https://wgcuplus.org/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/videos/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/2/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/3/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/4/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/5/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/6/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/7/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/8/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/9/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/10/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/11/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/12/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/13/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/14/ https://wgcuplus.org/videos/page/15/ https://wgcuplus.org/live/ https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ 2026-08-10 https://wgcuplus.org/decoding-ancient-florida/ 2026-10-28 https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/ 2026-10-29 https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://wgcuplus.org/untold-stories/ 2026-05-04 https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/ 2026-10-29 https://wgcuplus.org/documentaries/ 2026-10-28 https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/education/ 2026-10-21 https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/ 2026-10-28 https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/ 2026-10-07 https://wgcuplus.org/environment/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/ 2026-10-28 https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/ 2026-10-15 https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/news/ 2026-10-30 https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/witches-take-center-stage-governor-s-race-and-new-calusa-documentary/ 2026-10-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8RQmYovF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Witches take Center Stage, Governor's Race & New Calusa Documentary In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Final Stretch of The Governor’s Race: The race to be Florida's next governor looks to be coming down to election day, as voters are torn between the two leading candidates. Last month, Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly took part in the Sunshine Economy Summit as they prepared to enter the final stretch of their campaigns. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Tom Hudson, CEO of South Florida Public Media Group, about the discussions he had with both candidates at the event. Witches Take Center Stage: ‘Tis the season for spooky scenes and haunted performances. The Lemon Bay Playhouse is celebrating Halloween with a performance of Gillian Holroyd’s “Bell, Book & Candle.” WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall previews the show that became the inspiration for the classic sitcom, “Bewitched.” Living Life with Visual Impairment: For visually impaired people, daily activities might take a bit more time and thoughtful planning. But they overcome physical limitations to develop their unique talents. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park spoke with two women who are not letting sight issues get in the way of their work and hobbies. WGCU’s Latest Calusa Documentary: WGCU is releasing its second documentary short in its "Decoding Ancient Florida" series. The Calusa people lived on Southwest Florida's coast for almost 2,000 years. The latest short explores Mound Key in Estero Bay, a site that served as the capital for the Calusa. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8RQmYovF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8RQmYovF-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-10-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/witches-take-center-stage/ 2026-10-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/177IwsU6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Witches Take Center Stage ‘Tis the season for spooky scenes and haunted performances. The Lemon Bay Playhouse is celebrating Halloween with a performance of Gillian Holroyd’s “Bell, Book & Candle.” WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall previews the show that became the inspiration for the classic sitcom, “Bewitched. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/177IwsU6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/177IwsU6-FdEsoD82.html 357 2026-10-30T20:00:28.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/hidden-talents-of-the-visually-impaired/ 2026-10-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/skJhxtvR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hidden Talents of the Visually Impaired For visually impaired people, daily activities might take a bit more time and thoughtful planning. But they overcome physical limitations to develop their unique talents. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park spoke with two women who don't let sight issues get in the way of their work and hobbies. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/skJhxtvR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/skJhxtvR-FdEsoD82.html 388 2026-10-30T15:16:01.000Z yes Health / Aging GoodWorks https://wgcuplus.org/news/celebrating-halloween-with-the-addams-family/ 2026-10-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5irzeekR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Celebrating Halloween with the Addams Family Once a year, every member of the Addams Family, living, dead, or undecided, gathers to celebrate what it is to be an Addams. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares how you can join in the festivities at Fort Myers Dinner Theatre, celebrating Halloween with "The Addams Family Musical." https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5irzeekR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5irzeekR-FdEsoD82.html 271 2026-10-30T15:04:02.000Z yes Arts https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/manufacturing-industry-grows-in-collier-county/ 2026-10-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eq2b2292/poster.jpg?width=1920 Manufacturing Industry Grows in Collier County When we look at the five counties of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades, 24,000 people earn their living by making products for government agencies, or for the consumer marketplace. That includes Azimuth Technology, a precision components manufacturer. WGCU Business Reporter Mike Walcher visits the plant in Collier County. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eq2b2292-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eq2b2292-FdEsoD82.html 287 2026-10-30T15:00:50.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/environment/winds-and-king-tides-impacting-your-weekend/ 2026-10-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JvQRtAxD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Winds and King Tides Impacting Your Weekend Things have been feeling quite like fall, with mellow temperatures and windy conditions building perfect Southwest Florida weather. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Andrew Wulfeck, a multimedia meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Network, discuss whether a second nor'easter impacting the east coast will disrupt that serenity . https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JvQRtAxD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JvQRtAxD-FdEsoD82.html 239 2026-10-30T13:55:54.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/talents-of-the-visually-impaired-winds-and-tides-manufacturing-industry-grows/ 2026-10-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XJej1RZv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Talents of the Visually Impaired, Winds and Tides, Manufacturing Industry Grows In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Winds and Tides Impacting Your Weekend: Things have been feeling quite like fall, with mellow temperatures and windy conditions building perfect Southwest Florida weather. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Andrew Wulfeck, a multimedia meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Network, discuss whether a second nor'easter impacting the east coast will disrupt that serenity. Manufacturing Industry Grows in Collier County: When we look at the five counties of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades, 24,000 people earn their living by making products for government agencies, or for the consumer marketplace. That includes Azimuth Technology, a precision components manufacturer. WGCU Business Reporter Mike Walcher visits the plant in Collier County. Celebrating Halloween with the Addams Family: Once a year, every member of the Addams Family, living, dead, or undecided, gathers to celebrate what it is to be an Addams. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares how you can join in the festivities at Fort Myers Dinner Theatre, celebrating Halloween with "The Addams Family Musical." Hidden Talents of the Visually Impaired: For visually impaired people, daily activities might take a bit more time and thoughtful planning. But they overcome physical limitations to develop their unique talents. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park spoke with two women who don't let sight issues get in the way of their work and hobbies. Decoding Ancient Florida- Mound Key: WGCU just released the latest installment of its "Decoding Ancient Florida" series on Calusa history. The documentary short is focused on the Mound Key in Estero Bay, which the Calusa people built with shells over centuries. WGCU's Janine Zeitlin speaks with Dr. Michael Savarese, a coastal geologist with The Water School at Florida Gulf Coast University, to learn more about how and why this one-of-a-kind island was created. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XJej1RZv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XJej1RZv-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-29T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/jazz-performed-live-in-studio-ahead-of-friday-s-halloween-retro-dance-costume-pa/ 2026-10-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/410Uppm7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Jazz performed live in studio ahead of Friday’s “Halloween Retro Dance Costume Party” on Sanibel We’ll hear a selection of jazz classics performed live in studio ahead of the “Halloween Retro Dance Costume Party” on Oct. 30, 2026, at the Spatini Teabar on Sanibel Island. The Spatini Teabar is the island’s only live jazz entertainment venue featuring performances by the region’s best professional jazz musicians and national touring guest artists. Jazz performances at the venue also raise funds to support students studying jazz at FGCU’s Bower School of Music & the Arts through the Sanibel Jazz Society, LLC. The organization was founded by jazz vocalist and Spatini Teabar owner Amy Sbarro and celebrated its inaugural summer series this year. Patrons of the “Halloween Retro Dance Costume Party,” are invited to step back into the 1940s with their best Swing era clothes. There will also be a dance floor, along with a dance instructor teaching some basic dance moves from the era during band breaks. We’ll hear music performed by Amy Sbarra (vocals), Stu Shelton (piano), Nik Bortolussi (clarinet), and Tony Vigilante (drums). https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/410Uppm7-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-10-29T20:11:16.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/cooking-for-a-loved-one-with-a-swallowing-disorder/ 2026-10-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LLeEOkcB/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cooking for a loved one with a swallowing disorder Dysphagia is another word for a swallowing disorder. It is quite serious because it gets in the way of eating and getting proper nutrition. It can affect people with esophageal problems, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions. Diane Wolf has written the cookbook Cooking for Dysphagia, which walks caregivers through this major change. We will talk with her all about helpful tools, best practices, and of course, recipes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LLeEOkcB-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-29T14:37:25.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/new-federal-reserve-ruling-how-property-taxes-are-used-and-hunting-lionfish/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZbRoYs8g/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Federal Reserve Ruling, How Property Taxes are Used, and Hunting Lionfish In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Federal Reserve Rules on Interest Increase: The Federal Reserve just announced its decision not to raise the benchmark interest rate. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Victor Claar, a Florida Gulf Coast University economics professor, about the financial impact for your wallet. How Property Taxes Fund Public Services: Amendment 3 has become one of the most controversial measures on the November ballot. The proposal would make major cuts to homestead property taxes. While the measure does not cut funding for the public education system, it does have some people asking the question: why do they have to pay taxes for schools if they do not have children that are attending? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster to break down the answer. District 19 Election Candidates: The race to represent Southwest Florida in congress has two leading candidates from Fort Myers vying for the District 19 seat. Republican Jim Schwartzel and Democrat Victor Arias will face off in the November 3 election. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Arias about his goals if elected. WGCU invited Schwartzel to share his platform with our audience, but he has yet to accept our invitation. Taking a Stab at the Lionfish Population: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hosts the annual Lionfish Challenge with the goal is to capture as many lionfish as possible to help reduce the population of the invasive species. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles about the record-breaking number of lionfish caught this year. Healthy Sugar Habits for Halloween: As trick-or-treaters put the final touches on their costumes, the next issue will be which piece of candy will be devoured first. But all that sugar consumption could lead to some health issues you should be aware of. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZbRoYs8g-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZbRoYs8g-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-10-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/district-19-election-candidates/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hB3V78Qp/poster.jpg?width=1920 District 19 Election Candidates The race to represent Southwest Florida in congress has two leading candidates from Fort Myers vying for the District 19 seat. Republican Jim Schwartzel and Democrat Victor Arias will face off in the November 3 election. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Arias about his goals if elected. WGCU invited Schwartzel to share his platform with our audience, but he has yet to accept our invitation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hB3V78Qp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hB3V78Qp-FdEsoD82.html 337 2026-10-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/federal-reserve-rules-on-interest-increase/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nAtRR4ov/poster.jpg?width=1920 Federal Reserve Rules on Interest Increase The Federal Reserve just announced its decision not to raise the benchmark interest rate. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Victor Claar, a Florida Gulf Coast University economics professor, about the financial impact for your wallet. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nAtRR4ov-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nAtRR4ov-FdEsoD82.html 293 2026-10-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/how-property-taxes-fund-public-services/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YxFC13AF/poster.jpg?width=1920 How Property Taxes Fund Public Services Amendment 3 has become one of the most controversial measures on the November ballot. The proposal would make major cuts to homestead property taxes. While the measure does not cut funding for the public education system, it does have some people asking the question: why do they have to pay taxes for schools if they do not have children that are attending? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster to break down the answer. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YxFC13AF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YxFC13AF-FdEsoD82.html 262 2026-10-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/environment/taking-a-stab-at-the-lionfish-population/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/q21Nqwxv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Taking a Stab at the Lionfish Population The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hosts the annual Lionfish Challenge with the goal is to capture as many lionfish as possible to help reduce the population of the invasive species. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles about the record-breaking number of lionfish caught this year. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/q21Nqwxv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/q21Nqwxv-FdEsoD82.html 223 2026-10-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/healthy-sugar-habits-for-halloween/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1FB3zs8M/poster.jpg?width=1920 Healthy Sugar Habits for Halloween As trick-or-treaters put the final touches on their costumes, the next issue will be which piece of candy will be devoured first. But all that sugar consumption could lead to some health issues you should be aware of. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Brittany Bruggemann, a pediatric endocrinologist with the University of Florida, to learn how over-consumption of sugar can affect our bodies. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1FB3zs8M-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1FB3zs8M-FdEsoD82.html 318 2026-10-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/decoding-ancient-florida/decoding-ancient-florida-mound-key-short/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yatEGqO9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound Key Short Mound Key was the capital of the Calusa people, who lived along Southwest Florida’s coast for almost 2,000 years. Explore this archaeological treasure in Estero Bay with WGCU and learn about the fascinating stories and sophisticated Indigenous engineering that make this ancient island so unique. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yatEGqO9-FdEsoD82.html 880 2026-10-28T21:00:00.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/protecting-your-kids-from-online-exploitation/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4Htne8RP/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Your Kids from Online Exploitation The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports a dramatic increase in sextortion cases, commonly targeting boys. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Brandon Guffey, a South Carolina lawmaker who lost his son to a sextortion-related suicide, about helping parents learn about the dangers of online predators targeting children. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4Htne8RP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4Htne8RP-FdEsoD82.html 456 2026-10-28T14:29:26.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/how-to-be-an-informed-voter/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2YDKagBC/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to be an Informed Voter More than 3 million Floridians have already cast their ballots in the November election, according to the latest update from the Florida Division of Elections. In Lee County, a nonprofit is working to get everyone out to vote. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with League of Women Voters Lee County President Sandy Frank to learn how to ensure you’re informed before heading to the ballot box. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2YDKagBC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2YDKagBC-FdEsoD82.html 292 2026-10-28T14:27:15.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/inside-the-florida-governor-s-race/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ui6W18t5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Inside the Florida Governor’s Race The race to be Florida's next governor looks to be coming down to election day, as voters are torn between the two leading candidates. Last month, Byron Donalds and David Jolly took part in the Sunshine Economy Summit as they prepared to enter the final stretch of their campaigns. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Tom Hudson, CEO of South Florida Public Media Group, about the discussions he had with both candidates at the event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ui6W18t5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ui6W18t5-FdEsoD82.html 536 2026-10-28T14:25:18.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/hope-eternal-gardens-in-punta-gorda-become-charlotte-county-s-first-certified-ar/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6tZRBdoV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hope Eternal Gardens in Punta Gorda become Charlotte County's first certified arboretum Hope Eternal Gardens in Punta Gorda became Southwest Florida's first natural burial cemetery when it opened in 2024. Now, it's also Charlotte County's first accredited Level One Arboretum. That means they've met specific professional standards for curating, maintaining, and labeling the trees and woody plants on site for public benefit, research, and education. We learn about the cemetery, what it means to be an arboretum, and how the Museum of Trees works and where it fits into the story of gaining Level I Arboretum accreditation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6tZRBdoV-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-28T03:30:00.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/what-happens-when-we-find-evidence-of-life-beyond-earth/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PKwLV7bZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 What happens when we find evidence of life beyond Earth? Whether or not we'll ever find irrefutable proof that humans are not alone in the universe is something that has been speculated about since the dawn of humanity. As the scientific age arose — from first crude telescopes to modern space exploration — the idea that actually finding real proof has seemingly come into closer reach. But what happens then? And will irrefutable still be refuted by some? And what would the implications be, from shaking the foundations of some faiths, to adding a new global dynamic to an already tense world? We talk with two people who are part of a new limited-run podcast called "When We Find Them" that talks to people from all backgrounds to try to approach these questions and more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PKwLV7bZ-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-28T03:30:00.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/florida-governor-s-race-informed-voting-and-the-dangers-of-online-exploitation/ 2026-10-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BDDaFt70/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Governor’s Race, Informed Voting, and the Dangers of Online Exploitation In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Inside the Florida Governor’s Race: The race to be Florida's next governor looks to be coming down to election day, as voters are torn between the two leading candidates. Last month, Byron Donalds and David Jolly took part in the Sunshine Economy Summit as they prepared to enter the final stretch of their campaigns. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Tom Hudson, CEO of South Florida Public Media Group, about the discussions he had with both candidates at the event. How to be an Informed Voter: More than 3 million Floridians have already cast their ballots in the November election, according to the latest update from the Florida Division of Elections. In Lee County, a nonprofit is working to get everyone out to vote. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with League of Women Voters Lee County President Sandy Frank to learn how to ensure you’re informed before heading to the ballot box. Protecting Your Kids from Online Exploitation: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports a dramatic increase in sextortion cases, commonly targeting boys. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Brandon Guffey, a South Carolina lawmaker who lost his son to a sextortion-related suicide, about helping parents learn about the dangers of online predators targeting children. Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound Key: WGCU is releasing its second documentary short in its "Decoding Ancient Florida" series. The Calusa people lived on Southwest Florida's coast for almost 2,000 years. The latest short explores Mound Key in Estero Bay, a site that served as the capital for the Calusa. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BDDaFt70-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BDDaFt70-FdEsoD82.html 1499 2026-10-27T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/young-entrepreneurs-start-barbershop-business/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LH22qRmG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Young Entrepreneurs Start Barbershop Business There is a youth movement for one Fort Myers barbershop. With an owner who recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University and two managers barely out of their twenties, they're not letting a lack of experience stop them from building a thriving business. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge visits the Hause of Fades barbershop. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LH22qRmG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LH22qRmG-FdEsoD82.html 249 2026-10-27T20:47:04.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/news/rise-in-parkinson-s-diagnoses-explained/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Q0Lcms9N/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rise in Parkinson’s Diagnoses Explained Nearly 90,000 new cases of Parkinson's Disease are diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Parkinson's Disease Foundation. As part of this special excerpt from Gulf Coast Life, WGCU Host and Reporter Cary Barbor learns more about the uptick in the disease from one of the leading researchers in Parkinson's, Dr. Ray Dorsey. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Q0Lcms9N-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Q0Lcms9N-FdEsoD82.html 346 2026-10-27T20:46:21.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/staying-safe-on-halloween/ 2026-10-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LtSycGnS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Staying Safe on Halloween Staying Safe on Halloween https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LtSycGnS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LtSycGnS-FdEsoD82.html 246 2026-10-27T20:40:34.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/players-circle-theater-opens-its-8th-season-with-the-broadway-farce-the-nerd/ 2026-10-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/51LZVi78/poster.jpg?width=1920 Players Circle Theater opens its 8th season with the Broadway farce “The Nerd” Players Circle Theater opens its 8th season with a production of the Broadway farce “The Nerd.” Through comic chaos, physical comedy, and escalating absurdity, the play poses the surprisingly relatable question “What do you owe someone who once did you a great favor, especially when that person makes your life miserable?” We’ll explore the play in a conversation with director Bob Cacioppo and actor Ted Wioncek. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/51LZVi78-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-27T20:00:00.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/news/breaking-down-early-polling-numbers/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/es0hnLQ0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Breaking Down Early Polling Numbers Breaking Down Early Polling Numbers https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/es0hnLQ0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/es0hnLQ0-FdEsoD82.html 375 2026-10-27T18:20:52.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/outcomes-from-president-trump-s-visit-to-fort-myers/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/P79CdlnP/poster.jpg?width=1920 Outcomes from President Trump’s Visit to Fort Myers While President Trump’s Rally was happening inside Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University, protests took place outside the arena. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin learns more about the issues protestors are concerned about as the midterms approach. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/P79CdlnP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/P79CdlnP-FdEsoD82.html 211 2026-10-27T17:56:12.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/outcomes-of-president-trump-s-visit-polling-numbers-and-parkinson-s-diagnoses/ 2026-10-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Nw5OZkEf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Outcomes of President Trump’s Visit, Polling Numbers, and Parkinson’s Diagnoses In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Outcomes from President Trump’s Visit to Fort Myers: The campus of Florida Gulf Coast University was packed with at least 4,500 people attending President Trump's midterm rally on Friday. The Fort Myers event was part of the president's seven day, seven state campaign sprint ahead of the midterm elections. WGCU Host and Reporter Samuel Brucker reports from inside the rally. FGCU Students Protest President Trump’s Rally: While President Trump’s Rally was happening inside Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University, protests took place outside the arena. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin learns more about the issues protestors are concerned about as the midterms approach. Breaking Down Early Polling Numbers: As early voting progresses in Southwest Florida, many of the key races, including the race for governor, are expected to come down to the wire. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Mark Mitchell, founder of The Honest Poll, about early polling numbers coming off of President Trump's visit to Fort Myers. Staying Safe on Halloween: Halloween is this weekend, and costumes and candy buckets are being prepped for spooky festivities across Southwest Florida. But for anyone gearing up for trick-or-treating, here's what you should know to make it a safe weekend. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin sits down with Lisa Greenberg, Public Affairs Officer with the Cape Coral Police Department, for important safety information ahead of Halloween. Rise in Parkinson’s Diagnoses Explained: Nearly 90,000 new cases of Parkinson's Disease are diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Parkinson's Disease Foundation. As part of this special excerpt from Gulf Coast Life, WGCU Host and Reporter Cary Barbor learns more about the uptick in the disease from one of the leading researchers in Parkinson's, Dr. Ray Dorsey. Young Entrepreneurs Start Barbershop Business: There is a… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Nw5OZkEf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Nw5OZkEf-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-26T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/an-inside-look-at-the-shark-is-broken/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jGoWLzqR/poster.jpg?width=1920 An Inside Look at “The Shark is Broken” The Off-Broadway Palm Theatre in Fort Myers is taking audiences inside the production of "Jaws,” with a set that mimics the boat from the movie, so the minute you walk in the doors, you feel like you're actually coming aboard the vessel. WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall dives into the play “The Shark is Broken.” https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jGoWLzqR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jGoWLzqR-FdEsoD82.html 351 2026-10-23T20:11:39.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-story-behind-the-invention-of-the-telephone/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OgWYRwIf/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Story Behind the Invention of the Telephone Most people believe Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. But multiple other inventors claim they had the technology first, including a man who filed a patent application for the telephone on the very same day as bell in 18-76. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall explores a new play titled “Ahoy Hoy,” opening next week at Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre that appears to settle the debate once and for all. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OgWYRwIf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OgWYRwIf-FdEsoD82.html 313 2026-10-23T20:09:11.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/environment/wastewater-treatment-concerns/ 2026-10-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mdfkqCJl/poster.jpg?width=1920 Wastewater Treatment Concerns Manatee County is struggling to keep its system up to date when it comes to processing raw sewage. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains the concerns surrounding wastewater treatment. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/mdfkqCJl-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/mdfkqCJl-FdEsoD82.html 248 2026-10-23T20:04:24.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/news/district-82-candidates-platforms-and-priorities/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2iqqCN7x/poster.jpg?width=1920 District 82 Candidates’ Platforms and Priorities In Southwest Florida, a longtime Immokalee rancher is facing off against an educator in the race for the District 82 seat in the Florida House. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park talks with Democratic candidate Arthur Boyer and Republican candidate Lisa Priddy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2iqqCN7x-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2iqqCN7x-FdEsoD82.html 425 2026-10-23T19:57:30.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/first-skunk-patient-since-2022-admitted-to-crow/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZGat4vw1/poster.jpg?width=1920 First Skunk Patient Since 2022 Admitted to CROW Whether it's a baby bird or an aging gopher tortoise, The Clinic For Rehabilitation Of Wildlife cares for all creatures big and small. One of their current patients is actually a rare admittance for the clinic. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin finds out how a skunk kit made its way into the clinic's care. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZGat4vw1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZGat4vw1-FdEsoD82.html 295 2026-10-23T18:05:25.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/spiders-friend-or-foe/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KyTumGHg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Spiders: Friend or Foe? BBC Earth reports that spiders can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and they range in size from as tiny as a pinhead to as large as your hand. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin talks with Dr. Joyce Fassbender, an arachnologist, to learn more about our eight-legged friends. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KyTumGHg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KyTumGHg-FdEsoD82.html 333 2026-10-23T17:23:45.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/first-halloween-event-for-six-mile-cypress-slough-preserve/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3D9IUILe/poster.jpg?width=1920 First Halloween Event for Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve Halloween is 10 days away, but a local environmental preserve is ready to celebrate this weekend. Six-Mile Cypress Slough has planned a spine-chilling production for visitors of all ages. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes us to the boardwalk. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3D9IUILe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3D9IUILe-FdEsoD82.html 195 2026-10-23T17:18:54.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/murals/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EKDlDDBs/poster.jpg?width=1920 Murals Murals https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EKDlDDBs-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EKDlDDBs-FdEsoD82.html 309 2026-10-23T16:56:20.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/district-82-candidates-wastewater-concerns-and-the-invention-of-the-telephone/ 2026-10-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QyVeqiEk/poster.jpg?width=1920 District 82 Candidates, Wastewater Concerns, and The Invention of the Telephone In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: District 82 Candidates’ Platforms and Priorities: In Southwest Florida, a longtime Immokalee rancher is facing off against an educator in the race for the District 82 seat in the Florida House. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park talks with democratic candidate Arthur Boyer and republican candidate Lisa Priddy. Wastewater Treatment Concerns: Manatee county is struggling to keep its system when it comes to processing raw sewage. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains the concerns surrounding wastewater treatment. The Story Behind the Invention of the Telephone: Most people believe Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. But multiple other inventors claim they had the technology first, including a man who filed a patent application for the telephone on the very same day as bell in 18-76. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall explores a new play titled “Ahoy Hoy,” opening next week at Sarasota's Urbanite Theatre that appears to settle the debate once and for all. An Inside Look at “The Shark is Broken”: The Off-Broadway Palm Theatre in Fort Myers is taking audiences inside the production of "Jaws,” with a set that mimics the boat from the movie so the minute you walk in the doors, you feel like you're actually coming aboard the vessel. WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall dives into the play “The Shark is Broken.” https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QyVeqiEk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QyVeqiEk-FdEsoD82.html 1522 2026-10-22T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/trump-rally-at-fgcu/ 2026-10-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pPhHitta/poster.jpg?width=1920 Trump Rally at FGCU Trump Rally at FGCU https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pPhHitta-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pPhHitta-FdEsoD82.html 243 2026-10-22T20:38:43.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/president-trump-to-visit-halloween-at-six-mile-cypress-and-science-of-spiders/ 2026-10-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zYOqQ0b1/poster.jpg?width=1920 President Trump to Visit, Halloween at Six-Mile Cypress, and Science of Spiders In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Trump Plans Visit to Fort Myers: The Florida GOP says thousands of supporters are expected to attend President Trump's midterm rally at Alico Arena on Friday. WGCU has also confirmed that some students and College Democrats plan a peaceful protest outside the arena. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Republican Party Chair Evan Powers about the upcoming event. Wastewater Treatment Concerns: Manatee county is struggling to keep its system when it comes to processing raw sewage. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains the concerns surrounding wastewater treatment. First Halloween Event for Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve: Halloween is 10 days away, but a local environmental preserve is ready to celebrate this weekend. Six-Mile Cypress Slough has planned a spine-chilling production for visitors of all ages. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes us to the boardwalk. Spiders: Friend or Foe? BBC Earth reports that spiders can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and they range in size from as tiny as a pinhead to as large as your hand. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin talks with Dr. Joyce Fassbender, an arachnologist, to learn more about our eight-legged friends. First Skunk Patient Since 2022 Admitted to CROW : Whether it's a baby bird or an aging gopher tortoise, The Clinic For Rehabilitation Of Wildlife cares for all creatures big and small. One of their current patients is actually a rare admittance for the clinic. WGCU Reporter Kate Conin finds out how a skunk kit made its way into the clinic's care. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zYOqQ0b1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zYOqQ0b1-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/preserving-the-art-of-oral-storytelling/ 2026-10-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7rQCKCmI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preserving the Art of Oral Storytelling The art of oral storytelling is vital to Jewish culture. According to Torah.org, the practice dates to when Moses received the Ten Commandments and relayed them to his people. Today, oral storytelling helps preserve history and build language skills. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne dives into how folklore stories are passed down through generations with Caren Neile, a Jewish performance storyteller. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7rQCKCmI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7rQCKCmI-FdEsoD82.html 377 2026-10-21T13:19:18.000Z yes Culture Education Arts https://wgcuplus.org/education/ballots-for-kids/ 2026-10-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JfTVGYa5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ballots for Kids You might need to be 18-years old to vote, but in one Southwest Florida county, kids can cast their very own ballot. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Lee County Supervisor of Elections, Jenna Persons-Mulicka, about the creative initiative to help children learn about voting. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JfTVGYa5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JfTVGYa5-FdEsoD82.html 263 2026-10-21T13:16:34.000Z yes Politics / Legal Education https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/candidate-campaigns-escalate/ 2026-10-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/naWYIDMB/poster.jpg?width=1920 Candidate Campaigns Escalate With two weeks until the general election, campaigning is ramping up. That includes an appearance by President Donald Trump, who is visiting Fort Myers on Oct. 23. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis about the upcoming presidential speech, and steps candidates are taking to win votes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/naWYIDMB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/naWYIDMB-FdEsoD82.html 465 2026-10-21T13:14:52.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/candidate-campaigns-escalate-ballots-for-kids-and-the-art-of-oral-storytelling/ 2026-10-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ggwaVuOQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Candidate Campaigns Escalate, Ballots for Kids, and the Art of Oral Storytelling In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Candidate Campaigns Escalate: Three constitutional amendments are on the ballot this november... but one is garnering special attention... for the promise... of lower property taxes. but law enforcement agencies are cautioning that the bill could have serious impacts on funding for fire stations... police... and public safety services. Arrest Warrant Issued for Raul Castro: Over the weekend, there were southwest florida streets lined with protestors for a "no kings" rally...and the focus was about voter participation as we're now just weeks away from the november third general election. Ballot for Kids Aids Election Education: Flu season starts this month... and runs until may. but researchers say they are hoping to lower those numbers... by rolling out a new vaccine. the m-r-n-a flu vaccine is available for those over fifty... Combatting Distracted Driving: Texting and driving are a dangerous mix and getting worse in Florida. It is estimated one in every seven crashes involves a distracted driver. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford rides along with Florida Highway Patrol troopers to see them in action. Followed by a conversation with Melissa Hamrick, leader of Hands-Free Florida, about the push for stronger legislation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ggwaVuOQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ggwaVuOQ-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-20T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/no-kings-day-protests-across-florida/ 2026-10-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uUHbOkXU/poster.jpg?width=1920 No Kings Day Protests Across Florida Over the weekend, the Southwest Florida streets were lined with protestors for a "No Kings" rally. The focus was about voter participation as we're now just weeks away from the Nov. 3 general election. WGCU’s Mike Walcher sits down with WGCU’s Digital News Director Mike Braun to hear the biggest political points for protestors. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uUHbOkXU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uUHbOkXU-FdEsoD82.html 184 2026-10-20T13:36:14.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/local-law-enforcement-comments-on-amendment-3/ 2026-10-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FwBaHc28/poster.jpg?width=1920 Local Law Enforcement Comments on Amendment 3 Three constitutional amendments are on the ballot this November, but one is garnering special attention for the promise of lower property taxes. However, law enforcement agencies are cautioning that the bill could have serious impacts on funding for fire stations, police, and public safety services. WGCU’s Mike Walcher talks with Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell about his concerns around Amendment 3. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FwBaHc28-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FwBaHc28-FdEsoD82.html 430 2026-10-20T13:33:28.000Z yes Politics / Legal Politics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/law-enforcement-on-amendment-3-no-kings-day-protests-and-new-flu-vaccine/ 2026-10-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0PtKD8Qn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Law Enforcement on Amendment 3, No Kings Day Protests, and New Flu Vaccine In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Local Law Enforcement Comments on Amendment 3: Three constitutional amendments are on the ballot this November, but one is garnering special attention for the promise of lower property taxes. However, law enforcement agencies are cautioning that the bill could have serious impacts on funding for fire stations, police, and public safety services. WGCU’s Mike Walcher talks with Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell about his concerns around Amendment 3. No Kings Day Protests Across Florida: Over the weekend, the Southwest Florida streets were lined with protestors for a "No Kings" rally. The focus was about voter participation as we're now just weeks away from the Nov. 3 general election. WGCU’s Mike Walcher sits down with WGCU’s Digital News Director Mike Braun to hear the biggest political points for protestors. New Flu Vaccine Could be More Effective: Flu season starts this month and runs until May. Researchers say they are hoping to lower the number of flu cases by rolling out a new vaccine. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin talks with Bishoy Rizkalla, Vice President of Medical Affairs for Infectious Disease with Moderna, about the new mRNA vaccine. Training Program Addresses Healthcare Workforce Shortage: For almost a quarter of a century, the Naples Children Foundation has existed with a mission for the welfare, education, and empowerment of children. But a shortage of healthcare workers is conflicting with their mission. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin sits down with Kristin Hunt, NCF Healthcare Initiatives Director, and Sarah Zaiser-Kelly, NCF Senior Vice President of Grants and Community Impact, to learn about a new partnership combatting the workforce shortage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0PtKD8Qn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0PtKD8Qn-FdEsoD82.html 1505 2026-10-19T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/documentaries/decoding-ancient-florida-mound-key-trailer/ 2026-10-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IwzEuNE6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound Key Trailer Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound Key Trailer https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IwzEuNE6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IwzEuNE6-FdEsoD82.html 60 2026-10-19T17:13:52.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/girl-scouts-celebrate-founder-s-day/ 2026-10-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TgYEdAVS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Girl Scouts Celebrate Founder’s Day When the Girls Scouts formed 114 years ago, it was during a time before women could vote, and were expected to adhere to strict social norms. The organization would change that by creating new opportunities for young women. This week, local troops from across Southwest Florida are preparing to celebrate Founders Day. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Mary Anne Servain, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, and Girl Scout Ambassador Laniya Honorat about the history of the organization and how it resonates with scouts today. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TgYEdAVS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TgYEdAVS-FdEsoD82.html 359 2026-10-19T12:39:38.000Z yes Culture History Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/the-science-of-fright/ 2026-10-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/m4zS2IZo/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Science of Fright It's the time of year when horror movies become regular viewing and trips to haunted houses are on the weekend itinerary. But what is it about the spooky season that makes people find ways to scare themselves? WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin sits down with Ariella VanHara, a licensed clinical social worker, to learn about the psychology behind the allure of chasing fear. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/m4zS2IZo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/m4zS2IZo-FdEsoD82.html 310 2026-10-19T12:39:25.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/trailways-camps-expand-opportunities-for-disabled-children/ 2026-10-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BFjb48pJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Trailways Camps Expand Opportunities for Disabled Children According to data from the charity The Able Trust, there are approximately 3 million adults living in Florida with a disability or special needs. That can mean living a life with limited opportunities. But one group is looking to change that by offering a week-long camping experience that meets the needs of every camper. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge visits the Trailways Camps in LaBelle. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BFjb48pJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BFjb48pJ-FdEsoD82.html 307 2026-10-19T12:39:12.000Z yes Health / Aging Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/seniors-struggle-as-cost-of-living-climbs/ 2026-10-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Wq4rTGYU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Seniors Struggle as Cost-of-Living Climbs The Social Security Administration announced a cost-of-living adjustment for nearly 72 million beneficiaries earlier this week. Beginning in January of 2027, recipients will receive a 3.6% increase, the largest rise in benefits since 2023. While a raise in social security is needed, there are concerns it may not be enough for older adults who rely on the benefits as their primary source of income. WGCU’s Mike Walcher talks with Bill Sweeny, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs with AARP, about how cost of living is impacting seniors. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Wq4rTGYU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Wq4rTGYU-FdEsoD82.html 404 2026-10-19T12:38:54.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/cost-of-living-challenges-seniors-the-science-of-fright-and-trailways-camps/ 2026-10-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/A8NIs2xJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cost of Living Challenges Seniors, The Science of Fright, and Trailways Camps In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Seniors Struggle as Cost-of-Living Climbs: The Social Security Administration announced a cost-of-living adjustment for nearly 72 million beneficiaries earlier this week. Beginning in January of 2027, recipients will receive a 3.6% increase, the largest rise in benefits since 2023. While a raise in social security is needed, there are concerns it may not be enough for older adults who rely on the benefits as their primary source of income. WGCU’s Mike Walcher talks with Bill Sweeny, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs with AARP, about how cost of living is impacting seniors. The Science of Fright: It's the time of year when horror movies become regular viewing and trips to haunted houses are on the weekend itinerary. But what is it about the spooky season that makes people find ways to scare themselves? WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin sits down with Ariella VanHara, a licensed clinical social worker, to learn about the psychology behind the allure of chasing fear. Girl Scouts Celebrate Founder’s Day: When the Girls Scouts formed 114 years ago, it was during a time before women could vote and were expected to adhere to strict social norms. The organization would change that by creating new opportunities for young women. This week, local troops from across Southwest Florida are preparing to celebrate Founders Day. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Mary Anne Servain, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, and Girl Scout Ambassador Laniya Honorat about the history of the organization and how it resonates with scouts today. Trailways Camps Expand Opportunities for Disabled Children: According to data from the charity The Able Trust, there are approximately 3 million adults living in Florida with a disability or special needs. That can mean living a life with limited opportunities. But one group is looking to change that by offering a week-long camping… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/A8NIs2xJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/A8NIs2xJ-FdEsoD82.html 1539 2026-10-16T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/radium-girls-takes-american-history-to-the-stage/ 2026-10-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U61PZmfG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Radium Girls Takes American History to the Stage The Cultural Park Theatre located in Cape Coral is kicking off its 2026-27 campaign with a performance that will take you back one hundred years with a story of American industry. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall takes WGCU’s Mike Walcher through the production of “Radium Girls.” https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/U61PZmfG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/U61PZmfG-FdEsoD82.html 238 2026-10-16T12:50:21.000Z yes Culture History Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/new-podcast-shares-stories-of-resiliency-and-strength/ 2026-10-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/75yd9SKR/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Podcast Shares Stories of Resiliency and Strength Podcasting has become part of everyday life for many Americans. Launching a podcast can be daunting, but WGCU's Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sandra Viktorova, host of “Please Hold for Sunshine,” to learn how her new program looks to separate itself from the crowd by focusing on positivity. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/75yd9SKR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/75yd9SKR-FdEsoD82.html 336 2026-10-16T12:50:05.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/white-cane-awareness-day-highlights-sightless-struggles/ 2026-10-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eCbkw2tq/poster.jpg?width=1920 White Cane Awareness Day Highlights Sightless Struggles Today is White Cane Awareness Day, which highlights the daily struggles for the nearly 6.5 million Americans living with vision impairment or blindness. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park sits down with Amy Price, CEO of Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, for more on the importance of White Cane Awareness Day. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eCbkw2tq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eCbkw2tq-FdEsoD82.html 388 2026-10-16T12:49:48.000Z yes Health / Aging Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/players-circle-announces-season-lineup/ 2026-10-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ywTcxjE5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Players Circle Announces Season Lineup Since moving into their new location off McGregor Boulevard, the Players Circle Theatre has used their intimate location to launch big productions. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Robert Cacioppo, Player’s Circle Theatre co-founder, and Ted Wioncek, assistant artistic director, about their upcoming slate featuring shows that cross a variety of genres. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ywTcxjE5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ywTcxjE5-FdEsoD82.html 411 2026-10-16T12:49:28.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/white-cane-day-awareness-spotlight-on-local-theatre-and-stories-of-strength/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BHOjFoBP/poster.jpg?width=1920 White Cane Day Awareness, Spotlight on Local Theatre, and Stories of Strength In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Therapy Builds Independence for Blind People: Lighthouse of SWFL aims to be a beacon of hope for sightless individuals. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park visits the agency in North Fort Myers to learn how future occupational therapists are expanding their skill set to serve potential clients. White Cane Awareness Day Highlights Sightless Struggles: Today is White Cane Awareness Day, which highlights the daily struggles for the nearly 6.5 million Americans living with vision impairment or blindness. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park sits down with Amy Price, CEO of Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, for more on the importance of this annual observance. Radium Girls Takes American History to the Stage: The Cultural Park Theatre located in Cape Coral is kicking off its 2026-27 campaign with a performance that will take you back one hundred years with a story of American industry. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall takes WGCU’s Mike Walcher through the production of “Radium Girls.” Players Circle Announces Season Lineup: Since moving into their new location off McGregor Boulevard, the Players Circle Theatre has used their intimate location to launch big productions. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Robert Cacioppo, Player’s Circle Theatre co-founder, and Ted Wioncek, assistant artistic director, about their upcoming slate featuring shows that cross a variety of genres. New Podcast Shares Stories of Resiliency and Strength: Podcasting has become part of everyday life for many Americans. Launching a podcast can be daunting, but WGCU's Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sandra Viktorova, host of “Please Hold for Sunshine,” to learn how her new program looks to separate itself from the crowd by focusing on positivity. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BHOjFoBP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BHOjFoBP-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-15T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/florida-philharmonic-opens-3rd-season-with-masquerade-symphony-of-shadows/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5mnBifX4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Philharmonic opens 3rd season with “Masquerade: Symphony of Shadows” The Florida Philharmonic’s third performance season begins Sunday, Oct. 18 with a program titled “Masquerade: Symphony of Shadows.” The concert, for kids and adults alike, explores and celebrates all the mischief, magic and macabre of Halloween with a program chock full of some of the most celebrated and well-known works of composers from the Romantic Era including Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Macabre,” and Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” among others. The concert also features Paul Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” which was immortalized in Disney’s 1940 classic film “Fantasia,” and selected spooky works by Emmy-winning composer Anthony DiLorenzo’s “Dracula Suite.” Ahead of the concert we’ll get a preview in a conversation with Florida Philharmonic Music Director Maestro Richard Stoelzel and Concertmaster Ming Gao. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5mnBifX4-FdEsoD82.html 1350 2026-10-15T21:01:33.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/parkinson-s-disease-fastest-growing-brain-disorder-in-the-world/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zjVQUfBt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Parkinson's disease, fastest growing brain disorder in the world Dr. Ray Dorsey is a neurologist and leading expert on Parkinson’s disease, which is the fastest growing brain disorder in the world. Dorsey’s research points to toxic environmental exposure as the root cause of the disease, including pesticides commonly used on golf courses, and chemicals frequently used in dry cleaning. He and Dr. Michael Okun of the University of Florida have co-written a book called The Parkinson’s Plan—A New Path to Prevention and Treatment. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zjVQUfBt-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-10-15T20:57:44.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/partnership-boosts-restaurant-industry/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uq9sdpDv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Partnership Boosts Restaurant Industry Southwest Florida is a tourist destination with pristine beaches and attractions bringing in visitors from across the globe. However, the end of summer can mean slow business for the dining industry. To alleviate the financial burden for businesses and employees, Sizzle Dining partnered with restaurants across the region to bring in customers. WGCU's Teddy Byrne chats with Guy Clark, founder of Sizzle Dining, about this year’s results. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uq9sdpDv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uq9sdpDv-FdEsoD82.html 347 2026-10-15T12:54:54.000Z yes Business / Economics FL Exploration https://wgcuplus.org/education/erika-donalds-talks-future-of-florida-education/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/g7DbUTr6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Erika Donalds Talks Future of Florida Education As the midterm elections draw closer, one of the topics at the center of Florida's race for governor is the future of the state's school choice program. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster sits down with Erika Donalds, founder of the Education Freedom Foundation, and wife of Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, to talk about her educational ideas should she become the first lady of Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/g7DbUTr6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/g7DbUTr6-FdEsoD82.html 456 2026-10-15T12:54:21.000Z yes Politics / Legal Education https://wgcuplus.org/education/finding-fossils-in-southwest-florida/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Mt34emGz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Fossils in Southwest Florida Today marks National Fossil Day, a worldwide celebration of paleontology and the preservation of these valuable resources. Fossils share a unique look at prehistoric Southwest Florida, a world before humans settled in the area. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Carol Morin, a fossil expert at the IMAG History and Science Center, about how these ancient artifacts educate visitors. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Mt34emGz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Mt34emGz-FdEsoD82.html 367 2026-10-15T12:53:48.000Z yes Education Environment History https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/empowering-domestic-violence-survivors/ 2026-10-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XaI15OFR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As part of the annual campaign to bring awareness, honor survivors, and mourn victims, a variety of programs are being offered. WGCU’s Kate Cronin talks with Sarra Lashhab, a trauma therapist teaching self-defense to domestic violence survivors. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XaI15OFR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XaI15OFR-FdEsoD82.html 240 2026-10-15T12:53:25.000Z yes Health / Aging Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/erika-donalds-on-education-florida-fossils-and-survivors-learn-self-defense/ 2026-10-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/a5Qw5vN4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Erika Donalds on Education, Florida Fossils, and Survivors Learn Self-Defense In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As part of the annual campaign to bring awareness, honor survivors, and mourn victims, a variety of programs are being offered. WGCU’s Kate Cronin talks with Sarra Lashhab, a trauma therapist teaching self-defense to domestic violence survivors. Erika Donalds Talks Future of Florida Education: As the midterm elections draw closer, one of the topics at the center of Florida's race for governor is the future of the state's school choice program. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster sits down with Erika Donalds, founder of the Education Freedom Foundation, and wife of Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, to talk about her educational ideas should she become the first lady of Florida. Finding Fossils in Southwest Florida: Today marks National Fossil Day, a worldwide celebration of paleontology and the preservation of these valuable resources. Fossils share a unique look at prehistoric Southwest Florida, a world before humans settled in the area. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Carol Morin, a fossil expert at the IMAG History and Science Center, about how these ancient artifacts educate visitors. Partnership Boosts Restaurant Industry: Southwest Florida is a tourist destination with pristine beaches and attractions bringing in visitors from across the globe. However, the end of summer can mean slow business for the dining industry. To alleviate the financial burden for businesses and employees, Sizzle Dining partnered with restaurants across the region to bring in customers. WGCU's Teddy Byrne chats with Guy Clark, founder of Sizzle Dining, about this year’s results. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/a5Qw5vN4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/a5Qw5vN4-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-10-14T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/a-deep-dive-on-district-78-candidates/ 2026-10-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/h86Y9O45/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Deep Dive on District-78 Candidates As voters prepare to cast their ballots in the midterms, things are heating up across Southwest Florida. That includes the race for Florida House of Representatives District 78. We have both candidates in our studio for a conversation with WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/h86Y9O45-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/h86Y9O45-FdEsoD82.html 283 2026-10-14T13:35:36.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/hope-florida-grand-jury-report-expunged/ 2026-10-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SnNYnjdf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hope Florida Grand Jury Report Expunged With the general election now just three weeks away, the story of the Hope Florida investigation is still capturing attention. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to break down the latest after the First District Court of Appeal issued a ruling that expunged the grand jury report. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SnNYnjdf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SnNYnjdf-FdEsoD82.html 402 2026-10-14T13:35:17.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/fort-myers-mayor-kevin-anderson-talks-re-election/ 2026-10-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/9HvPu6a0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson Talks Re-Election The mayor of Fort Myers, Kevin Anderson, has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual misconduct since two men accused him publicly at a city council meeting in September. The mayor calls the accusations politically motivated as he runs for re-election. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster speaks exclusively with Anderson about the allegations and his campaign efforts https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/9HvPu6a0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/9HvPu6a0-FdEsoD82.html 323 2026-10-14T13:35:02.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/medicare-enrollment-opens-october-15/ 2026-10-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TAbit0Y5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Medicare Enrollment Opens October 15 On Thursday, open enrollment for Medicare begins. This limited window of time allows people to enroll or change benefit plans. A recent expo helped provide information for seniors who may be looking for a change. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor shares concerns surrounding Medicare enrollment changes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TAbit0Y5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TAbit0Y5-FdEsoD82.html 233 2026-10-14T13:34:51.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/tattoo-artist-helps-breast-cancer-survivors/ 2026-10-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fnAYXTUU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tattoo Artist Helps Breast Cancer Survivors Sometimes the scars from battling cancer are internal, but many times the fight against the disease can be clearly detailed. For women who have recovered from breast cancer, the next step in the healing process can be finding ways to reclaim their body. As WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains, one Southwest Florida tattoo artist is here to help. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/fnAYXTUU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fnAYXTUU-FdEsoD82.html 134 2026-10-14T13:34:42.000Z yes Culture Health https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/mayor-kevin-anderson-hope-florida-report-expunged-and-breast-cancer-tattoos/ 2026-10-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jdfM4fEq/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mayor Kevin Anderson, Hope Florida Report Expunged, and Breast Cancer Tattoos In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson Talks Re-Election: The mayor of Fort Myers, Kevin Anderson, has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual misconduct since two men accused him publicly at a city council meeting in September. The mayor calls the accusations politically motivated as he runs for re-election. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster speaks exclusively with Anderson about the allegations and his campaign efforts. A Deep Dive on District-78 Candidates: As voters prepare to cast their ballots in the midterms, things are heating up across Southwest Florida. That includes the race for Florida House of Representatives District 78. We have both candidates in our studio for a conversation with WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge. Hope Florida Grand Jury Report Expunged: With the general election now just three weeks away, the story of the Hope Florida investigation is still capturing attention. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to break down the latest after the First District Court of Appeal issued a ruling that expunged the grand jury report. Medicare Enrollment Opens October 15: On Thursday, open enrollment for Medicare begins. This limited window of time allows people to enroll or change benefit plans. A recent expo helped provide information for seniors who may be looking for a change. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor shares concerns surrounding Medicare enrollment changes. Tattoo Artist Helps Breast Cancer Survivors: Sometimes the scars from battling cancer are internal, but many times the fight against the disease can be clearly detailed. For women who have recovered from breast cancer, the next step in the healing process can be finding ways to reclaim their body. As WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains, one Southwest Florida tattoo artist is here to help. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jdfM4fEq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jdfM4fEq-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-13T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/bookstore-boom-builds-community/ 2026-10-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dvpMW5qD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bookstore Boom Builds Community Despite competition from online shopping and chain shops, the neighborhood bookstore is having a renaissance. According to the American Booksellers Association, U.S. bookstore companies and independent storefronts jumped nearly 70% in the past five years. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park visits a bookseller that is integrating itself as a vital part of the community. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dvpMW5qD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dvpMW5qD-FdEsoD82.html 329 2026-10-13T12:57:27.000Z yes Business / Economics Culture https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/nobel-prize-winners-in-economics/ 2026-10-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HLTIsb1M/poster.jpg?width=1920 Nobel Prize Winners in Economics Robert Hall of Stanford University and Michael Woodford of Columbia University are being honored with the Nobel Prize in economics. They helped policy makers around the world smooth “boom and bust” cycles in the economy to try to limit inflation and unemployment. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Victor Claar, an economics professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, to decipher their work in macro and microeconomics. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HLTIsb1M-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HLTIsb1M-FdEsoD82.html 354 2026-10-13T12:57:11.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/decoding-ancient-florida-history-of-the-calusa-people/ 2026-10-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/M4p0za0z/poster.jpg?width=1920 Decoding Ancient Florida- History of the Calusa People WGCU is already underway working on the documentary series "Decoding Ancient Florida," offering a deep dive into the history of the indigenous Calusa people who built a complex society in Southwest Florida that endured for centuries. WGCU's Janine Zeitlin spoke with Brian Zepeda with the Seminole Tribe to learn how the Calusa are connected to indigenous people of today. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/M4p0za0z-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/M4p0za0z-FdEsoD82.html 233 2026-10-13T12:56:59.000Z yes Culture History https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/next-generation-of-the-miccosukee-economics-nobel-prize-and-a-bookstore-boom/ 2026-10-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qM0cQv77/poster.jpg?width=1920 Next Generation of the Miccosukee, Economics Nobel Prize, and a Bookstore Boom In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Nobel Prize Winners in Economics: Robert Hall of Stanford University and Michael Woodford of Columbia University are being honored with the Nobel Prize in economics. They helped policy makers around the world smooth “boom and bust” cycles in the economy to try to limit inflation and unemployment. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Victor Claar, an economics professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, to decipher their work in macro and microeconomics. Decoding Ancient Florida- History of the Calusa People: WGCU is already underway working on the documentary series "Decoding Ancient Florida," offering a deep dive into the history of the indigenous Calusa people who built a complex society in Southwest Florida that endured for centuries. WGCU's Janine Zeitlin spoke with Brian Zepeda with the Seminole Tribe to learn how the Calusa are connected to indigenous people of today. Inspiring the Next Generation of Miccosukee: Deep in the heart of the Everglades is the homeland for the Miccosukee Tribe. After forced settlement in the region, they were recognized as a sovereign nation in 1962 and since, generations developed a deep connection with the land. There are an estimated 660 members of the tribe that presently live within the national park, and tribal leaders say that preserving their culture is key to their survival. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford was given access to the tribe to learn how future generations are being inspired to keep their ancestral traditions flourishing. Glades Superintendent Earns National Recognition: One of the smallest school districts in the state of Florida took home some of the biggest awards in the nation. Glades County Superintendent Alice Barfield is an advocate for rural education, and was recognized with four prizes from the National Association of School Superintendents. WGCU Reporter Eileen Kelly talks with Barfield about her… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qM0cQv77-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qM0cQv77-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-12T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/we-get-the-ye-gods-origin-story-with-its-host-scott-carter/ 2026-10-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/25YlWbuw/poster.jpg?width=1920 We get the Ye Gods! origin story with its host, Scott Carter Ye Gods! with Scott Carter is a weekly exploration of the beliefs, secular or sacred, that shape our choices and direct our lives. It’s an open-minded delving into spiritual backgrounds and paths, and the world's faiths from one end of the world to the other. The host, Scott Carter, is also an Emmy-winning television producer with decades of experience, and he’s a playwright whose newest work "I, Will: A Late Romance" just wrapped up its world premiere run in Iowa City, Iowa. WGCU is the Ye Gods! presenting public media station, and it's distributed by the NPR Network as a podcast and has been picked up by about 80 other NPR stations around the country, so far, so we sit down with him to give listeners a peek behind the Ye Gods! curtain. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/25YlWbuw-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-12T16:30:29.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/environment/alligator-alcatraz-lawsuit-pushes-forward/ 2026-10-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/giibJY1P/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit Pushes Forward In June, after less than one year of operations, the state of Florida shut down the temporary immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz. With operations over, federal, state, and county officials have filed motions to dismiss a lawsuit that has challenged the environmental violations associated with the facility. The suit was filed by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Elise Bennett, senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, about pressing on with the lawsuit. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/giibJY1P-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/giibJY1P-FdEsoD82.html 414 2026-10-12T12:49:45.000Z yes Environment / Nature Regional https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/supporting-a-loved-one-with-mental-illness/ 2026-10-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KnxlVq4d/poster.jpg?width=1920 Supporting a Loved One with Mental Illness Saturday, Oct. 10 is recognized as World Mental Health Day. The National Alliance on Mental Health, or NAMI, reports nearly 60 million Americans experience a mental health crisis every year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Gina Britton, program director for NAMI Southwest Florida, to learn about local efforts underway to help individuals and families impacted by mental health concerns. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KnxlVq4d-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KnxlVq4d-FdEsoD82.html 323 2026-10-12T12:49:28.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hurricane-isaias-alligator-alcatraz-lawsuit-and-world-mental-health-day/ 2026-10-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E7aoBdnM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Isaias, Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit, and World Mental Health Day In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Hurricane Isaias on Track to Hit Florida: Hurricane Isaias is leaving its mark on the Sunshine State as it becomes the first hurricane to hit Florida since Hurricane Milton two years ago. Both storms formed around the same time in early October, and both underwent explosive intensification as they crossed the gulf. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Meteorologist Andrew Wulfeck about whether this trend in hurricane activity could become a common occurrence for future storms. Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit Pushes Forward: In June, after less than one year of operations, the state of Florida shut down the temporary immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz. With operations over, federal, state, and county officials have filed motions to dismiss a lawsuit that has challenged the environmental violations associated with the facility. The suit was filed by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Elise Bennett, senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, about pressing on with the lawsuit. Supporting a Loved One with Mental Illness: Saturday, Oct. 10 is recognized as World Mental Health Day. The National Alliance on Mental Health, or NAMI, reports nearly 60 million Americans experience a mental health crisis every year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Gina Britton, program director for NAMI Southwest Florida, to learn about local efforts underway to help individuals and families impacted by mental health concerns. Yoga with Capybaras: About once a month at Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota, yoga takes a wild twist to raise money for the non-profit. Yogis can strike a peaceful pose with exotic animals called capybaras. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster took to the mat to find out more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E7aoBdnM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E7aoBdnM-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-09T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/hurricane-isaias-expected-to-bring-flooding-storm-surge-tornadoes-to-florida/ 2026-10-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OANOuDTw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Isaias expected to bring flooding, storm surge, tornadoes to Florida Hurricane Isaias has been upgraded to a Category 3 Hurricane. Main impacts include flooding, high storm surge, damaging winds, and tornadoes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OANOuDTw-9EIvARZ2.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OANOuDTw-FdEsoD82.html 92 2026-10-09T17:36:01.000Z yes Weather https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/naples-museum-remembers-veterans-service/ 2026-10-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7yHe4f7I/poster.jpg?width=1920 Naples Museum Remembers Veterans’ Service The Naples Veteran’s History Museum is honoring the legacy of the men and women who served our country. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explores the importance of educating future generations about American history. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7yHe4f7I-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7yHe4f7I-FdEsoD82.html 193 2026-10-09T12:46:02.000Z yes Culture Regional History https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-art-of-special-effects-makeup/ 2026-10-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/lowd1suH/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Art of Special Effects Makeup This year, Americans are expected to spend $4.4 billion on Halloween costumes, according to the National Retail Federation. But if you want to take your horror style to the next level, here’s some advice from an expert. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Tatum Bates, a special effects makeup artist and actress, about creating your Halloween look. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/lowd1suH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lowd1suH-FdEsoD82.html 316 2026-10-09T12:45:48.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/swfl-partnership-prepares-the-next-generation-of-actors/ 2026-10-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U39ehHRm/poster.jpg?width=1920 SWFL Partnership Prepares the Next Generation of Actors For students in Florida Gulf Coast University's theatre program, the business aspects of a production are vastly different from challenges they face on stage. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares how one collaboration is providing real world experience and offering insight for the artists. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/U39ehHRm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/U39ehHRm-FdEsoD82.html 369 2026-10-09T12:45:30.000Z yes Culture Education Arts https://wgcuplus.org/education/attendance-drops-for-english-learning-programs/ 2026-10-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CJRNWnIm/poster.jpg?width=1920 Attendance Drops for English Learning Programs For the first time in its 30-year history, a local non-profit says the number of people served in its English literacy program has suddenly plunged more than 90%. As people fear getting caught up in immigration enforcement efforts, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Leah Mason, executive director of the Literacy Council Gulf Coast about refocusing efforts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CJRNWnIm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CJRNWnIm-FdEsoD82.html 351 2026-10-09T12:45:13.000Z yes Politics / Legal Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/esl-learning-attendance-educating-actors-and-special-effects-makeup/ 2026-10-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AR0LcHMe/poster.jpg?width=1920 ESL Learning Attendance, Educating Actors, and Special Effects Makeup In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Attendance Drops for English Learning Programs: For the first time in its 30-year history, a local non-profit says the number of people served in its English literacy program has suddenly plunged more than 90%. As people fear getting caught up in immigration enforcement efforts, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Leah Mason, executive director of the Literacy Council Gulf Coast about refocusing efforts. SWFL Partnership Prepares the Next Generation of Actors: For students in Florida Gulf Coast University's theatre program, the business aspects of a production are vastly different from challenges they face on stage. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares how one collaboration is providing real world experience and offering insight for the artists. Why We Love Halloween: Halloween is only three weeks away. The holiday's origins date back nearly 2,000 years but only became part of the American lifestyle about 100 years ago, according to Britannica. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin shares how Halloween has grown to one of the most popular dates on the calendar. The Art of Special Effects Makeup: This year, Americans are expected to spend $4.4 billion on Halloween costumes, according to the National Retail Federation. But if you want to take your horror style to the next level, here’s some advice from an expert. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Tatum Bates, a special effects makeup artist and actress, about creating your Halloween look. Naples Museum Remembers Veterans’ Service: The Naples Veteran’s History Museum is honoring the legacy of the men and women who served our country. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explores the importance of educating future generations about American history. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AR0LcHMe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AR0LcHMe-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-08T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/gcl-book-club-jenny-bartoy-no-contact-writers-on-estrangement/ 2026-10-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0W2PLDWG/poster.jpg?width=1920 GCL Book Club: Jenny Bartoy, No Contact: Writers on Estrangement Jenny Bartoy is editor of an anthology called No Contact: Writers on Estrangement. It's a collection of essays and poetry from writers who have distanced themselves from family members, or been on the receiving end of “no contact.” https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0W2PLDWG-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-08T15:24:49.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/atv-proposal-sparks-debate-in-big-cypress/ 2026-10-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/25whlYGG/poster.jpg?width=1920 ATV Proposal Sparks Debate in Big Cypress It’s a debate over preserving land or allowing all-terrain vehicles to cruise through parks. A National Park Service proposal could increase recreational access, but is renewing concerns over damage of both wildlife and the environment. WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter goes in depth about what's at stake. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/25whlYGG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/25whlYGG-FdEsoD82.html 173 2026-10-08T12:59:52.000Z yes Politics / Legal Regional Environment https://wgcuplus.org/news/cleansing-waters-with-clams/ 2026-10-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/igsjPbUt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cleansing Waters with Clams For the first 50 years of the 20th century, the canning of clams was big business in Southwest Florida. Now, the bivalves are playing a major role once again, this time in the waters off Estero Bay where clams are being used to help restore seagrass ecosystems. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. James Douglas, a professor of marine sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, about a nationwide initiative to help clean up the local waterways. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/igsjPbUt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/igsjPbUt-FdEsoD82.html 325 2026-10-08T12:59:24.000Z yes Environment Nature https://wgcuplus.org/news/tropical-storm-isaias/ 2026-10-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TKNYX32F/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tropical Storm Isaias The newly named Gulf storm is gaining strength in warm waters, and forecasters expect it will become the first hurricane of the Atlantic Basin season. Southwest Florida is not in the projected path, but in the panhandle region and parts of North Central Florida, 25 counties are under a state of emergency. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Meteorologist Andrew Wulfeck from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about how the storm could affect Southwest Floridians. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TKNYX32F-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TKNYX32F-FdEsoD82.html 376 2026-10-08T12:58:54.000Z yes Regional Hurricane forecast 2026 https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/seniors-tackle-fitness-challenge/ 2026-10-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tdBA3ase/poster.jpg?width=1920 Seniors Tackle Fitness Challenge Maintaining a physical lifestyle is important as people age, and one Naples retirement community is increasing its exercising while taking part in a nationwide fitness competition. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor visits the Tour de Zest wellness challenge. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tdBA3ase-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tdBA3ase-FdEsoD82.html 145 2026-10-08T12:58:39.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/gulf-storm-gains-strength-big-cypress-atv-proposal-and-clams-clean-waters/ 2026-10-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6GV7bsPu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gulf Storm Gains Strength, Big Cypress ATV Proposal, and Clams Clean Waters In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Tropical Storm Isaias: The newly named Gulf storm is gaining strength in warm waters, and forecasters expect it will become the first hurricane of the Atlantic Basin season. Southwest Florida is not in the projected path, but in the panhandle region and parts of North Central Florida, 25 counties are under a state of emergency. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Meteorologist Andrew Wulfeck from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about how the storm could affect Southwest Floridians. Cleansing Waters with Clams: For the first 50 years of the 20th century, the canning of clams was big business in Southwest Florida. Now, the bivalves are playing a major role once again, this time in the waters off Estero Bay where clams are being used to help restore seagrass ecosystems. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. James Douglas, a professor of marine sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, about a nationwide initiative to help clean up the local waterways. Avoiding Invasive Plants During Spring Gardening: When it comes to looking ahead to planting season, there's information you should know before you head to the nursery. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Kimberly Moore, an environmental horticulture professor at the University of Florida, to share tips on how to make sure your garden isn’t harboring any invasive species. ATV Proposal Sparks Debate in Big Cypress: It’s a debate over preserving land or allowing all-terrain vehicles to cruise through parks. A National Park Service proposal could increase recreational access, but is renewing concerns over damage of both wildlife and the environment. WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter goes in depth about what's at stake. Seniors Tackle Fitness Challenge: Maintaining a physical lifestyle is important as people age, and one Naples retirement community is increasing its exercising while taking part… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6GV7bsPu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6GV7bsPu-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-10-07T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/stopping-the-spread-of-dengue-fever/ 2026-10-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ukl4LRUE/poster.jpg?width=1920 Stopping the Spread of Dengue Fever Efforts to stop the spread of Dengue fever have Lee County Mosquito Control on the front lines in Hillsborough County. Mosquito Control helicopter pilots and crews joined forces with Manatee and Pasco Counties to help with aerial pesticide spraying. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Jen McBride, communications director of Lee County Mosquito Control, about the work to prevent Dengue fever transmissions. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ukl4LRUE-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ukl4LRUE-FdEsoD82.html 399 2026-10-07T12:55:15.000Z yes Science / Tech Regional Health https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/elections-preparations-in-charlotte-county/ 2026-10-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6y8ZxDtk/poster.jpg?width=1920 Elections Preparations in Charlotte County Vote by mail ballots are arriving in households across Charlotte County. One of the main decisions for voters will be an extension of the local option sales tax. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Charlotte County Supervisor of Elections Leah Valenti about decisions voters will make in the upcoming election. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6y8ZxDtk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6y8ZxDtk-FdEsoD82.html 373 2026-10-07T12:54:58.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/lee-county-referendum-on-commissioner-elections/ 2026-10-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Fy9cLqP6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lee County Referendum on Commissioner Elections In November, voters in Lee County will decide on a referendum that would change how county commissioners are elected going forward. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis for a closer look at our current at-large voting system, and how it compares with the rest of the state. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Fy9cLqP6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Fy9cLqP6-FdEsoD82.html 359 2026-10-07T12:54:41.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/growing-small-businesses-in-southwest-florida/ 2026-10-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/m3YBvPR5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Growing Small Businesses in Southwest Florida We often hear that small and micro-businesses are the backbone of the economy. "Small" is usually is defined as employing less than 500 people, and "micro" indicates less than 10 workers. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher explores a local effort underway to help these enterprises grow. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/m3YBvPR5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/m3YBvPR5-FdEsoD82.html 221 2026-10-07T12:54:26.000Z yes Business / Economics Regional https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/stopping-dengue-fever-growing-small-businesses-and-commissioner-referendum/ 2026-10-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GoEalulx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Stopping Dengue Fever, Growing Small Businesses, and Commissioner Referendum In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Stopping the Spread of Dengue Fever: Efforts to stop the spread of Dengue fever have Lee County Mosquito Control on the front lines in Hillsborough County. Mosquito Control helicopter pilots and crews joined forces with Manatee and Pasco Counties to help with aerial pesticide spraying. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Jen McBride, communications director Lee County Mosquito Control, about their work to prevent Dengue fever transmissions. Lee County Referendum Could Change Commissioner Elections: In November, voters in Lee County will decide the fate of a referendum that could dramatically change how county commissioners are elected going forward. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis for a closer look at our current at-large voting system. Elections Preparations in Charlotte County: Vote by mail ballots are arriving in households across Charlotte County. One of the main decisions for voters will be an extension of the local option sales tax. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Charlotte County Supervisor of Elections Leah Valenti about decisions voters will make in the upcoming election. Growing Small Businesses in Southwest Florida: We often hear that small and micro-businesses are the backbone of the economy. Small usually is defined as employing less than 500 people, and micro indicates less than 10 workers. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher explores a local effort underway to help smaller enterprises grow. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GoEalulx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GoEalulx-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-06T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/reshaping-literacy-expectations-for-individuals-with-down-syndrome/ 2026-10-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tfOB9oXL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Reshaping literacy expectations for individuals with Down syndrome When Judy O'Halloran's son Casey was growing up, the conventional approach to teaching reading to children with Down Syndrome focused almost exclusively on whole-word sight memorization. But Judy found that approach hit a plateau so she started looking for another approach that could help Casey surpass the plateau. She discovered the concept of phonograms and it was transformative and Casey's reading greatly improved. Marilee Senior found 'whole language' literacy education was leaving too many kids behind — especially kids with learning disabilities — and she also immersed herself in explicit phonics principles, and she and Judy together set out to help individuals with learning disabilities and Down Syndrome by co-founding Raising Robust Readers. They offers programs that are designed to help families and educators teach reading, and help new readers of all ages achieve authentic literacy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tfOB9oXL-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-06T18:17:15.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/supporting-children-s-mental-health/ 2026-10-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xvrl5QSO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Supporting Children’s Mental Health A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control says 1 in 9 U.S. children are currently diagnosed with anxiety. A Fort Myers educator shares that one of the best ways to deal with stressors is to treat mental health issues with daily practices. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Veronica Moya, a children's wellness expert, about teaching children about mindful meditation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xvrl5QSO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xvrl5QSO-FdEsoD82.html 322 2026-10-06T12:58:11.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/dengue-fever-infections-break-florida-record/ 2026-10-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pHq8Ih2j/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dengue Fever Infections Break Florida Record Florida is the U.S. epicenter of a Dengue fever outbreak. According to the Florida Department of Health, a record setting 252 cases have been reported in the state this year. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park speaks with FGCU biology professor Scott Michael to learn more about the virus. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pHq8Ih2j-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pHq8Ih2j-FdEsoD82.html 199 2026-10-06T12:57:53.000Z yes Health / Aging Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/education/glades-county-educator-receives-national-recognition/ 2026-10-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vo6p7sLo/poster.jpg?width=1920 Glades County Educator Receives National Recognition This is a big week for a local educator from one of Florida's smallest and least affluent school districts. Glades County Superintendent Beth Barfield heads to California as part of a contingent invited for a top national superintendent award. WGCU Reporter Eileen Kelley follows the struggles, and now the successes of this school district. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vo6p7sLo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vo6p7sLo-FdEsoD82.html 223 2026-10-06T12:57:35.000Z yes Education Regional https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/construction-workforce-shortage/ 2026-10-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0R13asBL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Construction Workforce Shortage Southwest Florida has seen a boost in the need for major construction and infrastructure. Population growth and post-hurricane rebuilding mean extensive work to roadways, bridges, and mixed used developments. But issues in the heavy civil construction industry could impact future work. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Jessica Paske, director of organization development with Superior Construction, and former apprentice Clifford Doe, to discuss a new workforce development initiative to address these labor shortages. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0R13asBL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0R13asBL-FdEsoD82.html 384 2026-10-06T12:57:01.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/construction-worker-shortage-children-s-mental-health-and-dengue-fever-10-5-2026/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2vNxz0Fe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Construction Worker Shortage, Children’s Mental Health, and Dengue Fever| 10-5-2026 In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Construction Workforce Shortage: Southwest Florida has seen a boost in the need for major construction and infrastructure. Population growth and post-hurricane rebuilding mean extensive work to roadways, bridges, and mixed used developments. But issues in the heavy civil construction industry could impact future work. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Jessica Paske, director of organization development with Superior Construction, and former apprentice Clifford Doe, to discuss a new workforce development initiative to address these labor shortages. Supporting Children’s Mental Health: A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control says 1 in 9 U.S. children are currently diagnosed with anxiety. A Fort Myers educator shares that one of the best ways to deal with stressors is to treat mental health issues with daily practices. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Veronica Moya, a children's wellness expert, about teaching children about mindful meditation. Dengue Fever Infections Break Florida Record: Florida is the U.S. epicenter of a Dengue fever outbreak. According to the Florida Department of Health, a record setting 252 cases have been reported in the state this year. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park speaks with FGCU biology professor Scott Michael to learn more about the virus. Flu or Allergies-Spotting the Difference: Fall allergies are in full swing, but so is the cold season. The symptoms can be the same, so how do you know if you're dealing with allergies or an illness? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and the Cleveland Clinic have the answers. How Coffee may Benefit Your Liver: For many Americans, it's the best part of waking up. According to the National Coffee Association, two-thirds of Americans drink coffee every day, averaging roughly three cups per person daily. As WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned from the Cleveland Clinic, that love for java comes with… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2vNxz0Fe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2vNxz0Fe-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-05T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/remembering-storm-stories-on-the-4-year-anniversary-of-hurricane-ian/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/61DWGwPC/poster.jpg?width=1920 Remembering Storm Stories on the 4-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian Hurricane Ian arrived in Southwest Florida four years ago today. Whether you experienced true devastation or were just seriously inconvenienced, Ian left a deep mark on everyone who experienced it. In the months after Ian the folks at the Gulf Coast Writers Association embarked on a project to collect some of them for a book that could capture the moment from different perspectives and that culminated in the 2023 book Storm Stories – Hurricane Ian: Stories of Survival, Heroism, and Humanity. We talk with Christie Zarria, who co-edited the book, and award-winning author Robert N. Macomber, who lost his St. James home and wrote the book's forward. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/61DWGwPC-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-05T19:48:05.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/kimberly-s-reef-fgcu-s-underwater-living-laboratory/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LkRXAYPg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kimberly's Reef: FGCU's Underwater Living Laboratory In 2018 and 2019 we experienced massive simultaneous harmful algae blooms. Around that same time, FGCU’s Water School was becoming a reality, and FGCU Marine Science Professor, Dr. Mike Parsons, began dreaming up an artificial reef easily accessible from the school’s Vester Marine Field Station where ongoing, offshore science could occur. It's now a reality, and this Thursday night WGCU will premiere its new documentary film Kimberly's Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory. We talk with its producer, writer, and narrator, and Dr. Mike Parsons to learn more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LkRXAYPg-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-10-05T19:47:01.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/lab-theater-mounts-production-of-dark-comedy-thriller-the-pillowman/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hBis9Py1/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lab Theater mounts production of dark comedy/thriller “The Pillowman” Laboratory Theater of Florida is mounting a production of playwright Martin McDonagh’s “The Pillowman.” It is simultaneously a dark comedy, crime procedural, and psychological thriller about a fiction writer being interrogated after a string of horrific child murders bear a striking resemblance to his own disturbing short stories. We will explore the show in a conversation with cast members Ryan Adair and Christian Rivero. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hBis9Py1-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-10-05T14:36:56.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/education/national-award-given-to-student-led-non-profit/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/J9GUCutX/poster.jpg?width=1920 National Award Given to Student Led Non-Profit One Canterbury High School student founded a non-profit called Athletes Activating Champions and Empowerment in 2025 to support fellow students. AACE has now grown to more than 40 volunteers and just won a national award for its service to others. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with AACE Founder Noah Moon and AACE Ambassador Liya Brown about how they help the students around them succeed. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/J9GUCutX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/J9GUCutX-FdEsoD82.html 331 2026-10-05T13:25:28.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/lee-county-commission-election/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4WyuLsli/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lee County Commission Election As we draw closer to the general election, one hard-fought race is already decided. Amanda Cochran won a seat on the Lee County Commission in the August primary, defeating Trish Petrosky. Both ran in the county-wide primary, and as there is no other candidate from any party, Cochran is elected and will be sworn into office in November. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher spends some time talking with Cochran about her priorities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4WyuLsli-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4WyuLsli-FdEsoD82.html 303 2026-10-05T13:25:12.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government 2026GeneralElection https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/election-registration-deadline-approaches/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DAuRnEjI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Election Registration Deadline Approaches The deadline is approaching for voters who want to take part in this year's midterms. Residents have until midnight on Monday, Oct. 5 to register to vote for the Nov. 3 election. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Collier County Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier about how poll location could change in Collier County, where nearly 173,000 registered voters were impacted by changes to Florida's congressional maps. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DAuRnEjI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DAuRnEjI-FdEsoD82.html 405 2026-10-05T13:24:51.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/election-registration-student-earns-national-award-lee-county-commission/ 2026-10-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AAIDY043/poster.jpg?width=1920 Election Registration, Student Earns National Award, Lee County Commission In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Election Registration Deadline Approaches: The deadline is approaching for voters who want to take part in this year's midterms. Residents have until midnight on Monday, Oct. 5 to register to vote for the Nov. 3 election. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Collier County Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier about how poll location could change in Collier County, where nearly 173,000 registered voters were impacted by changes to Florida's congressional maps. Lee County Commission Election: As we draw closer to the general election, one hard-fought race is already decided. Amanda Cochran won a seat on the Lee County Commission in the August primary, defeating Trish Petrosky. Both ran in the county-wide primary, and as there is no other candidate from any party, Cochran is elected and will be sworn into office in November. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher spends some time talking with Cochran about her priorities. National Award Given to Student Led Non-Profit: One Canterbury High School student founded a non-profit called Athletes Activating Champions and Empowerment in 2025 to support fellow students. AACE has now grown to more than 40 volunteers and just won a national award for its service to others. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with AACE Founder Noah Moon and AACE Ambassador Liya Brown about how they help the students around them succeed. The Struggle to Find Care for Florida Kids on Medicaid: In Florida, there are over two million children enrolled in Medicaid. This ensures access to comprehensive, low-cost health coverage, and is a vital safety net for low-income families. However, pediatricians are not legally required to accept Medicaid for routine care. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Chris Johnson, founder of BlueBird Kids Health, about the challenges parents can face when it comes to finding a provider that accepts Medicaid. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AAIDY043-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AAIDY043-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-10-02T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/new-mural-brings-botanical-garden-to-life/ 2026-10-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CMVOPpZ3/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Mural Brings Botanical Garden to Life The Naples Botanical Garden has debuted a spectacular mural that is garnering a lot of attention. It is part of the garden’s Hidden Wonders Initiative and illustrates the power of the soul of plants. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall spoke with the artist behind the work of art to learn more about the unique perspective the piece offers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CMVOPpZ3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CMVOPpZ3-FdEsoD82.html 436 2026-10-02T13:09:59.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/environment/predicting-the-next-years-of-hurricane-activity/ 2026-10-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jG6CG21n/poster.jpg?width=1920 Predicting the Next Years of Hurricane Activity With two months to go, it has been a quiet 2026 Atlantic Hurricane season. There have only been eight named storms, so far, with zero hurricanes. This has experts using the quell in activity to begin researching how to be prepared for storms in future years. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares how researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University will play a key role in how communities will be ready for future hurricanes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jG6CG21n-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jG6CG21n-FdEsoD82.html 272 2026-10-02T13:09:32.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/the-study-of-sand-botanical-mural-and-celebrating-film/ 2026-10-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Su3oWh4T/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Study of Sand, Botanical Mural & Celebrating Film In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Predicting the Next Years of Hurricane Activity: With two months to go, it has been a quiet 2026 Atlantic Hurricane season. There have only been eight named storms, so far, with zero hurricanes. This has experts using the lull in activity to begin researching how to be prepared for storms in future years. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares how researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University will play a key role in how communities will be ready for hurricanes. New Mural Brings Botanical Garden to Life: The Naples Botanical Garden has debuted a spectacular mural that is garnering a lot of attention. It is part of the garden’s Hidden Wonders Initiative and illustrates the power of the soul of plants. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall spoke with the artist behind the work of art to learn more about the unique perspective the piece offers. Return of the Naples International Film Festival: Naples has been continually growing its Arts Scene and one of the marquee events that celebrate the culture is the annual Naples International Arts Festival. Now in its 18th year, this year’s event narrowed down a field of nearly 1,000 entries, to showcase 60 amazing movies, documentaries and short features. Two of the minds behind this year’s event, David Filner and Shannon Franklin, join us to talk about what attendees can expect. Going Nuclear with Pop Culture: Nuclear energy is in the midst of a popularity boom. A recent Gallup poll shows US adult favorability towards nuclear energy is around 61%. That’s just shy of the record high. Nuclear advocate Shawn Connors joins us to share how his organization, Atomic Garage, combines a passion for nuclear with pop culture. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Su3oWh4T-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Su3oWh4T-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-10-02T13:07:34.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/documentaries/kimberly-s-reef-an-underwater-living-laboratory/ 2026-10-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5JwIVZvR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kimberly's Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory It began as an idea. Then came the design, the deployment and the waiting. Beneath the waters of Southwest Florida, Kimberly’s Reef has become a living underwater classroom, alive with discovery and change. Created by FGCU’s The Water School for marine research and education, the reef offers scientists a unique window into an evolving underwater world. WGCU spent more than three years documenting its journey, from plans on paper to a growing ecosystem beneath the Gulf. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5JwIVZvR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5JwIVZvR-FdEsoD82.html 3406 2026-10-02T04:00:00.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/new-flu-vaccine-introduced/ 2026-10-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tHWcdFfp/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Flu Vaccine Introduced As the calendar moves to October, doctors are advising people that now is the perfect time for your flu vaccine. Health experts are warning of new variant strains that could lead to a strong season. But new vaccines are on the market to help prevent the spread of the flu virus. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Jaime Khemraj, Chief Medical Officer at Health Care Network, about how the new vaccines work. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tHWcdFfp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tHWcdFfp-FdEsoD82.html 328 2026-10-01T13:20:49.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/environment/solar-power-revolution-on-sanibel/ 2026-10-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mHRrLCwY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Solar Power Revolution on Sanibel A "solar revolution" is beginning on Sanibel Island, where residents and the city are working together to spearhead the 2026 Southwest Florida Solar Co-op. It's a group led by Solar United Neighbors, a national non-profit that informs property owners about the pros and cons of solar energy. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez heads to Sanibel for an inside look. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/mHRrLCwY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/mHRrLCwY-FdEsoD82.html 227 2026-10-01T13:20:37.000Z yes Environment / Nature Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/environment/threats-facing-florida-frogs/ 2026-10-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/sqCC9Pef/poster.jpg?width=1920 Threats Facing Florida Frogs South Florida can be considered a frog paradise. According to the University of Florida, our area is home to 14 native species. On a walk through the Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin explored the ecosystem that houses these amphibians and threats to their future. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/sqCC9Pef-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sqCC9Pef-FdEsoD82.html 207 2026-10-01T13:20:27.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/the-future-of-space-exploration/ 2026-10-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AWFNIBeN/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Future of Space Exploration For years, radio signals have been emanating from the deep recesses in space. But for the first time, astrophysicists have been able to link one of these sounds to an exo-planet 64 light years from Earth. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Brendan Byrne, host of a new space-minded podcast that chronicles man's search for the unknown in our cosmos. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AWFNIBeN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AWFNIBeN-FdEsoD82.html 267 2026-10-01T13:20:12.000Z yes Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/solar-power-revolution-future-of-space-exploration-and-a-new-flu-vaccine/ 2026-09-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HUccpGzj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Solar Power Revolution, Future of Space Exploration, and a New Flu Vaccine In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: New Flu Vaccine Introduced: As the calendar moves to October, doctors are advising people that now is the perfect time for your flu vaccine. Health experts are warning of new variant strains that could lead to a strong season. But new vaccines are on the market to help prevent the spread of the flu virus. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Jaime Khemraj, Chief Medical Officer at Health Care Network, about how the new vaccines work. Solar Power Revolution on Sanibel: A "solar revolution" is beginning on Sanibel Island, where residents and the city are working together to spearhead the 2026 Southwest Florida Solar Co-op. It's a group led by Solar United Neighbors, a national non-profit that informs property owners about the pros and cons of solar energy. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez heads to Sanibel for an inside look. The Future of Space Exploration: For years, radio signals have emanated from the deep recesses in space. Now, astrophysicists are linking one of these sounds to an exoplanet 64 light years from Earth. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Brendan Byrne, host of a new space-minded podcast that chronicles the search for the unknown in our cosmos. Kimberly’s Reef Debrief: "Kimberly's reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory,” premieres Oct. 1 at 8:00 p.m. on WGCU TV. WGCU’s Pam James takes us into the underwater classroom that includes students from all disciplines across Florida Gulf Coast University. Threats Facing Florida Frogs: South Florida can be considered a frog paradise. According to the University of Florida, our area is home to 14 native species. On a walk through the Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin explored the ecosystem that houses these amphibians and threats to their future. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HUccpGzj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HUccpGzj-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/restoring-voting-rights/ 2026-09-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pleiPFfR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Restoring Voting Rights In 2018, Florida passed an amendment that restored the right to vote for felons who completed their sentences. As the midterms approach, WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor investigates how people can be sure to exercise their voting rights. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pleiPFfR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pleiPFfR-FdEsoD82.html 236 2026-09-30T13:49:29.000Z yes Culture Southwest Florida In Focus Politics Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/news/school-board-election-approaches/ 2026-09-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zv7KoPrS/poster.jpg?width=1920 School Board Election Approaches One of the most closely watched races this election year is for a seat on the Lee County School Board. District 4 includes parts of Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Eastern Cape Coral. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher talks with incumbent Debbie Jordan and her opponent, Tony Beougher, about their goals as potential board members. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zv7KoPrS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zv7KoPrS-FdEsoD82.html 285 2026-09-30T13:41:45.000Z yes Southwest Florida In Focus Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/news/candidates-for-governor-and-attorney-general-clash/ 2026-09-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/UtrkoKTw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Candidates For Governor And Attorney General Clash With the November general election five weeks away the campaign trail is heating up, especially in the races for Florida governor and attorney general. WGCU Host Jennifer Crawford sits down with reporter John Davis about WGCU’s work with community partners to hold a campaign forum leading up to election. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/UtrkoKTw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/UtrkoKTw-FdEsoD82.html 274 2026-09-30T13:38:47.000Z yes Southwest Florida In Focus Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/governor-candidates-clash-school-board-election-returning-citizens-vote-9-29-202/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7g0WeU33/poster.jpg?width=1920 Governor Candidates Clash, School Board Election, Returning Citizens Vote | 9-29-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Candidates for Governor and Attorney General Clash: With the November general election five weeks away the campaign trail is heating up, especially in the races for Florida governor and attorney general. WGCU Host Jennifer Crawford sits down with reporter John Davis about WGCU’s work with community partners to hold a campaign forum leading up to election. Restoring Voting Rights: In 2018, Florida passed an amendment that restored the right to vote for felons who completed their sentences. As the midterms approach, WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor investigates how people can be sure to exercise their voting rights. School Board Election Approaches: One of the most closely watched races this election year is for a seat on the Lee County School Board. District 4 includes parts of Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Eastern Cape Coral. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher talks with incumbent Debbie Jordan and her opponent, Tony Beougher, about their goals as potential board members. Do Kids Need Mental Health Days Too? For children, the stressors of performing well in school or extracurricular activities like sports or theatre can take a toll on their mental well being. As WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned, sometimes the best way to help a child through these emotional times is to call in sick. Amish Quilting Tradition Faces Uncertain Future: In a corner of Sarasota County, Amish and Mennonite families have preserved the art of handmade quilting for generations. The intricate craft reflects deep cultural roots and community values. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge examines why fewer young people are learning the skill and what that could mean for the future of this longstanding tradition. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7g0WeU33-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7g0WeU33-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-09-29T20:23:52.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/learning-to-avoid-ai-scams/ 2026-09-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/lEya0tqO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Learning To Avoid AI Scams Financial fraud is all around us as scammers become more creative. With that expansion comes a greater need for reliable analysis tools. WGCU Reporter Emma Rodriguez visits a Naples couple putting their years of experience together to build a program that uses AI to identify potentially fraudulent activity. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/lEya0tqO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lEya0tqO-FdEsoD82.html 162 2026-09-29T14:06:26.000Z yes Southwest Florida In Focus economy https://wgcuplus.org/news/back-open-in-immokalee/ 2026-09-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xbp8as63/poster.jpg?width=1920 Back Open In Immokalee For nearly one year, Immokalee was left without a major grocery store after the closing of the only Winn-Dixie. Following months of renovations, residents lined up in celebration for the opening of a new Aldi grocery. WGCU Reporter Eileen Kelley shares the community's reactions. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xbp8as63-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xbp8as63-FdEsoD82.html 154 2026-09-29T14:00:39.000Z yes Southwest Florida In Focus Health Business https://wgcuplus.org/news/mortgage-rates-hit-2026-high/ 2026-09-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qMalTaPL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mortgage Rates Hit 2026 High If you're thinking of buying a home in Southwest Florida and you need a loan, you might be in for sticker shock. Mortgage rates are peaking at 7%, hitting their highest level so far in 2026. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Victor Claar, Florida Gulf Coast University economics professor, about how interest rates are affecting home sales. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qMalTaPL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qMalTaPL-FdEsoD82.html 274 2026-09-29T14:00:39.000Z yes Southwest Florida In Focus Government economy https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/mortgage-rates-rise-avoiding-ai-scams-and-grocery-store-opens-in-immokalee-9-28-/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iJDPECUd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mortgage Rates Rise, Avoiding AI Scams, and Grocery Store Opens in Immokalee | 9-28-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Mortgage Rates Hit 2026 High: If you're thinking of buying a home in Southwest Florida and you need a loan, you might be in for sticker shock. Mortgage rates are peaking at 7%, hitting their highest level so far in 2026. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Victor Claar, Florida Gulf Coast University economics professor, about how interest rates are affecting home sales. Learning to Avoid AI Scams: Financial fraud is all around us as scammers become more creative. With that expansion comes a greater need for reliable analysis tools. WGCU Reporter Emma Rodriguez visits a Naples couple putting their years of experience together to build a program that uses AI to identify potentially fraudulent activity. Back Open in Immokalee: For nearly one year, Immokalee was left without a major grocery store after the closing of the only Winn-Dixie. Following months of renovations, residents lined up in celebration for the opening of a new Aldi grocery. WGCU Reporter Eileen Kelley shares the community's reactions. Eating Against Inflammation: Your diet can directly improve your health by helping your body deal with inflammation. Inflammation is your immune system's natural defense against injury, infection, or toxins. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Arch Mainous, professor of community health and family medicine at the University of Florida, about foods that combat inflammation. Remembering Hurricane Ian Four Years Later With “Rising: Surviving the Surge”: Four years ago on September 28, Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm left behind a path of death and destruction, and survivors are still picking up the pieces. WGCU's award-winning documentary "Rising: Surviving the Surge,” details first-hand accounts of survivors and insight from scientists and first responders. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iJDPECUd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iJDPECUd-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-09-28T20:44:35.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/basketball-tips-off-at-florida-gulf-coast-university/ 2026-09-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WfcmESf3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Basketball Tips Off At Florida Gulf Coast University It's “Wings Up” at Florida Gulf Coast University as the men's and women's basketball teams return to the court for their first practices of the season. Tipoff is just over a month away, and this year the Eagles are leaning on familiar faces in their quest for success. WGCU Reporter Jorge Murillo gets the ball rolling with his report. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WfcmESf3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WfcmESf3-FdEsoD82.html 281 2026-09-28T13:47:47.000Z yes FL Exploration Culture Southwest Florida In Focus Sports https://wgcuplus.org/environment/weather-resiliency-across-southwest-florida/ 2026-09-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BD5xWHyT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Weather Resiliency Across Southwest Florida Even though our Atlantic basin hurricane season has been quiet so far, first responders, government leaders, and non-profit organizations still made a point to come together and talk about being prepared for the next storm. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares what he learned at the Southwest Florida Resiliency Summit. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BD5xWHyT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BD5xWHyT-FdEsoD82.html 237 2026-09-28T13:44:10.000Z yes Environment / Nature Southwest Florida In Focus Weather https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/recipients-removed-from-the-affordable-care-act/ 2026-09-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nvfZLA49/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recipients Removed From The Affordable Care Act Over 750,000 people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act are set to be removed from the public healthcare exchange. Vice President J.D. Vance alleged the accounts were fraudulent, or not real people to begin with. Some health experts are worried legitimate enrollees could be caught in the crackdown. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, about how removals could affect Floridians. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nvfZLA49-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nvfZLA49-FdEsoD82.html 340 2026-09-28T13:39:42.000Z yes Health / Aging Politics / Legal Southwest Florida In Focus Health Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/haitian-community-responds-to-loss-of-temporary-protected-status/ 2026-09-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/owf16aqI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Haitian Community Responds To Loss Of Temporary Protected Status Florida is home to the largest Haitian population in the United States, according to World Population Review. But the elimination of Temporary Protected Status has some Haitians voicing concerns about the future. WGCU Reporter Samuel Brucker speaks with a brother and sister in Immokalee about their experiences. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/owf16aqI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/owf16aqI-FdEsoD82.html 349 2026-09-28T13:39:29.000Z yes Culture Southwest Florida In Focus WGCU Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/aca-recipient-removals-loss-of-haitian-tps-and-raising-weather-resiliency-9-25-2/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/lvaJLM7n/poster.jpg?width=1920 ACA Recipient Removals, Loss of Haitian TPS, and Raising Weather Resiliency | 9-25-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Recipients Removed from the Affordable Care Act: Over 750,000 people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act are set to be removed from the public healthcare exchange. Vice President J.D. Vance alleged the accounts were fraudulent, or not real people to begin with. Some health experts are worried legitimate enrollees could be caught in the crackdown. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, about how removals could affect Floridians. Haitian Community Responds to Loss of Temporary Protected Status: Florida is home to the largest Haitian population in the United States, according to World Population Review. But the elimination of Temporary Protected Status has some Haitians voicing concerns about the future. WGCU Reporter Samuel Brucker speaks with a brother and sister in Immokalee about their experiences. Weather Resiliency Across Southwest Florida: Even though our Atlantic basin hurricane season has been quiet so far, first responders, government leaders, and non-profit organizations still made a point to come together and talk about being prepared for the next storm. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares what he learned at the Southwest Florida Resiliency Summit. Basketball Tips off at Florida Gulf Coast University: It's “Wings Up” at Florida Gulf Coast University as the men's and women's basketball teams return to the court for their first practices of the season. Tipoff is just over a month away, and this year the Eagles are leaning on familiar faces in their quest for success. WGCU Reporter Jorge Murillo gets the ball rolling with his report. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/lvaJLM7n-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lvaJLM7n-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-09-25T20:38:35.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/island-hopper-songwriter-festival-tours-southwest-florida/ 2026-09-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CIFLObzA/poster.jpg?width=1920 Island Hopper Songwriter Festival Tours Southwest Florida As Southwest Florida continues to cultivate its prospering arts scene, one event offers a beach-minded voice for artists from across the country. The Island Hopper Songwriter Festival brings 10 days of music, beginning on Captiva Island before spreading to Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and a wrap-up on Fort Myers Beach happening this Sunday. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Claire Liparulo, a singer-songwriter touring with the festival, about what inspires her music. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CIFLObzA-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CIFLObzA-FdEsoD82.html 455 2026-09-25T13:33:57.000Z yes Culture WGCU Arts Music https://wgcuplus.org/news/growing-your-own-groceries/ 2026-09-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/y71afDek/poster.jpg?width=1920 Growing Your Own Groceries As the cost of living increases, people are looking for ways to cut expenses and save a little cash. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin visits a gardening workshop in Charlotte County that’s giving residents the knowledge they need to lower grocery bills from their own backyard. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/y71afDek-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/y71afDek-FdEsoD82.html 235 2026-09-25T13:33:37.000Z yes WGCU Environment economy https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-art-of-hypnotism/ 2026-09-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ku7w7XOy/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Art of Hypnotism The concept of hypnosis dates to the 18th century. The American Psychological Association says clinical hypnosis can help treat a variety of ailments, from depression, to pain management, to forms of addiction. But it also has another use- entertainment. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Bob Lauver, a comedian and hypnotist performing Sept. 25 at the Arts Center Theatre on Marco Island, to explore how he puts audiences under hypnosis. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ku7w7XOy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ku7w7XOy-FdEsoD82.html 387 2026-09-25T13:33:05.000Z yes Culture WGCU Arts Science https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/theatre-productions-taking-the-stage-this-fall/ 2026-09-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E2qRSFUn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Theatre Productions Taking the Stage this Fall As fall begins, so does the return of the theatre season. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall to learn more about what's coming up on the arts calendar, and he offers a very unique story about how detective Sherlock Holmes’ character transitioned from books onto the stage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E2qRSFUn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E2qRSFUn-FdEsoD82.html 265 2026-09-25T13:32:44.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/the-art-of-hypnotism-growing-your-own-groceries-and-island-hopper-festival/ 2026-09-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jo3jGDVB/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Art of Hypnotism, Growing Your Own Groceries, and Island Hopper Festival In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Island Hopper Songwriter Festival Tours Southwest Florida: As Southwest Florida continues to cultivate its prospering arts scene, one event offers a beach-minded voice for artists from across the country. The Island Hopper Songwriter Festival brings 10 days of music, beginning on Captiva Island before spreading to Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and a wrap-up on Fort Myers Beach happening this Sunday. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Claire Liparulo, a singer-songwriter touring with the festival, about what inspires her music. Theatre Productions Taking the Stage this Fall: As fall begins, so does the return of the theatre season. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall to learn more about what's coming up on the arts calendar, and he offers a very unique story about how detective Sherlock Holmes’ character transitioned from books onto the stage. The Art of Hypnotism: The concept of hypnosis dates to the 18th century. The American Psychological Association says clinical hypnosis can help treat a variety of ailments, from depression, to pain management, to forms of addiction. But it also has another use- entertainment. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Bob Lauver, a comedian and hypnotist performing Sept. 25 at the Arts Center Theatre on Marco Island, to explore how he puts audiences under hypnosis. Growing Your Own Groceries: As the cost of living increases, people are looking for ways to cut expenses and save a little cash. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin visits a gardening workshop in Charlotte County that’s giving residents the knowledge they need to lower grocery bills from their own backyard. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jo3jGDVB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jo3jGDVB-FdEsoD82.html 1537 2026-09-24T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/super-el-nino-year-fails-and-hurricanes/ 2026-09-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6czqW88c/poster.jpg?width=1920 Super El Niño Year Fails and Hurricanes It has been a quiet Atlantic hurricane season. While more development could form before the official end on November 30, meteorologists are staying optimistic that a major storm will not impact Florida this year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Certified Meteorologist Irene Sans with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about the outlook for the remainder of the storm season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6czqW88c-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6czqW88c-FdEsoD82.html 414 2026-09-24T12:45:52.000Z yes Environment / Nature Weather https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/how-to-check-if-you-have-unclaimed-money/ 2026-09-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OVwU9Xqj/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to Check if You Have Unclaimed Money You may have treasure waiting to be claimed that you don't even know about. The Florida Department of Financial Services says it has $4.5 billion worth of abandoned property waiting for the rightful owners to claim. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Ricky Maldonado, CEO of the nationwide asset recovery business Reclaim.org, about how you can find out if you have a claim. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OVwU9Xqj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OVwU9Xqj-FdEsoD82.html 309 2026-09-24T12:45:24.000Z yes Business / Economics Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/mail-in-ballot-request-deadline-approaches/ 2026-09-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6AqkZT9w/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mail-In Ballot Request Deadline Approaches The first ballots cast in the midterm general election are already trickling into the Lee County Elections Office in Fort Myers. The office reported almost 1,000 ballots were sent overseas, and more than 120,000 will be mailed stateside next week. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Supervisor of Elections in Lee County, to go over these important deadlines. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6AqkZT9w-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6AqkZT9w-FdEsoD82.html 388 2026-09-24T12:44:29.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/super-el-nino-year-mail-in-ballot-requests-and-finding-unclaimed-money/ 2026-09-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/B8iBAAXc/poster.jpg?width=1920 Super El Niño Year, Mail-In Ballot Requests, and Finding Unclaimed Money In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Mail-In Ballot Request Deadline Approaches: The first ballots cast in the midterm general election are already trickling into the Lee County Elections Office in Fort Myers. The office reported almost 1,000 ballots were sent overseas, and more than 120,000 will be mailed stateside next week. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Jenna Persons-Mulicka, supervisor of elections in Lee County, to go over important deadlines for the midterm election. Super El Nino Year Fails to Bring Hurricanes: It has been a quiet Atlantic hurricane season. While more development could form before the official end on Nov. 30, weather experts are staying optimistic that a major storm will not impact Florida this year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Certified Meteorologist Irene Sans with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about the outlook for the remainder of hurricane season. Kimberly’s Reef Debrief: Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists When Kimberly's Reef was originally envisioned, the goal was to create an artificial reef to give researchers the chance to learn about our offshore waters. Now the reef is also helping to educate children about the importance of these ecosystems. As part of the upcoming documentary "Kimberly's Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory,” WGCU’s Pam James shares how the reef is helping to inspire the next generation of marine biologists. How to Check if You Have Unclaimed Money: You may have treasure waiting to be claimed that you don't even know about. The Florida Department of Financial Services says it has $4.5 billion worth of abandoned property just waiting for the rightful owners to claim. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Ricky Maldonado, CEO of the nationwide asset recovery business Reclaim.org, about how you can get unclaimed money returned. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/B8iBAAXc-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/B8iBAAXc-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-23T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/fort-myers-mayor-accused-of-sexual-impropriety-refutes-claims/ 2026-09-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oNysOPDD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers Mayor Accused of Sexual Impropriety; Refutes Claims Allegations against Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson were brought to the public after two men spoke at Monday’s Fort Myers City Council meeting, accusing the mayor of sexual impropriety. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster was there and shares what she witnessed at the meeting with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oNysOPDD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oNysOPDD-FdEsoD82.html 176 2026-09-23T12:55:43.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/candidates-conflict-over-debates-ahead-of-midterm-election/ 2026-09-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZtIWldgO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Candidates Conflict over Debates Ahead of Midterm Election The November midterm elections are six weeks away and could make the history books as the first time in more than half a century without a general election debate for our state’s race for governor. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to discuss why there are no scheduled debates for any of the state races. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZtIWldgO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZtIWldgO-FdEsoD82.html 405 2026-09-23T12:55:20.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/north-port-considers-data-center-ban/ 2026-09-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/byLftAwU/poster.jpg?width=1920 North Port Considers Data Center Ban The City of North Port is joining a growing collection of Florida communities potentially pausing the establishment and construction of data centers. As WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explains, the latest vote could impact a major data center already in the planning phases. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/byLftAwU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/byLftAwU-FdEsoD82.html 183 2026-09-23T12:55:11.000Z yes Politics / Legal Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/who-s-on-the-ballot-for-attorney-general/ 2026-09-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dWUPeLST/poster.jpg?width=1920 Who’s on the Ballot for Attorney General? A recent poll by Florida Politics shows the race for Florida attorney general might be one of closest this November election season. In its poll, incumbent and Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier holds a narrow lead over his Democratic opponent, Jose Javier Rodriguez, polling at 43% to 42%, with 15% undecided. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Sandy Parker, creator of the non-partisan election resource Sparker’s Soapbox, about each candidate’s platform and priorities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dWUPeLST-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dWUPeLST-FdEsoD82.html 282 2026-09-23T12:54:58.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ftm-mayor-accused-of-sexual-impropriety-north-port-votes-on-data-center-ban/ 2026-09-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/V6yr7l5i/poster.jpg?width=1920 FTM Mayor Accused of Sexual Impropriety, North Port Votes on Data Center Ban In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Candidates Conflict over Debates Ahead of Midterm Election: The November midterm elections are six weeks away and could make the history books as the first time in more than half a century without a general election debate for our state’s race for governor. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to discuss why there are no scheduled debates for any of the state races. Fort Myers Mayor Accused of Sexual Impropriety; Refutes Claims: Allegations against Fort Myers mayor Kevin Anderson were brought to the public after two men spoke at Monday’s Fort Myers City Council meeting, accusing the mayor of sexual impropriety. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster was there and shares what she witnessed at the meeting with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. North Port Considers Data Center Ban: The City of North Port is joining a growing collection of Florida communities potentially pausing the establishment and construction of data centers. As WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explains, the latest vote could impact a major data center already in the planning phases. Who’s on the Ballot for Attorney General?: A recent poll by Florida Politics shows the race for Florida attorney general might be one of closest this November election season. In its poll, incumbent and Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier holds a narrow lead over his Democratic opponent, Jose Javier Rodriguez, polling at 43% to 42%, with 15% undecided. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Sandy Parker, creator of the non-partisan election resource Sparker’s Soapbox, about each candidate’s platform and priorities. Pickleball Pro Shares Game from Florida to South Pacific: A pickleball pro who competed in the recent U.S. Open Championships in Naples picked up the game when he was healing from cancer. WGCU’s Cary Barbor shares how his love for the game runs so deep he has introduced the sport to… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/V6yr7l5i-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/V6yr7l5i-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-09-22T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/strong-el-nino-translates-to-calm-atlantic-hurricane-season-so-far/ 2026-09-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MICwzeio/poster.jpg?width=1920 Strong El Niño translates to calm Atlantic Hurricane Season...so far The midway point of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season was Sept. 10, and that’s pretty much considered the traditional peak of the season. Yet, there hasn’t been a single named hurricane. There have been six named tropical storms, and three of them made landfall, but none impacted Florida. Since meteorologists started using satellites to track the weather in the 1960s, we’ve never made it this far into a hurricane season without a named hurricane. While weather systems are complicated and many factors are at play, the fact that we’re also entering the strongest El Niño conditions on record is certainly playing a part. El Niño, and its counterpart La Niña, are basically phenomena determined by how warm the ocean water is in the Pacific Ocean, and how that effects how the trade winds in the Pacific Ocean behave, which in turn has a major impact on weather patterns beyond the Pacific Ocean. Normal El Niños and La Niñas are fairly common, "super" El Niños less so. The last super one was a decade ago and the one before that was 1997-98. But this year’s El Niño so far exceeds a typical super that we’re in essentially uncharted territory. We talk with a meteorologist to find out what it all means and what the rest of the year might bring. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MICwzeio-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MICwzeio-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-09-22T19:51:53.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/free-eye-care-in-bonita/ 2026-09-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KQz1IgP9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Free Eye Care in Bonita The Florida Lions Eye Clinic in Bonita Springs draws patients from all around the state, providing free eye care whether someone needs an eye exam, glasses or surgery. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Kyle Hartman, executive director of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic, about these free services. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KQz1IgP9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KQz1IgP9-FdEsoD82.html 322 2026-09-22T13:30:20.000Z yes Health / Aging Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/diesel-prices-impact-food-charities/ 2026-09-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/UX8yWxFe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Diesel Prices Impact Food Charities Diesel fuel prices are hitting record highs across the nation. The impacts of these costs are rippling across multiple sectors, including non-profit organizations. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park visits local food charities to check out how rising diesel prices play a role in their finances. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/UX8yWxFe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/UX8yWxFe-FdEsoD82.html 323 2026-09-22T13:30:04.000Z yes Business / Economics Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/environment/dengue-fever-prevention/ 2026-09-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JGRXzzFy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dengue Fever Prevention One of the worst outbreaks of Dengue fever in decades in Florida has Lee County Mosquito Control urging Southwest Floridians to be on alert. The dangerous virus can be spread by the backyard mosquito, which breeds in standing water. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Jenifer McBride, communications director of Lee County Mosquito Control, about efforts to prevent the spread of Dengue fever. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JGRXzzFy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JGRXzzFy-FdEsoD82.html 479 2026-09-22T13:29:42.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/dengue-fever-prevention-diesel-prices-impact-food-banks-and-free-eye-care/ 2026-09-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ViDcq6NM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dengue Fever Prevention, Diesel Prices Impact Food Banks, and Free Eye Care In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Dengue Fever Prevention: One of the worst outbreaks of dengue fever in decades in Florida has Lee County Mosquito Control urging Southwest Floridians to be on alert. The dangerous virus is spread by the backyard mosquito, which breeds in standing water. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Jenifer McBride, communications director of Lee County Mosquito Control, about their efforts to prevent the spread of Dengue fever. Mosquito Control by Helicopter: As the rain returns to the region, so do the bugs and the rise of the mosquito will soon be here. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford took to the skies with Lee County Mosquito Control to learn how they are getting ahead of the impending invasion. Diesel Prices Impact Food Charities: Diesel fuel prices are hitting record highs across the nation. The impacts of these costs are rippling across multiple sectors, non-profit organizations included. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park visits local food charities to check out how rising diesel prices are affecting their finances. Free Eye Care in Bonita: The Lion's Club, established in 1917, says it is the world's largest service club organization. Its newest mission is eye health. The Florida Lions Eye Clinic in Bonita Springs draws patients from all around the state, providing free eye care whether someone needs an eye exam, glasses or surgery. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Kyle Hartman, executive director of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic, about how they can provide free services. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ViDcq6NM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ViDcq6NM-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/alligator-alcatraz-conditions/ 2026-09-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Hj0Wcobu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alligator Alcatraz Conditions Severely cramped living conditions, limited drinking water, and no defined set of standards for holding detainees are just some of the findings from a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following an inspection on the now closed Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sui Chung, executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice, to discuss reactions to the report's findings. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Hj0Wcobu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Hj0Wcobu-FdEsoD82.html 493 2026-09-21T13:01:12.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/education/supporting-foster-children-from-pre-k-to-graduation/ 2026-09-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HmdBUeRT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Supporting Foster Children from Pre-K to Graduation Despite a steady decline in recent years, Florida still has one of the highest foster care rates in the country, according to Foster Care Capacity. Fostering Success, a Naples-based organization, has made providing a sense of normalcy for kids in the foster care system its mission. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Executive Director Ann Hughes to learn how the organization ensures foster children have what they need to reach their full potential. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HmdBUeRT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HmdBUeRT-FdEsoD82.html 339 2026-09-21T13:00:46.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/education/book-bans-in-florida-schools/ 2026-09-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E9k7Q7yA/poster.jpg?width=1920 Book Bans in Florida Schools According to Newsweek, Florida leads the nation when it comes to the banning of books in schools. The topic of book banning will be part of a public forum happening Sept. 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Amy Perwien, a speaker at the forum and Collier County parent, as well as Ellen Hemrick, UUCGN director of Religious Exploration, about the upcoming presentation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E9k7Q7yA-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E9k7Q7yA-FdEsoD82.html 332 2026-09-21T13:00:22.000Z yes Politics / Legal Education https://wgcuplus.org/environment/meet-the-myakka-elephants/ 2026-09-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/u5bGBSnb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Meet the Myakka Elephants 100 years ago, Sarasota served as the winter quarters for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. When "the greatest show on earth" announced they would no longer use their signature elephants as part of their act, Southwest Florida welcomed the now retired performers. WGCU's Eileen Kelley explores Myakka Elephant Ranch, a sanctuary that still provides a way for the elephants to amaze spectators. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/u5bGBSnb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/u5bGBSnb-FdEsoD82.html 245 2026-09-21T13:00:00.000Z yes FL Exploration Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/alligator-alcatraz-conditions-florida-book-bans-and-meet-myakka-elephants-9-18-2/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kRGUDKvw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alligator Alcatraz Conditions, Florida Book Bans, and Meet Myakka Elephants | 9-18-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Alligator Alcatraz Conditions: Severely cramped living conditions, limited drinking water, and no defined set of standards for holding detainees are just some of the findings from a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following an inspection on the now closed Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sui Chung, executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice, to discuss reactions to the report's findings. Book Bans in Florida Schools: According to Newsweek, Florida leads the nation when it comes to the banning of books in schools. The topic of book banning will be part of a public forum happening Sept. 20 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Amy Perwien, a speaker at the forum and Collier County parent, as well as Ellen Hemrick, UUCGN director of Religious Exploration, about the upcoming presentation. Supporting Foster Children from Pre-K to Graduation: Despite a steady decline in recent years, Florida still has one of the highest foster care rates in the country, according to Foster Care Capacity. Fostering Success, a Naples-based organization, has made providing a sense of normalcy for kids in the foster care system its mission. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Executive Director Ann Hughes to learn how the organization ensures foster children have what they need to reach their full potential. Meet the Myakka Elephants: 100 years ago, Sarasota served as the winter quarters for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. When "the greatest show on earth" announced they would no longer use their signature elephants as part of their act, Southwest Florida welcomed the now retired performers. WGCU's Eileen Kelley explores Myakka Elephant Ranch, a sanctuary that still provides a way for the elephants to… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kRGUDKvw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kRGUDKvw-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-09-18T20:43:34.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/marco-island-center-for-the-arts-presents-weirdly-funny-love-story-chameleuns/ 2026-09-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/p0Gs1mbJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Marco Island Center for the Arts presents weirdly funny love story “Chameleüns” The Marco Island Center for the Arts is bringing a workshop production of the play “Chameleüns” to the Art Center Theatre stage in October. This weirdly funny love story involves two actors performing 15 different characters in a series of vignettes connected through a broader romantic throughline exploring love, relationships, and the many different versions of ourselves we become in trying to connect with other people. We will explore the play in a conversation with co-authors Frank Blocker and Rochelle Burdine along with the actors Dixie and Patrick Huey, who are a married couple in real life. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/p0Gs1mbJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/p0Gs1mbJ-FdEsoD82.html 1439 2026-09-18T15:10:24.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-what-makes-it-different-and-better-than-hubble/ 2026-09-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3cDVjXb9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: what makes it different and better than Hubble? NASA launched the new Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Kennedy Space Center on Aug. 30. It's field of view will be about 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. Its initial primary five-year mission will focus on finding and understanding exoplanets (planets around other stars), doing astrophysics (studying other stars and how they behave), and mapping our galaxy to hopefully get a better handle on both Dark Matter and Dark Energy We talk with space reporter Brendan Byrne, and astronomer Dr. Derek Buzasi from University of Chicago to learn what makes Roman different, and what scientists have planned for it once it starts sending data back to Earth. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3cDVjXb9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3cDVjXb9-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-18T14:42:39.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/cuban-ballet-artistry/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1uscHliD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cuban Ballet Artistry The Sarasota Cuban Ballet opens its season this weekend with "Classical and Contemporary". The program is a neoclassical piece which Ballet National de Cuba premiered in 1973, called Canto Vital. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall sits down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for an up-close look at the dancers behind the performance. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1uscHliD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1uscHliD-FdEsoD82.html 355 2026-09-18T13:30:00.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/selecting-the-perfect-monologue/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/STSQjzye/poster.jpg?width=1920 Selecting the Perfect Monologue Theatres across Southwest Florida are beginning to ramp up seasonal productions, presenting a golden opportunity for actors. As they prepare for an audition, the monologue these thespians select can mean the difference between getting the role or being passed over. WGCU's Kate Cronin explores how actors find the perfect monologue. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/STSQjzye-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/STSQjzye-FdEsoD82.html 248 2026-09-18T13:30:00.000Z yes Culture Art https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/regulating-artificial-intelligence/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Lvht82w6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Regulating Artificial Intelligence The state of Florida has approved new rules for the use of artificial intelligence in public schools. Schools will have to spell out how students and teachers can use AI and address requirements for student safety and data protection. AI regulation and Its growth is also now a topic of debate between companies and governments. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Morgan C. Plummer, vice president of Policy Design and Delivery for Americans for Responsible Innovation, about ethical AI usage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Lvht82w6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Lvht82w6-FdEsoD82.html 523 2026-09-18T13:30:00.000Z yes Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/students-against-violence/ 2026-11-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XQXyLpXL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Students Against Violence Last school year was difficult for students at Lehigh Senior High School as three students lost their lives. All three were members of a non-violence club that emerged after the Sandy Hook school shooting. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster explains how all three students were integral to the Kindness Interactive Rock Garden installed in the school's courtyard. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XQXyLpXL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XQXyLpXL-FdEsoD82.html 221 2026-09-18T13:30:00.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/regulating-ai-usage-cuban-ballet-artistry-and-students-against-violence/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AQ0E4fMV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Regulating AI Usage, Cuban Ballet Artistry, and Students Against Violence In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Regulating Artificial Intelligence: The state of Florida has approved new rules for the use of artificial intelligence in public schools. Schools will have to spell out how students and teachers can use AI and address requirements for student safety and data protection. AI regulation and Its growth is also now a topic of debate between companies and governments. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Morgan C. Plummer, vice president of Policy Design and Delivery for Americans for Responsible Innovation, about ethical AI usage. Selecting the Perfect Monologue: Theatres across Southwest Florida are beginning to ramp up seasonal productions, presenting a golden opportunity for actors. As they prepare for an audition, the monologue these thespians select can mean the difference between getting the role or being passed over. WGCU's Kate Cronin explores how actors find the perfect monologue. Cuban Ballet Artistry: The Sarasota Cuban Ballet opens its season this weekend with "Classical and Contemporary". The program is a neoclassical piece which Ballet National de Cuba premiered in 1973, called Canto Vital. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall sits down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for an up-close look at the dancers behind the performance. Students Against Violence: Last school year was difficult for students at Lehigh Senior High School as three students lost their lives. All three were members of a non-violence club that emerged after the Sandy Hook school shooting. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster explains how all three students were integral to the Kindness Interactive Rock Garden installed in the school's courtyard. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AQ0E4fMV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AQ0E4fMV-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-17T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/kimberlys-reef-trailer/ 2026-10-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/05TO8COW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kimberlys Reef Trailer Dive beneath the waves to explore Kimberly’s Reef, a one-of-a-kind living and growing underwater classroom. Created by FGCU’s The Water School, this artificial reef is an underwater complex designed for marine research, education, and discovery. A WGCU production. Premieres on WGCU PBS Thursday, October 1 at 8 p.m. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/05TO8COW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/05TO8COW-FdEsoD82.html 30 2026-09-17T19:47:22.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/olivia-miller-on-the-u-s-geological-survey-updated-sparrow-model-used-to-track-n/ 2026-09-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JVFlca3q/poster.jpg?width=1920 Olivia Miller on the U.S. Geological Survey updated SPARROW model used to track nutrients in waterways The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the federal government's primary science and natural-resource research agency. It operates thousands of stream gauges, well monitors, and sampling stations that track real-time river flow, groundwater levels, and water quality. Since the late 1990s the primary model or tool they use to estimate how pollutants (primarily nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus) move from the land into streams and rivers has been the SPARROW model. That stands for SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes. New research details a new kind of SPARROW model that improves or extends the understanding of nutrient pollution by accounting for what's called 'storage lag' — meaning legacy nutrients stored in soils or groundwater for longer than one season before entering streams, and how those lagged nutrients are impacting water quality across the United States. We learn more about this new model, and who will be using it from USGS research hydrologist who led the study, Olivia Miller. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JVFlca3q-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JVFlca3q-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-17T15:08:16.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/carrie-schuman-on-the-conservancy-of-swfl-s-release-of-nature-based-flood-resili/ 2026-09-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VcKKHGeU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Carrie Schuman on the Conservancy of SWFL's release of nature-based Flood Resilience Blueprint Starting in the late 2000s, environmental engineers and policymakers began talking about taking "nature-based" approaches to protect ourselves from storms. Concepts like 'living shorelines' were developed, where planners would work with nature. Think planting seagrasses and protecting or restoring dunes along the beach, or strategic mangrove placement as examples. But those approaches are still far from standard. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida has created a new Flood Resilience Blueprint called Working with Nature that uses the City of Naples as a test-site to show just what's possible, and what approaches would work best and where. We learn more from their Climate Resilience Advisor, Dr. Carrie Schuman. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VcKKHGeU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VcKKHGeU-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-17T14:50:49.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/environment/keeping-pets-safe-from-cane-toads/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pzNn23Rr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Keeping Pets Safe from Cane Toads The afternoon rain showers are bringing much needed relief from the heat, and also creating a perfect breeding ground for Cane toads. The invasive species are poisonous and an encounter with a household pet could prove deadly. Becca Morris, CEO of The Patty Baker Human Society, joins us to talk about how to keep your pets safe from a Cane toad encounter. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pzNn23Rr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pzNn23Rr-FdEsoD82.html 361 2026-09-17T13:08:25.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/federal-reserve-raises-short-term-interest-rates/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/y6nEsmh0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Federal Reserve Raises Short Term Interest Rates For the first time in three years, the Federal Reserve has raised short-term interest rates. The unanimous vote is in direct defiance of the wishes of President Donald Trump. FGCU Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Victor Claar breaks down what this rise in rates could have on the markets and inflation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/y6nEsmh0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/y6nEsmh0-FdEsoD82.html 365 2026-09-17T13:07:58.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/environment/lingering-blue-green-algae-in-lake-okeechobee/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iPTA7Rfb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lingering Blue-Green Algae in Lake Okeechobee For months, a persistent blue-green algae bloom has covered sections of Lake Okeechobee. Just this month, aerial imagery captured a 240-mile long bloom across Florida's largest freshwater lake. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares how some environmentalists see this as one of the worst algae outbreaks in recent memory. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iPTA7Rfb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iPTA7Rfb-FdEsoD82.html 203 2026-09-17T13:07:38.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/fed-rate-hike-blue-green-algae-a-dive-to-kimberly-s-reef-and-cane-toads-9-16-202/ 2026-09-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0Cp6fRia/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fed Rate Hike, Blue-Green Algae, a Dive to Kimberly's Reef, and Cane Toads | 9-16-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Federal Reserve Raises Short Term Interest Rates: For the first time in three years, the Federal Reserve has raised short-term interest rates. The unanimous vote is in direct defiance of the wishes of President Donald Trump. FGCU Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Victor Claar breaks down what this rise in rates could have on the markets and inflation. Lingering Blue-Green Algae in Lake Okeechobee: For months, a persistent blue-green algae bloom has covered sections of Lake Okeechobee. Just this month, aerial imagery captured a 240-mile long bloom across Florida's largest freshwater lake. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares how some environmentalists see this as one of the worst algae outbreaks in recent memory. Training to Dive Around Kimberly’s Reef: When Kimberly’s Reef was launched by FGCU in 2023, the artificial reef presented an opportunity to learn more about our offshore waters. WGCU’s Pam James shows how the next generation of researchers prepare for their underwater studies as part of the upcoming documentary, “Kimberly’s Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory”. Keeping Pets Safe from Cane Toads: The afternoon rain showers are bringing much needed relief from the heat, and also creating a perfect breeding ground for Cane toads. The invasive species are poisonous and an encounter with a household pet could prove deadly. Becca Morris, CEO of The Patty Baker Human Society, joins us to talk about how to keep your pets safe from a Cane toad encounter. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0Cp6fRia-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0Cp6fRia-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-16T20:22:46.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/finding-the-american-dream-in-southwest-florida/ 2026-09-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aTeBDw1G/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding the American Dream in Southwest Florida For many people in Southwest Florida, the golf course is a way to escape the toils of everyday life. But for the club superintendent at Bonita Bay, her path to managing five 18-hole championship golf courses is a reminder of the sanctuary the greens provide after fleeing her native Mexico years ago. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares how the superintendent made her way to Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aTeBDw1G-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aTeBDw1G-FdEsoD82.html 245 2026-09-16T12:55:58.000Z yes Culture Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/understanding-amendments-on-the-ballot/ 2026-09-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zHmVIfMW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding Amendments on the Ballot When Florida voters cast their ballots in the November election, they will be able to vote on three proposed constitutional amendments. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Sandy Parker, founder of the non-partisan election resource Sparker's Soapbox, to learn more about the topics ranging from tax exemptions to budget stabilization measures. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zHmVIfMW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zHmVIfMW-FdEsoD82.html 417 2026-09-16T12:55:40.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/affordability-issues-top-voter-priorities/ 2026-09-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TcrokQFh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Affordability Issues Top Voter Priorities With the general election now just seven weeks away, the broad issue of affordability is taking center stage in Florida's race for governor. Both the Republican candidate Byron Donalds and the Democratic candidate David Jolly are using it on the campaign trail and in political ads. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to discuss the candidates’ initiatives. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TcrokQFh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TcrokQFh-FdEsoD82.html 364 2026-09-16T12:55:24.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/shangri-la-springs-celebrates-centennial/ 2026-09-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Fka3L4jt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Shangri-La Springs Celebrates Centennial A Bonita Springs landmark hit a major milestone this year. A popular vacation spot since opening in 1926, Shangri-La Springs is celebrating its 100th anniversary. WGCU's Gaven Whidden looks back on how the property evolved. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Fka3L4jt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Fka3L4jt-FdEsoD82.html 110 2026-09-16T12:55:17.000Z yes FL Exploration History https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/finding-the-american-dream-affordability-issues-and-shangri-la-centennial/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rzyLP3Ni/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding the American Dream, Affordability Issues, and Shangri-La Centennial In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Affordability Issues Top Voter Priorities: With the general election now just seven weeks away, the broad issue of affordability is taking center stage in Florida's race for governor. Both the Republican candidate Byron Donalds and the Democratic candidate David Jolly are using it on the campaign trail and in political ads. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to discuss the candidates’ initiatives. Understanding Amendments on the Ballot: When Florida voters cast their ballots in the November election, they will be able to vote on three proposed constitutional amendments. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Sandy Parker, founder of the non-partisan election resource Sparker's Soapbox, to learn more about the topics ranging from tax exemptions to budget stabilization measures. Empty Nest Syndrome: As school picks up, some parents are sending their children off to college, leaving the family home behind. WGCUs Teddy Byrne and the Cleveland Clinic share what parents can do as their kids graduate into the next phase of their lives to manage empty nest syndrome. Shangri-La Springs Celebrates Centennial: A Bonita Springs landmark hit a major milestone this year. A popular vacation spot since opening in 1926, Shangri-La Springs is celebrating its 100th anniversary. WGCU's Gaven Whidden looks back on how the property evolved. Finding the American Dream in Southwest Florida: For many people in Southwest Florida, the golf course is a way to escape the toils of everyday life. But for the club superintendent at Bonita Bay, her path to managing five 18-hole championship golf courses is a reminder of the sanctuary the greens provide after fleeing her native Mexico years ago. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares how the superintendent made her way to Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rzyLP3Ni-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rzyLP3Ni-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-09-15T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/catching-cervical-cancer-early/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/A7uh03sK/poster.jpg?width=1920 Catching Cervical Cancer Early Fewer women are being screened for cervical cancer in an alarming trend raising concern among health experts. A recent study from JAMA, found that nearly one in three women ages 21 to 29 had never been screened for cervical cancer. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Rahma Mkuu, professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, about the importance of cervical cancer screenings. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/A7uh03sK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/A7uh03sK-FdEsoD82.html 401 2026-09-15T14:20:25.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/managing-wealth-in-southwest-florida/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ES9oolWE/poster.jpg?width=1920 Managing Wealth in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida has emerged as an increasingly affluent region, especially along the coastline. With more baby boomers arriving, there's a surge in companies offering wealth management for individuals looking to maintain their portfolios in real estate and other markets. WGCU's Mike Walcher joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for this week's business report. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ES9oolWE-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ES9oolWE-FdEsoD82.html 250 2026-09-15T14:20:11.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/financial-planning-for-the-future-H8pA0kU0/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/H8pA0kU0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Financial Planning for the Future America is preparing for a massive wave of adults nearing or entering retirement. WGCU's Teddy Byrne chats with J.J. Perez, Senior Vice President of Nationwide Strategic Customer Solutions, about why conversations around money are difficult and could leave members of Gen X and Millennials figuring out their future on their own. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H8pA0kU0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/H8pA0kU0-FdEsoD82.html 393 2026-09-15T14:19:55.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/education/literacy-program-teaches-the-whole-family/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Jd0j0t2d/poster.jpg?width=1920 Literacy Program Teaches the Whole Family Literacy is a growing concern in Florida, not just for students, but for adults as well. Social and economic factors can contribute to a phenomenon known as an intergenerational cycle of illiteracy. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Leah Mason, Executive Director of the Literacy Council Gulf Coast, about addressing this concern through a family driven learning environment. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Jd0j0t2d-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Jd0j0t2d-FdEsoD82.html 337 2026-09-15T14:19:40.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/catching-cervical-cancer-early-managing-wealth-and-adult-literacy-programs/ 2026-09-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TvOQNN3i/poster.jpg?width=1920 Catching Cervical Cancer Early, Managing Wealth, and Adult Literacy Programs In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Catching Cervical Cancer Early: Fewer women are being screened for cervical cancer in an alarming trend raising concern among health experts. A recent study from JAMA, found that nearly one in three women ages 21 to 29 had never been screened for cervical cancer. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Rahma Mkuu, professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine, about the importance of cervical cancer screenings. Managing Wealth in Southwest Florida: Southwest Florida has emerged as an increasingly affluent region, especially along the coastline. With more baby boomers arriving, there's a surge in companies offering wealth management for individuals looking to maintain their portfolios in real estate and other markets. WGCU's Mike Walcher joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for this week's business report. Financial Planning for the Future: America is preparing for a massive wave of adults nearing or entering retirement. WGCU's Teddy Byrne chats with J.J. Perez, Senior Vice President of Nationwide Strategic Customer Solutions, about why conversations around money are difficult and could leave members of Generation X and millennials figuring out their future on their own. Literacy Program Teaches the Whole Family: Literacy is a growing concern in Florida, not just for students, but for adults as well. Social and economic factors can contribute to a phenomenon known as an intergenerational cycle of illiteracy. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Leah Mason, executive director of the Literacy Council Gulf Coast, about addressing this concern through a family driven learning environment. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TvOQNN3i-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TvOQNN3i-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-14T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/recognizing-9-11-first-responders/ 2026-09-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PGQ85vmj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recognizing 9/11 First Responders 25 years ago, heroes emerged from the rubble after responding to multiple sites of the 2001 terrorist attacks. First responders who rushed to the scene that day have connection points with one another we may not realize. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall traces the effects of September 11 with first responders in Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PGQ85vmj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PGQ85vmj-FdEsoD82.html 618 2026-09-14T13:19:25.000Z yes History https://wgcuplus.org/news/veterans-find-community-at-swfl-gym/ 2026-09-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/J91Plk0L/poster.jpg?width=1920 Veterans Find Community at SWFL Gym The U.S. military began what the White House called the Global War on Terror after the September 11 attacks. It started with the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and led to a troop buildup in several Middle East countries that still exists. As today's veterans return home from their tours of duty, WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shows how Shark Bites Fitness partners with Home Base Florida Veteran and Family Care to help veterans adjust. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/J91Plk0L-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/J91Plk0L-FdEsoD82.html 159 2026-09-14T13:19:18.000Z yes History https://wgcuplus.org/news/memorial-stair-climb-honors-firefighters/ 2026-09-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HhJYPNSe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Memorial Stair Climb Honors Firefighters The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation established an event to honor the New York City firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In Charlotte County, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb challenges the public and first responders to climb 343 stairs in honor of each firefighter lost. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares the significance of the climb for participants. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HhJYPNSe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HhJYPNSe-FdEsoD82.html 175 2026-09-14T13:19:09.000Z yes History https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/honoring-9-11-first-responders-memorial-stair-climb-and-ground-zero-flag/ 2026-09-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GSSiJiuZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Honoring 9/11 First Responders, Memorial Stair Climb, and Ground Zero Flag In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Recognizing 9/11 First Responders: 25 years ago, heroes emerged from the rubble after responding to multiple sites of the 2001 terrorist attacks. First responders who rushed to the scene that day have connection points with one another we may not realize. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall traces the effects of September 11 with first responders in Southwest Florida. Memorial Stair Climb Honors Firefighters: The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation established an event to honor the New York City firefighters who gave the ultimate sacrifice while responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In Charlotte County, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb challenges the public and first responders to climb 343 stairs in honor of each firefighter lost. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares the significance of the climb for participants. Ensuring the Next Generation Never Forgets: While most older Americans recall exactly where they were 25 years ago, an entire generation has grown into adulthood and a younger generation is now in school with the knowledge they have about that fateful day learned mostly from news stories, their parents, social media, and history books. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin looks at how current educators are teaching their students about that day. Veterans Find Community at SWFL Gym: The U.S. military began what the White House called the Global War on Terror after the September 11 attacks. It started with the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and led to a troop buildup in several Middle East countries that still exists. As today's veterans return home from their tours of duty, WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shows how Shark Bites Fitness partners with Home Base Florida Veteran and Family Care to help veterans adjust. Recovering the Ground Zero Flag: Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, a part-time Southwest Florida… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GSSiJiuZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GSSiJiuZ-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-11T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/dr-douglas-keck-of-the-healthcare-network-s-pediatric-dental-program/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NXgc3kgI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dr. Douglas Keck of the Healthcare Network's Pediatric Dental Program Dr. Douglas Keck of the Healthcare Network's Pediatric Dental Program https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NXgc3kgI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NXgc3kgI-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-11T17:51:48.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/how-to-resist-poisonous-people-with-leanne-ten-brinke/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ijhkb962/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to resist poisonous people, with Leanne ten Brinke We throw around the word "psychopath" a lot. But how many of us really know what makes someone a psychopath? Leanne ten Brinke knows. Listen to our conversation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ijhkb962-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ijhkb962-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-11T16:50:36.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/florida-rep-opens-29th-season-with-forever-everly-the-everly-brothers-rockumenta/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Vnx5g6tu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Rep Opens 29th season with “Forever Everly: The Everly Brothers Rockumentary” Florida Repertory Theatre opens its 29th season with “Forever Everly: The Everly Brothers Rockumentary.” The show is a multimedia theater experience combining documentary film, biographical storytelling, and music performed live on stage and in synchronization with archival concert footage. We will talk with the performers and creators of the show, Jared Mancuso and Nick Gallardo. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Vnx5g6tu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Vnx5g6tu-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-11T16:49:19.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/beth-carter-bell-s-exhibit-diaphanous-vision-comes-to-the-sidney-and-berne-davis/ 2026-09-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5EBLMxWa/poster.jpg?width=1920 Beth Carter Bell’s exhibit “Diaphanous Vision” comes to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center Southwest Florida-based artist Beth Carter Bell has a new exhibition coming to the Grand Atrium gallery at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the downtown Fort Myers River District titled “Diaphanous Vision.” Ahead of the exhibit’s opening reception, Sept. 4, we take a deeper dive into the show and the Data-A aesthetic in which works in the show are grounded https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5EBLMxWa-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5EBLMxWa-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-09-11T16:48:06.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/diesel-prices-hit-record-high/ 2026-09-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Nb2gafNz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Diesel Prices Hit Record High The United States is seeing a record setting increase in the cost of diesel fuel. AAA reports that today's average price of a gallon of diesel fuel is almost $6, the highest average price ever recorded. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Victor Claar, Florida Gulf Coast University associate professor of economics, to explore how diesel prices impact consumers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Nb2gafNz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Nb2gafNz-FdEsoD82.html 373 2026-09-11T13:02:22.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/cochlear-implants-and-award-winners/ 2026-09-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tv4nPEKm/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cochlear Implants & Award Winners Cochlear implants have allowed more than a million people around the world to hear, some for the first time. The five pioneering researchers who made this possible are receiving the Merkin Prize in biomedical technology for their decades of work. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Michael Merzenich, a neuroscientist who helped make the implant possible. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tv4nPEKm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tv4nPEKm-FdEsoD82.html 324 2026-09-11T13:02:08.000Z yes Science / Tech Health https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/national-recovery-month/ 2026-09-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/60kVLJVw/poster.jpg?width=1920 National Recovery Month September marks National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to celebrating individuals in recovery and the professionals that make it possible. That includes the team at the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health in Naples that reports serving 9,000 people each year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Maggie Baldwin, director of the centers’ Crossroads Continuum program, about recognizing recovery efforts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/60kVLJVw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/60kVLJVw-FdEsoD82.html 298 2026-09-11T13:01:54.000Z yes Health / Aging Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/environment/citrus-industry-bounces-back/ 2026-09-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/znfUv0Xx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Citrus Industry Bounces Back There may be a bright spot in Southwest Florida's citrus industry. Numbers just came in for the most recent growing season, and the news contains a pleasant surprise for Florida growers. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Hall go over what's caused the boost in orange production. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/znfUv0Xx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/znfUv0Xx-FdEsoD82.html 362 2026-09-11T13:01:38.000Z yes Business / Economics Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/record-diesel-prices-citrus-industry-rebounds-and-national-recovery-month/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Ng2wTj6N/poster.jpg?width=1920 Record Diesel Prices, Citrus Industry Rebounds, and National Recovery Month In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Diesel Prices Hit Record High: The United States is seeing a record setting increase in the cost of diesel fuel. AAA reports that today's average price of a gallon of diesel fuel is almost $6, the highest average price ever recorded. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Victor Claar, Florida Gulf Coast University associate professor of economics, to explore how diesel prices impact consumers. Citrus Industry Bounces Back: There may be a bright spot in Southwest Florida's citrus industry. Numbers just came in for the most recent growing season, and the news contains a pleasant surprise for Florida growers. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Hall go over what's caused the boost in orange production. Cochlear Implants & Award Winners: Cochlear implants have allowed more than a million people around the world to hear, some for the first time. The five pioneering researchers who made this possible are receiving the Merkin Prize in biomedical technology for their decades of work. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Michael Merzenich, a neuroscientist who helped make the implant possible. National Recovery Month: September marks National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to celebrating individuals in recovery and the professionals that make it possible. That includes the team at the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health in Naples that reports serving 9,000 people each year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Maggie Baldwin, director of the centers’ Crossroads Continuum program, about recognizing recovery efforts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Ng2wTj6N-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Ng2wTj6N-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-10T20:39:17.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/gulf-coast-life-book-club-pamela-colloff/ 2026-09-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6Ickow28/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gulf Coast Life: Book Club - Pamela Colloff Catch the Devil by journalist Pamela Colloff highlights the potentially fatal consequences of a system more concerned with securing convictions than determining the truth and delivering justice. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6Ickow28-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6Ickow28-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-09-10T14:25:34.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/shark-paleontology-researcher-documents-45-distinct-species-off-venice-beach/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/R44vnSgD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Shark paleontology researcher documents 45 distinct species off Venice Beach Venice Beach is often referred to as the shark teeth capital of the world, but there had never been formal, peer reviewed documentation until a Florida Gulf Coast University professor published a paper breaking down what he and his students found beneath the waters there. The Venice shark and ray assemblage contains 45 species identified from their fossil teeth, all collected by Dr. Harry Maisch, Assistant Professor of Earth Science in the Department of Marine & Earth Sciences in The Water School at FGCU. We learn about his research, and this area's fascinating geologic past. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/R44vnSgD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/R44vnSgD-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-09-10T14:23:45.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/what-are-cottage-foods-and-what-s-allowed-under-florida-law/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Yyl2WVXw/poster.jpg?width=1920 What are 'cottage foods' and what's allowed under Florida law? Cottage food laws are what create the rules under which people can make certain kinds of food products in their home kitchens and then sell them without a commercial kitchen license or a state inspection or traditional food permits. Primary examples are baked goods like bread, or jams or honey. A 2021 law expanded the rules, and the cottage food industry nationwide has grown in the past decade or so, wo learn about how Florida's laws work, what people interested in selling their home homemade products should know, and why more people are choosing cottage food sales as a side hustle. Our guests are Dr. Stephanie Brown and Jen Hagen, both agents with UF/IFAS. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Yyl2WVXw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Yyl2WVXw-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-09-10T14:21:50.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/floridians-for-democracy-hosts-rally-for-hope-to-promote-voter-participation-and/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hGAUnz1r/poster.jpg?width=1920 Floridians for Democracy hosts Rally for Hope to promote voter participation & civic engagement The nonpartisan nonprofit, Floridians for Democracy, is holding a Rally for Hope on Saturday, Aug. 29. They chose the date to coincide with the anniversary of the historic March on Washington that brought about 250,000 people to Washington, D.C. in 1963 to advocate for the civil and economic rights of Black Americans. Organizers say it’s meant to be a nonpartisan gathering rather than a protest, with a focus on promoting voter participation & civic engagement, and the moral traditions of the civil rights movement. We talk with FFD co-founder, Jim Nathan, and one of the event planners, Sonya McCarter, founder of Bridging the Gap Center for the Arts in Fort Myers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hGAUnz1r-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hGAUnz1r-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-09-10T14:20:05.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/a-conversation-with-the-cast-of-theatre-conspiracy-s-production-of-the-laugh-out/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ccwTRAq2/poster.jpg?width=1920 A conversation with the cast of Theatre Conspiracy’s production of the laugh-out-loud comedy “What Springs Forth” Theatre Conspiracy is closing it’s the summer season with a production of Carey Crim’s comedy “What Springs Forth.” We’ll talk with cast members Tiffany Campbell, Anne Reed, and Lucy Sundby. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ccwTRAq2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ccwTRAq2-FdEsoD82.html 1411 2026-09-10T14:18:15.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/new-book-highlights-the-0-1-of-old-growth-cypress-swamps-left-in-the-american-so/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/X8OXsT3f/poster.jpg?width=1920 New book highlights the 0.1% of old-growth cypress swamps left in the American South Mac Stone is an award-winning conservation photographer and a National Geographic Explorer. His work focuses on swamps and wetlands — he says he's trying to change public opinion towards these often misunderstood and maligned ecosystems. We discuss his new book is "Cypress: The Last Old-Growth Swamps" which is filled with photographs of the American South’s ancient wetlands and intricate webs of life that grow beneath ancient cypress canopies, including Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/X8OXsT3f-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/X8OXsT3f-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-09-10T14:16:32.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life GCL https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-debrief-from-kimberly-s-reef-saving-coral/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jWeZa6qO/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Debrief From Kimberly’s Reef: Saving Coral Florida's coral reefs are under attack from a destructive disease with a 90% mortality rate. WGCU's Pam James shares how scientists are learning to fight the illness and protect coral in the latest dispatch from WGCU’s upcoming documentary, “Kimberly’s Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory,” premiering Thursday, Oct. 1. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jWeZa6qO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jWeZa6qO-FdEsoD82.html 207 2026-09-10T13:41:07.000Z yes WGCU Environment SouthwestFlorida Science Coral Kimberly’sReef https://wgcuplus.org/news/platforms-and-priorities-in-the-florida-governor-s-race/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ufJbgV9A/poster.jpg?width=1920 Platforms And Priorities In The Florida Governor’s Race A recent update of political polls compiled by statistician Nate Silver shows that the Republican nominee for Florida governor Byron Donalds has a 3.8% lead over Democratic nominee David Jolly. Consensus polls reveal the governor's race could be tighter than expected. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Sandy Parker, creator of election resource Sparker's Soapbox, about the priorities of both candidates. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ufJbgV9A-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ufJbgV9A-FdEsoD82.html 362 2026-09-10T13:33:21.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Politics 2026GeneralElection Governor https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/post-partum-depression-vs-psychosis/ 2026-09-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OXcNHlUh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Post-Partum Depression Vs. Psychosis The high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy has placed the mental health of new mothers in the spotlight. Clancy admitted killing her three young children, but her lawyer says Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Kathleen Nealon, a clinical social worker at the David Lawrence Centers, to learn why learn more about this diagnosis. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OXcNHlUh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OXcNHlUh-FdEsoD82.html 402 2026-09-10T13:24:47.000Z yes Culture WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida DavidLawernceCenters PostPartumDepression https://wgcuplus.org/news/post-partum-depression-florida-governor-s-race-and-saving-coral-reefs-9-9-2026-w/ 2026-09-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qvsgm0ls/poster.jpg?width=1920 Post-Partum Depression, Florida Governor’s Race, and Saving Coral Reefs | 9-9-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Post-Partum Depression vs. Psychosis: The high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy has placed the mental health of new mothers in the spotlight. Clancy admitted killing her three young children, but her lawyer says Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Kathleen Nealon, a clinical social worker at the David Lawrence Centers, to learn why learn more about this diagnosis. U.S. Vs. Canada Tariffs: The trade war between the United States and Canada is heating up. The latest economic strike came when the White House said it is banning dairy products, most alcoholic beverages, and some motorcycles from Canada. Luke Garatt of the Associated Press explains what this means for your bank account. Platforms and Priorities in the Florida Governor’s Race: A recent update of political polls compiled by statistician Nate Silver shows that the Republican nominee for Florida governor Byron Donalds has a 3.8% lead over Democratic nominee David Jolly. Consensus polls reveal the governor's race could be tighter than expected. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Sandy Parker, creator of election resource Sparker's Soapbox, about the priorities of both candidates. A Debrief from Kimberly’s Reef: Saving Coral. Florida's coral reefs are under attack from a destructive disease with a 90% mortality rate. WGCU's Pam James shares how scientists are learning to fight the illness and protect coral in the latest dispatch from WGCU’s upcoming documentary, “Kimberly’s Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory,” premiering Thursday, Oct. 1. Florida Road Trip Explores Collier County: From sprawling beaches to amazing tourist attractions, Florida is the perfect place to get lost in the local activities. But falling between the cracks are some of the more curious and amazing travel destinations. Scott Fais shows off some what he found in Collier County as… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qvsgm0ls-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qvsgm0ls-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-09T20:09:29.000Z yes WGCU Health Environment SouthwestFlorida Politics CollierCounty 2026GeneralElection Canada Coral DavidLawernceCenters FLExploration FloridaRoadTrip Governor Kimberly’sReef PostPartumDepression Tariff Trade https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/collier-county-s-first-ocean-rescue-tower/ 2026-09-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Rn50LrSj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Collier County’s First Ocean Rescue Tower Construction continues in Southwest Florida, this time with the first permanent lifeguard watch tower on a Collier County beach. As WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports, the idea to build the rescue tower started with a middle school student working on his Eagle Scout project. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Rn50LrSj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Rn50LrSj-FdEsoD82.html 178 2026-09-09T12:59:07.000Z yes Public Affairs Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/apartment-vacancies-on-the-rise/ 2026-09-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dDdX6hl3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Apartment Vacancies on the Rise If you are looking for an apartment in Southwest Florida or considering moving from one apartment to another, this may be a good time to do so. For those in the commercial real estate renting business, they say at least one out of five units is vacant, and in some buildings, it may be closer to one out of three. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher explores what this means for renters in this week's business report. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dDdX6hl3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dDdX6hl3-FdEsoD82.html 204 2026-09-09T12:58:53.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/day-of-mourning-in-nepal/ 2026-09-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bBxqvhha/poster.jpg?width=1920 Day of Mourning in Nepal In Nepal, rescue teams are working around the clock to find any survivors of the catastrophic flooding. 1,300 people have been killed and thousands are still missing. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Prem Chapagain, a professor at Florida International University, who is leading students on an annual trip to Nepal. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bBxqvhha-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bBxqvhha-FdEsoD82.html 423 2026-09-09T12:58:24.000Z yes Culture Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/collier-s-first-ocean-rescue-tower-nepal-in-mourning-and-apartment-rentals/ 2026-09-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MZeyE5tL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Collier's First Ocean Rescue Tower, Nepal in Mourning, and Apartment Rentals In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Apartment Vacancies on the Rise: If you are looking for an apartment in Southwest Florida or considering moving from one apartment to another, this may be a good time to do so. For those in the commercial real estate renting business, they say at least one out of five units is vacant, and in some buildings, it may be closer to one out of three. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher explores what this means for renters in this week's business report. Collier County’s First Ocean Rescue Tower: Construction continues in Southwest Florida, this time with the first permanent lifeguard watch tower on a Collier County beach. As WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports, the idea to build the rescue tower started with a middle school student working on his Eagle Scout project. Day of Mourning in Nepal: In Nepal, rescue teams are working around the clock to find any survivors of the catastrophic flooding. 1,300 people have been killed and thousands are still missing. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Prem Chapagain, a professor at Florida International University, who is leading students on an annual trip to Nepal. Benefits of Red-Light Therapy: Across social media, influencers are wearing LED masks to promote the benefits of red-light therapy on your skin. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's a type of treatment that dates back to NASA, helping plants grow in space and astronauts heal wounds. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne examines the effects of red-light therapy, from mild hair loss to reducing wrinkles. How Social Media Influences Men’s Mental Health: A growing number of health care devices are being marketed directly to men, and a new survey shows just how much influence social media has on men's health. WGCU’s Teddy Byne and the Cleveland Clinic break down the surprising findings. The Value of an Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis: September is world Alzheimer’s month, an international campaign to… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MZeyE5tL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MZeyE5tL-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-08T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/dining-donations-support-students/ 2026-09-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OQ7sRVnF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dining Donations Support Students As tourism slows and students are back in school, September is historically the slowest month of the year for the restaurant industry. But one annual event is celebrating a milestone for bringing customers to the table for a good cause. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne takes a look at Sizzle Dining, a month-long dining event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OQ7sRVnF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OQ7sRVnF-FdEsoD82.html 288 2026-09-08T15:52:16.000Z yes Culture Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/keeping-property-mosquito-free/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EXkF3wI7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Keeping Property Mosquito-Free Checking Your Backyard for Mosquitoes: If you're out having a holiday celebration, there may be two worries regarding your outdoor plans- rain and mosquitoes. Southwest Florida is in peak mosquito season with daily rain showers, high heat, and humidity. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Ivan Starkey, Director of Operations with Fort Myers Pest Control, about how residents can check their properties for mosquitoes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EXkF3wI7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EXkF3wI7-FdEsoD82.html 308 2026-09-08T13:00:00.000Z yes Health / Aging WGCU Health Environment SouthwestFlorida FortMyersPestControl Mosquito https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/free-ride-program-improves-maternity-care-access/ 2026-09-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pl72oa2Q/poster.jpg?width=1920 Free Ride Program Improves Maternity Care Access A non-profit called Green Cars for kids aims to increase access to health care for underserved pregnant women. That includes some mothers in Hendry County, who need to get to doctors’ appointments on the East Coast. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Dr. Catherine Toms, president of Green Cars for Kids, about the critical gap in access to health care for disadvantaged mothers and children. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pl72oa2Q-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pl72oa2Q-FdEsoD82.html 373 2026-09-08T12:51:12.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/the-price-of-owning-a-pet/ 2026-09-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ukpj28Eg/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Price of Owning a Pet The pet business industry has been booming in recent years with products promoting everything from strength training to up-scale dog water bowls. WGCU's Kate Cronin sits down with Dr. Kelly Fishman, founder of Strut Animal Mobility, for more on what products may be worth the extra money for your furry family members. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ukpj28Eg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ukpj28Eg-FdEsoD82.html 277 2026-09-08T12:50:29.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/who-is-most-vulnerable-to-heat-exhaustion/ 2026-09-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7HvaaJqi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Who is Most Vulnerable to Heat Exhaustion? Labor Day is known as the final celebration of summer, and many gatherings over the weekend will include backyard barbeques or trips to the beach. But festivities in Florida come with the risk of over-exposure to the extreme heat. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with John McKinnon, executive director of the American Red Cross South Florida Region, about what groups are most vulnerable to heat exhaustion. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7HvaaJqi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7HvaaJqi-FdEsoD82.html 336 2026-09-08T12:49:59.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment https://wgcuplus.org/news/keeping-property-mosquito-free-finding-employment-and-women-in-construction-9-7-/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kg0Z7JRS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Keeping Property Mosquito-Free, Finding Employment, and Women in Construction | 9-7-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Keeping Your Property Mosquito-Free: If you're out having a holiday celebration, there may be two worries regarding your outdoor plans- rain and mosquitoes. Southwest Florida is in peak mosquito season with daily rain showers, high heat, and humidity. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Ivan Starkey, Director of Operations with Fort Myers Pest Control, about how residents can check their properties for mosquitoes. Finding Employment is Better Together: The Florida Department of Commerce estimates that over 520,000 Floridians are jobless. To help people find jobs, non-profit groups such as Better Together are organizing events that directly connect job seekers with employers. WGCU's Amanda Inscore-Whittamore reports on Better Together’s job fair. Remediating High Blood Pressure: Nearly half of all American adults are living with high blood pressure. According to the CDC, only 22% of those affected have their condition properly under control. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks to Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli about life changes people can make to lower their risk of high blood pressure. Building Stress Resilience: Since 1949, May has been celebrated as Mental Health Awareness Month to fight stigmas and help educate the public on mental health needs. In the years since, many changes have impacted professionals trying to practice more mindfulness in a stressful world. That includes lawyers. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park talked with attorneys that are trying to manage their stress. Breaking the Glass Ceiling in the Construction Industry: The construction industry has been male-dominated for generations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says women make up only 11% of the construction workforce. But that is changing in Fort Myers. WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports on new programs introducing women to the industry. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kg0Z7JRS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kg0Z7JRS-FdEsoD82.html 1506 2026-09-07T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Construction Employment MentalHealth GoodWorks BetterTogether BloodPressure FortMyersPestControl Hypertension Mosquito Skanska Stress Wellness Women https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/i-75-expansion-noise-concerns-maternity-care-access-and-the-price-of-a-pet/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Z44JzO6D/poster.jpg?width=1920 I-75 Expansion Noise Concerns, Maternity Care Access, and the Price of a Pet In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Who is Most Vulnerable to Heat Exhaustion?: Labor Day is known as the final celebration of summer, and many gatherings over the weekend will include backyard barbeques or trips to the beach. But festivities in Florida come with the risk of over-exposure to the extreme heat. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with John McKinnon, executive director of the American Red Cross South Florida Region, about what groups are most vulnerable to heat exhaustion. The Price of Owning a Pet: The pet business industry has been booming in recent years with products promoting everything from strength training to up-scale dog water bowls. WGCU's Kate Cronin sits down with Dr. Kelly Fishman, founder of Strut Animal Mobility, for more on what products may be worth the extra money for your furry family members. Interstate 75 Expansion Raises Noise Concerns: We're learning more about the Florida Department of Transportation's plans to widen Interstate 75 from Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County to Alico Road in Lee County. WGCU's Kate Cronin looks at the expansion and why residents are concerned about noise. Free Ride Program Improves Maternity Care Access: A non-profit called Green Cars for kids aims to increase access to health care for underserved pregnant women. That includes some mothers in Hendry County, who need to get to doctors’ appointments on the East Coast. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Dr. Catherine Toms, president of Green Cars for Kids, about the critical gap in access to health care for disadvantaged mothers and children. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z44JzO6D-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Z44JzO6D-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-04T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/making-murals-that-withstand-a-hurricane/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zUGdVZVy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Making Murals that Withstand a Hurricane Residential neighborhoods and business districts are using murals to transform buildings and entire neighborhoods into historic and cultural landmarks. But buildings and walls can be compromised by the elements, including hurricanes. WGCU’s Tom Hall explains why the Punta Gorda Mural Society has decided not to paint murals directly on buildings or walls in favor of a new method. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zUGdVZVy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zUGdVZVy-FdEsoD82.html 279 2026-09-04T12:40:01.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/jazz-collective-honors-artists/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/t0y5liYS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Jazz Collective Honors Artists Over the past few years, jazz music has had a bit of a renaissance due in part to a younger audience gaining interest in the genre. That includes Southwest Florida, where jazz lovers can listen to live performances in Fort Myers from the Gulf Coast Jazz collective. WGCU’s Tom Hall talks about the iconic artists the collective is paying tribute to. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/t0y5liYS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/t0y5liYS-FdEsoD82.html 329 2026-09-04T12:39:47.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/environment/saving-cypress-swamps/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yLgvGWbZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Saving Cypress Swamps More than 100 years ago, 40 million acres of cypress swamps stretched across the United States. Today, a mere fraction of it remains. A new book captures stunning images of the dwindling natural habitat. WGCU’s Gulf Coast Life Host Mike Kiniry catches up with Mac Stone, an award-winning conservation photographer, to learn why he’s working to save cypress swamps. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yLgvGWbZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yLgvGWbZ-FdEsoD82.html 356 2026-09-04T12:39:32.000Z yes Environment / Nature Regional https://wgcuplus.org/environment/understanding-nepal-flooding/ 2026-09-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qh40OXtZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding Nepal Flooding More than a thousand people have died following severe flash flooding on the Nepal-China border, as of this recording. Rescue efforts remain underway as nearly 4,300 people remain unaccounted for. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Sanam Aksha, who grew up in Nepal and is now a professor at the University of Central Florida, about the impact on his homeland. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qh40OXtZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qh40OXtZ-FdEsoD82.html 412 2026-09-04T12:39:13.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/nepal-flooding-murals-that-withstand-a-hurricane-and-saving-cypress-swamps/ 2026-09-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/q6khSItO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Nepal Flooding, Murals that Withstand a Hurricane, and Saving Cypress Swamps In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Understanding Nepal Flooding: More than a thousand people have died following severe flash flooding on the Nepal-China border. Rescue efforts remain underway as nearly 4,500 people remain unaccounted for. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Sanam Aksha, who grew up in Nepal and is now a professor at the University of Central Florida, about the impact on his homeland. Jazz Collective Honors Artists: Over the past few years, jazz music has had a bit of a renaissance due in part to a younger audience gaining interest in the genre. That includes Southwest Florida, where jazz lovers can listen to live performances in Fort Myers from the Gulf Coast Jazz collective. WGCU’s Tom Hall shares the iconic artists the collective is paying tribute to. Making Murals that Withstand a Hurricane: Residential neighborhoods business districts are using murals to transform buildings and entire neighborhoods into historic and cultural landmarks. But buildings and walls can be compromised by the elements, including hurricanes. WGCU’s Tom Hall explains why the Punta Gorda Mural Society has decided not to paint murals on buildings or walls in favor of a new method. Saving Cypress Swamps: More than 100 years ago, 40 million acres of cypress swamps stretched across the United States. Today, a mere fraction of it remains. A new book captures stunning images of the dwindling natural habitats. WGCU’s Gulf Coast Life Host Mike Kiniry catches up with Mac Stone, an award-winning conservation photographer, to learn why he’s fighting for cypress swamps. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/q6khSItO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/q6khSItO-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-03T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/coastal-corridor-built-underwater/ 2026-09-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/agHkO1uJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Coastal Corridor Built Underwater In 2021, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act was passed, protecting 18 million acres of connected green spaces. Now the same group behind the wildlife corridor is looking to do something similar offshore. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles to learn why we have the Florida wildlife corridor on land, but everything can be more difficult at sea. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/agHkO1uJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/agHkO1uJ-FdEsoD82.html 310 2026-09-03T12:56:47.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/education/lee-county-schools-among-healthiest-in-america/ 2026-09-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pK3PUr6V/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lee County Schools Among Healthiest in America Three Lee County schools are ranked among the “healthiest” in America, according to Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Sunshine Elementary, Harns Marsh Elementary, and Harns Marsh Middle School are each named among “America's healthiest schools.” WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster finds out why this recognition is important to students and staff. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pK3PUr6V-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pK3PUr6V-FdEsoD82.html 231 2026-09-03T12:56:29.000Z yes Health / Aging Education https://wgcuplus.org/education/breaking-the-cycle-of-poverty-with-trade-education/ 2026-09-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RUxgbe55/poster.jpg?width=1920 Breaking the Cycle of Poverty with Trade Education Trade school enrollment across the state has been on the rise in recent years. For anyone in Southwest Florida looking to start a new career path, there's a new option; the Heights CareerTech Institute in Lee County. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher shares how a community group saw a need and responded. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RUxgbe55-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RUxgbe55-FdEsoD82.html 198 2026-09-03T12:56:16.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/environment/tropical-storms-and-hurricane-season/ 2026-09-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/gGaYTgkS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tropical Storms and Hurricane Season After a quiet start to the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the gulf is getting its first taste of wet weather. The remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly slowly made their way across the Atlantic and are expected to bring additional rain throughout our area. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford asks Megan Borowski, senior meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, if this is finally the start of the rainy season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gGaYTgkS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/gGaYTgkS-FdEsoD82.html 357 2026-09-03T12:55:50.000Z yes Environment / Nature Weather Hurricane forecast 2026 https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/tropical-storms-breaking-the-poverty-cycle-and-building-a-coastal-corridor/ 2026-09-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bUyyuzqm/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tropical Storms, Breaking the Poverty Cycle, and Building a Coastal Corridor In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Tropical Storms and Hurricane Season: After a quiet start to the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the gulf is getting its first taste of wet weather. The remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly slowly made their way across the Atlantic and are expected to bring additional rain throughout our area. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford asks Megan Borowski, senior meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, if this is finally the start of the rainy season. Breaking the Cycle of Poverty with Trade Education: Trade school enrollment across the state has been on the rise in recent years. For anyone in Southwest Florida looking to start a new career path, there's a new option; the Heights CareerTech Institute in Lee County. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher shares how a community group saw a need and responded. Lee County Schools Among Healthiest in America: Three Lee County schools are ranked among the “healthiest” in America, according to Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Sunshine Elementary, Harns Marsh Elementary, and Harns Marsh Middle School are each named among “America's healthiest schools.” WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster finds out why this recognition is important to students and staff. Coastal Corridor Built Underwater: In 2021, the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act was passed, protecting 18 million acres of connected green spaces. Now the same group behind the wildlife corridor is looking to do something similar offshore. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles to learn why we have the Florida wildlife corridor on land, but everything can be more difficult at sea. A Brief from Kimberly’s Reef: Coral are a foundational species that build and sustain entire aquatic ecosystems in the Caribbean. However, according to NOAA, species like staghorn have seen a 97% population decline since the 1980s. Researchers with… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bUyyuzqm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bUyyuzqm-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-02T20:11:44.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/psychedelics-and-managing-ptsd/ 2026-09-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kjTaegH9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Psychedelics and Managing PTSD Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order accelerating research and the federal review process for psychedelic treatments. At the center of the order was the goal to eliminate red tape and promote access to the drugs to help veterans. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Dr. Alan Davis, director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at Ohio State University, about how this can help treat PTSD symptoms. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kjTaegH9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kjTaegH9-FdEsoD82.html 367 2026-09-02T12:44:52.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/25th-anniversary-of-9-11/ 2026-09-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MF5fgWF0/poster.jpg?width=1920 25th Anniversary of 9/11 This month will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On September 11, The Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda is holding a commemoration ceremony to honor the nearly 3,000 people who died. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Isaac James, executive director of the Military Heritage Museum, to learn more about their upcoming event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MF5fgWF0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MF5fgWF0-FdEsoD82.html 334 2026-09-02T12:44:27.000Z yes Culture History https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/encouraging-voter-turnout-for-general-elections/ 2026-09-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nGBPZeyO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Encouraging Voter Turnout for General Elections It was 63 years ago when tens of thousands of Americans arrived in the nation's capital to fight for equal rights at the March on Washington. In remembrance of that historic rally, people from all walks of life gathered in Fort Myers at the Rally of Hope. WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor attended the gathering hosted by Floridians for Democracy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nGBPZeyO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nGBPZeyO-FdEsoD82.html 230 2026-09-02T12:44:12.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/grand-jury-investigates-desantis-administration-funds/ 2026-09-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AdGmECfm/poster.jpg?width=1920 Grand Jury Investigates Desantis Administration Funds A grand jury report leaked to CBS News Miami is shaking up Florida's political landscape prior to the November general election. CBS News Miami says according to the sealed grand jury report, the Desantis Administration “misappropriated” $10 million of Medicaid settlement money, but decided there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis breaks down the investigation with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AdGmECfm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AdGmECfm-FdEsoD82.html 435 2026-09-02T12:43:38.000Z yes Politics / Legal Political analysis https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/jury-investigates-state-funds-psychedelics-and-ptsd-and-encouraging-voters/ 2026-09-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/S0H0R1jc/poster.jpg?width=1920 Jury Investigates State Funds, Psychedelics and PTSD, and Encouraging Voters In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Grand Jury Investigates Desantis Administration Funds: A grand jury report leaked to CBS News Miami is shaking up Florida's political landscape prior to the November general election. CBS News Miami says according to the sealed grand jury report, the Desantis Administration “misappropriated” $10 million of Medicaid settlement money, but decided there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis breaks down the investigation with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. 25th Anniversary of 9/11: This month will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On September 11, The Military Heritage Museum in Punta Gorda is holding a commemoration ceremony to honor the nearly 3,000 people who died. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Isaac James, executive director of the Military Heritage Museum, to learn more about their upcoming event. Psychedelics and Managing PTSD: Earlier this year, President Trump signed an executive order accelerating research and the federal review process for psychedelic treatments. At the center of the order was the goal to eliminate red tape and promote access to the drugs to help veterans. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Dr. Alan Davis, director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at Ohio State University, about how thcan treat PTSD symptoms. Encouraging Voter Turnout for General Elections: It was 63 years ago when tens of thousands of Americans descended on the nation's capital to fight for equal rights for all at the March on Washington. In remembrance of that historic march, people from all walks of life gathered in Fort Myers at the Rally of Hope. WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor attends the gathering hosted by Floridians for Democracy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/S0H0R1jc-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/S0H0R1jc-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-09-01T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/tariffs-on-canada-spark-trade-war/ 2026-09-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0E6Wo5sW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tariffs on Canada Spark Trade War As the trade war between the United States and Canada heats up, economists say you might want to brace yourself for higher prices for everything from honey and hockey sticks to building supplies and steel. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with FGCU Economics Professor Victor Claar about the 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods that went into effect August 22. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0E6Wo5sW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0E6Wo5sW-FdEsoD82.html 422 2026-09-01T12:56:44.000Z yes Business / Economics Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/pool-champion-shoots-for-national-title/ 2026-09-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/D8sUr3Rx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Pool Champion Shoots for National Title This athlete doesn't compete on the track or in the gym. Instead, she's throwing down in the pool hall. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge visits Megan Englehart, a billiards player who is shooting for the USA Pool League National Championship. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/D8sUr3Rx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/D8sUr3Rx-FdEsoD82.html 185 2026-09-01T12:56:34.000Z yes Culture https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/the-pathway-to-addiction-recovery/ 2026-09-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/grD7R0Mx/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Pathway to Addiction Recovery The DEA says fentanyl is one-hundred times more potent than morphine. Just a tiny amount, barely enough to cover the tip of a pencil, can be deadly. The tragedy of those deaths hit close to home for Al Kinkle, a Fort Myers resident who channeled his grief into the creation of Kimmie’s Recovery Zone. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explores multiple pathways to recovery the non-profit offers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/grD7R0Mx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/grD7R0Mx-FdEsoD82.html 358 2026-09-01T12:56:16.000Z yes Health / Aging Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/tariffs-on-canada-addiction-recovery-and-pool-champion-shoots-for-title/ 2026-08-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iRKRplwR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tariffs on Canada, Addiction Recovery, and Pool Champion Shoots for Title In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Tariffs on Canada Spark Trade War: As the trade war between the United States and Canada heats up, economists say you might want to brace yourself for higher prices for everything from honey and hockey sticks to building supplies and steel. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with FGCU Economics Professor Victor Claar about the 50% tariff on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods that went into effect August 22. The Pathway to Addiction Recovery: The DEA says fentanyl is one-hundred times more potent than morphine. Just a tiny amount, barely enough to cover the tip of a pencil, can be deadly. The tragedy of those deaths hit close to home for Al Kinkle, a Fort Myers resident who channeled his grief into the creation of Kimmie’s Recovery Zone. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explores multiple pathways to recovery the non-profit offers. Independent Film Industry Skyrockets: The independent film industry is dominating the big screen, with the market expected to nearly double by the year 2034, according to global research firm TrendX Insights. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Erika Burke Rossa, an independent filmmaker whose first feature film recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Her production is adapted from a 2014 children's novel by Ann M. Martin, called “Rain Reign.” Pool Champion Shoots for National Title: This athlete doesn't compete on the track or in the gym. Instead, she's throwing down in the pool hall. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge visits Megan Englehart, a billiards player who is shooting for the USA Pool League National Championship. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iRKRplwR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iRKRplwR-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-08-31T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/clear-the-shelters-event-helps-animals-find-homes/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KmwMvFru/poster.jpg?width=1920 Clear the Shelters Event Helps Animals Find Homes Over 600,000 dogs and cats are brought into Florida animal shelters every year according to the University of Florida's Shelter Medicine Program. Now, Southwest Florida shelters are taking part in the nationwide initiative called "Clear the Shelters." WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor shows how the event helps encourage more adoptions and find animals their forever homes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KmwMvFru-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KmwMvFru-FdEsoD82.html 139 2026-08-28T20:25:24.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/keeping-your-pet-passengers-safe-on-the-road/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PtGkD3bH/poster.jpg?width=1920 Keeping Your Pet Passengers Safe on the Road After bringing your furry companion home, there's another step in keeping them safe. In a survey from AAA, 92% of participants said that restraints for a pet in the car are important, but 1 in 4 admitted to letting their dog ride loose while on the road. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Mark Jenkins, a AAA spokesperson, about the importance of securing your pet before getting in the driver's seat. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PtGkD3bH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PtGkD3bH-FdEsoD82.html 257 2026-08-28T20:25:12.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/education/recovering-from-loss-with-valerie-s-house/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/v3iy1bou/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recovering from Loss with Valerie’s House Sunday, August 30, is National Grief Awareness Day. For two students at FGCU, the start of a new school year comes at a time when grieving the loss of a loved one is still fresh. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares their stories and speaks with Keri Tutterow, the program director of Valerie’s House, a charitable organization dedicated to helping children through loss. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/v3iy1bou-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/v3iy1bou-FdEsoD82.html 550 2026-08-28T20:24:48.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/remembering-dolly-parton/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TyNPiMsd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Remembering Dolly Parton The world lost a music icon with the passing of Dolly Parton at the age of 80. People from all over the world are paying tribute, including one Southwest Floridian, who is sharing a very personal remembrance of the superstar. WGCU’s Tom Hall tells Jennifer Crawford about his conversation with Charlie Blum, a concert promoter who worked with Parton. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TyNPiMsd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TyNPiMsd-FdEsoD82.html 199 2026-08-28T20:24:39.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/rain-season-fails-to-put-out-wildfire-fears/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8oxK02XO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rain Season Fails to Put Out Wildfire Fears Most years, by the time we reach August, the summer rainy season is enough to quell most wildfires. However, 2026 has been nearly as dry as last year. That increases the risk of additional wildfires throughout the region. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles about drought conditions. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8oxK02XO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8oxK02XO-FdEsoD82.html 248 2026-08-28T20:24:26.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/rain-season-and-wildfire-fears-clear-the-shelters-and-recovering-from-loss/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2G7egtup/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rain Season & Wildfire Fears, Clear the Shelters, and Recovering from Loss In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Rain Season Fails to Put Out Wildfire Fears: Most years, by the time we reach August, the summer rainy season is enough to quell most wildfires. However, 2026 has been nearly as dry as last year. That increases the risk of additional wildfires throughout the region. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles about drought conditions. Clear the Shelters Event Helps Animals Find Homes: Over 600,000 dogs and cats are brought into Florida animal shelters every year according to the University of Florida's Shelter Medicine Program. Now, Southwest Florida shelters are taking part in the nationwide initiative called "Clear the Shelters." WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor shows how the event helps encourage more adoptions and find animals their forever homes. Keeping Your Pet Passengers Safe on the Road: After bringing your furry companion home, there's another step in keeping them safe. In a survey from AAA, 92% of participants said that restraints for a pet in the car are important, but 1 in 4 admitted to letting their dog ride loose while on the road. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Mark Jenkins, a AAA spokesperson, about the importance of securing your pet before getting in the driver's seat. Recovering from Loss with Valerie’s House: Sunday, August 30, is National Grief Awareness Day. For two students at FGCU, the start of a new school year comes at a time when grieving the loss of a loved one is still fresh. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares their stories and speaks with Keri Tutterow, the program director of Valerie’s House, a charitable organization dedicated to helping children through loss. Remembering Dolly Parton: The world lost a music icon with the passing of Dolly Parton at the age of 80. People from all over the world are paying tribute, including one Southwest Floridian, who is sharing a very personal remembrance… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2G7egtup-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2G7egtup-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-28T20:08:54.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/all-eyes-on-eagles/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KxxGRyR1/poster.jpg?width=1920 All Eyes on Eagles Audubon Florida says at least 1,500 eagle nesting pairs live in the Sunshine State. Despite the upward trend in the number of eagles, threats to the protected species are of concern. Audubon Florida says recently in Collier County, a roofing company and two homeowners were fined for roof work within a buffer zone of an active bald eagle nest. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Audubon EagleWatch Program Director Cheryl Merz about how these regulations can help the eagle population rebound. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KxxGRyR1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KxxGRyR1-FdEsoD82.html 333 2026-08-28T12:45:53.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/news/armadillos-connected-to-leprosy-cases/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/sCoXxP9H/poster.jpg?width=1920 Armadillos Connected to Leprosy Cases The Florida Department of Health has confirmed 19 cases of leprosy this year, on pace to pass the modern high of 39 cases from 2025. The National Institutes of Health says nine-banded armadillos naturally carry the bacteria that transmits leprosy, which can be spread through soil or direct contact. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Juan Campos Krauer, professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, to explore the connection between armadillos and leprosy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/sCoXxP9H-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sCoXxP9H-FdEsoD82.html 358 2026-08-28T12:45:22.000Z yes Health Environment https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/legacy-motown-showcases-soul-music-icons/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5zPtOUlx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Legacy Motown Showcases Soul Music Icons It was 67 years ago when music producer Berry Gordy Jr. opened "Hitsville USA,” and brought the rhythms of Motown into mainstream popular music. "Legacy Motown and More” showcases artists including the Jackson 5, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder, while incorporating tight harmonies and classic showmanship. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall gives WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford an inside look at the performance at the Florida Studio Theatre. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5zPtOUlx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5zPtOUlx-FdEsoD82.html 330 2026-08-28T12:44:56.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/guide-dogs-train-at-mote-aquarium/ 2026-08-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GuQXAbja/poster.jpg?width=1920 Guide Dogs Train at Mote Aquarium Marine mammals are a common sight at Mote Science Education Aquarium in Sarasota. But last week guide dogs in training walked the halls as part of a unique field trip. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley and Multi-Media Journalist Andrea Melendez explain how a visit to the aquarium helps teach these guide dogs for their future endeavors. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GuQXAbja-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GuQXAbja-FdEsoD82.html 245 2026-08-28T12:44:35.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/armadillos-connected-to-leprosy-motown-s-music-legacy-and-eyes-on-eagles/ 2026-08-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Hb8cjKlX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Armadillos Connected to Leprosy, Motown's Music Legacy, and Eyes on Eagles In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Armadillos Connected to Leprosy Cases: The Florida Department of Health has confirmed 19 cases of leprosy this year, on pace to pass the modern high of 39 cases from 2025. The National Institutes of Health says nine-banded armadillos naturally carry the bacteria that transmits leprosy, which can be spread through soil or direct contact. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Juan Campos Krauer, professor at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, to explore the connection between armadillos and leprosy. Legacy Motown Showcases Soul Music Icons: It was 67 years ago when music producer Berry Gordy Jr. opened "Hitsville USA,” and brought the rhythms of Motown into mainstream popular music. "Legacy Motown and More” showcases artists including the Jackson 5, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder, while incorporating tight harmonies and classic showmanship. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall gives WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford an inside look at the performance at the Florida Studio Theatre. Florida Seawalls Adapt with Climate Change: According to the Florida Climate Center, sea levels have increased in South Florida by nearly eight inches since the mid-20th century. Now, architects and designers are adapting infrastructure and trying to help coastal communities threatened by climate change. The Associated Press looks at the new technology that is adapting to the change in weather. All Eyes on Eagles: Audubon Florida says at least 1,500 eagle nesting pairs live in the Sunshine State. Despite the upward trend in the number of eagles, threats to the protected species are of concern. Audubon Florida says recently in Collier County, a roofing company and two homeowners were fined for roof work within a buffer zone of an active bald eagle nest. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Audubon EagleWatch Program Director Cheryl Merz about how these regulations can… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Hb8cjKlX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Hb8cjKlX-FdEsoD82.html 1537 2026-08-27T20:11:09.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/dolly-parton-here-i-am-in-memoriam/ 2026-08-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xbtamBUi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dolly Parton: Here I Am In Memoriam Join the living legend for a moving, musical journey through the people and places that shaped her iconic career. Featuring career-spanning archival footage of the undisputed queen of country music, the film reveals the spirit, soul and hard work of an artist who has inspired countless others. Interviews include Jane Fonda, Mac Davis and Lily Tomlin. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xbtamBUi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xbtamBUi-FdEsoD82.html 30 2026-08-26T17:59:20.000Z yes Dolly Parton Previews https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/snap-restrictions-primary-election-voter-turnout-and-the-rally-of-hope/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zASjqw4o/poster.jpg?width=1920 SNAP Restrictions, Primary Election Voter Turnout, and the Rally of Hope In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: SNAP Benefit Restrictions: In April, restrictions went in place impacting the 2.2 million Floridians receiving SNAP benefits. According to the USDA, the goal is to promote a healthier diet while reducing health issues. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Kim Johnson, the president and CEO of Florida Impact, about what new SNAP guidelines mean for recipients. Voter Turnout for Primary Election: Ahead of last week's primary election, Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd indicated voter turnout may be low, possibly near 20%. Unofficial totals tabulated by county clerks show a slightly higher turnout, closer to 25%. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis take a closer look at those numbers. Remaking the White House Rose Garden: As part of the festivities of America 250, the nation's capital is being inundated with statues depicting the founding fathers and other important figures in American history. Nathan Ellgren of the Associated Press looks at how it includes the return of some prominent figures. Rally of Hope Encourages Voters: A Southwest Florida non-partisan, non-profit organization is offering its own educational program before the November elections, called a Rally of Hope. Floridians for Democracy co-founder Jim Nathan and volunteer Sonya McCarter sit down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to discuss their upcoming event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zASjqw4o-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zASjqw4o-FdEsoD82.html 1380 2026-08-25T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/decoding-ancient-florida/the-calusa-history-of-the-mound-house-on-fort-myers-beach/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OGUzZJrN/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Calusa History of the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach Discover the ancient history of the Mound House—the oldest standing structure on Fort Myers Beach. Centuries after the indigenous Calusa people elevated this coastal site with a massive shell mound, pioneers made this unique location their home. Learn how ancient engineering helped protect this Southwest Florida landmark from Hurricane Ian's widespread destruction in 2022. Mound House | Decoding Ancient Florida #FortMyersBeach #Calusa #FloridaArchaeology #MoundHouse #HurricaneIan #FloridaHistory #AncientFlorida #LeeCounty Primary credits: Janine Zeitlin: Senior Producer/Host Tanner Jenni: Producer/Video Editor Tom James: Videographer Pamela James: Executive Producer Funding support from the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OGUzZJrN-FdEsoD82.html 736 2026-08-25T16:00:00.000Z yes WGCU History featured docs Decoding Ancient Florida Calusa https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/balance-university-prevents-falling-injuries/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7sLtGYHW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Balance University Prevents Falling Injuries The Centers for Disease Control report that more than 1 million older Floridians experience a fall each year, making unintentional falls the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor visits a facility in Naples where seniors are learning how to prepare for a fall. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7sLtGYHW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7sLtGYHW-FdEsoD82.html 216 2026-08-25T13:15:41.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/groundbreaking-at-fort-myers-beach-pier/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Z7eougZb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Groundbreaking at Fort Myers Beach Pier As recovery from Hurricane Ian moves forward on Fort Myers Beach, the island community celebrated a milestone on Friday. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne tells us about the groundbreaking on the new Fort Myers Beach Pier. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z7eougZb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Z7eougZb-FdEsoD82.html 156 2026-08-25T13:15:33.000Z yes FL Exploration https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/youth-impact-on-the-primary-election/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/anPwmK1i/poster.jpg?width=1920 Youth Impact on the Primary Election According to the Harvard Kennedy School, Generation Z voters, or those between 18 and 29 years-old, helped sway the 2024 elections towards the Republican party. Lara Hicks, a policy advocate for Protect Democracy, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for more on the power of young voters in this election cycle. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/anPwmK1i-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/anPwmK1i-FdEsoD82.html 346 2026-08-25T13:15:17.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/student-advocates-for-change/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Xdxq6V6F/poster.jpg?width=1920 Student Advocates for Change Earlier this year we introduced you to Sol Reyes, an Immokalee teenager who was invited to Rome as part of a global peace initiative. Now Reyes is getting ready to travel to Sweden to accept an international award for his efforts supporting migrant families. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster sits down with Reyes to hear how he earned the International Young Courage Award. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Xdxq6V6F-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Xdxq6V6F-FdEsoD82.html 295 2026-08-25T13:15:02.000Z yes Culture Education https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/restoring-fort-myers-beach-one-business-at-a-time/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/UqtOgyz9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Restoring Fort Myers Beach One Business at a Time Fort Myers Beach is welcoming the return of businesses lost to Hurricane Ian. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explores The Goodz, a hardware store four years in the making. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/UqtOgyz9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/UqtOgyz9-FdEsoD82.html 302 2026-08-25T13:14:47.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/youth-voter-impact-groundbreaking-at-fmb-pier-and-balance-university/ 2026-08-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZLolCidF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Youth Voter Impact, Groundbreaking at FMB Pier, and Balance University In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Youth Impact on the Primary Election: According to the Harvard Kennedy School, Generation Z voters, or those between 18 and 29 years-old, helped sway the 2024 elections towards the Republican party. Lara Hicks, a policy advocate for Protect Democracy, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for more on the power of young voters this election cycle. Groundbreaking at Fort Myers Beach Pier: As recovery from Hurricane Ian moves forward on Fort Myers Beach, the island community celebrated a milestone on Friday. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne attends the groundbreaking on the new Fort Myers Beach Pier. Restoring Fort Myers Beach One Business at a Time: Fort Myers Beach is welcoming the return of businesses lost to Hurricane Ian. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explores The Goodz, a hardware store four years in the making. Student Advocates for Change: Earlier this year we introduced you to Sol Reyes, an Immokalee teenager who was invited to Rome as part of a global peace initiative. Now Reyes is getting ready to travel to Sweden to accept an international award for his efforts supporting migrant families. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster sits down with Reyes to hear how he earned the International Young Courage Award. Balance University Prevents Falling Injuries: The Centers for Disease Control report that more than 1 million older Floridians experience a fall each year, making unintentional falls the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor visits a facility in Naples where seniors are learning how to prepare for a fall. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZLolCidF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZLolCidF-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-08-24T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/record-breaking-sea-turtle-nesting-season/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QIJPqZ8k/poster.jpg?width=1920 Record-Breaking Sea Turtle Nesting Season Southwest Florida is having a banner year for sea turtle nesting, with records falling on several beaches. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles joins Jennifer Crawford with some good news on this year's sea turtle nesting season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QIJPqZ8k-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QIJPqZ8k-FdEsoD82.html 224 2026-08-20T20:37:34.000Z yes Environment / Nature Environment https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/carnatic-music-with-a-modern-twist/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dJ6UyO37/poster.jpg?width=1920 Carnatic Music with a Modern Twist Carnatic music is one of the main genres of Indian classical music, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. Now two sisters are blending Carnatic music with pop music and racking up millions of views on social media. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with the Sai Sisters ahead of their Fort Myers concert on August 30. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dJ6UyO37-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dJ6UyO37-FdEsoD82.html 426 2026-08-20T20:37:01.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/art-education-in-the-palm-of-your-hand/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4bD5STNt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Art Education in the Palm of Your Hand If you have been to downtown Fort Myers for an art walk, you might have been familiar with some installments that have become part of the culture in Lee County. In 2016, 23 large-scale iron sculptures were scattered across the downtown area depicting people living everyday life. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall tells Jennifer Crawford about a new app that’s giving an up-close understanding of the pieces. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4bD5STNt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4bD5STNt-FdEsoD82.html 328 2026-08-20T20:36:37.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-dangers-of-swatting-hoaxes/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/b0do3onv/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Dangers of Swatting Hoaxes Swatting is a growing concern impacting schools and law enforcement throughout Florida. The term swatting refers to the act of reporting a fake incident, like a bomb threat, to induce law enforcement response. According to the FBI, online threat actors are both committing the swatting acts as well as recruiting children to take part in the pranks. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Special Agent Adam Godfrey from the FBI Tampa Field Office for more on the many online threats federal agents are warning parents about. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/b0do3onv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/b0do3onv-FdEsoD82.html 401 2026-08-20T20:36:08.000Z yes Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/dangers-of-swatting-carnatic-music-and-record-sea-turtle-nesting-season/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/f03wX7RU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dangers of Swatting, Carnatic Music, and Record Sea Turtle Nesting Season In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Dangers of Swatting Hoaxes: Swatting is a growing concern impacting schools and law enforcement throughout Florida. The term swatting refers to the act of reporting a fake incident, like a bomb threat, to induce law enforcement response. According to the FBI, online threat actors are both committing the swatting acts as well as recruiting children to take part in the pranks. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Special Agent Adam Godfrey from the FBI Tampa Field Office for more on the many online threats federal agents are warning parents about. Art Education in the Palm of Your Hand: If you have been to downtown Fort Myers for an art walk, you might have been familiar with some installments that have become part of the culture in Lee County. In 2016, 23 large-scale iron sculptures were scattered across the downtown area depicting people living everyday life. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall tells Jennifer Crawford about a new app that’s giving an up-close understanding of the pieces. Carnatic Music with a Modern Twist: Carnatic music is one of the main genres of Indian classical music, with its roots dating back to the 16th century. Now two sisters are blending Carnatic music with pop music and racking up millions of views on social media. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with the Sai Sisters ahead of their Fort Myers concert on August 30. Record-Breaking Sea Turtle Nesting Season: Southwest Florida is having a banner year for sea turtle nesting, with records falling on several beaches. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles joins Jennifer Crawford with some good news on this year's sea turtle nesting season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f03wX7RU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/f03wX7RU-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-20T20:21:40.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/primary-election-results/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1bfkOqyI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Primary Election Results The results are in from the Florida primary. Some projections played out, while other races offered major upsets. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Susan MacManus, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of South Florida, about how primary election outcomes could impact the midterm elections. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1bfkOqyI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1bfkOqyI-FdEsoD82.html 410 2026-08-20T20:11:12.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/grassroots-campaigns-champion-primary-election/ 2026-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0kDIglb0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Grassroots Campaigns Champion Primary Election Political experts say regardless of party affiliation, winning candidates have one thing in common - they're well established in their communities. Voters appear to value the local connections more than how much money is spent campaigning. For more on the primary results from local races, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Gulf Coast Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0kDIglb0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0kDIglb0-FdEsoD82.html 685 2026-08-20T20:10:38.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/grassroots-efforts-champion-florida-primary-election-and-midterm-predictions/ 2026-08-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rPvwj2WB/poster.jpg?width=1920 Grassroots Efforts Champion Florida Primary Election and Midterm Predictions In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Primary Election Results: The results are in from the Florida primary. Some projections played out, while other races offered major upsets. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Susan MacManus, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of South Florida, about how primary election outcomes could impact the midterm elections. Grassroots Campaigns Champion Primary Election: Political experts say regardless of party affiliation, winning candidates have one thing in common - they're well established in their communities. Voters appear to value the local connections more than how much money is spent campaigning. For more on the primary results from local races, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Gulf Coast Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis. A Debrief from Kimberly’s Reef: The seabed of the gulf is not well mapped or even understood. That's one of the reasons Kimberly's Reef, the research reef created by Florida Gulf Coast University, is so important. WGCU’s Pam James brings the latest dispatch from the upcoming documentary, “Kimberly’s Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory,” where researchers are studying the benthic zone. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rPvwj2WB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rPvwj2WB-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-19T20:18:39.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/okeechobee-election-results-ukrainian-independence-and-meals-on-wheels/ 2026-08-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fqp29Leq/poster.jpg?width=1920 Okeechobee Election Results, Ukrainian Independence, and Meals on Wheels In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Okeechobee Elections Called Early: After over two million Floridians took part in early voting or vote-by-mail, today marks the day voters decide who will be represented on the November midterm election ballots. But in Okeechobee County, the races were called early without a single vote being cast for any of the five county seats and three city-wide seats that were up for grabs. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley explains why race results are already out. North Port Honors Ukrainian Independence: When Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in February of 2014, it triggered what would be a long and bloody conflict with Ukraine. On August 24, the City of North Port will hoist the Ukraine flag in solidarity with the Ukrainian-American community. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explores why the city will adopt a proclamation recognizing Ukrainian independence. New Schools Open in Ave Maria: This school year, Ave Maria welcomed two new institutions to accommodate the educational needs of its growing community. For the Ave Maria Catholic Academy, formerly known as the Donahue Academy of Ave Maria, this change means going from being the sole educational program to one of several. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares more on these new learning neighbors. Combating Hunger for Senior Citizens: Inflation, rising housing costs, and fixed incomes combine to create a mounting hunger crisis for senior citizens. To help ease the burden, the Community Cooperative has increased its outreach. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits down with Community Cooperative CEO Stefanie Ink to learn how its Meals on Wheels program won the 2026 Quality Senior Living award for the compassion and support it brings to Lee County. Labelle Rolls out Transit Program: For people in rural areas, transportation is more about accessibility than an amenity. Without a reliable vehicle,… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/fqp29Leq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fqp29Leq-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-18T20:04:12.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/bonita-spring-s-rail-trail-business-impact/ 2026-08-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bcI4xp91/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bonita Spring's Rail-Trail Business Impact On Tuesday, candidates across The Sunshine State will find out if they will be represented on the November Mid-Term Election Ballot. However, some issues will be decided during the primaries. That's the case with the Bonita-Estero Rail Trail. Voters will determine if funding for the project will be approved. As WGCU's Youn-Joo Park learned, that could have an impact on business along the route. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bcI4xp91-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bcI4xp91-FdEsoD82.html 272 2026-08-18T12:48:29.000Z yes Business / Economics Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/building-non-profit-success/ 2026-08-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LMtpX39L/poster.jpg?width=1920 Building Non-Profit Success Florida logged nearly 700,000 new businesses in 20-25, leading the nation by a wide margin. One group has dedicated itself to helping not only those companies, but non-profit organizations as well. WGCU's Teddy Byrne finds out how as he talks with Jeanne Sweeney, the founder of Above Board Chamber of Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LMtpX39L-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LMtpX39L-FdEsoD82.html 333 2026-08-18T12:48:14.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/saving-a-life/ 2026-08-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xRbvTfhc/poster.jpg?width=1920 Saving a Life Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Florida. According to the CDC, nearly 50,000 people die each year from a cardiac event. A Labelle man was almost one of those. WGCU's Cary Barbor shows us how quick thinking and immediate CPR from his wife helped save his life. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xRbvTfhc-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xRbvTfhc-FdEsoD82.html 284 2026-08-18T12:48:02.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/young-professionals-finding-success/ 2026-08-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/UX6fvze8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Young Professionals Finding Success While inspiring the next generation of local industry leaders, there's a program at Florida Gulf Coast University preparing students for the future of their professions. WGCU’s Mike Walcher examines how Southwest Florida is becoming a magnet for young people with big dreams. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/UX6fvze8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/UX6fvze8-FdEsoD82.html 218 2026-08-18T12:47:51.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/non-profit-success-swfl-future-industry-leaders-and-a-life-saving-story/ 2026-08-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ribayyJN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Non-Profit Success, SWFL Future Industry Leaders, & a Life Saving Story In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Building Non-Profit Success: Florida logged nearly 700,000 new businesses in 20-25, leading the nation by a wide margin. One group has dedicated itself to helping not only those companies, but non-profit organizations as well. WGCU's Teddy Byrne finds out how as he talks with Jeanne Sweeney, the founder of Above Board Chamber of Florida. Young Professionals Finding Success: While inspiring the next generation of local industry leaders, there's a program at Florida Gulf Coast University preparing students for the future of their professions. WGCU’s Mike Walcher examines how Southwest Florida is becoming a magnet for young people with big dreams. Saving a Life: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Florida. According to the CDC, nearly 50,000 people die each year from a cardiac event. A Labelle man was almost one of those. WGCU's Cary Barbor show us how quick thinking and immediate CPR from his wife helped saved his life. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ribayyJN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ribayyJN-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-08-17T20:07:30.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/the-psychological-dangers-of-social-media/ 2026-08-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IN5u5k8b/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Psychological Dangers of Social Media A French Court blocked what would have been the first European social media ban for children under 16. French President Emmanuel Macron is asking for new legislation to again pursue the ban. A key reason for age restrictions on social media is growing concern over the mental and physical harm that too much exposure can cause among young people. Dr. Christopher Hughes, a Pediatric Behavioral Expert with Lee Health, joins us to talk about the dangers that too much online activity can have on developing minds. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IN5u5k8b-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IN5u5k8b-FdEsoD82.html 349 2026-08-17T12:39:25.000Z yes Science / Tech Health https://wgcuplus.org/education/an-education-on-understanding-brush-fires/ 2026-08-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/cYICiG4z/poster.jpg?width=1920 An Education on Understanding Brush Fires This year, Florida has seen about 2,700 wildfires char over 260,000 acres of land. This damage has united local organizations looking to learn more about the formation of these blazes and the best way to combat them. WGCU’s Kate Cronin ventured into the brush, to get up close with the educational experience. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/cYICiG4z-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/cYICiG4z-FdEsoD82.html 288 2026-08-17T12:39:12.000Z yes Science / Tech Environment / Nature Education https://wgcuplus.org/education/ave-maria-welcomes-two-new-schools/ 2026-08-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/j5KfjmxQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ave Maria Welcomes Two New Schools Ave Maria is experiencing a population boom. The town in Collier County has seen its population more than double since the 2020 census. New facilities are needed to support the abundance of families. As the school year begins, two new schools offer different educational formats for the residents of Ave Maria. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park has the story. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/j5KfjmxQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/j5KfjmxQ-FdEsoD82.html 268 2026-08-17T12:39:01.000Z yes Education Regional https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/should-you-buy-or-sell-these-dog-gadgets/ 2026-08-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/cteLRTe2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Should You Buy or Sell These Dog Gadgets? With a continued rise in inflation, even the costs of owning a dog continue to soar. According to the American Kennel Club, the average pet owner spends $2,500 each year in veterinary services, food and toys. Plus, more pet products are hitting the market, putting another dent in the wallet. Founder of Strut Animal Mobility, Dr. Kelly Fishman, breaks down what dog technology is worth the investment for your pooch. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/cteLRTe2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/cteLRTe2-FdEsoD82.html 334 2026-08-17T12:38:48.000Z yes Business / Economics Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/news/cape-coral-school-completes-hurricane-recovery/ 2026-08-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BehNME4m/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cape Coral School Completes Hurricane Recovery In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, many institutions were left with no choice but to rebuild. In Cape Coral, Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School was left in shambles. Following a four-year rebuild, the school has expanded, shedding its portables. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade were welcomed into a new building. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster caught the sights and sounds of the first day back. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BehNME4m-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BehNME4m-FdEsoD82.html 166 2026-08-17T12:38:39.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/social-media-risks-dog-spending-and-wildfire-education/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Wob2j6O1/poster.jpg?width=1920 Social Media Risks, Dog Spending & Wildfire Education In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Psychological Dangers of Social Media: A French Court blocked what would have been the first European social media ban for children under 16. French President Emmanuel Macron is asking for new legislation to again pursue the ban. A key reason for age restrictions on social media is growing concern over the mental and physical harm that too much exposure can cause among young people. Dr. Christopher Hughes, a Pediatric Behavioral Expert with Lee Health, joins us to talk about the dangers that too much online activity can have on developing minds. Ave Maria Welcomes Two New Schools: Ave Maria is experiencing a population boom. The town in Collier County has seen its population more than double since the 2020 census. New facilities are needed to support the abundance of families. As the school year begins, two new schools offer different educational formats for the residents of Ave Maria. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park has the story. Cape Coral School Completes Hurricane Recovery: In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, many institutions were left with no choice but to rebuild. In Cape Coral, Hector A. Cafferata Elementary School was left in shambles. Following a four-year rebuild, the school has expanded, shedding its portables. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade were welcomed into a new building. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster caught the sights and sounds of the first day back. Should You Buy or Sell These Dog Gadgets?: With a continued rise in inflation, even the costs of owning a dog continue to soar. According to the American Kennel Club, the average pet owner spends $2,500 each year in veterinary services, food and toys. Plus, more pet products are hitting the market, putting another dent in the wallet. Founder of Strut Animal Mobility, Dr. Kelly Fishman, breaks down what dog technology is worth the investment for your pooch. An Education on Understanding Brush… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Wob2j6O1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Wob2j6O1-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-14T20:22:25.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-special-effects-peek-at-carrie-the-musical/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iWpfwY71/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Special Effects Peek at “Carrie the Musical” There's an art that goes into taking a classic movie and transitioning it to a live action stage performance. That gets even more difficult when you're dealing with a film that features high-end special effects. WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall takes WGCU’s Mike Walcher behind the scenes of the Belle Theater’s production of "Carrie: The Musical,” to find out what goes into stage blood. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iWpfwY71-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iWpfwY71-FdEsoD82.html 274 2026-08-14T14:05:45.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/produce-practices-to-prevent-cyclosporiasis/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RE9d7w93/poster.jpg?width=1920 Produce Practices to Prevent Cyclosporiasis Florida has joined the growing list of states seeing a surge in cases of cyclospora. The Florida Department of Health reports over 400 confirmed cases of parasitic infection, including 35 cases in Lee County. WGCU's Teddy Byrne sits down with Dr. Rebecca Witherell, an infectious disease specialist with Naples Comprehensive Health, for tips on ensuring your produce is parasite-free. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RE9d7w93-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RE9d7w93-FdEsoD82.html 360 2026-08-14T14:05:13.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/environment/preserving-florida-s-native-orchids/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aIYhmOnU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preserving Florida’s Native Orchids : Florida is a haven for orchids with at least 106 native species. But more than half face environmental threats due to habitat loss and poaching. WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with Nick Ewy, the Brian Holly curator of living collections at the Naples Botanical Garden, to hear what's being done to preserve these botany wonders. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aIYhmOnU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aIYhmOnU-FdEsoD82.html 421 2026-08-14T14:04:38.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-visit-to-the-english-cafe/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5xJWVGbc/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Visit to the English Cafe For many immigrants looking to begin a new life in the United States, one of most common hurdles is the language barrier. Finding time and resources to learn English can be daunting. Inside the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library, people from across the world meet up once a week to learn together. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes us to the English Cafe to find out how it started. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5xJWVGbc-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5xJWVGbc-FdEsoD82.html 235 2026-08-14T14:04:18.000Z yes Culture Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/cyclospora-produce-practices-native-orchids-and-carrie-the-musical/ 2026-08-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/D2xa1Ere/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cyclospora Produce Practices, Native Orchids, and “Carrie: The Musical” In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Produce Practices to Prevent Cyclosporiasis: Florida has joined the growing list of states seeing a surge in cases of cyclospora. The Florida Department of Health reports over 400 confirmed cases of parasitic infection, including 35 cases in Lee County. WGCU's Teddy Byrne sits down with Dr. Rebecca Witherell, an infectious disease specialist with Naples Comprehensive Health, for tips on ensuring your produce is parasite-free. A Special Effects Peek at “Carrie the Musical”: There's an art that goes into taking a classic movie and transitioning it to a live action stage performance. That gets even more difficult when you're dealing with a film that features high-end special effects. WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall takes WGCU’s Mike Walcher behind the scenes of the Belle Theater’s production of "Carrie: The Musical,” to find out what goes into stage blood. Getting Ahead of Fall Allergies: The constant barrage of heat makes it hard to believe that we are one month away from the start of autumn. Stores are already filling up with fall decorations, but your shopping should also include a trip to the pharmacy. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin and the Cleveland Clinic share why you should be prepared for some seasonal health concerns. Preserving Florida’s Native Orchids: Florida is a haven for orchids with at least 106 native species. But more than half face environmental threats due to habitat loss and poaching. WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with Nick Ewy, the Brian Holly curator of living collections at the Naples Botanical Garden, to hear what's being done to preserve these botany wonders. A Visit to the English Cafe: For many immigrants looking to begin a new life in the United States, one of most common hurdles is the language barrier. Finding time and resources to learn English can be daunting. Inside the Cape Coral Lee County Public Library, people from across the… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/D2xa1Ere-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/D2xa1Ere-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-13T20:48:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/gcl-book-club-julie-buntin-famous-men/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eW9u77H8/poster.jpg?width=1920 GCL Book Club: Julie Buntin, Famous Men In this episode, we hear from Julie Buntin, whose new novel is called Famous Men. Buntin’s first novel, Marlena, was named a best book of the year by many outlets, including NPR and the Washington Post. Her new work, Famous Men, is the story of a young, naive writer who moves to New York and gets involved with a powerful writer from her hometown, whom she has read and worshipped her whole life. The novel explores consent, complicity, power differentials, who is allowed to make art, and so much more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eW9u77H8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eW9u77H8-FdEsoD82.html 1439 2026-08-13T16:51:40.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/larc-supporting-individuals-with-special-needs-in-swfl-since-1954/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yO9vJZHq/poster.jpg?width=1920 LARC: supporting individuals with special needs in SWFL since 1954 Since 1954 — during a time when public schools were not required to educate kids with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so many of these kids were institutionalized — a group of parents in Fort Myers came together to create what they called LARC which would work to empower and support young people with disabilities to achieve their full potential. They've continued that mission and grown over the decades. We learn about everything they do and how they've grown with Executive Director, Angela Katz. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yO9vJZHq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yO9vJZHq-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-13T16:49:36.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/players-circle-theater-revives-my-way-a-musical-tribute-to-frank-sinatra/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HwhlpFgF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Players Circle Theater revives “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra On the heels of a currently running youth theater production of “Into the Woods” Players Circle Theater is preparing to perform “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra.” We’ll talk with the directors and cast members from both shows. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HwhlpFgF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HwhlpFgF-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-13T16:47:38.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/larger-than-life-watercolors-retrospective-exhibition-of-works-by-zan-lombardo-n/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EHqnwS8y/poster.jpg?width=1920 “Larger Than Life Watercolors” retrospective exhibition of works by Zan Lombardo now at Cape Coral Art Center The Cape Coral Art Center is featuring a retrospective exhibition of works by Pine Island-based painter Zan Lombardo titled “Larger Than Life Watercolors” in reference to the large-scale watercolor scrolls that Lombardo is perhaps best known for. We talk with Lombardo about her unique artistic practice, what inspires her paintings, and the evolution of her work over time. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EHqnwS8y-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EHqnwS8y-FdEsoD82.html 1380 2026-08-13T16:45:53.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/meet-the-new-president-and-ceo-of-wonder-gardens-in-bonita-springs/ 2026-08-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hD4je7ur/poster.jpg?width=1920 Meet the new President & CEO of Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs The Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs has roots that date back to 1936. It was created as The Reptile Gardens by brothers Bill and Lester Piper and sat on the newly built Tamiami Trail. As it grew, and as the collection expanded beyond cold-blooded animals, the Pipers changed the name to The Everglades Wonder Gardens and their family ran it until 2013. These days is moved past its roadside attraction roots to become a modern 'zootanical garden. We meet its new President & CEO, Sally Mulvena. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hD4je7ur-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hD4je7ur-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-13T16:41:47.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/heat-advisories-impacting-swfl/ 2026-08-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LyQPBF6k/poster.jpg?width=1920 Heat Advisories Impacting SWFL As we enter peak Hurricane Season, the third named storm of the season has formed in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Cristobal isn’t expected to become a weather threat, but it also won’t be providing any wind or water relief from the extensive heat advisories. AMS Certified Meteorologist Irene Sans joins to break down all the weather activity surrounding Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LyQPBF6k-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LyQPBF6k-FdEsoD82.html 328 2026-08-13T13:00:32.000Z yes Science / Tech Environment / Nature Weather Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/education/school-supplies-for-ice-impacted-families/ 2026-08-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5RkDZhU0/poster.jpg?width=1920 School Supplies for ICE Impacted Families Across Southwest Florida, citizens are volunteering their time to work as “legal observers” and monitor activity from Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement. They are also carving out time to assist migrant families who have been impacted by ICE raids. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park learned that meant handing out school supplies to children as the new school year begins. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5RkDZhU0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5RkDZhU0-FdEsoD82.html 178 2026-08-13T13:00:19.000Z yes Education Regional https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/catching-the-perseid-meteor-shower/ 2026-08-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AMBeq7va/poster.jpg?width=1920 Catching the Perseid Meteor Shower Keep your eyes to the sky as one of the highly anticipated astronomical events on the calendar year arrives. The Perseid Meteor Shower will bring the chance to see dozens of fireballs across the Florida, with the peak of activity happening early Tuesday and Wednesday morning. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sat with Robert Lunsford from the American Meteor Society to learn more about this year’s event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AMBeq7va-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AMBeq7va-FdEsoD82.html 283 2026-08-13T12:59:58.000Z yes Science / Tech Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/environment/coyotes-invading-sanibel-sea-turtle-nests/ 2026-08-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/L3VgG9Mq/poster.jpg?width=1920 Coyotes Invading Sanibel Sea Turtle Nests The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Island are under siege from a growing population of coyotes. The predators are wreaking havoc on this year’s sea turtles nesting season. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles breaks down the situation and what local groups are trying to do to keep baby sea turtles safe. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/L3VgG9Mq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/L3VgG9Mq-FdEsoD82.html 355 2026-08-13T12:59:33.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/sanibel-coyotes-meteor-showers-and-stormy-weather/ 2026-08-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MLpYmCIF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sanibel Coyotes, Meteor Showers & Stormy Weather In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Heat Advisories Impacting SWFL: As we enter peak Hurricane Season, the third named storm of the season has formed in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Cristobal isn’t expected to become a weather threat, but it also won’t be providing any wind or water relief from the extensive heat advisories. AMS Certified Meteorologist Irene Sans joins to break down all the weather activity surrounding Southwest Florida. School Supplies for ICE Impacted Families: Across Southwest Florida, citizens are volunteering their time to work as “legal observers” and monitor activity from Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement. They are also carving out time to assist immigrant families who have been impacted by ICE raids. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park learned that meant handing out school supplies to children as the new school year begins. Coyotes Invading Sanibel Sea Turtle Nests: The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Island are under siege from a growing population of coyotes. The predators are wreaking havoc on this year’s sea turtles nesting season. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles breaks down the situation and what local groups are trying to do to keep baby sea turtles safe. Another Dispatch from Kimberly’s Reef: This fall, WGCU is premiering a new documentary, “Kimberly’s Reef: An Underwater Living Laboratory”. In preparation, here is another dispatch from the artificial reef that details the operations from the site’s first six months of research. Catching the Perseid Meteor Shower: Keep your eyes to the sky as one of the highly anticipated astronomical events on the calendar year arrives. The Perseid Meteor Shower will bring the chance to see dozens of fireballs across the Florida, with the peak of activity happening early Tuesday and Wednesday morning. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sat with Robert Lunsford from the American Meteor Society to learn more about this year’s event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MLpYmCIF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MLpYmCIF-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-12T20:32:04.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/closed-vs-open-primaries-what-s-the-difference/ 2026-08-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iik46ce2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Closed vs. Open Primaries- What’s the Difference? Florida's primary election is just one week from today. Some voters are realizing after receiving their mail-in ballot that it's a closed primary system. In recent years, Florida has seen an influx of residents from states with less restrictive systems determining who can vote in primary elections. They may find Florida's system a bit confusing. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to learn the difference between a closed and an open primary election. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iik46ce2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iik46ce2-FdEsoD82.html 393 2026-08-12T12:53:20.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/education/private-voucher-programs-interfere-with-public-schools/ 2026-08-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ywMRwkzI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Private Voucher Programs Interfere with Public Schools The Florida school voucher program was allocated $4.5 billion dollars; funds that would otherwise have been brought into the public school system. To hear about the impact the continued rise in school vouchers is having on the rest of the state’s education outlets, WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ywMRwkzI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ywMRwkzI-FdEsoD82.html 340 2026-08-12T12:53:06.000Z yes Education economy https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/rail-to-trail-referendum-up-to-voters/ 2026-08-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TKwgaOVM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rail to Trail Referendum Up to Voters Voters in two cities in Southwest Florida will decide on August 18 whether to raise taxes on themselves to pay for major projects. People in both Bonita Springs and Marco Island will vote on bond referendums — proposals to borrow money. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher joins WGCU’s Teddy Byrne to talk about these proposals and their costs. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TKwgaOVM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TKwgaOVM-FdEsoD82.html 264 2026-08-12T12:52:54.000Z yes Politics / Legal Regional Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/education/new-education-commissioner-rings-in-school-year/ 2026-08-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VBYNSHlM/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Education Commissioner Rings in School Year You might have noticed during your morning commute that the big yellow buses are back. On Monday Charlotte, Desoto, Glades, Hendry, and Okeechobee all returned to the classroom. Tuesday marks Lee and Collier's turn to get back in session. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly has more on how the state is preparing for the new school year, which includes a new commissioner of education. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VBYNSHlM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VBYNSHlM-FdEsoD82.html 128 2026-08-12T12:52:47.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/education/technology-boosts-school-bus-safety/ 2026-08-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DRJRDQdo/poster.jpg?width=1920 Technology Boosts School Bus Safety Aside from the changes that are coming with the new academic year, this is also a time for a roadside reminder. According to a survey from the Florida Department of Education, there were over 10,500 illegal passes of school buses during the 2025-26 school year. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster explains how Lee County officials are raising the stop sign to make sure all morning commutes are a safe one. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DRJRDQdo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DRJRDQdo-FdEsoD82.html 268 2026-08-12T12:52:36.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/closed-vs-open-primaries-school-vouchers-and-rail-to-trail-referendum/ 2026-08-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/h3v9ryIA/poster.jpg?width=1920 Closed vs. Open Primaries, School Vouchers, and Rail to Trail Referendum In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Closed vs. Open Primaries- What’s the Difference?: Florida's primary election is just one week from today. Some voters are realizing after receiving their mail-in ballot that it's a closed primary system. In recent years, Florida has seen an influx of residents from states with less restrictive systems determining who can vote in primary elections. They may find Florida's system a bit confusing. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to learn the difference between a closed and an open primary election. New Education Commissioner Rings in School Year: You might have noticed during your morning commute that the big yellow buses are back. On Monday Charlotte, Desoto, Glades, Hendry, and Okeechobee all returned to the classroom. Tuesday marks Lee and Collier's turn to get back in session. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly has more on how the state is preparing for the new school year, which includes a new commissioner of education. Private Voucher Programs Interfere with Public Schools: The Florida school voucher program was allocated $4.5 billion dollars; funds that would otherwise have been brought into the public school system. To hear about the impact the continued rise in school vouchers is having on the rest of the state’s education outlets, WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association. Technology Boosts School Bus Safety: Aside from the changes that are coming with the new academic year, this is also a time for a roadside reminder. According to a survey from the Florida Department of Education, there were over 10,500 illegal passes of school buses during the 2025-26 school year. WGCU Education Reporter Dayna Harpster explains how Lee County officials are raising the stop sign to make sure all morning commutes are a safe one. Rail to Trail Referendum Up to Voters: Voters in two… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/h3v9ryIA-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/h3v9ryIA-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-11T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/why-people-plead-the-fifth-amendment/ 2026-08-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E25kgAJN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Why People Plead the Fifth Amendment When the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, one of the most notable protections created for American citizens was the Fifth Amendment. More than two centuries later, the Fifth Amendment has thrust former Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci into the national spotlight through a Senate Committee hearing. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Dr. Dawn Dyer, a Florida Gulf Coast University Civics Professor, look at the history of the the Amendment, and how it has been used in the past. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E25kgAJN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E25kgAJN-FdEsoD82.html 372 2026-08-11T13:10:05.000Z yes Politics / Legal History https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/crescent-park-revitalizes-fort-myers-beach/ 2026-08-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2ANxA8Nq/poster.jpg?width=1920 Crescent Park Revitalizes Fort Myers Beach As part of its continuing restoration effort from Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Beach reached a major rebuilding milestone with the reopening of the Crescent Beach Family Park. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge talks with with Abigail Eberhart, public information officer for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, about the $1.3 million modernization and restoration project of the park. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2ANxA8Nq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2ANxA8Nq-FdEsoD82.html 339 2026-08-11T13:09:17.000Z yes Business / Economics Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/summer-brings-blood-shortage/ 2026-08-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AQaUmZeN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Summer Brings Blood Shortage The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage after the national blood supply fell by nearly 25% over the summer. WGCU's Cary Barbor speaks with Laura Rosen, community relations manager for the Naples Comprehensive Health Community Blood Center, to discuss the benefits of blood donation for both the recipient and donor. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AQaUmZeN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AQaUmZeN-FdEsoD82.html 285 2026-08-11T13:08:47.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/the-untapped-workforce-of-southwest-florida/ 2026-08-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/idVfwbxg/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Untapped Workforce of Southwest Florida According to a recent report from the Able Trust, more than 13% of the state's population lives with some form of intellectual or developmental disability. To assist these individuals, the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens, or LARC, works to equip people with disabilities with job skills. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with LARC Executive Director, Angela Katz, about the benefits that come with hiring workers and their unique abilities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/idVfwbxg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/idVfwbxg-FdEsoD82.html 356 2026-08-11T13:08:17.000Z yes Business / Economics Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/5th-amendment-history-inclusive-hiring-benefits-and-summer-blood-shortage/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5IbNymp7/poster.jpg?width=1920 5th Amendment History, Inclusive Hiring Benefits, and Summer Blood Shortage In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Why People Plead the Fifth Amendment: When the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, one of the most notable protections created for American citizens was the Fifth Amendment. More than two centuries later, the Fifth Amendment has thrust former Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci into the national spotlight through a Senate Committee hearing. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Dr. Dawn Dyer, a Florida Gulf Coast University Civics Professor, look at the history of the the Amendment, and how it has been used in the past. The Untapped Workforce of Southwest Florida: According to a recent report from the Able Trust, more than 13% of the state's population lives with some form of intellectual or developmental disability. To assist these individuals, the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens, or LARC, works to equip people with disabilities with job skills. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with LARC Executive Director, Angela Katz, about the benefits that come with hiring workers and their unique abilities. Summer Brings Blood Shortage: The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage after the national blood supply fell by nearly 25% over the summer. WGCU's Cary Barbor speaks with Laura Rosen, community relations manager for the Naples Comprehensive Health Community Blood Center, to discuss the benefits of blood donation for both the recipient and donor. Crescent Park Revitalizes Fort Myers Beach: As part of its continuing restoration effort from Hurricane Ian, Fort Myers Beach reached a major rebuilding milestone with the reopening of the Crescent Beach Family Park. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge talks with with Abigail Eberhart, public information officer for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, about the $1.3 million modernization and restoration project of the park. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5IbNymp7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5IbNymp7-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-10T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck108/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/g7KoX86D/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK108 CK108 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/g7KoX86D-FdEsoD82.html 1725 2026-08-10T20:04:23.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck111/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mbKYSdZO/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK111 CK111 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/mbKYSdZO-FdEsoD82.html 1730 2026-08-10T20:01:20.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck114/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hro7Y5y5/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK114 CK114 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hro7Y5y5-FdEsoD82.html 1727 2026-08-10T19:58:23.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck109/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xX5PqIWY/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK109 CK109 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xX5PqIWY-FdEsoD82.html 1727 2026-08-10T19:55:21.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck113/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6tP1w08h/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK113 CK113 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6tP1w08h-FdEsoD82.html 1730 2026-08-10T19:52:25.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck107/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5a9b09YJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK107 CK107 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5a9b09YJ-FdEsoD82.html 1726 2026-08-10T19:49:35.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck110/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/n31uzFBe/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK110 CK110 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/n31uzFBe-FdEsoD82.html 1727 2026-08-10T19:46:35.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/ck106/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Egitp1g8/poster.jpg?width=1920 CK106 CK106 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Egitp1g8-FdEsoD82.html 1726 2026-08-10T19:43:31.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/curious-kids/how-alligators-shape-the-landscape-of-southwest-florida/ 2026-08-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QnVUgbtn/poster.jpg?width=1920 How alligators shape the landscape of Southwest Florida How alligators shape the landscape of Southwest Florida https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QnVUgbtn-FdEsoD82.html 1727 2026-08-10T19:40:48.000Z yes Curious Kids https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/agent-orange-awareness-walking-sharks-tiki-fest-shares-polynesian-culture/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/lo8MDjTQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Agent Orange Awareness, Walking Sharks, Tiki Fest Shares Polynesian Culture In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Technology Detects Lightning Before It Strikes: Summer means storm season for Florida. Sea breezes mix with warmer water, creating a perfect breeding ground for thunderstorms. According to the University of Florida, an average of 300 people is struck by lightning every year. That includes a 51-year-old man who died after being hit by lightning on Fort Myers Beach. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Mark Novitski, a consultant for Engage Estero, to inform the public on how lightning detection systems are designed to save lives. Agent Orange Awareness Day: In the early 1960s, the United States military began using Agent Orange, a powerful chemical herbicide, especially during the Vietnam War. The Department of Veteran Affairs says an estimated 300,000 military veterans have either died or suffered severe health complications from exposure to the chemical. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge sits down with Alicia Oates, a Southwest Florida Honor Flight board member, to learn about honoring veterans on Agent Orange Awareness Day on August 10. Species of Walking Shark Discovered: Epaulette sharks are also known as walking sharks for their unusual ability to skitter across the ocean floor. Researchers recently stumbled upon a new species of walking shark, the tenth distinct variety to have been discovered. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Kortney Laratonda, animal connections manager at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, for more on how this discovery could shed light on the uniqueness sharks can present. Tiki Fest Celebrates Polynesian Culture: Florida may have its own tropical vibes, but halfway across the globe is the origin of luau celebrations and tiki style. For over a thousand years, Hawaiian culture has passed down their stories and lore through movement and dance. That ancient tradition found its way to Punta Gorda, where WGCU Culture and… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/lo8MDjTQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lo8MDjTQ-FdEsoD82.html 1538 2026-08-07T20:30:21.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/sidney-and-berne-davis-art-center-hosts-exhibit-of-incendiary-works-by-artist-ja/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/r8WFNmuG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts exhibit of incendiary works by artist James Massacci The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts an exhibition, this month, of works by fashion designed and self-described “debate artist” James Massacci. Titled “The Emotions of Everyday Life,” works in the show are predicated on simple images with powerful messages aimed at challenging viewers to engage with uncomfortable truths, and to, perhaps, reconsider ideological assumptions. We’ll talk with the artist about the show and about his unique approach to creating art. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/r8WFNmuG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/r8WFNmuG-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-07T15:38:05.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/researchers-develop-tools-to-test-for-airborne-blue-green-algae-toxins-in-southw/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yEjfvSJK/poster.jpg?width=1920 Researchers develop tools to test for airborne blue-green algae toxins in Southwest Florida The Florida Department of Health says contact with water from areas with blue-green algae can make people and animals sick, and it advises people to stay away from these waters. Brand new research found cyanobacterial and algal toxins in low concentrations in the majority of air samples taken around SWFL. We dig into this new research and its implications with the study's lead scientist, Dr. James Metcalf, from Brain Chemistry Labs in Jackson Hole, WY; and Jason Pim, Board President of Calusa Waterkeeper. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yEjfvSJK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yEjfvSJK-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-07T15:36:30.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/authors-weigh-in-on-1-5-billion-anthropic-ai-copyright-settlement/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Iooz3zeV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Authors weigh in on $1.5 billion Anthropic AI copyright settlement A wave of copyright lawsuits brought by authors and publishers hinge on whether downloading and ingesting millions of copyrighted books without explicit permission to train Large Language Models constitutes copyright infringement or is protected as fair use. The AI Company Anthropic recently agreed to pay $1.5 billion dollars in a landmark copyright infringement settlement. There are other similar high-profile cases, including two against Meta and Google being led by bestselling novelist and part-time Naples resident Scott Turow. We talk with Mr. Turow, and local author Marty Ambrose, to learn what this all means for the publishing world. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Iooz3zeV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Iooz3zeV-FdEsoD82.html 1439 2026-08-07T15:35:07.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/why-mangroves-are-so-important-for-our-ecosystem-and-coastal-living/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4fHM2Yd0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Why mangroves are so important for our ecosystem & coastal living Up until the early 1900s about three-quarters of Florida’s southern coast, from about Tampa Bay on the Gulf side around to The Indian River Lagoon on the Atlantic Ocean, was covered with, and protected by mangroves. After coastal development took off in the 1900s hundreds of thousands of acres of mangroves were removed in urbanizing coastal regions. Mangroves are important for many reasons, so we have a Mangroves 101 conversation to learn about the role they play in our coastal ecosystems. Our guests are Dr. Brian Bovard, Wetland Plant Ecologist in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies within the Water School at FGCU and Dr. Win Everham, Professor in the Department of Ecology & Environmental Studies at FGCU. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4fHM2Yd0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4fHM2Yd0-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-07T15:33:04.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/a-n-a-s-friends-helps-kids-and-foster-families-through-difficult-times/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/abVnjXQH/poster.jpg?width=1920 A.N.A.'s Friends helps kids & foster families through difficult times A Guardian ad Litem is a legally appointed, trained volunteer who represents the best interests of children who have become involved in court proceedings, often in cases related to abuse, neglect, custody disputes, and other situations where a child's welfare is at stake. There are more than 500 court certified Guardian ad Litem volunteers in the 20th Judicial Circuit. On any given day in Southwest Florida, more than 1,000 children are displaced due to abuse, abandonment, or neglect in their home. We learn about the nonprofit A.N.A.s Friends with Executive Director, Jessica Kaestner; and Board President Bruce Greenberg. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/abVnjXQH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/abVnjXQH-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-08-07T15:31:00.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/ukrainian-bakery-honors-heritage/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/w7A8OZLQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ukrainian Bakery Honors Heritage It was in March of 2014 when the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. That incident marked the beginning of a bloody and violent conflict between the two nations that continues to this day. In downtown Sarasota, the weight of the war is felt by the owners of Bakero, a husband-and-wife team from Ukraine. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares their story. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/w7A8OZLQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/w7A8OZLQ-FdEsoD82.html 219 2026-08-07T12:49:00.000Z yes Culture Regional https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/space-telescope-to-map-galaxy/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SaTBEYhS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Space Telescope to Map Galaxy NASA is making final preparations to launch its most advanced telescope yet, the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope. On August 30, it will be carried aboard a Space-X rocket before finding a location roughly one million miles from Earth to capture never-before seen images of our universe. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne chats with Dr. Dominic Benford, a program scientist, about how this telescope could change how we see space. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SaTBEYhS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SaTBEYhS-FdEsoD82.html 399 2026-08-07T12:48:43.000Z yes Science / Tech Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/carrie-the-musical-takes-thriller-classic-on-stage/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xFGelZHn/poster.jpg?width=1920 “Carrie: The Musical” Takes Thriller Classic On-Stage When "Carrie" was released in 1976, the movie became an instant horror sensation due to its thrilling style, sympathetic performances, and an unforgettable climax scene. It has since built a legacy that has carried through to other mediums. The song and dance version is now performed around the country, including a current run at the Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall tells WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford all about “Carrie: The Musical.” https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xFGelZHn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xFGelZHn-FdEsoD82.html 418 2026-08-07T12:48:25.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/education/students-earn-national-titles-at-invention-convention/ 2026-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wOIt6BJj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Students Earn National Titles at Invention Convention The Invention Convention unites students from kindergartners to high school seniors who are behind products they hope will change the world. Of the over 180,000 students who participate nationwide, Southwest Florida had three students make it to the U.S. nationals. WGCU's Emma Rodriguez spoke with the trio to learn more about their inventions, including a conversation with ninth grade inventor Dhira Sharma. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wOIt6BJj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wOIt6BJj-FdEsoD82.html 342 2026-08-07T12:48:10.000Z yes Education Regional https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/telescope-to-map-galaxy-a-ukrainian-bakery-and-the-invention-convention/ 2026-08-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/R47aJeg4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Telescope to Map Galaxy, a Ukrainian Bakery, and the Invention Convention In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Space Telescope to Map Galaxy: NASA is making final preparations to launch its most advanced telescope yet, the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope. On August 30, it will be carried aboard a Space-X rocket before finding a location roughly one million miles from Earth to capture never-before seen images of our universe. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne chats with Dr. Dominic Benford, a program scientist, about how this telescope could change how we see space. “Carrie: The Musical” Takes the Thriller Classic On-Stage: When "Carrie" was released in 1976, the movie became an instant horror sensation due to its thrilling style, sympathetic performances, and an unforgettable climax scene. It has since built a legacy that has carried through to other mediums. The song and dance version is now performed around the country, including a current run at the Belle Theatre in Cape Coral. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall tells WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford all about “Carrie: The Musical.” Students Earn National Titles at Invention Convention: The Invention Convention unites students from kindergartners to high school seniors who are behind products they hope will change the world. Of the over 180,000 students who participate nationwide, Southwest Florida had three students make it to the U.S. nationals. WGCU's Emma Rodriguez spoke with the trio to learn more about their inventions, including a conversation with ninth grade inventor Dhira Sharma. Ukrainian Bakery Honors Heritage: It was in March of 2014 when the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. That incident marked the beginning of a bloody and violent conflict between the two nations that continues to this day. In downtown Sarasota, the weight of the war is felt by the owners of Bakero, a husband-and-wife team from Ukraine. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares their story. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/R47aJeg4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/R47aJeg4-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-06T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/prescription-guidelines-for-children-in-question/ 2026-08-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/w3YizzCj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Prescription Guidelines for Children in Question A discussion is brewing regarding the mental health of children. Florida's Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo recommended new guidelines, cautioning providers from prescribing psychotropic medications to children. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Lisa Fortuna, a professor of psychiatry and neurosciences at the University of California Riverside, about why psychotropic medications are prescribed. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/w3YizzCj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/w3YizzCj-FdEsoD82.html 372 2026-08-06T12:50:20.000Z yes Health / Aging Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/environment/nature-s-best-friend-the-gopher-tortoise/ 2026-08-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IzDv3HRi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Nature’s Best Friend – The Gopher Tortoise The Florida Wildlife Federation estimates at least 700,000 gopher tortoises live in Florida. They are known for their burrows, which also serve as a refuge for other species in our ecosystem. As WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin explains, the tortoises seem to be thriving in Cape Coral and are making a name for themselves as urban dwellers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IzDv3HRi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IzDv3HRi-FdEsoD82.html 354 2026-08-06T12:49:57.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/environment/motorsport-community-potentially-coming-to-collier-county/ 2026-08-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HOrUNd4A/poster.jpg?width=1920 Motorsport Community Potentially Coming to Collier County In 1985, the Ford Motor Company leased land in the Everglades to build a 500-acre test track. Now a proposed development looks to build on that hot rod legacy. The Hyper Club has filed an application with Collier County to build a motorsport lifestyle destination. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford why some environmental groups are pumping the brakes on the car community. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HOrUNd4A-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HOrUNd4A-FdEsoD82.html 364 2026-08-06T12:49:28.000Z yes Business / Economics Environment / Nature Regional https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/motorsport-community-proposed-gopher-tortoises-and-prescription-guidelines/ 2026-08-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OZy9V0xx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Motorsport Community Proposed, Gopher Tortoises, and Prescription Guidelines In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Prescription Guidelines for Children in Question: A discussion is brewing regarding the mental health of children. Florida's Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo recommended new guidelines, cautioning providers from prescribing psychotropic medications to children. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Lisa Fortuna, a professor of psychiatry and neurosciences at the University of California Riverside, about why psychotropic medications are prescribed. Motorsport Community Potentially Coming to Collier County: In 1985, the Ford Motor Company leased land in the Everglades to build a 500-acre test track. Now a proposed development looks to build on that hot rod legacy. The Hyper Club has filed an application with Collier County to build a motorsport lifestyle destination. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles shares with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford why some environmental groups are pumping the brakes on the car community. Nature’s Best Friend – The Gopher Tortoise: The Florida Wildlife Federation estimates at least 700,000 gopher tortoises live in Florida. They are known for their burrows, which also serve as a refuge for other species in our ecosystem. As WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin reports, the tortoises seem to be thriving in Cape Coral and are making a name for themselves as urban dwellers. A Debrief from Kimberly’s Reef: Off the coast of Southwest Florida is Kimberly's Reef, an underwater research facility created by Florida Gulf Coast University. Its goal is to better understand our local waters and how that informs us about global environmental issues. In October, WGCU will present a documentary that showcases the beginnings of this artificial reef from the first blocks to the research underway today. WGCU's Tom James shares the first dispatch from Kimberly's Reef. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OZy9V0xx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OZy9V0xx-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-05T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/rail-to-trail-project-proposed/ 2026-08-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HlT801Sn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rail-to-Trail Project Proposed In two weeks, voters in Bonita Springs will decide if they want the city to implement a bond to create a pedestrian and cycling trail. The referendum on the primary ballot would allow the city to purchase the defunct Seminole Gulf Railway corridor and convert it to be part of the Bonita Estero Rail-Trail. WGCU's Youn-Joo Park shares what some community members think about the project. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HlT801Sn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HlT801Sn-FdEsoD82.html 344 2026-08-05T12:58:34.000Z yes Politics / Legal Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/legal-challenges-ahead-of-primary-election/ 2026-08-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fK3hFgBY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Legal Challenges Ahead of Primary Election Campaigning is in full swing for Florida's primary election. The political battles aren't only playing out on debate stages and in campaign ads, but in the courts as well. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for a look at how some of these legal challenges could impact what voters see on their ballots. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/fK3hFgBY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fK3hFgBY-FdEsoD82.html 378 2026-08-05T12:58:17.000Z yes Politics / Legal Politics https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/primary-election-voting-approaches/ 2026-08-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/deSemjIv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Primary Election Voting Approaches As the primary election on August 18 creeps closer, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections reminds residents that the deadline to request a vote by mail ballot is August 6. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sandy Frank, president of the League of Women Voters, for more of the voting information you need ahead of elections. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/deSemjIv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/deSemjIv-FdEsoD82.html 318 2026-08-05T12:58:02.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/data-centers-proposed-across-southwest-florida/ 2026-08-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/znE9eyfW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Data Centers Proposed Across Southwest Florida As Florida prepares for the primary election, the future of data centers remains a focus of political debate among candidates and voters. Some county leaders have already passed moratoriums or outright bans on their construction. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Investigative Reporter Jason Garcia, who has followed data center proposals across Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/znE9eyfW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/znE9eyfW-FdEsoD82.html 368 2026-08-05T12:57:45.000Z yes Politics / Legal Environment https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/data-center-proposals-primary-election-challenges-and-rail-to-trail-project/ 2026-08-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qGgJqL1x/poster.jpg?width=1920 Data Center Proposals, Primary Election Challenges, and Rail-to-Trail Project In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Data Centers Proposed Across Southwest Florida: As Florida prepares for the primary election, the future of data centers remains a focus of political debate among candidates and voters. Some county leaders have already passed moratoriums or outright bans on their construction. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Investigative Reporter Jason Garcia, who has followed data center proposals across Florida. Legal Challenges Ahead of Primary Election: Campaigning is in full swing for Florida's primary election. The political battles aren't only playing out on debate stages and in campaign ads, but in the courts as well. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for a look at how some of these legal challenges could impact what voters see on their ballots. Primary Election Voting Approaches: As the primary election on August 18 creeps closer, the Lee County Supervisor of Elections reminds residents that the deadline to request a vote by mail ballot is August 6. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sandy Frank, president of the League of Women Voters, for more of the voting information you need ahead of elections. Rail-to-Trail Project Proposed: In two weeks, voters in Bonita Springs will decide if they want the city to implement a bond to create a pedestrian and cycling trail. The referendum on the primary ballot would allow the city to purchase the defunct Seminole Gulf Railway corridor and convert it to be part of the Bonita Estero Rail-Trail. WGCU's Youn-Joo Park shares what some community members think about the project. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qGgJqL1x-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qGgJqL1x-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-04T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/fossil-flation-affects-energy-prices/ 2026-08-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/A1OfDP57/poster.jpg?width=1920 “Fossil-flation” Affects Energy Prices The United States is going through a shift in energy consumption as an industry once dominated by fossil fuels is heading toward a greener approach. As solar, wind, and nuclear power gain ground, fossil fuel energy sources still have a powerful impact on the economy. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Earthjustice Senior Attorney Bradley Marshall about how sources like coal are leading to higher costs on more than your energy bill. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/A1OfDP57-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/A1OfDP57-FdEsoD82.html 349 2026-08-04T12:48:52.000Z yes Environment / Nature economy https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/mixed-use-real-estate-explained/ 2026-08-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OuOruCG0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mixed-Use Real Estate Explained Southwest Florida is entering a luxury living boom with multiple developments popping up throughout the region. These multi-million dollar projects combine residences, retail, and restaurants. That includes downtown Naples, where several luxury condominiums are transforming the 5th Avenue neighborhoods. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford gets a snapshot of the commercial growth from Matt Simmons, a commercial real estate expert. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OuOruCG0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OuOruCG0-FdEsoD82.html 336 2026-08-04T12:48:29.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/murals-share-fort-myers-history/ 2026-08-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/soYtpfbs/poster.jpg?width=1920 Murals Share Fort Myers History In the past decade, about 200 murals have been painted by artists with the Fort Myers Mural Society. The projects span Southwest Florida, from Bonita Springs, to Labelle, to Sarasota. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Shari Shifrin, the creative founder and director of the Fort Myers Mural Society, to discuss their historic murals. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/soYtpfbs-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/soYtpfbs-FdEsoD82.html 353 2026-08-04T12:48:02.000Z yes FL Exploration Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/preventing-heat-illness-for-farmworkers/ 2026-08-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Ix6oThSY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preventing Heat Illness for Farmworkers The quest to stay cool is a daily one for farmworkers in Florida, where it can mean the difference between life and death. But new protections are now in place to make sure hydration is a top priority. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley reports on the latest health and human-rights measure from the Coalition of Immokalee Worker's signature worker protection program. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Ix6oThSY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Ix6oThSY-FdEsoD82.html 266 2026-08-04T12:47:44.000Z yes Politics / Legal Health https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/fossil-flation-murals-share-ft-myers-history-and-beating-the-heat/ 2026-08-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/n9GlhqE2/poster.jpg?width=1920 “Fossil-flation,” Murals Share Ft. Myers History, and Beating the Heat In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: “Fossil-flation” Affects Energy Prices: The United States is going through a shift in energy consumption as an industry once dominated by fossil fuels is heading toward a greener approach. As solar, wind, and nuclear power gain ground, fossil fuel energy sources still have a powerful impact on the economy. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Earthjustice Senior Attorney Bradley Marshall about how sources like coal are leading to higher costs on more than your energy bill. Mixed-Use Real Estate Explained: Southwest Florida is entering a luxury living boom with multiple developments popping up throughout the region. These multi-million dollar projects combine residences, retail, and restaurants. That includes downtown Naples, where several luxury condominiums are transforming the 5th Avenue neighborhoods. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford gets a snapshot of the commercial growth from Matt Simmons, a commercial real estate expert. Beating the Heat with Assistance Programs: Lee County is taking steps to help some of the most vulnerable beat the heat. The Lee County Homeless Coalition estimates that more than 2,300 people are homeless. WGCU Managing Editor Mike Braun explains how the heat-related assistance program is helping those in need. Preventing Heat Illness for Farmworkers: The quest to stay cool is a daily one for farmworkers in Florida, where it can mean the difference between life and death. But new protections are now in place to make sure hydration is a top priority. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley reports on the latest health and human-rights measure from the Coalition of Immokalee Worker's signature worker protection program. Murals Share Fort Myers History: In the past decade, about 200 murals have been painted by artists with the Fort Myers Mural Society. The projects span Southwest Florida, from Bonita Springs, to Labelle, to Sarasota. WGCU’s… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/n9GlhqE2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/n9GlhqE2-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-08-03T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ebola-outbreak-spreads-how-to-help-a-feral-cat-and-the-art-of-vermouth/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KxDf1I7F/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ebola Outbreak Spreads, How to Help a Feral Cat, and The Art of Vermouth In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Ebola Outbreak Hits Africa: The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to struggle with a deadly Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization has called it a public health emergency of international concern. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease specialist, for more on the continuing Ebola situation in Africa. How to Help a Feral Cat: Southwest Florida has become a safe haven for feral cats. The animal advocacy group "For the Love of Cats,” estimates 50,000 free-roaming and feral cats live in Collier County alone. The Patty Baker Humane Society Naples and Collier County Domestic Animal Services have partnered to teach residents what to do when they see a loose cat. While you might want to step in and help if you see a kitten in distress, WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains why that may not be what's best for the animal. Kids Learn Responsible Pet Care: A Cape Coral organization is reaching out to the community to inform kids on the best way to learn to live with dogs, cats, and other critters. Liz McCauley, executive director of the Cape Coral Animal Hospital, tells WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about a summer education initiative on responsible pet care. The Art of Vermouth: A report from wine news outlet “Decanter” found that annually, the United States leads the world in wine consumption, drinking over 3.3 billion liters each year. But a good portion is also finding its way down the drain, due mainly to open-bottle oxidation. WGCU's Teddy Byrne discovers how The Supper Club, a restaurant in Naples, has found a method to ensure that no grape goes to waste. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KxDf1I7F-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KxDf1I7F-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-31T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-art-of-vermouth/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Me7qaYXw/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Art of Vermouth A report from wine news outlet “Decanter” found that annually, the United States leads the world in wine consumption, drinking over 3.3 billion liters each year. But a good portion is also finding its way down the drain, due mainly to open-bottle oxidation. WGCU's Teddy Byrne discovers how The Supper Club, a restaurant in Naples, has found a method to ensure that no grape goes to waste. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Me7qaYXw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Me7qaYXw-FdEsoD82.html 354 2026-07-31T20:08:22.000Z yes Business / Economics Culture https://wgcuplus.org/environment/kids-learn-responsible-pet-care/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E9QOkO4Z/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kids Learn Responsible Pet Care A Cape Coral organization is reaching out to the community to inform kids on the best way to learn to live with dogs, cats, and other critters. Liz McCauley, executive director of the Cape Coral Animal Hospital, tells WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about a summer education initiative on responsible pet care. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E9QOkO4Z-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E9QOkO4Z-FdEsoD82.html 420 2026-07-31T20:07:54.000Z yes Environment / Nature Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/environment/how-to-help-a-feral-cat/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/baQmXh4u/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to Help a Feral Cat Southwest Florida has become a safe haven for feral cats. The animal advocacy group "For the Love of Cats,” estimates 50,000 free-roaming and feral cats live in Collier County alone. The Patty Baker Humane Society Naples and Collier County Domestic Animal Services have partnered to teach residents what to do when they see a loose cat. While you might want to step in and help if you see a kitten in distress, WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains why that may not be what's best for the animal. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/baQmXh4u-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/baQmXh4u-FdEsoD82.html 171 2026-07-31T20:07:41.000Z yes Environment / Nature Environment Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/news/ebola-outbreak-hits-africa-QR0cI7Ad/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QR0cI7Ad/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ebola Outbreak Hits Africa The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to struggle with a deadly Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organization has called it a public health emergency of international concern. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease specialist, for more on the continuing Ebola situation in Africa. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QR0cI7Ad-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QR0cI7Ad-FdEsoD82.html 428 2026-07-31T20:07:06.000Z yes Public Affairs Health https://wgcuplus.org/news/decoding-ancient-florida-mound-house-trailer/ 2026-08-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NGmyCTjP/poster.jpg?width=1920 Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound House Trailer Decoding Ancient Florida: Mound House Trailer https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NGmyCTjP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NGmyCTjP-FdEsoD82.html 60 2026-07-31T18:10:53.000Z yes Decoding Ancient Florida https://wgcuplus.org/news/what-the-return-of-el-nino-means-for-hurricane-season/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MAGmlIvr/poster.jpg?width=1920 What the Return of El Nino Means for Hurricane Season As Florida prepares to enter peak hurricane season, Hurricane Genevieve that formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean became the first Category 5 storm of the year. At the center of the storm lies the weather pattern El Nino. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Anantha Aiyyer, a professor of atmospheric science at North Carolina State University, for more on how El Nino could affect hurricane season in the Atlantic and Gulf regions. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MAGmlIvr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MAGmlIvr-FdEsoD82.html 351 2026-07-31T12:43:55.000Z yes Environment Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/songbirds-of-the-70s-channel-iconic-singer-songwriters/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/27okY0C4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Songbirds of the 70s Channel Iconic Singer-Songwriters WGCU’s Tom Hall talks with Jennifer Crawford about his visit to the Florida Studio Theatre for its cabaret show, "Songbirds of the 70s.” Three singers are performing hits written and recorded by the female singer-songwriters who changed the sound of music in the 1970s and are inviting audiences to relive the music they grew up with. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/27okY0C4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/27okY0C4-FdEsoD82.html 502 2026-07-31T12:43:34.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/education/eye-exams-for-back-to-school/ 2026-07-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8ZSvrZW7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Eye Exams for Back to School With about two weeks left before the first day of school, parents are busy shopping for items on the school supply list. But doctors remind parents to make sure their child has an eye exam. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Teri Geist, president of the American Optometric Association, about why eye exams are especially important for young students. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8ZSvrZW7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8ZSvrZW7-FdEsoD82.html 407 2026-07-31T12:43:17.000Z yes Education Health https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/el-nino-and-hurricanes-songbirds-of-the-70s-and-back-to-school-eye-exams/ 2026-07-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OrwsAiP2/poster.jpg?width=1920 El Nino & Hurricanes, Songbirds of the 70s, and Back to School Eye Exams In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: What the Return of El Nino Means for Hurricane Season: As Florida prepares to enter peak hurricane season, Hurricane Genevieve that formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean became the first Category 5 storm of the year. At the center of the storm lies the weather pattern El Nino. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Anantha Aiyyer, a professor of atmospheric science at North Carolina State University, for more on how El Nino could affect hurricane season in the Atlantic and Gulf regions. Eye Exams for Back to School: With about two weeks left before the first day of school, parents are busy shopping for items on the school supply list. But doctors remind parents to make sure their child has an eye exam. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Teri Geist, president of the American Optometric Association, about why eye exams are especially important for young students. Songbirds of the 70s Channel Iconic Singer-Songwriters: WGCU’s Tom Hall talks with Jennifer Crawford about his visit to the Florida Studio Theatre for its cabaret show, "Songbirds of the 70s.” Three singers are performing hits written and recorded by the female singer-songwriters who changed the sound of music in the 1970s and are inviting audiences to relive the music they grew up with. Do Fitness Trackers Really Work?: As technology advances, devices are being developed to enhance all aspects of life, including fitness.WGCU’s Teddy Byrne and the Cleveland Clinic share some tips on how to determine if a fitness tracker is right for you. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OrwsAiP2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OrwsAiP2-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/first-double-execution-in-60-years/ 2026-07-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hOsIEarK/poster.jpg?width=1920 First Double Execution in 60 Years On Tuesday, Florida carried out its first double execution in more than 60 years, continuing what has been a rapid increase in the number of executions in the state. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, for an explanation of the spike in executions. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hOsIEarK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hOsIEarK-FdEsoD82.html 448 2026-07-30T12:46:11.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/education/glades-county-schools-superintendent/ 2026-07-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BMscyavr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Glades County Schools Superintendent The Glades County Schools Superintendent has earned a top spot in her field on a national level. Dr. Beth Barfield is one of three finalists for the National Superintendent of the Year award. WGCU’s Eileen Kelly reports how Dr. Barfield earned her nomination. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BMscyavr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BMscyavr-FdEsoD82.html 202 2026-07-30T12:45:57.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/environment/blue-green-algae-awareness/ 2026-07-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0lqYVqTW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Blue-Green Algae Awareness Earlier this year, WGCU brought you the story of a rare wintertime blue-green algae bloom that impacted a 35-mile stretch of the Caloosahatchee River. Despite the health risks to people and pets that blue-green algae brings, the Florida Department of Health did not inform the public about the bloom. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles talks to host Jennifer Crawford about developments about the warnings and notices since then. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0lqYVqTW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0lqYVqTW-FdEsoD82.html 348 2026-07-30T12:45:36.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/education/summer-camp-with-sharks/ 2026-07-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7UmQShKX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Summer Camp with Sharks Summertime is also shark season. For some summer camp-goers on Sanibel, they ditched the macrame and instead got up close with the kings of the ocean. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares what campers learned from dissecting sharks with the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7UmQShKX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7UmQShKX-FdEsoD82.html 236 2026-07-30T12:45:17.000Z yes Environment / Nature Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/double-execution-blue-green-algae-awareness-and-summer-camp-with-sharks/ 2026-07-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0tJyWpim/poster.jpg?width=1920 Double Execution, Blue-Green Algae Awareness, and Summer Camp with Sharks In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: First Double Execution in 60 Years: On Tuesday, Florida carried out its first double execution in more than 60 years, continuing what has been a rapid increase in the number of executions in the state. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, for an explanation of the spike in executions. Blue-Green Algae Awareness: Earlier this year, WGCU brought you the story of a rare wintertime blue-green algae bloom that impacted a 35-mile stretch of the Caloosahatchee River. Despite the health risks to people and pets that blue-green algae brings, the Florida Department of Health did not inform the public about the bloom. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles talks to host Jennifer Crawford about developments about the warnings and notices since then. Preparing for the First Day of School: In just two weeks, the school buses will be back on the road, and students will be waving goodbye to summer vacation as they head back into the classroom. But for some, this educational experience will be their first, and it could be a daunting first day. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne details steps you can take to make sure your little one is ready to start school. Glades County Schools Superintendent: The Glades County Schools Superintendent has earned a top spot in her field on a national level. Dr. Beth Barfield is one of three finalists for the National Superintendent of the Year award. WGCU’s Eileen Kelly reports how Dr. Barfield earned her nomination. Summer Camp with Sharks: Summertime is also shark season. For some summer camp-goers on Sanibel, they ditched the macrame and instead got up close with the kings of the ocean. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares what campers learned from dissecting sharks with the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0tJyWpim-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0tJyWpim-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-29T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/rebuilding-business-on-fort-myers-beach/ 2026-07-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JThM3xVb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rebuilding Business on Fort Myers Beach For Fort Myers Beach, the recovery from Hurricane Ian has been a years-long process. From restoring Times Square and making plans to rebuild the iconic pier, to the return of traditional businesses and the arrival of new ones. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park takes us to the coast to look at how off-season recovery is progressing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JThM3xVb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JThM3xVb-FdEsoD82.html 343 2026-07-29T12:55:34.000Z yes Business / Economics FL Exploration https://wgcuplus.org/news/preventing-hot-car-deaths-and-children/ 2026-07-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qGsagHxU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preventing Hot Car Deaths and Children Florida leads the country in children dying in hot cars, with five deaths so far this year. A 1-year-old girl in Fort Myers was the most recent victim after reportedly being left in a car off College Parkway. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Amber Rollins, the executive director of Kids and Car Safety, to learn how these tragedies can be prevented. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qGsagHxU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qGsagHxU-FdEsoD82.html 477 2026-07-29T12:55:14.000Z yes Health https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/the-race-for-agriculture-commissioner/ 2026-07-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6ywYUg6u/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Race for Agriculture Commissioner The race for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture has been a quieter contest compared to others on the ballot, despite the position being one of Florida's most powerful and influential. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis for a closer look at the candidates, and what this position oversees.\ https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6ywYUg6u-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6ywYUg6u-FdEsoD82.html 480 2026-07-29T12:54:53.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/agriculture-commissioner-race-hot-car-deaths-and-the-new-fort-myers-beach/ 2026-07-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IDExHtep/poster.jpg?width=1920 Agriculture Commissioner Race, Hot Car Deaths, and the New Fort Myers Beach In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Race for Agriculture Commissioner: The race for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture has been a quieter contest compared to others on the ballot, despite the position being one of Florida's most powerful and influential. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis for a closer look at the candidates, and what this position oversees. Preventing Hot Car Deaths and Children: Florida leads the country in children dying in hot cars, with five deaths so far this year. A 1-year-old girl in Fort Myers was the most recent victim after reportedly being left in a car off College Parkway. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Amber Rollins, the executive director of Kids and Car Safety, to learn how these tragedies can be prevented. Rebuilding Business on Fort Myers Beach: For Fort Myers Beach, the recovery from Hurricane Ian has been a years-long process. From restoring Times Square and making plans to rebuild the iconic pier, to the return of traditional businesses and the arrival of new ones. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park takes us to the coast to look at how off-season recovery is progressing. Mini-Lobster Season Kicks Off: Starting on Wednesday, July 29, the countdown is over and the hunt is on. Florida's annual mini-lobster season opens one minute after midnight and ends just 24 hours later, at midnight on July 30. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford details one of the state’s most anticipated recreational harvests. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IDExHtep-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IDExHtep-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-28T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/bonita-businesses-face-labor-shortage/ 2026-07-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LN7PuZJr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bonita Businesses Face Labor Shortage A college study reports upticks in immigration arrests that have led to labor shortages, reduced customer spending, and financial struggles for businesses related to ICE immigration detainments. One way to build support within the community has come from the Blue Gator Initiative, an allied group for the Democratic Party of Lee County. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park attended a recent gathering to learn more. For more on the impact immigration enforcement is having on businesses and communities, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sui Chung, the executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LN7PuZJr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LN7PuZJr-FdEsoD82.html 561 2026-07-28T13:10:50.000Z yes Business / Economics Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/possible-elimination-of-daylight-saving-time/ 2026-07-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KILu0MI4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Possible Elimination of Daylight Saving Time In 2018, the Florida Legislature passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which was designed to keep Florida on a year-round daylight saving time schedule. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its own version of the bill. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Karin Johnson, a professor of neurology at University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, about the potential switch to permanent daylight saving time. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KILu0MI4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KILu0MI4-FdEsoD82.html 372 2026-07-28T13:10:25.000Z yes Health / Aging Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/environment/vaccine-research-for-disease-spread-by-no-see-ums/ 2026-07-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YML56f7W/poster.jpg?width=1920 Vaccine Research for Disease Spread by “No-See-Ums" Researchers at Ohio State University say a new vaccine offers hope against a tropical disease spread by sandflies, or what you may hear called no-see-ums. Florida's warm climate creates ideal conditions for the bugs to thrive and opens the door for the spread of a disease called leishmaniasis. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dr. Abhay Satoskar, a professor in the department of pathology at OSU, for an update on how vaccine trials are progressing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YML56f7W-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YML56f7W-FdEsoD82.html 378 2026-07-28T13:10:01.000Z yes Environment / Nature Health https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/bonita-labor-shortage-daylight-saving-time-and-no-see-um-protection/ 2026-07-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AqgYS7T2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bonita Labor Shortage, Daylight Saving Time, and No-See-Um Protection In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Bonita Businesses Face Labor Shortage: A college study reports upticks in immigration arrests that have led to labor shortages, reduced customer spending, and financial struggles for businesses related to ICE immigration detainments. One way to build support within the community has come from the Blue Gator Initiative, an allied group for the Democratic Party of Lee County. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park attended a recent gathering to learn more. For more on the impact immigration enforcement is having on businesses and communities, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Sui Chung, the executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice. Possible Elimination of Daylight Saving Time: In 2018, the Florida Legislature passed the Sunshine Protection Act, which was designed to keep Florida on a year-round daylight saving time schedule. Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its own version of the bill. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Dr. Karin Johnson, a professor of neurology at University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, about the potential switch to permanent daylight saving time. Vaccine Research for Disease Spread by “No-See-Ums": Researchers at Ohio State University say a new vaccine offers hope against a tropical disease spread by sandflies, or what you may hear called no-see-ums. Florida's warm climate creates ideal conditions for the bugs to thrive and opens the door for the spread of a disease called leishmaniasis. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dr. Abhay Satoskar, a professor in the department of pathology at OSU, for an update on how vaccine trials are progressing. Feeding Your Brain: Finding ways to improve your cognitive function is good for folks of any age. Staying social, getting quality sleep, and incorporating consistent exercise is a good start. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne and the Cleveland Clinic share why a good way to get… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AqgYS7T2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AqgYS7T2-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-27T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/back-to-school-support-for-foster-kids/ 2026-07-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OeV7kR0g/poster.jpg?width=1920 Back To School Support For Foster Kids ANA’s Friends is a non-profit group headquartered in Fort Myers. It reports that on any given day in Southwest Florida, more than 1,000 children are displaced as a result of abuse, abandonment or neglect in their home. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with ANA’s Friends CEO Jessica Kaestner about the steps they take to help provide a sense of normalcy in the lives of children, often in the midst of chaos. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OeV7kR0g-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OeV7kR0g-FdEsoD82.html 423 2026-07-27T17:01:23.000Z yes WGCU southwest florida GoodWorks ANA’sFriends FosterKid https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/protecting-pets-from-heat-sickness/ 2026-07-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/o9TLW9n8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Pets From Heat Sickness Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s this weekend. Extreme heat poses a threat not just for humans but can also have a harmful effect on our pets. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Becca Morris, CEO of the Patty Baker Humane Society, and a special furry guest for tips on keeping your pets safe this summer. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/o9TLW9n8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/o9TLW9n8-FdEsoD82.html 386 2026-07-27T17:01:03.000Z yes WGCU Health Environment SouthwestFlorida Good Works Heat PattyBakerHumaneSociety Pet https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/recent-update-from-israel/ 2026-07-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XofBXrAg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recent Update From Israel The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024 on war crime charges of starvation and crimes against humanity. In a recent video, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the prime minister a war criminal and condemned Israel's alleged violations of a ceasefire that was agreed to with Palestine in 2025. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Neil Rogachevsky, an assistant professor of humanities with the University of Florida, for the latest on Middle Eastern relations. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XofBXrAg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XofBXrAg-FdEsoD82.html 387 2026-07-27T16:56:14.000Z yes Politics / Legal WGCU SouthwestFlorida MiddleEast Politics Israel https://wgcuplus.org/news/residents-rally-for-communal-fridge-in-cape-coral/ 2026-07-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ihOygBWt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Residents Rally For Communal Fridge In Cape Coral Over 150,000 people in Southwest Florida face food insecurity, according to St. Matthew's House. To combat this issue, residents opened the Cape Coral Community Fridge to provide free food for neighbors in need. But earlier this year, the group was told by the city it had to be removed. WGCU's Giuliana Lopes shares how organizers are now working with the city to find a permanent solution. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ihOygBWt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ihOygBWt-FdEsoD82.html 163 2026-07-27T16:53:03.000Z yes Cape Coral WGCU SouthwestFlorida GoodWorks FoodInsecurity https://wgcuplus.org/news/protecting-pets-from-heat-supporting-foster-kids-and-a-community-fridge-7-24-202/ 2026-07-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bS8NYiUp/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Pets from Heat, Supporting Foster Kids, and A Community Fridge | 7-24 -2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Protecting Pets from Heat Sickness: Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-90s this weekend. Extreme heat poses a threat not just for humans but can also have a harmful effect on our pets. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Becca Morris, CEO of the Patty Baker Humane Society, and a special furry guest for tips on keeping your pets safe this summer. Back to School Support for Foster Kids: ANA’s Friends is non-profit group headquartered in Fort Myers. It reports that on any given day in Southwest Florida, more than 1,000 children are displaced as a result of abuse, abandonment or neglect in their home. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with ANA’s Friends CEO Jessica Kaestner about the steps they take to help provide a sense of normalcy in the lives of children in the foster system. Recent Update from Israel: The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November 2024 on war crime charges of starvation and crimes against humanity. In a video, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the prime minister a war criminal and condemned Israel's alleged violations of a ceasefire that was agreed to with Palestine in 2025. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Neil Rogachevsky, an assistant professor of humanities with the University of Florida, for the latest on Middle Eastern relations. Residents Rally for Communal Fridge in Cape Coral: Over 150,000 people in Southwest Florida face food insecurity, according to St. Matthew's House. To combat this issue, residents opened the Cape Coral Community Fridge to provide free food for neighbors in need. But earlier this year, the group was told by the city it had to be removed. WGCU's Giuliana Lopes shares how organizers are now working with the city to find a permanent solution. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bS8NYiUp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bS8NYiUp-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-07-24T20:39:24.000Z yes Cape Coral WGCU SouthwestFlorida MiddleEast Politics Community GoodWorks ANA’sFriends FoodInsecurity FosterKid Heat Israel PattyBakerHumaneSociety Pet https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/python-colony-found-autism-awareness-on-stage-and-mesmeric-special-effects/ 2026-07-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AX3pM1QE/poster.jpg?width=1920 Python Colony Found, Autism Awareness on Stage, and Mesmeric Special Effects In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Python Colony Discovered in Charlotte County: Charlotte County is the new hot spot for some surprising residents- Burmese pythons. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles about how these breeding colonies were found north of the Everglades. Autism Awareness Through Theatre: The CDC estimates that 1 in every 45 adults is on the autism spectrum. At the Off Broadway Palm Theatre, a performance of Mark Saint Germain's romantic comedy “Dancing Lessons,” brings attention to the daily struggles of those with the diagnosis. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares details of how the play builds autism awareness for audiences. Special Effects Immerse Patrons: Disney has pioneered the use of CGI and animation to create immersive worlds and represent magical elements and transformations. Tools like that aren't available in theaters, but there are ways to combine science and artistry to enhance storytelling, support character development, and elevate a show's emotional impact using lighting, sound, and special effects. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall visits a rehearsal of "Frozen," at Arts Bonita to see how it’s bringing the story to life in a way thrills audiences. Florida Road Trip Visits Sarasota: Florida is full of hidden gems and special spots. You can find an array of the best attractions as part of "Florida Road Trip,” available now to watch at WGCU.org and on PBS Passport. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford introduces a special preview as host Allison Godlove shows us the sites of Sarasota. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AX3pM1QE-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AX3pM1QE-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-23T20:20:20.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/education/student-athlete-screenings-catch-heart-health-concern/ 2026-07-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8um7CXN6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Student Athlete Screenings Catch Heart Health Concern A new Florida law requires high school student athletes to have an electro-cardiogram to test their heart before they can participate in sports. The "Second Chance Act," was named for high school senior Chance Gainer, who died on a football field two years ago from an undetected heart condition. WGCU's Amanda Inscore-Whittamore brings the story of one athlete whose life may have been saved by this test. Followed by a conversation with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Dr. Joe Pepe from the Florida Department of Health about what students and parents can expect when getting an EKG. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8um7CXN6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8um7CXN6-FdEsoD82.html 474 2026-07-23T13:01:34.000Z yes Education Health https://wgcuplus.org/news/protecting-your-pet-from-parasites/ 2026-07-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/L3rwAWG7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Your Pet from Parasites For pet lovers, keeping them safe from parasites can be a constant struggle. The CDC has seen tick bites surge to its highest rate in decades, and for the first time in 50 years, the New World screwworm has re-entered the United States. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor shares the steps you can take to keep your pets safe. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/L3rwAWG7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/L3rwAWG7-FdEsoD82.html 209 2026-07-23T13:01:23.000Z yes Health Environment https://wgcuplus.org/education/how-to-research-a-private-school/ 2026-07-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SZiH7UCL/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to Research a Private School A recent investigation from the non-profit newsroom ProPublica revealed some private schools in Florida are receiving state funding despite previous illicit activities from its leaders. ProPublica Journalist Mollie Simon discusses tips for researching private schools with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SZiH7UCL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SZiH7UCL-FdEsoD82.html 405 2026-07-23T13:01:05.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/education/financial-emergency-for-glades-schools/ 2026-07-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CMQJ90aa/poster.jpg?width=1920 Financial Emergency for Glades Schools The Glades County school district is one of two in the state of Florida placed in a state of financial emergency, according to the Florida Department of Education. The declaration came in March after the district's general fund balance dropped below the mandatory 2% threshold. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly explains a new ballot measure intended to help the district. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CMQJ90aa-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CMQJ90aa-FdEsoD82.html 274 2026-07-23T13:00:52.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/researching-private-schools-heart-screenings-and-glades-co-school-finances/ 2026-07-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vRKcUrnS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Researching Private Schools, Heart Screenings, and Glades Co. School Finances In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: How to Research a Private School: A recent investigation from the non-profit newsroom ProPublica revealed some private schools in Florida are receiving state funding despite previous illicit activities from its leaders. ProPublica Journalist Mollie Simon discusses tips for researching private schools with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. Student Athlete Screenings Catch Heart Health Concern: A new Florida law requires high school student athletes to have an electro-cardiogram to test their heart before they can participate in sports. The "Second Chance Act," was named for high school senior Chance Gainer, who died on a football field two years ago from an undetected heart condition. WGCU's Amanda Inscore-Whittamore brings the story of one athlete whose life may have been saved by this test. Followed by a conversation with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Dr. Joe Pepe from the Florida Department of Health about what students and parents can expect when getting an EKG. Financial Emergency for Glades Schools: The Glades County school district is one of two in the state of Florida placed in a state of financial emergency, according to the Florida Department of Education. The declaration came in March after the district's general fund balance dropped below the mandatory 2% threshold. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly explains a new ballot measure intended to help the district. Protecting Your Pet from Parasites: For pet lovers, keeping them safe from parasites can be a constant struggle. The CDC has seen tick bites surge to its highest rate in decades, and for the first time in 50 years, the New World screwworm has re-entered the United States. WGCU Health Reporter Cary Barbor shares the steps you can take to keep your pets safe. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vRKcUrnS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vRKcUrnS-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-22T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/free-online-active-parenting-program-begins-soon-at-david-lawrence-centers-in-na/ 2026-07-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aLKtvxBz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Free online Active Parenting program begins soon at David Lawrence Centers in Naples Parenting has never been easy, and approaches to parenting have changed and evolved over time. But in these times we’re in, it seems like the challenges that come with raising a child must be as great as they’ve ever been. Active Parenting education programs have been around since the early 1980s. They are evidence-based, meaning they use research-backed curriculum that teach techniques and approaches that have been studied and shown to provide benefits including lowering household conflict and improving child behavior. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), roughly 40% of U.S. high school students report persistent feelings of sadness & hopelessness. The number is even higher among adolescent girls. This is far from the only data showing how troubling these times are for young people — and by extension, for their parents. We learn about a series of Active Parenting courses that are starting up soon through the David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health in Collier County. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aLKtvxBz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aLKtvxBz-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-07-22T13:08:18.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/compassionate-swfl-celebrates-one-year-of-working-toward-a-more-compassionate-co/ 2026-07-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QTp2TZRh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Compassionate SWFL celebrates one year of working toward a more compassionate community In 2008 a British woman named Karen Armstrong won the TED Prize — it's similar to a MacArthur Genius Grant that helps people realize their dreams — and she used it to start The Charter for Compassion. It’s a global movement that seeks to promote the principle of compassion as a central ethical value in society. Since then, more than 100 cities have officially declared — through something like a City Council Resolution — that they are "Compassionate Communities" which affirm the Charter. Here in Florida, St. Augustine signed on in 2013 and St. Petersburg did as well in 2018. One year ago, a group of southwest Floridians held their first ‘shaping a compassionate Fort Myers’ event to start building momentum toward imbedding compassion into our local community. We spoke with them when the effort launched, and as it has progressed, and now we check back in as they celebrate their one-year anniversary. Compassionate Southwest Florida is holding its 12th Community Conversation on Saturday, July 25. Click here to learn more about it and the work they're doing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QTp2TZRh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QTp2TZRh-FdEsoD82.html 1441 2026-07-22T13:06:40.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/data-centers-dominate-election-discussions/ 2026-07-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4HoI4AK0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Data Centers Dominate Election Discussions We are less than one month from the Florida primaries, and quickly inserting itself at the top of many political discussions is the role of massive data centers. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis talks with Jennifer Crawford about how these data centers have become a key point of election campaigns. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4HoI4AK0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4HoI4AK0-FdEsoD82.html 400 2026-07-22T12:52:22.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/environment/july-kicks-off-shorebird-nesting-season/ 2026-07-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fyCEz7Ej/poster.jpg?width=1920 July Kicks Off Shorebird Nesting Season One of the more enjoyable ways to spend your time in Florida is along its beaches. And you won’t be alone as Southwest Florida’s shorebird nesting season begins. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Megan Hatten, Audubon Florida's Southwest Florida Shorebird Program manager, about what birds we could see migrating this month. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/fyCEz7Ej-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fyCEz7Ej-FdEsoD82.html 432 2026-07-22T12:52:04.000Z yes FL Exploration Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/community-steps-up-for-families-in-midst-of-ice-detainments/ 2026-07-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bGxUQUC0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Community Steps Up for Families in midst of ICE Detainments The Department of Homeland Security says its detained almost 900,000 people since January of 2025. Immigrant rights advocates say theis has caused families to be separated. In Bonita Springs, a grassroots effort is helping families impacted by the separations. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains the “Adopt an ICE Widow Family” initiative and a statewide movement from the Florida Immigration Coalition is advocating for fair treatment of immigrants. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Adriana Rivera, communications director for the FLIC, for more on how the organization assists immigrant families. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bGxUQUC0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bGxUQUC0-FdEsoD82.html 493 2026-07-22T12:51:42.000Z yes Politics / Legal Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ice-detainment-impacts-data-centers-and-elections-and-shorebird-nesting/ 2026-07-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aq3pMPBa/poster.jpg?width=1920 ICE Detainment Impacts, Data Centers and Elections, and Shorebird Nesting In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Community Steps Up for Families in midst of ICE Detainments: The Department of Homeland Security says its detained almost 900,000 people since January of 2025. Immigrant rights advocates say theis has caused families to be separated. In Bonita Springs, a grassroots effort is helping families impacted by the separations. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains the “Adopt an ICE Widow Family” initiative. Advocating for Immigrant Rights: A statewide movement from the Florida Immigration Coalition is advocating for fair treatment of immigrants. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Adriana Rivera, communications director for the FLIC, for more on how the organization assists immigrant families. Data Centers Dominate Election Discussions: We are less than one month from the Florida primaries, and quickly inserting itself at the top of many political discussions is the role of massive data centers. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis talks with Jennifer Crawford about how these data centers have become a key point of election campaigns. July Kicks Off Shorebird Nesting Season: One of the more enjoyable ways to spend your time in Florida is along its beaches. And you won’t be alone as Southwest Florida’s shorebird nesting season begins. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Megan Hatten, Audubon Florida's Southwest Florida Shorebird Program manager, about what birds we could see migrating this month. Can You Be Allergic to the Sun?: It's recommended that everyone gets between 10 to 30 minutes of sunshine every day. Besides offering a boost of vitamin D, the Cleveland Clinic also shares that daily sunshine can improve sleep quality, increase energy levels, and reduce stress. But as WGCU’s Teddy Byrne shares, not everyone has the same experience with catching rays. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aq3pMPBa-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aq3pMPBa-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/sustainable-seafood-farming/ 2026-07-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Iic02LYQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sustainable Seafood Farming Mollusks are vital to the Florida ecosystem, playing a major role in the restoration of waterways. But in a state that consumes seafood so frequently, how can we maintain a constant supply of oysters, mussels, and clams? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Science Director and Curator Dr. José Leal from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium to explore the sustainable future of seafood production. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Iic02LYQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Iic02LYQ-FdEsoD82.html 407 2026-07-21T12:57:33.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/environment/a-beachcomber-s-guide-to-shelling/ 2026-07-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PJ6KMPt2/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Beachcomber’s Guide to Shelling Sanibel Island is known as the seashell capital of the world. But with hot summertime temps, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium came up with a creative solution to enjoy the collecting away from the heat. WGCU News Fellow Jessica Bowlby takes a walk down the shore with some dedicated shell-hunters. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PJ6KMPt2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PJ6KMPt2-FdEsoD82.html 210 2026-07-21T12:57:24.000Z yes FL Exploration Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/supporting-sanibel-businesses-through-summer/ 2026-07-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FdLoyitT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Supporting Sanibel Businesses Through Summer Sanibel is built on small businesses. With almost no chain stores and nothing over three stories, shops and restaurants cater to tourists and residents looking for island vibes. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall ventures out to the island to see how businesses are rebounding several years after destruction from Hurricane Ian. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FdLoyitT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FdLoyitT-FdEsoD82.html 422 2026-07-21T12:57:06.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/the-future-of-automated-driving/ 2026-07-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/c2kX9SCp/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Future of Automated Driving General Motors has rolled out vehicles equipped with sensors across Southwest Florida. The cars are collecting data that will be used for the next generation of automobiles. Director of AV Data, Ryan Falor, shares GM’s plan for hands, and even eyes, free driving with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/c2kX9SCp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/c2kX9SCp-FdEsoD82.html 371 2026-07-21T12:56:49.000Z yes Business / Economics Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/supporting-sanibel-businesses-sustainable-seafood-and-a-beachcomber-s-guide/ 2026-07-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PdYxQpsF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Supporting Sanibel Businesses, Sustainable Seafood, and A Beachcomber’s Guide In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Supporting Sanibel Businesses Through Summer: Sanibel is built on small businesses. With almost no chain stores and nothing over three stories, shops and restaurants cater to tourists and residents looking for island vibes. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall ventures out to the island to see how businesses are rebounding several years after destruction from Hurricane Ian. The Future of Automated Driving: General Motors has rolled out vehicles equipped with sensors across Southwest Florida. The cars are collecting data that will be used for the next generation of automobiles. Director of AV Data, Ryan Falor, shares GM’s plan for hands, and even eyes, free driving with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. Sustainable Seafood Farming: Mollusks are vital to the Florida ecosystem, playing a major role in the restoration of waterways. But in a state that consumes seafood so frequently, how can we maintain a constant supply of oysters, mussels, and clams? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Science Director and Curator Dr. José Leal from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium to explore the sustainable future of seafood production. A Beachcomber’s Guide to Shelling: Sanibel Island is known as the seashell capital of the world. But with hot summertime temps, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium came up with a creative solution to enjoy the collecting away from the heat. WGCU News Fellow Jessica Bowlby takes a walk down the shore with some dedicated shell-hunters. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PdYxQpsF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PdYxQpsF-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-07-20T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/commercial-construction-surge/ 2026-07-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PK5bKlh3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Commercial Construction Surge If you drive around Southwest Florida, you can't help but notice all the construction that's underway. Some of it is housing, but new retailers are moving in, anxious to set up shop for our population boom. That rapid population growth has led to a massive regional infrastructure investment that is reshaping our local commerce. So, what does this mean for your quality of life? WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher finds us those answers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PK5bKlh3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PK5bKlh3-FdEsoD82.html 214 2026-07-20T13:01:24.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/accessible-voting-for-all/ 2026-07-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/l43vwcmY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Accessible Voting for All People with disabilities make up a growing portion of voters who will help decide upcoming elections. While the Americans With Disabilities Act has helped with voter accessibility, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Laura-Lee Minutello, a public policy analyst with Disability Rights Florida, about the challenges some Floridians face to get to the polls and cast their ballots. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/l43vwcmY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/l43vwcmY-FdEsoD82.html 479 2026-07-20T13:00:54.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/education/shopping-smart-for-back-to-school/ 2026-07-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tDUCh1fS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Shopping Smart for Back to School In less than a month, students in Southwest Florida will head back to class. For parents, that means back-to-school shopping. The National Retail Federation says nationwide, households are expected to spend over $850,000 on school supplies, with most of the cost going towards clothing and shoes. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park stopped by a Lehigh Acres Goodwill, where an event is designed to ease the financial burden of sending kids back to school. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tDUCh1fS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tDUCh1fS-FdEsoD82.html 252 2026-07-20T13:00:37.000Z yes Education Good Works GoodWorks https://wgcuplus.org/environment/introducing-the-urban-gopher-tortoise/ 2026-07-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FvAgjVPl/poster.jpg?width=1920 Introducing the Urban Gopher Tortoise In the past century, gopher tortoise habitats have declined by more than 60%, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their high and dry nesting locations have been targeted as prime locations by developers, and gopher tortoise populations have dwindled to around 700,000. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Cheryl Anderson, president of the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, to learn more about the threatened tortoise. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FvAgjVPl-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FvAgjVPl-FdEsoD82.html 341 2026-07-20T13:00:09.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/accessible-voting-for-all-urban-gopher-tortoise-and-smart-school-shopping/ 2026-07-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1hXOteyC/poster.jpg?width=1920 Accessible Voting for All, Urban Gopher Tortoise, and Smart School Shopping In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Commercial Construction Surge: If you drive around Southwest Florida, you can't help but notice all the construction that's underway. Some of it is housing, but new retailers are moving in, anxious to set up shop for our population boom. That rapid population growth has led to a massive regional infrastructure investment that is reshaping our local commerce. So, what does this mean for your quality of life? WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher finds us those answers. Accessible Voting for All: People with disabilities make up a growing portion of voters who will help decide upcoming elections. While the Americans With Disabilities Act has helped with voter accessibility, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Laura-Lee Minutello, a public policy analyst with Disability Rights Florida, about the challenges some Floridians face to get to the polls and cast their ballots. Introducing the Urban Gopher Tortoise: In the past century, gopher tortoise habitats have declined by more than 60%, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their high and dry nesting locations have been targeted as prime locations by developers, and gopher tortoise populations have dwindled to around 700,000. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Cheryl Anderson, president of the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, to learn more about the threatened tortoise. Shopping Smart for Back to School: In less than a month, students in Southwest Florida will head back to class. For parents, that means back-to-school shopping. The National Retail Federation says nationwide, households are expected to spend over $850,000 on school supplies, with most of the cost going towards clothing and shoes. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park stopped by a Lehigh Acres Goodwill, where an event is designed to ease the financial burden of sending kids back to school. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1hXOteyC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1hXOteyC-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-07-17T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/nhc-tracks-emerging-low-pressure-system-in-the-gulf-of-mexico/ 2026-07-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/k3SPTFMQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 NHC tracks emerging low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico NHC tracks emerging low-pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/k3SPTFMQ-9EIvARZ2.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/k3SPTFMQ-FdEsoD82.html 37 2026-07-17T19:43:28.000Z yes Weather https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/world-cup-viewership-numbers-reach-new-heights/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YCvqwRW3/poster.jpg?width=1920 World Cup Viewership Numbers Reach New Heights After millions of fans came to North America to celebrate the game of soccer, setting record attendance and television ratings, what does it mean for the future of the sport in America? WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with Sports Journalist Karthik Krishnaiyer about this Sunday's finale, and if hosting another World Cup could be on America's horizon. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YCvqwRW3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YCvqwRW3-FdEsoD82.html 371 2026-07-16T20:17:21.000Z yes Culture https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-power-of-the-understudy/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yCrYSlYg/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Power of the Understudy This week, there are 14 shows onstage at Southwest Florida theaters. With 35 community and equity theaters and more than a dozen high school musical theater programs producing shows from Marco Island to Sarasota, theater is a large part of Southwest Florida's arts and culture scene. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Arts Reporter Tom Hall take us behind the curtain to explore what it takes for thespians who are always on standby as the understudy, and the integral roles they play in each performance. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yCrYSlYg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yCrYSlYg-FdEsoD82.html 345 2026-07-16T20:16:56.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/florida-s-death-penalty/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/K1ItekxE/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida’s Death Penalty One year after Florida set a modern state record for capital punishment, the state is once again leading the nation when it comes to executions. For the first time in 60 years, Governor Ron Desantis has scheduled two executions on the same day. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Host and Reporter John Davis to discuss why execution numbers are accelerating, and why it includes the elderly. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/K1ItekxE-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/K1ItekxE-FdEsoD82.html 411 2026-07-16T20:16:23.000Z yes Politics / Legal Regional https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/florida-death-penalty-the-power-of-the-understudy-and-world-cup-attendance/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rAi71mCi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Death Penalty, The Power of the Understudy, and World Cup Attendance In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Florida’s Death Penalty: One year after Florida set a modern state record for capital punishment, the state is once again leading the nation when it comes to executions. For the first time in 60 years, Governor Ron Desantis has scheduled two executions on the same day. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Host and Reporter John Davis to discuss why execution numbers are accelerating, and why it includes the elderly. The Power of the Understudy: This week, there are 14 shows onstage at Southwest Florida theaters. With 35 community and equity theaters and more than a dozen high school musical theater programs producing shows from Marco Island to Sarasota, theater is a large part of Southwest Florida's arts and culture scene. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Arts Reporter Tom Hall take us behind the curtain to explore what it takes for thespians who are always on standby as the understudy, and the integral roles they play in each performance. Language Learning Through the World Cup: In the United States the viewership for the World Cup is up 92% from the 2022 cup, according to the website Deadline that tracks TV audience numbers. But for some, watching the game has become a learning experience, and they are choosing to watch the game through an international lens. Reporters Tim Reynolds and Obed Lamy of the Associated Press explain why some viewers are watching matches while listening in a new language. World Cup Viewership Numbers Reach New Heights: After millions of fans came to North America to celebrate the game of soccer, setting record attendance and television ratings, what does it mean for the future of the sport in America? WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with Sports Journalist Karthik Krishnaiyer about this Sunday's finale, and if hosting another World Cup could be on America's horizon. A Preview of Decoding Ancient Florida: The Mound House: For thousands of… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rAi71mCi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rAi71mCi-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-07-16T20:06:57.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/risk-and-vulnerability-take-center-stage-in-theatre-conspiracy-s-production-of-m/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QUDiAl6w/poster.jpg?width=1920 Risk and vulnerability take center stage in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of Mark St. Germain’s “Dancing Lessons” Theatre Conspiracy is mounting a production of playwright Mark St. Germain’s romantic comedy “Dancing Lessons.” The two-actor play takes audiences on a deep exploration of vulnerability and risk as the characters’ relationship develops and as they help each other step outside their respective comfort zones. We will talk with one of the stars of the production, actor Steven Coe. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QUDiAl6w-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QUDiAl6w-FdEsoD82.html 1449 2026-07-16T18:11:31.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/uncommon-friends-foundation-supporting-students-and-preserving-local-history-sin/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Z8J3iMN9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Uncommon Friends Foundation - supporting students & preserving local history since 1993 The Burroughs Home & Gardens in downtown Fort Myers was constructed in 1901 so is celebrating its 125th birthday this year, with the help of the Uncommon Friends Foundation — part of their mission is preserving the historic home. The foundation gets its name from the 1987 biography “Uncommon Friends: Life with Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, Alexis Carrel & Charles Lindbergh” by James Newton. While still in his early 20s, Mr. Newton led the development of Edison Park on the other side of downtown from the Burroughs Home and knew the five men in his book. Alongside historic preservation, the Uncommon Friends Foundation’s mission also includes promoting good character and ethics, and providing scholarships to local students. They also do lots of community outreach and present a summer camp. We get an update on what the foundation is up to, and get a bit of history on the Burroughs Home and the namesake 'uncommon friends'. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z8J3iMN9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Z8J3iMN9-FdEsoD82.html 1439 2026-07-16T18:09:34.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/education/building-leadership-skills-through-jrotc/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/q5cpefn0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Building Leadership Skills Through JROTC It might surprise you to learn that Lee County has the most Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in the world with more than 6,500 members across 17 high schools. What you might find even more surprising is that only roughly 17% of Lee County JROTC students join the military. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster shares what these students learned through the program, and their plans post-graduation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/q5cpefn0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/q5cpefn0-FdEsoD82.html 310 2026-07-16T12:57:56.000Z yes Education Community https://wgcuplus.org/education/fiscal-future-of-glades-county-schools/ 2026-07-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LbzZOycY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fiscal Future of Glades County Schools The Glades County School District has been declared financially broke by the state of Florida. Its financial matters are now in the hands of the state, meaning any purchases and any financial decisions must be approved by the state's oversight board. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley details the fiscal future of Glades County schools. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LbzZOycY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LbzZOycY-FdEsoD82.html 230 2026-07-16T12:57:31.000Z yes Business / Economics Education Community https://wgcuplus.org/environment/saharan-dust-intensifies-heat-wave/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/m4nPy9Uu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Saharan Dust Intensifies Heat Wave Florida is already baking in high temps under a prolonged drought, and now we have another weather phenomena that’s trapping even more heat. A 5,000-mile-long plume of Saharan dust brings hazy skies and prevents daily thunderstorms in South Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Certified Meteorologist Irene Sans from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about why temperatures keep climbing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/m4nPy9Uu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/m4nPy9Uu-FdEsoD82.html 431 2026-07-15T20:29:41.000Z yes Environment / Nature Environment https://wgcuplus.org/environment/lake-okeechobee-and-blue-green-algae/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EvDIbhWH/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lake Okeechobee and Blue-Green Algae During the summer months it's common for blue-green algae blooms to be present in Lake Okeechobee. But currently, the levels of the harmful bacteria have forced the Florida Department of Health to issue health alerts after blankets of it were found covering hundreds of square miles of the lake. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles for what this means for water quality. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EvDIbhWH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EvDIbhWH-FdEsoD82.html 388 2026-07-15T20:29:05.000Z yes Environment / Nature Environment https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/lake-o-algae-blooms-saharan-dust-heat-wave-and-leadership-through-jrotc/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oWmv90s3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lake O’ Algae Blooms, Saharan Dust Heat Wave, and Leadership Through JROTC In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Lake Okeechobee and Blue-Green Algae: During the summer months it's common for blue-green algae blooms to be present in Lake Okeechobee. But currently, the levels of the harmful bacteria have forced the Florida Department of Health to issue health alerts after blankets of it were found covering hundreds of square miles of the lake. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles for what this means for water quality. Saharan Dust Intensifies Heat Wave: Florida is already baking in high temps under a prolonged drought, and now we have another weather phenomena that’s trapping even more heat. A 5,000-mile-long plume of Saharan dust brings hazy skies and prevents daily thunderstorms in South Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Certified Meteorologist Irene Sans from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about why temperatures keep climbing. Fiscal Future of Glades County Schools: The Glades County School District has been declared financially broke by the state of Florida. Its financial matters are now in the hands of the state, meaning any purchases and any financial decisions must be approved by the state's oversight board. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley details the fiscal future of Glades County schools. Building Leadership Skills Through JROTC: It might surprise you to learn that Lee County has the most Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in the world with more than 6,500 members across 17 high schools. What you might find even more surprising is that only roughly 17% of Lee County JROTC students join the military. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster shares what these students learned through the program, and their plans post-graduation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oWmv90s3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oWmv90s3-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-15T20:10:23.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/new-bishop-ordained/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uhogcsFo/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Bishop Ordained The Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida says the Diocese of Venice serves 10 counties and about 260,000 people. Now, they have a new bishop. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes us to the ceremony of Bishop Emilio Biosca Aguero’s ordination. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uhogcsFo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uhogcsFo-FdEsoD82.html 206 2026-07-15T13:40:32.000Z yes Culture https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/hyperscale-data-centers-banned-in-sarasota/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/A9v61Pr2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hyperscale Data Centers Banned in Sarasota On July 1, a new Florida law went into effect that allows cities and counties to ban or block applications for data centers. Sarasota County commissioners voted to halt the acceptance, review, and approval of any major data centers until at least 2027. Suncoast Searchlight Reporter Christian Casale talks with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about several serious concerns, including the use of electricity and water consumption. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/A9v61Pr2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/A9v61Pr2-FdEsoD82.html 420 2026-07-15T13:34:21.000Z yes Business / Economics Regional https://wgcuplus.org/news/preventing-cyclosporiasis/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hbSXaou4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preventing Cyclosporiasis As an outbreak of cyclosporiasis spreads across the country, our state is seeing a rise in cases. According to the Florida Department of Health, over 60 cases stemming from the parasite have been recorded. That includes Lee County, which leads the state with 11 confirmed incidents this year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Gastroenterologist Dr. Anil Sharma of the University of Florida College of Medicine for ways to prevent contracting cyclosporiasis. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hbSXaou4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hbSXaou4-FdEsoD82.html 296 2026-07-15T13:34:07.000Z yes Health https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ice-protests-sarasota-s-data-center-ban-and-new-bishop-ordained/ 2026-07-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ex5CX0dt/poster.jpg?width=1920 ICE Protests, Sarasota’s Data Center Ban, and New Bishop Ordained In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: ICE Shootings Spark Outcry: Two people have been shot and killed by federal immigration agents in the last week. In Maine on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security said an ICE officer shot a man and that the agent feared for public safety. Hundreds of people protested on Tuesday over the death of the man who was from Colombia. Marissa Duhaney from the Associated Press brings more information about another shooting victim killed by a federal immigration officer in Houston. Protests over ICE Detainees: Legal observers have been tracking ICE operations in Southwest Florida. Activists say a man was detained by agents on Friday, leading to a swift community outcry and response. WGCU's Youn-Joo Park reports on the protest. Hyperscale Data Centers Banned in Sarasota: On July 1, a new Florida law went into effect that allows cities and counties to ban or block applications for data centers. Sarasota County commissioners voted to halt the acceptance, review, and approval of any major data centers until at least 2027. Suncoast Searchlight Reporter Christian Casale talks with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about several serious concerns, including the use of electricity and water consumption. Preventing Cyclosporiasis: As an outbreak of cyclosporiasis spreads across the country, our state is seeing a rise in cases. According to the Florida Department of Health, over 60 cases stemming from the parasite have been recorded. That includes Lee County, which leads the state with 11 confirmed incidents this year. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Gastroenterologist Dr. Anil Sharma of the University of Florida College of Medicine for ways to prevent contracting cyclosporiasis. New Bishop Ordained: The Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida says the Diocese of Venice serves 10 counties and about 260,000 people. Now, they have a new bishop. WGCU's Culture and… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ex5CX0dt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ex5CX0dt-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-15T12:52:13.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/human-and-artificial-intelligence-work-together/ 2026-07-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Yyeq9BhG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Human and Artificial Intelligence Work Together As some people fear the rise in artificial intelligence across the country, Southwest Florida’s Coalition for Human-Centered AI is launching an effort to make AI more human. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher explores how it intends to show both business people and citizens how the new technology can be helpful. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Yyeq9BhG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Yyeq9BhG-FdEsoD82.html 214 2026-07-14T15:29:37.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/revolutionizing-mitral-valve-surgery/ 2026-07-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZLlFK3IU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Revolutionizing Mitral Valve Surgery A new, minimally invasive surgery was approved by the FDA in December of 2025. The Naples Comprehensive Health Rooney Heart Institute became the first hospital in Florida to perform it. WGCU's Teddy Byrne spoke with the Naples resident Robert Dickemper, who was the first patient to undergo the groundbreaking procedure at NCH. Followed by a conversation with Dr. Robert Cubeddu, president of the Rooney Heart Institute. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZLlFK3IU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZLlFK3IU-FdEsoD82.html 607 2026-07-14T15:29:10.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/podcasts/what-are-data-centers-and-how-do-we-all-use-them-even-if-we-don-t-use-generative/ 2026-07-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/agGK32it/poster.jpg?width=1920 What are Data Centers and how do we all use them even if we don't use Generative AI? Data Centers are all over the news lately because AI companies are building them, apparently as fast as they can manage. They take up huge amounts of resources, including electricity and water and hardware and all of the things building huge facilities requires. But what exactly is a data center, and why do we need so many of them? And why do they consume so much electricity and water and other resources? What are they doing? Are they all doing the same thing or are there different kinds? We discuss these questions, and some of the ways we all use data centers every day even if we don't use Generative AI — and some of the benefits we all receive without realizing there's a data center on the other end of the service. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/agGK32it-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/agGK32it-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-07-14T15:03:18.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/lawn-care-prices-parallel-gas-prices/ 2026-07-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/sfjlVUam/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lawn Care Prices Parallel Gas Prices Lawn Care Prices Parallel Gas Prices: AAA reports gas prices jumped five cents from one week ago. And they are expected to climb until a resolution is reached over the Strait of Hormuz. Another industry taking a financial hit from the war in the Middle East is lawn care maintenance. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Green Pal co-founder Gene Caballero to hear how lawncare prices could be impacted by trade obstacles. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/sfjlVUam-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sfjlVUam-FdEsoD82.html 355 2026-07-14T13:31:06.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/lawn-care-and-gas-prices-parallel-mitral-valve-surgery-and-humanizing-ai-7-13-20/ 2026-07-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xW2TeUel/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lawn Care and Gas Prices Parallel, Mitral Valve Surgery, and Humanizing AI | 7-13-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Lawn Care Prices Parallel Gas Prices: AAA reports gas prices jumped five cents from one week ago. And they are expected to climb until a resolution is reached over the Strait of Hormuz. Another industry taking a financial hit from the war in the Middle East is lawn care maintenance. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Green Pal co-founder Gene Caballero to hear how lawncare prices could be impacted by trade obstacles. Revolutionizing Mitral Valve Surgery: A new, minimally invasive surgery was approved by the FDA in December of 2025. The Naples Comprehensive Health Rooney Heart Institute became the first hospital in Florida to perform it. WGCU's Teddy Byrne spoke with the Naples resident Robert Dickemper, who was the first patient to undergo the groundbreaking procedure at NCH. Followed by a conversation with Dr. Robert Cubeddu, president of the Rooney Heart Institute. Scrolling Social Media and Your Brain: There are countless ways for someone to spend their free time, but for many the main option is turning to their cell phone. According to Harmony Health, the average daily phone-specific screen time averages out to four and a half hours. As WGCU's Kate Cronin and the Cleveland Clinic share, those passive activities could be taking a toll on your brain health. Human and Artificial Intelligence Work Together: As some people fear the rise in artificial intelligence across the country, Southwest Florida’s Coalition for Human-Centered AI is launching an effort to make AI more human. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher explores how it intends to show both business people and citizens how the new technology can be helpful. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xW2TeUel-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xW2TeUel-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-07-13T20:46:29.000Z yes WGCU Health technology SouthwestFlorida AI Full Episode ClevelandClinic Brain CoalitionForHumanCenteredAI GasPrices GreenPal LawnCare MitralValve NCH SocialMedia https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/swfl-latin-and-jewish-communities-send-aid-to-venezuela/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/B7pmagRP/poster.jpg?width=1920 SWFL Latin and Jewish Communities Send Aid to Venezuela When earthquakes rocked Venezuela two and a half weeks ago killing almost 4,000 people, the calls for help were felt in our state as well. In Southwest Florida, a Latin American restaurant and a Jewish synagogue joined forces, reaching across the sea to give back to those affected. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shows us their work, and why it is far from over. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/B7pmagRP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/B7pmagRP-FdEsoD82.html 195 2026-07-10T20:03:28.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/youth-haven-graduates/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dO15s3FD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Youth Haven Graduates Losing your home is a significant fear for some in Collier County. For teenagers, homelessness can contribute to problems with mental health, substance abuse, and criminal activity. But with the help of Youth Haven, an emergency and residential youth shelter, four teenagers who were once homeless are now on the track to success. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Youth Haven’s CEO, Linda Goldfield, to hear about the journey to graduation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dO15s3FD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dO15s3FD-FdEsoD82.html 450 2026-07-10T20:03:02.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/swfl-aid-for-venezuela-youth-haven-graduates-and-seniors-rock-out/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HqWTmh2p/poster.jpg?width=1920 SWFL Aid for Venezuela, Youth Haven Graduates, and Seniors Rock Out In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: SWFL Latin and Jewish Communities Send Aid to Venezuela: When earthquakes rocked Venezuela two and a half weeks ago killing almost 4,000 people, the calls for help were felt in our state as well. In Southwest Florida, a Latin American restaurant and a Jewish synagogue joined forces, reaching across the sea to give back to those affected. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shows us their work, and why it is far from over. Youth Haven Graduates: Losing your home is a significant fear for some in Collier County. For teenagers, homelessness can contribute to problems with mental health, substance abuse, and criminal activity. But with the help of Youth Haven, an emergency and residential youth shelter, four teenagers who were once homeless are now on the track to success. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Youth Haven’s CEO, Linda Goldfield, to hear about the journey to graduation. Population Growth Challenges Post Office: The population growth across Southwest Florida strains infrastructure as well as other services we rely on daily. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park looks at how development impacts mail service and how the postal service is working to keep up with increasing demand. Renovating McCollum Hall: When it comes to historic buildings in Southwest Florida, one of those that's still standing and has been through multiple renovations phases is McCollum Hall in Fort Myers. The building has its own historic preservation and redevelopment web site that calls the center a beacon of community, creativity, and connection. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge has a look at what the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency has in store to preserve the building and its history. Lawsuit Over Egg Prices: The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers to resolve… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HqWTmh2p-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HqWTmh2p-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-10T19:48:04.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/southwest-florida-in-focus/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fy8fvyD7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Southwest Florida In Focus Southwest Florida In Focus https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fy8fvyD7-FdEsoD82.html 2026-07-10T18:35:05.000Z yes Southwest Florida In Focus https://wgcuplus.org/environment/what-is-cyclosporiasis/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/9QR0fVgf/poster.jpg?width=1920 What is Cyclosporiasis? The heat wave we've been under may also be the cause of an intestinal parasite spreading across the country. It's called cyclospora, and the Centers for Disease Control says outbreaks occur when the temperatures heat up in late spring and summer. The Florida Department of Health has reported 60 cases, with 11 in Lee County. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Jayanta Gupta, Director of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Public Health Program, about how to stay safe. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/9QR0fVgf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/9QR0fVgf-FdEsoD82.html 356 2026-07-10T13:00:22.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/education/the-next-generation-of-firefighters/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qAhrKHCg/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Next Generation of Firefighters At Florida Southwestern State College, the next generation of firefighters is ready to respond. The school's fire academy offers both the Firefighter I and Firefighter II certificates. When paired with an EMT certification, students can find jobs at most fire stations in the country. FSW graduates two classes per year, and WGCU Radio Host Emma Rodriguez was at the first ceremony of 2026. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qAhrKHCg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qAhrKHCg-FdEsoD82.html 155 2026-07-10T13:00:13.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/celebrating-chicago-and-frozen-in-florida/ 2026-07-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Wd8Zaz9m/poster.jpg?width=1920 Celebrating “Chicago” and “Frozen” in Florida Celebrating “Chicago” and its 30th Anniversary: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Broadway revival of "Chicago”, the second longest running musical in Broadway history. Melody Lane Theatre performs the musical at the Alliance for the Arts July 10-12. WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall shares the details with Jennifer Crawford. “Frozen” in Florida: What's become a more recent classic, “Frozen", closed at Fort Myers Theatre last weekend. However, several other theaters are also producing the show. The Arts Bonita Actor Theatre is bringing the production to the stage July 17-26. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall gives Jennifer Crawford a peek at one show-stopping song. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Wd8Zaz9m-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Wd8Zaz9m-FdEsoD82.html 572 2026-07-10T12:59:47.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/education/the-next-generation-of-firefighters-cyclosporiasis-and-protecting-livestock-7-9-/ 2026-07-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jE5AUg6c/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Next Generation of Firefighters, Cyclosporiasis, and Protecting Livestock | 7-9-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: What is Cyclosporiasis? : The heat wave we've been under may also be the cause for an intestinal parasite spreading across the country. It's called cyclospora, and the Centers for Disease Control says outbreaks occur when the temperatures heat up in late spring and summer. The Florida Department of Health has reported 60 cases, with 11 in Lee County. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Jayanta Gupta, director of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Public Health Program, about how to stay safe. Protecting Livestock from Screwworm: Livestock is a pillar of Florida's economy. The University of Florida says cattle ranching and dairy operations brought in more than $1.1 billion in sales revenues in 2022. So, when an outbreak of the New World Screwworm hit Texas cattle in June, it raised concerns for Florida's agricultural economy. WGCU Radio Host Mike Kiniry talked with Juan Campos Krauer, a UF professor in the departments of Large Animal Sciences and Wildlife Ecology, about potential impacts. Celebrating “Chicago” and its 30th Anniversary: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Broadway revival of "Chicago,” the second longest running musical in Broadway history. Melody Lane Theatre is performing the musical at the Alliance for the Arts July 10 through 12. WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall shares the details with Jennifer Crawford. “Frozen” in Florida: What's become a more recent classic “Frozen," closed at Fort Myers Theatre last weekend. However, several other theaters are also producing the show. The Arts Bonita Actor Theatre is bringing “Frozen,” to the stage July 17 through the 26. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall gives Jennifer Crawford a peek at one show-stopping song. The Next Generation of Firefighters: At Florida Southwestern State College, the next generation of firefighters is ready to respond. The school's fire academy offers both the firefighter… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jE5AUg6c-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jE5AUg6c-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-07-09T20:50:45.000Z yes Education WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida economy Musical ArtsBonita Broadway Cyclosporiasis Disney Firefighter Frozen Livestock MelodyLaneTheatre NorthCollierFireDepartment Produce Screwworm https://wgcuplus.org/education/bringing-accessible-education-to-harlem-heights/ 2026-07-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/cGedhiAi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bringing Accessible Education to Harlem Heights A three-year effort is about to bloom on Pine Ridge Road in Fort Myers, less than a mile from Harlem Heights, where the seed was first planted. At first, it was envisioned just for that neighborhood, but the Harlem Heights Career Tech Institute will serve the entire Southwest Florida region beginning August 5th. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster and videographer Amanda Inscore Whittamore recently toured the building to check out the progress. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/cGedhiAi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/cGedhiAi-FdEsoD82.html 227 2026-07-09T12:40:55.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/education/schools-receive-grades/ 2026-07-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/p5iYoqZJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Schools Receive Grades Children aren't the only ones who receive grades when the school year winds down. School districts recently received their report cards from the state, and perhaps none are happier than the staff in Glades County. WGCU Reporters Eileen Kelley and Dayna Harpster tell us why. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/p5iYoqZJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/p5iYoqZJ-FdEsoD82.html 192 2026-07-09T12:40:45.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/accessible-education-in-harlem-heights-school-grades-and-python-challenge/ 2026-07-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Cn1FcUPu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Accessible Education in Harlem Heights, School Grades, and Python Challenge In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Bringing Accessible Education to Harlem Heights: A three-year effort is about to bloom on Pine Ridge Road in Fort Myers, less than a mile from Harlem Heights, where the seed was first planted. At first, it was envisioned just for that neighborhood, but the Harlem Heights Career Tech Institute will serve the entire Southwest Florida region beginning August 5th. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster and videographer Amanda Inscore Whittamore recently toured the building to check out the progress. Schools Receive Grades: Children aren't the only ones who receive grades when the school year winds down. School districts recently received their report cards from the state, and perhaps none are happier than the staff in Glades County. WGCU Reporters Eileen Kelley and Dayna Harpster tell us why. Return of The Florida Python Challenge: Hundreds of amateur Burmese python hunters, and even a few professionals, are getting ready for the annual Florida Python Challenge. WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles sits down with Kate Cronin to explain why hunts like the Python Challenge are necessary. Lawsuit Over Egg Prices: The U.S. Justice Department and 17 states reached settlement agreements with three major egg producers to resolve allegations that the companies illegally colluded for years to raise prices, including when the cost soared to record highs last year. Marissa Duhaney of the Associated Press looks at how the investigation started, and what it means for you the next time you go buy a carton of eggs. A Dispatch from Kimberly’s Reef: Ceramic students at Florida Gulf Coast University took part in a unique way to show their art 30-foot deep off the coast of Florida. As part of our documentary on Kimberly's Reef, Pam James and the WGCU documentary team bring the story of students building an artificial reef by hand. Art From China Plates: WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Cn1FcUPu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Cn1FcUPu-FdEsoD82.html 1505 2026-07-08T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/primary-election-preparations/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YvHxwNFy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Primary Election Preparations As voters prepare for the upcoming Florida primary elections, we're discussing deadlines and the integrity of the election process. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Lee County Election Supervisor Jenna Persons-Mulicka about how make sure you’re registered to vote, and what you need to know before you cast a ballot. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YvHxwNFy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YvHxwNFy-FdEsoD82.html 484 2026-07-07T20:18:46.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/new-state-budget-and-southwest-florida/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Hqkomi2S/poster.jpg?width=1920 New State Budget and Southwest Florida Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state's budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. As in past years, Gov. DeSantis was not shy about exercising his veto power. He cut more than $1.6 billion that had been approved by lawmakers, including more than $800 million in line-item vetoes. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis tells Jennifer Crawford about how this could impact funding Southwest Florida projects. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Hqkomi2S-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Hqkomi2S-FdEsoD82.html 301 2026-07-07T20:18:25.000Z yes Politics / Legal economy https://wgcuplus.org/environment/fda-approves-sunscreen-ingredient/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VQfik4LF/poster.jpg?width=1920 FDA Approves Sunscreen Ingredient When you go out in the sun, one of the most important things you can do is protect your skin. For the first time in 25 years, the FDA has approved a new ingredient to be used in sunscreen. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford discusses sunscreen safety with Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group and an environmental epidemiologist. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VQfik4LF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VQfik4LF-FdEsoD82.html 376 2026-07-07T20:18:01.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/we-get-a-lesson-on-new-world-screwworms-from-a-uf-expert/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YTQ6XcY9/poster.jpg?width=1920 We get a lesson on New World Screwworms from a UF expert The New World Screwworm has been in the news lately because it turned up in southern Texas in early June. These parasites are endemic to central and south America these days, but they were once present in the southern United States but were eradicated in the mid 1960s. The parasite is actually a fly whose larvae burrow into and feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, cattle primarily in the Texas cases but also sheep. Unchecked, screwworm outbreaks can be economically devastating for cattle and other livestock farmers. Because a screwworm outbreak is potentially a big deal for the entire United States, including here in Florida, we talk with an expert from University of Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YTQ6XcY9-FdEsoD82.html 1445 2026-07-07T20:05:25.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/primary-elections-state-budget-and-swfl-and-new-sunscreen-ingredients/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/og24FCBT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Primary Elections, State Budget and SWFL, and New Sunscreen Ingredients In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Primary Election Preparations: As voters prepare for the upcoming Florida primary elections, we're discussing deadlines and the integrity of the election process. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Lee County Election Supervisor Jenna Persons-Mulicka about how make sure you’re registered to vote, and what you need to know before you cast a ballot. New State Budget and Southwest Florida: Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state's budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. As in past years, Gov. DeSantis was not shy about exercising his veto power. He cut more than $1.6 billion that had been approved by lawmakers, including more than $800 million in line-item vetoes. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis tells Jennifer Crawford about how this could impact funding Southwest Florida projects. Efficient Air Conditioning: One of the biggest debates in Florida during the summer is whether the air conditioning should stay on throughout the day or be turned off when people head to work. Kiki Sederis of the Associated Press explains how it really matters where you live, and to take our Florida humidity into consideration. FDA Approves Sunscreen Ingredient: When you go out in the sun, one of the most important things you can do is protect your skin. For the first time in 25 years, the FDA has approved a new ingredient to be used in sunscreen. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford discusses sunscreen safety with Alexa Friedman, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group and an environmental epidemiologist. Hot Car Safety: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every year nearly 40 children in the U.S. die from heatstroke after being left in a car. As temperatures in Florida surge and the heat index hits triple digits, WGCU's Teddy Byrne and the Cleveland Clinic have summer safety tips for parents. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/og24FCBT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/og24FCBT-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-07T19:53:32.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/mobile-home-price-hikes-impacting-seniors/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oZn6K95y/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mobile Home Price Hikes Impacting Seniors Manufactured homes were once considered to be an affordable housing option. However, acquisitions by private equity groups have led to rent hikes, hurting those on fixed incomes. There are over 5.3 million Floridians on Social Security. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Trident Reporter Melanie Payne who explains how some of those recipients are being priced out of their homes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oZn6K95y-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oZn6K95y-FdEsoD82.html 461 2026-07-07T14:51:34.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/news/recognizing-first-responders-with-ptsd/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PktKF2VW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recognizing First Responders with PTSD As many as 1-in-10 first responders report experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, according to research from Texas A&M. That’s a rate more than three times the general population of the U.S. As WGCU’s Cary Barbor shares, The City of Fort Myers rallied around these heroes for PTSD Awareness Day. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PktKF2VW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PktKF2VW-FdEsoD82.html 131 2026-07-07T14:51:22.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/sellers-market-impacting-swfl-small-businesses/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QGJ37s0s/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sellers’ Market Impacting SWFL Small Businesses Every year, more than 1,000 businesses officially change hands in the state of Florida, according to Biz, Sell, Buy. With steady population growth and strong economic output, Florida has provided a haven for small businesses to grow and increase their value. Business Broker Denise Houghtaling joins WGCU host Jennifer Crawford to explain how this perfect economic storm can lead small business owners to make the decision to strike while the iron is hot and decide to sell. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QGJ37s0s-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QGJ37s0s-FdEsoD82.html 354 2026-07-07T14:50:56.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-look-into-the-culture-of-korean-fried-chicken/ 2026-07-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WHL8t7P5/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Look into the Culture of Korean Fried Chicken The earliest printed recipe for American-style fried chicken dates back to the 1740’s. In the decades since, the dish has become a favorite of picnics, family dinners, and fast-food stops. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park showcases a restaurant in Fort Myers that is putting a spin on fried chicken, by giving it a Korean twist. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WHL8t7P5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WHL8t7P5-FdEsoD82.html 205 2026-07-07T14:50:38.000Z yes Business / Economics Culture https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/mobile-homes-costs-ptsd-awareness-and-korean-fried-chicken/ 2026-07-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jycteEuh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mobile Homes Costs, PTSD Awareness & Korean Fried Chicken In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Mobile Home Price Hikes Impacting Seniors: Manufactured homes were once considered to be an affordable housing option. However, acquisitions by private equity groups have led to rent hikes, hurting those on fixed incomes. There are over 5.3 million Floridians on Social Security. Florida Trident Reporter Melanie Payne explains how some of those recipients are being priced out of their homes. Sellers’ Market Impacting SWFL Small Businesses: Every year, more than 1,000 businesses officially change hands in the state of Florida, according to Biz, Sell, Buy. With steady population growth and strong economic output, Florida has provided a haven for small businesses to grow and increase their value. Business Broker Denise Houghtaling joins us to explain how this perfect economic storm can lead small business owners to make the decision to strike while the iron is hot and decide to sell. Understanding Low-T Options: Maintaining balanced hormones can help with daily functions and maintaining a proper sleep cycle. For many men, quality sleep is important for the production of testosterone levels, which are developed during REM sleep. As WGCU’s Teddy Byrne learned, for men who are dealing with low testosterone, the ramifications could lead to serious medical concerns. Recognizing First Responders with PTSD: As many as 1-in-10 first responders report experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, according to research from Texas A&M. That’s a rate more than three times the general population of The United States. As WGCU’s Cary Barbor shares, The City of Fort Myers came together to recognize PTSD Awareness Day. A Look into the Culture of Korean Fried Chicken: The earliest printed recipe for American-style chicken dates back to the 1740’s. In the decades since, the dish has become a favorite of picnics, family dinners and fast-food stops. As we celebrate National… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jycteEuh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jycteEuh-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-06T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/repertoire-radio-theatre-podcast-recreates-narrative-shows-from-the-golden-age-o/ 2026-07-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/equ01lds/poster.jpg?width=1920 Repertoire Radio Theatre podcast recreates narrative shows from the Golden Age of Radio During the Covid pandemic, retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Michael Troop got into audio production and that led to him pitching an idea to Bryce Alexander from the Naples Players to recreate, from the ground up with professional and amateur actors, and full sound design, old-time narrative radio shows from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s and the Naples Players Repertoire Radio Theatre podcast was born and is now off and running. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/equ01lds-FdEsoD82.html 1439 2026-07-06T17:05:15.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/cuban-sandwiches-and-florida-culture/ 2026-07-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RybNSrSe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cuban Sandwiches and Florida Culture If you're planning your menu for the Fourth of July weekend, you might want to take a page from America's Test Kitchen. They went "whole hog" for America 250 by naming a signature food for every state. In Florida, iit’s the signature sandwich “the Cuban.” WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster tests out the classic sandwich and dives into its cultural significance, then talks to the hosts of America’s Test Kitchen. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RybNSrSe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RybNSrSe-FdEsoD82.html 471 2026-07-02T19:51:02.000Z yes FL Exploration Culture https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/environmental-impact-of-data-centers/ 2026-07-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/erBBmvQd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Environmental Impact of Data Centers A new Florida law regulating large data centers took effect July 1. Governor Ron DeSantis says the measure is to protect Floridians from hyperscale data centers. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Jackson Zeiler, a public health analyst with the Environmental Health Project for more on the construction and development of these buildings. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/erBBmvQd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/erBBmvQd-FdEsoD82.html 356 2026-07-02T19:50:42.000Z yes Politics / Legal Environment https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/bringing-ballet-to-fort-myers/ 2026-07-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/H6ptlhM0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bringing Ballet to Fort Myers Southwest Florida has become a haven for the fine arts, including ballet. Groups such as Gulfshore Ballet in Fort Myers have fostered a growing appreciation for the art. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall spotlights efforts to transform and grow the Southwest Florida market for professional ballet performances. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/H6ptlhM0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/H6ptlhM0-FdEsoD82.html 336 2026-07-02T19:50:22.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/on-the-front-lines-of-world-war-ii/ 2026-07-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1zEvvG4Y/poster.jpg?width=1920 On the Front Lines of World War II There are many pivotal moments that highlight the essence of what it means to be American. But perhaps no time shines brighter than when America fought for freedom and liberty during World War II. WGCU's Teddy Byrne shows how the Naples Holocaust Museum captures the sights of America's involvement from the front lines. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1zEvvG4Y-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1zEvvG4Y-FdEsoD82.html 290 2026-07-02T19:25:16.000Z yes History America250 America 250 https://wgcuplus.org/news/venice-celebrates-centennial/ 2026-07-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vIRLtIxj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Venice Celebrates Centennial As part of our coverage of America's semiquincentennial, we are looking at some of the key moments that helped define the nation. Closer to home, many are celebrating their own milestones, including the City of Venice. It is honoring its own anniversary of turning 100 years with a centennial celebration. As WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park learned, upcoming events for the holiday weekend will showcase the city’s rich history. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vIRLtIxj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vIRLtIxj-FdEsoD82.html 231 2026-07-02T19:25:00.000Z yes History America250 America 250 https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/birthright-citizenship-gas-prices-lower-and-collecting-one-million-seeds/ 2026-07-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/veLzOZE5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Birthright Citizenship, Gas Prices Lower, and Collecting One Million Seeds In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Birthright Citizenship Upheld: The United States Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a landmark decision, striking down President Trump's executive order to deny citizenship to children of undocumented or temporary immigrants. The court ruled that babies born on U.S. soil are automatically subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. WGCU Reporter Mike Braun sits down with Bethany Conrad, assistant professor of political science at Florida Gulf Coast University, to discuss the constitutionality behind the ruling. Gas Prices Stabilize: In Florida, AAA reports that the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.81, nearly 20 cents cheaper than one month ago. Collier and Hendry Counties are still seeing some of the highest prices throughout the state, but they are expected to drop even more heading into the holiday weekend. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly explains how gas price stability starts in the Middle East. Books for Collier Kids: As students are out of the classroom for summer break, local organizations are working to make sure the summer slowdown doesn't negatively impact children's learning. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford how Books for Collier Kids is empowering the students it serves. Beach Renourishment: With more than 800 miles of shoreline, beaches are one of the main staples of the Florida lifestyle. Maintaining those pristine shores has become a regular routine in keeping visitors and locals happy. But as WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles tells WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford, some beaches are struggling to locate enough of the right quality of sand. One Million Seeds Conserved: Following years of over-development and damage from numerous storms, many of Florida's native plant species are struggling to survive. To preserve threatened flora, the Naples Botanical Garden has partnered with… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/veLzOZE5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/veLzOZE5-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-07-01T20:29:33.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/gas-prices-stabilize/ 2026-07-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ebjoZURT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gas Prices Stabilize In Florida, AAA reports that the average price for a gallon of gas is $3.81, nearly 20 cents cheaper than one month ago. Collier and Hendry Counties are still seeing some of the highest prices throughout the state, but they are expected to drop even more heading into the holiday weekend. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly explains how gas price stability starts in the Middle East. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ebjoZURT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ebjoZURT-FdEsoD82.html 224 2026-07-01T20:29:22.000Z yes Business / Economics economy https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/birthright-citizenship-upheld/ 2026-07-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8MESFtSb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Birthright Citizenship Upheld The United States Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a landmark decision, striking down President Trump's executive order to deny citizenship to children of undocumented or temporary immigrants. The court ruled that babies born on U.S. soil are automatically subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. WGCU Reporter Mike Braun sits down with Bethany Conrad, assistant professor of political science at Florida Gulf Coast University, to discuss the constitutionality behind the ruling. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8MESFtSb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8MESFtSb-FdEsoD82.html 293 2026-07-01T20:29:07.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/welcome-to-the-heat-dome-generation-z-voters-and-fathers-learn-to-braid/ 2026-06-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jLLHEmwx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Welcome to the Heat Dome, Generation Z Voters, and Fathers Learn to Braid In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Welcome to the Heat Dome: As millions of Americans make their Fourth of July plans, the weather could play a spoiler for some outdoor celebrations. Along with most of the nation, Florida remains in a heat dome that leads to the temperature feeling like it’s in triple digits. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Irene Sans, a certified meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about what to expect headed into the holiday. Voting and the “Digital Generation”: Could the results of this year's midterms come down to one demographic? Almost half of young voters cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election, and a group called Protect Democracy is working to get Generation Z voters out to the polls this election season. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Protect Democracy Impact Specialist Lara Hicks for more on their efforts to encourage Gen Z to vote. Pride Month History: Today marks the end of Pride Month, a 30-day celebration of the culture and struggles that face the LGBTQ+ community. Naples Pride is hoping to foster social change and inform people about the issues some face in Southwest Florida. WGCU's Kate Cronin sits down with Naples Pride Executive Director, Cori Craciun, to learn about the history behind Pride Month. Fathers Learn to Braid: At Brightwater Lagoon, some fathers of little girls brought out their inner hairdresser. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares how, with a little help from the Florida Academy Cosmetology School, a simple gesture strengthens the father-daughter connection. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jLLHEmwx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jLLHEmwx-FdEsoD82.html 1537 2026-06-30T20:34:16.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/fathers-learn-to-braid/ 2026-06-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/9XmodmM8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fathers Learn to Braid At Brightwater Lagoon, some fathers of little girls brought out their inner hairdresser. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares how, with a little help from the Florida Academy Cosmetology School, a simple gesture strengthens the father-daughter connection. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/9XmodmM8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/9XmodmM8-FdEsoD82.html 120 2026-06-30T20:30:54.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/voting-and-the-digital-generation/ 2026-06-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wu4gbEI7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Voting and the “Digital Generation” Could the results of this year's midterms come down to one demographic? Almost half of young voters cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election, and a group called Protect Democracy is working to get Generation Z voters out to the polls this election season. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Protect Democracy Impact Specialist Lara Hicks for more on their efforts to encourage Gen Z to vote. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wu4gbEI7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wu4gbEI7-FdEsoD82.html 462 2026-06-30T20:30:20.000Z yes Politics / Legal Political analysis https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/pride-month-history/ 2026-06-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PMGBjCOr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Pride Month History Today marks the end of Pride Month, a 30-day celebration of the culture and struggles that face the LGBTQ+ community. Naples Pride is hoping to foster social change and inform people about the issues some face in Southwest Florida. WGCU's Kate Cronin sits down with Naples Pride Executive Director, Cori Craciun, to learn about the history behind Pride Month. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PMGBjCOr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PMGBjCOr-FdEsoD82.html 339 2026-06-30T20:29:56.000Z yes Culture https://wgcuplus.org/environment/welcome-to-the-heat-dome/ 2026-06-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Iulngozb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Welcome to the Heat Dome As millions of Americans make their Fourth of July plans, the weather could play a spoiler for some outdoor celebrations. Along with most of the nation, Florida remains in a heat dome that leads to the temperature feeling like it’s in triple digits. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Irene Sans, a certified meteorologist with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about what to expect headed into the holiday. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Iulngozb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Iulngozb-FdEsoD82.html 512 2026-06-30T20:29:10.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/news/kids-and-the-stock-market/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/47Tcp6K4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kids and the Stock Market On the Fourth of July, a new financial platform will take effect, called a Trump Account. The White House says this is financial security for children that begins before they are 18 years old. It would give parents of babies born between 2025 to 2028 $1,000 to invest. For more on the new Trump Accounts for kids, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Steve Quirk, chief brokerage officer at Robinhood. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/47Tcp6K4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/47Tcp6K4-FdEsoD82.html 447 2026-06-29T20:24:16.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/eating-against-inflammation/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ssTT0o3d/poster.jpg?width=1920 Eating Against Inflammation Doctors say taking an active approach to your health can also help your body deal with inflammation. Inflammation is your immune system's natural defense against injury, infection, or toxins. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with University of Florida Professor Dr. Arch Mainous to explore ways to combat inflammation through what you eat. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ssTT0o3d-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ssTT0o3d-FdEsoD82.html 543 2026-06-29T20:23:34.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/kids-and-the-stock-market-and-eating-against-inflammation/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0kmhepsG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kids and the Stock Market and Eating Against Inflammation In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Kids and the Stock Market: On the Fourth of July, a new financial platform will take effect, called a Trump Account. The White House says this is financial security for children that begins before they are 18 years old. It would give parents of babies born between 2025 to 2028 $1,000 to invest. For more on the new Trump Accounts for kids, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Steve Quirk, chief brokerage officer at Robinhood. Preventing Dehydration: With the heat index soaring into the triple digits, doctors say heat exhaustion and illness can happen in minutes. In Southwest Florida, rainfall over the weekend helped deliver some relief from the heat. But as WGCU's Teddy Byrne reports, if you are heading outdoors, it’s time to take extra precautions. How Stress Impacts Your Health: Reports show a majority of Americans are dealing with some kind of stress and it's taking a toll not just on mental health, but physical health as well. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne shares information on how mental wellness can help your body as whole. Eating Against Inflammation: Doctors say taking an active approach to your health can also help your body deal with inflammation. Inflammation is your immune system's natural defense against injury, infection, or toxins. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with University of Florida Professor Dr. Arch Mainous to explore ways to combat inflammation through what you eat. Summer and Sunglasses: As everyone gets ready to celebrate July Fourth and enjoy the outdoors, don't forget to wear shades. It’s more than aesthetics, it’s to protect your eyesight. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne shares how one of the best ways to keep your eyes safe is to make sure your sunglasses are ready for whatever comes at you. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0kmhepsG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0kmhepsG-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-06-29T20:21:37.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/fort-myers-cra-unveils-new-conceptual-plan-for-historic-mccollum-hall/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iP98VMIM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers CRA unveils new conceptual plan for historic McCollum Hall McCollum Hall is a two-story building on the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Cranford Avenue on the eastern side of downtown Fort Myers, just past the railroad tracks on the western edge of the Dunbar Community. The City of Fort Myers designated McCollum Hall as a local historic landmark in 1998 and it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. Over the years there have been a number of stops and starts in efforts and plans to bring it back to life in some form. The city’s Community Redevelopment Agency took over the property in 2008 and repaired the roof and shored up the structure. The building’s facade got a facelift in 2016 with the help of a state historic preservation grant. Now, the CRA has approved a new conceptual design proposal from Fort Myers architects Parker Mudgett Smith for the restoration and adaptive reuse which includes a restaurant, performing space, retail space and a business center — and the CRA has purchased the adjoining property so it will have a larger footprint. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iP98VMIM-FdEsoD82.html 1439 2026-06-29T20:09:32.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/players-circle-theater-celebrates-george-burns-and-gracie-allen-with-a-productio/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eE6CjgNF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Players Circle Theater celebrates George Burns and Gracie Allen with a production of “Say Goodnight Gracie” Players Circle Theater’s summer performance season continues with a production of the Tony-nominated one-man comedy, “Say Goodnight Gracie,” about the marriage and professional partnership of George Burns and Gracie Allen, whose groundbreaking comedy act evolved across vaudeville, radio, film, and television. We will talk with actor Pasquale LaCorte, who stars in the show, and Players Circle Theater Associate Artistic Director Ted Wioncek III. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eE6CjgNF-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-06-29T12:39:34.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/guardians-of-democracy-speaking-truth-to-power-event-will-honor-lifelong-defende/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/znDR5Hj3/poster.jpg?width=1920 'Guardians of Democracy: Speaking Truth to Power' event will honor lifelong defender of Democracy In early 2023, a small group of southwest Floridians met to discuss what they saw as autocratic trends unfolding in Florida and beyond. Not long after that first meeting just over three years ago, they formed a nonpartisan nonprofit called Floridians for Democracy. On Tuesday, June 16 at 7pm they’re presenting a program called “Guardians of Democracy: Speaking Truth to Power." They will also presenting Dr. Robert Hilliard with a Lifetime Achievement award. Dr. Hilliard is a humanitarian, author, educator and former professor and Dean at Emerson College. He is also a veteran of WWII and was Chief of Public Broadcasting at the FCC when the Public Broadcasting Act was signed in 1967. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/znDR5Hj3-FdEsoD82.html 1601 2026-06-29T12:39:14.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/the-medium-is-the-mirror-how-the-algorithms-drive-division-and-what-can-be-done-/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yEfyKV1j/poster.jpg?width=1920 'The Medium is the Mirror' - How the algorithms drive division and what can be done about it Former global advertising executive Tim Love's 2025 book “The Medium is the Mirror: The Reformation of Truth Reshaping Our Relationships, Politics and Sacred Beliefs” explores the way our online world works, and how behavior data being collected on us is being used to shape our behavior. It was recently awarded first prize in the Business Marketing & Advertising category in the 2026 International Book Awards so we’re checking back in with him, and former Missouri Congressman and Democratic House Majority Leader, Dick Gephardt, who wrote the book's introduction. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yEfyKV1j-FdEsoD82.html 1436 2026-06-29T12:37:45.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/we-get-an-update-from-midwest-food-bank-florida-during-these-mixed-economic-time/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EnMif9IY/poster.jpg?width=1920 We get an update from Midwest Food Bank Florida during these mixed economic times There is always some level of need for food assistance in Southwest Florida, but during times of economic stress — like many people are facing now because of rising prices and increased fuel costs — the need only grows, so we check in with Midwest Food Bank Florida to see how things are going. Through their volunteer-driven operation, Midwest Food Bank Florida provides tens of thousands of meals every month through their partners, and they make and distribute what are called Hope Packs for kids which provide nutritious weekend meals through local school partnerships to children facing food insecurity when school is not in session. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EnMif9IY-FdEsoD82.html 1443 2026-06-29T12:36:06.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/gulf-coast-life/student-athletes-are-required-to-get-an-ekg-here-s-what-docs-are-finding/ 2026-06-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CBoHnyht/poster.jpg?width=1920 Student-athletes are required to get an EKG. Here's what docs are finding. A new Florida law requires school-age student athletes to get EKGs before the season starts for their sport. The idea is to detect heart problems before they cause damage. We talk with Dr. Sal Anzalone of the HealthCare Network in Naples about how they have implemented the testing and what they have found so far. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CBoHnyht-FdEsoD82.html 1440 2026-06-29T12:34:23.000Z yes Gulf Coast Life https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/alligator-alcatraz-closes/ 2026-06-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WWBoiIbp/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alligator Alcatraz Closes Governor Ron Desantis says the Everglades detection facility known as Alligator Alcatraz is closed, making the announcement on Thursday. WGCU Reporter Mike Braun has details from the governor's press conference, and Jennifer Crawford follows up on the future of the site with the Florida and Caribbean Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, Elise Bennett. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WWBoiIbp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WWBoiIbp-FdEsoD82.html 536 2026-06-26T20:30:26.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/alligator-alcatraz-closes-education-in-immokalee-and-python-research/ 2026-06-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DlfBDSi0/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alligator Alcatraz Closes, Education in Immokalee, and Python Research In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Alligator Alcatraz Closes: Governor Ron Desantis says the Everglades detection facility known as Alligator Alcatraz is closed, making the announcement on Thursday. WGCU Reporter Mike Braun has details from the governor's press conference, and Jennifer Crawford follows up on the future of the site with the Florida and Caribbean Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, Elise Bennett. Recognizing Florida Heritage: As our nation celebrates its historic 250th anniversary, Florida Humanities is spending the year recognizing the everlasting spirit of Florida. Nashid Madyun, executive director of Florida Humanities, sits down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for more on the organization’s efforts to recognize untold history. Extending Education in Immokalee: Whether it's providing care for a baby or tutoring seniors in high school, the Guadalupe Center offers help regardless of ability to pay. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dawn Montecalvo, president of the Guadalupe Center, to learn how it serves Immokalee. Burmese Python Research: During the breeding season from November of 2025 to April of 2026, python team members from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida captured more than four tons of Burmese pythons from the Everglades. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford brings continuing coverage of the Conservancy's python removal and research program with Wildlife Biologist Ian Bartoszek. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DlfBDSi0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DlfBDSi0-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-26T20:29:17.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/education/extending-education-in-immokalee/ 2026-06-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5scR7nxs/poster.jpg?width=1920 Extending Education in Immokalee Whether it's providing care for a baby or tutoring seniors in high school, the Guadalupe Center offers help regardless of ability to pay. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dawn Montecalvo, president of the Guadalupe Center, to learn how it serves Immokalee. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5scR7nxs-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5scR7nxs-FdEsoD82.html 310 2026-06-26T20:29:02.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/news/recognizing-florida-heritage/ 2026-06-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mhz9rRa7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recognizing Florida Heritage As our nation celebrates its historic 250th anniversary, Florida Humanities is spending the year recognizing the everlasting spirit of Florida. Nashid Madyun, executive director of Florida Humanities, sits down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for more on the organization’s efforts to recognize untold history. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/mhz9rRa7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/mhz9rRa7-FdEsoD82.html 251 2026-06-26T20:28:48.000Z yes America250 America 250 https://wgcuplus.org/news/30-years-of-rent/ 2026-06-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/G9ycShoc/poster.jpg?width=1920 30 Years of “Rent” The rock musical "Rent" celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. When it debuted on Broadway in 1996, the show broke taboos by centering its story on the LGBTQ+ community, drug addiction, and the HIV and AIDS epidemic. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall stops by Alliance for The Arts in Fort Myers to detail how the underlying message of the musical still resonates today. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/G9ycShoc-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/G9ycShoc-FdEsoD82.html 423 2026-06-25T20:28:52.000Z yes Arts https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/election-changes-30-years-of-rent-and-visiting-the-duanwu-festival/ 2026-06-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oCh0eLPY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Election Changes, 30 Years of “Rent,” and Visiting the Duanwu Festival In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Election Changes in Collier County: Florida is preparing for what is shaping up to be a busy election season. Voters will be choosing a new governor, congressional leaders, and deciding whether to cut property taxes. Collier County Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to talk about important deadlines for voters and how they are impacted by new congressional maps. 30 Years of “Rent”: The rock musical "Rent" celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. When it debuted on Broadway in 1996, the show broke taboos by centering its story on the LGBTQ+ community, drug addiction, and the HIV and AIDS epidemic. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall stops by Alliance for The Arts in Fort Myers to detail how the underlying message of the musical still resonates today. “Frozen” Comes to the Stage: WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall follows the transition from all-time Disney classic to unforgettable stage performance. We’re stepping behind the scenes as cast members materialize into the iconic cast of "Frozen" to see how they re-create the magic of the award-winning movie at the Broadway Palm Theatre. Visiting the Duanwu Festival: The Duanwu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese calendar. And that specific date is actually very significant for some Chinese people, who consider the fifth month of the year unlucky. According to the Smithsonian, the Duanwu Festival dispels misfortune and bad spirits. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge delves into how Southwest Florida takes part in the celebration. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oCh0eLPY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oCh0eLPY-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-25T20:24:37.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/visiting-the-duanwu-festival/ 2026-06-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/gedg2ZLA/poster.jpg?width=1920 Visiting the Duanwu Festival The Duanwu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival, falls on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese calendar. And that specific date is actually very significant for some Chinese people, who consider the fifth month of the year unlucky. According to the Smithsonian, the Duanwu Festival dispels misfortune and bad spirits. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge delves into how Southwest Florida takes part in the celebration. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gedg2ZLA-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/gedg2ZLA-FdEsoD82.html 170 2026-06-25T20:24:28.000Z yes Culture https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/election-changes-in-collier-county/ 2026-06-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7Dq7T6FF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Election Changes in Collier County Florida is preparing for what is shaping up to be a busy election season. Voters will be choosing a new governor, congressional leaders, and deciding whether to cut property taxes. Collier County Supervisor of Elections Melissa Blazier joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to talk about important deadlines for voters and how they are impacted by new congressional maps. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7Dq7T6FF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7Dq7T6FF-FdEsoD82.html 460 2026-06-25T20:24:06.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/news/frozen-comes-to-the-stage/ 2026-06-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1FV3twMO/poster.jpg?width=1920 “Frozen” Comes to the Stage WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall follows the transition from all-time Disney classic to an unforgettable stage performance. We’re stepping behind the scenes as cast members materialize into the iconic cast of "Frozen" to see how they re-create the magic of the award-winning movie at the Broadway Palm Theatre. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1FV3twMO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1FV3twMO-FdEsoD82.html 327 2026-06-25T20:23:50.000Z yes Arts https://wgcuplus.org/environment/hunting-burmese-pythons-by-helicopter/ 2026-06-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8HQ5rZUa/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hunting Burmese Pythons by Helicopter Researchers at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida say they hauled in a record number of Burmese pythons from Collier County this season. The python team used tracking devices, air power, and boots on the ground to find the elusive apex predators. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Wildlife Biologist Ian Bartoszek about how researchers trap these invasive snakes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8HQ5rZUa-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8HQ5rZUa-FdEsoD82.html 605 2026-06-24T19:32:44.000Z yes Environment / Nature Environment https://wgcuplus.org/environment/how-to-handle-hatchling-season/ 2026-06-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nobpB3w7/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to Handle Hatchling Season Southwest Florida is a haven for bird populations, and their nesting season peaks from March to August. As hatchlings begin to grow, people may come across birds that appear lost or hurt. Tom Bayles, WGCU’s senior environmental reporter, joins Jennifer Crawford to explain what to do should you see a baby animal that does not look well. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nobpB3w7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nobpB3w7-FdEsoD82.html 238 2026-06-24T19:32:22.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hunting-pythons-by-helicopter-rhino-surgery-and-handling-hatchling-season/ 2026-06-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Z4Pc5FGj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hunting Pythons by Helicopter, Rhino Surgery, and Handling Hatchling Season In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Hunting Burmese Pythons by Helicopter: Researchers at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida say they hauled in a record number of Burmese pythons from Collier County this season. The python team used tracking devices, air power, and boots on the ground to find the elusive apex predators. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Wildlife Biologist Ian Bartoszek about how researchers trap these invasive snakes. Rhino Receives Eye Surgery: Disney's Animal Kingdom includes species from all over the world. When one of their animals needs specialized care, they set out to find doctors who can help. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explores the story of a cataract surgery on Kendi, a white rhinoceros, and how a team came together to restore her vision. Dr. Caryn Plummer, an ophthalmologist with the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, performed the surgery with coordination from Rebecca Phillips of Disney's Animal Science and Environment team. How to Handle Hatchling Season: Southwest Florida is a haven for bird populations, and their nesting season peaks from March to August. As hatchlings begin to grow, people may come across birds that appear lost or hurt. Tom Bayles, WGCU’s senior environmental reporter, joins Jennifer Crawford to explain what to do should you see a baby animal that does not look well. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Z4Pc5FGj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Z4Pc5FGj-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-24T19:30:14.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/rhino-receives-eye-surgery/ 2026-06-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GAIne7Yh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rhino Receives Eye Surgery Disney's Animal Kingdom includes species from all over the world. When one of their animals needs specialized care, they set out to find doctors who can help. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explores the story of a cataract surgery on Kendi, a white rhinoceros, and how a team came together to restore her vision. Dr. Caryn Plummer, an ophthalmologist with the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, performed the surgery with coordination from Rebecca Phillips of Disney's Animal Science and Environment team. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GAIne7Yh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GAIne7Yh-FdEsoD82.html 532 2026-06-24T19:29:18.000Z yes Environment / Nature Environment https://wgcuplus.org/education/helping-kids-avoid-the-summer-slide/ 2026-06-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1peTVBtq/poster.jpg?width=1920 Helping Kids Avoid the “Summer Slide” The school year might have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean the learning needs to stop. As kids exchange textbooks and calculators for bikes and beach trips, parents can still do a lot to make sure those young brains stay busy. WGCU’s Eileen Kelly has more on what parents can do to keep educational momentum flowing throughout the summer break. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1peTVBtq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1peTVBtq-FdEsoD82.html 247 2026-06-23T19:55:34.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/finding-love-while-battling-migraines/ 2026-06-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZmCflZhY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Love While Battling Migraines The National Institutes of Health estimates that 1-in-4 households include a person who suffers from migraines. Migraines can disrupt daily lives and lead to isolation and chronic anxiety. A new study has found that migraines are also disrupting the lives of people who are looking to build romantic relationships. Family Medicine Physician Dr. Linda Davis and Licensed Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab join us to talk about the steps people can take to get their love life back on track while suffering from these painful headaches. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZmCflZhY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZmCflZhY-FdEsoD82.html 456 2026-06-23T19:55:07.000Z yes Health / Aging Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/a-possible-end-for-florida-s-gun-mandatory-waiting-period/ 2026-06-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/9kjGwcYs/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Possible End for Florida’s Gun Mandatory Waiting Period Florida’s mandatory three-day waiting period may be coming to an end. Attorney General James Uthmeier sided with the National Rifle Association on a lawsuit claiming the state’s waiting period violates the Second Amendment. WGCU’s Elizabeth Andarge learns about the impact this decision could have on Southwest Florida gun owners. Then, we are joined by Justin Davis, Director of Public Affairs with the NRA, to better understand its argument to remove the waiting period from Florida’s Constitution. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/9kjGwcYs-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/9kjGwcYs-FdEsoD82.html 491 2026-06-23T19:54:43.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/gun-law-changes-summer-education-and-battling-migraines/ 2026-06-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/k8og1850/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gun Law Changes, Summer Education & Battling Migraines In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: A Possible End for Florida’s Gun Mandatory Waiting Period: Florida’s mandatory three-day waiting period may be coming to an end. Attorney General James Uthmeier sided with the National Rifle Association on a lawsuit claiming the state’s waiting period violates the Second Amendment. WGCU’s Elizabeth Andarge learns about the impact this decision could have on Southwest Florida gun owners. Then, we are joined by Justin Davis, Director of Public Affairs with the NRA, to better understand its argument to remove the waiting period from Florida’s Constitution. Helping Kids Avoid the “Summer Slide”: The school year might have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean the learning needs to stop. As kids exchange textbooks and calculators for bikes and beach trips, parents can still do a lot to make sure those young brains stay busy. WGCU’s Eileen Kelly has more on what parents can do to keep educational momentum flowing throughout the summer break. The Healthy Joys of Bird Watching: If you are looking for a new hobby, why not turn to the great outdoors? Bird watching is a great way to experience nature. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne learns how this activity also comes with some unexpected health benefits. Finding Love While Battling Migraines: The National Institutes of Health estimates that 1-in-4 households include a person who suffers from migraines. Migraines can disrupt daily lives and lead to isolation and chronic anxiety. A new study has found that migraines are also disrupting the lives of people who are looking to build romantic relationships. Family Medicine Physician Dr. Linda Davis and Licensed Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab join us to talk about the steps people can take to get their love life back on track while suffering from these painful headaches. Dad Back on the Track After Beating Cancer: As families gathered to celebrate Father’s Day, one Florida man is using the… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/k8og1850-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/k8og1850-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-23T19:53:29.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/southwest-florida-celebrates-pride/ 2026-06-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SVzFaM3y/poster.jpg?width=1920 Southwest Florida Celebrates Pride A decade after Pride Month was established in 1999, the festivities came to Fort Myers with the inaugural “Pride SWFL.” The event has since become an annual tradition that attracts thousands of people. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin captures the sights and sounds from this year’s celebration. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SVzFaM3y-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SVzFaM3y-FdEsoD82.html 166 2026-06-22T19:56:34.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts LGBTQ+ PrideSWFL Visuality https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/rsw-draws-travelers/ 2026-06-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2vERA7W2/poster.jpg?width=1920 RSW Draws Travelers Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) reported a record setting month in March, with the single busiest number of total passengers in airport history. 2025 had a record number of travelers at RSW with more than 11 million. As WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares, the airport is working to give travelers more reasons to fly out of Fort Myers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2vERA7W2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2vERA7W2-FdEsoD82.html 253 2026-06-22T19:53:54.000Z yes Business / Economics WGCU southwest florida Tourism Airport RSW https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/holiday-airport-traffic/ 2026-06-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WoKa9NkB/poster.jpg?width=1920 Holiday Airport Traffic Spring tourism season has passed in Southwest Florida, and now the region is preparing to celebrate the July Fourth holiday. But a new report from Lattice Publishing says RSW ranks at the bottom of mid-sized metro areas for airport travel over the July Fourth weekend compared to other days of the year. Lattice Publishing CTO Michael Stromberg joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to take a deeper look at the numbers behind the headlines. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WoKa9NkB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WoKa9NkB-FdEsoD82.html 278 2026-06-22T19:53:41.000Z yes Business / Economics WGCU SouthwestFlorida JulyFourth RSW Travel https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/supporting-family-caregivers/ 2026-06-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7NZXEpyO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Supporting Family Caregivers Dementia affects more than 6 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. As more people are diagnosed with dementia, some family members are becoming the main caregivers. WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor covers how The Caregiver’s Journey assists those living with a loved one who has dementia. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7NZXEpyO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7NZXEpyO-FdEsoD82.html 313 2026-06-22T19:53:26.000Z yes Health / Aging WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Good Works GoodWorks Dementia TheCaregiver’sJourney https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/balancing-your-microbiome/ 2026-06-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AakB2Za9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Balancing Your Microbiome Maintaining a healthy balance in your gut microbiome can lead to improvements with immunity, metabolism, and even mental health. Doctors say a healthy gut can also be important when it comes to fighting chronic diseases. Mayo Clinic Gastroenterologist Dr. Sahil Khanna joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to talk about gut health and how it impacts our overall well-being. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AakB2Za9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AakB2Za9-FdEsoD82.html 375 2026-06-22T19:53:08.000Z yes Health / Aging WGCU southwest florida Health Science GutMicrobiome MayoClinic https://wgcuplus.org/news/holiday-airport-traffic-supporting-family-caregivers-and-swfl-pride-6-22-2026-wg/ 2026-06-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nUH0sGMG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Holiday Airport Traffic, Supporting Family Caregivers, and SWFL Pride | 6-22-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: RSW Draws Travelers: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) reported a record setting month in March, with the single busiest number of total passengers in airport history. 2025 had a record number of travelers at RSW with more than 11 million. As WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares, the airport is working to give travelers more reasons to fly out of Fort Myers. Holiday Airport Traffic: Spring tourism season has passed in Southwest Florida, and now the region is preparing to celebrate the July Fourth holiday. But a new report from Lattice Publishing says RSW ranks at the bottom of mid-sized metro areas for airport travel over the July Fourth weekend compared to other days of the year. Lattice Publishing CTO Michael Stromberg joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to take a deeper look at the numbers behind the headlines. Balancing Your Microbiome: Maintaining a healthy balance in your gut microbiome can lead to improvements with immunity, metabolism, and even mental health. Doctors say a healthy gut can also be important when it comes to fighting chronic diseases. Mayo Clinic Gastroenterologist Dr. Sahil Khanna joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to talk about gut health and how it impacts our overall well-being. Southwest Florida Celebrates Pride: A decade after Pride Month was established in 1999, the festivities came to Fort Myers with the inaugural “Pride SWFL.” The event has since become an annual tradition that attracts thousands of people. WGCU Reporter Kate Cronin captures the sights and sounds from this year’s celebration. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nUH0sGMG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nUH0sGMG-FdEsoD82.html 1539 2026-06-22T19:38:09.000Z yes WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Tourism GoodWorks Airport Dementia GutMicrobiome JulyFourth LGBTQ+ MayoClinic PrideSWFL RSW SouthwestFloridaInternationalAirport TheCaregiver’sJourney Travel Visuality https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/connecting-caribbean-american-culture/ 2026-06-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nPiyZX4t/poster.jpg?width=1920 Connecting Caribbean American Culture It's estimated that the first settlers of the Caribbean made their way to the islands roughly 7,000 years ago. In the centuries that followed, countless nations passed through, leading to a blending of cultures. But as earthquakes and hurricanes threaten some island communities and political turmoil impacts others, finding a way to preserve the unique identity of the Caribbean nations has become the mission of Caribbean American Cultural Connections. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with CACC President Omar Berry about the value of Caribbean American Heritage Month. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nPiyZX4t-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nPiyZX4t-FdEsoD82.html 402 2026-06-19T20:03:42.000Z yes Culture WGCU CarribeanAmericanCulturalConnections CarribeanAmericanHeritageMonth GoodWorks https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/naacp-celebrates-juneteenth/ 2026-06-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HTERuXGS/poster.jpg?width=1920 NAACP Celebrates Juneteenth NAACP Celebrates Juneteenth: Juneteenth is a federally designated holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in our country. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Collier County NAACP President Vincent A. Keeys about how Southwest Florida residents use Juneteenth to inspire future generations, including the NAACP’s Read to Lead initiative. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HTERuXGS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HTERuXGS-FdEsoD82.html 552 2026-06-19T20:00:50.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Juneteenth GoodWorks NAACP https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/visiting-the-historic-williams-academy/ 2026-06-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZiE5ecHM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Visiting the Historic Williams Academy In Fort Myers, the Williams Academy Black History Museum chronicles the struggles and perseverance of the African American community in Southwest Florida. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes us on a tour of the historic building. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZiE5ecHM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZiE5ecHM-FdEsoD82.html 220 2026-06-19T19:57:18.000Z yes FL Exploration Culture WGCU southwest florida History Good Works Juneteenth LeeCountyBlackHistorySociety WilliamsAcademy https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/celebrating-juneteenth-the-williams-academy-and-caribbean-american-culture-6-19-/ 2026-06-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/akpU2ojw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Celebrating Juneteenth, The Williams Academy, and Caribbean American Culture | 6-19-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Visiting the Historic Williams Academy: In Fort Myers, the Williams Academy Black History Museum chronicles the struggles and perseverance of the African American community in Southwest Florida. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes us on a tour of the historic building. NAACP Celebrates Juneteenth: Juneteenth is a federally designated holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in our country. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Collier County NAACP President Vincent A. Keeys about how Southwest Florida residents use Juneteenth to inspire future generations, including the NAACP’s Read to Lead initiative. Connecting Caribbean American Culture: It's estimated that the first settlers of the Caribbean made their way to the islands roughly 7,000 years ago. In the centuries that followed, countless nations passed through, leading to a blending of cultures. But as earthquakes and hurricanes threaten some island communities and political turmoil impacts others, finding a way to preserve the unique identity of the Caribbean nations has become the mission of Caribbean American Cultural Connections. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with CACC President Omar Berry about the value of Caribbean American Heritage Month. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/akpU2ojw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/akpU2ojw-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-06-19T19:46:27.000Z yes Culture WGCU History SouthwestFlorida Juneteenth CarribeanAmericanCulturalConnections CarribeanAmericanHeritageMonth GoodWorks LeeCountyBlackHistorySociety NAACP WilliamsAcademy https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/closing-alligator-alcatraz-the-three-totos-and-haitian-culture-in-fashion/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qWw88Np2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Closing Alligator Alcatraz, The Three Totos, and Haitian Culture in Fashion In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: End of Alligator Alcatraz Could be in Sight: Homeland Security officials say hurricane season is the reason they emptied the controversial immigration detention center in Collier County known as Alligator Alcatraz. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Elise Bennett, director and senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, to discuss the future of the Everglades detention center. Almost Maine: Theatre Conspiracy in Fort Myers opens its summer comedy series with “Almost Maine,” a romantic comedy that will transport you from the heat of a summer Florida night to a cool winter evening up north. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall brings a snapshot of the production to WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. The Three Totos: WGCU’s Tom Hall has a follow-up on the casting process for the upcoming performance of "The Wizard of Oz,” specifically for the role of Toto. WGCU previously brought you the story of the nine canines who tried out for the part. We now know which three talented terriers made the cut. Finding Affordable Childcare: Finding affordable childcare and preschool education remains a challenge for many families. A Collier County non-profit says it offers a solution with a high-quality learning program for infants through pre-K students, with the cost depending on a family’s ability to pay. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explores Fun Time Academy with CEO Christen Krembs Integrating Haitian Culture and Fashion: A Fort Myers business owner has decided to use under-recognized cultures, including her own Haitian heritage, as the key to making a lasting impression in the world of fashion. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares the story of Romance Rouge. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qWw88Np2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qWw88Np2-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-18T19:41:16.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/almost-maine/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VrjfLxsS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Almost Maine Theatre Conspiracy in Fort Myers opens its summer comedy series with “Almost Maine,” a romantic comedy that will transport you from the heat of a summer Florida night to a cool winter evening up north. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall brings a snapshot of the production to WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VrjfLxsS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VrjfLxsS-FdEsoD82.html 279 2026-06-18T19:41:02.000Z yes Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/end-of-alligator-alcatraz-could-be-in-sight/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1E8OvGSx/poster.jpg?width=1920 End of Alligator Alcatraz Could be in Sight Homeland Security officials say hurricane season is the reason they emptied the controversial immigration detention center in Collier County known as Alligator Alcatraz. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Elise Bennett, director and senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, to discuss the future of the Everglades detention center. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1E8OvGSx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1E8OvGSx-FdEsoD82.html 370 2026-06-18T19:40:44.000Z yes Politics / Legal Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-three-totos/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4ZI51hWj/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Three Totos WGCU’s Tom Hall has a follow-up on the casting process for the upcoming performance of "The Wizard of Oz,” specifically for the role of Toto. WGCU previously brought you the story of the nine canines who tried out for the part. We now know which three talented terriers made the cut. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4ZI51hWj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4ZI51hWj-FdEsoD82.html 137 2026-06-18T19:40:37.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/finding-affordable-childcare/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WWucRwDj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Affordable Childcare Finding affordable childcare and preschool education remains a challenge for many families. A Collier County non-profit says it offers a solution with a high-quality learning program for infants through pre-K students, with the cost depending on a family’s ability to pay. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explores Fun Time Academy with CEO Christen Krembs https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WWucRwDj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WWucRwDj-FdEsoD82.html 408 2026-06-18T19:40:18.000Z yes Business / Economics Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/integrating-haitian-culture-and-fashion/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/l38jxC83/poster.jpg?width=1920 Integrating Haitian Culture and Fashion A Fort Myers business owner has decided to use under-recognized cultures, including her own Haitian heritage, as the key to making a lasting impression in the world of fashion. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares the story of Romance Rouge. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/l38jxC83-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/l38jxC83-FdEsoD82.html 160 2026-06-18T19:40:07.000Z yes Business / Economics Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/built-up-humidity-could-make-temperatures-feel-up-to-110-degrees-across-florida/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vNomAFEH/poster.jpg?width=1920 Built-up humidity could make temperatures feel up to 110 degrees across Florida Built-up humidity could make temperatures feel up to 110 degrees across Florida https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vNomAFEH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vNomAFEH-FdEsoD82.html 85 2026-06-18T17:31:51.000Z yes WGCU Weather https://wgcuplus.org/news/arthur-came-and-went-but-the-flood-threat-lingers/ 2026-06-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tGUGEeJp/poster.jpg?width=1920 Arthur came and went, but the flood threat lingers Arthur came and went, but the flood threat lingers https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tGUGEeJp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tGUGEeJp-FdEsoD82.html 112 2026-06-18T13:21:17.000Z yes WGCU Weather https://wgcuplus.org/news/hurricane-arthur-heads-for-texas/ 2026-06-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SJDgoR6b/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Arthur Heads for Texas Tropical storm Arthur has become the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. It is targeting Texas and Louisiana. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Meteorologist Irene Sans who shares that Arthur is expected to be short-lived, with no immediate threat to Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SJDgoR6b-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SJDgoR6b-FdEsoD82.html 351 2026-06-17T20:40:50.000Z yes Hurricane forecast 2026 HurricaneSeason https://wgcuplus.org/environment/emergency-meals-for-storm-season/ 2026-06-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E1lAFCTf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Emergency Meals for Storm Season With hurricane season underway, if you have not prepared, now is the time. But for some seniors, making sure they have a three-day supply of emergency meals can be a challenge. WGCU News Fellow Jorge Murillo shares how some of the most vulnerable residents in our community are getting help from Florida Power and Light to weather any upcoming storm. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E1lAFCTf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E1lAFCTf-FdEsoD82.html 177 2026-06-17T20:40:33.000Z yes Environment / Nature Hurricane forecast 2026 Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/environment/sargassum-sweeps-miami/ 2026-06-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SZwLkwZy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sargassum Sweeps Miami Some Florida beaches are being overwhelmed with millions of tons of a smelly brown seaweed called sargassum. While Southwest Florida beaches are spared at the moment, a record amount has washed ashore near Miami, the Keys, and Northwest Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Leslie Hudson from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network to learn where sargassum could hit next. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SZwLkwZy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SZwLkwZy-FdEsoD82.html 458 2026-06-17T20:39:56.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hurricane-arthur-sargassum-sweeps-miami-and-yoga-with-capybaras/ 2026-06-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Pqb9qTgj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Arthur, Sargassum Sweeps Miami, and Yoga with Capybaras In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Sargassum Sweeps Miami: Some Florida beaches are being overwhelmed with millions of tons of a smelly brown seaweed called sargassum. While Southwest Florida beaches are spared at the moment, a record amount has washed ashore near Miami, the Keys, and Northwest Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Leslie Hudson from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network to learn where sargassum could hit next. Emergency Meals for Storm Season: With hurricane season underway, if you have not yet prepared, now is the time. For some seniors, making sure they have a three-day supply of emergency meals can be a challenge. WGCU News Fellow Jorge Murillo shares how some of the most vulnerable residents in our community are getting help from Florida Power and Light to weather any upcoming storm. Hurricane Arthur Heads for Texas: Tropical storm Arthur has become the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. It is targeting Texas and Louisiana. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Public Radio Emergency Network Meteorologist Irene Sans who shares that Arthur is expected to be short-lived, with no immediate threat to Southwest Florida. Flexible Fitness: If you are starting an exercise routine this summer, it's important to remember to stay hydrated and not overexert yourself. As WGCU's Teddy Byrne reports from the Cleveland Clinic, adding stretching to your workout may be the best way to kickstart your fitness goals. Yoga with Capybaras: About once a month at Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota, yoga takes a wild twist to raise money for the non-profit. Yogis can strike a peaceful pose with exotic animals called capybaras. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster took to the mat to find out more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Pqb9qTgj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Pqb9qTgj-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-17T20:37:49.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/yoga-with-capybaras/ 2026-06-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Cdt2NSfw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Yoga with Capybaras About once a month at Big Cat Habitat in Sarasota, yoga takes a wild twist to raise money for the non-profit. Yogis can strike a peaceful pose with exotic animals called capybaras. WGCU Reporter Dayna Harpster took to the mat to find out more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Cdt2NSfw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Cdt2NSfw-FdEsoD82.html 269 2026-06-17T20:37:26.000Z yes Health / Aging FL Exploration https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/solar-outpaces-coal-redistricting-elections-and-teenager-runs-business/ 2026-06-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/N1w9eSpY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Solar Outpaces Coal, Redistricting Elections, and Teenager Runs Business In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Solar Energy Outpaces Coal: For the first time in U.S. history, solar power out-generated coal for an entire month. In May, solar energy supplied 12.8% of the nation's electricity. Coal supplied 12.2% according to Ember, a global energy thinktank. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford discusses the future of solar energy and coal with Nicolas Fulghum, a senior data analyst with Ember. Redistricting’s Impact on Elections: Last Friday marked the qualifying deadline for candidates running for various elected offices in Florida's midterm elections. That means voters now have a clearer picture of who they'll have to choose from on their ballots in races ranging from governor to county school boards. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis gives an update on some of the latest election news. Expanding Estero: Estero is in the midst of a population boom. Much of that growth is happening east of I-75 along Corkscrew Road. While the road is under major construction to pave the way for new housing developments it naturally gets packed with traffic. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park speaks with Estero residents about the local impact of expanding development. Teenager Builds Business Through Social Media: A Southwest Florida 18-year-old entrepreneur is using social media magic to take a bite out of the brunch market at his cafe in Fort Myers. Alessandro Ruiz has optimized websites like Tik Tok and Instagram to bring in brunch lovers from across the state. WGCU News Fellow Jessica Bowlby checks out Taza Cafe to get a slice of the action. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/N1w9eSpY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/N1w9eSpY-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-16T20:27:34.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/expanding-estero/ 2026-06-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Umm3EC4a/poster.jpg?width=1920 Expanding Estero Estero is in the midst of a population boom. Much of that growth is happening east of I-75 along Corkscrew Road. While the road is under major construction to pave the way for new housing developments it naturally gets packed with traffic. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park speaks with Estero residents about the local impact of expanding development. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Umm3EC4a-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Umm3EC4a-FdEsoD82.html 374 2026-06-16T20:27:14.000Z yes Business / Economics Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/redistricting-s-impact-on-elections/ 2026-06-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IcqQ3Vmk/poster.jpg?width=1920 Redistricting’s Impact on Elections Last Friday marked the qualifying deadline for candidates running for various elected offices in Florida's midterm elections. That means voters now have a clearer picture of who they'll have to choose from on their ballots in races ranging from governor to county school boards. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis gives an update on some of the latest election news. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IcqQ3Vmk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IcqQ3Vmk-FdEsoD82.html 441 2026-06-16T20:26:52.000Z yes Politics / Legal Regional https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/teenager-builds-business-through-social-media/ 2026-06-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hPY7O6YW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Teenager Builds Business Through Social Media A Southwest Florida 18-year-old entrepreneur is using social media magic to take a bite out of the brunch market at his cafe in Fort Myers. Alessandro Ruiz has optimized websites like Tik Tok and Instagram to bring in brunch lovers from across the state. WGCU News Fellow Jessica Bowlby checks out Taza Cafe to get a slice of the action. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hPY7O6YW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hPY7O6YW-FdEsoD82.html 189 2026-06-16T20:26:43.000Z yes Business / Economics Culture https://wgcuplus.org/environment/solar-energy-outpaces-coal/ 2026-06-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xpoUcbxO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Solar Energy Outpaces Coal For the first time in U.S. history, solar power out-generated coal for an entire month. In May, solar energy supplied 12.8% of the nation's electricity. Coal supplied 12.2% according to Ember, a global energy thinktank. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford discusses the future of solar energy and coal with Nicolas Fulghum, a senior data analyst with Ember. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xpoUcbxO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xpoUcbxO-FdEsoD82.html 381 2026-06-16T20:26:19.000Z yes Business / Economics Environment / Nature economy https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/handling-upkeep-as-a-homeowner/ 2026-06-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mIdJMzY4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Handling Upkeep as a Homeowner Owning a home in Florida can take a financial toll. According to the Florida Homeowners Guide, the average Florida home needs between $14,000 - 18,000 in annual maintenance. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Angie Hicks, the co-founder of Angi, formerly known as Angie's List, to discuss how homeowners can tackle yearly upkeep. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/mIdJMzY4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/mIdJMzY4-FdEsoD82.html 405 2026-06-15T20:12:52.000Z yes Business / Economics economy https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/researching-gut-health/ 2026-06-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LcbwV04e/poster.jpg?width=1920 Researching Gut Health WGCU’s Teddy Byrne is joined by Dr. Julie Gatza, a health educator and co-founder of the Florida Wellness Institute, for more on the scientific studies being done on flatulence. While most people would rather not talk about passing gas, for researchers there are benefits, including a look at overall digestion. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LcbwV04e-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LcbwV04e-FdEsoD82.html 434 2026-06-15T20:12:23.000Z yes Health / Aging Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/expenses-and-inflation-researching-gut-health-and-handling-home-upkeep/ 2026-06-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/l6guWrCM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Expenses and Inflation, Researching Gut Health, and Handling Home Upkeep In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Everyday Expenses Hit by Inflation: Gas prices are dropping across the nation and in Florida with a possible peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Gulf Coast University Economics Professor Dr. Victor Claar about how prices are changing, and what to expect from the new head of the Federal Reserve. Staying Safe with New Workout Trends: One of the latest workout trends is wearing weighted vests while exercising. Social media hypes the vests for their ability to help add muscle and burn more calories. As WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learned, there are a few things you should be aware of before adding a weighted vest to your fitness routine. Researching Gut Health: WGCU’s Teddy Byrne is joined by Dr. Julie Gatza, a health educator and co-founder of the Florida Wellness Institute, for more on the scientific studies being done on flatulence. While most people would rather not talk about passing gas, for researchers there are benefits, including a look at overall digestion. Handling Upkeep as a Homeowner: Owning a home in Florida can take a financial toll. According to the Florida Homeowners Guide, the average Florida home needs between $14,000 - 18,000 in annual maintenance. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Angie Hicks, the co-founder of Angi, formerly known as Angie's List, to discuss how homeowners can tackle yearly upkeep. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/l6guWrCM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/l6guWrCM-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-15T20:10:35.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/everyday-expenses-hit-by-inflation/ 2026-06-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BfH0a9wy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Everyday Expenses Hit by Inflation Gas prices are dropping across the nation and in Florida with a possible peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Gulf Coast University Economics Professor Dr. Victor Claar about how prices are changing, and what to expect from the new head of the Federal Reserve. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BfH0a9wy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BfH0a9wy-FdEsoD82.html 440 2026-06-15T20:09:59.000Z yes Business / Economics Political analysis https://wgcuplus.org/news/untold-stories-of-wwii/ 2026-06-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RIDTnFdm/poster.jpg?width=1920 Untold Stories of WWII June 14 marks Flag Day, an annual observance that commemorates the adoption of the American flag in 1777. As part of the celebrations, a special showing of a new documentary is taking place in Cape Coral. "My Father's War,” shares first-hand stories from WWII veterans. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with director Charley Valera about the upcoming screening. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RIDTnFdm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RIDTnFdm-FdEsoD82.html 540 2026-06-12T19:39:23.000Z yes History America250 America 250 https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/families-learn-english-untold-stories-of-wwii-and-united-way-donations/ 2026-06-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/9IGIUz2m/poster.jpg?width=1920 Families Learn English, Untold Stories of WWII, and United Way Donations In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Learning English as a Family: Learning English is one of the biggest challenges that immigrants face when coming to the United States. But in Collier County, one non-profit organization is easing that burden. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Lära Fisher, CEO of Grace Place, to discuss its multi-generational approach to teaching students how to read, write, and speak English. Untold Stories of WWII: June 14 marks Flag Day, an annual observance that commemorates the adoption of the American flag in 1777. As part of the celebrations, a special showing of a new documentary is taking place in Cape Coral. "My Father's War,” shares first-hand stories from WWII veterans. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with director Charley Valera about the upcoming screening. United Way in Donation Deficit: In Fort Myers, the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades helped alleviate added costs for teachers by giving away nearly $200,000 of classroom supplies and furniture. It's the sixth year the United Way held the event, despite facing dire funding concerns of its own. Interim President and CEO Hannah Pelle tells Jennifer Crawford about the work that’s ongoing to keep programs running during a deficit. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/9IGIUz2m-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/9IGIUz2m-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-12T19:38:16.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/education/learning-english-as-a-family/ 2026-06-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nUMS7ZPf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Learning English as a Family Learning English is one of the biggest challenges that immigrants face when coming to the United States. But in Collier County, one non-profit organization is easing that burden. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Lära Fisher, CEO of Grace Place, to discuss its multi-generational approach to teaching students how to read, write, and speak English. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nUMS7ZPf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nUMS7ZPf-FdEsoD82.html 451 2026-06-12T19:37:54.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/united-way-in-donation-deficit/ 2026-06-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YCRtwdBI/poster.jpg?width=1920 United Way in Donation Deficit In Fort Myers, the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades helped alleviate added costs for teachers by giving away nearly $200,000 of classroom supplies and furniture. It's the sixth year the United Way held the event, despite facing dire funding concerns of its own. Interim President and CEO Hannah Pelle tells Jennifer Crawford about the work that’s ongoing to keep programs running during a deficit. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YCRtwdBI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YCRtwdBI-FdEsoD82.html 384 2026-06-12T19:37:36.000Z yes economy Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hiv-medication-access-the-laramie-project-and-remembering-pulse-shooting/ 2026-06-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8caAEKgx/poster.jpg?width=1920 HIV Medication Access, The Laramie Project, and Remembering Pulse Shooting In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: HIV Medication Assistance: Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Health slashed eligibility for the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which would have eliminated half of the program's enrollees. Temporary funding has been approved to keep it going, but it is only guaranteed until the end of the month. WGCU's Kate Cronin spoke with Esteban Wood, legislative director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, about the impact on those living with HIV. The Laramie Project: The 1998 murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming shocked the nation and the world. His killing is widely viewed as a tragic symbol of anti-gay violence. The town's efforts to come together in the aftermath of his murder gave rise to "The Laramie Project," a play that has been performed in front of millions of people. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall tells us about an upcoming performance of “The Laramie Project,” in Bonita Springs. Followed by a conversation with David O'Malley, commander of detectives at the Laramie Police Department at the time of Shepard's murder. Remembering the Pulse Nightclub Shooting 10 Years Later: June 12 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, when a gunman targeting the gay nightclub killed 49 people and injured 58 others. Reporter Joe Mario Pederson from Central Florida Public Media shares how the Orlando LGBTQ+ community has grown since the massacre 10 years ago. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8caAEKgx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8caAEKgx-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-11T20:09:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-laramie-project/ 2026-06-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/R8tBBkan/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Laramie Project The 1998 murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming shocked the nation and the world. His killing is widely viewed as a tragic symbol of anti-gay violence. The town's efforts to come together in the aftermath of his murder gave rise to "The Laramie Project," a play that has been performed in front of millions of people. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall previews the upcoming performance of “The Laramie Project,” in Bonita Springs. Followed by a conversation with David O'Malley, commander of the detective division at the Laramie Police Department at the time of Shepard's murder. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/R8tBBkan-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/R8tBBkan-FdEsoD82.html 785 2026-06-11T20:08:05.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/hiv-medication-assistance/ 2026-06-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7VBUMiwo/poster.jpg?width=1920 HIV Medication Assistance Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Health slashed eligibility for the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which would have eliminated half of the program's enrollees. Temporary funding has been approved to keep the program going, but it is only guaranteed until the end of the month. WGCU's Kate Cronin spoke with Esteban Wood, legislative director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, about the impact on those living with HIV. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7VBUMiwo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7VBUMiwo-FdEsoD82.html 501 2026-06-11T20:07:28.000Z yes Politics / Legal Health https://wgcuplus.org/education/immigrant-triplets-head-for-higher-education/ 2026-06-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JAN5c1j7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Immigrant Triplets Head for Higher Education WGCU’s Dayna Harpster shares the story of triplets who immigrated from Bolivia at 8 years old. Now, they are heading to three different colleges on full ride scholarships. The educational foundation, Champions for Learning, played a large part in their success. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JAN5c1j7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JAN5c1j7-FdEsoD82.html 324 2026-06-10T20:06:07.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/education/the-return-of-cursive-writing/ 2026-06-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vEXpnzg8/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Return of Cursive Writing Governor Ron Desantis recently signed a sweeping education law. It includes a mandate that students in public schools must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing cursive by the end of fifth grade. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explores the current state of cursive and its implementation in education. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vEXpnzg8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vEXpnzg8-FdEsoD82.html 289 2026-06-10T20:05:53.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/earthquake-felt-in-florida-the-roseate-spoonbill-and-immigrant-triplets/ 2026-06-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5vo6xtJt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Earthquake Felt in Florida, The Roseate Spoonbill, and Immigrant Triplets In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Earthquake Felt in Florida: Tremors were felt across Southwest Florida this week after an earthquake struck off the western coast of Cuba. For more on the earthquakes in the Gulf, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dr. Raymond Russo, a geophysics professor at the University of Florida's Department of Geological Sciences. Protecting the Roseate Spoonbill: By the early 20th century, the Roseate Spoonbill was hunted to the brink of extinction. By the 1930's, there were believed to be only 30 breeding pairs in Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Shauna Sayers, a wading bird research specialist at Audubon's Everglades Research Station, to learn about preservation efforts. Immigrant Triplets Head for Higher Education: WGCU’s Dayna Harpster shares the story of triplets who immigrated from Bolivia at 8 years old. Now, they are heading to three different colleges on full ride scholarships. The educational foundation, Champions for Learning, played a large part in their success. The Return of Cursive Writing: Governor Ron Desantis recently signed a sweeping education law. It includes a mandate that students in public schools must demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing cursive by the end of fifth grade. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explores the current state of cursive and its implementation in education. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5vo6xtJt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5vo6xtJt-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-10T20:04:41.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/earthquake-felt-in-florida/ 2026-06-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/L5HXroc7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Earthquake Felt in Florida Tremors were felt across Southwest Florida this week after an earthquake struck off the western coast of Cuba. For more on the earthquakes in the Gulf, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dr. Raymond Russo, a geophysics professor at the University of Florida's Department of Geological Sciences. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/L5HXroc7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/L5HXroc7-FdEsoD82.html 426 2026-06-10T20:04:20.000Z yes Environment / Nature Regional https://wgcuplus.org/environment/protecting-the-roseate-spoonbill/ 2026-06-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qQvkI0dF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting the Roseate Spoonbill By the early 20th century, the Roseate Spoonbill was hunted to the brink of extinction. By the 1930's, there were believed to be only 30 breeding pairs in Florida. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Shauna Sayers, a wading bird research specialist at Audubon's Everglades Research Station, to learn about preservation efforts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qQvkI0dF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qQvkI0dF-FdEsoD82.html 356 2026-06-10T20:04:01.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/voting-registration-screwworm-found-in-new-mexico-and-red-snapper-rules/ 2026-06-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QH5SdnGO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Voting Registration, Screwworm Found in New Mexico, and Red Snapper Rules In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: New Laws on Voting Registration: Election season is upon us and with ever-changing laws, now is the time to make sure you know what is needed to register to vote. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis for a closer look at the process in the Sunshine State and some important deadlines voters won't want to miss. Screwworm Found in New Mexico: WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford shares an update on the story we brought you regarding the parasitic New World screwworm. Texas and now New Mexico have reported cases, according to the USDA. While its emergence in Texas has not been seen in decades, there was an isolated outbreak in 2016 in the Florida Keys. Dr. Sally Denotta from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine explains how the Texas outbreak is different from what happened in the Keys. Immigrant Families Separated: An Associated Press investigation reveals that dozens of children who were separated under the first Trump administration have been separated once again, despite a federal judge’s order to have them reunited. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford shares the story of a family from Guatemala who returned to Florida last week under a court order. Fishermen Struggle Over Red Snapper: Fishing is a part of Floridian culture. The Associated Press reported on a federal judge in Washington, D.C., who blocked a plan to loosen rules for catching red snapper. It stopped an elongated recreational season on the fish, which pits recreational fishermen against commercial businesses. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford shares anglers’ concerns about their future. Busting Common Aging Myths: It's never too late to take control of your overall health. According to the National Institute of Health, most people will be dealing with an active chronic issue beginning in their 40's. As WGCU’s Teddy Byrne shows us, minor steps can lead to major lifestyle… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QH5SdnGO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QH5SdnGO-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-09T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/screwworm-infestation-rebuilding-in-fort-myers-and-diagnosing-alzheimer-s/ 2026-06-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XUl1KTzJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Screwworm Infestation, Rebuilding in Fort Myers, and Diagnosing Alzheimer’s In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Livestock Concerns Raised Over Screwworm Infestation: The USDA has confirmed five cases of the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm in Texas, and a new case in New Mexico. Florida has enacted emergency restrictions on animal imports to try to keep the insect from entering the state. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Sally Denotta, clinical associate professor from UF College of Veterinary Medicine, to discuss how the livestock industry could be impacted economically. Rebuilding Fort Myers Beach Elementary: It started with Hurricane Ian, but Mother Nature would not let up across Southwest Florida. Storms destroyed several schools, including Fort Myers Beach Elementary School. While Town residents and school district leaders disagreed on its future, there are now plans to reopen it as a charter school. WGCU Reporter and Editor Dayna Harpster speaks with Fort Myers Beach Town Manager Will McKannay about the latest plans for the elementary school. Southwest Florida Drought Update: While we are now in what's considered the rainy season, it's still been quite sporadic and scattered. The drought monitor still shows that our area is a long way from receiving the rainfall we need. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles gives an idea of what we're looking at drought-wise in the coming months. The Value of Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Early: The early stages of Alzheimer's can look different for each patient. The importance of an early diagnosis and changing public perception of the disease is the goal of a new campaign called “This is Alz.” WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by CEO of Healthy Women, Beth Battaglino, and Kerry Dennis, who has been diagnosed with early stages of the disease. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XUl1KTzJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XUl1KTzJ-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-08T20:34:26.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/southwest-florida-drought-update/ 2026-06-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/96waT8YF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Southwest Florida Drought Update While we are now in what's considered the rainy season, it's still been quite sporadic and scattered. The drought monitor still shows that our area is a long way from receiving the rainfall we need. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles gives an idea of what we're looking at drought-wise in the coming months. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/96waT8YF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/96waT8YF-FdEsoD82.html 212 2026-06-08T20:33:49.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/the-value-of-diagnosing-alzheimer-s-early/ 2026-06-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WSpYobD5/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Value of Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Early The early stages of Alzheimer's can look different for each patient. The importance of an early diagnosis and changing public perception of the disease is the goal of a new campaign called “This is Alz.” WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by CEO of Healthy Women, Beth Battaglino, and Kerry Dennis, who has been diagnosed with early stages of the disease. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WSpYobD5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WSpYobD5-FdEsoD82.html 273 2026-06-08T20:33:26.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/environment/livestock-concerns-raised-over-screwworm-infestation/ 2026-06-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4lB84Xw2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Livestock Concerns Raised Over Screwworm Infestation The USDA has confirmed five cases of the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm in Texas, and a new case in New Mexico. Florida has enacted emergency restrictions on animal imports to try to keep the insect from entering the state. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Sally Denotta, clinical associate professor from UF College of Veterinary Medicine, to discuss how the livestock industry could be impacted economically. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4lB84Xw2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4lB84Xw2-FdEsoD82.html 528 2026-06-08T20:33:00.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/education/rebuilding-fort-myers-beach-elementary/ 2026-06-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5sndKhkn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rebuilding Fort Myers Beach Elementary It started with Hurricane Ian, but Mother Nature would not let up across Southwest Florida. Storms destroyed several schools, including Fort Myers Beach Elementary School. While Town residents and school district leaders disagreed on its future, there are now plans to reopen it as a charter school. WGCU Reporter and Editor Dayna Harpster speaks with Fort Myers Beach Town Manager Will McKannay about the latest plans for the elementary school. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5sndKhkn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5sndKhkn-FdEsoD82.html 407 2026-06-08T20:31:02.000Z yes Politics / Legal Education https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/inclusive-summer-camps-for-all-ages/ 2026-06-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7uC58g5L/poster.jpg?width=1920 Inclusive Summer Camps for All Ages The arrival of summertime brings an abundance of camps for Southwest Florida parents and their kids. But for adults living with functional or cognitive disabilities, the chance to engage in the same experiences can be limited. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Trailways Camps Founders Sharon and Jerry Miller about extending opportunities to campers of all adult ages and abilities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7uC58g5L-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7uC58g5L-FdEsoD82.html 445 2026-06-05T19:35:09.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/education/clearing-the-pathway-to-higher-education/ 2026-06-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E10TI09y/poster.jpg?width=1920 Clearing the Pathway to Higher Education As most pre-schools let out for the summer, one special early learning center in Immokalee stays open all year round and has a wait list of 300 children. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford visits the Pathways Early Education Center, which sprouted from a need in the fields of Immokalee, and is now celebrating its graduates. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E10TI09y-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E10TI09y-FdEsoD82.html 409 2026-06-05T19:34:49.000Z yes Education Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/scholarships-awarded-in-immokalee/ 2026-06-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zsg0558z/poster.jpg?width=1920 Scholarships Awarded in Immokalee The Guadalupe Center hosts activities to uplift the community through its youth. And the rich soil of Immokalee is also blooming for the next generation of homegrown scholars. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explores how its graduates were awarded a total of $4.1 million in scholarship money this year. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zsg0558z-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zsg0558z-FdEsoD82.html 320 2026-06-05T19:34:33.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/pathways-to-education-immokalee-scholarships-and-inclusive-summer-camps/ 2026-06-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dbCgfo7N/poster.jpg?width=1920 Pathways to Education, Immokalee Scholarships, and Inclusive Summer Camps In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Clearing the Pathway to Higher Education: As most pre-schools let out for the summer, one special early learning center in Immokalee stays open all year round and has a wait list of 300 children. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford visits the Pathways Early Education Center, which sprouted from a need in the fields of Immokalee, and is now celebrating its graduates. Parental Anxiety Over Summer Break: With students out of school and on summer break, there are many parents who are feeling anxious about having their kids at home for most of the day. While some feel a need to keep their children entertained every minute, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford shares why that's not always the case. Inclusive Summer Camps for All Ages: The arrival of summertime brings an abundance of camps for Southwest Florida parents and their kids. But for adults living with functional or cognitive disabilities, the chance to engage in the same experiences can be limited. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Trailways Camps Founders Sharon and Jerry Miller about extending opportunities to campers of all adult ages and abilities. The Value of Learning CPR: The first week of June is designated as National CPR and AED Awareness month. According to the American Heart Association, performing CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival from cardiac arrest. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne shows why everyone is encouraged to take CPR training to be prepared if the moment calls for it. Scholarships Awarded in Immokalee: The Guadalupe Center hosts activities to uplift the community through its youth. And the rich soil of Immokalee is also blooming for the next generation of homegrown scholars. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explores how its graduates were awarded a total of $4.1 million in scholarship money this year. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dbCgfo7N-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dbCgfo7N-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-05T19:33:19.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/avoiding-vacation-sickness-dogs-steal-the-spotlight-and-power-preparations/ 2026-06-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/S7Fjuosk/poster.jpg?width=1920 Avoiding Vacation Sickness, Dogs Steal the Spotlight, and Power Preparations In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Avoiding Vacation Sickness: The summer travel period is about to commence. Some Southwest Florida residents will take distant vacations, while millions of visitors will arrive in the Sunshine State. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford finds out how to avoid bringing home an unwanted illness from Dr. Loretta Giusti, pharmacy clinical service manager for Walmart. Health Benefits from Sunshine: Whether it's a day at the beach or a walk through one of the many downtown areas of Southwest Florida, there are plenty of reasons to get out and about. There's also a health-conscious reason to get out and enjoy the sunshine. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne learned about some of the benefits that come from a day in the sun. Dogs Steal the Spotlight at Broadway Palm: When the "Wizard of Oz" debuted in 1939, one of the unexpected stars of the film was a Cairn Terrier named Terry. For an upcoming stage rendition of the classic tale, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre held auditions to see if another pooch was ready for the spotlight and the role of Toto. WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall joined the pack to see which dogs were heads and tails above the rest. Sleep Schedule Switching: As the school year gives way to summer break, parents might consider loosening the rules when it comes to bedtime. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learned why that might not be the best idea. Experts say that if your child plays sports or has other summer activities, it's best to keep their bedtime schedule consistent. Mosquito Madness: June brings more outdoor activities, which can lead to more encounters with mosquitoes. To combat the pesky bug, Lee County is taking a different approach to the battle against the bite. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explores the new technology being used to lower mosquito populations. Repelling Bugs: It's hard to avoid the bugs this time of year no matter how hard you try, and not everyone has… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/S7Fjuosk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/S7Fjuosk-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-04T19:25:43.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/hurricane-power-preparations/ 2026-06-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dwfBMtYz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Power Preparations As we make it through the first week of hurricane season, many people worry about losing electricity when a storm hits. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Kamrel Eppinger from Florida Power and Light about what's being done to help ease those fears. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dwfBMtYz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dwfBMtYz-FdEsoD82.html 283 2026-06-04T19:25:29.000Z yes Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/avoiding-vacation-sickness/ 2026-06-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pHa1y3WK/poster.jpg?width=1920 Avoiding Vacation Sickness The summer travel period is about to commence. Some Southwest Florida residents will take distant vacations, while millions of visitors will arrive in the Sunshine State. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford finds out how to avoid bringing home an unwanted illness from Dr. Loretta Giusti, pharmacy clinical service manager for Walmart. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pHa1y3WK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pHa1y3WK-FdEsoD82.html 287 2026-06-04T19:25:13.000Z yes FL Exploration Health https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/dogs-steal-the-spotlight-at-broadway-palm/ 2026-06-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XgooVePp/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dogs Steal the Spotlight at Broadway Palm When the "Wizard of Oz" debuted in 1939, one of the unexpected stars of the film was a Cairn Terrier named Terry. For an upcoming stage rendition of the classic tale, the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre held auditions to see if another pooch was ready for the spotlight and the role of Toto. WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall joined the pack to see which dogs were heads and tails above the rest. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XgooVePp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XgooVePp-FdEsoD82.html 383 2026-06-04T19:24:54.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/property-taxes-under-fire/ 2026-06-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RPDXOu69/poster.jpg?width=1920 Property Taxes Under Fire After nearly a year and a half of pursuing a measure to cut homestead property taxes in Florida, Governor Ron Desantis got his wish. In a special session on Tuesday, lawmakers approved the governor's plan over the objections of Democratic lawmakers, as well as some city and government officials. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU-FM Host John Davis to break down possible effects. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RPDXOu69-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RPDXOu69-FdEsoD82.html 463 2026-06-03T19:37:03.000Z yes Politics / Legal Political analysis https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/property-taxes-dunbar-school-awarded-stem-grant-and-a-utility-scam-alert/ 2026-06-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/X18AyKlz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Property Taxes, Dunbar School Awarded STEM Grant, and a Utility Scam Alert In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Property Taxes Under Fire: After nearly a year and a half of pursuing a measure to cut homestead property taxes in Florida, Governor Ron Desantis got his wish. In a special session on Tuesday, lawmakers approved the governor's plan over the objections of Democratic lawmakers, as well as some city and government officials. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU-FM Host John Davis to break down possible effects. Dunbar High School Awarded STEM Grant: Dunbar High School in Fort Myers is nationally recognized as a technology powerhouse. To provide students with rigorous international baccalaureate and STEM coursework, the institution needs to keep up with the changing tech world. A new classroom makeover grant will significantly update its equipment and prepare students for the workforce. WGCU's Dayna Harpster was there for the announcement. Utility Scam Alert: Scammers are getting more creative when it comes to targeting victims. In an attempt to target victims, some malcontents are utilizing AI to create fake personas and lure consumers under false pretenses. For more on AI scams and how to protect yourself, WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits down with Shelly Ragsdale from Florida Power and Light. Market Benefits New Homeowners: Florida's real estate market is heading in an upward direction and leaning heavily into a buyer’s market. According to the brokerage website Redfin, approximately 98,000 homes have been sold in the first four months of the year. Broker Elise McMahon from Achieva Real Estate Services shares tips for first-time home buyers with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/X18AyKlz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/X18AyKlz-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-03T19:35:54.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/market-benefits-new-homeowners/ 2026-06-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iYxSA4Lk/poster.jpg?width=1920 Market Benefits New Homeowners Florida's real estate market is heading in an upward direction and leaning heavily into a buyer’s market. According to the brokerage website Redfin, approximately 98,000 homes have been sold in the first four months of the year. Broker Elise McMahon from Achieva Real Estate Services shares tips for first-time home buyers with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iYxSA4Lk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iYxSA4Lk-FdEsoD82.html 251 2026-06-03T19:35:42.000Z yes Business / Economics Business https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/utility-scam-alert/ 2026-06-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EOumUFQw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Utility Scam Alert Scammers are getting more creative when it comes to targeting victims. In an attempt to target victims, some malcontents are utilizing AI to create fake personas and lure consumers under false pretenses. For more on AI scams and how to protect yourself, WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits down with Shelly Ragsdale from Florida Power and Light. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EOumUFQw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EOumUFQw-FdEsoD82.html 387 2026-06-03T19:35:23.000Z yes Science / Tech Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/education/dunbar-high-school-awarded-stem-grant/ 2026-06-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xJE9WCfd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Dunbar High School Awarded STEM Grant Dunbar High School in Fort Myers is nationally recognized as a technology powerhouse. To provide students with rigorous international baccalaureate and STEM coursework, the institution needs to keep up with the changing tech world. A new classroom makeover grant will significantly update its equipment and prepare students for the workforce. WGCU's Dayna Harpster was there for the announcement. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xJE9WCfd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xJE9WCfd-FdEsoD82.html 296 2026-06-03T19:35:06.000Z yes Science / Tech Education https://wgcuplus.org/environment/what-is-vibrio-vulnificus/ 2026-06-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/J6hO0vSv/poster.jpg?width=1920 What is Vibrio Vulnificus? Right as beach season is about to pick up throughout the Sunshine State, at least five cases of a flesh-eating bacteria known as Vibrio Vulnificus have been confirmed. One of those cases is in Lee County. Health officials warn that a spike in cases is linked to the aftermath of major storms such as hurricanes. Dr. Norman Beatty, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Florida, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to share more about the bacteria and who is at risk. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/J6hO0vSv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/J6hO0vSv-FdEsoD82.html 469 2026-06-02T19:17:42.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/rural-businesses-protecting-valuables-in-storm-season-and-vibrio-vulnificus/ 2026-06-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2pLOlTFe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rural Businesses, Protecting Valuables in Storm Season, and Vibrio Vulnificus In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Urban Development Concerns Rural Businesses: Every year in Southwest Florida farmland and woods are turning into developments for housing and retail outlets. But what about businesses that focus on rural life? How can they survive the loss of farms and ranches, and still find customers who appreciate the country lifestyle? WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher finds answers for how these businesses are adapting in this week's Focus on Business. Protecting Valuables Through a Hurricane: The Atlantic hurricane season just started, and peak season for Southwest Florida runs from August to October. If you have not done so already, now is the time to take special care to protect important items like your passports, birth certificates, and other documents in case of a storm. WGGU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Kyle Mitchell, a financial expert from Achieva Credit Union, for tips on keeping valuables safe during storm season. AI Reading MRIs: The reading of cardiac MRI images can be time consuming for doctors. But a new AI program is looking to speed up the process. The program is trained to look for a variety of heart conditions. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explains why the goal is more than speeding up the time it takes to read complex images. Re-learning Life After a Stroke: Each year, over 795,000 people suffer a stroke in the United States. For some, medical incidents disrupt daily life and force people to relearn practices such as driving. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learns how one mother is now back on the road and how she regained her independence with the assistance of a driving simulator What is Vibrio Vulnificus? Right as beach season is about to pick up throughout the Sunshine State, at least five cases of a flesh-eating bacteria known as Vibrio Vulnificus have been confirmed. One of those cases is in Lee County. Health officials warn that a spike in cases is linked to the… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2pLOlTFe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2pLOlTFe-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-02T19:15:38.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/urban-development-concerns-rural-businesses/ 2026-06-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/N7zDIfiw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Urban Development Concerns Rural Businesses Every year in Southwest Florida farmland and woods are turning into developments for housing and retail outlets. But what about businesses that focus on rural life? How can they survive the loss of farms and ranches, and still find customers who appreciate the country lifestyle? WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher finds answers for how these businesses are adapting in this week's Focus on Business. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/N7zDIfiw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/N7zDIfiw-FdEsoD82.html 268 2026-06-02T19:15:16.000Z yes Business / Economics Culture https://wgcuplus.org/news/protecting-valuables-through-a-hurricane/ 2026-06-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/t8UEoVFZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Valuables Through a Hurricane The Atlantic hurricane season just started, and peak season for Southwest Florida runs from August to October. If you have not done so already, now is the time to take special care to protect important items like your passports, birth certificates, and other documents in case of a storm. WGGU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Kyle Mitchell, a financial expert from Achieva Credit Union, for tips on keeping valuables safe during storm season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/t8UEoVFZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/t8UEoVFZ-FdEsoD82.html 403 2026-06-02T19:14:42.000Z yes Public Affairs Environment https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hurricane-season-outlook-safety-preparations-and-behind-wgcu-storm-coverage/ 2026-06-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PzzhkwJL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Season Outlook, Safety Preparations, and Behind WGCU Storm Coverage In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Hurricane Season Outlook: June 1 marks the start of hurricane season in Florida. According to NOAA’s National Weather Service, there is a 55% chance of a below-normal season. Predictions call for between eight and 14 named storms, with only three to six developing into a hurricane. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learns more about this year’s forecast from Senior Meteorologist Ben Nelson from the National Weather Service. Naples Airport Prepares for Storm Season: Naples Airport is working on a first of its kind project to make it more storm resilient. In 2022, flooding from Hurricane Ian submerged the runways, severely damaging airfield lighting and navigation systems. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares the airport’s multimillion-dollar project to keep the lights on throughout the worst of future hurricanes. Behind the Scenes of WGCU Hurricane Coverage: WGCU takes extra precautions to prepare for storm season. Even if power goes out, our team never slows down. WGCU Producer Mike Kiniry and FM-Station Manager Richard Chin Quee go behind the scenes to show how we use tools like the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network to make sure you have the latest information before, during, and after a storm. Practicing Portable Generator Safety: When the power goes out following severe weather, noise from portable generators ramps up. Portable generators are least a $1 billion dollar a year industry in the U.S. and a major help during storm recovery. Learning how to properly use one is critical before a hurricane hits. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Guillermo Rodriguez, spokesperson for the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association, to discuss important safety steps when operating a portable generator. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PzzhkwJL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PzzhkwJL-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-06-01T19:34:09.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/naples-airport-prepares-for-storm-season/ 2026-06-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/55EyaShm/poster.jpg?width=1920 Naples Airport Prepares for Storm Season Naples Airport is working on a first of its kind project to make it more storm resilient. In 2022, flooding from Hurricane Ian submerged the runways, severely damaging airfield lighting and navigation systems. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park shares the airport’s multimillion-dollar project to keep the lights on throughout the worst of future hurricanes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/55EyaShm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/55EyaShm-FdEsoD82.html 237 2026-06-01T19:33:54.000Z yes Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/hurricane-season-outlook/ 2026-06-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IaEp6vcx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Season Outlook June 1 marks the start of hurricane season in Florida. According to NOAA’s National Weather Service, there is a 55% chance of a below-normal season. Predictions call for between eight and 14 named storms, with only three to six developing into a hurricane. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learns more about this year’s forecast from Senior Meteorologist Ben Nelson from the National Weather Service. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IaEp6vcx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IaEp6vcx-FdEsoD82.html 467 2026-06-01T19:33:30.000Z yes Science / Tech Environment / Nature Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/practicing-portable-generator-safety/ 2026-06-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ynzsttm3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Practicing Portable Generator Safety When the power goes out following severe weather, noise from portable generators ramps up. Portable generators are a more than $1 billion industry in the U.S. and a major help during storm recovery. Learning how to properly use one is critical before a hurricane hits. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Guillermo Rodriguez, spokesperson for the Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association, to discuss important safety steps when operating a portable generator. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ynzsttm3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ynzsttm3-FdEsoD82.html 277 2026-06-01T19:33:11.000Z yes Science / Tech Hurricane https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/alligator-alcatraz-lawsuit-fighting-wildfires-and-the-fringe-festival/ 2026-05-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/22w9Sq85/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit, Fighting Wildfires and the Fringe Festival Join host Jennifer Crawford and the award winning WGCU News team for the latest episode of Southwest Florida In Focus. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/22w9Sq85-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/22w9Sq85-FdEsoD82.html 1505 2026-05-29T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/gulf-coast-symphony-celebrates-america-250/ 2026-05-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Cyml8ylZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gulf Coast Symphony Celebrates America 250 Museums, art centers and theaters from Marco Island to Sarasota are commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall spotlight the Gulf Coast Symphony, which is producing seven America 250 shows between Memorial Day and Labor Day. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Cyml8ylZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Cyml8ylZ-FdEsoD82.html 235 2026-05-28T20:16:39.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/defining-the-american-dream-inclusive-music-and-art-for-all-ages/ 2026-05-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/u9uAIBnj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Defining the American Dream, Inclusive Music, and Art for All Ages In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Defining the American Dream: We're now days away from a special documentary involving Southwest Florida, and the entire country. “Amerigo” explores what people have to say about the American dream in 2026. As we count down to our nation's 250th birthday, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Director Adam Mason with details about the fascinating journey behind the documentary. Gulf Coast Symphony Celebrates America 250: Museums, art centers and theaters from Marco Island to Sarasota are commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall spotlight the Gulf Coast Symphony, which is producing seven America 250 shows between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Inclusive Music: A new music school is the first of its kind in the country. Opening in Naples, the students are all neurodivergent with a singular interest in music. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park covers the story of the Inclusive Conservatory of Naples (ICON), a unique space for collegiate-level musicians. Art For All Ages: It's never too late to learn something new and to be creative. Fort Myers art teacher Minna Maillakakis is on a mission to inspire people to express themselves with confidence, regardless of age. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley shares how her art classes give seniors a chance to create. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/u9uAIBnj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/u9uAIBnj-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-28T20:14:38.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/defining-the-american-dream/ 2026-05-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qsHXsBiu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Defining the American Dream We're now just days away from a special documentary involving Southwest Florida and the entire country. Amerigo explores what people have to say about the American dream in 2026. As we count down to our nation's 250th birthday, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Director Adam Mason with details about the fascinating journey behind the documentary. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qsHXsBiu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qsHXsBiu-FdEsoD82.html 501 2026-05-28T20:13:51.000Z yes America250 America 250 https://wgcuplus.org/education/art-for-all-ages/ 2026-05-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8hnEKOJP/poster.jpg?width=1920 Art For All Ages It's never too late to learn something new and be creative. That message is from Minna Maillakakis, a Fort Myers art teacher. She’s on a mission to inspire people to express themselves with confidence, regardless of age. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley shares how her art classes give seniors a chance to create. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8hnEKOJP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8hnEKOJP-FdEsoD82.html 313 2026-05-28T20:13:24.000Z yes Health / Aging Education Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/inclusive-music/ 2026-05-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1cK5Tkeh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Inclusive Music A new music school is the first of its kind in the country. Opening in Naples, the students are all neurodivergent with a singular interest in music. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park covers the story of the Inclusive Conservatory of Naples, a unique space for collegiate-level musicians. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1cK5Tkeh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1cK5Tkeh-FdEsoD82.html 331 2026-05-28T20:12:54.000Z yes Education Art https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/expanding-veterinary-care/ 2026-05-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/59wR41LG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Expanding Veterinary Care Affordable veterinary care in Fort Myers could be more accessible than ever after the Gulf Coast Humane Society cut the ribbon on its new clinic. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explains how the increased capacity for spay and neuter surgeries at the new building is expected to help reduce the cat and dog overpopulation in Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/59wR41LG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/59wR41LG-FdEsoD82.html 98 2026-05-27T19:52:21.000Z yes Public Affairs Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ebola-outbreak-volunteers-protect-wildlife-and-how-dogs-encourage-reading/ 2026-05-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rYcXCq5J/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ebola Outbreak, Volunteers Protect Wildlife, and How Dogs Encourage Reading In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Ebola Outbreak Hits Africa: An outbreak of Ebola in Central and East Africa is spreading and raising alarms about the ability to contain the highly contagious virus. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician, to detail how new travel restrictions are in place to try to keep the virus from entering the United States. Combating High Blood Pressure: Nearly half of all American adults are living with high blood pressure. According to the CDC, only 22% of those affected have their condition properly under control. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks to Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli about life changes people can make to lower their risk of high blood pressure. Expanding Veterinary Care: Affordable veterinary care in Fort Myers could be more accessible than ever after the Gulf Coast Humane Society cut the ribbon on its new clinic. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explains how the increased capacity for spay and neuter surgeries at the new building is expected to help reduce the cat and dog overpopulation in Southwest Florida. Volunteers Protecting Wildlife: The care and quality of life for all animals is an important mission for many in Southwest Florida. On Sanibel Island, the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, or CROW, relies on volunteers to spearhead its conservation efforts. WGCU’s Kate Cronin visits the teaching hospital and education center to meet the volunteers making CROW’s mission possible. How Therapy Dogs Encourage Reading: Nationwide, children are facing daily challenges, including reading aptitude and food insecurity. To combat these struggles, local libraries are partnering with organizations to find solutions. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park learned about two programs at the Mid-County Regional Library in Charlotte County aimed at enhancing child literacy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rYcXCq5J-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rYcXCq5J-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-27T19:50:30.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/volunteers-protecting-wildlife/ 2026-05-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SmEY5SqW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Volunteers Protecting Wildlife The care and quality of life for all animals is an important mission for many in Southwest Florida. On Sanibel Island, the Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, or CROW, relies on volunteers to spearhead its conservation efforts. WGCU’s Kate Cronin visits the teaching hospital and education center to meet the volunteers making CROW’s mission possible. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SmEY5SqW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SmEY5SqW-FdEsoD82.html 269 2026-05-27T19:50:09.000Z yes Environment / Nature Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/education/how-therapy-dogs-encourage-reading/ 2026-05-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZkbtPXjI/poster.jpg?width=1920 How Therapy Dogs Encourage Reading Nationwide, children are facing daily challenges, including reading aptitude and food insecurity. To combat these struggles, local libraries are partnering with organizations to find solutions. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park learned about two programs at the Mid-County Regional Library in Charlotte County aimed at enhancing child literacy. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZkbtPXjI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZkbtPXjI-FdEsoD82.html 198 2026-05-27T19:49:53.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/news/ebola-outbreak-hits-africa/ 2026-05-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3bAo8Yn9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ebola Outbreak Hits Africa An outbreak of Ebola in Central and East Africa is spreading and raising alarms about the ability to contain the highly contagious virus. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician, to detail how new travel restrictions are in place to try to keep the virus from entering the United States. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3bAo8Yn9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3bAo8Yn9-FdEsoD82.html 491 2026-05-27T19:49:16.000Z yes Health Science https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/combating-high-blood-pressure/ 2026-05-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OoYvwyRW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Combating High Blood Pressure Nearly half of all American adults are living with high blood pressure. According to the CDC, only 22% of those affected have their condition properly under control. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks to Preventive Cardiologist Dr. Payal Kohli about life changes people can make to lower their risk of high blood pressure. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OoYvwyRW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OoYvwyRW-FdEsoD82.html 352 2026-05-27T19:48:46.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/lawmakers-finalize-state-budget/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ou1r0C7E/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lawmakers Finalize State Budget Florida lawmakers finally reached a deal on a state budget after working through the holiday weekend. WGCU’S Jennifer Crawford sits down with Host and Reporter John Davis for more on what’s included for the next fiscal year as the budget moves to Governor Ron Desantis’ desk. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ou1r0C7E-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ou1r0C7E-FdEsoD82.html 439 2026-05-26T19:34:28.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/environment/the-great-goliath-grouper-count/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qNeoNQ5h/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Great Goliath Grouper Count The goliath grouper is one of the most important species patrolling the Florida waters. Aside from controlling reef fish populations, it's believed the species generates tens of thousands of dollars annually just for snorkelers and divers to get a glimpse. The great goliath grouper count is set to start June 1. Dr. Angela Collins, a marine fisheries and shellfish aquaculture specialist, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to share more about the 16th annual event and how you can take part. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qNeoNQ5h-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qNeoNQ5h-FdEsoD82.html 431 2026-05-26T19:34:04.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/environment/hunting-burmese-pythons/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SguqmsfH/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hunting Burmese Pythons It is an impossible job to know the exact number of Burmese pythons lurking in the Everglades. Researchers believe over 30,000 of the invasive snakes live in South Florida. But their remote hiding spots make tracking them down very difficult. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Kodiak Hengstebeck, an interagency python management coordinator with the Florida Wildlife Commission, about this year's python hunt. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SguqmsfH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SguqmsfH-FdEsoD82.html 311 2026-05-26T19:33:47.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/innovator-grows-local-businesses/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ERUJBRf5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Innovator Grows Local Businesses A Collier County woman is being honored for what she does to help local businesses grow. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher shares the story with Jennifer Crawford as part of our coverage of regional businesses. Melissa Severance founded a consulting firm called Inspire Big Dreams, and she is the recipient of the top honor from SWFL Inc. called the “Incredible Award.” https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ERUJBRf5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ERUJBRf5-FdEsoD82.html 205 2026-05-26T19:33:34.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/news/state-budget-finalized-the-great-goliath-grouper-count-and-hunting-pythons/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ESxNj6Zk/poster.jpg?width=1920 State Budget Finalized, The Great Goliath Grouper Count, and Hunting Pythons In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Lawmakers Finalize State Budget: Florida lawmakers finally reached a deal on a state budget after working through the holiday weekend. WGCU’S Jennifer Crawford sits down with Host and Reporter John Davis for more on what’s included for the next fiscal year as the budget moves to Governor Ron Desantis’ desk. Innovator Grows Local Businesses: A Collier County woman is being honored for what she does to help local businesses grow. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher shares the story with Jennifer Crawford as part of our coverage of regional businesses. Melissa Severance founded a consulting firm called Inspire Big Dreams, and she is the recipient of the top honor from SWFL Inc. called the “Incredible Award.” The Great Goliath Grouper Count: The goliath grouper is one of the most important species patrolling the Florida waters. Aside from controlling reef fish populations, it's believed the species generates tens of thousands of dollars annually just for snorkelers and divers to get a glimpse. The great goliath grouper count is set to start June 1. Dr. Angela Collins, a marine fisheries and shellfish aquaculture specialist, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to share more about the 16th annual event and how you can take part. Hunting Burmese Pythons: It is an impossible job to know the exact number of Burmese pythons lurking in the Everglades. Researchers believe over 30,000 of the invasive snakes live in South Florida. But their remote hiding spots make tracking them down very difficult. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Kodiak Hengstebeck, an interagency python management coordinator with the Florida Wildlife Commission, about this year's python hunt. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ESxNj6Zk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ESxNj6Zk-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-26T19:32:04.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/kevin-nealon-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vw7Y2Hyg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Kevin Nealon on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter What stays with us — belief, or the rituals we carry? Kevin Nealon reflects on faith, doubt, and the quiet comfort of the prayers he grew up with — the ones that linger, even as everything else shifts. A simple, honest moment about what we hold onto, and why. ✨ Listen to Ye Gods with Scott Carter wherever you get your podcasts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vw7Y2Hyg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vw7Y2Hyg-FdEsoD82.html 53 2026-05-26T17:01:06.000Z yes Scott Carter Ye Gods! Faithful Faithless Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Ye Gods! Podcast Being Human Catholic Roots Faith And Doubt Kevin Nealon Podcast Recommendation RitualAndMeaning Spiritual Journey https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/danielle-crittenden-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EjD7XxWh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Danielle Crittenden on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Loss changes the story — but it also changes the storyteller. On Ye Gods with Scott Carter, Danielle Crittenden Frum reflects on love, grief, and the strange way heartbreak can sharpen our understanding of what matters most. A tender, searching conversation about carrying on after the unimaginable. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. ✨ https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EjD7XxWh-FdEsoD82.html 78 2026-05-26T16:53:05.000Z yes Scott Carter Ye Gods! Faithful Faithless Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Ye Gods! Podcast BeingHuman DanielleCrittendenFrum DispatchesFromGrief GriefAndLove HealingAndHope HumanExperience ThoughtfulListening YeGodsPodcast https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/rainn-wilson-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OUjX3JB2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rainn Wilson on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter ️✨ From Schrute to Soul Boom — Rainn Wilson has made us laugh, think and question everything (including our paper supply). Now, he’s bringing that mix of comedy and curiosity to Ye Gods with Scott Carter. Best known as Dwight on NBC’s The Office, Wilson is also an Emmy-nominated actor, author of Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution and co-founder of SoulPancake. He’s traveled the world in search of happiness, launched projects on climate change and even changed his name to protest global warming. Listen to Ye Gods with Scott Carter on the NPR Network, from WGCU Public Media and Efficiency Studios. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OUjX3JB2-FdEsoD82.html 18 2026-05-26T16:49:44.000Z yes Scott Carter Ye Gods! Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Rainn Wilson Ye Gods! Podcast https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/valarie-kaur-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YZlIt6Kz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Valarie Kaur on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Scott Carter chats with Valarie Kaur about how love can spark real transformation and renewal.⚡ https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YZlIt6Kz-FdEsoD82.html 57 2026-05-26T16:45:44.000Z yes Scott Carter Ye Gods Ye Gods Podcast Ye Gods! with Scott Carter https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/martin-short-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vmYZuA0A/poster.jpg?width=1920 Martin Short on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Can comedy save your soul? Maybe not… but Martin Short might get you laughing about it. Introducing Ye Gods with Scott Carter — the new NPR Network podcast from WGCU Public Media and Efficiency Studios. Each week, Scott talks with comics, musicians, writers and thinkers about the beliefs (sacred and profane) that shape their lives. First guest? The divine, the hilarious… the one and only Martin Short. ✨ So come all ye faithful (and faithless) — new episodes drop weekly wherever you get your podcasts. Click the link in our bio to listen now. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vmYZuA0A-FdEsoD82.html 17 2026-05-26T16:37:11.000Z yes Scott Carter Ye Gods! Martin Short https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/susie-essman-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Pi9Eecsz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Susie Essman on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter Comedian and actress Susie Essman opens up about her grandmother’s battle with dementia, the heartbreak of watching someone change, and the moments of love that still remained through it all. A deeply personal conversation about caregiving, grief, humor, and holding on to connection when memory slips away. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Pi9Eecsz-FdEsoD82.html 95 2026-05-26T16:28:36.000Z yes Susie Essman Ye Gods with Scott Carter https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/patriot-guard-honors-veterans-war-photography-and-the-battle-of-fort-myers/ 2026-05-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/68hzYUWl/poster.jpg?width=1920 Patriot Guard Honors Veterans, War Photography, and the Battle of Fort Myers In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Patriot Guard Honors the Ultimate Sacrifice: An organized band of motorcycle riders shows up at events all over Florida with the mission to honor veterans and first responders. WGCU's Dayna Harpster follows the Patriot Guard as they pay respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Fort Myers’ Integral Role in WWII: As America celebrates its semi-quincentennial, we're looking at the role Southwest Florida played in American history. That includes one region which played a vital role in helping to save the nation during WWII. WGCU’s Mike Walcher reports on how the once sleepy backwaters of Buckingham became important to the war effort. Art of War Photography: A new exhibit in Naples takes a look at the front lines of the war, and the photographers that recorded the action. Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center Curator Cody Rademacher tells WGCU’s Teddy Byrne about its historical showcase giving visitors an in-depth look at WWII, from D-Day to Nuremberg. Mosaic Masterpiece Tells an Alternative History: In a tucked away corner in downtown Fort Myers, on the side of the George Whitehurst U.S. Courthouse, a massive, 20-by-100-foot ceramic tile mosaic masterpiece shines. “An Alternative History of Fort Myers” highlights a deep look into the history of Lee County, with images of the Seminole Wars and the Battle of Fort Myers. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh sat with the mural's creator, Barbara Jo Revelle, to learn about her two-year process to bring this piece of work to life. The Battle of Fort Myers’ Impact on The Civil War: It has been 161 years since the southernmost land battle of the American Civil War took place in Southwest Florida. February 20th, 1865, saw a small contingency of union soldiers defend their base from encroaching confederates in a conflict that would be known as “The Battle of Fort Myers”. WGCU’s Mike Walcher showcases how new… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/68hzYUWl-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/68hzYUWl-FdEsoD82.html 1532 2026-05-25T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida FortMyers America250 CivilWar Full Episode Motorcycle Veterans BattleofFortMyers BuckinghamAirfield HolocaustMuseum IMAGHistoryandScienceCenter Mural PatriotGuard Pilot SeminoleWars USCT WWII WarPhotography https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/patriot-guard-honors-the-ultimate-sacrifice/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WnVqoc68/poster.jpg?width=1920 Patriot Guard Honors The Ultimate Sacrifice An organized band of motorcycle riders shows up at events all over Florida with the mission to honor veterans and first responders. WGCU's Dayna Harpster follows the Patriot Guard as they pay respect to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WnVqoc68-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WnVqoc68-FdEsoD82.html 247 2026-05-25T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts Motorcycle Veterans Good Works PatriotGuard https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/emancipation-day-in-florida/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FhjWwJ9A/poster.jpg?width=1920 Emancipation Day In Florida Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Now, cultural organizations across Florida are making the case to mark May 20 as the state's equivalent holiday. In 1997, the Florida Department of State and the Museum of Florida History began the first Emancipation Day celebrations. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park spoke with members of the fraternal organization, Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War, about their efforts to turn May 20 into an official state holiday. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FhjWwJ9A-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FhjWwJ9A-FdEsoD82.html 464 2026-05-22T22:30:00.000Z yes FL Exploration Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts EmancipationDay Juneteenth SonsofUnionVeteransofTheCivilWar https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/builders-care-provides-home-for-veteran/ 2026-06-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ANPNH50B/poster.jpg?width=1920 Builders Care Provides Home For Veteran WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge tells the story of a Marine veteran from Dunbar who was brought to tears after he received a brand-new home. Builders Care and the City of Fort Myers gifted the keys to Lewis Freeman, a 71-year-old Vietnam War veteran, with prayers and applause. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ANPNH50B-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ANPNH50B-FdEsoD82.html 219 2026-05-22T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Good Works BuildersCare CityofFortMyers MarineCorps Veteran https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/memorial-day-boating-safety/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GYGFAMo5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Memorial Day Boating Safety South Florida leads the state when it comes to boating accidents and fatalities. With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, our waterways will be particularly busy. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles for more on the latest boating statistics to help you prepare for a safe Memorial Day weekend. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GYGFAMo5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GYGFAMo5-FdEsoD82.html 361 2026-05-22T22:30:00.000Z yes FL Exploration Public Affairs WGCU SouthwestFlorida Boating MemorialDay WaterSafety https://wgcuplus.org/news/library-recovers-from-hurricane-ian/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kJzdBVTp/poster.jpg?width=1920 Library Recovers From Hurricane Ian It turns out a hurricane cannot dampen a community's commitment to learning. One library in Port Charlotte recently rebuilt its facility from the ground up. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park covers the grand re-opening of Mid-Country Regional Library, four years after incurring devastating damage from Hurricane Ian. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kJzdBVTp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kJzdBVTp-FdEsoD82.html 316 2026-05-22T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU southwest florida HurricaneIan Library Mid-CountyRegionalLibrary https://wgcuplus.org/news/memorial-day-boating-emancipation-day-and-builders-care-5-22-2026-wgcu-news/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ysFC5OmR/poster.jpg?width=1920 Memorial Day Boating, Emancipation Day, and Builders Care | 5-22-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Memorial Day Boating Safety: South Florida leads the state when it comes to boating accidents and fatalities. With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, our waterways will be particularly busy. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles for more on the latest boating statistics to help you prepare for a safe Memorial Day weekend. Emancipation Day in Florida: Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. Now, cultural organizations across Florida are making the case to mark May 20 as the state's equivalent holiday. In 1997, the Florida Department of State and the Museum of Florida History began the first Emancipation Day celebrations. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park spoke with members of the fraternal organization, Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War, about their efforts to turn May 20 into an official state holiday. Library Recovers from Hurricane Ian: It turns out a hurricane cannot dampen a community's commitment to learning. One library in Port Charlotte recently rebuilt its facility from the ground up. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park covers the grand re-opening of Mid-Country Regional Library, four years after incurring devastating damage from Hurricane Ian. Builders Care Provides Home for Veteran: WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge tells the story of a Marine veteran from Dunbar who was brought to tears after he received a brand-new home. Builders Care and the City of Fort Myers gifted the keys to Lewis Freeman, a 71-year-old Vietnam War veteran, with prayers and applause. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ysFC5OmR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ysFC5OmR-FdEsoD82.html 1539 2026-05-22T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Boating BuildersCare CityofFortMyers EmancipationDay HurricaneIan Juneteenth Library MarineCorps MemorialDay Mid-CountyRegionalLibrary SonsofUnionVeteransofTheCivilWar Veteran WaterSafety https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/a-fresh-cut-of-sweeney-todd-the-rebel-opens-and-shakespeare-abridged/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3M8DmiKB/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Fresh Cut of Sweeney Todd, The Rebel Opens, and Shakespeare Abridged In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Fort Myers Film Festival: The Fort Myers Film Festival showcases films from moviemakers around the world. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Fort Myers Film Festival Founder Eric Raddatz about rolling out the red carpet for the annual gathering of independent filmmakers. A Fresh Cut of Sweeney Todd: There were mixed reactions when "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" opened on Broadway in 1979. At Florida Rep Education, the production is getting a youthful reboot while still honoring the original Stephen Sondheim masterpiece. WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall has the perfect seat to share the gothic production. Shakespeare Abridged: WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall attended "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” at Cultural Park Theatre. Described as a hilarious romp through all 37 of the bard's plays performed by just three actors, it includes a heavy dose of improv as well as audience participation. The Rebel Opens in Fort Myers: In the heart of Fort Myers, The Rebel is providing a third space where musicians, artists, and anyone in between can share their admiration for some non-conformal artistic expression. WGCU's Jessica Bowlby and Kate Cronin take us inside to learn more about this newly opened haven for alternative arts from the nonprofit group Love Your Rebellion. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3M8DmiKB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3M8DmiKB-FdEsoD82.html 1539 2026-05-21T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Theatre SouthwestFlorida Full Episode Alternative CulturalParkTheatre Filmmaker FloridaRepEducation FortMyersFilmFestival LoveYourRebellion Movies Musical Shakespeare SweeneyTodd TheRebel https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-rebel-opens-in-fort-myers/ 2026-05-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7XOPv4pt/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Rebel Opens In Fort Myers In the heart of Fort Myers, The Rebel is providing a third space where musicians, artists, and anyone in between can share their admiration for some non-conformal artistic expression. WGCU's Jessica Bowlby and Kate Cronin take us inside to learn more about this newly opened haven for alternative arts from the nonprofit group Love Your Rebellion. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7XOPv4pt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7XOPv4pt-FdEsoD82.html 258 2026-05-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts Alternative LoveYourRebellion TheRebel https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/fort-myers-film-festival/ 2026-05-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DtKYmmT8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers Film Festival The Fort Myers Film Festival showcases films from moviemakers around the world. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Fort Myers Film Festival Founder Eric Raddatz about rolling out the red carpet for the annual gathering of independent filmmakers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DtKYmmT8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DtKYmmT8-FdEsoD82.html 307 2026-05-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts Filmmaker FortMyersFilmFestival Movies https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/shakespeare-abridged/ 2026-05-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ynsy0PVP/poster.jpg?width=1920 Shakespeare Abridged WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall attended "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” at Cultural Park Theatre. Described as a hilarious romp through all 37 of the bard's plays performed by just three actors, it includes a heavy dose of improv as well as audience participation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ynsy0PVP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ynsy0PVP-FdEsoD82.html 352 2026-05-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture WGCU southwest florida Theatre Arts CulturalParkTheatre Shakespeare https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-fresh-cut-of-sweeney-todd/ 2026-05-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wuMu6e1S/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Fresh Cut Of Sweeney Todd There were mixed reactions when "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" opened on Broadway in 1979. At Florida Rep Education, the production is getting a youthful reboot while still honoring the original Stephen Sondheim masterpiece. WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall has the perfect seat to share the gothic production. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wuMu6e1S-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wuMu6e1S-FdEsoD82.html 464 2026-05-21T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arts FloridaRepEducation Musical SweeneyTodd https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/sheriff-marceno-ethics-investigation-gut-health-and-educating-young-parents/ 2026-05-21 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tAe9vdx6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sheriff Marceno Ethics Investigation, Gut Health, and Educating Young Parents In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Sheriff Marceno Under Ethics Probe: After a federal grand jury was terminated while investigating Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno last year, a new investigation involving similar allegations has been revealed. This investigation is in the hands of the Florida Commission on Ethics. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne speaks with Bob Norman, investigative reporter with the Florida Trident, who has been following this situation for the past two years. Keeping Your Gut Healthy: Whether it's managing your body’s immune system, maintaining metabolism, or keeping your digestion in tune, your gut health is critically important to your overall health. Roughly 70% of the human immune system resides in the gut and is essential for fighting infection and reducing inflammation. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Gastroenterologist Dr. Sahil Khanna about the impact an unhealthy digestive system can have on the human body and how you can keep yours in tip top shape. The Dangers of Too Many Supplements: One of the best ways to maintain strong digestive health is by making sure you understand what you put in your body. That means more than what you're eating. WGCU’s Kate Cronin looks at how a balanced diet also includes keeping an eye on any supplements you might be ingesting. Young Parents and Continuing Education: In Florida, it's estimated that there are nearly 12,000 teen births statewide. For young mothers, balancing school and being a new parent can seem like a daunting task. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge learned about the Young Parents Education Program that aims to make sure teenage mothers have everything they need to build towards a better future. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tAe9vdx6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tAe9vdx6-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-20T22:30:00.000Z yes Education WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Full Episode ClevelandClinic Childcare Diet Digestion Ethics GutHealth LawEnforcement LeeCountySheriffsDepartment Supplements TeenMom https://wgcuplus.org/education/young-parents-and-continuing-education/ 2026-05-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/w24FNIUC/poster.jpg?width=1920 Young Parents And Continuing Education In Florida, it's estimated that there are nearly 12,000 teen births statewide. For young mothers, balancing school and being a new parent can seem like a daunting task. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge learned about the Young Parents Education Program that aims to make sure teenage mothers have everything they need to build towards a better future. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/w24FNIUC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/w24FNIUC-FdEsoD82.html 279 2026-05-20T22:30:00.000Z yes Education WGCU SouthwestFlorida Childcare TeenMom https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/sheriff-marceno-under-ethics-probe/ 2026-05-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2A0O5dJY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sheriff Marceno Under Ethics Probe After a federal grand jury was terminated while investigating Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno last year, a new investigation involving similar allegations has been revealed. This investigation is in the hands of the Florida Commission on Ethics. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne speaks with Bob Norman, investigative reporter with the Florida Trident, who has been following this situation for the past two years. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2A0O5dJY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2A0O5dJY-FdEsoD82.html 499 2026-05-20T22:30:00.000Z yes Politics / Legal WGCU SouthwestFlorida Ethics LawEnforcement LeeCountySheriff https://wgcuplus.org/news/keeping-your-gut-healthy/ 2026-05-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/cfPsSpTU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Keeping Your Gut Healthy Whether it's managing your body’s immune system, maintaining metabolism, or keeping your digestion in tune, your gut health is critically important to your overall health. Roughly 70% of the human immune system resides in the gut and is essential for fighting infection and reducing inflammation. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Gastroenterologist Dr. Sahil Khanna about the impact an unhealthy digestive system can have on the human body and how you can keep yours in tip top shape. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/cfPsSpTU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/cfPsSpTU-FdEsoD82.html 478 2026-05-20T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Science Digestion GutHealth https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/senator-rick-scott-florida-s-budget-and-cuban-crisis/ 2026-05-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pHrDr66n/poster.jpg?width=1920 Senator Rick Scott, Florida’s Budget & Cuban Crisis In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: More Special Sessions for Florida Legislature: State legislators returned to Tallahassee for the second week of a special session. The focus is to try to hammer out a framework for a fiscal year budget. As those discussions are being held, Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing an additional special session for later this year. This time with a focus on a possible reduction on certain property taxes. WGCU’s Host and Reporter John Davis joins us with more. Senator Rick Scott on “The Sandwich Generation”: Millions of Americans are caught in the middle of raising children and providing care for their aging parents. They have become known as “The Sandwich Generation”. As chair of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging, Senator Rick Scott is leading the way in providing awareness for the plight of these caregivers. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sat down with The Senator to learn more. Humanitarian Crisis Growing in Cuba: A US Oil blockade imposed on Cuba is throwing the island nation into its worst crisis in decades. Rolling blackouts are taking a toll on Cuba’s infrastructure, leading to food and water shortages. UCF Pegasus Professor, Dr. Luis Martínez-Fernández, joins us to talk about the situation and if Cuba is setting itself up for a potential regime change. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pHrDr66n-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pHrDr66n-FdEsoD82.html 1539 2026-05-19T22:30:00.000Z yes Florida WGCU Health Budget RonDeSantis SouthwestFlorida Tallahassee LegislativeSession AlligatorAlcatraz Aging Full Episode Caribbean Childcare Cuba FoodShortage HumanitarianCrisis Oil Oranges PowerOutage PrescriptionDrugs PropertyTaxes RickScott SandwichCaregiver Tariffs UCF https://wgcuplus.org/news/humanitarian-crisis-growing-in-cuba/ 2026-05-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/cHfjewI5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Humanitarian Crisis Growing In Cuba A US Oil blockade imposed on Cuba is throwing the island nation into its worst crisis in decades. Rolling blackouts are taking a toll on Cuba's infrastructure, leading to food and water shortages. UCF Pegasus Professor, Dr. Luis Martínez-Fernández, joins us to talk about the situation and if Cuba is setting itself up for a potential regime change. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/cHfjewI5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/cHfjewI5-FdEsoD82.html 426 2026-05-19T22:30:00.000Z yes Regional WGCU SouthwestFlorida Politics Government Caribbean Cuba FoodShortage HumanitarianCrisis Oil PowerOutage Tariffs UCF CULTURAL https://wgcuplus.org/news/senator-rick-scott-on-the-sandwich-generation/ 2026-05-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LfW8q8iz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Senator Rick Scott on “The Sandwich Generation” Millions of Americans are caught in the middle of raising children and providing care for their aging parents. They have become known as “The Sandwich Generation”. As chair of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging, Senator Rick Scott is leading the way in providing awareness for the plight of these caregivers. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sat down with The Senator to learn more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LfW8q8iz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LfW8q8iz-FdEsoD82.html 613 2026-05-19T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Business Politics Aging Government Childcare Oranges PrescriptionDrugs PropertyTaxes RickScott SandwichCaregiver https://wgcuplus.org/news/more-special-sessions-for-florida-legislature/ 2026-05-19 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TLl7Izxv/poster.jpg?width=1920 More Special Sessions for Florida Legislature State legislators returned to Tallahassee for the second week of a special session. The focus is to try to hammer out a framework for a fiscal year budget. As those discussions are being held, Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing an additional special session for later this year. This time with a focus on a possible reduction on certain property taxes. WGCU’s Host and Reporter John Davis joins us with more. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TLl7Izxv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TLl7Izxv-FdEsoD82.html 348 2026-05-19T22:30:00.000Z yes Florida WGCU Budget RonDeSantis SouthwestFlorida Tallahassee Business LegislativeSession Politics AlligatorAlcatraz Government https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/benefits-of-tourism/ 2026-05-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kxuAyOXi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Benefits Of Tourism A surge in spring tourism confirms that Southwest Florida remains a top destination for travelers. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Pamela Johnson, Deputy Director of the Lee County Visitors and Conventions Bureau, for the latest numbers on how the tourism industry is benefiting Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kxuAyOXi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kxuAyOXi-FdEsoD82.html 411 2026-05-18T22:30:00.000Z yes FL Exploration WGCU SouthwestFlorida HousingMarket RealEstate PropertySales https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/property-sales-spike/ 2026-05-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OSZ4xJP6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Property Sales Spike Florida realtors report the housing market posted its eighth straight month of year-over-year closed sales gains. Florida realtors also reported new pending sales of single-family homes jumped eight percent in April of 2026, compared to a year ago. Those are just some of the recent numbers giving us a snapshot of the current real estate market. For the latest update on what is happening in the property market, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with broker Denny Grimes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OSZ4xJP6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OSZ4xJP6-FdEsoD82.html 360 2026-05-18T22:30:00.000Z yes Business / Economics WGCU SouthwestFlorida HousingMarket RealEstate PropertySales https://wgcuplus.org/news/spotlight-on-an-entrepreneur-of-the-year/ 2026-05-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8pfqSRa3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Spotlight On An Entrepreneur Of The Year Economists often say small businesses are the backbone of the Southwest Florida economy. Each year, the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University names one person as the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher reports on the most recent recipient, a woman whose vision is focused on helping young children, their parents, and women looking for career opportunities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8pfqSRa3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8pfqSRa3-FdEsoD82.html 234 2026-05-18T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU southwest florida FGCU Business Entrepreneurship https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-importance-of-mental-health-care/ 2026-05-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3PH9Ld4X/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Importance Of Mental Health Care In Florida it's estimated that nearly 1.5 million people are living with an untreated mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says Florida ranks near the bottom in the nation for access to care. As part of our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Beth Hatch, CEO of NAMI Collier, about helping to provide free access to mental health care for people of all ages. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3PH9Ld4X-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3PH9Ld4X-FdEsoD82.html 341 2026-05-18T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida MentalHealthAwareness MentalHealthCare NAMI https://wgcuplus.org/news/property-sales-spike-an-entrepreneur-of-the-year-and-benefits-of-tourism-5-18-20/ 2026-05-18 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KkJUxKJe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Property Sales Spike, An Entrepreneur of the Year, and Benefits of Tourism| 5-18-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Benefits of Tourism: A surge in spring tourism confirms that Southwest Florida remains a top destination for travelers. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Pamela Johnson, Deputy Director of the Lee County Visitors and Conventions Bureau, for the latest numbers on how the tourism industry is benefiting Southwest Florida. Property Sales Spike: Florida realtors report the housing market posted its eighth straight month of year-over-year closed sales gains. Florida realtors also reported new pending sales of single-family homes jumped eight percent in April of 2026, compared to a year ago. Those are just some of the recent numbers giving us a snapshot of the current real estate market. For the latest update on what is happening in the property market, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with broker Denny Grimes. Spotlight on an Entrepreneur of the Year: Economists often say small businesses are the backbone of the Southwest Florida economy. Each year, the Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University names one person as the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year. WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher reports on the most recent recipient, a woman whose vision is focused on helping young children, their parents, and women looking for career opportunities. The Importance of Mental Health Care: In Florida it's estimated that nearly 1.5 million people are living with an untreated mental illness. The National Alliance on Mental Illness says Florida ranks near the bottom in the nation for access to care. As part of our coverage of Mental Health Awareness Month, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Beth Hatch, CEO of NAMI Collier, about helping to provide free access to mental health care for people of all ages. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KkJUxKJe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KkJUxKJe-FdEsoD82.html 1539 2026-05-18T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida LeeCounty FGCU Business economy HousingMarket RealEstate Tourism Entrepreneurship MentalHealthAwareness MentalHealthCare NAMI PropertySales https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/finding-employment-is-better-together/ 2026-05-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NKdIkAOG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Employment is Better Together The Florida Department of Commerce estimates that over 520,000 Floridians are jobless. To help people find jobs, non-profit groups such as Better Together are organizing events that directly connect job seekers with employers. WGCU's Amanda Inscore-Whittamore reports on Better Together’s job fair. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together, about their efforts for the future. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NKdIkAOG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NKdIkAOG-FdEsoD82.html 497 2026-05-15T19:32:28.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/finding-employment-is-better-together-new-ufo-reports-and-boating-safety/ 2026-05-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8zC45IJ3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Employment is Better Together, New UFO Reports, and Boating Safety In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Finding Employment is Better Together: The Florida Department of Commerce estimates that over 520,000 Floridians are jobless. To help people find jobs, non-profit groups such as Better Together are organizing events that directly connect job seekers with employers. WGCU's Amanda Inscore-Whittamore reports on Better Together’s job fair. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford chats with Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together, about their efforts for the future. Boating Safety: Florida is known as the boating capital of the world but also leads the nation in boating-related accidents and deaths. Florida Fish and Wildlife said 97 people died in 2025 in boating related accidents, marking the highest death toll in a decade. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Walt Delevich, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander of Flotilla 96, to learn more about safe boating practices. Release of UFO Reports: Last week the Department of War released a significant number of secret files related to UAP, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, otherwise known as a UFO. Photos, videos, and reports of possible alien encounters are included in the 162 files. WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with the Chief Technology Officer of the National UFO Reporting Center, Christian Stepien, about the release of these documents. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8zC45IJ3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8zC45IJ3-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-15T19:31:06.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/boating-safety/ 2026-05-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CqJGQVNo/poster.jpg?width=1920 Boating Safety Florida is known as the boating capital of the world but also leads the nation in boating-related accidents and deaths. Florida Fish and Wildlife said 97 people died in 2025 in boating related accidents, marking the highest death toll in a decade. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Walt Delevich, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commander of Flotilla 96, to learn more about safe boating practices. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CqJGQVNo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CqJGQVNo-FdEsoD82.html 527 2026-05-15T19:30:35.000Z yes Public Affairs Community https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/release-of-ufo-reports/ 2026-05-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XfG1prdh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Release of UFO Reports Last week the Department of War released a significant number of secret files related to UAP, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, otherwise known as a UFO. Photos, videos, and reports of possible alien encounters are included in the 162 files. WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with the Chief Technology Officer of the National UFO Reporting Center, Christian Stepien, about the release of these documents. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XfG1prdh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XfG1prdh-FdEsoD82.html 363 2026-05-15T19:30:13.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/high-school-musical-awards/ 2026-05-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PhGhZGoN/poster.jpg?width=1920 High School Musical Awards Southwest Florida has a history of developing youth for the bright lights of Broadway. For 17 years Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall has celebrated these talented high school performers with an annual awards ceremony. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall was at this year's event with a highlight on the evening's big winners. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PhGhZGoN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PhGhZGoN-FdEsoD82.html 524 2026-05-14T19:38:15.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/the-possible-end-of-alligator-alcatraz/ 2026-05-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Kioi32rc/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Possible End of Alligator Alcatraz The controversial immigration detention center in the heart of the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz is reportedly preparing to close next month. Reports show the estimated cost to run the facility over the past year has been nearly $1 billion. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean Director of the Center for Biological Diversity, about the purported closure timeline. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Kioi32rc-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Kioi32rc-FdEsoD82.html 415 2026-05-14T19:37:51.000Z yes Politics / Legal Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/world-bonsai-day/ 2026-05-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dSwZnmAh/poster.jpg?width=1920 World Bonsai Day The art of bonsai traces its roots back to the third century and has since become an integral part of Chinese and Japanese culture. As part of our celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WGCU's Kate Cronin visited a prestigious Japanese museum to learn more about the horticultural practice. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dSwZnmAh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dSwZnmAh-FdEsoD82.html 261 2026-05-14T19:37:35.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/environment/lovebug-season/ 2026-05-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1IfjyWKQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lovebug Season We are in the midst of lovebug season in Southwest Florida. You may see them splattered across your front bumper, or along the outside of your house. Although lovebugs are only here a few weeks out of the year, WGCU-FM Host Emma Rodriguez tells Jennifer Crawford why we're seeing swarms of them and the impacts they have. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1IfjyWKQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1IfjyWKQ-FdEsoD82.html 202 2026-05-14T19:37:24.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/possible-end-of-alligator-alcatraz-world-bonsai-day-and-lovebug-season/ 2026-05-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aT34e6rq/poster.jpg?width=1920 Possible End of Alligator Alcatraz, World Bonsai Day, and Lovebug Season In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Possible End of Alligator Alcatraz: The controversial immigration detention center in the heart of the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz is reportedly preparing to close next month. Reports show the estimated cost to run the facility over the past year has been nearly $1 billion. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean Director of the Center for Biological Diversity, about the purported closure timeline. High School Musical Awards: Southwest Florida has a history of developing youth for the bright lights of Broadway. For 17 years Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall has celebrated these talented high school performers with an annual awards ceremony. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall was at this year's event with a highlight on the evening's big winners. Lovebug Season: We are in the midst of lovebug season in Southwest Florida. You may see them splattered across your front bumper, or along the outside of your house. Although lovebugs are only here a few weeks out of the year, WGCU-FM Host Emma Rodriguez tells Jennifer Crawford why we're seeing swarms of them and the impacts they have. World Bonsai Day: The art of bonsai traces its roots back to the third century and has since become an integral part of Chinese and Japanese culture. As part of our celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WGCU's Kate Cronin visited a prestigious Japanese museum to learn more about the horticultural practice. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aT34e6rq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aT34e6rq-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-14T19:36:06.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/wildfires-sweep-florida-managing-gas-prices-and-promoting-summer-reading/ 2026-05-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vWlV6PKB/poster.jpg?width=1920 Wildfires Sweep Florida, Managing Gas Prices, and Promoting Summer Reading In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Wildfires Sweep Across Florida: This weekend marks the official start of the rainy season in Florida. But as WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains to host Jennifer Crawford, there's little hope that enough rain will fall soon enough to ease our severe drought and help reduce wildfires. The Florida Department of Emergency Management says since the start of the new year, more than 1,500 wildfires have burned over 55,000 acres across the state. Inflation Hits Essential Goods: For most Americans, inflation is a primary concern. With prices for essentials like gas, energy, and groceries increasing each year, shoppers are clutching their wallets close. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Gulf Coast University Professor of Economics Dr. Victor Claar about what the new producer price index report means for Southwest Florida. Managing Gas Prices: The financial impact of rising gas prices is being felt by many small businesses, including those with fleet vehicles. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford spoke with Matt Atkenson, Executive Director of Sales and Operations at Ford Pro, about how groups like the Ford Motor Company are looking to alleviate some of the cost burden small businesses are facing. Protecting Produce: Even as the cost of goods goes up, people are still in need of basic food items. But as WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned, there is one important step you should take when you are back home from the grocery store to keep your produce protected. Banned Books: For the third year in a row, Florida leads the nation in the number of books banned in public schools, according to the organization Pen America. In Florida public schools, thousands of titles have been removed or restricted. WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor looks at a nationwide program and how parents and students are accessing those banned titles. Sleep Sabotage: If you're one of the many people… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vWlV6PKB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vWlV6PKB-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-13T20:01:49.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/inflation-hits-essential-goods/ 2026-05-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6O8TOr8F/poster.jpg?width=1920 Inflation Hits Essential Goods For most Americans, inflation is a primary concern. With prices for essentials like gas, energy, and groceries increasing each year, shoppers are clutching their wallets close. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Florida Gulf Coast University Professor of Economics Dr. Victor Claar about what the new producer price index report means for Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6O8TOr8F-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6O8TOr8F-FdEsoD82.html 444 2026-05-13T20:01:24.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/managing-gas-prices-hxuxor79/ 2026-05-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hxuxor79/poster.jpg?width=1920 Managing Gas Prices The financial impact of rising gas prices is being felt by many small businesses, including those with fleet vehicles. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford spoke with Matt Atkenson, Executive Director of Sales and Operations at Ford Pro, about how groups like the Ford Motor Company are looking to alleviate some of the cost burden small businesses are facing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hxuxor79-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hxuxor79-FdEsoD82.html 316 2026-05-13T20:01:06.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/environment/wildfires-sweep-across-florida/ 2026-05-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/euVAdfrZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Wildfires Sweep Across Florida This weekend marks the official start of the rainy season in Florida. But as WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains to host Jennifer Crawford, there's little hope that enough rain will fall soon enough to ease our severe drought and help reduce wildfires. The Florida Department of Emergency Management says since the start of the new year, more than 1,500 wildfires have burned over 55,000 acres across the state. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/euVAdfrZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/euVAdfrZ-FdEsoD82.html 243 2026-05-13T20:00:51.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/education/banned-books/ 2026-05-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aqxNqq40/poster.jpg?width=1920 Banned Books For the third year in a row, Florida leads the nation in the number of books banned in public schools, according to the organization Pen America. In Florida public schools, thousands of titles have been removed or restricted. WGCU Reporter Cary Barbor looks at a nationwide program and how parents and students are accessing those banned titles. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aqxNqq40-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aqxNqq40-FdEsoD82.html 192 2026-05-13T20:00:37.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/sharing-african-visual-heritage/ 2026-05-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rsdXdXXG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sharing African Visual Heritage The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples gave people the chance to experience the African continent in a quasi-fashion show. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shows how the event was about much more than the clothing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rsdXdXXG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rsdXdXXG-FdEsoD82.html 306 2026-05-12T19:42:53.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/financial-planning-for-the-future/ 2026-05-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WpRk8Bw9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Financial Planning for the Future America is preparing for a massive wave of adults nearing or entering retirement. WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with J.J. Perez, Senior Vice President of Nationwide Strategic Customer Solutions, about why these conversations about money are difficult and could leave members of Gen X and Millennials figuring out their futures on their own. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WpRk8Bw9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WpRk8Bw9-FdEsoD82.html 393 2026-05-12T19:42:21.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/a-possible-end-to-alligator-alcatraz-retirement-planning-and-african-visual-heri/ 2026-05-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YDcSig1K/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Possible End to Alligator Alcatraz, Retirement Planning, and African Visual Heritage In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Possible End of Alligator Alcatraz and State Budget Concerns: The end may be in sight for the Everglades detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis discuss the future of the detention center, as well as the lack of a state budget. With lawmakers in a special session until May 29, it remains to be seen if a budget can be finalized. Financial Planning for the Future: America is preparing for a massive wave of adults nearing or entering retirement. WGCU's Teddy Byrne talks with J.J. Perez, Senior Vice President of Nationwide Strategic Customer Solutions, about why these conversations about money are difficult and could leave members of Gen X and Millennials figuring out their futures on their own. The Gap in Women’s Healthcare: Alzheimer's, menopause, and preventative care are just some medical concerns for women. However, a new report on the state of women's health sheds light on what women know, and how they are dealing with their health. WGCU’s Kate Cronin delivers these findings that could come as a surprise. Sharing African Visual Heritage: The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples gave people the chance to experience the African continent in a quasi-fashion show. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shows how the event was about much more than the clothing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YDcSig1K-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YDcSig1K-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-05-12T19:40:35.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/the-possible-end-of-alligator-alcatraz-and-state-budget-concerns/ 2026-05-12 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/9hoMP8iC/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Possible End of Alligator Alcatraz and State Budget Concerns The end may be in sight for the Everglades detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis discuss the future of the detention center, as well as the lack of a state budget. With lawmakers in a special session until May 29, it remains to be seen if a budget can be finalized. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/9hoMP8iC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/9hoMP8iC-FdEsoD82.html 457 2026-05-12T19:39:55.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/punta-gorda-tourism-boom/ 2026-05-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NMnKR8xg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Punta Gorda Tourism Boom Florida is a vacationer’s paradise and big business for The Sunshine State. Last year, a record 140-million visitors came to Florida, generating nearly $130 billion for the state’s economy. The surge in travelers can be felt in Charlotte County, where a rise in international tourists helped another strong spring tourism season. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne spoke with Sean Doherty, Tourism Director for The Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau, to learn more on what is bringing more travelers to check out this spot of Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NMnKR8xg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NMnKR8xg-FdEsoD82.html 416 2026-05-11T19:47:41.000Z yes Business / Economics Local History Tourism https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hantavirus-outbreak-preventing-blindness-and-swfl-tourism/ 2026-05-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aApGoBHr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hantavirus Outbreak, Preventing Blindness, & SWFL Tourism Understanding the Hantavirus Outbreak: A cruise ship has been placed in quarantine in The Canary Islands following the deaths of three passengers who contracted Hantavirus. Another six passengers, including one American, have either a confirmed or suspected case of the deadly virus. Dr. Nicole Iovine, Chief Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist at the University of Florida’s Health Shands Hospital, joins us to talk about Hantavirus and why the current outbreak should not dissuade travelers from their planned vacations. Maintaining Better Eye Health: May is Healthy Vision Month and there are plenty of ways you can maintain your vision and prevent any deterioration in your eyesight. Dr. RV Paul Chain, the Head of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Jeff Todd, President and CEO of Preventing Blindness, join WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to talk about the additional health risks that can come from poor eye health, and how a routine vision checkup should be on everyone’s health checklist. Punta Gorda Tourism Boom: Florida is a vacationer’s paradise and big business for The Sunshine State. Last year, a record 140-million visitors came to Florida, generating nearly $130 billion for the state’s economy. The surge in travelers can be felt in Charlotte County, where a rise in international tourists helped another strong spring tourism season. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne spoke with Sean Doherty, Tourism Director for The Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach Visitor Convention Bureau, to learn more on what is bringing more travelers to check out this spot of Southwest Florida. SWFL: The Next Vacation Hotspot: Following a year where zero hurricanes made landfall in Florida, a tourism trickledown effect is being felt. The number of vacationers coming to Southwest Florida is on the rise, as more people are taking advantage of enhanced beach infrastructures and nearly pristine weather conditions. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talked with Google Search Expert Jennifer… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aApGoBHr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aApGoBHr-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-11T19:45:45.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/understanding-the-hantavirus-outbreak/ 2026-05-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7SRhVg6D/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding the Hantavirus Outbreak A cruise ship has been placed in quarantine in The Canary Islands following the deaths of three passengers who contracted Hantavirus. Another six passengers, including one American, have either a confirmed or suspected case of the deadly virus. Dr. Nicole Iovine, Chief Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist at the University of Florida’s Health Shands Hospital, joins us to talk about Hantavirus and why the current outbreak should not dissuade travelers from their planned vacations. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7SRhVg6D-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7SRhVg6D-FdEsoD82.html 358 2026-05-11T19:45:18.000Z yes Health / Aging Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/swfl-the-next-vacation-hotspot/ 2026-05-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/z07quvaH/poster.jpg?width=1920 SWFL: The Next Vacation Hotspot Following a year where zero hurricanes made landfall in Florida, a tourism trickledown effect is being felt. The number of vacationers coming to Southwest Florida is on the rise, as more people are taking advantage of enhanced beach infrastructures and nearly pristine weather conditions. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talked with Google Search Expert Jennifer Jones to get a better understanding of why more people are choosing Southwest Florida as their preferred travel destination. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/z07quvaH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/z07quvaH-FdEsoD82.html 339 2026-05-11T19:44:52.000Z yes Business / Economics FL Exploration Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/maintaining-better-eye-health/ 2026-05-11 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/k5q1nrXn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Maintaining Better Eye Health May is Healthy Vision Month and there are plenty of ways you can maintain your vision and prevent any deterioration in your eyesight. Dr. RV Paul Chain, the Head of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Jeff Todd, President and CEO of Preventing Blindness, join WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to talk about the additional health risks that can come from poor eye health, and how a routine vision checkup should be on everyone’s health checklist. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/k5q1nrXn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/k5q1nrXn-FdEsoD82.html 309 2026-05-11T19:44:24.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/teenager-chosen-for-global-peace-initiative/ 2026-05-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6wwCyMZd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Teenager Chosen for Global Peace Initiative A teenager from Immokalee will travel to Rome soon to take part in a global initiative for peace spearheaded by Project Oxygen. About 40 young people from some of the most troubled places on Earth will collaborate on ways to bring peace to their home communities. WGCU’s Mike Walcher had the opportunity to meet Sol Reyes, a young man who's willing to give his all to make his hometown a better place. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6wwCyMZd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6wwCyMZd-FdEsoD82.html 268 2026-05-08T19:31:56.000Z yes Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/education/florida-s-nursing-shortage/ 2026-05-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/UdFtFr1f/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida’s Nursing Shortage Florida is in the midst of a major nursing shortage. The state is fighting the rapid decline by investing in the next generation of health workers. This week, the State University System of Florida announced additional investments to expand nursing programs and supply scholarships to students majoring in nursing. WGCU's Kate Cronin speaks to Rasmussen University Fort Myers Dean of Nursing Angela Vitale about how new programs are bolstering nursing students’ success. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/UdFtFr1f-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/UdFtFr1f-FdEsoD82.html 395 2026-05-08T19:31:36.000Z yes Health / Aging Education https://wgcuplus.org/news/celebrating-victory-in-europe-day/ 2026-05-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/l7o2hEWi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Celebrating Victory in Europe Day May 8 marks the 81st celebration of Victory in Europe day, when Nazi Germany surrendered to Allied Forces bringing an end to the European conflict during World War II. This coincides with a new exhibit in Naples that takes a look at the front lines of the war. Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center Curator Cody Rademacher tells WGCU’s Teddy Byrne about its historical showcase. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/l7o2hEWi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/l7o2hEWi-FdEsoD82.html 389 2026-05-08T19:31:17.000Z yes History https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/v-e-day-preparing-for-hurricane-season-and-florida-s-nursing-shortage/ 2026-05-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ls9rwgjL/poster.jpg?width=1920 V-E Day, Preparing for Hurricane Season, and Florida’s Nursing Shortage In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Preparing for Hurricane Season: We are less than a month away from the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. If early predictions stay on course, it could be another quiet year. As part of their seasonal hurricane forecasting, weather experts at Colorado State University are estimating 13 named storms this year. Of those storms, only two are predicted to develop into a major storm. However, warmer ocean temperatures and gulf currents still create a sense of unpredictability. WGCU’s Mike Walcher and Lee County Emergency Management Chief John Schultz go over preparations for hurricane season. Celebrating Victory in Europe Day: May 8 marks the 81st celebration of Victory in Europe day, when Nazi Germany surrendered to Allied Forces bringing an end to the European conflict during World War II. This coincides with a new exhibit in Naples that takes a look at the front lines of the war. Holocaust Museum and Cohen Education Center Curator Cody Rademacher tells WGCU’s Teddy Byrne about its historical showcase. Florida’s Nursing Shortage: Florida is in the midst of a major nursing shortage. The state is fighting the rapid decline by investing in the next generation of health workers. This week, the State University System of Florida announced additional investments to expand nursing programs and supply scholarships to students majoring in nursing. WGCU's Kate Cronin speaks to Rasmussen University Fort Myers Dean of Nursing Angela Vitale about how new programs are bolstering nursing students’ success. Teenager Chosen for Global Peace Initiative: A teenager from Immokalee will travel to Rome soon to take part in a global initiative for peace. spearheaded by Project Oxygen. About 40 young people from some of the most troubled places on Earth will collaborate on ways to bring peace to their home communities. Immokalee is a long-time farm-workers community. Recently,… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ls9rwgjL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ls9rwgjL-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-08T19:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/preparing-for-hurricane-season/ 2026-05-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BGjXlP4f/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preparing for Hurricane Season We are less than a month away from the start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. If early predictions stay on course, it could be another quiet year. As part of their seasonal hurricane forecasting, weather experts at Colorado State University are estimating 13 named storms this year. Of those storms, only two are predicted to develop into a major storm. However, warmer ocean temperatures and gulf currents still create a sense of unpredictability. WGCU’s Mike Walcher and Lee County Emergency Management Chief John Schultz go over preparations for hurricane season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BGjXlP4f-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BGjXlP4f-FdEsoD82.html 339 2026-05-08T19:29:43.000Z yes Environment / Nature Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/world-cup-in-miami-national-park-photography-and-effects-of-animal-cruelty/ 2026-05-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EWHDp6m4/poster.jpg?width=1920 World Cup in Miami, National Park Photography, and Effects of Animal Cruelty In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Psychological Effects of Animal Cruelty: It's estimated that approximately ten million animals die from abuse or cruelty every year, according to a report from the ASPCA. But there's another victim in these cases- children who witness the abuse. A study conducted by the FBI found that children in the presence of animal abuse suffer significant trauma and become desensitized to violence. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge sat down with Florida Gulf Coast University Assistant Professor Roshni Ladny, who has brought her concerns about this issue all the way to the United Nations. National Park Photography: Over the course of his career photographer Ansel Adams became a virtuoso cameraman, deft darkroom technician, expert mountaineer, enterprising visual artist, and committed conservation activist. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall reports on a new exhibition at the Baker Museum that details his rise from teenage snap-shooter to Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. Fringe Fest Hits Fort Myers: This month, there are 38 exhibitions at Southwest Florida museums, 31 shows at area art centers and 20 shows onstage at Southwest Florida theaters. But WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall is looking forward to the 4th annual Fort Myers Fringe Festival at the end of May. Since its origins in 1947 in Edinburgh, fringe festivals have become a prominent showcase for diverse and innovative performances, reflecting a spirit of artistic rebellion and inclusivity. The World Cup Comes to Miami: Before June brings the first FIFA World Cup games to Miami, a diverse network of local and national labor and human rights organizations have joined to form the Dignity 2026 Coalition. WGCU’s Kate Cronin details how representatives from the group hope to raise awareness of the threat they say ICE and other law enforcement officials may pose to Florida… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EWHDp6m4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EWHDp6m4-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-05-07T19:48:13.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/the-world-cup-comes-to-miami/ 2026-05-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/00ulqeVd/poster.jpg?width=1920 The World Cup Comes to Miami Before June brings the first FIFA World Cup games to Miami, a diverse network of local and national labor and human rights organizations have joined to form the Dignity 2026 Coalition. WGCU’s Kate Cronin details how representatives from the group hope to raise awareness of the threat they say ICE and other law enforcement officials may pose to Florida communities during the event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/00ulqeVd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/00ulqeVd-FdEsoD82.html 170 2026-05-07T19:48:03.000Z yes Politics / Legal https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/psychological-effects-of-animal-cruelty/ 2026-05-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AQYNnjOH/poster.jpg?width=1920 Psychological Effects of Animal Cruelty It's estimated that approximately ten million animals die from abuse or cruelty every year, according to a report from the ASPCA. But there's another victim in these cases- children who witness the abuse. A study conducted by the FBI found that children in the presence of animal abuse suffer significant trauma and become desensitized to violence. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge sat down with Florida Gulf Coast University Assistant Professor Roshni Ladny, who has brought her concerns about this issue all the way to the United Nations. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AQYNnjOH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AQYNnjOH-FdEsoD82.html 535 2026-05-07T19:47:33.000Z yes Science / Tech Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/fringe-fest-hits-fort-myers/ 2026-05-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/gjnvSZFY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fringe Fest Hits Fort Myers This month, there are 38 exhibitions at Southwest Florida museums, 31 shows at area art centers and 20 shows onstage at Southwest Florida theaters. But WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall is looking forward to the 4th annual Fort Myers Fringe Festival at the end of May. Since its origins in 1947 in Edinburgh, fringe festivals have become a prominent showcase for diverse and innovative performances, reflecting a spirit of artistic rebellion and inclusivity. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gjnvSZFY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/gjnvSZFY-FdEsoD82.html 174 2026-05-07T19:47:24.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/national-park-photography/ 2026-05-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IE2HM1FP/poster.jpg?width=1920 National Park Photography Over the course of his career photographer Ansel Adams became a virtuoso cameraman, deft darkroom technician, expert mountaineer, enterprising visual artist, and committed conservation activist. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall reports on a new exhibition at the Baker Museum that details his rise from teenage snap-shooter to Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IE2HM1FP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IE2HM1FP-FdEsoD82.html 406 2026-05-07T19:47:00.000Z yes Culture History Arts https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/meta-online-safety-buckingham-school-update-and-a-9-year-old-entrepreneur/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/0kEEQ79G/poster.jpg?width=1920 Meta Online Safety, Buckingham School Update, and a 9-Year-Old Entrepreneur In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Meta’s Online Safety Efforts: It's estimated that 95% of American teenagers use at least one social media platform, according to the National Institute of Health. In Florida, children under 14 are prohibited from opening a new social media account, and any child between 14 and 15 years old needs parental permission. But social media companies are coming under scrutiny for failing to prevent underage users from bypassing those age restrictions. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learns from Meta’s North America Head of Security Jen Hanley about how the company is turning to artificial intelligence to ensure all active accounts are age appropriate. The Importance of Affordable Childcare: For many parents, the cost of after-school childcare can be a sizeable expense. In Florida, the average cost for a student to attend an after-school program could range from $50 to $60 per child, per week. But as WGCU’s Culture and Connections reporter Elizabeth Andarge learned, one Fort Myers school formed a partnership that not only keeps kids entertained, it also keeps the learning experience going without additional costs for parents. Lee, Collier, and Buckingham Schools Update: While awaiting this year’s state budget, concerns are surrounding Lee County schools. WGCU Editor and Reporter Dayna Harpster sits down with Mike Walcher to detail fiscal challenges for Lee and Collier schools. Plus, an update on Buckingham Exceptional Student Center’s proposed move to Royal Palm Exceptional Campus. Teaching Sportsmanship: As the school year comes to an end, that means more sports begin their summer programs. For kids trying out a new sport or even seasoned traveling athletes, more experts are saying sportsmanship should become part of the program. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne looks at how playing sports can help build on these important values. A 9-Year-Old Entrepreneur Saving Sea Turtles: It's the first… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/0kEEQ79G-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/0kEEQ79G-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-05-06T19:33:01.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/education/the-importance-of-affordable-childcare/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EoFIB6bM/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Importance of Affordable Childcare For many parents, the cost of after-school childcare can be a sizeable expense. In Florida, the average cost for a student to attend an after-school program could range from $50 to $60 per child, per week. But as WGCU’s Culture and Connections reporter Elizabeth Andarge learned, one Fort Myers school formed a partnership that not only keeps kids entertained, it also keeps the learning experience going without additional costs for parents. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EoFIB6bM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EoFIB6bM-FdEsoD82.html 180 2026-05-06T19:32:47.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/environment/a-9-year-old-entrepreneur-saving-sea-turtles/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kPAF4IEJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 A 9-Year-Old Entrepreneur Saving Sea Turtles It's the first week of sea turtle nesting season in Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles tells Mike Walcher about a new champion helping preserve these nests. Their new ally is an entrepreneur using her creativity to help save these animals. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kPAF4IEJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kPAF4IEJ-FdEsoD82.html 272 2026-05-06T19:32:28.000Z yes Business / Economics Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/education/lee-collier-and-buckingham-schools-update/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DbiFv0FZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lee, Collier, and Buckingham Schools Update While awaiting this year’s state budget, concerns are surrounding Lee County schools. WGCU Editor and Reporter Dayna Harpster sits down with Mike Walcher to detail fiscal challenges for Lee and Collier schools. Plus, an update on Buckingham Exceptional Student Center’s proposed move to Royal Palm Exceptional Campus. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DbiFv0FZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DbiFv0FZ-FdEsoD82.html 312 2026-05-06T19:32:09.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/meta-s-online-safety-efforts/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/QEsk64ZJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Meta’s Online Safety Efforts It's estimated that 95% of American teenagers use at least one social media platform, according to the National Institute of Health. In Florida, children under 14 are prohibited from opening a new social media account, and any child between 14 and 15 years old needs parental permission. But social media companies are coming under scrutiny for failing to prevent underage users from bypassing those age restrictions. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learns from Meta’s North America Head of Security Jen Hanley about how the company is turning to artificial intelligence to ensure all active accounts are age appropriate https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/QEsk64ZJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QEsk64ZJ-FdEsoD82.html 431 2026-05-06T19:31:44.000Z yes Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/news/flight-823-trailer/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eNWuyVoj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Flight 823 Trailer Flight 823 Trailer https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eNWuyVoj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eNWuyVoj-FdEsoD82.html 30 2026-05-06T13:35:03.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/mental-health-awareness-preventing-sports-injuries-and-tennis-for-all-ages/ 2026-05-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vXHGT0VB/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mental Health Awareness, Preventing Sports Injuries, and Tennis for All Ages In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Mental Health Awareness in The Prison System: It's estimated that close to 60 million Americans are living with a mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, close to half of all Americans meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition. That number is consistent with individuals in the criminal justice system, where nearly two million times each year, people with serious mental illness are booked into jails. As part of our look into Mental Health Awareness Month, WGCU's Jennifer Crawford learned about the efforts that Shannon Scully, Senior Manager of Criminal Justice Policy for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is making to provide awareness for the criminalization of mental health. Local Response to Congressional Redistricting: After Governor Ron Desantis signed Florida’s new congressional districts into law, the maps were hit by a lawsuit claiming they violate a voter-approved anti-gerrymandering policy. WGCU's Kate Cronin spoke to Sandy Frank, president of the League of Women Voters, for her evaluation on redistricting. Preventing Sports Injuries: Across Florida high school baseball is entering the playoffs with many student athletes pushing their bodies to the limit for a chance to win a championship. But this is leading to a concerning trend. The rise in throwing injuries, some in need of major surgeries. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned how parents can keep their kids safe from University of Florida Health Chief of Sports Medicine, Dr. Jason Zaremski. Tennis for All Ages: When you watch tennis, every once in a while, you'll see ball runners sprint across the court between points, picking up tennis balls. Typically, those people are pretty young. In fact, the average age of ball runners at the U.S. Open in New York City is 21. However, as WGCU's Cary Barbor learned, a tournament in Bonita Springs features ball… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vXHGT0VB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vXHGT0VB-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-05T20:11:08.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/tennis-for-all-ages/ 2026-05-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6mi5WAyK/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tennis for All Ages When you watch tennis, every once in a while, you'll see ball runners sprint across the court between points, picking up tennis balls. Typically, those people are pretty young. In fact, the average age of ball runners at the U.S. Open in New York City is 21. However, as WGCU's Cary Barbor learned, a tournament in Bonita Springs features ball runners at the other end of the age spectrum. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6mi5WAyK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6mi5WAyK-FdEsoD82.html 200 2026-05-05T20:10:53.000Z yes Health / Aging Health Sports https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/local-response-to-congressional-redistricting/ 2026-05-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ONtPePXp/poster.jpg?width=1920 Local Response to Congressional Redistricting After Governor Ron Desantis signed Florida’s new congressional districts into law, the maps were hit by a lawsuit claiming they violate a voter-approved anti-gerrymandering policy. WGCU's Kate Cronin spoke to Sandy Frank, president of the League of Women Voters, for her evaluation on redistricting. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ONtPePXp-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ONtPePXp-FdEsoD82.html 405 2026-05-05T20:10:21.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/preventing-sports-injuries/ 2026-05-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XkCw7cSa/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preventing Sports Injuries Across Florida high school baseball is entering the playoffs with many student athletes pushing their bodies to the limit for a chance to win a championship. But this is leading to a concerning trend. The rise in throwing injuries, some in need of major surgeries. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned how parents can keep their kids safe from University of Florida Health Chief of Sports Medicine, Dr. Jason Zaremski. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XkCw7cSa-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XkCw7cSa-FdEsoD82.html 383 2026-05-05T20:09:49.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/mental-health-awareness-in-the-prison-system/ 2026-05-05 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IinuCQrE/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mental Health Awareness in The Prison System It's estimated that close to 60 million Americans are living with a mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, close to half of all Americans meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition. That number is consistent with individuals in the criminal justice system, where nearly two million times each year, people with serious mental illness are booked into jails. As part of our look into Mental Health Awareness Month, WGCU's Jennifer Crawford learned about the efforts that Shannon Scully, Senior Manager of Criminal Justice Policy for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is making to provide awareness for the criminalization of mental health. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IinuCQrE-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IinuCQrE-FdEsoD82.html 414 2026-05-05T20:09:16.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/documentaries/flight-823-homage-to-heroes/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xWwjdjjG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Flight 823: Homage to Heroes Flight 823: Homage to Heroes tells the powerful story of the February 2024 crash of Hop-A-Jet Flight 823 near Naples, Florida. Faced with catastrophic engine failure, two pilots made the ultimate sacrifice attempting to land on I-75 during rush hour. Their actions saved lives, as law enforcement and fire rescue teams from across the region responded with coordinated precision to protect survivors in the aftermath. *The National Transportation Safety Board issued its final report on April 23, 2026. The report pinpointed corrosion in the jet’s engines as a probable cause of loss of power. Inadequate repair guidance during maintenance a month before the crash was a contributing factor.* https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xWwjdjjG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xWwjdjjG-FdEsoD82.html 1606 2026-05-05T16:32:33.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/sunshine-safety-rise-in-autism-diagnoses-and-building-stress-resilience/ 2026-05-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4bYbIFwS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sunshine Safety, Rise in Autism Diagnoses, and Building Stress Resilience In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Rise in Autism Diagnoses: Autism rates are on the rise across the nation. According to Autism Speaks, the number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder has increased by nearly 300% over the past 20 years. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Lee Health Nurse Practitioner Sherri Campbell about awareness efforts and the signs you should know. Sunscreen’s Impact on Coral Reefs: Despite covering just 0.1% of the Earth's oceans, coral reefs support about 25% of all marine species. Already under mounting pressure from warming waters, pollution, overfishing, and coastal development, WGCU's Kate Cronin shows us how reefs face an additional threat from an unexpected source. Sunshine Safety: According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 8,000 Floridians are diagnosed with melanoma and skin cancer every year. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford learns more about what you can do to limit yourself to overexposure from the sun from Dr. Marc Hurlbert, CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance. Breaking The Bank With Skincare: Keeping your skin healthy can put a dent in your bank account. A study from Advanced Dermatology shows that on average, people spend between $300 to $500 annually to keep their skin looking good. But as WGCU's Teddy Byrne found out, sometimes the best products are the ones without the big price tags. Building Stress Resilience: May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the goal is to fight stigmas and help educate people on mental health needs. It dates back to 1949, and in the years since many changes have impacted professionals in a stressful world. That includes lawyers. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park talked with attorneys who are finding ways to manage their stress. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4bYbIFwS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4bYbIFwS-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-04T19:40:08.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/building-stress-resilience/ 2026-05-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/soLG9B9r/poster.jpg?width=1920 Building Stress Resilience May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the goal is to fight stigmas and help educate people on mental health needs. It dates back to 1949, and in the years since many changes have impacted professionals in a stressful world. That includes lawyers. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park talked with attorneys who are finding ways to manage their stress. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/soLG9B9r-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/soLG9B9r-FdEsoD82.html 224 2026-05-04T19:39:55.000Z yes Business / Economics Health https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/rise-in-autism-diagnoses/ 2026-05-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kmo7FyM8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rise in Autism Diagnoses Autism rates are on the rise across the nation. According to Autism Speaks, the number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder has increased by nearly 300% over the past 20 years. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford talks with Lee Health Nurse Practitioner Sherri Campbell about awareness efforts and the signs you should know. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kmo7FyM8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kmo7FyM8-FdEsoD82.html 352 2026-05-04T19:39:36.000Z yes Science / Tech Health https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/sunshine-safety/ 2026-05-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wS4dmjvy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sunshine Safety According to the National Library of Medicine, nearly 8,000 Floridians are diagnosed with melanoma and skin cancer every year. WGCU's Jennifer Crawford learns more about what you can do to limit yourself to overexposure from the sun from Dr. Marc Hurlbert, CEO of the Melanoma Research Alliance. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wS4dmjvy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wS4dmjvy-FdEsoD82.html 493 2026-05-04T19:39:09.000Z yes Health / Aging Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/environment/sunscreen-s-impact-on-coral-reefs/ 2026-05-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YbRMnNs8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sunscreen’s Impact on Coral Reefs Despite covering just 0.1% of the Earth's oceans, coral reefs support about 25% of all marine species. Already under mounting pressure from warming waters, pollution, overfishing, and coastal development, WGCU's Kate Cronin shows us how reefs face an additional threat from an unexpected source. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YbRMnNs8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YbRMnNs8-FdEsoD82.html 187 2026-05-04T19:38:56.000Z yes Health / Aging Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/documentaries/rising-surviving-the-surge/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SCUgLS4E/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rising Surviving The Surge Rising: Surviving the Surge is a gripping exploration of Hurricane Ian, the 2022 storm that forever changed Southwest Florida. As survivors tried to rise from the wreckage, the storms kept coming. With dramatic storm footage, powerful stories of resilience, and insights from scientists, first responders, and community leaders, Rising is a wake-up call to the new reality of storm surge. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SCUgLS4E-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SCUgLS4E-FdEsoD82.html 3406 2026-05-04T17:17:16.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/documentaries/reflections-of-a-colored-girl/ 2026-05-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SdC5ZFNN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Reflections of a Colored Girl “Reflections of a Colored Girl” is a series of essays from Martha R. Bireda, Ph.D. Dr. Bireda is a writer and living history performer with over 30 years' experience as a lecturer, consultant and trainer for issues related to race, class, and gender, working with educators, law enforcement, and business, and civic leaders. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SdC5ZFNN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SdC5ZFNN-FdEsoD82.html 1407 2026-05-04T15:58:41.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/untold-stories/swamp-buggy-fever/ 2026-05-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XCoSbqv9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Swamp Buggy Fever In Naples, Florida, swamp buggy racing isn’t just a sport — it’s a living tradition captured in the half-hour documentary, Swamp Buggy Fever! Born from the ingenuity of pioneers who built vehicles to navigate the Everglades, this high-octane competition reflects the grit and creativity of Southwest Florida’s past and present. Naples machinist Ed Frank invented the swamp buggy around the 1920s. After World War II, drivers built buggies with leftover airplane tires and jeep parts. Hunting buggies evolved into racing buggies. Swamp buggy racing started in Naples in 1949, and drivers say it’s the only place in the world where the tradition continues. What began as a practical way to explore the Everglades has evolved into a thrilling and deeply-rooted cultural event. The film features iconic and current drivers, vintage footage, and historic race highlights. The Swamp Buggy Races are now held at the “Mile O’ Mud” at The Florida Sports Park. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XCoSbqv9-FdEsoD82.html 1606 2026-05-04T15:57:33.000Z yes featured docs https://wgcuplus.org/news/local-ramifications-of-redistricting/ 2026-05-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1yQOZpEg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Local Ramifications of Redistricting WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to explore the impact of the new congressional district map. Proposed by Governor Ron Desantis, the changes could flip four Democrat districts. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1yQOZpEg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1yQOZpEg-FdEsoD82.html 453 2026-05-01T19:54:43.000Z yes Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/news/representative-comment-on-redistricting/ 2026-05-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TeWhDs7X/poster.jpg?width=1920 Representative Comment on Redistricting Legislators are reacting to Governor Ron Desantis’ new congressional district map. One of the issues stemming from the passing of new congressional maps in Florida was the lack of conversation held by both parties. Florida House of Representatives Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell sits down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to share her thoughts on the shift. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TeWhDs7X-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TeWhDs7X-FdEsoD82.html 577 2026-05-01T19:54:14.000Z yes Political analysis Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/teachers-unions-ramifications-of-redistricting-and-alligator-alcatraz/ 2026-05-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DF2CY4al/poster.jpg?width=1920 Teachers’ Unions, Ramifications of Redistricting, and Alligator Alcatraz In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Desantis Talks Teacher’s Unions: Governor Ron Desantis was in Southwest Florida, approving new legislation that targets Florida's teachers’ unions. The governor spoke at Fort Myers High School, with his main focus on teachers' pay. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster reports on the two bills concerning educators that Desantis signed into law. Local Ramifications of Redistricting: WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis to explore the impact of the new congressional district map. Proposed by Governor Ron Desantis, the changes could flip four Democrat districts. Representative Comment on Redistricting: Legislators are reacting to Governor Ron Desantis’ new congressional district map. One of the issues stemming from the passing of new congressional maps in Florida was the lack of conversation held by both parties. Florida House of Representatives Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell sits down with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to share her thoughts on the shift. Following The Environmental Lawsuit Against Alligator Alcatraz: Despite an ongoing lawsuit from Friends of The Everglades, The Miccosukee, and The Center for Biological Diversity against the immigrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, operations at the Everglades site continue. That decision was made last month, when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the facility can stay open in the heart of Big Cypress National Preserve while the legal battles work their way through the system. Friends of The Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples gives WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford an update on the future of the suit. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DF2CY4al-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DF2CY4al-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-05-01T19:53:03.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/following-the-environmental-lawsuit-against-alligator-alcatraz/ 2026-05-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YbgVjTex/poster.jpg?width=1920 Following The Environmental Lawsuit Against Alligator Alcatraz Despite an ongoing lawsuit from Friends of The Everglades, The Miccosukee, and The Center for Biological Diversity against the immigrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, operations at the Everglades site continue. That decision was made last month, when the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the facility can stay open in the heart of Big Cypress National Preserve while the legal battles work their way through the system. Friends of The Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples gives WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford an update on the future of the suit. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YbgVjTex-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YbgVjTex-FdEsoD82.html 326 2026-05-01T19:52:44.000Z yes Environment / Nature Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/wildfire-protection-a-piano-prodigy-and-old-wives-tales/ 2026-04-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GBx10qRv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Wildfire Protection, A Piano Prodigy, and Old Wives’ Tales In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Wildfire Protections: Southwest Florida remains under extreme drought conditions, and the risk of wildfires is very high in some parts of our area. The National Weather Service reports drought conditions will last until the end of May, when the rainy season typically begins. With the dangers of wildfires upon us, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Michele Steinberg, Director of the Wildfire Division at the National Fire Protection Association, about what you can do to protect yourself and your property from any encroaching flames. Lies, Spells, and Old Wives Tales: The world premiere of "Lies, Spells and Old Wives Tales" is playing through May 17 at the Donnelly Theatre in Sarasota. The musical comedy is a collaboration between Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael. The show connects audiences to their ancestors and the communities in which they grew up. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall sits down with Jennifer Crawford to explain the unique and beautiful heritage behind the show. A Piano Prodigy: WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall tells Jennifer Crawford the story of a 17-year-old piano virtuoso. His name is William Wu, and his performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 wowed the audience at the Music & Arts Community Center. He joined the Gulf Coast Symphony for a concert, and while the orchestra and Maestro Andrew Kurtz followed the sheet music as they performed, Wu played entirely from memory. Florida Road Trip Visits The City of Palms: As the population and industry in Fort Myers continues to boom, it's important to remember the history of the region extends back thousands of years. The Calusa Indians laid the groundwork for what would eventually become "The City of Palms.” We explore the history of Fort Myers as part of the Florida Road Trip. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GBx10qRv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GBx10qRv-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/lies-spells-and-old-wives-tales/ 2026-04-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Ciygcs0Q/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lies, Spells, and Old Wives Tales The world premiere of "Lies, Spells and Old Wives Tales" is playing through May 17 at the Donnelly Theatre in Sarasota. The musical comedy is a collaboration between Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and his brother, Michael. The show connects audiences to their ancestors and the communities in which they grew up. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall sits down with Jennifer Crawford to explain the unique and beautiful heritage behind the show. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Ciygcs0Q-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Ciygcs0Q-FdEsoD82.html 397 2026-04-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-piano-prodigy/ 2026-04-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4SSMQ1yK/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Piano Prodigy WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall tells Jennifer Crawford the story of a 17-year-old piano virtuoso. His name is William Wu, and his performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 wowed the audience at the Music & Arts Community Center. He joined the Gulf Coast Symphony for a concert, and while the orchestra and Maestro Andrew Kurtz followed the sheet music as they performed, Wu played entirely from memory. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4SSMQ1yK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4SSMQ1yK-FdEsoD82.html 330 2026-04-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/wildfire-protections/ 2026-04-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iOVXWGrk/poster.jpg?width=1920 Wildfire Protections Southwest Florida remains under extreme drought conditions, and the risk of wildfires is very high in some parts of our area. The National Weather Service reports drought conditions will last until the end of May, when the rainy season typically begins. With the dangers of wildfires upon us, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Michele Steinberg, Director of the Wildfire Division at the National Fire Protection Association, about what you can do to protect yourself and your property from any encroaching flames. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iOVXWGrk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iOVXWGrk-FdEsoD82.html 349 2026-04-30T22:30:00.000Z yes Science / Tech Environment / Nature Nature https://wgcuplus.org/environment/environmental-recovery-from-ian/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eTZzS9rN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Environmental Recovery From Ian We're just about a month away from the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, opening June 1. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles with new details when it comes to FEMA money and hurricanes. We also touch on the Caloosahatchee River’s blue green algae blooms, and how their water quality is affected. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eTZzS9rN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eTZzS9rN-FdEsoD82.html 301 2026-04-29T20:30:05.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/redistricting-map-passes-environmental-recovery-and-dream-night-at-the-zoo/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/goYgtE2J/poster.jpg?width=1920 Redistricting Map Passes, Environmental Recovery, and Dream Night at The Zoo In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Congressional Redistricting Map Passes: Florida lawmakers have approved Governor Ron Desantis' proposal to redraw Florida's congressional maps. Following a two-hour debate, the house voted 83 to 28 in favor of the new maps. The Florida Senate followed suit, passing the measure. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explains how the new maps add four Republican-leaning seats by flipping four of the seats currently held by Democrats. Pay Disparities For Educators: Focus for Florida legislatures will now turn to the unresolved state budget. Directly impacted by the lack of a budget are salaries for schoolteachers. For the third year in a row, Florida ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher salary. According to the 2026 National Education Association estimates and rankings data, teachers in the state make an average of $56,000 annually. A pay gap of 78 cents to the dollar, compared to other education professionals. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford dissects the impact this wage disparity has on schools across the state with Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar. Environmental Recovery From Ian: We're just about a month away from the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, opening June 1. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles with new details when it comes to FEMA money and hurricanes. We also touch on the Caloosahatchee River’s blue green algae blooms, and how their water quality is affected. The Future of News Media: For over decades, Wayne Dawkins has helped shape journalism. After spending 24 years as a journalist and editor, he transitioned to teaching as a professor at Hampton University and Morgan state. He has also written six books, including some with a focus on the struggles of black journalists in America. WGCU's Bryant Monteilh sat down with Dawkins to learn more about his career and how he got his start in… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/goYgtE2J-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/goYgtE2J-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-29T20:28:06.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/education/the-future-of-news-media/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TYkMKtch/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Future of News Media For over decades, Wayne Dawkins has helped shape journalism. After spending 24 years as a journalist and editor, he transitioned to teaching as a professor at Hampton University and Morgan state. He has also written six books, including some with a focus on the struggles of black journalists in America. WGCU's Bryant Monteilh sat down with Dawkins to learn more about his career and how he got his start in journalism. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TYkMKtch-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TYkMKtch-FdEsoD82.html 298 2026-04-29T20:27:42.000Z yes Education Community https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/congressional-redistricting-map-passes/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/PbSw6cbF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Congressional Redistricting Map Passes Florida lawmakers in the house have approved Governor Ron Desantis' proposal to redraw Florida's congressional maps. The Senate is expected to approve the measure as well. Following a two-hour debate, the house voted 83 to 28 in favor of the new maps. House democrats accused Republicans of gerrymandering to gain advantage in the upcoming midterm elections. Republicans currently hold 20 of the state's 28 congressional districts. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explains how the new maps add four Republican-leaning seats by flipping four of the seats currently held by Democrats. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/PbSw6cbF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/PbSw6cbF-FdEsoD82.html 137 2026-04-29T20:27:29.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/news/naples-zoo-hosts-dream-night/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/24XC1Ok9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Naples Zoo Hosts Dream Night The Naples Zoo closed its doors Sunday to the public but opened them for some very special guests. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford reports on the more than 1,000 VIPs who entered the gates to take part in Dream Night. The evening gives current and former patients of Golisano Children's Hospital, their families, and Lee Health staff members the chance to enjoy the zoo in a relaxed environment with children and families who have similar challenges. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/24XC1Ok9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/24XC1Ok9-FdEsoD82.html 44 2026-04-29T20:27:22.000Z yes Community https://wgcuplus.org/education/pay-disparities-for-educators/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HrG2xPpf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Pay Disparities For Educators Focus for Florida legislatures will now turn to the unresolved state budget. Directly impacted by the lack of a budget are salaries for schoolteachers. For the third year in a row Florida ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher salary. According to the 2026 National Education Association estimates and rankings data, teachers in the state make an average of $56,000 annually. A pay gap of 78 cents to the dollar, compared to other education professionals. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford dissects the impact this wage disparity has on schools across the state with Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HrG2xPpf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HrG2xPpf-FdEsoD82.html 502 2026-04-29T20:26:38.000Z yes Education Government https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/the-fallout-over-tariff-reimbursements/ 2026-04-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MTfUaTyB/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Fallout Over Tariff Reimbursements In response to the Supreme Court striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, American importers can now apply for reimbursement. But what about the consumers who have been paying for those increases in common goods over the past few months? WGCU host Jennifer Crawford poses that question to former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo to learn how these refunds could impact the average American, and if she sees any end to rising prices. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MTfUaTyB-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MTfUaTyB-FdEsoD82.html 492 2026-04-28T19:40:56.000Z yes Politics / Legal economy https://wgcuplus.org/news/discussions-over-florida-congressional-maps/ 2026-04-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JWIGtpRI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Discussions Over Florida Congressional Maps On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed his proposal for the redistricting of the state’s U.S. House Seats. Today, Florida Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee for a Special Session, in part, to discuss the possibility of redistricting. WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis discusses the impact the Governor’s proposal would have on both the mid-term elections and Florida’s political future. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JWIGtpRI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JWIGtpRI-FdEsoD82.html 530 2026-04-28T19:39:51.000Z yes Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/congressional-redistricting-tariff-reimbursement-and-veteran-homelessness/ 2026-04-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CGb3EEeQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Congressional Redistricting, Tariff Reimbursement & Veteran Homelessness In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Discussions Over Florida Congressional Maps: On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed his proposal for the redistricting of the state’s U.S. House Seats. Today, Florida Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee for a Special Session, in part, to discuss the possibility of redistricting. WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis discusses the impact the Governor’s proposal would have on both the mid-term elections and Florida’s political future. The Fallout Over Tariff Reimbursements: In response to the Supreme Court striking down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, American importers can now apply for reimbursement. But what about the consumers who have been paying for those increases in common goods over the past few months? WGCU host Jennifer Crawford poses that question to former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Alejandra Castillo to learn how these refunds could impact the average American, and if she sees any end to rising prices. Early Morning Hydration Health Benefits: For most health-conscious people, staying hydrated means drinking eight, eight-ounce glasses of water every day. However, sometimes it’s not about how much you drink, but when you begin drinking your first glass of water. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne looks at the health benefits that come with an early morning hydration session. Providing Resources for Veteran Homelessness: Florida has the second-largest veteran population in The United States, according to the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs. A significant amount of that population, nearly 4,500 veterans, are unhoused. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh shares how Lee County is making strides to provide resources and understanding for those who served. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CGb3EEeQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CGb3EEeQ-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-28T19:36:24.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/providing-resources-for-veteran-homelessness/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/plt5JV9l/poster.jpg?width=1920 Providing Resources for Veteran Homelessness Florida has the second-largest veteran population in The United States, according to the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs. A significant amount of that population, nearly 4,500 veterans, are unhoused. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh shares how Lee County is making strides to provide resources and understanding for those who served. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/plt5JV9l-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/plt5JV9l-FdEsoD82.html 247 2026-04-28T19:35:51.000Z yes Culture Local History Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/ye-gods-with-scott-carter/killer-mike-on-ye-gods-with-scott-carter/ 2026-04-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5wN3hJsM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Killer Mike on Ye Gods! with Scott Carter From the mic to the movement — Killer Mike has never shied away from speaking truth to power. The Grammy-winning rapper, activist, and entrepreneur joins Ye Gods with Scott Carter for a raw, urgent, and deeply personal conversation about faith, justice, responsibility, and what it means to live with purpose in a complicated world. ✨ Listen to Ye Gods with Scott Carter on the NPR Network, from WGCU Public Media and Efficiency Studios. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5wN3hJsM-FdEsoD82.html 21 2026-04-28T15:00:16.000Z yes Killer Mike Scott Carter YeGods! https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/arts-funding-cuts-in-schools-fighting-fraud-and-recruiting-future-airline-mechan/ 2026-04-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/O2f8O1KN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Arts Funding Cuts in Schools, Fighting Fraud, and Recruiting Future Airline Mechanics Funding Cuts to Arts Programs: The Lee County School District has announced a strategic budget realignment to deal with a $46.7 million deficit due to decreasing enrollment, a countywide drop in property values, and inflation. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall sits down with Jennifer Crawford to explain what this means for the arts in Lee County schools. Fighting Fraud: The FBI reports senior citizens lost more than 7.5 billion dollars due to fraud last year. A new study by the American Association of Retired Persons, or AARP, says one in four adults has been a victim of fraud. AARP Fraud Prevention Senior Director Kathy Stokes joins Jennifer Crawford for more on why fraud reports are skyrocketing. Recruiting Future Airline Mechanics: Vocational students at the Lorenzo Walker Technical College in Naples have a chance for hands-on training thanks to the school's new partnership with Naples Airport. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park ventures to the airfield and the hangars to see these new opportunities first-hand. Maintaining Muscle: Aging in good health is the focus for many adults, especially as they move toward retirement years. Edward Jones is almost 70-years-old, and a bodybuilder and longevity expert. He joins Jennifer Crawford with some tips on how to age healthily and naturally. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/O2f8O1KN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/O2f8O1KN-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-27T22:30:00.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/fighting-fraud/ 2026-04-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EotjRx36/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fighting Fraud The FBI reports senior citizens lost more than 7.5 billion dollars due to fraud last year. A new study by the American Association of Retired Persons, or AARP, says one in four adults has been a victim of fraud. AARP Fraud Prevention Senior Director Kathy Stokes joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford for more on why fraud reports are skyrocketing. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EotjRx36-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EotjRx36-FdEsoD82.html 244 2026-04-27T19:49:38.000Z yes Public Affairs technology https://wgcuplus.org/education/funding-cuts-to-arts-programs/ 2026-04-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/n0xIbjEJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Funding Cuts to Arts Programs The Lee County School District has announced a strategic budget realignment to deal with a $46.7 million deficit due to decreasing enrollment, a countywide drop in property values, and inflation. WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall sits down with Jennifer Crawford to explain what this means for the arts in Lee County schools. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/n0xIbjEJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/n0xIbjEJ-FdEsoD82.html 566 2026-04-27T19:49:07.000Z yes Education Arts https://wgcuplus.org/education/recruiting-future-airline-mechanics/ 2026-04-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Ps2QqpgD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Recruiting Future Airline Mechanics Vocational students at the Lorenzo Walker Technical College in Naples have a chance for hands-on training thanks to the school's new partnership with Naples Airport. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park ventures to the airfield and the hangars to see these new opportunities first-hand. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Ps2QqpgD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Ps2QqpgD-FdEsoD82.html 286 2026-04-27T19:48:52.000Z yes Education Community https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/maintaining-muscle/ 2026-04-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/E8hbbzoV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Maintaining Muscle Aging in good health is the focus for many adults, especially as they move toward retirement years. Edward Jones, an almost 70-year-old bodybuilder and longevity expert, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford with some tips on how to age in great health naturally. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/E8hbbzoV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/E8hbbzoV-FdEsoD82.html 308 2026-04-27T19:47:11.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/education/preserving-the-art-of-cursive-handwriting/ 2026-04-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/piFeaLBJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Preserving The Art Of Cursive Handwriting This week, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed an education bill that brings several requirements to the public school districts. One of those elements requires students to learn cursive writing in elementary school. You might have thought cursive writing was a thing of the past, but handwriting is actually trending. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Lauren Mooney Bear from the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation about physical and mental health benefits from picking up the pen. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/piFeaLBJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/piFeaLBJ-FdEsoD82.html 404 2026-04-24T22:30:00.000Z yes Education WGCU SouthwestFlorida Cursive Handwriting https://wgcuplus.org/education/redistricting-conflicts-preserving-cursive-and-a-unifying-motorcycle-ride-4-24-2/ 2026-04-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4vx3ij9h/poster.jpg?width=1920 Redistricting Conflicts, Preserving Cursive, and A Unifying Motorcycle Ride | 4-24-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Special Sessions Span State Issues: Florida's annual legislative session ended six weeks ago without passing a budget, and without addressing Governor Ron Desantis' priority of a constitutional amendment proposal to reduce, or eliminate, homestead property taxes. Meanwhile, the special session called to consider redrawing the state's congressional district maps has been pushed back by a week. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis joins Jennifer Crawford to predict if some progress could be on the immediate horizon. Preserving the Art of Cursive Handwriting: This week, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed an education bill that brings several requirements to public school districts. One of those elements requires students to learn cursive writing in elementary school. You might have thought cursive writing was a thing of the past, but handwriting is actually trending. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Lauren Mooney Bear from the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation about physical and mental health benefits from picking up the pen. Gardening for Your Health: Even though Earth Day has passed, there are still ways you can improve the planet for the remaining 364 days of the year. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne explains how gardening can improve both your health and the planet. National Prescription Take-Back Day: Saturday is National Prescription Take-Back Day, and that's as good a time as any to check if you have expired medications. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford finds out when to toss old medications. Experts say it's best to keep your medication in the original bottle so you’re aware of the expiration date. If the date's not visible or you notice discoloration, it's best to err on the side of caution. FGCU’s New Athletic Director: Of the more than 350 NCAA Division-I athletic directors, only 62 are women. This week Florida Gulf Coast University Athletic Director Colin Hargis… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4vx3ij9h-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4vx3ij9h-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-04-24T22:30:00.000Z yes Education WGCU Health Sports RonDeSantis SouthwestFlorida ClevelandClinic CollegeSports Cursive FGCUAthletics Garden Handwriting Medication MentalHealth Motorcycle NationalPrescriptionTakeBackDay Prescriptions Redistricting SpecialSession Veterans https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/unity-through-motorcycles/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LT3z7MRs/poster.jpg?width=1920 Unity Through Motorcycles The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has requested over $17-billion to address mental health care and suicide prevention in veterans. The need for assistance in supporting veterans grows every year. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh reports on the American Legion Motorcyclists’ in-state unity ride, which raises money and celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month in Cape Coral. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LT3z7MRs-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LT3z7MRs-FdEsoD82.html 220 2026-04-24T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida MentalHealth Motorcycle Veterans Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/news/fgcu-s-new-athletic-director/ 2026-04-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CDj73V8a/poster.jpg?width=1920 FGCU’s New Athletic Director Of the more than 350 NCAA Division-I athletic directors, only 62 are women. This week Florida Gulf Coast University Athletic Director Colin Hargis stepped down, opening the door for Lauren Lister to step in on an interim basis. As WGCU's Kate Cronin shares, she looks to continue the rise in women entering leadership roles for athletic institutions. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CDj73V8a-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CDj73V8a-FdEsoD82.html 154 2026-04-24T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Sports SouthwestFlorida CollegeSports FGCUAthletics https://wgcuplus.org/news/special-sessions-span-state-issues/ 2026-04-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vTCfAQfQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Special Sessions Span State Issues Florida's annual legislative session ended six weeks ago without passing a budget, and without Governor Ron DeSantis' priority of a constitutional amendment proposal to reduce, or eliminate, homestead property taxes. Meanwhile, the special session called to consider redrawing the state's congressional district maps has been pushed back by a week. WGCU Host and Reporter John Davis joins Jennifer Crawford to predict if some progress could be on the immediate horizon. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vTCfAQfQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vTCfAQfQ-FdEsoD82.html 369 2026-04-24T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU RonDeSantis SouthwestFlorida Redistricting SpecialSession https://wgcuplus.org/news/protecting-sea-turtle-hatchlings/ 2026-04-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/YB9rGSKi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Sea Turtle Hatchlings Sea turtle nesting season in Southwest Florida starts May 1. In past years, the number of adult female sea turtles nested each season was the key statistic. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Tom Bayles, WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter, uncover new concerns for sea turtle hatchlings that you should know about this hatching season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/YB9rGSKi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/YB9rGSKi-FdEsoD82.html 291 2026-04-23T19:42:58.000Z yes Environment Science https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-new-theatre-comes-to-fort-myers/ 2026-04-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/qeiG4KM2/poster.jpg?width=1920 A New Theatre Comes to Fort Myers WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall bring stories both new and old. We cover a unique theatre that is telling old wives’ tales and how the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings African American stories to the stage. Also joining the arts scene is a new dinner theatre. Despite critics stating that dinner theatre is a dying art, a Fort Myers couple is drawing in younger audiences. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/qeiG4KM2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/qeiG4KM2-FdEsoD82.html 335 2026-04-23T19:42:39.000Z yes Culture Art https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/protecting-turtle-hatchlings-a-new-theatre-and-saving-dogs-from-spain/ 2026-04-23 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SoB88BCn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protecting Turtle Hatchlings, A New Theatre, and Saving Dogs From Spain In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Protecting Sea Turtle Hatchlings: Sea turtle nesting season in Southwest Florida starts May 1. In past years, the number of adult female sea turtles nested each season was the key statistic. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Tom Bayles, WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter, uncover new concerns for sea turtle hatchlings that you should know about this hatching season. A New Theatre Comes to Fort Myers: WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford and Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall bring stories both new and old. We cover a unique theatre that is telling old wives’ tales and how the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe brings African American stories to the stage. Also joining the arts scene is a new dinner theatre. Despite critics stating that dinner theatre is a dying art, a Fort Myers couple is drawing in younger audiences. Dream School: The Journey to Higher Education: As many colleges and universities begin to wrap up their academic year, we're offering a look into the challenges facing the next generation of students. WGCU's Emmy-Award-nominated documentary "Dream School: A Journey to Higher Education,” follows six students and the work they put in to reach college. Saving Dogs From Spain: A North Fort Myers couple has a family numbering over 200, and they're all dogs. Their most recent additions come after learning about the devastating treatment of hunting dogs in Spain. WGCU’s Cary Barbor tells the story of why a local animal rescue put three greyhounds on a one-way flight all the way from Spain to Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SoB88BCn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SoB88BCn-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-23T19:41:22.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-vaccine-for-cancer-edison-award-champions-and-school-accessibility/ 2026-04-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/akQKOtHU/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Vaccine for Cancer, Edison Award Champions, and School Accessibility In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: School Accessibility Concerns: In early April, parents of students at Buckingham Exceptional School received a letter from Lee County Schools stating that their children will be moved to a different school next year. Buckingham Exceptional School is designed to teach children with medical special needs. The students will be moved to Royal Palm Exceptional School, which educates children with behavioral needs. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster reports that Buckingham parents are somewhat apprehensive about the possible mixing of student populations, but their overriding worry is that Royal Palm is not handicapped accessible and does not meet their children's physical needs. FBI Combats Foreign Influence: According to the U.S. Department of Education, American universities reported over 5.2 billion dollars in foreign gifts and contracts last year. While not all foreign funding is harmful, some apparent gifts could be detrimental to professors and their research. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge attended a program on Florida Gulf Coast University campus aimed at educating higher learning professionals about the dangers of international influence. Educating Tomorrow’s Healthcare Professionals: Florida Gulf Coast University took another step toward preparing future healthcare workers this week after breaking ground on a 117-million-dollar health sciences building. It will house simulated intensive care units, labor and delivery suites, and operating rooms to train the next generation of nurses, physical therapists, and other health care workers. WGCU’s Cary Barbour explores the future of Academic Building 10. A Vaccine for Cancer: On Monday we introduced you to Chase Johnson, who was part of the first phase of a clinical trial to develop a preventive breast cancer vaccine. The trials are a joint effort between The Cleveland Clinic and Anixa… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/akQKOtHU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/akQKOtHU-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-04-22T19:47:24.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/edison-awards-champions/ 2026-04-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vgZ3bXnJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Edison Awards Champions On June 1, 1869, a 22-year-old Thomas Edison received his first patent for his electric voice recorder. That device was a commercial failure, but it sparked a lifetime that Edison dedicated to innovation. 157 years later The Edison Awards have taken over downtown Fort Myers, highlighting the latest generation of brilliant ideas. WGCU's Emma Rodriguez ventured through the marquee "innovator's showcase,” to learn more about the impact these latest inventions hope to have. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vgZ3bXnJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vgZ3bXnJ-FdEsoD82.html 197 2026-04-22T19:47:07.000Z yes Science / Tech Community https://wgcuplus.org/education/fbi-combats-foreign-influence/ 2026-04-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/jBmfa94B/poster.jpg?width=1920 FBI Combats Foreign Influence According to the U.S. Department of Education, American universities reported over 5.2 billion dollars in foreign gifts and contracts last year. While not all foreign funding is harmful, some apparent gifts could be detrimental to professors and their research. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge attended a program on Florida Gulf Coast University campus aimed at educating higher learning professionals about the dangers of international influence. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/jBmfa94B-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/jBmfa94B-FdEsoD82.html 230 2026-04-22T19:46:49.000Z yes Education Government https://wgcuplus.org/education/school-accessibility-concerns/ 2026-04-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1ueujHb1/poster.jpg?width=1920 School Accessibility Concerns In early April, parents of students at Buckingham Exceptional School received a letter from Lee County Schools stating that their children will be moved to a different school next year. Buckingham Exceptional School is designed to teach children with medical special needs. The students will be moved to Royal Palm Exceptional School, which educates children with behavioral needs. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster reports that Buckingham parents are somewhat apprehensive about the possible mixing of student populations, but their overriding worry is that Royal Palm is not handicapped accessible and does not meet their children's physical needs. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1ueujHb1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1ueujHb1-FdEsoD82.html 265 2026-04-22T19:46:29.000Z yes Education Community https://wgcuplus.org/education/educating-tomorrow-s-healthcare-professionals/ 2026-04-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eti093Md/poster.jpg?width=1920 Educating Tomorrow’s Healthcare Professionals Florida Gulf Coast University took another step toward preparing future healthcare workers this week after breaking ground on a 117-million-dollar health sciences building. It will house simulated intensive care units, labor and delivery suites, and operating rooms to train the next generation of nurses, physical therapists, and other health care workers. WGCU’s Cary Barbour explores the future of Academic Building 10. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eti093Md-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eti093Md-FdEsoD82.html 114 2026-04-22T19:46:17.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/a-vaccine-for-cancer/ 2026-04-22 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nfKTQxPG/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Vaccine for Cancer On Monday we introduced you to Chase Johnson, who was part of the first phase of a clinical trial to develop a preventive breast cancer vaccine. The trials are a joint effort between The Cleveland Clinic and Anixa Biosciences, a bio-tech company that develops therapies and vaccines. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford had the chance to speak with Doctor Amit Kumar, Anixa Biosciences’ CEO and chairman, to learn more about the results of the trials and if their results show anything promising in the battle against breast cancer. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nfKTQxPG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nfKTQxPG-FdEsoD82.html 490 2026-04-22T19:45:37.000Z yes Health / Aging Health Science https://wgcuplus.org/news/sweet-tomatoes-returns/ 2026-04-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MGJlkx2G/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sweet Tomatoes Returns Most people have favorite foods, and likely favorite places to dine out for those foods. One of those locally has been closed for five years but is re-opening soon. Sweet Tomatoes, a buffet that features salads, soups, pastas, fresh bread and muffins, desserts and just about everything many people love to eat. WGCU’s Mike Walcher delivers this week's business segment to tell WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about the re-incarnation of Sweet Tomatoes. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MGJlkx2G-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MGJlkx2G-FdEsoD82.html 238 2026-04-20T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Construction Development Sweet Tomatoes https://wgcuplus.org/news/vaccinating-against-cancer-the-rising-real-estate-market-and-horr-s-island-4-20-/ 2026-04-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/s5Mp4V7T/poster.jpg?width=1920 Vaccinating Against Cancer, The Rising Real Estate Market, and Horr’s Island | 4-20-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Vaccinating Against Cancer: More than 380,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. A new breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in the fight against the disease. The Cleveland Clinic recently released findings from the first phase of a clinical trial for the cancer vaccine. The vaccine aims to prevent triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive and deadly form. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford had the chance to speak with Chase Johnson, one of the very first patients to take part in the clinical trial, to learn more about her story. Sweet Tomatoes Returns: Most people have favorite foods, and likely favorite places to dine out for those foods. One of those locally has been closed for five years but is re-opening soon. Sweet Tomatoes, a buffet that features salads, soups, pastas, fresh bread and muffins, desserts and just about everything many people love to eat. WGCU’s Mike Walcher delivers this week's business segment to tell WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about the re-incarnation of Sweet Tomatoes. The Rising Real Estate Market: If you are house hunting in Southwest Florida, the market is mostly in your favor according to real estate experts. In fact, this week is being called the "Goldilocks” week across the nation for rates that are not too high, but not too low. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Southwest Florida real estate expert Denny Grimes about the future of real estate. Horr’s Island: Southwest Florida is a hotspot for history lovers. But not every attraction draws the same attention as the Ringling Museum in Sarasota or The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Sometimes you have to go off the beaten path to find something truly unique. As part of an upcoming program, WGCU's documentary unit was able to track down a hidden gem tucked away in Marco Island. Cottage Cheese Craze: A once forgotten staple of dieting is… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/s5Mp4V7T-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/s5Mp4V7T-FdEsoD82.html 1537 2026-04-20T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU Health SouthwestFlorida Construction FortMyers Archaeology BreastCancer Cancer Vaccine ClevelandClinic CottageCheese Development Horr’sIsland HousingMarket MarcoIsland RealEstate Sweet Tomatoes Vaccines https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-rising-real-estate-market/ 2026-04-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8MvkZUUR/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Rising Real Estate Market If you are house hunting in Southwest Florida, the market is mostly in your favor, according to real estate experts. In fact, the week is being called the "Goldilocks” week across the nation for rates and prices that are not too high, but not too low. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Southwest Florida real estate expert Denny Grimes about the future of real estate. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8MvkZUUR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8MvkZUUR-FdEsoD82.html 467 2026-04-20T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida FortMyers HousingMarket RealEstate https://wgcuplus.org/news/vaccinating-against-cancer/ 2026-04-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/K0IyRRL6/poster.jpg?width=1920 Vaccinating Against Cancer More than 380,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. A new breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in the fight against the disease. The Cleveland Clinic recently released findings from the first phase of a clinical trial for the cancer vaccine. The vaccine aims to prevent triple-negative breast cancer, the most aggressive and deadly form. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford had the chance to speak with Chase Johnson, one of the very first patients to take part in the clinical trial, to learn more about her story. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/K0IyRRL6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/K0IyRRL6-FdEsoD82.html 435 2026-04-20T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida BreastCancer Cancer Vaccine Vaccines https://wgcuplus.org/news/horr-s-island/ 2026-04-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ZV1EwTS9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Horr’s Island Southwest Florida is a hotspot for history lovers. But not every attraction draws the same attention as the Ringling Museum in Sarasota or The Edison and Ford winter estates in Fort Myers. Sometimes you have to go off the beaten path to find something truly unique. As part of an upcoming program, WGCU's documentary unit was able to track down a hidden gem tucked away in Marco Island. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZV1EwTS9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ZV1EwTS9-FdEsoD82.html 150 2026-04-20T22:30:00.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Archaeology Horr’sIsland MarcoIsland https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/hope-rides/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eA4vSkVV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hope Rides For survivors of violence, the path towards a new life comes with challenges, including the need for safe and reliable transportation to get to court hearings, counseling, and doctors. A new program backed by Uber hopes to help with that challenge. The goal is to provide rides to survivors of domestic violence sexual assault and human trafficking. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Uber’s Senior Public Policy Associate Lizzie Pittinger about how the Alliance for Hope International, Casa Family Justice Center, and Uber have banded together as part of a national initiative. They call it Hope Rides. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eA4vSkVV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eA4vSkVV-FdEsoD82.html 368 2026-04-17T19:28:28.000Z yes Public Affairs Community Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/celebrating-national-record-day/ 2026-04-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uUofcKwj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Celebrating National Record Day National Record Store Day is coming April 18, and it's set to be a huge day for local vinyl stores. According to the Hollywood Reporter, in 2025 sales of vinyl records surpassed one billion dollars for the first time this century. Whether it's vinyl, CDs, or cassette tapes, new generations are latching onto physical media. WGCU's Kate Cronin reports on Stellar Records, a Cape Coral shop capitalizing on the resurgence of records. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uUofcKwj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uUofcKwj-FdEsoD82.html 215 2026-04-17T19:28:14.000Z yes Culture Arts Community https://wgcuplus.org/news/naples-brings-bike-safety/ 2026-04-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SIB9en1x/poster.jpg?width=1920 Naples Brings Bike Safety Many restaurant workers near downtown Naples rely on bicycles to get to work. That means they often are riding to or from work in the dark. The Naples Police Department, volunteers, and the Naples Pathways Coalition joined forces to help make the cyclist’s journey safer. WGCU's Bryant Monteilh covers the efforts made to keep everyone safe on the street. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SIB9en1x-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SIB9en1x-FdEsoD82.html 234 2026-04-17T19:28:00.000Z yes Public Affairs Community Public Safety https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hope-rides-national-record-store-day-and-caution-around-kissing-bugs/ 2026-04-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xCbsWLpM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hope Rides, National Record Store Day, and Caution Around Kissing Bugs In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Hope Rides: For survivors of violence, the path towards a new life comes with challenges, including the need for safe and reliable transportation to get to court hearings, counseling, and doctors. A new program backed by Uber hopes to help with that challenge. The goal is to provide rides to survivors of domestic violence sexual assault and human trafficking. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford speaks with Uber’s Senior Public Policy Associate Lizzie Pittinger about how the Alliance for Hope International, Casa Family Justice Center, and Uber have banded together as part of a national initiative. They call it Hope Rides. Naples Brings Bike Safety: Many restaurant workers near downtown Naples rely on bicycles to get to work. That means they often are riding to or from work in the dark. The Naples Police Department, volunteers, and the Naples Pathways Coalition joined forces to help make the cyclist’s journey safer. WGCU's Bryant Monteilh covers the efforts made to keep everyone safe on the street. Why You Should Be Cautious Around Kissing Bugs: A silent killer could be lurking in your yard, and you don't even know it. Chagas disease is spread from the feces of native kissing bugs, and now it's estimated that almost 20,000 Floridians have the disease. That puts Florida third in the country for the number of people living with the disease. Dr. Norman Beatty, a leading researcher in Chagas disease from the University of Florida College of Medicine, joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford now to tell us more about this growing concern in Florida. The Science Behind Mocktails: A recent Gallup poll shows only 54% of U.S. adults report drinking alcohol, the lowest level in 90 years. Many of the key factors included increased awareness of the health risks of drinking and the high costs. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned from The Cleveland Clinic that despite ditching the booze, many folks are… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xCbsWLpM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xCbsWLpM-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-17T19:26:27.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/titanic-the-musical-picayune-wildfire-unlikely-sports-spanning-countries/ 2026-04-17 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VniV9YAj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Titanic The Musical, Picayune Wildfire, Unlikely Sports Spanning Countries In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Containing The Picayune Wildfire: Firefighting crews are continuing to battle the second major wildfire in Collier County in the past few weeks. Florida Forest Services shared images of aerial efforts to suppress the wildfire. Now 70% contained after charring over 1700 acres of the Picayune Strand State Forest. With the warm and dry conditions continuing, Jennifer Crawford speaks to WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles about the severity of this wildfire season. Titanic The Musical: On April 15, 114 years ago, the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. 1500 people died and more than 700 survived. The story of the Titanic has been told in multiple ways, from books to television programs, to an Academy Award-winning movie. And as WGCU's Arts Reporter Tom Hall reports, “Titanic: The Musical,” is coming soon to a stage in Southwest Florida Representing The Autism Spectrum on Television: The Emmy Award-winning program "The Pitt” has garnered praise for its realistic medical portrayals. It has also been recognized for its authentic representation of characters, including those on the autism spectrum. Character Becca King is played by a former Cape Coral resident, Tal Anderson. WGCU's Reporter Dayna Harpster caught up with Anderson to learn more about her connection with her on screen persona. An Unlikely Sport Spanning Countries: Bringing the love of on-court competition halfway across the globe. A pickleball pro who competed in the recent U.S. Open Championships in Naples picked up the game when he was healing from cancer. WGCU’s Cary Barbor shares how his love for the game runs so deep he has introduced the sport to children in the South Pacific. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VniV9YAj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VniV9YAj-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-16T19:37:44.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/an-unlikely-sport-spanning-countries/ 2026-04-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eJpF40dJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 An Unlikely Sport Spanning Countries Bringing the love of on-court competition halfway across the globe. A pickleball pro who competed in the recent U.S. Open Championships in Naples picked up the game when he was healing from cancer. WGCU’s Cary Barbor shares how his love for the game runs so deep, he introduced it to children in the South Pacific. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eJpF40dJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eJpF40dJ-FdEsoD82.html 255 2026-04-16T19:37:31.000Z yes Sports Community https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/titanic-the-musical/ 2026-04-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/pZ13o2BJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Titanic The Musical On April 15, 114 years ago, the Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. 1500 people died with more than 700 survivors. The story of the Titanic has been told in multiple ways, from books to television programs, to an Academy Award-winning movie. And as WGCU's Arts Reporter Tom Hall reports, “Titanic the Musical,” is coming soon to a stage in Southwest Florida https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/pZ13o2BJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/pZ13o2BJ-FdEsoD82.html 354 2026-04-16T19:37:11.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/representing-the-autism-spectrum-on-television/ 2026-04-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4KXdeGuX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Representing The Autism Spectrum on Television The Emmy Award-winning program "The Pitt,” has garnered praise for its realistic medical portrayals. It has also been recognized for its authentic representation of characters, including those on the autism spectrum. Character Becca King is played by a former Cape Coral resident, Tal Anderson. WGCU's Reporter and Editor Dayna Harpster caught up with Anderson to learn more about her connection with her on screen persona. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4KXdeGuX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4KXdeGuX-FdEsoD82.html 404 2026-04-16T19:36:50.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/environment/containing-the-picayune-wildfire/ 2026-04-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Jp69P862/poster.jpg?width=1920 Containing The Picayune Wildfire Firefighting crews are continuing to battle the second major wildfire in Collier County in the past few weeks. Florida Forest Services shared images of aerial efforts being made to suppress the wildfire. Now 70% contained after charring over 1,700 acres of the Picayune Strand State Forest. With the warm and dry conditions continuing, WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles and Jennifer Crawford answer if this could be the beginning of a busy brush fire season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Jp69P862-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Jp69P862-FdEsoD82.html 380 2026-04-16T19:36:28.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/edison-awards-finalists/ 2026-04-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NAve6BNj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Edison Awards Finalists The 2026 Edison Awards are underway in downtown Fort Myers, recognizing the best in innovations and innovators. One of the companies being recognized for their software solution is the Naples-based marketing agency Digital Shortcutz. WGCU's Host and Reporter Emma Rodriguez learned how they are incorporating AI to enhance business efficiency. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NAve6BNj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NAve6BNj-FdEsoD82.html 135 2026-04-15T19:23:14.000Z yes Science / Tech technology https://wgcuplus.org/news/diversifying-the-hendry-sheriff-s-department/ 2026-04-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U6bGrCFe/poster.jpg?width=1920 Diversifying The Hendry Sheriff’s Department According to the Florida Sheriff's Association, women comprise about 14% of the full-time sworn in officers in the U.S. Sheriff's Offices. However, that number is on the rise. The Association says women make up 20% of new academy recruits. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explains how even officers in rural Hendry County are increasing efforts to bring more women into law enforcement. Continuing our coverage, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Hendry County Sheriff’s Department Captain Susan Harell to learn her perspective of women in law enforcement. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/U6bGrCFe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/U6bGrCFe-FdEsoD82.html 744 2026-04-15T19:22:36.000Z yes Law Enforcement Community https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/a-familiar-face-returns-to-fort-myers-and-diversifying-law-enforcement/ 2026-04-16 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kJt8pX2n/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Familiar Face Returns to Fort Myers and Diversifying Law Enforcement In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: A Familiar Face Returns to Fort Myers: An iconic landmark in Fort Myers celebrates its 100th birthday. At the entrance of Edison Park in Fort Myers the statue "Rachel at The Well,” proudly greets residents and visitors across from the Edison Ford Winter Estates. Damages sustained during Hurricane Ian seemed to spell an end for the statue, but as WGCU's Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares restoration efforts made sure that the supposed "Rachel” would be ready for a centennial celebration. Diversifying The Hendry Sheriff’s Department: According to the Florida Sheriff's Association, women comprise about 14% of the full-time sworn in officers in the U.S. Sheriff's Offices. However, that number is on the rise. The Association says women make up 20% of new academy recruits. WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park explains how even officers in rural Hendry County are increasing efforts to bring more women into law enforcement. Continuing our coverage, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Hendry Sheriff’s Department Captain Susan Harell about her efforts to encourage inclusion. Benefits of Becoming an Organ Donor: Every eight to 10 minutes a new person is added to the national transplant waiting list in the United States. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration says an average of 15 people die every day while waiting for a transplant. WGCU's Teddy Byrne and The Cleveland Clinic report on the need and how anyone can become an organ donor themselves. Edison Awards Finalists: The 2026 Edison Awards are underway in downtown Fort Myers, recognizing the best in innovations and innovators. One of the companies being recognized for their software solution is the Naples-based marketing agency Digital Shortcutz. WGCU's Host and Reporter Emma Rodriguez learned how they are incorporating AI to enhance business efficiency. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kJt8pX2n-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kJt8pX2n-FdEsoD82.html 1566 2026-04-15T19:21:14.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-familiar-face-returns-to-fort-myers/ 2026-04-15 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/T3AFdycT/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Familiar Face Returns to Fort Myers An iconic landmark in Fort Myers celebrates its 100th birthday. At the entrance of Edison Park in Fort Myers the statue "Rachel at The Well,” proudly greets residents and visitors across from the Edison Ford Winter Estates. Damages sustained during Hurricane Ian seemed to spell an end for the statue, but as WGCU's Arts Reporter Tom Hall shares restoration efforts made sure that the supposed "Rachel” would be ready for a centennial celebration. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/T3AFdycT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/T3AFdycT-FdEsoD82.html 462 2026-04-15T19:20:46.000Z yes Culture Fort Myers arts Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-american-hercules/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AzhtWMVH/poster.jpg?width=1920 The American Hercules While famous figures like John Adams have become part of the American history school curriculum, not every hero of the American Revolution has received the same recognition. WGCU’'s Teddy Byrne spoke with author John T. Palmer, whose book “George Washington’s One-Man Army,” captures the larger-than-life story of the brazen soldier known as "The American Hercules". https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AzhtWMVH-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AzhtWMVH-FdEsoD82.html 417 2026-04-14T19:21:40.000Z yes History Government https://wgcuplus.org/news/special-session-on-congressional-redistricting/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2ZsnuGEK/poster.jpg?width=1920 Special Session on Congressional Redistricting Florida legislatures are gearing up for a return to Tallahassee as part of a special session called upon by Governor Ron Desantis. State lawmakers will reconvene on April 20 to address the redrawing of Florida's congressional district maps. WGCU’s Host and Reporter John Davis talks with Jennifer Crawford about how redistricting could flip seats in Congress. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2ZsnuGEK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2ZsnuGEK-FdEsoD82.html 269 2026-04-14T19:21:21.000Z yes Florida politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/news/rescuing-horses-from-naples-wildfires/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/xSB5FNBW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rescuing Horses from Naples Wildfires Florida Forestry and Greater Naples Fire spent Monday night battling a wildfire in the Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County. It has now spread to nearly 15-hundred acres and can be seen from I-75, just south of Alligator Alley. Crews have been able to contain just 15% of the wildfire and the Collier County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation orders on over 150 homeowners. Multiple ranches are also located in the area, leading to the removal of dozens of horses potentially in harm's way. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford spoke with Kristen Peterson, a rancher who rushed to bring horses to safety when she heard the call. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xSB5FNBW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/xSB5FNBW-FdEsoD82.html 396 2026-04-14T19:20:54.000Z yes Wildfire Community https://wgcuplus.org/news/horse-rescues-in-naples-the-american-hercules-and-a-historical-performance/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7GFQAQoX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Horse Rescues in Naples, The American Hercules, and A Historical Performance In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Rescuing Horses from Naples Wildfires: Florida Forestry and Greater Naples Fire spent Monday night battling a wildfire in the Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County. It has now spread to nearly 15-hundred acres and can be seen from I-75, just south of Alligator Alley. Crews have been able to contain just 15% of the wildfire and the Collier County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation orders on over 150 homeowners. Multiple ranches are also located in the area, leading to the removal of dozens of horses potentially in harm's way. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford spoke with Kristen Peterson, a rancher who rushed to bring horses to safety when she heard the call. A Historic Performance: Art organizations across Southwest Florida are showing their patriotic pride as part of America 250. Gulf Coast Symphony is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special musical performance of "1776.” WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall shares the love story at the center of the production. The American Hercules: While famous figures like John Adams have become part of the American history school curriculum, not every hero of the American Revolution has received the same recognition. WGCU’'s Teddy Byrne spoke with author John T. Palmer, whose book “George Washington’s One-Man Army,” captures the larger-than-life story of the brazen soldier known as "The American Hercules". Special Session on Congressional Redistricting: Florida legislatures are gearing up for a return to Tallahassee as part of a special session called upon by Governor Ron Desantis. State lawmakers will reconvene on April 20 to address the redrawing of Florida's congressional district maps. WGCU’s Host and Reporter John Davis talks with Jennifer Crawford about how redistricting could flip seats in Congress. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7GFQAQoX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7GFQAQoX-FdEsoD82.html 1537 2026-04-14T19:19:15.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-historic-performance/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GlgkJgQb/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Historic Performance Art organizations across Southwest Florida are showing their patriotic pride as part of America 250. Gulf Coast Symphony is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a special musical performance of "1776.” WGCU’s Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall shares the love story at the center of the production. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GlgkJgQb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GlgkJgQb-FdEsoD82.html 355 2026-04-14T19:18:54.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/lessons-from-the-2026-congressional-city-conference/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AybnMJmX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lessons from the 2026 Congressional City Conference Last month representatives from Southwest Florida joined more than 2,500 mayors and local leaders in Washington DC for the 2026 Congressional City Conference. The event aimed to bring leaders together to talk about how to handle a variety of issues that could improve the quality of life for constituents. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sat down with Irma Diggs, Senior Executive and Director of Federal Advocacy at the National League of Cities, to discuss changes coming to city infrastructure. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AybnMJmX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AybnMJmX-FdEsoD82.html 328 2026-04-13T20:21:55.000Z yes Business Government https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/managing-gas-prices/ 2026-04-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/V6j6u7nX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Managing Gas Prices As the war in Iran progresses, the fallout stateside has been primarily focused on the surge in gas prices. In Florida, AAA reports that the statewide average in Florida is just over four dollars a gallon. Areas in Southwest Florida have seen some relief with counties such as Lee, Desoto, and Charlotte showing 10 cents lower than the national average of $4 and 12 cents per gallon. WGCU's Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly talks about the impact the rise in prices is having on drivers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/V6j6u7nX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/V6j6u7nX-FdEsoD82.html 228 2026-04-13T20:06:50.000Z yes Business / Economics economy https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/explaining-economic-trends/ 2026-04-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ldpd6O2A/poster.jpg?width=1920 Explaining Economic Trends As we take a look at the Southwest Florida economy, just some of the key topics affecting us include rising gas prices, and affordable housing. When it comes to looking forward to possible relief at the pump and solutions in the real estate market, WGCU’s Mike Walcher examines the Southwest Florida Economic Outlook Report. Joined by John Shannon, a research economist with the Regional Economic Research Institute at FGCU. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ldpd6O2A-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ldpd6O2A-FdEsoD82.html 370 2026-04-13T20:06:30.000Z yes Business / Economics economy https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/managing-gas-prices-economic-trends-the-congressional-city-conference/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NYsziJmJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Managing Gas Prices, Economic Trends, The Congressional City Conference In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Managing Gas Prices: As the war in Iran progresses, the fallout stateside has been primarily focused on the surge in gas prices. AAA reports that the statewide average is just over four dollars a gallon. Areas in Southwest Florida have seen some relief with Lee and Charlotte counties at less than four dollars a gallon. The national average hovers at four dollars and twelve cents per gallon. WGCU's Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelly talks about the impact the rise in prices is having on drivers. Explaining Economic Trends: Rising gas prices and lack of affordable housing are two key issues of economic concern. But development in real estate continues to grow as does the population. WGCU’s Mike Walcher examines the Southwest Florida Economic Outlook Report. Joined by John Shannon, a research economist with the Regional Economic Research Institute at FGCU. Florida Power and Light Adjusts for Population Growth: Lee County's population is expected to grow by more than 30% over the next 25 years, from nearly 800,000 residents to more than 1.1 million, according to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Florida Power and Light says it’s prepared to handle the increasing demands of power. WGCU's Bryant Monteilh has the report. Lessons from the Congressional City Conference: Last month representatives from Southwest Florida joined more than 2,500 mayors and local leaders in Washington DC for the 2026 Congressional City Conference. The event aimed to bring leaders together to talk about how to handle a variety of issues that could improve the quality of life for constituents. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford spoke with Irma Esparza Diggs, Senior Executive and Director of Federal Advocacy at the National League of Cities about the importance of local leaders and citizens to be involved in government. Headphone Safety: Whether it's blasting loud… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NYsziJmJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NYsziJmJ-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-13T20:05:14.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/florida-power-and-light-adjusts/ 2026-04-13 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/V7HYPm9r/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Power and Light Adjusts Population growth and real estate development in Southwest Florida continues to surge as more people and businesses are moving to our area. Lee County's population is expected to grow by more than 30% over the next 25 years, from nearly 800,000 residents to more than 1.1 million, according to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. With growth and development comes the need to sustain infrastructure to keep up with demand. Especially when it comes to electric power. WGCU's Bryant Monteilh recently spoke with Florida Power and Light Spokesperson Andrew Sutton on how they're keeping up with the need for power. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/V7HYPm9r-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/V7HYPm9r-FdEsoD82.html 217 2026-04-13T20:04:59.000Z yes Business / Economics Community https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/pinwheels-at-the-pier/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/S4mWFc9h/poster.jpg?width=1920 Pinwheels at the Pier Lowdermilk Park became a piece of art as over a thousand pinwheels were placed in support of National Child Abuse Prevention month. WGCU's Cary Barbor visited The Collier County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Pinwheels at the Pier event to learn how it protects children in Collier County. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/S4mWFc9h-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/S4mWFc9h-FdEsoD82.html 148 2026-04-10T19:41:09.000Z yes Community Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/news/combatting-distracted-driving/ 2026-04-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/cY65arOv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Combatting Distracted Driving Texting and driving are a dangerous mix and getting worse in Florida. It is estimated one in every seven crashes involves a distracted driver. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford rides along with Florida Highway Patrol troopers to see them in action. Followed by a conversation with Melissa Hamrick, leader of Hands-Free Florida, about the push for stronger legislation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/cY65arOv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/cY65arOv-FdEsoD82.html 542 2026-04-10T19:40:35.000Z yes Public Affairs Community Public Safety https://wgcuplus.org/news/changing-culinary-arts-education/ 2026-04-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/yszK3cR8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Changing Culinary Arts Education The food service industry is projected to grow in the coming years, but there is a labor shortage. One organization is trying to fill this need by training students to work in that industry regardless of their level of ability. At the Lee County Association for Remarkable Citizens, WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park learned about their new culinary training program. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/yszK3cR8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/yszK3cR8-FdEsoD82.html 352 2026-04-10T19:40:10.000Z yes Community Special Needs https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/aging-gracefully/ 2026-04-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wLwqGgt1/poster.jpg?width=1920 Aging Gracefully Mortality can be a difficult subject to talk about, and life spans are growing longer. But the question remains, how do we keep our quality of life as we grow older? Dean of Marieb College at Florida Gulf Coast University Shawn Felton gives some perspective on the process of aging with WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wLwqGgt1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wLwqGgt1-FdEsoD82.html 321 2026-04-10T19:39:47.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/culinary-arts-education-distracted-driving-and-pinwheels-at-the-pier/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IrVynzBu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Culinary Arts Education, Distracted Driving, and Pinwheels at the Pier In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Astronauts Return to Earth: The Artemis II Mission that launched from Cape Canaveral on April 1 is about to make history once again. The rocket carrying three Americans and one Canadian blasted off from Florida, but their return will be a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford explores the accomplishments and scientific achievements of the voyage. Culinary Arts Education: The food service industry is projected to grow in the coming years, but there is a labor shortage. One organization is trying to fill this need by training students to work in that industry regardless of their level of ability. At the Lee County Association for Remarkable Citizens, WGCU Reporter Youn-Joo Park learned about their new culinary training program. Aging Gracefully: Mortality can be a difficult subject to talk about, even as lifespans grow longer. The question remains, how do we keep our quality of life as we grow older? Dean of Marieb College at Florida Gulf Coast University Shawn Felton explains how Southwest Florida could become a “North Star” in healthy lifestyles, as he sits down with WGCU Reporter Mike Walcher. Combatting Distracted Driving: Texting and driving are a dangerous mix, and data shows it’s getting worse in Florida. It is estimated one in every seven crashes involves a distracted driver. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford rides along with Florida Highway Patrol troopers to see them in action. Then, Jennifer talks with Melissa Hamrick, leader of Hands-Free Florida, about the push for stronger legislation. Pinwheels at the Pier: Lowdermilk Park became a piece of art as more than 1,000 pinwheels were placed in support of National Child Abuse Prevention month. WGCU's Cary Barbor visited The Collier County Children’s Advocacy Center’s Pinwheels at the Pier event to learn how it the organization works to protect children. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IrVynzBu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IrVynzBu-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-10T19:38:07.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/everglades-photography-the-philharmonic-and-naples-theatre/ 2026-04-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XVLfQZFr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Everglades Photography, The Philharmonic, and Naples Theatre Get a look at the local arts scene from Marco to Fort Myers with WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall. Joined by WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford, the two go over art exhibits, theatre productions, and an orchestra series you won’t want to miss. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XVLfQZFr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XVLfQZFr-FdEsoD82.html 257 2026-04-10T12:54:57.000Z yes Regional Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-snapshot-of-the-okeechobee-music-festival/ 2026-04-10 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tgDBNKYR/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Snapshot of The Okeechobee Music Festival The population of Little Okeechobee County doubles in size for a few days each year as thousands of music lovers gather for the Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival. 130 artists, 80 hours of music and four nights of camping make for a big impact in a rural area. WGCU Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawfor to discuss the economic impact on the county. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tgDBNKYR-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tgDBNKYR-FdEsoD82.html 233 2026-04-10T12:54:43.000Z yes Regional Arts https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/ai-s-effect-on-employment/ 2026-04-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/lDfib4dz/poster.jpg?width=1920 AI’s Effect on Employment Economists have characterized the labor market as “No hire, No Fire,” for the past year, describing stagnant hiring rates. This locks many young applicants out of the job market. Most especially those looking for entry-level jobs. AI and economic uncertainty are two main reasons companies hold on to their staff and do not hire new talent. Google Cloud Head of AI Platform Services, Sheri Senge Cunningham, spoke with WGCU Radio Host and Producer Mike Kiniry about how AI is impacting the job market. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/lDfib4dz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lDfib4dz-FdEsoD82.html 487 2026-04-09T20:43:09.000Z yes Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ai-and-employment-the-philharmonic-orchestra-and-balancing-supplements/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/I7scoV6h/poster.jpg?width=1920 AI and Employment, The Philharmonic Orchestra, and Balancing Supplements In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: AI’s Effect on Employment: Economists have characterized the labor market as “No hire, No Fire,” for the past year, describing stagnant hiring rates. This locks many young applicants out of the job market. Most especially those looking for entry-level jobs. AI and economic uncertainty are two main reasons companies hold on to their staff and do not hire new talent. Google Cloud Head of AI Platform Services, Sheri Senge Cunningham, spoke with WGCU Radio Host and Producer Mike Kiniry about how AI is impacting the job market. Cuba’s Relationship with The United States: Across the Gulf, WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford examines relations between the United States and Cuba. The country has been struggling with blackouts, gasoline shortages, and an economic crisis for 5 years. President Trump placed an oil blockade on the nation in January, leaving Cubans without a vital energy source for transportation and power. Everglades Photography, The Philharmonic, and Naples Theatre: Get a look at the local arts scene from Marco to Fort Myers with WGCU Arts and Culture Reporter Tom Hall. Joined by WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford, the two go over art exhibits, theatre productions, and an orchestra series you won’t want to miss. Identifying Nutrients You Might be Missing: With the rising costs of health care and the increased cost of health insurance, there may be hesitancy when it comes to making a doctor's appointment. The key to that could be staying out of the doctors office as diet and exercise combine to help us live healthier lives. Karen Howard, Director of The Organic and Natural Health Association, shares how we can make our lives better by personal choices we make at the grocery store, fitting exercise into our routine, and making sure we get all the nutrients we need. A Snapshot of The Okeechobee Music Festival: The population of Little Okeechobee County doubles in size for a few… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/I7scoV6h-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/I7scoV6h-FdEsoD82.html 1565 2026-04-09T20:26:54.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/florida-s-newest-farm-bill/ 2026-04-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VhoeQWjN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida’s Newest Farm Bill Governor Ron Desantis signed the 2026 Florida Farm Bill into law recently. You may think it only impacts those who work in the field of agriculture or live in farming areas, but that is not the case. Florida Gulf Coast University Presidential Fellow Dr. Barry Goodwin joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to explain what this new bill could mean for Southwest Florida Farmers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VhoeQWjN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VhoeQWjN-FdEsoD82.html 307 2026-04-09T13:30:31.000Z yes Southwest Florida farming Agriculture Farm Bill https://wgcuplus.org/news/blue-green-algae-blooms/ 2026-04-09 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/h1BqRWdj/poster.jpg?width=1920 Blue-Green Algae Blooms Is your community connected with blue-green algae blooms that you may not even know about? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles to look at how one expansive bloom was spotted, yet the information may not have made it to people who live in this area. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/h1BqRWdj-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/h1BqRWdj-FdEsoD82.html 370 2026-04-09T13:29:58.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/blue-green-algae-blooms-florida-s-new-farm-bill-and-women-of-the-watershed/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MgSlndVM/poster.jpg?width=1920 Blue-Green Algae Blooms, Florida’s New Farm Bill, and Women Of The Watershed In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Blue-Green Algae Blooms: Is your community connected with blue-green algae blooms that you may not even know about? WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles to look at how one expansive bloom was spotted, yet the information may not have made it to people who live in this area. Florida’s Newest Farm Bill: Governor Ron Desantis signed the 2026 Florida Farm Bill into law recently. You may think it only impacts those who work in the field of agriculture or live in farming areas, but that is not the case. Florida Gulf Coast University Presidential Fellow Dr. Barry Goodwin joins WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford to explain what this new bill could mean for Southwest Florida Farmers. Alligator Alcatraz Lawsuit Update: The immigration detention center in Collier County known as Alligator Alcatraz and the environmental lawsuit surrounding it is picking up steam. Tune in for WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford’s update on the Everglades facility. Women Of The Watershed Sneak Peek: A love for film making is a family affair for some Florida filmmakers. Combine that love with a passion for the environment and preserving our waterways, and a remarkable documentary takes shape. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford is joined by Director Scott Barnett and his daughter, Producer Chloe Barnett, to give you a peek at The Women Of The Watershed. Florida Road Trip Visits The Mound House: As we reflect upon the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation, it's also important to look at the cultures living here before the United States even became a country. Florida Road Trip stops by the historic Mound House, a treasure trove of history hidden in Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MgSlndVM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MgSlndVM-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-08T20:13:42.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/fort-myers-development-explaining-the-save-act-and-single-member-districts/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4hCBdx03/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers Development, Explaining The SAVE Act, and Single-Member Districts In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Fort Myers Development: The Midtown section of Fort Myers is getting a makeover. While talks have continued for more than a decade, the plan is finally moving forward. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park spoke with residents on how they envision quality of life in Midtown post-construction. The Push For Single-Member Districts: Lee County has five districts, each one represented by a different county commissioner. You can live anywhere in Lee County and still vote for all five commissioners. This at- large voting has been in place for decades. But critics of at-large voting want residents to be able to vote only for the commissioner who represents their district, also called single- member district voting. Voters will get to decide this issue in November. WGC’'s Bryant Monteilh explains what all this means for the upcoming election. Explaining The SAVE Act: Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that will require voters in Florida to show proof of citizenship before they can register to vote. The Florida legislation is modeled after the federal SAVE America Act that remains stalled in congress. The same day DeSantis signed the measure, voting rights organizations and others filed legal challenges arguing the law was unconstitutional. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU host and reporter John Davis to learn more about Florida’s SAVE Act. Florida Road Trip Takes On The Edison Estates: In a little over a week, the presentation of The 39th Annual Edison Awards will take place in Fort Myers. But why here in Southwest Florida? Tag along as Florida Road Trip explores the background behind the inventor that brought him to Fort Myers and earned his spot as the namesake of The Edison Awards. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4hCBdx03-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4hCBdx03-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-07T20:29:03.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-push-for-single-member-districts/ 2026-04-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/POc2wWj0/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Push For Single-Member Districts Lee County has five districts, each one represented by a different county commissioner. You can live anywhere in Lee County and still vote for all five commissioners. This at- large voting has been in place for decades. But critics of at-large voting want residents to be able to vote only for the commissioner who represents their district, also called single- member district voting. Voters will get to decide this issue in November. WGC’'s Bryant Monteilh explains what all this means for the upcoming election. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/POc2wWj0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/POc2wWj0-FdEsoD82.html 293 2026-04-07T20:28:46.000Z yes Florida politics Government Voting https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/fort-myers-development/ 2026-04-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TbsuWEzO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers Development The Midtown section of Fort Myers is getting a makeover. While talks have continued for more than a decade, the plan is finally moving forward. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park spoke with residents on how they envision quality of life in Midtown post-construction. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TbsuWEzO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TbsuWEzO-FdEsoD82.html 325 2026-04-07T20:28:29.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/explaining-the-save-act/ 2026-04-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uHvYGLK1/poster.jpg?width=1920 Explaining The SAVE Act Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that will require voters in Florida to show proof of citizenship before they can register to vote. The Florida legislation is modeled after the federal SAVE America Act that remains stalled in congress. The same day DeSantis signed the measure, voting rights organizations and others filed legal challenges arguing the law was unconstitutional. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with WGCU host and reporter John Davis to learn more about Florida’s SAVE Act. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uHvYGLK1-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uHvYGLK1-FdEsoD82.html 373 2026-04-07T20:28:04.000Z yes Politics / Legal Voting https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-sit-down-with-amna-nawaz-of-pbs-news-hour/ 2026-04-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/5zBJ9wq3/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Sit-Down With Amna Nawaz of PBS News Hour WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford had the opportunity to speak with groundbreaking and influential TV reporter Amna Nawaz. She is the co-anchor of PBS News Hour, an Emmy-award-winning program from our network. During a recent visit to Florida Gulf Coast University, she stopped by to discuss her life in the news media and give some advice for future journalists. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/5zBJ9wq3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/5zBJ9wq3-FdEsoD82.html 517 2026-04-06T20:17:18.000Z yes Public Affairs Community https://wgcuplus.org/news/fort-myers-brewing-gives-back/ 2026-04-06 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/n9GJShWh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers Brewing Gives Back Most of us know that Southwest Florida has a reputation as a caring and generous community, with locally owned businesses doing a lot of the charitable work. WGCU's Mike Walcher joins Jennifer Crawford for this week's segment on business, where we are highlighting one company that sets a shining example. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/n9GJShWh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/n9GJShWh-FdEsoD82.html 225 2026-04-06T20:17:04.000Z yes Community https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/gas-prices-still-on-the-rise-artemis-ii-sets-space-travel-history-and-fort-myers/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NiVpFXeo/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gas Prices Still on the Rise, Artemis II Sets Space Travel History, and Fort Myers Brewing Gives Back to Community In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Where To Find The Cheapest Gas: The pain at the pump is getting worse for drivers. As we start a new week, there's still no reprieve as gas prices keep climbing. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford takes a look at what it costs to fill up in Southwest Florida. Fort Myers Brewing Gives Back: Most of us know that Southwest Florida has a reputation as a caring and generous community, with locally owned businesses doing a lot of charitable work. WGCU's Mike Walcher joins Jennifer Crawford for this week's segment on business, where we are highlighting one company that sets a shining example. Artemis II Updates: As Artemis II flies past the moon, it is the closest NASA astronauts have come to the moon since the Apollo era. The rocket launched from the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford has the latest on their 10-day trip. A Sit-Down With Amna Nawaz of PBS News Hour: WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford had the opportunity to speak with groundbreaking and influential TV reporter Amna Nawaz. She is the co-anchor of PBS News Hour, an Emmy-award-winning program from our network. During a recent visit to Florida Gulf Coast University, she stopped by to discuss her life in the news media and give some advice for future journalists. New Study Reveals Benefits of Coffee: Here's some welcome news as you drink your morning coffee. A recent study suggests a cup of joe may reduce your risk of dementia. WGCU's Kate Cronin and Cleveland Clinic Neurologist Dr. Dylan Wint explains why a daily caffeine boost could also boost your brain activity. Florida Road Trip Goes to The IMAG Museum: With a number of historic places right in our backyard, sometimes we forget to stop and reflect about the history and great venues around us. Florida Road Trip looks at two of those that you should have on your list when it comes to enjoying your time in southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NiVpFXeo-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NiVpFXeo-FdEsoD82.html 1474 2026-04-06T19:55:30.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-children-s-choir-for-a-cause/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/50ytmTTA/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Children’s Choir for a Cause For the African Children's Choir, the mission is simple. Unite millions of suffering children who cannot speak for themselves in a celebration of song. The group has helped thousands of children in Africa who are trapped in the cycle of poverty. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge attended a recent performance in Naples to learn more about the impact the program is having on the kids on stage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/50ytmTTA-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/50ytmTTA-FdEsoD82.html 254 2026-04-03T19:11:24.000Z yes Art Community Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/finding-medicaid-coverage-calusa-artifacts-and-children-s-choir-for-a-cause/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CPpUzLjz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Medicaid Coverage, Calusa Artifacts, and Children’s Choir for a Cause In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Finding Medicaid Coverage for Kids: In Florida there are over 4.5 million children enrolled in Medicaid. This ensures access to comprehensive low-cost health coverage and is a vital safety net for low-income families. However, pediatricians are not legally required to accept Medicaid for routine care, leaving some families to conduct extensive research to find a provider that accepts their insurance. It can also lead to weeks waiting for appointments or traveling long distances just for basic care. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Chris Johnson, founder of Bluebird Kids Health, about how finding Medicaid coverage has become a challenge for families. New Autism Therapies: According to the U.S. Health and Human Services, one in 31 children in the United States have autism. For some, speech can be difficult to learn. But with the help of therapy, it is possible. As part of Autism Acceptance month, WGCU's Teddy Byrne shares the inspiring story of a little girl who went from being non-verbal to talking non-stop. Calusa Artifacts: The Marco Island Historical Museum is preparing to say good-bye to a very special guest. The world-famous “Key Marco Cat” is a Native American artifact believed to have been carved somewhere between 500 and 1,500 years ago. WGCU's Janine Zeitlin caught up with cat experts and fans during a farewell celebration at the museum. A Children’s Choir for a Cause: For the African Children's Choir, the mission is simple. Unite millions of suffering children who cannot speak for themselves in a celebration of song. The group has helped thousands of children in Africa who are trapped in the cycle of poverty. WGCU's Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge attended a recent performance in Naples to learn more about the impact the program is having on the kids on stage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CPpUzLjz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CPpUzLjz-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-03T19:10:07.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/finding-medicaid-coverage-for-kids/ 2026-04-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dab9eMXg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding Medicaid Coverage for Kids In Florida there are over 4.5 million children enrolled in Medicaid. This ensures access to comprehensive low-cost health coverage and is a vital safety net for low-income families. However, pediatricians are not legally required to accept Medicaid for routine care, leaving some families to conduct extensive research to find a provider that accepts their insurance. It can also lead to weeks waiting for appointments or traveling long distances just for basic care. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Chris Johnson, founder of Bluebird Kids Health, about how finding Medicaid coverage has become a challenge for families. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dab9eMXg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dab9eMXg-FdEsoD82.html 475 2026-04-03T19:09:40.000Z yes Health / Aging Community https://wgcuplus.org/news/calusa-artifacts/ 2026-04-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tph1lZao/poster.jpg?width=1920 Calusa Artifacts The Marco Island Historical Museum is preparing to say good-bye to a very special guest. The world-famous Key Marco Cat is a Native American artifact believed to have been carved somewhere between 500 and 1,500 years ago. WGCU's Janine Zeitlin caught up with cat experts and fans during a farewell celebration at the museum. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tph1lZao-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tph1lZao-FdEsoD82.html 548 2026-04-03T19:09:11.000Z yes Local History History https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/songs-and-stories/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ABkVykcQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Songs and Stories American country-folk music traces its roots back 100 years to the 1920s, when European ballads crossed with blues to form a unique style of music all its own. Over the next century, the style may have evolved, but the messages and storytelling remain the same. WGCU’s Arts Reporter Tom Hall covers a recent performance that captured the spirit of the songs of old, now performed by the next generation of musicians. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ABkVykcQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ABkVykcQ-FdEsoD82.html 301 2026-04-02T19:59:02.000Z yes Culture Art Singer Songwriter https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/new-mural-honors-harlem-heights/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VjAbj70N/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Mural Honors Harlem Heights Harlem Heights is in the midst of a renaissance. New construction is bringing an abundance of family style homes to the region, and The Heights Career-Tech Institute is on schedule to open this fall. Meanwhile at The Heights Foundation, a new mural was revealed that captures the history and heritage of the community. WGCU’s Arts reporter Tom Hall learned how the site was able to bring artist Juan Diaz back for his latest creation, "The Growth of Our Beloved Neighborhood." https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VjAbj70N-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VjAbj70N-FdEsoD82.html 262 2026-04-02T19:58:44.000Z yes Culture Art https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/voter-eligibility-changes/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/unCwMs2B/poster.jpg?width=1920 Voter Eligibility Changes A federal lawsuit has been filed against Florida Governor Ron Desantis hours after he signed new state legislation that he claims will safeguard the election process in Florida. The law is a modified version of President Donald Trump's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. It would require prospective and existing voters to provide proof of US citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Andrew Garber, counsel in the Brennan Center’s Voting Rights and Elections Program, about what this could mean for voters in the upcoming election cycle. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/unCwMs2B-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/unCwMs2B-FdEsoD82.html 380 2026-04-02T19:58:18.000Z yes Politics / Legal Voting https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/voter-eligibility-changes-shaking-up-shakespeare-and-a-new-mural-honoring-harlem/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bWuu6Ik2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Voter Eligibility Changes, Shaking up Shakespeare, & A New Mural Honoring Harlem Heights In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Voter Eligibility Changes: A federal lawsuit has been filed against Florida Governor Ron Desantis hours after he signed new state legislation that he claims will safeguard the election process in Florida. The law is a modified version of President Donald Trump's Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. It would require prospective and existing voters to provide proof of US citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Andrew Garber, counsel in the Brennan Center’s Voting Rights and Elections Program, about what this could mean for voters in the upcoming election cycle. Songs and Stories: American country-folk music traces its roots back 100 years to the 1920s, when European ballads crossed with blues to form a music style all its own. Over the next century, the genre may have evolved, but the messages and storytelling remain the same. WGCU’s Arts Reporter Tom Hall covers a performance that captured the spirit of the songs of old, performed by the next generation of musicians. Julius Caesar Goes Gangster: The Laboratory Theater of Florida in Fort Myers is shaking up Shakespeare with their production of "Julius Caesar" where actors are trading togas for leather jackets and iambic pentameter for rap songs. WGCU’s Tom Hall got an inside look at how The Lab is making Shakespeare more accessible to a broader demographic. New Mural Honors Harlem Heights: Harlem Heights is in the midst of a renaissance. New construction is bringing an abundance of family style homes to the region, and The Heights Career-Tech Institute is on schedule to open this fall. Meanwhile at The Heights Foundation, a new mural was revealed that captures the history and heritage of the community. WGCU’s Arts Reporter Tom Hall learned how the site was able to bring artist Juan Diaz back for his latest creation, "The Growth of Our… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bWuu6Ik2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bWuu6Ik2-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-02T19:56:35.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/julius-caesar-goes-gangster/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JsxQHmaS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Julius Caesar Goes Gangster The Laboratory Theater of Florida is shaking up Shakespeare with their production of "Julius Caesar" in Fort Myers, where actors are trading togas for leather jackets and iambic pentameter for rap songs. WGCU’s Tom Hall got an inside look at the steps The Lab is taking to make Shakespeare more accessible to a broader demographic. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JsxQHmaS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JsxQHmaS-FdEsoD82.html 434 2026-04-02T19:56:03.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/women-in-law-enforcement/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/W3Fn3NpX/poster.jpg?width=1920 Women in Law Enforcement One officer is breaking down barriers in the world of law enforcement. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learns how Kristen Ziman defied tradition and fought through hardship to become a prominent officer. Join our continuing coverage of Women’s History Month with the story of Aurora, Illinois’ first female chief of police. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/W3Fn3NpX-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/W3Fn3NpX-FdEsoD82.html 393 2026-04-01T20:01:55.000Z yes People Law Enforcement https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/edison-award-spotlight/ 2026-04-01 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/HLc5MebU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Edison Award Spotlight Arthrex's mission is simple- to help surgeons treat their patients better. The company creates and manufactures medical devices, mainly used to treat orthopedic, or musculoskeletal, injuries. Two Arthrex products are in the running for an Edison Award for their innovative assistance. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez talks with Arthrex Spine Product Development Senior Engineer Nick Hilborn about how Arthrex’s tools improve the medical industry. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/HLc5MebU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/HLc5MebU-FdEsoD82.html 215 2026-04-01T19:44:39.000Z yes Science / Tech https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/artemis-ii-launch-glades-police-leadership-edison-award-spotlight/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oqkvhOVd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Artemis II Launch, Glades Police Leadership, Edison Award Spotlight In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Artemis II Launch: It's no April Fool’s joke- NASA is sending astronauts back to the moon. The Apollo missions took place over 50 years ago, but the Artemis II launch will break that streak. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Brendan Byrne, Central Florida Public Media’s space news reporter, to learn about what this groundbreaking mission means for the future of space travel. Glades County Law Enforcement Leadership: According to the Bureau of Justice statistics, women represent less than 14% of law enforcement officers throughout the United States. Departments are increasing efforts to bring more women into the field, and progress is being made in addressing the gender imbalance. That's the case in Glades County, where WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park spoke to one sheriff's deputy breaking the proverbial glass ceiling. Women in Law Enforcement: One officer is breaking down barriers in the world of law enforcement. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learns how Kristen Ziman defied tradition and fought through hardship to become a prominent officer, and leader of a department. Join our continuing coverage of Women’s History Month with the story of the first female Chief of Police in Aurora, Illinois. Edison Award Spotlight: Arthrex's mission is simple- to help surgeons treat their patients and find better outcomes that keep them healthy. The company creates and manufactures medical devices, mainly used to treat orthopedic or musculoskeletal injuries. Two Arthrex products are in the running for an Edison Award for their innovative assistance. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez talks with Arthrex Spine Product Development Senior Engineer Nick Hilborn about how Arthrex’s tools improve the medical industry. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oqkvhOVd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oqkvhOVd-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-04-01T19:43:13.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/glades-county-law-enforcement-leadership/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Qttc2A3M/poster.jpg?width=1920 Glades County Law Enforcement Leadership According to the Bureau of Justice statistics, women represent less than 14% of law enforcement officers throughout the United States. Departments are increasing efforts to bring more women into the field, and progress is being made in addressing gender imbalance. That's the case in Glades County, where WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park spoke to one sheriff's deputy breaking the proverbial glass ceiling. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Qttc2A3M-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Qttc2A3M-FdEsoD82.html 292 2026-04-01T19:42:55.000Z yes People Glades County Community Bureau of Justice https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/artemis-ii-launch/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/aCFvtLz9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Artemis II Launch It's no April Fool’s joke- NASA is sending men back to the moon. The Apollo missions took place over 50 years ago, but the Artemis II launch will break that streak. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Brendan Byrne, Central Florida Public Media’s space news reporter, to learn about what this groundbreaking mission means for the future of space https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/aCFvtLz9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/aCFvtLz9-FdEsoD82.html 374 2026-04-01T19:42:34.000Z yes Science / Tech NASA Artemis II https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/breaking-the-glass-ceiling-in-the-construction-industry/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TvTMhzKd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Breaking the Glass Ceiling in the Construction Industry The construction industry has been male dominated for generations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says women make up only 11% of the construction workforce. But that is changing in Fort Myers. WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports on new programs introducing women to the industry. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TvTMhzKd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TvTMhzKd-FdEsoD82.html 244 2026-04-01T13:28:59.000Z yes Business / Economics Bureau of Labor Statistics https://wgcuplus.org/news/women-in-the-police-force/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ziaqGGaC/poster.jpg?width=1920 Women in the Police Force One officer is breaking barriers in the world of law enforcement. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learns how Kristen Ziman defied tradition and fought through hardship to become a prominent officer. Join our coverage of Women’s History Month with the story of Aurora, Illinois’ first female chief of police. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ziaqGGaC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ziaqGGaC-FdEsoD82.html 675 2026-04-01T13:28:25.000Z yes People Law Enforcement https://wgcuplus.org/news/special-election-upset/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/25vOlPLd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Special Election Upset Sit down with WGCU’s John Davis and Jennifer Crawford to hear the important facts about Florida’s special election. Last week democratic candidates pulled off a stunning upset with two candidates who took over seats held by Republicans. This comes amid the backdrop of this year's mid-term elections and a special state legislative session set to begin April 20. Lawmakers will address a possible mid-decade redistricting map that they hope will result in Florida adding more Republican seats to the U.S. House. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/25vOlPLd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/25vOlPLd-FdEsoD82.html 309 2026-03-31T20:53:31.000Z yes Midterm elections Political analysis Politics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/special-election-upsets-women-breaking-the-glass-ceiling-in-law-enforcement-and-/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/W26NWTKi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Special Election Upsets, Women Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Law Enforcement and Construction Industry In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Special Election Upset: Sit down with WGCU’s John Davis and Southwest Florida In Focus host Jennifer Crawford for the important facts about Florida’s special election. Last week, democratic candidates pulled off two stunning upsets for seats formerly held by Republicans. This comes amid the backdrop of this year's mid-term elections and a special state legislative session set to begin April 20. Lawmakers will address a possible redistricting for the U.S. House of Representatives. Women in the Police Force: One officer is breaking down barriers in the world of law enforcement. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford learns how Kristen Ziman defied tradition and fought through hardship to become a prominent officer. Join our coverage of Women’s History Month with the story of one city’s first ever female Chief of Police. Controlling “Mom Rage”: Between school, sports, making dinner, and helping with homework, the mental load of being a mom is stressful. It can even push some to reach a breaking point. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne and Doctor Susan Albers with the Cleveland Clinic explain more about the psychology of motherhood and ways to stay healthy. Breaking the Glass Ceiling in the Construction Industry: The construction industry has been male dominated for generations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says women make up only 11% of the construction workforce. But that is changing in Fort Myers. WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports on new programs introducing women to this field of work, and a program at one company bringing them together. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/W26NWTKi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/W26NWTKi-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-03-31T20:39:23.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/no-kings-day/ 2026-03-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oqGNHNm8/poster.jpg?width=1920 No Kings Day Over 8,000,000 people are estimated to have taken part in more than 3,300 “No Kings Day,” protests over the weekend. All 50 states and even places in Europe held rallies in what is one of the largest coordinated demonstrations in recent history. WGCU was at several locations across Southwest Florida as people voiced their concerns with recent government activities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oqGNHNm8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oqGNHNm8-FdEsoD82.html 196 2026-03-30T19:37:59.000Z yes Politics / Legal Government https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/housing-market-shifts-and-iran-s-impact/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3iJfBTqS/poster.jpg?width=1920 Housing Market Shifts and Iran’s Impact Experts say prices are course correcting compared to post pandemic inflated prices. Mortgage rates ticked up to a record high for 2026 to close out March. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sat down with real estate expert Denny Grimes to learn how to tell when it’s time to sell. As Southwest Florida home sales continue to improve, there is one potential worry in consumers' minds. The ongoing war in the Middle East has complicated access to oil and driven up cost of living. WGCU’s News Reporter Mike Walcher investigates how rising gas prices could impact the residential market. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3iJfBTqS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3iJfBTqS-FdEsoD82.html 670 2026-03-30T19:37:20.000Z yes Business / Economics Government Mortgage rates https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/the-search-for-a-second-opinion/ 2026-03-30 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/F9T7hGlm/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Search for a Second Opinion Cancer is a leading health concern in Florida, with the state holding the second highest cancer burden in the United States. The Florida Cancer Data System estimates that up to 145,000 Floridians are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year. Over sixty percent of those cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 and older. WGCU’s Cary Barbor walks through the search for a second opinion- from over 1,000 miles away. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/F9T7hGlm-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/F9T7hGlm-FdEsoD82.html 238 2026-03-30T19:37:06.000Z yes Health / Aging Health https://wgcuplus.org/good-works/adaptive-bicycles/ 2026-04-29 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zeDI39on/poster.jpg?width=1920 Adaptive Bicycles It's recommended that school-aged kids and teenagers get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day. But for children with muscle degeneration, activities like running, swimming, or biking are easier said than done. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge spent the day with one local group that is making sure every child gets the chance to enjoy a daily session of play. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zeDI39on-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zeDI39on-FdEsoD82.html 184 2026-03-30T19:36:55.000Z yes Health Community Good Works https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/no-kings-day-the-search-for-a-second-opinion-and-iran-s-impact-on-the-housing-ma/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/IpsaywCD/poster.jpg?width=1920 No Kings Day, The Search for a Second Opinion, & Iran’s Impact on the Housing Market In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: No Kings Day: Over 8,000,000 people are estimated to have taken part in more than 3,300 “No Kings Day,” protests over the weekend. All 50 states and even places in Europe held rallies in what is one of the largest coordinated demonstrations in recent history. WGCU was at several locations across Southwest Florida as people voiced their concerns with recent government activities. The Search for a Second Opinion: Cancer is a leading health concern in Florida, with the state holding the second highest cancer burden in the United States. The Florida Cancer Data System estimates that up to 145,000 Floridians are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year. Over 60% of those cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 and older. WGCU’s Cary Barbor walks through the search for a second opinion- from over 1,000 miles away. Housing Market Shifts: Experts say prices are course-correcting compared to post-pandemic inflated prices. Mortgage rates ticked up to a record high for 2026 to close out March. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sat down with real estate expert Denny Grimes to learn how to tell when it’s time to sell. Iran’s Impact on the Housing Market: As Southwest Florida home sales continue to improve, there is one potential worry in consumers' minds. The ongoing war in the Middle East has complicated access to oil and driven up cost of living. WGCU’s News Reporter Mike Walcher investigates how rising gas prices could impact the residential market. Preventing Ticks: With the return of the warmer weather comes countless ways to enjoy the Florida sunshine. But if you're more of a woodsy person, there is one pest you want to avoid- ticks. WGCU's Teddy Byrne learned about ways you can fully enjoy a walk in the woods without worrying about any bugs hitching a ride from the Cleveland Clinic. Adaptive Bicycles: It's recommended that school-aged kids and teenagers get at least 60… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/IpsaywCD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/IpsaywCD-FdEsoD82.html 1541 2026-03-30T19:35:28.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/fighting-food-insecurity-in-southwest-florida/ 2026-03-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6CSyGFHy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fighting Food Insecurity In Southwest Florida Across Florida food banks are experiencing record demand. Many people are struggling to feed their families with rising grocery costs and federal cuts to programs like SNAP benefits. Feeding America reports that one in five children are food insecure. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains why more people are turning to food banks for their next meal. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6CSyGFHy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6CSyGFHy-FdEsoD82.html 271 2026-03-27T19:51:13.000Z yes Public Affairs Community https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/social-worker-shortages-fighting-food-insecurity-and-sarasota-pig-racing/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/SuBLcsMW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Social Worker Shortages, Fighting Food Insecurity, & Sarasota Pig Racing In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Social Worker Shortage: There's a growing crisis across the country, including right here in Florida- a significant lack of social workers. Experts say high burnout and retirement are contributing to the shortage. It’s been made worse by increasing demands for professionals in the field. We sit down with Dr. Tom Felke, director of the undergraduate social work program at Florida Gulf Coast University, to discuss the critical need for social workers. Fighting Food Insecurity: Across Florida food banks are experiencing record demand. Some are struggling to feed their families with rising grocery costs and federal cuts to programs like SNAP benefits. Feeding America reports that one in five children are food insecure. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge explains why more people are turning to food banks for their next meal. A Sneak Peek at Naples Pride: Get the inside look at Naples Pride’s upcoming Pridefest. Despite a pending lawsuit against the City of Naples, the celebration is on track for April 18. Naples Pride Board Member and Attorney Callhan Soldavini talks with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about the event. Refreshing Your Wardrobe: As spring arrives and the cold weather drifts away, now might be the perfect time to do some clothes shopping for the warmer seasons. But despite being fresh off the rack- should you give your new wardrobe a run through the washer and dryer? WGCU’s Teddy Byrne learns from Cleveland Clinic about the possible health benefits from a quick rinse. Sarasota Pig Racing: Spectators are going "hog wild," for a style of racing of a different breed. For over 30 years, one local family has been organizing pig races. It's become a fan favorite at events across Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Culture and Connections reporter Elizabeth Andarge saw that while it might not be the Kentucky Derby, it's worth a trip to see what’s… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/SuBLcsMW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/SuBLcsMW-FdEsoD82.html 1474 2026-03-27T19:49:57.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-sneak-peek-at-naples-pride/ 2026-03-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AXWYRFbK/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Sneak Peek at Naples Pride Get the inside look at Naples Pride’s upcoming Pridefest. Despite a pending lawsuit against the City of Naples, the celebration is on track for April 18. Naples Pride Board Member and Attorney Callhan Soldavini talks with WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford about the upcoming event. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AXWYRFbK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AXWYRFbK-FdEsoD82.html 311 2026-03-27T19:49:42.000Z yes Public Affairs Community https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/social-worker-shortage/ 2026-03-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LtrTjOgr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Social Worker Shortage There's a growing crisis across the country, including right here in Florida; a significant lack of social workers. Experts say high burnout and retirement are contributing to the shortage. It’s been made worse by increasing demands for professionals in the field. We sit down with Dr. Tom Felke, director of the undergraduate social work program at Florida Gulf Coast University, to discuss the critical need for social workers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LtrTjOgr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LtrTjOgr-FdEsoD82.html 427 2026-03-27T19:49:19.000Z yes Business / Economics Employment JobShortage SocialWork https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/sarasota-pig-racing-goes-hog-wild/ 2026-03-27 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2kK13hd4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sarasota Pig Racing Goes 'Hog Wild' Spectators are going "hog wild" for a style of racing of a different breed. For over 30 years, one local family has been organizing pig races. It's become a fan favorite at events across Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Culture and Connections reporter Elizabeth Andarge saw that while it might not be the Kentucky derby, it's worth a trip to see what’s called "pork chop downs". https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2kK13hd4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2kK13hd4-FdEsoD82.html 193 2026-03-27T19:49:06.000Z yes Culture Agriculture PigRacing Sarasota https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/high-school-theatre-productions-raising-the-bar/ 2026-03-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/sGOjnUzF/poster.jpg?width=1920 High School Theatre Productions Raising The Bar Young stars are shining bright on stage at Lehigh Senior High School this weekend. WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall details the performance of the smash-hit “Chicago,” elevated with incredible acting, live orchestra and a set as bold as the musical. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/sGOjnUzF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sGOjnUzF-FdEsoD82.html 436 2026-03-26T19:49:38.000Z yes Culture Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/ice-agents-join-tsa/ 2026-03-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/1v2MjJdD/poster.jpg?width=1920 ICE Agents join TSA The partial government shutdown is taking a toll on air travel as tens of thousands of TSA officers are forced to work without pay. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are deploying to 14 airports nationwide, reportedly to mitigate staffing shortages. Southwest Florida International Airport is the only Florida airport receiving the agents. WGCU reporter Youn-Joo Park spoke with travelers in Fort Myers who expressed mixed reactions to the federal presence https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/1v2MjJdD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/1v2MjJdD-FdEsoD82.html 312 2026-03-26T19:49:16.000Z yes Politics Government https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/fort-myers-integral-role-in-wwii/ 2026-03-26 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6LfJiSw9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Fort Myers’ Integral Role in WWII As America celebrates its semi-quin-centennial, we're looking at the role Southwest Florida played in American history. That includes one region which played a vital role in helping to save the nation during WWII. WGCU’s Mike Walcher reports on how the once sleepy backwaters of Buckingham became important to the war effort. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6LfJiSw9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6LfJiSw9-FdEsoD82.html 356 2026-03-26T19:44:46.000Z yes Science / Tech History https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/ice-agents-join-tsa-high-school-theatre-stars-and-fort-myers-role-in-wwii/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BzgvefYZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 ICE Agents join TSA, High School Theatre Stars, & Fort Myers’ Role in WWII In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: ICE AgentsJoin TSA: The partial government shutdown is taking a toll on airport travel as tens of thousands of TSA officers are being forced to work without pay. ICE agents are deploying to 14 airports around the country, reportedly to help with the TSA staffing shortages. Southwest Florida International Airport is the only Florida airport to receive ICE agents. WGCU reporter Youn-Joo Park talked with travelers who have mixed reactions to the presence of ICE agents in Fort Myers. High School Theatre Productions Raising the Bar: Young stars are shining bright on stage at Lehigh Senior High School this weekend. WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall details the performance of the smash-hit “Chicago,” elevated with incredible acting, live orchestra and a set as bold as the musical. A Sit-Down with the Players Circle Theatre: Tune into a conversation with Players Circle Theater President Robert Cacioppo and Associate Artistic Director Ted Wioncek about their upcoming season. From tear-jerking plays to classic musicals, they’re offering something for every taste. Fort Myers’ Integral Role in WWII: As America celebrates its semi-quin-centennial, we're looking at the role Southwest Florida played in American history. That includes one region which played a vital role in helping to save the nation during WWII. WGCU’s Mike Walcher reports on how the once sleepy backwaters of Buckingham became important to the war effort. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BzgvefYZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BzgvefYZ-FdEsoD82.html 1538 2026-03-26T19:43:03.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-sit-down-with-the-players-circle-theatre/ 2026-03-31 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8DIARtvF/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Sit-Down with the Players Circle Theatre Tune into a conversation with Players Circle Theatre President Robert Cacioppo and Associate Artistic Director Ted Wioncek about the theater's upcoming season. From tear-jerking plays to classic musicals, the duo is offering something for every taste. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8DIARtvF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8DIARtvF-FdEsoD82.html 316 2026-03-26T19:42:38.000Z yes Culture Fort Myers arts Arts https://wgcuplus.org/news/women-s-baseball-returns-to-action/ 2026-03-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bWlN3l6w/poster.jpg?width=1920 Women’s Baseball Returns To Action For the first time since 1954, a women’s professional baseball team took the field. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh was at JetBlue Park, which played host to Spring Training for the upstart Women’s Pro Baseball League. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bWlN3l6w-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bWlN3l6w-FdEsoD82.html 267 2026-03-25T19:57:29.000Z yes WGCU Baseball SouthwestFlorida FortMyers SpringTraining WPBL WomensBaseball https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/women-s-baseball-workplace-ai-and-immersive-scuba-3-25-2026-wgcu-news/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/by85mjZL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Women’s Baseball, Workplace AI & Immersive Scuba | 3-25-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Women’s Baseball Returns to Action: For the first time since 1954, a women’s professional baseball team took the field. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh was at JetBlue Park, which played host to Spring Training for the upstart Women’s Pro Baseball League. Skip the Snooze Button and Stay Energized: Are you hitting the snooze button every morning? Turns out that could have an impact on our regular sleep cycle. And if you deal with daily fatigue, WGCU’s Teddy Byrne reveals signs that it could be a more serious health concern. Maintaining Job Security in the Age of AI: As Artificial Intelligence infiltrates additional industries, staying ahead of the technological curve is a must. Dr. John Woods, Provost and Founding Director of the University of Phoenix Career Institute, shares how additional education and training can help your work skills avoid reaching “half-life”. The VR Experience of Florida’s Artificial Reefs: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has helped place over 4,500 artificial reefs throughout the State of Florida. One FGCU Student is looking to bring landlocked thrill seekers to the depth on one of the more popular scuba destinations with an immersive pseudo-underwater experience. WGCU’s Pam James has her story. Building a Power Grid for the Digital Age: A Bonita Springs company is earning major recognition for their efforts in the development of the first “virtual utility”. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez shares how the innovative work from e2Companies is being honored with a nomination for a prestigious Edison Award. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/by85mjZL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/by85mjZL-FdEsoD82.html 1519 2026-03-25T19:56:19.000Z yes Education WGCU BonitaSprings Baseball VR Health technology Sleep SouthwestFlorida FGCU AI ArtificialIntelligence Business KimberlysReef FortMyers ArtificialReef E2Companies Fatigue Power SpringTraining UniofPhoenix VirtualReality VirtualUtility WPBL WomensBaseball Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-vr-experience-of-florida-s-artificial-reefs/ 2026-04-28 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/g7jzhyXN/poster.jpg?width=1920 The VR Experience Of Florida’s Artificial Reefs Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has helped place over 4,500 artificial reefs throughout the State of Florida. One FGCU Student is looking to bring lack locked thrill seekers to the depth on one of the more popular scuba destinations with an immersive virtual reality-underwater experience. WGCU’s Pam James has her story. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/g7jzhyXN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/g7jzhyXN-FdEsoD82.html 291 2026-03-25T19:56:03.000Z yes WGCU VR SouthwestFlorida FGCU KimberlysReef ArtificialReef VirtualReality https://wgcuplus.org/education/maintaining-job-security-in-the-age-of-ai/ 2026-03-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/b0WZb8FT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Maintaining Job Security In The Age Of AI As Artificial Intelligence infiltrates additional industries, staying ahead of the technological curve is a must. Dr John Woods, Provost and Founding Director of the University of Phoenix Career Institute, shares how additional education and training can help your work skills avoid reaching “half-life”. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/b0WZb8FT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/b0WZb8FT-FdEsoD82.html 370 2026-03-25T19:55:42.000Z yes Education WGCU SouthwestFlorida AI ArtificialIntelligence Business UniofPhoenix https://wgcuplus.org/news/building-a-power-grid-for-the-digital-age/ 2026-03-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FdOffMjY/poster.jpg?width=1920 Building A Power Grid For The Digital Age A Bonita Springs company is earning major recognition for their efforts in the development of the first “virtual utility”. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez shares how the innovative work from e2Companies is being honored with a nomination for a prestigious Edison Award. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FdOffMjY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FdOffMjY-FdEsoD82.html 187 2026-03-25T19:55:30.000Z yes WGCU BonitaSprings technology SouthwestFlorida E2Companies Power VirtualUtility https://wgcuplus.org/news/understanding-signs-of-gambling-addiction/ 2026-03-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/OBDn6CgN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding Signs Of Gambling Addiction This year’s NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments are expected to include $3.3 billion in legal wagers. As phone apps make sports betting easier, they also lead to worries about an increase in gambling addiction. We are joined by Jennifer Kruse, executive director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, to learn about the signs of addiction. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/OBDn6CgN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/OBDn6CgN-FdEsoD82.html 341 2026-03-24T20:06:01.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Basketball MarchMadness Addiction Betting FCCG Gambling https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/gambling-addiction-new-fl-legislation-and-unique-burials-3-24-2026-wgcu-news/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uWY2J8i4/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gambling Addiction, New FL Legislation & Unique Burials | 3-24-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Understanding Signs of Gambling Addiction: This year’s NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments are expected to include $3.3 billion in legal wagers. As phone apps make sports betting easier, they also lead to worries about an increase in gambling addiction. We are joined by Jennifer Kruse, executive director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, to learn about the signs of addiction. A Look into Latest Florida Legislation: As Florida legislators continue to plan a return visit to Tallahassee to hammer out a fiscal year budget, Governor Ron DeSantis was busy signing multiple pieces of legislation into law. WGCU’s John Davis takes a look at some controversial components of a new bill. Then, WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park looks at local issues pertaining to Southwest Florida. Alternative Ways to Remember Loved Ones: Taking a unique approach to remembering a loved one, WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares how three families are immortalizing their family members in ways that celebrate the lives lived. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uWY2J8i4-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uWY2J8i4-FdEsoD82.html 1486 2026-03-24T20:04:46.000Z yes Florida WGCU RonDeSantis SouthwestFlorida Tallahassee Basketball MarchMadness Agriculture Addiction AfterLife Betting EternalGardens EternalReefs FCCG FLLegislature FarmBill Funeral Gambling Tattoo Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/alternative-ways-to-remember-loved-ones/ 2026-03-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WYfUKZYx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Alternative Ways To Remember Loved Ones Taking a unique approach to remembering a loved one, WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge shares how three families are immortalizing their family members in ways that celebrate the lives lived. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/WYfUKZYx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/WYfUKZYx-FdEsoD82.html 464 2026-03-24T20:04:28.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida AfterLife EternalGardens EternalReefs Funeral Tattoo https://wgcuplus.org/news/naples-business-boom/ 2026-03-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RmNaaKHw/poster.jpg?width=1920 Naples’ Business Boom Southwest Florida is known as a tourist destination and a vacationer’s paradise around the country and the world. As growth increases and businesses boom, major companies are taking notice of them. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Property Appraiser Matt Simmons about why businesses are setting up shops in Naples. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RmNaaKHw-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RmNaaKHw-FdEsoD82.html 694 2026-03-24T13:15:20.000Z yes #Business #Food #RealEstate #SouthwestFlorida #WGCU https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/the-race-for-an-edison-award/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wNOoC8hf/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Race For An Edison Award Since 19-87, the Edison awards have championed global innovation and honored the most impactful products in their categories. Its namesake, Thomas Alva Edison, invented the light bulb and many other technologies. He called Fort Myers home during his winters. This year's Edison award winners will be named right in the Fort Myers River District. Five finalists are from Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez introduces us to one of those finalists; the Fort Myers-based Addman Group. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wNOoC8hf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wNOoC8hf-FdEsoD82.html 194 2026-03-24T13:13:29.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/news/training-tomorrow-s-archeologists/ 2026-03-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U6eI3NJG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Training Tomorrow’s Archeologists Step back in time at the historic Mound House museum, which features artifacts from the beginning of Florida’s history. Join WGCU Documentarian Tom James for their first mock archeological dig, bringing students the opportunity to be fossil-finders. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/U6eI3NJG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/U6eI3NJG-FdEsoD82.html 228 2026-03-24T13:13:15.000Z yes #Archeology #History #MoundHouse #SouthwestFlorida #WGCU https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/surviving-allergy-season/ 2026-04-02 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kQWHpjWg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Surviving Allergy Season Allergy season is pretty much year-round in Florida. But when spring hits the Southwest, pollen levels reach all-time highs. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Elvin Mendez, an allergy and immunology specialist, to learn about keeping the seasonal sneezes and sniffles in check. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kQWHpjWg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kQWHpjWg-FdEsoD82.html 458 2026-03-24T13:12:46.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/naples-business-boom-the-race-for-an-edison-award-and-surviving-allergy-season-3/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/P1Pbhfew/poster.jpg?width=1920 Naples’ Business Boom, The Race for an Edison Award & Surviving Allergy Season | 3-23-26 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Naples’ Business Boom: Southwest Florida is known as a tourist destination and a vacationer’s paradise around the country and even the world. As growth increases and businesses boom, major companies are taking notice. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Property Appraiser Matt Simmons about why businesses are setting up shops in Naples. The Race for an Edison Award: Since 19-87, the Edison awards have championed global innovation and honored the most impactful products in their categories. Its namesake, Thomas Alva Edison, invented the light bulb and called Fort Myers home during his winters. This year's Edison award winners will be named right in the Fort Myers River District. Five finalists are from Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez introduces us to one of those finalists; the Fort-Myers-based Addman Group. Surviving Allergy Season: Allergy season is pretty much year-round in Florida. But when spring hits the Southwest, pollen levels reach all-time highs. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford sits down with Dr. Elvin Mendez, an allergy and immunology specialist, to learn about keeping the seasonal sneezes and sniffles in check. Training Tomorrow’s Archeologists: Step back in time at the historic Mound House museum, which features artifacts from the very beginning of Florida’s history. Join WGCU Documentarian Tom James for their first mock archeological dig, bringing students the opportunity to be fossil-finders. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/P1Pbhfew-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/P1Pbhfew-FdEsoD82.html 1536 2026-03-23T21:10:30.000Z yes #Allergies #Archeology #Business #CollierCounty #Community #Food #Health #HendryCounty #History #LeeCounty #MoundHouse #RealEstate #SouthwestFlorida #Spring #WGCU Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/when-basketball-is-more-than-just-a-game/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/O2YlRwoS/poster.jpg?width=1920 When Basketball Is More Than Just A Game When Basketball is More Than Just a Game: While most college basketball brackets are busted and broken, WGCU’s Elizabeth Andarge attended one local high school game that ensures all members of the student body are included. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/O2YlRwoS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/O2YlRwoS-FdEsoD82.html 189 2026-03-20T20:14:38.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida SpecialOlympics Basketball Community Inclusion FortMyersHigh https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-struggle-to-build-affordable-housing/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tsMs4J0L/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Struggle To Build Affordable Housing The Struggle to Build Affordable Housing: Affordable housing is one of the preeminent issues in Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh highlights a project in Naples that is looking to build more cost-conscious housing. Then we are joined by Becky Lucas of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties to learn more about how the program helps people in need. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tsMs4J0L-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tsMs4J0L-FdEsoD82.html 848 2026-03-20T20:12:46.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida LeeCounty AffordableHousing CollierCounty HabitatforHumanity HendryCounty Housing https://wgcuplus.org/news/discovering-american-history-in-new-performance/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FwChKQ7l/poster.jpg?width=1920 Discovering American History In New Performance Discovering American History in New Performance: WGCU’s John Davis introduces us to an all-new choral composition from the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers. It brings a forgotten Civil War story to life in an amazing musical performance. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FwChKQ7l-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FwChKQ7l-FdEsoD82.html 414 2026-03-20T20:10:05.000Z yes WGCU History SouthwestFlorida CivilWar SymphonicMastersingers https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/art-meets-history-conscious-construction-and-inclusion-basketball-3-20-2026-wgcu/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/nsRwSnzl/poster.jpg?width=1920 Art Meets History, Conscious Construction & Inclusion Basketball | 3-20-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Discovering American History in New Performance: WGCU’s John Davis introduces us to an all-new choral composition from the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers. It brings a forgotten Civil War story to life in an amazing musical performance. The Struggle to Build Affordable Housing: Affordable housing is one of the preeminent issues in Southwest Florida. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh highlights a project in Naples that is looking to build more cost-conscious housing. Then we are joined by Becky Lucas of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties to learn more about how the program helps people in need. When Basketball is More Than Just a Game: While most college basketball brackets are busted and broken, WGCU’s Elizabeth Andarge attended one local high school game that ensures all members of the student body are included. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/nsRwSnzl-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/nsRwSnzl-FdEsoD82.html 1518 2026-03-20T20:07:26.000Z yes WGCU History SouthwestFlorida LeeCounty SpecialOlympics Basketball America250 AffordableHousing CivilWar CollierCounty Community FortMyersHighSchool FortMyersSymphonicMastersingers HabitatforHumanity HendryCounty Housing Inclusion Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/a-look-at-the-origins-of-basketball-legend-larry-bird/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MlNeo1sS/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Look at the Origins of Basketball Legend Larry Bird The origins of basketball legend Larry Bird: WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits with author Keith O’Brien to discuss his new book, "Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle Larry Bird," and the highlights of the legend during his college career at Indiana State. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/MlNeo1sS-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/MlNeo1sS-FdEsoD82.html 737 2026-03-19T20:15:56.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Basketball Books CollegeBasketball DunkCity LarryBird MarchMadness https://wgcuplus.org/news/florida-rep-adds-puppet-power-to-latest-performance/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tt6oRlr2/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Rep Adds Puppet Power To Latest Performance Florida Rep Adds Puppet Power to Latest Performance: WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall ventured into the Florida Rep scene shop as they undertook a massive endeavor - bringing a massive puppet version of Audrey II to life for an upcoming performance of “Little Shop of Horrors”. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tt6oRlr2-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tt6oRlr2-FdEsoD82.html 756 2026-03-19T20:13:11.000Z yes WGCU Theatre SouthwestFlorida Arts Downtown FloridaRep FortMyers LittleShopofHorrors Opera Pavarotti https://wgcuplus.org/education/construction-underway-at-multiple-lee-county-schools/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/KEDRD9jn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Construction Underway At Multiple Lee County Schools Construction underway at multiple Lee County schools: Due to an increase in student enrollment and damage caused by storms, multiple Lee County schools are in need of repair and revitalization. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster details the projects underway across Lee County. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/KEDRD9jn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/KEDRD9jn-FdEsoD82.html 267 2026-03-19T20:10:58.000Z yes Education WGCU SouthwestFlorida LeeCounty Construction LeeCountySchoolDistrict StormDamage https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/mass-school-renovations-puppet-power-and-march-madness-3-19-2026-wgcu-news/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hjm1sFdh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mass School Renovations, Puppet Power & March Madness | 3-19-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Construction Underway at Multiple Lee County Schools: Due to an increase in student enrollment and damage from storms, several Lee County schools are in need of repair and revitalization. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster details the projects underway across the county. Florida Rep adds puppet power to latest performance: WGCU Arts reporter Tom Hall ventured into the Florida Rep scene shop as they undertook a massive endeavor of bringing a giant puppet version of Audrey II to life for a performance of “Little Shop of Horrors”. A look at the origins of basketball legend Larry Bird: WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sits with author Keith O’Brien to discuss his new book, "Heartland: A Forgotten Place, an Impossible Dream, and the Miracle Larry Bird," while highlighting the legend of the hardwood during his college career at Indiana State. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hjm1sFdh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hjm1sFdh-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-03-19T20:08:28.000Z yes Education WGCU Theatre SouthwestFlorida LeeCounty Arts Basketball Books CollegeBasketball Construction Downtown DunkCity FloridaRep FortMyers LarryBird LeeCountySchoolDistrict LittleShopofHorrors MarchMadness Opera Pavarotti StormDamage Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/understanding-the-latest-dinosaur-discovery/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bxgUZ5QF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding The Latest Dinosaur Discovery Understanding the Latest Dinosaur Discovery: University of Florida Postdoctoral Associate Dr. Stephanie Baumgart talks about her part in the recent discovery of a new species of Spinosaurus and why our passion for dinosaurs hasn’t slowed down. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bxgUZ5QF-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bxgUZ5QF-FdEsoD82.html 380 2026-03-18T20:22:02.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Dinosaurs Fossils Paleontology Spinosaurus UF University of Florida https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-effort-to-restore-an-historic-oyster-reef/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zy4QaSQC/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Effort To Restore an Historic Oyster Reef The Effort to Restore an Historic Oyster Reef: Behold the power of the oyster. WGCU Executive Producer Pamela James gives a look at the efforts to clean one Florida waterway by rebuilding an ancient oyster reef. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zy4QaSQC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zy4QaSQC-FdEsoD82.html 620 2026-03-18T20:18:32.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Ecology KimberlysReef Nature OysterReefs Artificialreefs ManateeRiver https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-rodeo-returns-to-swfl/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GeOJVMoJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Rodeo Returns to SWFL The Rodeo Returns to SWFL: It’s time to “Cowboy Up!” WGCU’s Eileen Kelly made her way to Arcadia for the return of the All-Florida Championship Rodeo to take in all the thrills and excitement. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GeOJVMoJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GeOJVMoJ-FdEsoD82.html 354 2026-03-18T20:16:51.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arcadia Cowboy DeSotoCounty MuttonBusting Rodeo https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/rodeo-returns-restoring-reefs-and-dino-discoveries-3-18-2026-wgcu-news/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hZjBNsmG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rodeo Returns, Restoring Reefs & Dino Discoveries | 3-18-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Rodeo Returns to SWFL: It’s time to “Cowboy Up!” WGCU’s Eileen Kelly made her way to Arcadia for the return of the All-Florida Championship Rodeo to take in all the thrills and excitement. The Effort to Restore an Historic Oyster Reef: Behold the power of the oyster. WGCU Executive Producer Pamela James gives a look at the efforts to clean one Florida waterway by rebuilding an ancient oyster reef. Understanding the Latest Dinosaur Discovery: University of Florida Postdoctoral Associate Dr. Stephanie Baumgart talks about her part in the recent discovery of a new species of Spinosaurus and why our passion for dinosaurs hasn’t slowed down. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hZjBNsmG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hZjBNsmG-FdEsoD82.html 1500 2026-03-18T20:13:08.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Arcadia Cowboy DeSotoCounty Dinosaurs Ecology Fossils KimberlysReef MuttonBusting Nature OysterReefs Paleontology Rodeo Spinosaurus UF UniversityofFlorida Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/fgcu-students-using-ai-in-new-business-concepts/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2yiaFlO9/poster.jpg?width=1920 FGCU Students Using AI in New Business Concepts FGCU Students Using AI in New Business Concepts: WGCU’s Kate Cronin swings by Florida Gulf Coast University’s inaugural AI Day to learn how students are looking to shape the future of business through new technologies. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/2yiaFlO9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/2yiaFlO9-FdEsoD82.html 195 2026-03-17T20:44:11.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida FGCU AI ArtificialIntelligence Business FloridaGulfCoastUniversity https://wgcuplus.org/news/legislative-session-ends-without-fiscal-year-budget/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EkWT3Vgx/poster.jpg?width=1920 Legislative Session Ends Without Fiscal Year Budget Florida's Legislative Session Ends Without Fiscal Year Budget: FGCU Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis discuss the end of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session in Florida, despite not passing a fiscal budget. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EkWT3Vgx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EkWT3Vgx-FdEsoD82.html 454 2026-03-17T20:39:51.000Z yes WGCU Budget SouthwestFlorida Tallahassee LegislativeSession Politics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/no-florida-budget-faith-during-disaster-and-ai-innovations-3-17-2026-wgcu-news/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DTtk7BUV/poster.jpg?width=1920 No Florida Budget, Faith During Disaster & AI Innovations | 3-17-2026 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Florida's Legislative Session Ends Without Fiscal Year Budget: FGCU Political Science Professor Dr. Sandra Pavelka and WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis discuss the end of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session in Florida, despite not passing a fiscal budget. Blessing the Vessels Restores Faith in Shrimping Industry: WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park attends Fort Myers Beach’s “Blessing of the Vessels” to learn how faith has played a role in rebuilding the hurricane-ravaged shrimping community. The Role of Faith in Fort Myers Beach’s Hurricane Recovery: Hector J. Cafferata Jr., elementary school principal and council president of St. Peter Lutheran, joins us to talk about how faith is helping Fort Myers Beach recover years after Hurricane Ian. FGCU Students Using AI in New Business Concepts: WGCU’s Kate Cronin swings by Florida Gulf Coast University’s inaugural AI Day to learn how students are looking to shape the future of business through new technologies. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DTtk7BUV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DTtk7BUV-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-03-17T20:35:23.000Z yes Florida WGCU SouthwestFlorida Tallahassee Hurricane FGCU AI ArtificialIntelligence Business Christianity Faith FortMyersBeach LegislativeSession Politics Religion Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/understanding-the-risks-of-colorectal-cancer/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VyuORw4b/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding the Risks of Colorectal Cancer Last year, more than 150,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Estimates show that nearly 52,000 will die from the disease. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Dr. Aleksey Novikov, an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s Division of Gastroenterology, to learn how to prevent it by living healthier. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VyuORw4b-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VyuORw4b-FdEsoD82.html 602 2026-03-16T20:17:13.000Z yes Health / Aging University of Florida health Colorectal cancer awareness University of Florida https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/gas-prices-the-beginning-of-inflation-in-swfl/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RSmAeOkT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Gas Prices the Beginning of Inflation in SWFL Gas Prices the Beginning of Inflation in SWFL: The war in Iran is costing you more at the gas pump. FGCU Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Victor Claar joins us to explain how high gas prices could be just the beginning of surges in the cost of living. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RSmAeOkT-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RSmAeOkT-FdEsoD82.html 642 2026-03-16T20:16:38.000Z yes Business / Economics Florida Gulf Coast University AAA https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/inflation-soars-lee-health-grows-and-preventing-colorectal-cancer/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/iw40yRgP/poster.jpg?width=1920 Inflation Soars, Lee Health Grows, and Preventing Colorectal Cancer In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Gas Prices the Beginning of Inflation in SWFL: The war in Iran is costing you more at the gas pump. FGCU Associate Professor of Economics, Dr. Victor Claar explains how high gas prices could be just the beginning of surges in the cost of living. Understanding the Risks of Colorectal Cancer: Last year, more than 150,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer - nearly 52,000 people will die from the disease. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne talks with Dr. Aleksey Novikov, assistant professor at the University of Florida’s Division of Gastroenterology, to learn how people can better protect themselves from colorectal cancer. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/iw40yRgP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/iw40yRgP-FdEsoD82.html 1461 2026-03-16T20:00:01.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/swfl-s-innovators-women-in-baseball-and-the-price-of-growth/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/NqLwtnV7/poster.jpg?width=1920 SWFL's Innovators, Women in Baseball, and the Price of Growth Join Jennifer Crawford and the WGCU News team for the latest episode of Southwest Florida In Focus. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/NqLwtnV7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/NqLwtnV7-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-03-13T20:00:08.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/beach-history-a-glance-behind-the-curtain-and-spring-break-in-swfl/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/7jWswore/poster.jpg?width=1920 Beach History: A Glance Behind the Curtain, and Spring Break in SWFL Join host Jennifer Crawford and the award winning WGCU News team for the latest episode of Southwest Florida In Focus. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/7jWswore-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/7jWswore-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-03-12T20:34:35.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/education/local-high-schooler-is-finalist-in-national-science-talent-search/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/f7HY1x0x/poster.jpg?width=1920 Local High Schooler is Finalist In National Science Talent Search Every year, The Regeneron Science Talent Search scours high schools across the country to recognize and encourage research projects. Thousands of students submit their work, but only three hundred finalists are selected. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez tracked down one Fort Myers senior, who became a finalist through years of research, all while representing her heritage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/f7HY1x0x-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/f7HY1x0x-FdEsoD82.html 251 2026-03-11T20:49:58.000Z yes Education WGCU SouthwestFlorida Biomedicine Dunbar FGCU HighSchool RegeneronScience https://wgcuplus.org/news/lee-county-law-enforcement-join-forces-for-special-olympics-torch-run/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3iUoMP05/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lee County Law Enforcement Join Forces for Special Olympics Torch Run The torch has been lit as locals came out in droves to support the Special Olympics. To kick things off, the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run brought together law officials from across Lee County to run and bike through a five-mile court. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh laced up his shoes and joined the fun before talking with Don Payne, Special Olympics coordinator with Lee County, to learn more about how the Special Olympics impacts more than just the athletes in our community. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3iUoMP05-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3iUoMP05-FdEsoD82.html 719 2026-03-11T20:44:23.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Athletics Family LeeCounty SpecialNeeds SpecialOlympics Sportsmanship Law Enforcement https://wgcuplus.org/news/why-swfl-residents-are-prepping-for-hurricane-season-in-a-drought/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TvHziWlG/poster.jpg?width=1920 Why SWFL Residents are Prepping for Hurricane Season in a Drought Despite a period of extended drought, Charlotte County residents are already gearing up for hurricane season. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park learned why some people are doing their hurricane prep work early, followed by Patrick Fuller, emergency management director of Charlotte County, who talks about what his county is doing to gear up for inclement weather. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TvHziWlG-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TvHziWlG-FdEsoD82.html 626 2026-03-11T20:39:51.000Z yes WGCU Weather SouthwestFlorida CharlotteCounty EmergencyManagement Hurricane HurricaneSeason Prepping https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hurricane-prepping-future-of-science-and-special-olympics/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EMXwanoU/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Prepping, Future of Science & Special Olympics In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Hurricane Prep Underway in SWFL: Despite a period of extended drought, residents in Charlotte County are already gearing up for hurricane season. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park learned why some people are doing their hurricane prep work early, before Patrick Fuller, emergency management director of Charlotte County, joins us to talk about how his county is gearing up for inclement weather. Rise in Adults Developing Allergies: Spring is in the air and, unfortunately, so is the pollen. Mold spores, tree pollen and even grass can lead to a variety of symptoms including sneezing, watery eyes and congestion. And even adults are at risk. The Allergy and Asthma Network reports that over 30% of adults deal with allergies and many are developing them later in life. The Special Olympics Connection with Lee County: The torch has been lit as locals came out in droves to support The Special Olympics. To kick things off, the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run brought together law officials from across Lee County to run and bike their way through a five-mile court. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh talks with Don Payne, the Special Olympics coordinator with Lee County, to learn more about how Special Olympics impacts more than the athletes in our community. High Schooler Recognized for Science Efforts: Every year, The Regeneron Science Talent Search scours high schools across the country to recognize and encourage their research projects. Thousands of students submit their work, but only three hundred finalists are selected. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez tracked down one Fort Myers senior, who became a finalist after years of research, all while representing her heritage. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EMXwanoU-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EMXwanoU-FdEsoD82.html 1504 2026-03-11T20:21:10.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/no-florida-budget-taliban-kidnapping-and-hunt-for-ufos/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4VliVzea/poster.jpg?width=1920 No Florida Budget, Taliban Kidnapping & Hunt for UFOs In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Florida Lawmakers Fail to Pass Fiscal Budget: The Florida Constitution only requires one thing from lawmakers during the legislative session, to pass a fiscal year budget. However, for the second year in a row, Florida Senate and House leaders are expected to adjourn with coming to agreement on a budget. WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis joins us to talk about the delay in the process and why lawmakers are still $1.5 billion apart. Tale of Survival from Taliban Kidnapping: In November of 2008, journalist and author David S. Rohde was kidnapped by the Taliban while working on a book. Rohde joined us to share how he escaped the dangerous situation and how it influenced him professionally. Is A UFO Coverup Happening in America?: Last month, former President Barack Obama made headlines when he said on a podcast that there were aliens, without having actual proof. Some took the comment as a joke, but extraterrestrial advocates saw the remarks as the latest example of a cover up. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne spoke with Ron James, a filmmaker and director of media relations with the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), to see if there was anything more mischievous behind the former president’s talk of aliens. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4VliVzea-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4VliVzea-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-03-10T20:30:25.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/is-a-ufo-coverup-happening-in-america/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/U6VLzVgb/poster.jpg?width=1920 Is A UFO Coverup Happening In America? Last month, former President Barack Obama made headlines when he said on a podcast that there were aliens, despite not having actual proof of their existence. While some took the comment as a joke, extraterrestrial advocates saw the remarks as the latest example of a cover up. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne spoke with Ron James, a filmmaker and director of media relations with the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), to see if there was anything more mischievous behind the former president’s talk of aliens. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/U6VLzVgb-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/U6VLzVgb-FdEsoD82.html 704 2026-03-10T20:09:50.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Abduction Aliens ExtraTerrestrials MUFON Obama UFO https://wgcuplus.org/news/tale-of-survival-from-taliban-kidnapping/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GGqSRuoI/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tale Of Survival From Taliban Kidnapping In November of 2008, journalist and author David Rohde was kidnapped by the Taliban while working a book. Rohde joined us to talk about how he was able to escape from the dangerous situation and how the moment influenced him professionally. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GGqSRuoI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GGqSRuoI-FdEsoD82.html 543 2026-03-10T20:07:13.000Z yes WGCU SouthwestFlorida Afghanistan DavidRohde Journalism Kidnapping MSNow MiddleEast Taliban https://wgcuplus.org/news/florida-lawmakers-fail-to-pass-fiscal-budget/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LDxrnAeu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida Lawmakers Fail To Pass Fiscal Budget The Florida Constitution only requires one thing from lawmakers during the legislative session, to pass a fiscal year budget. However, for the second year in a row, Florida Senate and House leaders are expected to adjourn with coming to agreement on a budget. WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis joins us to talk about the delay in the process and why lawmakers are still $1.5 billion apart in any discussion. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LDxrnAeu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LDxrnAeu-FdEsoD82.html 395 2026-03-10T20:04:28.000Z yes Florida WGCU Budget Legislature RonDeSantis SouthwestFlorida Tallahassee https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/avoiding-the-mistakes-made-during-tax-season/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/AFHgtuKD/poster.jpg?width=1920 Avoiding The Mistakes Made During Tax Season Before you know it Tax Day will be here. If you’re one of the people who waits until the last minute to file, you’re not alone. According to Turbo Tax, nearly 1/3 of all Americans wait until the final two weeks to file their taxes. A lot that can go wrong in the timeframe. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne chatted with Mark Steber, senior vice president and chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, to learn how you can avoid making a costly mistake and get the most from your return. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/AFHgtuKD-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/AFHgtuKD-FdEsoD82.html 522 2026-03-09T20:27:13.000Z yes Business / Economics tax https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/bringing-life-back-to-damaged-pickleballs/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uvsGJO0H/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bringing Life Back to Damaged Pickleballs It’s quick action, an intense workout, and a whole lot of fun. Those are some of the reasons why pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country. Participation is up 300% over the past three years with 20 million players getting involved across the country. However, that has led to the issue of broken pickleballs going to waste. WGCU’s Kate Cronin hit the court with an athletically-minded entrepreneur to learn about his ingenious recycling program to ensure the game never slows down. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uvsGJO0H-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uvsGJO0H-FdEsoD82.html 181 2026-03-09T20:18:12.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/finding-the-perfect-diet-and-making-it-stick/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/VkQpG7lW/poster.jpg?width=1920 Finding the Perfect Diet and Making it Stick Every year, roughly 45 million Americans will attempt a diet. Whether it’s Keto Friendly, Pescatarian or Intermittent Fasting, there are countless ways to revamp a diet and create a new plan for healthy eating. But is dieting for everyone? Are there steps people can take to stick to a new routine? Erika Graziani, a registered dietitian with Lee Health, breaks downs the mistakes people make when starting a new diet and how to build a menu you can’t wait to keep up with. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VkQpG7lW-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/VkQpG7lW-FdEsoD82.html 917 2026-03-09T20:17:01.000Z yes Health / Aging https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/the-brightest-minds-return-to-naples/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3IDCc5C9/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Brightest Minds Return to Naples Every year in Naples the Imagine Solutions conference brings together some of the brightest minds from across the country to share their groundbreaking breakthroughs. This year's marquee topics focused on Artificial Intelligence, American History and Medical Discoveries. For some in attendance, like George Barbee, the conference is a chance to learn something new and share new ideas with likeminded folks. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3IDCc5C9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3IDCc5C9-FdEsoD82.html 518 2026-03-09T20:16:24.000Z yes Business / Economics https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/healthy-dieting-tax-mistakes-and-pickleball-recycling/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JB8hPPyy/poster.jpg?width=1920 Healthy Dieting, Tax Mistakes & Pickleball Recycling In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Developing Better Eating Habits through Dieting: Every year, roughly 45 million Americans will attempt a diet. There are countless ways to revamp a diet and create a new plan for healthy eating. Erika Graziani, a registered dietitian with Lee Health, breaks downs the mistakes she sees people make when starting a new diet and how you can build a menu you can’t wait to keep up with. Imagine Solutions Brings New Ideas to Naples: Every year in Naples, The Imagine Solutions Conference brings together some of the brightest minds from across the country to share groundbreaking breakthroughs. This year's marquee topics focused on Artificial Intelligence, American History and Medical Discoveries. For George Barbee the conference is a chance to learn something new and share new ideas with likeminded folks. The Commons Mistakes Made During Tax Season: Before you know it, Tax Day will be here and if you’re one of the people who waits until the last minute to file, you’re not alone. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne chatted with Mark Steber, senior vice president and chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, to learn how you can avoid making a costly mistake and get the most out of your return. Keeping Pickleball Going through Recycling: Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country. However, that has led to a new issue: broken pickleballs going to waste. WGCU’s Kate Cronin hit the court with one athletically-minded entrepreneur to learn about his ingenious recycling program that is making sure the game never slows down. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JB8hPPyy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JB8hPPyy-FdEsoD82.html 1514 2026-03-09T19:58:08.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/drought-conditions-creating-perfect-wildfire-environment/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wjB37zLE/poster.jpg?width=1920 Drought Conditions Creating Perfect Wildfire Environment Firefighters have made progress on a massive wildfire that scorched tens of thousands of acres of land in Collier County. The consistent drought conditions have turned Southwest Florida into a perfect tinder box for blazes. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains even the smallest spark could trigger a disastrous inferno. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wjB37zLE-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wjB37zLE-FdEsoD82.html 466 2026-03-06T20:59:05.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/news/providing-a-path-for-homeless-teens/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CrayLFaC/poster.jpg?width=1920 Providing a Path for Homeless Teens Collier County is the richest county in the entire Sunshine State according to Tax-Watch. Another troubling statistic plagues the area: Collier is home to more than 1,200 homeless children. WGCU’s Kate Cronin shares how one group is providing kids with the tools and the shelter to find the right path. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CrayLFaC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CrayLFaC-FdEsoD82.html 225 2026-03-06T20:58:47.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/environment/the-environmental-struggles-of-the-manatee/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6Zc1D3qk/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Environmental Struggles of the Manatee Already this year over 60 manatees have died in Lee County due to cold stress from unusual frigid temperatures. Patrick Rose, executive director of Save the Manatees, joins us to talk about the recent ecological struggles manatees face and the important role they play in Florida’s waters. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6Zc1D3qk-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6Zc1D3qk-FdEsoD82.html 685 2026-03-06T20:48:30.000Z yes Environment / Nature Public Affairs https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/combating-wildfires-saving-manatees-and-catching-zzz-s/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kavxFD4p/poster.jpg?width=1920 Combating Wildfires, Saving Manatees & Catching Zzz’s In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Could the Drought Lead to More Wildfires?: Firefighters have made progress on a massive wildfire that scorched tens of thousands of acres of land in Collier County. Consistent drought conditions have turned Southwest Florida into a perfect tinder box for blazes. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles explains even the smallest spark could trigger a disastrous inferno. Youth Haven Helps to Fight Collier Homelessness: Collier County is the richest county in the entire Sunshine State according to Tax-Watch. Another troubling statistic plagues the area: Collier is home to more than 1,200 homeless children. WGCU’s Kate Cronin shares how one group is providing kids with the tools and shelter to find the right path. Manatees Facing Plethora of Ecological Dangers: Already this year, over 60 manatees have died in Lee County due to cold stress due to unusual frigid temperatures. Patrick Rose, executive director of Save the Manatees, joins us to talk about the recent ecological struggles manatees face and the important role they play in Florida’s waters. Maintaining Sleep through Daylight Savings: Are your alarm clocks ready? Daylight Savings begins March 8th, meaning come Monday, you’re going to lose an hour of sleep. What impact does a change to a sleep schedule have on the human body? We talked with Dr. Jose Colon, a sleep medicine specialist with Lee Health, to learn how a good night’s sleep can lead to a productive life. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kavxFD4p-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kavxFD4p-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-03-06T20:48:17.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/how-to-recover-sleep-after-daylight-savings/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ioqtIUyA/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to Recover Sleep after Daylight Savings Are your alarm clocks ready? Daylight Savings begins March 8th, meaning come Monday you’re going to lose an hour of sleep. What impact does a change to a sleep schedule have on the human body? We talked with Dr. Jose Colon, a sleep medicine specialist with Lee Health, to learn how a good night’s sleep can lead to a productive life. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ioqtIUyA-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ioqtIUyA-FdEsoD82.html 490 2026-03-06T18:38:05.000Z yes Health / Aging Science / Tech Sleep https://wgcuplus.org/news/president-herbert-hoover-s-connection-with-florida/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uqx38Uuy/poster.jpg?width=1920 President Herbert Hoover’s Connection with Florida The Sunshine State has a long history with U.S. presidents. Many have come to Florida for campaign stops or even vacations. President Donald Trump even makes his home here at Mar-a-Lago. However, one former commander in chief has direct ties to the early formation of Fort Myers. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sat with Spencer Howard, archivist with the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, to learn how a visit from the 31st President put The City of Palms on the map. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/uqx38Uuy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/uqx38Uuy-FdEsoD82.html 563 2026-03-05T21:19:41.000Z yes Fort Myers History America250 https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/cat-concerns-remembering-presidents-and-going-international/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/sYOz9c7L/poster.jpg?width=1920 Cat Concerns, Remembering Presidents & Going International In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Feral Cat Situation Takes Center Stage: Southwest Florida is facing a growing problem pf feral cats. It’s estimated there are more than 250 million feral and community cats in Lee County alone. The abundance of kittens is overloading local shelters and they’re turning to a new avenue for assistance… Broadway. WGCU’s Tom Hall went behind the curtain of a fresh performance of the classic show CATS, which is throwing it’s support behind the effort to control the pet population. Keeping the Legacies of US Presidents Alive: Tucked away in the small corner of the United States' “Southernmost City” of Key West lies The Little White House. This quaint domicile has played host to several presidents, from Truman and Kennedy to The Clintons. To remember the legacies left behind by former commander's in chief, the descendants of several former presidents reunited at the vacation destination. WGCU’s Pam James spoke to them about how their parents and grandparents helped shaped the country. President Herbert Hoover’s Connection with Florida: The Sunshine State has a long history with U.S. Presidents. Many have made campaign stops in Florida and even enjoyed vacations. One former commander in chief has direct ties to the early formation of Fort Myers. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne sat with Spencer Howard, archivist with the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, to learn how a visit from the 31st President put The City of Palms on the map. A Celebration of Culture from Around the World: The four corners of the globe came together at the Mercato in Naples for a celebration of art and culture at the International Fest. Eastern Europe, South America and Asia were represented in artistic displays. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge secured her passport for a visual journey around the world. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/sYOz9c7L-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/sYOz9c7L-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-03-05T20:57:47.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/feral-cat-situation-takes-center-stage/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wtLs7Hjr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Feral Cat Situation Takes Center Stage Southwest Florida is facing a growing problem of feral cats. It’s estimated there are more than 250 million feral and community cats living in Lee County alone. This abundance is overloading local shelters. They’re turning to a new avenue for assistance… Broadway. WGCU’s Tom Hall went behind the curtain of a new performance of the classic show CATS, which is throwing its support behind the local effort to control the pet population. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wtLs7Hjr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wtLs7Hjr-FdEsoD82.html 564 2026-03-05T20:57:20.000Z yes Art https://wgcuplus.org/news/keeping-the-legacies-of-us-presidents-alive/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/tAnyBKU5/poster.jpg?width=1920 Keeping the Legacies of US Presidents Alive Tucked away in the small corner of the United States' “Southernmost City” of Key West lies The Little White House. This quaint domicile has played host to several presidents, from Truman and Kennedy to The Clintons To remember the legacies left behind by former commander's in chief, the descendants of several former Presidents reunited at the vacation destination. WGCU’s Pam James spoke to them about how their parents and grandparents helped shape the country. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/tAnyBKU5-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/tAnyBKU5-FdEsoD82.html 424 2026-03-05T20:56:58.000Z yes Local History History https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-celebration-of-culture-from-around-the-world/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/W0AjmgQa/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Celebration of Culture from Around the World The four corners of the globe came together at the Mercato in Naples for a celebration of art and culture at International Fest. Eastern Europe, South America and across Asia were represented in artistic displays. WGCU Culture and Connections reporter Elizabeth Andarge secured her passport for a visual journey around the world. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/W0AjmgQa-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/W0AjmgQa-FdEsoD82.html 121 2026-03-05T20:56:51.000Z yes Culture Art https://wgcuplus.org/environment/the-efforts-to-replenish-depleted-mangrove-forests/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/en907BwK/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Efforts to Replenish Depleted Mangrove Forests South Florida was once acres of swamp, lined along the coastline by lush mangrove forests. However, since the 1940’s, it’s estimated The Sunshine State has lost 84% of those important coastal barriers. WGCU’s Samuel Brucker learned about the role these mangroves play during national disasters and the efforts being made to restore them to the local ecosystem. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/en907BwK-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/en907BwK-FdEsoD82.html 377 2026-03-04T21:28:50.000Z yes Environment / Nature Beach Coastline Mangrove https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/drone-deployment-mangrove-restoration-and-proper-grammar/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/lGrBMYE7/poster.jpg?width=1920 Drone Deployment, Mangrove Restoration & Proper Grammar In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Incorporating Drones into Law Enforcement: According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are over 400,000 certified remote pilots nationwide. In terms of aerial drones, there are over 850,000 registered across the country. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford shares how the technology is being adapted by local law enforcement beyond fighting crime. The Restoration of SWFL’s Mangroves: South Florida was once acres of swamp filled out along the coastline by lush mangrove forests. However, since the 1940’s, it’s estimated The Sunshine State has lost 84% of those important coastal barriers. WGCU’s Samuel Brucker learned about the role these mangroves play during national disasters and the efforts made to restore them to the local ecosystem. Avoiding Invasive Plants During Spring Gardening: As the cold weather gives way to the warmer Florida weather, many folks are looking for ways to give their gardens and front yards a fresh up. Before you head to the local nursey for flowers, it’s important to know that not all plants are created equal. Dr. Kimberly Moore, an environmental horticulture professor at the University of Florida, shares ways you can make be sure your garden isn’t harboring invasive species. Celebrating National Grammar Day: For all the linguists out there, “March Forth and Speak Well.” Today marks National Grammar Day. If you’re one of the people who frequently confuses “they’re”, “there” and “their”, you’re not alone. While AI programs are starting to help people “spell check,” some professors still feel that learning proper grammar is the best solution. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park spells it out for us. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/lGrBMYE7-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/lGrBMYE7-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-03-04T21:18:25.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/ways-to-avoid-adding-invasive-plants-to-your-garden/ 2026-03-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Oliui1Iv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Ways to Avoid Adding Invasive Plants to Your Garden As the cold weather gives way to the warmer Florida weather, many folks are going to be looking for ways to give their gardens and front yards a fresh up. However, before you head out to the local nursey to stockpile on flowers, it’s important to know that now all plants are created equal. Dr. Kimberly Moore, an Environmental Horticulture Professor at The University of Florida, shares tips and ways you can make sure your garden isn’t harboring any invasive species. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Oliui1Iv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Oliui1Iv-FdEsoD82.html 380 2026-03-04T18:24:43.000Z yes Environment / Nature https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/law-enforcement-utilizing-drones-in-unique-ways/ 2026-03-04 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/BiPOexGv/poster.jpg?width=1920 Law Enforcement Utilizing Drones In Unique Ways According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there are over 400,000 certified remote pilots Nationwide. In terms of aerial drones, there are over 850,000 registered drones across the country. But the use extends beyond personal enjoyment. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford shares how the technology is being adapted by local law enforcement beyond fighting crime. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/BiPOexGv-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/BiPOexGv-FdEsoD82.html 286 2026-03-04T18:24:27.000Z yes Science / Tech drones technology https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/could-iran-tensions-and-market-swings-affect-midterm-elections/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/02s0baeN/poster.jpg?width=1920 Could Iran tensions and market swings affect midterm elections? Renewed tensions between the United States and Iran have contributed to stock market volatility, including a 700-point drop in the Dow, not to mention rising oil and natural gas prices. We speak with an FGCU political science professor about whether economic uncertainty and foreign policy concerns could influence voter sentiment ahead of the midterm elections. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/02s0baeN-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/02s0baeN-FdEsoD82.html 325 2026-03-03T20:49:09.000Z yes Business / Economics Politics / Legal Midterm elections Iran United States tensions Oil price surge Political analysis Stock market volatility https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/iran-tensions-haitian-immigration-history-and-florida-s-nuclear-debate/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vpSzBmbt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Iran tensions, Haitian immigration history, and Florida’s nuclear debate Global tensions are rattling markets and raising questions at home. In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we examine how the latest conflict involving the United States and Iran could affect voters, immigration policy debates in Florida, and the future of nuclear energy. After the Dow dropped 700 points amid renewed tensions with Iran and energy prices climbed, concerns about economic volatility are growing. We speak with an FGCU political science professor about whether global instability and rising oil prices could influence the upcoming midterm elections. Florida is home to the largest Haitian population in the country. With Temporary Protected Status in jeopardy, many Haitian immigrants face uncertainty. An FGCU language and literature professor provides historical context on Haiti and explains what changes to TPS could mean for families in Southwest Florida. We also explore the push for nuclear energy. As Florida’s attorney general petitions the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ease licensing requirements for small reactors, advocates argue the United States may be entering a nuclear resurgence. An author and nuclear advocate discusses efforts to reshape public perception and bring atomic energy into mainstream culture. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vpSzBmbt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vpSzBmbt-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-03-03T20:40:50.000Z yes Temporary Protected Status Haitian immigration Florida Iran conflict Midterm elections Nuclear energy debate Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/science-tech/is-the-united-states-entering-a-new-nuclear-era/ 2026-03-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/DW1nFV6n/poster.jpg?width=1920 Is the United States entering a new nuclear era? Nuclear energy is gaining renewed attention as policymakers and advocates argue for expanded production. In Florida, the attorney general has petitioned the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ease licensing requirements for certain small reactors. We examine the broader push for a nuclear resurgence and how some advocates are working to reshape public perception of atomic energy through media and pop culture. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/DW1nFV6n-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/DW1nFV6n-FdEsoD82.html 848 2026-03-03T18:34:41.000Z yes Science / Tech Atomic energy policy Energy future United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear energy Florida Small modular reactors https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/why-haiti-s-history-matters-in-today-s-immigration-debate/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/24AnjPV9/poster.jpg?width=1920 Why Haiti’s history matters in today’s immigration debate Florida has the largest Haitian population in the country. As Temporary Protected Status faces uncertainty, many families are watching policy decisions closely. An FGCU professor explores Haiti’s history, the roots of migration to Florida, and the impact if TPS protections are reduced or removed. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/24AnjPV9-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/24AnjPV9-FdEsoD82.html 804 2026-03-03T18:33:36.000Z yes Politics / Legal Caribbean diaspora Florida immigration policy Haiti history Haitian immigration Temporary Protected Status https://wgcuplus.org/news/why-million-dollar-homes-are-appearing-in-lehigh-acres/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/w8CcY4ni/poster.jpg?width=1920 Why million-dollar homes are appearing in Lehigh Acres Southwest Florida’s housing market has shifted into a buyer’s market with increased inventory and moderating prices. Yet in LeHigh Acres, three homes are listed above $1 million. Real estate agent Denny Grimes explains what is driving higher end listings in the area and whether luxury pricing could spread across Lee County. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/w8CcY4ni-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/w8CcY4ni-FdEsoD82.html 497 2026-03-02T20:44:46.000Z yes Public Affairs Florida housing market Lee County housing Lehigh Acres homes Million dollar listings Southwest Florida real estate https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/florida-citrus-rebound-rising-cancer-concerns-and-lehigh-acres-luxury-listings/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/79G4jNS8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida citrus rebound, rising cancer concerns, and Lehigh Acres luxury listings Florida’s citrus industry is showing signs of stability after years of setbacks. Doctors are raising awareness about rare and rising cancers. And Southwest Florida’s housing market is delivering unexpected surprises. In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we examine new projections for the state’s citrus harvest. After a year without hurricanes and $140 million invested in technology and recovery, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates Florida will produce 12 million boxes this season. Citrus Commissioner Paul Meador discusses why growers are cautiously optimistic and what stabilization could mean for the future of oranges and grapefruit in Southwest Florida. We also share a powerful colorectal cancer survival story as cases continue to rise, particularly among younger adults. Dr. Alesky Novikov of the University of Florida explains why cholangiocarcinoma, a rare bile duct cancer, is difficult to detect and why adults over 65 face greater risk. We explore Southwest Florida’s evolving housing market. While overall prices have cooled and inventory has increased, three homes in Lehigh Acres are listed for more than $1 million. Real estate agent Denny Grimes explains what is driving high end pricing in an area traditionally known for affordability and whether the trend could expand. These stories highlight the economic, health and housing issues shaping Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/79G4jNS8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/79G4jNS8-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-03-02T20:43:32.000Z yes Bile duct cancer Colorectal cancer awareness Florida citrus industry Lehigh Acres real estate Southwest Florida housing Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/understanding-the-risks-of-rare-bile-duct-cancer/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rR3OWGrt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding the risks of rare bile duct cancer Cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer, is a rare and aggressive disease that primarily affects adults over 65. Because symptoms often appear late, early diagnosis can be difficult. Dr. Aleskey Novikov of the University of Florida Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition discusses risk factors, warning signs, and why awareness is critical for seniors and their families. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rR3OWGrt-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rR3OWGrt-FdEsoD82.html 652 2026-03-02T17:37:33.000Z yes Health / Aging Bile duct cancer Cancer awareness Cholangiocarcinoma Senior health risks University of Florida health https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/why-florida-citrus-is-showing-signs-of-stability/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FMS6PM52/poster.jpg?width=1920 Why Florida citrus is showing signs of stability After years of hurricanes and disease, Florida’s citrus industry may be entering a more stable phase. With no major storms last season and $140 million invested in new technologies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects a 12-million box harvest. Citrus Commissioner Paul Meador explains what is driving cautious optimism among growers and what long term recovery could look like for Southwest Florida agriculture. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FMS6PM52-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FMS6PM52-FdEsoD82.html 474 2026-03-02T16:10:59.000Z yes Business / Economics Florida agriculture Citrus commissioner Florida citrus Orange harvest forecast Southwest Florida farming https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/spring-training-returns-international-teachers-and-food-bank-necessities/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/A1Eq5LYu/poster.jpg?width=1920 Spring Training Returns, International Teachers & Food Bank Necessities In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Potential End for City of Palms Park: On March 5th, 1993, The Boston Red Sox officially moved their spring training home to Fort Myers with games being played at the newly constructed City of Palms Park. Many Red Sox legends walked onto the field, including those who broke the “Curse of the Bambino” in 2004. However, with a relocation a few miles south to Jet Blue Park, the former ballpark was left mostly dormant. WGCU’s Mike Walcher reports the future for The City of Palms Park looks bleak with a possible demolition on the horizon. Building the Business of Spring Training: With six professional baseball teams coming to Southwest Florida for spring training, the season is now busy as tourists and baseball fanatics escape the cold weather for a tropical version of America’s pastime. In Fort Myers, two teams, the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox, train a few miles apart from one another. For Executive Director of Lee County Sports Development Jeff Mielke, having these two teams in his backyard means Fort Myers is the hot spot for amazing spring baseball action. The Interactive Approach to Limiting Teen Drug Use: A recent survey, supported by the National Institute of Health, has found that drug and alcohol use among teenagers has remained at a five-year low. Part of the success of this trend has been local community efforts to inform youths on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. That includes the Drug House Odyssey. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster highlights the program, which shows teenagers the consequences of being involved with illegal substances. The International Effort for Finding Teachers: For over a decade, school administrations across the country have faced a growing series of issues pertaining to hiring teachers. One solution, begin international recruitment efforts to fill spots with qualified candidates from across the globe. WGCU’s Sandra Viktorova… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/A1Eq5LYu-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/A1Eq5LYu-FdEsoD82.html 1475 2026-02-27T20:50:58.000Z yes City of Palms Park Food insecurity Florida Fort Myers news Spring training Florida Teacher shortage Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-struggles-of-fighting-food-insecurity/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/csVzrehq/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Struggles of Fighting Food Insecurity It’s estimated that supermarkets throw out over 350 million pounds of food each day. According to Feed America, the retail sector is responsible for the majority of the 92 billion pounds of food waste in America each year. Many food retailers are partnering with local non-profits to turn their discards into donations. WGCU’s Youn-Joo Park explains that every organization has the necessary equipment to capitalize on those would-be food products. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/csVzrehq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/csVzrehq-FdEsoD82.html 137 2026-02-27T20:50:48.000Z yes Public Affairs Food insecurity Florida Food waste solutions Hunger relief Midwest Food Bank Nonprofit partnerships https://wgcuplus.org/education/how-international-recruitment-is-helping-fill-florida-classrooms/ 2026-03-03 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ElK4gIIC/poster.jpg?width=1920 How International Recruitment is Helping Fill Florida Classrooms School districts across the country continue to face teacher shortages. One strategy gaining traction is international recruitment. We introduce a teacher who came from abroad to work in Southwest Florida and explore how global hiring efforts are helping schools maintain classroom stability while inspiring students. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ElK4gIIC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ElK4gIIC-FdEsoD82.html 513 2026-02-27T20:07:41.000Z yes Education https://wgcuplus.org/news/inside-the-program-helping-keep-teen-drug-use-at-a-five-year-low/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TkMRvDkJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Inside the program helping keep teen drug use at a five-year low Teen drug and alcohol use has remained at a five-year low, according to a survey supported by the National Institutes of Health. Community-based education efforts are part of that trend. Drug House Odyssey gives teenagers a firsthand look at the consequences of substance abuse through interactive learning. The program aims to prevent risky behavior before it starts. WGCUs' Dayna Harpster reports. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TkMRvDkJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TkMRvDkJ-FdEsoD82.html 171 2026-02-27T20:04:44.000Z yes Public Affairs Drug House Odyssey Florida youth programs NIH survey Substance abuse education Teen drug prevention https://wgcuplus.org/news/what-s-next-for-city-of-palms-park-and-fort-myers-spring-training/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fvxNLrxQ/poster.jpg?width=1920 What's Next for City of Palms Park and Fort Myers Spring Training? City of Palms Park opened in 1993 as the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox and became part of Fort Myers baseball history. Since the team relocated to JetBlue Park, the stadium has remained largely unused, and demolition is now under consideration. We examine the park’s legacy and what its future could mean for the community. Executive Director of Lee County Sports Development Jeff Mielke discusses how the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins continue to drive tourism and economic growth during spring training season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/fvxNLrxQ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fvxNLrxQ-FdEsoD82.html 630 2026-02-27T20:01:52.000Z yes People Public Affairs Sports Boston Red Sox spring training City of Palms Park Fort Myers baseball Lee County sports tourism Minnesota Twins Florida https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/the-story-behind-fort-myers-massive-downtown-mosaic/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Jzn8Wzu6/poster.jpg?width=1920 The story behind Fort Myers’ massive downtown mosaic A 20-by-100 foot ceramic tile mural titled "An Alternative History of Fort Myers" spans the George Whitehurst United States Courthouse in downtown Fort Myers. Artist Barbara Jo Revelle discusses the two-year process of designing and installing the mosaic, which depicts scenes from Lee County history including the Seminole Wars and the Battle of Fort Myers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Jzn8Wzu6-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Jzn8Wzu6-FdEsoD82.html 239 2026-02-26T21:22:23.000Z yes FL Exploration Barbara Jo Revelle Downtown Fort Myers Florida public art Fort Myers mural Lee County history https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/olympic-pressure-southwest-florida-athletes-and-the-art-shaping-fort-myers/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/oIQ6ey4M/poster.jpg?width=1920 Olympic pressure, Southwest Florida athletes, & the art shaping Fort Myers What happens after the Olympic spotlight fades? How are Southwest Florida athletes and artists shaping what comes next? In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore the discipline behind winter athletes training in Florida’s tropical climate following the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. A competitive ice dancer shares how elite level training continues long after the Games end and what it takes to compete at the highest level. We turn to the psychological toll of global competition. Dr. Joseph McNamara of the University of Florida College of Medicine explains the mental strain Olympic athletes face and how resilience, identity and performance pressure affect even the most accomplished competitors. Southwest Florida’s arts scene also takes center stage. A production of "Newsies the Musical" at Fort Myers Theatre highlights a busy cultural weekend across the region. Finally, we examine the massive ceramic tile mosaic titled "An Alternative History of Fort Myers" installed on the George Whitehurst United States Courthouse in downtown Fort Myers. Artist Barbara Jo Revelle reflects on the two-year process behind the 20-by-100 foot installation and the history it portrays, including scenes from the Seminole Wars and the Battle of Fort Myers. From Olympic ambition to community art, these are the stories shaping Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/oIQ6ey4M-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/oIQ6ey4M-FdEsoD82.html 1474 2026-02-26T21:21:13.000Z yes Fort Myers arts Ice dancing Southwest Florida culture Sports psychology Winter Olympics 2026 Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-spotlight-on-the-swfl-art-scene/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Bznhevhe/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Spotlight on the SWFL Art Scene A unique and intimate performance of “Newsies the Musical” is taking center state at the Fort Myers Theatre. That’s one of the handful of performances and art exhibits that are marquee events for your weekend. WGCU’s Tom Hall gets in the spirit to preview the events that you won’t want to miss. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Bznhevhe-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Bznhevhe-FdEsoD82.html 382 2026-02-26T17:54:45.000Z yes Art Theatre https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/the-psychological-impact-of-being-an-olympic-athlete/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ihIVRqQM/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Psychological Impact of Being an Olympic Athlete Following the Olympic closing ceremonies, much of the focus has been on the teams and athletes that brought home medals for their countries. However, there has been growing discussions regarding the mental impact that being a high-profile athlete can have on the human psyche. Division Chief of Psychology with The University of Florida College of Medicine, Dr. Joseph McNamara, joins us to talk about the struggles that many athletes face and ways to implement a positive athletic mind frame for your life. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ihIVRqQM-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ihIVRqQM-FdEsoD82.html 612 2026-02-26T17:47:51.000Z yes FL Exploration People Mental Health Olympics Sports https://wgcuplus.org/news/winter-sports-don-t-stop-in-the-florida-sunshine/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/rvYAO1SL/poster.jpg?width=1920 Winter Sports Don’t Stop in the Florida Sunshine The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics might be in the rearview mirror, but that isn’t stopping the next batch of athletes dreaming of going for gold. Despite the tropical temperatures, Southwest Florida is home to some of those who still train to compete in the snow and ice. WGCU’s Dayna Harpster talks to a competitive ice dancer who is looking to pass along his skills that earned him recognition on the podium. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/rvYAO1SL-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/rvYAO1SL-FdEsoD82.html 176 2026-02-26T17:45:54.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/hurricane-tracking-saving-butterflies-and-a-cattle-drive/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/bKOivZNg/poster.jpg?width=1920 Hurricane Tracking, Saving Butterflies & A Cattle Drive In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: FGCU Vester Research Station Reopens: A dormant 2025 hurricane season allowed for some recovery throughout Southwest Florida. That includes the FGCU Vester Research Station, which suffered significant damage following a trio of major storms three years ago. Recently, the facility reopened and as WGCU’s Mike Braun learned, students and faculty are excited to get back to helping local waterways. How to Predict a Hurricane: The 2026 Hurricane Season doesn’t officially begin until June, but researchers at Colorado State University are already hard at work putting together their forecast for the upcoming storm season. At the center of things is Senior Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach. WGCU’s Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles caught up with the hurricane prognosticator to learn what it takes to create an accurate prediction model. Helping Florida Growers Battle Weather Conditions: Frigid temperatures, violent tropical storms and scorching heat. Those are just some of the elements that factor into the struggles in Florida’s agriculture. However, a new system looks to even the odds and give growers the tools they need to stay ahead of uncharacteristic weather elements. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez has the story. Lawsuit Aims to Preserve Butterfly Populations: Over the past 30 years, the North American Monarch Butterfly population has decreased by over 80%. Conservationists acted quickly to save the pollinator. In 2024, the species was designated as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. However, no federal protections have been put in place to help. Two groups have since joined together in a lawsuit to help expedite the process before it’s too late. Tierra Curry, a senior scientist with the Center for Biological Diversity, joins us to talk about the importance of the monarch butterfly and why they need our help. Keeping the Florida Cattle Drive Alive:… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/bKOivZNg-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/bKOivZNg-FdEsoD82.html 1534 2026-02-25T21:48:38.000Z yes Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/lawsuit-seeks-stronger-protections-for-monarch-butterflies/ 2026-02-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fyhpqFON/poster.jpg?width=1920 Lawsuit Seeks Stronger Protections for Monarch Butterflies Monarch butterfly populations in North America have declined by more than 80 percent in recent decades. Although the species was designated as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2024, advocates argue federal protections have not been implemented quickly enough. Tierra Curry of the Center for Biological Diversity discusses the lawsuit aimed at accelerating safeguards and why pollinator conservation remains critical. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/fyhpqFON-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fyhpqFON-FdEsoD82.html 448 2026-02-25T21:34:06.000Z yes WGCU News Butterfly conservation Center for Biological Diversity Endangered Species Act Environmental lawsuit Monarch butterfly decline Pollinator protection https://wgcuplus.org/news/new-weather-tools-aim-to-help-florida-growers/ 2026-02-25 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/vkdwLwWY/poster.jpg?width=1920 New Weather Tools Aim to Help Florida Growers Florida agriculture faces mounting pressure from extreme weather conditions, including freezes, tropical systems and intense heat. A new monitoring system is designed to provide growers with real time data to better anticipate and respond to changing conditions. WGCU’s Emma Rodriguez reports on how the system could strengthen crop protection and long term resilience. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/vkdwLwWY-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/vkdwLwWY-FdEsoD82.html 198 2026-02-25T21:26:18.000Z yes WGCU News Crop protection Florida Extreme weather farming FAWN Florida Florida agriculture UF IFAS weather Weather monitoring system https://wgcuplus.org/news/how-to-predict-a-hurricane/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/W8WUt3Cz/poster.jpg?width=1920 How To Predict A Hurricane The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins in June, but forecasting work is already underway. Researchers at Colorado State University are developing seasonal projections based on ocean temperatures, atmospheric patterns, and long term climate signals. Senior Research Scientist Phil Klotzbach explains how forecast models are built and why early outlooks matter for communities across Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/W8WUt3Cz-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/W8WUt3Cz-FdEsoD82.html 263 2026-02-25T21:21:40.000Z yes WGCU News Atlantic hurricane season Colorado State University hurricane Florida hurricane outlook Hurricane forecast 2026 Phil Klotzbach Storm prediction model https://wgcuplus.org/news/fgcu-vester-research-station-reopens-after-storm-damage/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/X1NjfvBP/poster.jpg?width=1920 FGCU Vester Research Station reopens after storm damage Following significant hurricane damage two and three years ago, the FGCU Vester Research Station has reopened. After a quiet 2025 hurricane season allowed for repairs, students and faculty are returning to hands on research focused on protecting Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. WGCU’s Mike Braun reports on what the reopening means for education and environmental monitoring in the region. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/X1NjfvBP-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/X1NjfvBP-FdEsoD82.html 225 2026-02-25T21:13:19.000Z yes Coastal research Florida FGCU news Florida Gulf Coast University Southwest Florida waterways Vester Research Station https://wgcuplus.org/news/could-property-tax-cuts-affect-local-services/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hDWfihce/poster.jpg?width=1920 Could property tax cuts affect local services As Florida lawmakers consider eliminating some property taxes, concerns are growing about how local services would be funded. Supporters say essential services such as police and fire will remain protected. Others are urging caution. Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell discusses the potential local impact and whether a balanced constitutional amendment could address competing priorities. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hDWfihce-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hDWfihce-FdEsoD82.html 440 2026-02-24T21:19:56.000Z yes WGCU News Florida politics Lee County news Local government finance Matt Caldwall interview Police and fire funding Property tax debate Florida https://wgcuplus.org/news/florida-house-advances-homestead-tax-proposal/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/TIykF9IO/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida House advances homestead tax proposal With weeks remaining in the 2026 Florida Legislative Session, lawmakers are debating a proposal that could eliminate some homestead property taxes. The Florida House has passed its version, but questions remain about long term fiscal impacts and the path toward a constitutional amendment. WGCU Reporter and Host John Davis explains what the proposal includes, how it could affect homeowners, and what happens next in Tallahassee. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/TIykF9IO-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/TIykF9IO-FdEsoD82.html 493 2026-02-24T21:19:33.000Z yes WGCU News Florida House proposal Florida constitutional amendment Florida property tax Homestead exemption Legislative Session 2026 Tallahassee news https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/property-tax-debate-amish-quilting-tradition-and-black-history-focus/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/3kba4zmV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Property tax debate, Amish quilting tradition & Black history focus In this episode, Southwest Florida in Focus examines the ongoing debate over property taxes in Florida, highlights a lasting legacy during Black History Month, and explores efforts to preserve a unique cultural tradition in Southwest Florida. The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is entering its final weeks, and lawmakers continue to debate a proposal that could eliminate some homestead property taxes. After the Florida House advanced its plan, questions remain about what it would mean for homeowners and local governments. WGCU Host John Davis explains the proposal and its potential fiscal impact. As discussions continue in Tallahassee, attention has shifted to how local services could be affected. Supporters say police and fire services will not be harmed. Others remain cautious. Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell joins the conversation to discuss the possible local fallout and whether a compromise amendment could address concerns. In recognition of Black History Month, WGCU shares the story of Dr. Ella Mae Piper, a community leader whose dedication to charity left a lasting impact in Southwest Florida. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge takes viewers to Sarasota County where Amish and Mennonite families have long preserved the tradition of handmade quilting. As younger generations show less interest, some worry the cultural craft could fade. Stay informed with WGCU News for in depth reporting across Southwest Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/3kba4zmV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/3kba4zmV-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-02-24T21:18:19.000Z yes Black History Month Amish community Florida Quilting tradition Sarasota County news Dr Ella Mae Piper Florida Legislative Session 2026 Florida politics Florida property tax debate Homestead exemption Florida Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwall Mennonite community Tallahassee politics Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/amish-quilting-tradition-faces-uncertain-future/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/gpTS6GNi/poster.jpg?width=1920 Amish quilting tradition faces uncertain future In a quiet corner of Sarasota County, Amish and Mennonite families have preserved the art of handmade quilting for generations. The intricate craft reflects deep cultural roots and community values. WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge examines why fewer young people are learning the skill and what that could mean for the future of this longstanding tradition. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/gpTS6GNi-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/gpTS6GNi-FdEsoD82.html 309 2026-02-24T21:18:03.000Z yes WGCU News Amish community Florida Florida cultural heritage Handmade quilts Mennonite culture Quilting tradition Sarasota County news https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/maintaining-health-through-better-kidneys/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zLopwVoC/poster.jpg?width=1920 Maintaining health through better kidneys It is estimated that 37 million Americans have kidney disease. Making matters worse, 90% of people are unaware they have it. If left untreated, kidney disease can lead to irreversible damage. Noted kidney researcher and president of the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Samik Parikh, talks about ways to keeps your kidneys top notch to help maintain overall body health. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/zLopwVoC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/zLopwVoC-FdEsoD82.html 474 2026-02-23T21:59:58.000Z yes Health / Aging Chronic kidney disease Dr Samik Parikh Kidney disease Kidney health Nephrology https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/return-of-the-swfl-ag-expo/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ofBcFWca/poster.jpg?width=1920 Return of the SWFL Ag Expo This week marks the return of the Southwest Florida Ag Expo. The annual tradition brings the thrills of amusement park rides and fair food with peeks into our agricultural past and present. Miriam Dotson, communications manager for the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, breaks down everything you need to know before you head out for the fun. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ofBcFWca-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ofBcFWca-FdEsoD82.html 542 2026-02-23T21:57:24.000Z yes FL Exploration Culture Agriculture fair Fort Myers events Lee County Fair SWFL Ag Expo Southwest Florida events https://wgcuplus.org/business-economics/how-to-prepare-for-2026-tax-season/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4knzjyDy/poster.jpg?width=1920 How to Prepare for 2026 Tax Season Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has big ramifications for anyone preparing to file their taxes. With new incentives and deductions, these changes will be crucial for anyone looking to get the most out of their refund. Mary Meador, senior volunteer engagement manager for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades County, breaks down these changes and offers insight to their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for low-income individuals. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4knzjyDy-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4knzjyDy-FdEsoD82.html 419 2026-02-23T21:54:50.000Z yes Business / Economics tax Glades County Hendry County Lee County United Way https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/a-life-changed-following-a-stroke/ 2026-02-24 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/hBZcKRiC/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Life Changed Following a Stroke Every year, 800,000 people suffer a stroke in the United States. For one woman, an unexpected health emergency led to her making changes that will impact the rest of her life. WGCU’s Cary Barbor learns how her story is one that should lead to everyone learning about the signs to detect a stroke. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/hBZcKRiC-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/hBZcKRiC-FdEsoD82.html 340 2026-02-23T21:50:43.000Z yes Health / Aging stroke https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/tax-season-kidney-health-and-swfl-ag-expo-2-23-26-wgcu-news/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/6ouGxTWn/poster.jpg?width=1920 Tax Season, Kidney Health and SWFL Ag Expo | 2-23-26 | WGCU News In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: SWFL Ready for Tax Season: Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has big ramifications for anyone preparing to file their taxes. With new incentives and deductions, these changes will be crucial for anyone looking to get the most out of their refund. Mary Meador, senior volunteer engagement manager for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades County, breaks down these changes and offers insight to their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program for low income individuals. Maintaining Life After a Stroke: Every year, 800,000 people suffer a stroke in the United States. For one woman, an unexpected health emergency led to her making changes that will impact the rest of her life. WGCU’s Cary Barbor learns how her story is one that should lead to everyone learning about the signs to detect a stroke. A Better Understanding of Kidney Disease: It is estimated that 37 million Americans have kidney disease. Making matters worse, 90% of people are unaware they even have it. If left untreated, kidney disease can lead to irreversible damage. Noted kidney researcher and president of the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Samik Parikh, talks about ways to keeps your kidneys top notch to help maintain overall body health. SWFL Ag Expo Returns: This week marks the return of the Southwest Florida Ag Expo. This annual tradition brings the thrills of amusement park rides and fair food with peeks into our agricultural past and present. Miriam Dotson, communications manager for the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, breaks down everything you need to know before you head out for the fun. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/6ouGxTWn-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/6ouGxTWn-FdEsoD82.html 1515 2026-02-23T21:20:28.000Z yes stroke Kidney disease Property tax debate Florida Agriculture Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-legal-fight-against-alligator-alcatraz/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ngG6iOHq/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Legal Fight Against Alligator Alcatraz The United States Courthouse in Fort Myers was the home for a legal showdown between the Immigration Detention Center, known as Alligator Alcatraz, and several former detainees. They testified about the inability to obtain legal counseling and the punishment received if they asked for representation. The group is are part of one of two lawsuits against the detention facility. The second targets the environmental impact Alligator Alcatraz is having on the surrounding fragile ecosystem. WGCU’s Kate Cronin details a recent win the environmental case against the state. WUSF’s Meghan Bowman talks with WGCU's Jennifer Crawford about the concerns the facility is having on the protected wetlands. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ngG6iOHq-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ngG6iOHq-FdEsoD82.html 615 2026-02-23T16:31:13.000Z yes Immigration Environment AlligatorAlcatraz WUSF https://wgcuplus.org/news/nascar-s-josh-williams-revved-up-for-new-season/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/XqwNivNx/poster.jpg?width=1920 NASCAR’s Josh Williams Revved Up for New Season Very few states allow stock car drivers to chase their dreams like Florida. The annual NASCAR season kicks off at the Daytona Speedway. For Port Charlotte hometown legend Josh Williams, there’s no place like the Sunshine State to kick off a new season, which offers a fresh start. After being released by his team midseason last year, Williams joined with a familiar racing family to remain one of the fan favorite competitors on the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series circuit. WGCU’s Teddy Byrne caught up with Williams to talk about how his experiences have led to him being a leader on and off the track. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/XqwNivNx-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/XqwNivNx-FdEsoD82.html 500 2026-02-23T16:25:02.000Z yes NASCAR Stock Car https://wgcuplus.org/environment/unexpected-blue-green-algae-bloom-manifests-during-winter/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RolfHmCJ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Unexpected Blue-Green Algae Bloom Manifests During Winter During South Florida summers, the threat of toxic blue-green algae persists when warm temperatures and heavy rainfall create the perfect concoction that drives nutrients into the water and sparking blooms. Recent images show an unusual sight, patches of cyanobacteria already emerging despite cold weather and an extensive drought. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles investigates how this bloom has defied climate odds to bring the blue-green algae season to Southwest Florida earlier than anticipated. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RolfHmCJ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/RolfHmCJ-FdEsoD82.html 476 2026-02-20T18:19:53.000Z yes Environment / Nature Blue-Green Algae Algae Water Quality https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/a-celebration-of-swfl-black-culture/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/mKlEO517/poster.jpg?width=1920 A Celebration of SWFL Black Culture In 1926, “The Father of Black History” Carter G. Woodson founded the program that would evolve into Black History Month. To commemorate the centennial celebration, The Lee County Black Historical Society hosted an annual gathering in hope of connecting generations and inspiring hope. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh was at the event which put on a full display of the historical movement of the black community. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/mKlEO517-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/mKlEO517-FdEsoD82.html 254 2026-02-20T17:33:52.000Z yes Culture Black History Black History Month Lee County Black Historical Society https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/blue-green-algae-returns-early-florida-legislative-update-and-the-battle-of-fort/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/ClyWExnd/poster.jpg?width=1920 Blue-Green algae returns early, Florida legislative update & the Battle of Fort Myers In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Blue-Green Algae Makes a Surprising Return: During South Florida summers, the threat of toxic blue-green algae persists when warm temperatures and heavy rainfall create the perfect concoction that drives nutrients into the water and sparking blooms. Recent images show an unusual sight, patches of cyanobacteria already emerging despite cold weather and an extensive drought. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles investigates how this bloom has defied the climate odds to bring the blue-green algae season to Southwest Florida earlier than anticipated. What’s Happening in Tallahassee: The 2026 Florida Legislative Session has wrapped up week six and yet state house and senate lawmakers are nowhere close to passing a budget for the fiscal year. At the center of attention is proposed legislation that could impact what low-wage workers in Florida are being paid, as well as those in need of unemployment. WGCU’s Reporter and Host John Davis breaks down all the happenings from a busy week in Tallahassee New Treatment Options for Menopause: For more than two decades, The Food and Drug Administration implemented a “Black Box Warning” on Menopausal Hormone Therapy. The belief was that the treatment greatly increased the risk of breast cancer in women going through menopause. Recent studies have debunked the myth and the FDA has lifted the warning. WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports this now opens the door for women to have new treatment options while dealing with menopause symptoms. A Black History Month Celebration: In 1926, “The Father of Black History” Carter G. Woodson founded the program that would evolve into Black History Month. To commemorate the centennial celebration, The Lee County Black Historical Society hosted an annual gathering in hopes of connecting generations and inspiring hope. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh was at the event which put on a full display of the… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ClyWExnd-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/ClyWExnd-FdEsoD82.html 1535 2026-02-20T17:32:39.000Z yes Florida Legislative Session FDA Menopause Black History Black History Month Blue-Green Algae Environment The Civil War Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-battle-of-fort-myers-impact-on-the-civil-war/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/wvIpLRng/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Battle of Fort Myers’ Impact on The Civil War It has been 161 years since the “southernmost land battle” of the American Civil War took place in Southwest Florida. February 20th, 1865 saw a small contingency of Union soldiers defend their base from encroaching Confederate soldiers in a conflict that would become “The Battle of Fort Myers.” WGCU’s Mike Walcher showcases how new technology brings people closer to history and offers insight into what the world was like during the infancy of Fort Myers. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/wvIpLRng-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/wvIpLRng-FdEsoD82.html 288 2026-02-20T17:32:24.000Z yes Local History Civil War Southernmost Land Battle America 250 https://wgcuplus.org/health-aging/fda-changes-offer-new-therapy-options-for-menopause-symptoms/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/LXxH1ou0/poster.jpg?width=1920 FDA Changes Offer New Therapy Options for Menopause Symptoms For more than two decades, the Food and Drug Administration implemented a “Black Box Warning” on Menopause Hormone Therapy. The belief was using the treatment greatly increased the risk of breast cancer in women going through menopause. However, recent studies have debunked the myth and the FDA has since lifted the warning. WGCU’s Kate Cronin reports this now opens the door for women to have new treatment options while dealing with menopause symptoms. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/LXxH1ou0-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/LXxH1ou0-FdEsoD82.html 246 2026-02-20T17:32:11.000Z yes Health / Aging FDA Health Menopause https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/proposals-could-change-unemployment-and-low-wage-workers/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FrhCEPFf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Proposals Could Change Unemployment & Low-Wage Workers The 2026 Florida Legislative Session has wrapped up week six and yet State House and Senate Lawmakers are nowhere close to passing a budget for the fiscal year. At the center of attention is proposed legislation that could impact what low-wage workers in Florida are being paid, as well as those in need of unemployment. WGCU’s Reporter and Host John Davis breaks down a busy week in Tallahassee. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/FrhCEPFf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/FrhCEPFf-FdEsoD82.html 367 2026-02-20T17:31:53.000Z yes Politics / Legal Florida Legislative Session Unemployment legislation Minimum Wage https://wgcuplus.org/fl-exploration/experience-the-story-of-titanic-an-immersive-voyage-through-vr-technology/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/irm56JBZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Experience the story of Titanic: An Immersive Voyage through VR technology A new exhibit in Tampa gives viewers a chance to walk through the Titanic. With to-scale room recreation, detailed projections, and numerous rescued artifacts, "Titanic: An Immersive Voyage" puts you in the shoes of a passenger. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Executive Producer John Zaller about the exposition’s cutting-edge VR technology, which concludes with the experience of diving to the bottom of the ocean to explore the modern shipwreck. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/irm56JBZ-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/irm56JBZ-FdEsoD82.html 611 2026-02-13T19:21:51.000Z yes FL Exploration Immersive Titanic VR Titanic technology History Science https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/protests-held-in-response-to-ice-activity/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/8FZtZVMf/poster.jpg?width=1920 Protests held in response to ICE activity This week saw a varied public response following the death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse shot and killed by US Customs and Border Protection agents while protesting in Minnesota. WGCU’s Kate Cronin covers the Florida Gulf Coast University campus where students stepped out of class to protest the 287(g) agreement. The mandated program gives university police the ability to detain students for potential deportation. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/8FZtZVMf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/8FZtZVMf-FdEsoD82.html 124 2026-02-13T19:21:45.000Z yes Politics / Legal ICE Protest US Customs and Border Protection FGCU https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/february-13-2026-wgcu-news-full-episode/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/eN7V7szI/poster.jpg?width=1920 February 13, 2026 WGCU News Full Episode In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: Baseball player saved from heart attack, and a new cardiac health program: Every forty seconds, someone in the United States suffers a heart attack. WGCU’s Bryan Montheil shares the story on how changes in technology and the quick thinking of a bystander helped save one man who experienced an unexpected heart attack. Then, we sit down with the director of Lee Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Marion Harris Baxter, and WGCU’s own Managing Editor Mike Braun. After a chance discovery, Braun went through the program and talks about what he learned. Prayer vigils and protests held in response to ICE activity: This week saw a varying public response following the death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse shot and killed by US Customs and Border Protection agents while protesting in Minnesota. WGCU’s Kate Cronin covers the Florida Gulf Coast University campus where students stepped out of class to protest the 287(g) agreement. The state-mandated program gives university police the ability to detain students for potential deportation. In Naples, WGCU’s Michael Hayslip details a vigil commemorating the passing of Pretti. Experience the "Titanic: An Immersive Voyage" through VR technology: A new exhibit in Tampa gives viewers a chance to walk through the Titanic. With to-scale room recreations, detailed projections, and numerous rescued artifacts, "Titanic: An Immersive Voyage" puts you in the shoes of a passenger. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford talks with Executive Producer John Zaller about the exposition’s cutting-edge VR technology, which concludes with the experience of diving to the bottom of the ocean to explore the modern shipwreck. The unique challenges of dating in Southwest Florida: Valentine’s Day weekend brings a dating expert to share where to look for a partner. April Davis, founder of Luma Luxy Matchmaking, explains how the distinctive demographic of Southwest… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/eN7V7szI-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/eN7V7szI-FdEsoD82.html 1554 2026-02-13T19:20:36.000Z yes ICE Titanic Protest Baseball VR Valentine’s Day heart attack FGCU Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/news/the-unique-challenges-of-dating-in-southwest-florida/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/EpRRg1tf/poster.jpg?width=1920 The unique challenges of dating in Southwest Florida Valentine’s Day weekend brings a dating expert to share where to look for a partner. April Davis, founder of Luma Luxy Matchmaking, explains how the distinctive demographic of Southwest Florida can make dating a challenge. WGCU’s Jennifer Crawford asks the important questions like how to spot red flags, the best activities to spark connections, and the effect of dating apps. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/EpRRg1tf-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/EpRRg1tf-FdEsoD82.html 602 2026-02-13T19:20:09.000Z yes Lifestyle Valentine’s Day Matchmaking Love https://wgcuplus.org/news/baseball-player-saved-from-heart-attack-with-defibrillator-plus-a-new-cardiac-he/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/o7qf1hG8/poster.jpg?width=1920 Baseball player saved from heart attack with defibrillator plus a new cardiac health program Every forty seconds, someone in the United States suffers a heart attack. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh shares a story on how changes in technology and the quick thinking of a bystander helped save one man who experienced an unexpected heart attack. Then we sit down with the director of Lee Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, Marion Harris Baxter, and WGCU’s own Managing Editor Mike Braun. After a chance discovery of a 95% arterial blockage, Braun went through the program and speaks on what he learned. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/o7qf1hG8-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/o7qf1hG8-FdEsoD82.html 514 2026-02-13T19:19:44.000Z yes heart attack cardiac health defibrillator Health Aging Lee Health https://wgcuplus.org/news/bringing-the-buccaneers-to-tampa-bay/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/skxXuiLh/poster.jpg?width=1920 Bringing The Buccaneers to Tampa Bay The Super Bowl is once again expected to break the record for the most viewed television program in history. While New England and Seattle will be the center of attention, Florida has a well-established connection with professional football. 50 years ago, one local man was instrumental in helping ensure that Tampa would be a perfect location for a Tampa Bay franchise. WGCU’s Bryant Monteilh tackles the story. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/skxXuiLh-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/skxXuiLh-FdEsoD82.html 240 2026-02-13T14:13:21.000Z yes Buccaneers Tampa Bay Tampa Bay Buccaneers Football https://wgcuplus.org/politics-legal/understanding-the-hard-choice-of-self-deportation/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/kNNCgs5D/poster.jpg?width=1920 Understanding the Hard Choice of Self-Deportation As the federal government continues their efforts against perceived illegal immigration, the US Department of Homeland Security has reported that nearly 1.9 million people have agreed to self-deport over the past year. Individuals are choosing to depart on their own in order to avoid arrest, which could lead to bans on their possible re-entry back into the United States. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge spoke to a woman who is choosing to take her family back to Central America following her husband’s detainment by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then, we are joined by immigration attorney Indera DeMine to learn more about the issues migrants are dealing with in the current legal system. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/kNNCgs5D-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/kNNCgs5D-FdEsoD82.html 786 2026-02-12T16:18:35.000Z yes Politics / Legal Immigration ICE Homeland Security https://wgcuplus.org/southwest-florida-in-focus/migrants-are-self-deporting-a-potentially-bad-wildfire-season/ 2026-04-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4uEYpvYV/poster.jpg?width=1920 Migrants are self-deporting, a potentially bad wildfire season In this episode of Southwest Florida in Focus, we explore compelling local stories shaping our community: The Legalities Behind Self-Deportation for Immigrants: As the federal government continues efforts against perceived illegal immigration, the US Department of Homeland Security has reported that nearly 1.9 million people have agreed to self-deport this past year. Individuals are choosing to depart on their own in order to avoid arrest. This could lead to bans on their possible re-entry back into the United States. WGCU’s Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge spoke to one woman who is choosing to take her family back to Central America following her husband’s detainment by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then, we are joined by immigration attorney Indera DeMine to learn more about the issues migrants are dealing with in the current legal system. SWFL Primed for Bad Wildfire Season: According to a weather summary from the National Weather Service, 2025 was the driest year in over a decade for the Sunshine State. The lack of precipitation has been felt hard in Southwest Florida where current extreme drought conditions are the worst since 2001. WGCU Senior Environmental reporter Tom Bayles attended a gathering of local public safety agencies, who discussed how these dry conditions could have ramifications for the incoming brush fire season. Baker Museum Looks Back At The Age of Art Deco: 100 years ago, the glamorous and opulent styles of Art Deco made its way across the pond and into the American art scene. One of the most prominent artists of that time was Tamara De Lempicka, renowned for her highly stylized paintings. She is one of the focal points of an exhibition at the Baker Museum of Art, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Art Deco. WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall details how this show wouldn’t have been possible without the lifelong passion for art collection of Jay and Patty Baker. How The Buccaneers Got to Tampa Bay: The… https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4uEYpvYV-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4uEYpvYV-FdEsoD82.html 1555 2026-02-06T23:30:00.000Z yes ICE Baker Museum Art Deco exhibition Southwest Florida wildfire season Tampa Bay Buccaneers self deportation immigration Sports Football Full Episode https://wgcuplus.org/environment/florida-s-perfect-storm-for-dangerous-wildfire-season/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/4clr1Ovr/poster.jpg?width=1920 Florida’s Perfect Storm for Dangerous Wildfire Season According to a weather summary from the National Weather Service, 2025 was the driest year in over a decade for the Sunshine State. The lack of precipitation has been felt hard in Southwest Florida, where current extreme drought conditions are the worst since 2001. WGCU Senior Environmental Reporter Tom Bayles attended a gathering of local public safety agencies, who discussed how these consistent dry conditions could have major ramifications for the incoming brush fire season. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/4clr1Ovr-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/4clr1Ovr-FdEsoD82.html 422 2026-02-06T23:30:00.000Z yes Environment / Nature Brushfire Collier Fire Rain Wildfire https://wgcuplus.org/arts-culture/the-return-of-the-swfl-art-shows/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/J9AqtIkG/poster.jpg?width=1920 The Return of the SWFL Art Shows The new year is the time to have new experiences. There’s no better way to dive into something spectacular than by joining in one of the many outdoor art shows that will be returning to SWFL. WGCU's Arts Reporter Tom Hall provides the details. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/J9AqtIkG-9EIvARZ2.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/J9AqtIkG-FdEsoD82.html 413 2026-02-04T19:24:03.000Z yes FL Exploration Art Lee County Tourism https://wgcuplus.org/news/immigration-at-center-of-florida-legislative-session/ 2026-03-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/i5XiK94U/poster.jpg?width=1920 Immigration at Center of Florida Legislative Session On Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, Florida lawmakers head back to Tallahassee for the legislative session. There will be major discussions including a possible rollback of property taxes, school vouchers, and the idea of changing Florida’s congressional maps. However, at the forefront of the upcoming session will be the state’s future handlings of immigration detentions. WGCU’s John Davis gives a glimpse on how state lawmakers are tackling migrant matters. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/i5XiK94U-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/i5XiK94U-FdEsoD82.html 426 2026-01-14T16:19:39.000Z yes Florida Congressional Maps Immigration Property Taxes School Vouchers WGCU News Florida Legislature https://wgcuplus.org/untold-stories/sanibel-island-s-store/ 2025-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GEBxNArT/poster.jpg?width=1920 Sanibel Island’s Store Sanibel Island's Store traces the journey of a family, a small business, and an island determined to rebuild and thrive after Hurricane Ian in 2022. The worst storm to hit the beloved Florida island in a century, Ian caused catastrophic damage. The film highlights the resiliency of Bailey's General Store, established in 1899, as the family business rebuilds for the third time after a hurricane. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GEBxNArT-FdEsoD82.html 3389 2025-08-20T15:45:20.000Z yes Untold Stories Huricane Ian Bailey’s General Store Environment Sanibel Island https://wgcuplus.org/news/rising-surviving-the-surge/ 2026-01-14 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/CHq4zqPZ/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rising: Surviving the Surge Rising: Surviving the Surge is a gripping exploration of Hurricane Ian, the 2022 storm that forever changed Southwest Florida. As survivors tried to rise from the wreckage, the storms kept coming. With dramatic storm footage, powerful stories of resilience, and insights from scientists, first responders, and community leaders, Rising is a wake-up call to the new reality of storm surge. The film reveals the science behind the destruction and the persistent threat of storm surge from the coast to the heart of the state. Rising offers a vital reminder for storm preparedness when it matters most. Primary Credits: Janine Zeitlin - Sr. Producer/Writer Tom James - Videographer/Editor Susan Gard - Associate Producer Pam James - Executive Producer Watch Live, Stream Anytime. Visit us online at: https://www.wgcu.org Follow us! Facebook: http://facebook.com/wgcupublicmedia Twitter: https://twitter.com/wgcu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wgcupublicmedia https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/CHq4zqPZ-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CHq4zqPZ-FdEsoD82.html 3406 2025-08-20T15:41:23.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/reflections-promo-mp4/ 2025-08-20 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/JNVHgYf3/poster.jpg?width=1920 Reflections PROMO.mp4 Reflections PROMO.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JNVHgYf3-FKFkQbGl.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/JNVHgYf3-FdEsoD82.html 30 2025-08-20T14:41:29.000Z yes https://wgcuplus.org/news/confronting-the-realities-of-jim-crow/ 2025-08-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GGUuN91c/poster.jpg?width=1920 Confronting the realities of Jim Crow Dr. Martha Bireda shares how traveling during Jim Crow was often fraught with humiliation, threats, or violence. Her father was her shining ideal of passive resistance. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/GGUuN91c-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/GGUuN91c-FdEsoD82.html 295 2025-08-08T14:11:11.000Z yes Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County Punta Gorda Reflections of a Colored Girl https://wgcuplus.org/news/decades-of-being-defined/ 2025-08-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/Ty0sBwwz/poster.jpg?width=1920 Decades of Being Defined Dr. Martha Bireda shares the many labels she has worn throughout her 80 years. Today, when asked about race, she checks “OTHER” as a person of the global majority. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Ty0sBwwz-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/Ty0sBwwz-FdEsoD82.html 312 2025-08-08T14:03:03.000Z yes Dr. Martha Bireda Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County Punta Gorda https://wgcuplus.org/news/powerful-colored-women/ 2025-08-08 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dguuPIdF/poster.jpg?width=1920 Powerful Colored Women "In my life, I have found myself as a colored, a negro, a Black, an African American, and a person of color. This is my reflection as a colored girl." Media typecasting of black women has ranged from unwed teenage mother to temptress. Dr. Martha Bireda shares how the women in her life shaped her belief system counter to the stereotypes. “Reflections of a Colored Girl” is a series of essays from Martha R. Bireda, Ph.D. Dr. Bireda is a writer and living history performer with over 30 years' experience as a lecturer, consultant and trainer for issues related to race, class, and gender, working with educators, law enforcement, and business, and civic leaders. She also is director of the Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County, in Punta Gorda, Florida. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/dguuPIdF-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/dguuPIdF-FdEsoD82.html 325 2025-08-08T13:54:30.000Z yes Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County Punta Gorda https://wgcuplus.org/news/rising-surviving-the-surge-hurricane-ian-documentary/ 2025-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/d3EM5iXK/poster.jpg?width=1920 Rising Surviving The Surge Hurricane Ian Documentary Rising: Surviving the Surge is a gripping exploration of Hurricane Ian, the 2022 storm that forever changed Southwest Florida. As survivors tried to rise from the wreckage, the storms kept coming. With dramatic storm footage, powerful stories of resilience, and insights from scientists, first responders, and community leaders, Rising is a wake-up call to the new reality of storm surge. The film reveals the science behind the destruction and the persistent threat of storm surge from the coast to the heart of the state. Rising offers a vital reminder for storm preparedness when it matters most. Primary Credits: Janine Zeitlin - Sr. Producer/Writer Tom James - Videographer/Editor Susan Gard - Associate Producer Pam James - Executive Producer Watch Live, Stream Anytime. Visit us online at: https://www.wgcu.org Follow us! Facebook: http://facebook.com/wgcupublicmedia Twitter: https://twitter.com/wgcu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wgcupublicmedia https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/d3EM5iXK-fVu5p7pM.mp4 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/d3EM5iXK-FdEsoD82.html 3406 2025-08-07T20:23:24.000Z yes Huricane Ian https://wgcuplus.org/untold-stories/mango-the-king-of-fruits/ 2025-08-07 https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/fLkhg8qt/poster.jpg?width=1920 Mango: The King of Fruits In the heart of Pine Island, Florida, mangoes reign supreme. Discover how mangoes thrive in Florida's climate. Indulge in the vibrant MangoMania Festival, a celebration of this king of fruits. And savor a world where every bite unveils a story of legacy, culture, and mouthwatering bliss. Whether you’re a mango enthusiast, a foodie, or curious about Florida’s agricultural gems, this is your ultimate guide to mango heaven. Don’t miss the tips on picking, coking, and savoring mangoes like a pro. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/fLkhg8qt-FdEsoD82.html 1635 2025-08-07T19:47:40.000Z yes Untold Stories Mango: The King of fruits featured docs