed more than 50 people, and Tuesday, the mayors of Cape Coral and Fort Myers say they might have to consider cuts. With many businesses across Southwest Florida shuttered, economic worries continue to grow with each passing day. We asked Cape Coral Mayor Joe Coviello what his biggest concern […]

‘Hero Fund’ would give frontline pandemic workers up to $25,000

Many call those first responders and health care workers on the front lines heroes. Now, they could get a bonus up to $25,000 for their work. New York stands as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. And from that state comes a plan to reward those who are fighting coronavirus on […]

Local non-profits step up to help community by providing food despite lack of donations

During this time when many aren’t working, our local non-profits have stepped up to the plate to help. The greatest need in Southwest Florida? Food. It outweighs paying bills and even health care, according to a survey taken during this pandemic. We witnessed the need and the response first-hand. Basic necessities and a line around […]

Some areas of SWFL confirm FDOH is providing them with addresses of COVID-19 patients

If you test positive for COVID-19, is someone keeping an eye on your whereabouts? Three emails from Fort Myers, Lee County and Collier County confirm that every day, the Department of Health provides addresses of coronavirus patients to law enforcement and first responders. When the governor declared a public health emergency, he gave Florida’s health […]

Nonprofits see increased demand, need help to meet it

The number of people unable to pay bills or even put food on the table grows every day, and that increasing demand is putting a strain on the resources for organizations that help. “A lot of people are looking at assistance for rent, food, utilities,” said Jeannine Joy with United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and […]

Chief: Airport rental car fire was ‘recipe for disaster’

A fire chief who responded to the massive fire on Friday at Southwest Florida International Airport said it was one of the biggest in his 30-year career. The fire engulfed thousands of rental cars in a grassy lot near the airport, emitting thick smoke that could be seen dozens of miles away. But the chief […]

Pilot recounts flying through smoke from fire that engulfed rental cars at RSW

The fire that burned thousands of rental cars at Southwest Florida International Airport on Friday captured everyone’s attention, its enormous plume of smoke visible from dozens of miles away. Now, imagine have to fly through it. WINK News report Dannielle Garcia was first on scene as the flames grew on Friday, and she spoke with […]

Career Source stepping in to offer relief for those trying to apply for unemployment

It’s becoming tougher and tougher for so many of you to make ends meet and the difficulty filing for unemployment benefits is only making matters worse. One huge problem: those PIN numbers you need to finalize your application. However, effective Friday, there’s new hope thanks to an old friend. Natalie Griffin is one of a […]

Jobs being filled even as unemployment soars; CareerSource can help

Ten million Americans have filed for unemployment in the last two weeks, with 6.6 million filing in one week, having lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. While those numbers are high, a lot of you reached out to tell us about companies that are hiring – and some people are finding work. Victoria […]

What’s being done to help small businesses and newly unemployed workers

What started as frustration is now anger. Thousands of people in Southwest Florida who’ve lost their job can’t go to the Fort Myers career center because it’s closed. And no one can get through on the phone for state unemployment benefits because the lines are jammed. And electronic filing can’t be completed because the website […]