Florida lawmaker pulls bill on wrongful death of unborn children after Alabama IVF ruling
A Florida bill to allow people to file wrongful death lawsuits over the death of a fetus is being shelved because of the political fallout from an Alabama Supreme Court decision that frozen embryos are legally protected children.
NOAA: Ian was Cat 5 before weakening at Florida landfall
Hurricane Ian briefly reached maximum Category 5 status before weakening to a Category 4 storm as it blasted ashore last September in southwest Florida, eventually causing over $112 billion in damage in the U.S. and more than 150 deaths directly or indirectly.
Amendment 1: What are your questions about ballot measure involving flood improvement tax changes?
The first of three proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution that the Florida Legislature voted to place on the ballot this November is an effort to help homeowners fight the effects of rising sea levels and climate change.
Florida business owner guilty of $2M in coronavirus relief fraud
MIAMI โ A Florida business owner has been convicted of illegally receiving more than $2 million in coronavirus relief funds. Prosecutors said he claimed the funds would only be used for business-related purposes, such as retaining workers and paying bills. Crowther concealed the scheme by providing false explanations for the expenditures to his bank, prosecutors said. AdThe Paycheck Protection Program represents billions of dollars in forgivable small business loans for Americans struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which became federal law in March.
The Latest: NFL Hall of Famers help push vaccine awareness
Hall of Famers taking part include include Anthony Muรฑoz, in both English and Spanish, Darrell Green, Aeneas Williams, and Drew Pearson. ___Indiana baseball coach Jeff Mercer has tested positive for COVID-19, and the Hoosiersโ home doubleheader against Penn State on Friday has been called off. ___Kansas withdrew from the Big 12 Tournament on Friday after a positive COVID-19 test within the menโs basketball program, sending No. ___The Minnesota Twins are the latest Major League Baseball team to receive government approval for fans to return to their games this season. Only a limited amount of family members of players and staff have been able to attend those games this season.
Eddie Rosario, Indians finalize $8 million, 1-year contract
FILE - Minnesota Twins' Eddie Rosario hits the ball during a spring training baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Fort Myers, Fla., in this Monday, March 9, 2020, file photo. The Indians officially signed free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario, adding a quality player who pounded their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, to finalize a one-year, $8 million contract for 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)CLEVELAND โ Free agent outfielder Eddie Rosario has joined the Cleveland Indians, adding a quality player who has haunted their pitchers in recent years. Rosario passed his physical on Thursday and finalized the $8 million, one-year contract he agreed to late last week.
Officials: Florida panther struck and killed by vehicle
FORT MYERS, Fla. โ An endangered Florida panther has died after being struck by a vehicle. Itโs the third panther death attributed to fatal collisions, out of four total deaths this year, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A total of 22 Florida panther deaths were reported in 2020, with 19 killed by vehicles. The remains of the 2-year-old male panther were found Thursday in Lee County on a rural road near Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, wildlife officials said. Florida panthers once roamed the entire Southeast, but now their habitat mostly is confined to a small region of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico.
Florida seniors begin swarming COVID-19 vaccination sites
FORT MYERS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Seniors and first responders wait in line to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Lakes Regional Library on December 30, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. At vaccination sites across the state, seniors formed long lines โ some camping out overnight with lawn chairs and blankets โ hoping to gain immunity to fight the virus. Seniors in other parts of the state were frustrated by busy phone lines and websites that would no longer issue new vaccination appointments. The Orlando Sentinel reported that state health officials in Orange County on Tuesday closed its online portal after generating 30,000 appointments in about 24 hours. โDespite the state receiving 1,218,300 vaccine doses, only 15% of those have actually been administered,โ she said in the letter.
Man is missing after falling from Florida dinner cruise
FORT MYERS, Fla. โ The U.S. Coast Guard says a man went missing after falling into the water from a dinner-cruise ship in the Gulf Coast in Florida. J.P. boat late Friday. The companysays Capt J.P. is a 475-passenger paddlewheel boat that tours the scenic Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. Coast Guard crews searched for more than 11 hours in the waters before suspending the search. They received help from agencies such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Fort Myers Beach Police, and the Lee County Sheriffโs Office.
Untouchable: Perfect Ponte Vedra volleyball team thunders to Class 5A state championship
The Ponte Vedra volleyball team completed the most dominant run in area history on Saturday, sweeping Jensen Beach to win the Class 5A state championship in Fort Myers and capping a back-to-back quest that is unprecedented in area volleyball history. Mignerey has led Ponte Vedra to three championships, the most by a team in area history. To hang with the Sharks, Jensen Beach needed something to go its way. It found very little rhythm against Ponte Vedra. Ponte Vedra and Christโs Church won championships in 2017, the first time that area programs had brought home titles in the same season.
Band students take field with musician-friendly face masks
When done playing, the flap is closed, revealing โa fully functional face mask,โ reports Rob Spicker, a spokesperson for the Lee County School District. Band students in the districtโs 49 middle and 15 high school band programs are being provided these type of musician-friendly face masks. The Lee County school district is providing face masks made for musicians in mind to students in its 49 middle and 15 high school band programs. Marching band students from Fort Myers High School wore them during the halftime performance Thursday. Recently, South Fort Myers High Schoolโs marching band showed off the new masks for the people who donated to the cause.
President Trump touts vaccine partnership with pharmacies
FORT MYERS, Fla. โ Campaigning Friday in Fort Myers, President Donald Trump pledged to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to many senior citizens free of charge through a partnership with two major pharmacy chains. The president also has said he would have vaccines available to the public by the Nov. 3 election. And even if vaccines were available, itโs not clear Americans, especially older ones, would get vaccinated. Trump, who also held a rally in Ocala, will likely be unable to win a second term if he loses the state. The news about the vaccine partnership also came as states were required to submit draft plans to the federal government about how they will distribute a coronavirus vaccine when one is approved for public use.
Florida bars can soon reopen at 50% capacity for onsite consumption
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. โ Halsey Beshears, the stateโs department of business secretary, said Thursday night that Florida will be rescinding an emergency order directed at bars. On Monday, all bars in the state will be allowed to reopen at 50% occupancy for onsite consumption. Starting Monday, all bars will be reopened at 50% occupancy. Ron DeSantis said he hoped to soon give Floridans the โability to have some enjoyment in their lifeโ by soon lifting on-site drinking restrictions. The restrictions on bars and breweries have particularly affected establishments that donโt serve food.
Spike in reported COVID-19 deaths again shows lag in Florida data
Analyzing data released Thursday by the Florida Department of Health again highlights a significant lag in the states reporting of COVID-19 related deaths. From Aug. 22 to Sept. 2, between two and eight newly reported deaths were added each day, the data show. Of the newly reported deaths, 26 were added in Duval County -- a single-day high for additional deaths in Jacksonville -- but its unclear in the data just when those deaths occurred. Most of the newly reported Duval County deaths were first identified as COVID-19 patients by the state in July, and one was first reported in April. Columbia County added four deaths in Thursdays data, Alachua County added three and St. Johns County added one.
As COVID-19 cases in young Floridians rise, DeSantis urges vigilance
Ron DeSantis said Friday that a big reason for the rise positivity rate and the number of new COVID-19 cases in Florida is the community transmission driven younger people in the state. In states like Florida, Texas and Arizona, young people started going out again, many without masks, in what health experts see as irresponsible behavior. DeSantis said young people need to follow guidelines when at home and at house parties, too. DeSantis announced Florida would move to Phase 2 of its reopening on June 5. He said Thursday he has no plans to move the state to Phase 3 during the current surge in cases.
Southeastern Grocers to open Winn-Dixie stores at five closing Luckyโs Markets
Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers said Feb. 4 it agreed in principle to take over five Luckyโs Market locations in Florida. Southeastern Grocers will open Winn-Dixie supermarkets at closing Luckyโs stores in Gainesville, Melbourne, Fort Myers, Naples and Lake Mary. Luckyโs, which is reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws, initially intended to keep the Melbourne store open. Previously, Aldi agreed to take over six Luckyโs stores, while Publix Super Markets Inc. agreed to take over leases at five properties including the Luckyโs store in Neptune Beach. Luckyโs said Feb. 4 it entered into asset purchase agreements with Southeastern Grocers, Seabra Foods and Hitchcockโs Markets for seven locations in Florida.
FWC busts wildlife trafficking ring smuggling thousands of turtles
The illegal trade of turtles is having a global impact on many turtle species and our ecosystems. We commend our law enforcements work to address the crisis of illegal wildlife trafficking, said FWC Executive Director Eric Sutton. Arresting people engaged in illegal wildlife trafficking supports our environment and legal businesses. The International Fund for Animal Welfare estimates illegal wildlife trade in the US at $19 billion annual income. Evidence indicated turtles sold within one month totaled an estimated $60,000.
Genetic testing latest target for fraud
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Federal investigators call it the latest scheme targeting consumers on Medicare and it all begins with claims of free screening for cancer. Tammy's mom has heart issues, cancer runs in the family so when the telemarketer pitched free cancer screening, her mom bought in. Cancer screening, a lucrative businessCole Buckley of Fort Myers showed us several flags and fliers he had made for what he thought would be a lucrative DNA cancer screening business. How to protect yourself from falling victim to "free" cancer screening - If a genetic testing kit is mailed to you, don't accept it unless it was ordered by your doctor or return it to the sender. - Be suspicious of anyone who offers you "free" genetic or cancer screening and then requests your Medicare number.
Ex-Florida player charged with murder in wife's 2016 death
FORT MYERS, Fla. โ A former University of Florida football player, Earl Antonio "Tony" Joiner, has been arrested and charged with killing his wife in a case dating to 2016, police said. A former safety at Florida under then-Coach Urban Meyer, Joiner was arrested Saturday on a charge of second-degree murder in the death of wife Heyzel Obando, the Fort Myers Police Department said in a statement. The reports noted that Joiner, as a junior player, led all of UF's defensive backs with 59 tackles. Hernandez was later convicted of murder and killed himself in prison in 2017. During Meyer's six years at Florida, there were 31 arrests of football players, according to an analysis by the New York Times.