Local News

Breastfeeding

rchin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:43:00 GMT

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that only two out of five women in the U-S breastfeed their babies for the first six months. It’s a statistic the Women, Infants, and Children program or WIC is trying to change. Rather than simply the “better alternative”, WIC hopes to make breastfeeding the cultural norm in our society – which seems to have lost the practice. For the Healthy State Collaborative, WGCU’s Farah Dosani has the story.

Sports Injuries

rchin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:18:00 GMT

This week, students across the state are returning to school. That means back-to-school sports and, too often, sports injuries. The National Athletic Trainers' Association says emergency rooms treat 8,000 children a day in the U-S for sports-related injuries. The Healthy State Collaborative's Dalia Colon spoke with a young gymnast and her doctor about staying safe.

Florida Senate District 27 Republicans

rchin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:51:00 GMT

A political newcomer, a former City Councilwoman and a former State Representative are squaring off for the Republican nomination for State Senate District 27, which includes parts of Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, & Palm Beach Counties. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more on the candidates and their positions…

Bower School of Music

rchin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:48:00 GMT

Students returning for fall classes at Florida Gulf Coast University today will have a new building on campus. The Bower School of Music’s new facility combines top of the line acoustics, performance space, and equipment. As WGCU’s John Davis reports, the new building reflects the music program’s explosive growth in recent years.

Sarasota Power

rchin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:44:00 GMT

Would you sign a 30 year agreement with your power company right now, knowing the future of renewable energy is still up in the air? That's exactly the decision Sarasota City Commissioners are trying to make and they are looking for input from everyone from experts to city residents. Mia McCormick reports.

Food Safety Inspections

rchin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:31:00 GMT

The state legislature passed a bill this year moving inspection of cooking facilities at hospitals, day care centers and nursing homes away from the Health Department. As of July 1st the inspections are being done by two other agencies – but they’ve hit some snags. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

Iona-McGregor Fire Readiness Assessment Referendum

rchin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:31:00 GMT

Fire Districts in Florida are funded by property taxes. In recent years they’ve seen their budgets shrink along with the value of the homes they’re meant to protect. Next Tuesday voters in one Lee County fire district will be asked if they’d like to try a different approach: a flat fee annual assessment. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more…

Kendrick Meek

rchin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:46:00 GMT

Democrat U.S. Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek of Miami made a campaign stop in Fort Myers Thursday. WGCU’s John Davis was there and has this report.

Gannets

rchin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:57:00 GMT

On July 12th 21 brown pelicans and 11 northern gannets were released back into the wild on a Sanibel Island beach. The birds had been rehabbed after being found covered with oil in the Gulf near the Louisiana coast – victims of the deep water horizon well blow out. How did the birds fare? WGCU’s Valerie Alker has this update.

The East Side of the River

rchin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:33:00 GMT

A different take on Naples history was recently published in the form of a memoir titled “The East Side of the River” by Jessie Allen Chesser. Chesser was born in East Naples in 1935. She’s descended from pioneers who farmed and fished in Belle Meade, now part of greater Naples. Her book is dotted with family photos from the turn of the last century, up to the mid 1950’s when Jesse was a popular athlete at Naples High School. She says despite social divisions, Naples was a fun place to grow up – the kind of place where the girl scout troop camped out on the beach.

Early Voting Begins

rchin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Early voting began Monday for Florida’s Primary Election, giving registered voters an opportunity to beat the lines on August 24th. WGCU’s John Davis has more.

Mosaic Mining Company Appeals Injunction

rchin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:49:00 GMT

Phosphate mining company, Mosaic, is appealing a court issued injunction against portions of its Hardee County mining operation. The mine would impact wetlands next to the Peace River. WGCU’s John Davis has more.

Florida House Special Session on BP Oil Spill Recovery

rchin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:45:00 GMT

Members of the Florida House are gearing up for a special session next month to get a better handle on the state’s recovery and response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Chiles Super Spot

rchin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:09:00 GMT

Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Bud Chiles speaks Thursday at the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club. Chiles is the son of former Democratic Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, who served from 1991 to 1998. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Droid Beach Reports

rchin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:44:00 GMT

Mote Marine Laboratory’s initiative to provide real time information on beach conditions is getting a technological boost in Lee County. WGCU’s John Davis reports.