Report: Teen trapped underneath Surfside could not be saved

A 14-year-old girl was reportedly screaming for hours, stuck under the rubble of the collapsed Surfside Towers, according to USA Today. Rescuers tried to save Valeria Barth but were unable to get her out. WINK News spoke to her uncle Sergio Barth as he waited to hear news of her and her two parents, Luis […]

Jet Ski crash with boat kills man and woman near Lover’s Key

A man and a woman were killed after being hit by a boat while on a Jet Ski near Lover’s Key State Park Friday. Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief said the incident happened around 12 p.m. near Flippers on the Bay, east of the Big Carlos Pass Bridge. The two were riding on a Jet […]

Ways you can skip the line and avoid the wait at the DMV

Visiting the DMV can be a headache. In Lee County, it is now appointment only, but appointments aren’t available for weeks, resulting in a lot of frustration. Alvaro Delvalle has experienced that problem firsthand. “You couldn’t find any available time slot. I don’t think they had any appointments before January.” WINK News checked each Lee […]

Gov. DeSantis pitches $99.7 billion state budget

Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education, the environment, and law enforcement officers while giving motorists a temporary gas-tax break. The proposal, which came as DeSantis runs for a second term in November, will be a starting […]

2 confirmed omicron cases in Florida

The newest variant of COVID-19 has already made its way to the sunshine state. There are two confirmed omicron cases in Florida. The first case was discovered at James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa. A spokesperson for the hospital says the patient had recently traveled internationally and that their case is mild. The Florida […]

FWC to use ‘supplemental feeding’ for manatees as their food sources disappear

Florida manatees face a record-breaking year for deaths, more than 1,000 Florida manatees have died in 2021, but there may be an answer to helping the malnourished sea cows. Though it’s illegal to feed manatees, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) approved a decision to allow […]

SWFL leaders reacting to governor’s plan to bring back the Florida State Guard

The governor wants to bring back the Florida State Guard. He announced Thursday that it would be under his control. Governor DeSantis said, “we also want to make sure that we have the flexibility and the ability needed to respond to events in our state in the most effective way possible.” The Florida State Guard […]

‘State of the Slough’ report shows how Everglades fared during summer months

Audubon Florida released a report breaking down how our water and wildlife did during the summer months, with much to say on the progress of Everglades restoration. In the quiet sanctuary of Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp, you can find everything from whistling ducks and sunbathing gators to roseate spoonbills, all creatures dependent on a healthy Everglades system. […]

Art Basel returns to Miami Beach, but with COVID-19 protocols

Art Basel is back in full swing. Thousands of people from all over the world are back on Miami Beach for the largest art show in North America that includes more than 250 art galleries across Miami. About 80,000 people are expected at shows across South Florida. It’s a nice change from 2020 when the […]