Powerball jackpot soars to $450 million

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The estimated jackpot for Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing has soared to $450 million thanks to strong sales. Multi-State Lottery Association officials on Tuesday increased the expected prize from $400 million because of fast sales for the largest lottery jackpot in nearly a year. No one has won Powerball’s biggest prize […]

Obama unveils presidential plan to cut gun violence

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama, at one point wiping tears from his cheek, unveiled his plan Tuesday to tighten control and enforcement of firearms in the U.S., using his presidential powers in the absence of legal changes he implored Congress to pass. Obama accused the gun lobby of taking Congress hostage, but said “they […]

5-year-old may be called as witness in Lonzie Barton case

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Prosecutors and attorneys for a man charged in the disappearance of a Jacksonville toddler are fighting over whether a 5-year-old girl can be called as a witness. Authorities have said William Ruben Ebron Jr. was caring for the girl and 21-month-old Lonzie Barton when Lonzie disappeared July 24. Ebron and Lonzie’s […]

Minnesota meat company recalls 89K pounds of beef

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota meat company is recalling some beef products that may be contaminated with wood. Huisken Meat Company of Sauk Rapids is recalling about 89,000 pounds of beef. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall Monday. The Sam’s Choice Black Angus Vidalia Onion items […]

Brash, fee-happy CEO of Spirit Airlines abruptly replaced

NEW YORK (AP) – Ben Baldanza, who led the industry push for more and more airline fees, is out as CEO of Spirit Airlines. Spirit was losing money until Baldanza, 54, took over in 2006. He oversaw the airline’s transformation into an “ultra-low cost carrier,” an airline that didn’t include anything in its base fare […]

1 US service member killed, 2 wounded in Afghanistan attack

WASHINGTON (AP) – One U.S. service member was killed and two were wounded in fighting Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. military command in Kabul said. The fighting, which reflects intensified efforts by the U.S. and its Afghan partners to push back against recent Taliban gains, was near the city of Marja, Helmand province, which […]

2-year-old in critical condition after being shot in home

ST. CLOUD, Fla. (AP) – Authorities in central Florida say a shooting that left a 2-year-old boy in critical condition appears to be an accident. Osceola County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain said Tuesday that family members told detectives that Ethan Walker found a small caliber handgun in a truck parked at his home Monday […]

Federal data breach scam

FORT MYERS, Fla. – In June of 2015, a massive federal data breach at the Office of Personnel Management put the information of 21.5 million people at risk. Now, scammers are using the opportunity to try and trick residents in Lee County. Beth Schell of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office stopped by the WINK News […]

Pet Pals: TJ

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Meet TJ! He’s a 2-year-old Chihuahua mix. Dr. Whitney Whitford from the Animal Medical Center of Lehigh Acres says TJ is a very sweet, loving dog. He’s well-trained and would love somebody to spend his time with. If you’d like to give TJ his forever home, call the Gulf Coast Humane […]