THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THERE'S A SIMMERING ISSUE FACING SOCIAL WORKERS AS MANY PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD ARE ENTERING RETIREMENT, A MASSIVE SHORTAGE COULD BE COMING FOR THOSE WHO PROVIDE HELP 2 OTHERS IN NEED.

AS MORE AND MORE FLORIDIANS FACE FOOD, INSECURITY.

WE LEARN HOW LOCAL FOOD BANKS ARE WORKING WITH FARMERS TO HELP PEOPLE PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

AND IT'S SWINE TIME ON THE RACETRACK.

WE LEARN WHY PEOPLE ARE GOING HOG WILD OVER LOCAL PIG RACING.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THERE IS A GROWING CRISIS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND RIGHT HERE IN FLORIDA, A SIGNIFICANT LACK OF SOCIAL WORKERS.

EXPERTS SAY HIGH BURNOUT AND RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTING TO THE SHORTAGE MADE WORSE BY INCREASING DEMANDS FOR PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 800,000 SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY HELPING CHILDREN AND ADULTS OVERCOME LIFE CHALLENGES LIKE POVERTY, ABUSE OR ADDICTION WHILE THE NEED FOR MORE SOCIAL WORKERS IS HIGH.

THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES ENTERING THE FIELD IS NOT MEETING THE DEMANDS.

DOCTOR TOM SELLECK, HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY AND JOINS US TO DISCUSS THE CRITICAL NEED FOR SOCIAL WORKERS.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS FIELD?

>> IT'S HUGELY IMPORTANT.

SOCIAL WORKERS TOUCH EVERY ASPECT OF DAILY LIFE.

EVERYTHING FROM CHILDREN.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT CHILD WELFARE ALL THE WAY UP TO OUR OLDER ADULT POPULATION, PARTICULARLY HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF OLDER ADULTS.

AND SO THE NEED FOR SOCIAL WORKERS HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER.

AND AS THE ONLY BRICK AND MORTAR SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, WE TAKE OUR DEDICATION OF THAT PROFESSION VERY SERIOUSLY.

NOW WE ARE DISCUSSING THE PROJECTED GROWTH FOR THE SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> WHY IS THERE SUCH A NEED AND WHAT ARE THE AREAS THAT OUR ARE CRITICAL?

>> SO I THINK ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS LOOK AT THE NEWS AND SEE WHAT EXACTLY IS HAPPENING IN SOCIETY.

AGAIN, NOT JUST HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE.

WE ARE SEEING AN EXACERBATION OF A LOT OF THESE SOCIAL ISSUES HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

OBVIOUSLY, THE BIG THING WE TALKED ABOUT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT I ALSO LOOK A LOT AT FOOD INSECURITY.

ONE OF THE STATISTICS I BRING OUT QUITE OFTEN IS THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT RECEIVE SNAP BENEFITS, WHAT WE USED TO CALL FOOD STAMPS OF THOSE HOUSEHOLDS ARE ACTUALLY ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE.

AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM HAD AT LEAST ONE, IF NOT 2 WORKING HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD.

SO WHILE A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP AS A SO-CALLED POOR PERSON PROGRAM, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE CASE HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WHERE THAT BECOMES PROBLEMATIC IS WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS AND WHAT IS THAT AFFECTED PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP.

SO IT'S OUR WORKING CLASS FAMILIES THAT ARE REALLY STRUGGLING JUST IN THAT ARENA.

I'VE MENTIONED AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OLDER ADULTS HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT MEANS BOTH IN TERMS OF THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE AS WELL AS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WE DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF GERIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND THEN YOU GET INTO SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL ISSUES AS WELL.

THOSE THINGS WE SEE AROUND CHILD WELFARE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE USE, THANKFULLY, WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT NETWORK OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT ARE FOCUSED ON THOSE THINGS.

BUT THEY NEED THE STAFF IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AND SOCIAL WORK.

IF YOU COULD DEFINE THAT FORCE, THAT IS A BROAD TERM.

>> AND IT REALLY TOUCHES MANY OF OUR LIVES.

AND WE MAY NOT EVEN BE AWARE THAT WE ARE BEING IMPACTED BY SOCIAL WORKERS.

>> SOCIAL WORKER.

WHEN WE LOOK AT IT INTERNALLY, WE TALK ABOUT IT IN OVER ARCING PERSPECTIVE CALLED THE PERSON AND ENVIRONMENT AND SO JUST FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH WE TOUCH EVERY ASPECT OF SARAH LEE LIFE.

SO THE SOCIAL WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE NATION.

THE NUMBER ONE EMPLOYER OF GRADUATE TRAINED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS IS ACTUALLY THE U.S.

MILITARY.

SO YOU'LL FIND SOCIAL WORKERS IN THOSE TRADITIONAL LOCATIONS LIKE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

BUT YOU ALSO FIND THEM IN A LOT OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES NOWADAYS.

I'VE RECENTLY RECEIVED A JOB NOTICE FROM A MAJOR CRUISE LINE WHO IS LOOKING TO RECRUIT SOCIAL WORKERS TO WORK WITH THE STAFF THAT ARE ON THOSE CRUISE SHIPS WHO OFTEN SPEND MONTHS AT A TIME AWAY FROM THEIR HOMES AND AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

SO THE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE THERE TO HELP THEM DEAL WITH A LOT OF THAT STRESS, ANXIETY AND HELP COORDINATE SOME OF THEIR NEEDS.

>> IF THERE IS A STUDENT LISTENING WHO IS INTERESTED IN DOING A CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK, WHAT WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?

WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE?

SO MY ADVICE IS DEFINITELY PURSUE SOCIAL WORK AS A CAREER.

I IN MY 15 YEARS HERE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, IT HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO BE A SOCIAL WORKER.

>> THE JOB MARKET IS WIDE OPEN PAY HAS INCREASED INCENTIVES TO DRAW INDIVIDUALS INTO SOCIAL WORK.

BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY HAVE INCREASED.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF BENEFITS THAT COME ALONG, ESPECIALLY AT THE UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL.

I MENTIONED BEFORE FGCU IS THE ONLY ACADEMIC BRICK AND MORTAR SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO MIAMI OR OVER TAMPA TO FIND THE NEXT ONES.

SO FOR US, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE THAT EDUCATION.

AND THEN AT THE NEXT LEVEL FOR THE MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK, THE BENEFIT OF GETTING THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE IS THAT YOU GET THAT MASTER'S DEGREE IN JUST ONE YEAR VERSUS 2 YEARS, WHICH IS THE NORM FOR A LOT OF OTHER PROGRAMS.

AND THEN THAT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO BECOME LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS WITHIN ANOTHER 2 YEARS TO BE ABLE TO THEN BE THERAPIST CLINICIANS.

HOWEVER, THEY DECIDE TO DEFINE THEMSELVES IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT WE NEED.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, WE HAVE A RATIO ON AVERAGE OF ABOUT ONE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FOR EVERY 880 RESIDENTS, MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGE US FOR THAT RATIO.

THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

IT'S DEFINITELY NOT ENOUGH.

AND IT GETS WORSE WHEN WE GO TO WAR, RURAL COMMUNITIES, HENDRY COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, IT'S ABOUT ONE TO 13,000.

>> ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OUR VIEWERS TO TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL WORK?

>> I THINK IT'S JUST THE TO LOOK AT SOCIAL WORKERS THE WAY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT HERE.

I THINK VERY OFTEN THE STEREOTYPE OF A SOCIAL WORKER IS WHAT WE SEE IN TV SHOWS OR IN MOVIES, WHICH OFTEN SHOWS A VERY NEGATIVE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION.

FACT OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS ARE, AGAIN, ALL ACROSS EVERY ASPECT OF WHAT WE DO.

THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVES OF WHAT SOCIAL WORKERS TO EVEN IN SOME OF THOSE NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, REMOVING CHILDREN FROM HOMES WHEN THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

NO ONE IS GOING IN THERE AND DOING IT BECAUSE THEY ENJOY DOING THAT TYPE OF WORK.

OUR FOCUS IS ON FAMILY PRESERVATION.

IT IS ON, YOU KNOW, WELL, BEING BOTH EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO DO THAT WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL INDIVIDUALS IN OUR SOCIETY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR TOM FELT THE FGCU PROFESSOR PERCENT OF LEISURE.

>> COMING UP, FOOD BANKS ARE THROWING THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND FLORIDA FARMERS IN THE LATEST EFFORT TO HELP FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR AREA.

ACROSS FLORIDA, FOOD BANKS ARE EXPERIENCING RECORD DEMAND.

MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES WITH RISING GROCERY COSTS AND FEDERAL CUTS TO PROGRAMS LIKE SNAP BENEFITS, FEEDING AMERICA REPORTING MORE THAN 3.3 MILLION FLORIDIANS FACE HUNGER, ONE IN 5 CHILDREN ARE FOOD, INSECURE.

THAT MEANS MORE PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO FOOD BANKS FOR THEIR NEXT MEAL.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE HAS MORE.

RICHARD E. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WITH THIS.

THE STATE OF HUNGER IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW.

THE STATE OF HUNGER IS PRONOUNCED IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> AND WE'RE SEEING OVERALL INCREASES IN HUNGER ACROSS OUR SERVICE TERRITORY AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN PARTICULAR ARE SEEING SIGNIFICANT INCREASES.

SO 25 OR 50% INCREASE IS OVER PREVIOUS LEVELS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> WHAT CHALLENGES ARE FARMERS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AND HOW TO THOSE CHALLENGES AFFECT EFFORTS TO FEED PEOPLE FACING HUNGER?

WELL, YOU KNOW, >> PEOPLE ARE FACING CHALLENGES RELATED TO YEAH.

JUST THE COST OF LIVING IN GENERAL OBVIOUSLY COSTS ARE WAY UP FOR MANY THINGS THAT PEOPLE RELY ON IS PART OF THEIR NORMAL BUDGET PEOPLE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, IN PARTICULAR DEAL WITH ADDITIONAL ISSUES.

IT'S VERY COMMON FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES TO BE DESERTS, TO NOT HAVE EASY, CONVENIENT ACCESS TO FULL SERVICE, GROCERY STORES PARADOXICALLY FROM THEM NOT TO HAVE EASY ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE AND THAT KIND OF PRODUCT, EVEN THOUGH THEY LIVE IN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITIES ARE VERY OFTEN SPREAD OUT SO THAT TRANSPORTATION IS A PARTICULAR ISSUE FOR THOSE POLK FOLKS IN THIS PARTICULAR CHALLENGE FOR US GETTING FOOD TO THEM IN A WAY THAT'S CONVENIENT FOR THEM TO ACCESS.

>> WHY IS BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR SUPPORTING STRONG FARM AND NUTRITION PROGRAM?

SO CRITICAL FOR BOTH FOOD BANKS AND FARMERS RIGHT NOW.

WELL, THE >> THE FARM BILL THAT CONGRESS PASSES IS REALLY THE FOUNDATION FOR A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FOOD BANKS WITH MUCH OF OUR FOOD, ESPECIALLY THE FRESH PRODUCTS AND ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE.

AND THEY'RE ALSO A WAY OF CHANNELING MONEY TO FARMING COMMUNITIES IN MANY OF WHICH ARE QUITE POOR AND SUBJECT TO THE VAGARIES OF THE MARKET SO THAT WHEN PRICES COLLAPSE FOR ONE COMMODITY OR ANOTHER FREQUENTLY, PEOPLE IN AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES ARE VERY CHALLENGED TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND THE FARM BILL REALLY IS THE METHOD OR BY WHICH WE PROVIDE SUPPORT IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT IT BE SUPPORTED ON BILL IN BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

SO THAT WEEKEND FIND A COMPROMISE ON A REALISTIC FARM BILL THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF BOTH RURAL COMMUNITIES AND AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF EVERYBODY ACROSS ALL COMMUNITIES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY.

HOW CAN PEOPLE?

>> LOCALS AND FLORIDIANS HELP.

WELL, THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS PEOPLE CAN HELP.

OF COURSE YOU CAN ALWAYS ENCOURAGE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT COMMON-SENSE BILLS LIKE THE FOOD, THE FOOD BILL, THAT FARM BILL THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE WHO ARE NEEDING HELP AND THE NETWORK THAT THAT SUPPORTS.

ADDITION TO THAT, OF COURSE, WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO ARE STALWART IN THEIR SUPPORT OF FOOD BANKS AND HUNGER RELIEF.

THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO DONATE THEIR OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE FOOD BOOST TO THE FOOD BANK AND TO THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE SUPPORT IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES WHO ARE HELPING US IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER.

AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE SUPPORT OF EVERYONE, OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE WORK THAT WE DO.

AND WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO SUPPORT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHO WORK WITH US IN OUR FELLOW FOOD BANKS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HUNGRY AND PEOPLE IN OUR RURAL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES WHO NEED HELP.

>> RICHARD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF THE ISSUES FACING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY HEADING TO OUR WEB SITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

>> PRIDE MONTH IS NOT UNTIL JUNE, BUT SOME FLORIDA COUNTIES ARE GEARING UP TO CELEBRATE EARLY.

>> NAPLES PRIDE FEST IS SET FOR APRIL 18TH IN CAMBIER PARK AND WILL TAKE PLACE DESPITE AN ONGOING LAWSUIT BETWEEN PRIDE FEST AND THE ACLU AGAINST THE CITY OF NAPLES FOR AN UPDATE ON THE LEGAL FIGHT, I'M NOW JOINED WITH NAPLES PRIDE BOARD MEMBER AND ATTORNEY CALLAN SOLD A BEANIE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF PRIDE FEST AND WHY THIS EVENT IS SO IMPORTANT TO NAPLES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NAPLES PRIDE AND OUR FESTIVAL SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A FESTIVAL.

WE REALLY SEE IT AS A LIFELINE, NOT ON THESE A DAY OF CELEBRATION, BUT IT'S A FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS THAT NAPLES PRIDE OFFERS NAPLES ON THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COMMUNITY.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE MENTAL-HEALTH PROGRAMS.

WE CONNECT PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES AND CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR IN DOUBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO OFTEN DON'T HAVE ELSEWHERE TO GO.

BESIDES NAPLES, PRIDE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE, ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WALK IN OR CENTER AFTER BEING REJECTED OR ISOLATED BY THE ONES WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO LOVE THEM AND CARE FOR THEM.

AND THEY'RE JUST LOOKING FOR ONE THINGS SIMPLY A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN FEEL SEEN AND ACCEPTED WHAT WE DO IS HELP PEOPLE WHO COME TO US REBUILD THAT CONFIDENCE AND STABILITY IN COMMUNITY.

WHEN PEOPLE FEEL SUPPORTED, THEY DON'T JUST SURVIVE.

THEY CONTRIBUTE IN WORK AND CREATE AND GIVE BACK.

SO THE IMPACT ISN'T JUST PERSONAL.

REALLY RIPPLES ACROSS ALL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SO WE LIKE TO SAY THAT PRIDE FEST IS ONE DAY WHERE WE CELEBRATE VISIBLY IN SUPPORT OF OUR NAPLES PRIDE MISSION OVERALL.

>> IF YOU ARE DEEPLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE MISSION, YOU ARE ALSO SUING THE CITY OF NAPLES ALONG WITH THE ACLU.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAWSUIT?

WHAT BROUGHT IT ABOUT AND THEN UPDATE US ON WHERE IT STANDS AS WE SPEAK.

AT ITS CORE ARE.

>> LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF NAPLES IS REALLY ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

IT'S WHETHER A CITY CAN RESTRICT PROTECTED EXPRESSION, NOT BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE, BUT BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T LIKE IT.

AND A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ALREADY RECOGNIZE IT.

OUR DRAG PERFORMANCES ARE EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITY AND PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

SO THIS ISN'T ABOUT ASKING ANYONE TO AGREE WITH PRIDE OR TO AGREE WITH DRAG OR CLEAR OUR IT'S ABOUT WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT CAN PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH VIEWPOINTS ARE ALLOWED IN PUBLIC SPACES.

AND IN THIS COUNTRY, THE ANSWER SHOULD ALWAYS BE NO.

AND IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK AND CHOOSE, WHICH HE POINTS ARE ALLOWED IN PUBLIC SPACES.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO REFLECT ON WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR VIEWPOINTS.

OUR NEXT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

>> WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE HOPE FOR THE OUTCOME OF THE LAWSUIT IN THE FUTURE OF PRIDE FEST?

WE HOPE THE CITY.

>> WHAT WE HOPE FOR THE CITY WHEN WE WENT TO THEM BACK IN JANUARY OF 2026.

2 AND APPROVE OUR PERMIT.

WE HOPE THAT THE CITY WOULD RETURN TO WHAT IT DID FOR YEARS BEFORE THIS MANUFACTURED OUTRAGE AGAINST THE DRUG COMMUNITY.

WE ASKED THEM TO APPROVE THE PERMIT AND TREAT NAPLES PRIDE LIKE ANY OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS.

AND APPROVE OUR PERMIT AS WE REQUESTED WITH OUR DROUGHT PERFORMANCES, FAMILY-FRIENDLY OUT ON THE STAGE.

TO US, IT'S REALLY ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO EXIST FULLY AND EQUALLY IN A PLACE THAT THEY CALL HOME.

AND WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING IS THAT THE COURTS, THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT WILL RULE IN OUR FAVOR AND AGREE THAT THIS THAT DRAG IS CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED SPEECH.

AND EVEN IF SOME DON'T AGREE WITH IT, THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED FOR ALL.

THIS IS.

SOMETHING WE WANT PEOPLE TO EXPECT IN APRIL IS THAT OUR PRIDE FEST IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES BOUT.

WEATHER.

SOMEONE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM YOU AND WHO LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S ABOUT THEM.

IT'S TO MAKE THEM FEEL SEEN AND COMFORTABLE AND FEEL INCLUDED AND SUPPORTED IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PLACE THAT WE ALL CALL HOME.

IT'S ABOUT WEATHER.

YOU PROTECT THE RIGHT TO BE DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER.

EVEN WHEN IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE.

AND IT'S ABOUT REMEMBERING SOMETHING REALLY SIMPLE THAT A STRONG COMMUNITY.

ISN'T BUILT BY SILENCING EACH OTHER'S DIFFERENCES.

IT'S BUILT BY MAKING SPACE FOR EACH OTHER.

AND SO OUR PRIDE CELEBRATION, A BILL IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING THE BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE AND WONDERFUL COMMUNITY THAT WE ALL LIVE IN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING ALL THIS INFORMATION.

IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

FOR YOUR TIME.

>> WGCU REPORTER KATE CRONIN REACH OUT TO THE CITY OF NAPLES BUT WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT COMMENT ON CURRENT LITIGATION.

POLICE HAD TO WCU DOT ORG FOR MORE COVERAGE ON NAPLES PRIDE FEST.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE POWER OF PORK IS ON FULL DISPLAY.

WE CHECK OUT ALL THE EXCITEMENT SURROUNDING THE SPORTS CENTRE WORLD OF PIG RACING.

AS SPRING ARRIVES AND THE COLDER WEATHER DRIFTS AWAY NOW MIGHT 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 AS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED THERE MIGHT BE SOME HEALTH BENEFITS TO A QUICK RINSE.

>> HAVE YOU EVER WORN A NEW SHIRT OR PANTS WITHOUT WASHING THEM?

FIRST, YOU MAY THINK THEY'RE ALREADY CLEAN, BUT THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> SO YES, I RECOMMEND FOR EVERYONE TO WATCH THEIR CODES AFTER BUYING THEM.

AND THERE'S A FEW REASONS WHY THE FIRST IS MANY BRIGHT COLORS.

CAN WE LIKE SKIN OR OTHER FABRICS BEFORE THE FIRST WASH.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WATCH THEM AT HOME FIRST BEFORE WEARING THEM, YOU'RE PREVENTING THAT FROM TRENT ONTO YOUR SKIN.

YOU ALSO WANT TO WASH AWAY ANY LIKE HARSH CHEMICALS OR AIR TENTS.

>> DR.

SHE'LL BE CUTER.

PAUL IS A DERMATOLOGIST AT CLEVELAND CLINIC.

SHE SAYS SOMETIMES MANUFACTURERS WILL ADD FORMALDEHYDE OR OTHER PRESERVATIVES TO NEW CLOTHING TO PREVENT WRINKLING AND MOLD.

AND THAT IN TURN CAN CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION.

BACTERIA CAN ALSO BE SPREAD FROM PEOPLE TRYING ON THE SAME CLOTHES AT THE STORE.

SO WHAT'S SETTING SHOULD YOU USE WHEN WASHING NEW CLOTHES DR?

PETER PAUL SAYS A GENTLE SETTING IS BEST SO IT DOESN'T DAMAGE THE FABRIC AND SHE ALSO RECOMMENDS USING FRAGRANCE-FREE DETERGENT.

>> THEY LOOK FOR FREE AND CLEAR FOR SENSITIVE SKIN.

MANY BRANDS MAKE THEM EVEN GENERIC BRANDS DO SO EVEN IF YOU AREN'T WITH ECZEMA OR SENSORS, CAN YOU DON'T WANT THAT FRAGRANCE SITTING ON YOUR SKIN ALL DAY ARE LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S ON YOUR BENCH EATERS GET IS TOUCHING THAT, YOU KNOW, ALL NIGHT LONG.

SO WE DO RECOMMEND FREE AND CLEAR LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

THEY ALSO MAKE FREE AND FAIR FABRIC SOFTENERS AND DRYER SHEET.

>> DR.

PETER PAUL SAYS THE SAME ADVICE APPLIES THE BLANKETS AND TOWELS.

THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE WASHED FIRST.

WGCU NEWS IM TEDDY BYRNE >> SPECTATORS ARE GOING HOG WILD FOREST 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 ALL ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE LEARNED THAT, WELL, IT MIGHT NOT BE THE KENTUCKY DERBY.

IT'S WORTH A TRIP TO SEE WHAT'S CALLED PORK CHOP DOWN THE LOUDER YOU MIGUEL CHAVEZ SCREEN FOR THESE THINGS BUT FASTER THEY WILL GO.

SO EVERYBODY LET THAT BE EASIER.

>> AND MY PIGGY BUSINESS WELL, TO SIMPLIFY IT.

>> AND THE WINDS WERE THE RICKY BOBBY.

I LIKE TO MAKE HIM GO FAST FOR RICKY BOBBY FROM THE MOVIE TALLADEGA NIGHTS, NEVER SPECIFIED THE SPECIES.

>> DAVID ROSE SARASOTA NATIVE AND SELF-DESCRIBED SWINE MASTER IS BEHIND ROSE.

THERE'S ROYAL RACERS >> AND HAS BEEN PUTTING PIGS ON RACETRACKS SINCE HIS FATHER FOUNDED THE COMPANY IN 1987.

>> NOW, NEARLY 4 DECADES LATER, DAVID IS GETTING READY TO TAKE THE REINS WHILE THE PIGS TAKE THE TRACK KIND OF GOING THROUGH A TRANSITIONAL PHASE OF MY DAD IS GETTING READY TO RETIRE.

>> AND THEN MEANS GETTING READY TO STEP UP AND KIND OF TAKE OVER THE BUSINESS AND KEEP HIS NAME GOING AND WHAT HE'S BUILT.

>> MULTIPLE GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES RETURNED FOR THE RACES YEAR AFTER YEAR.

APPARENTLY WHAT SOUP WATCHED A PAY RAISE OF FEARS.

WE'LL TO DOESN'T HIT THE SAME.

>> AND WE STARTED OUT.

IT WAS JUST A SMALL TRACKING AN UMBRELLA, YOU KNOW, AND BACK THEN WE GET LIKE MAYBE 15 PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.

BUT NOW ALMOST EVERY SHOW ARE PACKING AT LEAST SOMEWHERE IN THE HUNDREDS, EVERY SINGLE SHOW.

AND IT'S A REAL BLESSING THAT THERE'S STILL THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

>> ARE THESE PIGS LOVING EVERY SECOND OF THIS OR QUIETLY PLOTTING THEIR ESCAPE THAT TO THEIR FARM AND MYAKKA CITY.

THE PIGS.

>> 100% LOVE WHAT THEY DO.

I COULDN'T MAKE THEM DO IT.

IF THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE SWINE MASTER.

>> AND TO KEEP THOSE PIGS HAPPY AND FAST.

>> THE ANIMALS TRAVEL AND INSULATED CLIMATE CONTROLLED TRAILERS WITH MISSED SYSTEMS AND FANS THAT RUN ALL DAY.

>> ROSE THERE SAYS THE REAL SECRET WEAPON ISN'T THE AMENITIES.

IT'S THE BRIBE.

>> WE ACTUALLY IS THE CREME FILLED COOKIES.

WHAT WE USE BECAUSE THEY LIKE THAT SWEET STUFF.

YOU KNOW, THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT RACE TIME IS COOKIE TIME.

I'M RIGHT THERE WITH THEM BECAUSE IF I GOT A COOKIE PROBABLY RUN PRETTY FAST, TOO.

>> BUT THEY ARE LEANER, MEANER ICING MACHINES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE BLACK AND WHITE LETTERS IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES.

THE OPERATION RUNS.

25 FAIRS A YEAR.

>> UP AND DOWN THE EAST COAST FROM FLORIDA TO VERMONT.

>> THE THING THAT REALLY DRIVES ME TO KEEP GOING WITH WHAT MY DAD STARTED.

YOU KNOW, AS I WANT THE PASSION OF THE AUDIENCE TO STAY, YOU KNOW IT, IT WILL BE REALLY A SHAME FOR ME LET THAT DIE OUT.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY MY BIGGEST PUSH TO KEEP GOING.

MY FAVORITE PART.

>> LAST TIME I GO TO THE U.S.

ARE READY FOR IT.

>> COMING UP ON THE NEXT SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA IN FOCUS, FLORIDA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF CANCER IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THE CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR PATIENTS TO RECEIVE A SECOND OPINION FOR TREATMENT OPTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU RIGHT HERE AGAIN ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.