>> THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, A SCHOOL DISTRICT IS LOOKING TO CUT TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM ITS BUDGET.

WE'RE FINDING OUT WHY THIS SHORTFALL EXISTS AND WHAT PROGRAMS AND JOBS MAY BE AT STAKE.

THERE'S ONE FIELD THAT IS ATTRACTING STUDENTS AND IT'S GROWING YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THEIR GOAL MAKING SURE YOU'RE SAFER.

THE NEXT TIME YOU TRAVEL BY AIR.

AND EVEN THOUGH THERE'S AN INCREASED AWARENESS ABOUT CRIMINALS SCAMMING SENIORS, THE AARP ESTIMATES NEARLY 40% OF ADULTS IN OUR COUNTRY HAVE ALREADY BEEN A VICTIM.

WE'LL LOOK AT HOW TO KEEP YOUR PERSONAL DATA AND YOUR MONEY SAFE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ANNOUNCED A STRATEGIC BUDGET REALIGNMENT TO DEAL WITH A 46.7 MILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT TO DECREASING ENROLLMENT.

A COUNTY WIDE DROP IN PROPERTY VALUES AND INFLATION.

TOM IS JOINING US NOW TO GIVE US THE VERY LATEST ON WHAT IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYING ABOUT SCHOOL ENROLLMENT BEING DOWN.

>> AND THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THROUGH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS BLAMING THE CUTS ON A DROP IN SCHOOL ENROLLMENT.

SINCE THE ADOPTION OF HOUSE BILL WON IN 2023, MANY PARENTS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FLORIDA TAX SCHOLARSHIP CREDITS OR VOUCHERS TO HOMESCHOOL OR MOVE THEIR CHILDREN AT THE PRIVATE CHARTERED VIRTUAL SCHOOLS.

NOW, ACCORDING TO INFORMATION IN THE GOVERNOR'S NEWSROOM ON FLAWED GOV DOT COM.

NEARLY 1.4 MILLION ARE NOW UTILIZING SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS, INCLUDING 524,000 STUDENTS IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM SINCE STATE APPROPRIATIONS FOLLOWED THE STUDENT.

THAT'S MONEY NO LONGER GOING INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SOME SEE THIS AS AN INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF THE MOVE AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO PRIVATIZED EDUCATION.

BUT SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE IN THE UP A LENS HE WARNS NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD TO PUT THEIR KIDS IN PRIVATE SCHOOL.

EVEN WITHOUT YOUR ASSISTANCE.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO PRIVATIZE OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS STRONG BECAUSE NOT EVERY FAMILY HERE IN LEE COUNTY HAS THE LUXURY OR THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR THEIR CHILD TO GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

SO IF THAT'S THE END GAME THAN WE'RE CUTTING OUT MORE THAN HALF OF OUR COUNTY FROM HAVING ACCESS TO AN EDUCATION.

THAT'S JUST THE BEDROCK OF SOCIETY.

WONDERFUL EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> TOM, DOES THE ENTIRE BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT COME FROM THE STATE?

>> NO, IT DOESN'T.

JENNIFER MORE THAN OF 860 MILLION DOLLARS COMES FROM THE 5.3, 1, 9, MILLAGE RATE.

THE PROPERTY OWNERS PAY ON THE REAL ESTATE TAXES.

THERE'S A HALF A PERCENT SALES TAX THAT GOES FOR BUILDING NEW SCHOOLS, RENOVATING EXISTING ONES AND IMPROVING SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALSO PROVIDE SOME GRANT MONEY.

BUT THE CUTS TAKING PLACE IN THE SCHOOLS THAT'S BEING BLAMED ON REDUCE REVENUES COMING FROM THE DROP AND IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT.

>> NOW ARE THE CUTS TO EACH SCHOOLS OPERATING BUDGET?

ARE THOSE CUTS DUE TO THE DROP IN ENROLLMENT?

>> THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HASN'T EXPLAINED HOW THE REPORT SHUNNING THE 46.7 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SHORTFALL.

BUT IT APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT ACROSS THE BOARD.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE DISTRICT NOTIFIED EDISON PARK, CREATIVE AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS SCHOOL THAT IT'S REDUCING THEIR BUDGET FOR THE NEXT YEAR BY $700,000.

BUT HAS DANIEL HALLORAN REALLY PERPLEXED?

SHE HAS A FIRST AND A 4TH GRADER AT ANDERSON PARK.

>> EDISON PARK DOESN'T HAVE AN ENROLLMENT ISSUE AND WE NEVER HAVE BACK.

WHEN WAITLISTS WERE WORTHING THERE KNOWING WITH FISH UP, WE ALWAYS HAD A WAITLIST, DOZENS D WE DO NOT HAVE AN ENROLLMENT ISSUE.

IN FACT, CURRENTLY EDISON PARK IS OVER CAPACITY.

STATES STANDARDS CALL FOR 19 KIDS POR K THROUGH 2 CLASS.

WE HAVE 23.

AND ROLAND IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT PARK, WHICH IS I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS THE PARENTS ARE SO UPSET.

SO, TOM, HOW DOES A SCHOOL LIKE EDISON PARK ABSORB THIS $700,000 CUT IN THEIR BUDGET?

>> ITS THE PRINCIPAL SHERRIE WEPT, WHO MAKES THE FINAL DECISION.

BUT FRANKLY, SHE DOESN'T HAVE MANY GOOD OPTIONS.

>> SO EVERY SCHOOL ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL, THEY WILL HAVE A MUSIC.

AN ART TEACHER, BUT OUR OUR SPECIALTY PROGRAMS, WHICH AGAIN HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT FOR 36 YEARS, WHICH IS OUR STRINGS PROGRAM, OUR DANCE AND OUR THEATER PROGRAM.

THOSE ARE THE SPECIFIC PARTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK IN ORDER FOR HER TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET AT THE SCHOOL AND DECIDE WHO TO KEEP AND WHO TO CUT WHEN IT COMES TO HOW TO RUN THE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR WITH THE STEP ASIDE.

>> BUT TOM, HASN'T THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON THEIR FACEBOOK THAT NO PROGRAMS WOULD BE CUT.

>> THEY HAVE.

>> BUT SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE ANY PLENTY OF SAYS TO BE GENEROUS.

>> THEY'RE BEING DISINGENUOUS.

SO.

>> OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SAYING THAT THEY'RE NOT CUTTING THESE PROGRAMS, BUT IT'S REALLY KIND OF A HALF TRUTH IN THAT SENSE.

THEY ARE.

THEY'RE NOT TECHNICALLY CUTTING IT.

NO, BUT THEY ARE DEFINITELY UNDER FUNDING.

IT.

AND I ALSO WANT TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION THERE.

THEY KEEP SAYING ALL WILL HAVE ACCESS TO EXTRACURRICULARS WHERE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO EXTRA CURRICULARS TODAY.

BUT WE HAVE FAMILIES THAT CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXTRA CURRICULARS BECAUSE IT'S A FINANCIAL SITUATION THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD.

>> IT'S SEMANTICS AT ONE LEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL THEATER DIRECTOR TEACHERS FOR THEATER CLASS U.S.

THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO BUILD SAT THROUGH LIGHTING RE HER SHOWS DURING THE SCHOOL THAT BUT NEXT YEAR SHE'LL ONLY HAVE ONE THEATER CLASS.

SO THEATERS TECHNICALLY STILL OFFERED.

IT HASN'T BEEN CAUGHT.

BUT IN ACTUALITY, THEIR PROGRAM HAS GOTTEN SINCE STUDENTS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO PUT ON SHOTS.

>> SO WE HAVE TO BE REALLY CLEAR ON WHAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC AND NOT SPEAK AND HALF-TRUTHS.

LET'S BE DIRECT.

LET'S BE TRANSPARENT AND HOW ARE DESCRIBING WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING.

>> HOW OUR STUDENTS RESPONDING TO THIS NEWS ABOUT THESE THESE CUTS IN THE ARTS FUNDING.

>> I HAD THE PLEASURE OF TALKING TO SOME STUDENTS AT EDISON PARK ON SUNDAY MORNING.

HERE'S WHAT THEY HAD.

THE SITE.

>> MY NAME IS LUCAS.

I LIKE TO OURS AND HOW THEY LIKE.

THEY MAKE.

YOU FEEL LIKE YOU LIKE ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING AS A GROUP.

GIVE YOU LIKE A GOOD FEEL LEAVE BUT ALSO THE U.S.

PREPARES.

YOU FLY MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL.

THE EVERYONE BE LIKE A BAND OR ORCHESTRA?

WELL, THE CHORUS.

IT'S JUST LIKE A GREAT FIELD.

I'M TELLING YOU NOW FEEL THAT WAY.

>> CY IN KIND.

AND MATT, IF THEY GO AWAY BECAUSE >> YOU CAN LAND AND ALSO TO STAFF IT HAVE IT THAT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE STAFF CAN GET BORING AND YOU CAN SEND AIMS FOR US AT THAT.

IBM SHOCK THAT THEY WOULD BE TAILING OUT SUCH LIKE A CENTERPIECE OF EDUCATION WITH THE OUT.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO MY CHOICE.

MIDDLE SCHOOL.

I SO YEAH, THEY'VE THAT THEY WOULD BE DIPPING OUT THE CENTERPIECE OF THIS COMMUNITY OF THIS.

IT FORM OF EDUCATION.

YEAH.

>> THE ARTS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO THESE CHILDREN, AREN'T THEY TALKED?

THEY ARE.

>> AND A NUMBER STUDIES BARELY OUT JUST HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO HELPING YOUNGSTERS BECOME WELL ADJUSTED PRODUCTIVE STUDENTS AND CITIZENS.

>> KIDS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE ARTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE.

THEN THOSE THAT AREN'T KIDS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE ARTS HAVE LESS BEHAVIORAL ISSUES.

KIDS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THE ARTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND WE SEE THAT HERE AT EDISON PARK.

OUR KIDS ARE PERFORMING AT CITY EVENTS FOR KIDS ARE PERFORMING AT RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES REPORTING OUT AT THE AIRPORT THERE DOING HOLIDAY SHOWS THAT THE EDISON HOME, IT'S A WELL ROUNDED APPROACH.

BUT I THINK REALLY SPEAKS TO WHY THE ARTS ARE SO IMPORTANT HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT WHY IT DOES, IN FACT, HELP TO THE WHOLE CHILD.

>> TOM, ARE THERE OTHER AREAS THAT CAN BE CUT OTHER THAN THE ARTS?

>> THERE ARE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE INDIA.

PLENTY OF SAYS THE CUT IN THE ARTS IS MISGUIDED.

>> IN MY OPINION, THEY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT OTHER WAYS TO CUT OUR BUDGET.

WE KNOW THAT IN OUR ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING WE HAVE GROWN OUR MINISTRY OF OFFICES IN EVERY SINGLE BOARD MEETING THIS YEAR SINCE AUGUST.

THEY ARE ADDING ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS THAT ARE PAYING 6 FIGURES EVERY SINGLE MONTH.

THEY'RE GROWING MORE DEPARTMENTS AND WE DON'T SEE CUTS HAPPENING THERE.

>> IN FACT, OR A 32 POSSESSIONS TO PAY MORE THAN THE $140,000 THAT GOVERNOR DESANTIS MAKES EACH YEAR.

SHE CITES QUESTIONABLE EXPENDITURES INCLUDING 1.6 MILLION DOLLARS FOR PROMOTIONAL ITEMS AND APPAREL.

$270,000 FOR LOBBYISTS WHO HAVE YET TO BRING IN ANY FUNDING AND $64,000 FOR A MALE OR SOLICITING NEW STUDENTS THAT WENT TO RETIRED VOTERS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE ALL GROWN.

LAST YEAR.

ALSO QUESTIONS WHETHER STUDENT ENROLLMENT HAS REALLY DROPPED.

SHE POINTS THE FACT THAT THE DISTRICT'S OWN CAPITAL PLAN CONTEMPLATES 10 NEW SCHOOLS AND ONE PORTABLE WEIGHING TO ACCOMMODATE 14,188 NEW STUDENTS ATTRIBUTABLE TO POPULATION GROWTH.

JORDAN VINE CAN AND HAS A FIRST IN THE 5TH GRADER ANDERSON PARK.

SHE HOPES THE CURRENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER STAND WITH PARENTS BY LOOKING INTO THESE TROUBLING ANOMALIES.

>> WHAT I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO DO WHO I KNOW ARE HEARING FROM THE PARENTS THIS WEEK IS TO STAND WITH THE PARENTS AND SAY THAT THEY WON'T APPROVE A BUDGET THAT FORCES PRINCIPLES INTO A POSITION WHERE THEY HAVE TO CUT OUR SPENDING.

SEND IT BACK TO THE DISTRICT, TELL THEM TO COME UP WITH A DIFFERENT PLAN.

TELL THEM TO TRIM THE FAT AT THE TOP AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL SO THAT THE MONEY GOES WHERE WE NEED IT, WHICH IS BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

>> CALLS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD HAVE GONE UNANSWERED.

>> TOM, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THIS IS A REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TOPIC AND SO MUCH INFORMATION.

THANKS FOR SHARING.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO AIR THIS VERY IMPORTANT STORY.

THANK YOU, TOM.

>> COMING UP NEXT, THE FUTURE OF AIRLINE SAFETY HAS.

>> PROSPECTS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW THE NAPLES AIRPORT IS PROVIDING THEM A NEW KIND OF CLASSROOM.

THE FBI REPORTS SENIOR CITIZENS LOST MORE THAN 7.5 BILLION DOLLARS TO FRAUD LAST YEAR.

A NEW STUDY BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS OR AARP SAYS ONE IN 4 ADULTS HAS BEEN A VICTIM OF FRAUD EXPERT KATHY STOKES FROM AARP JOINS US NOW TO TELL US MORE.

JOINING US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., KATHY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

THAT CATCHY REPORTS OF FRAUD.

THEY HAVE SKYROCKETED, ESPECIALLY AMONG SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

>> WELL, COVID GAVE A GRAND OPPORTUNITY FOR CRIMINALS TO REALLY UPPED THEIR GAME BECAUSE ALL OF US WENT ONLINE AT THE SAME TIME AND WE HAD MORE OR LESS UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT RISKS MIGHT BE OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE THERE FOR WORK AND FOR PLAY AND FOR SHOPPING.

AND SO CRIMINALS REALLY STARTED TAKING ADVANTAGE OF IT.

BUT THE BROADER PROBLEM IS THAT THAT IS THE PERIOD OF TIME WHEN A HUGE TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME SYNDICATES ENTERED THE FRAY AND THEY'VE BEEN BUILDING THEIR SKILLS EVER SENSE TO THE POINT THAT WE'RE IN A FRAUD CRISIS.

>> WHAT ARE THESE SCAMMERS LOOKING TO EXPLOIT AND ESPECIALLY AMONG SENIORS WHO ARE FAR MORE INCLINED TO FALL FOR THESE SCAMS >> I WOULDN'T SAY THAT ACTUALLY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION HAS REPORTED FOR YEARS THAT YOUNGER ADULTS REPORT FINANCIAL LOSS MORE OFTEN THAN OLDER ADULTS WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE A SCAM.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS THE OLDER ADULTS ARE SITTING ON ALL THE MONEY, RIGHT?

SO THE CRIMINALS WHO USED TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, STEALS $200 AND TECH SUPPORT SCAM ANOTHER GOING FOR EVERYTHING.

AND IT'S CREATED QUITE THE SITUATION.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR, ESPECIALLY IN ELECTRONIC MESSAGES LIKE EMAILS AND TEXTS SO THAT THEY DON'T BECOME THE PREY FOR THESE SCAMMERS.

>> YOU KNOW, I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT WE CANNOT TRUST ANY INCOMING COMMUNICATION CHANNEL RIGHT NOW.

I CAN TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, LOOK OUT FOR THE BAD ENGLISH, BAD GRAMMAR WEBSITES THAT DON'T SHOW INFORMATION ON RETURNS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS WERE USED TO BE ABLE TO SEE, AS YOU KNOW, INDICATORS, THE NEW ADVENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS CHANGED ALL THAT.

SO THEY'RE BECOMING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DETECT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO DETECT.

SO WE HAVE TO GO TO THESE CHANNELS WITH SKEPTICISM.

YOU COULD A TEXT MESSAGE AND IT SAYS IT'S FROM YOUR BANK.

DON'T BELIEVE IT'S FROM YOUR BANK.

LOG INTO YOUR ACCOUNT OR CALL THEM AT A NUMBER THAT, YOU KNOW TO BE IF YOU GET A MESSAGE THAT POPS UP ON YOUR COMPUTER THAT SAYS IT'S MICROSOFT OR NORTON AND THERE'S A PROBLEM.

DON'T ENGAGE WITH IT AND GET IN TOUCH WITH IF YOU HAVE ACCOUNTS WITH THOSE ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND OUT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM, DON'T CLICK ON LINKS.

DON'T SHOP UNLESS YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE THE COMPANY THAT YOU'RE BUYING FROM ITS REALLY A TRAGEDY THAT WE CANNOT USE OUR TECHNOLOGY AS IT WAS INTENDED.

>> ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE TODAY FOR OUR AUDIENCE IF THEY'RE JUST, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO IT, KEEP FROM BECOMING A VICTIM OF FRAUDSTERS.

>> YEAH, I WOULD SAY 2 THINGS.

ONE IS IF YOU LEARN SOMETHING HERE TODAY ABOUT A SCAM THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE, SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS REGULARLY WITH THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES AS WE KIND OF HAVE TO HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACKS.

YOU KNOW, AND WHETHER IT'S AN OLDER ADULT OR A SIBLING.

BUT THE INTENTIONALLY OF THESE CONVERSATIONS AND IF YOU'RE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING OR IF YOU'VE BEEN A VICTIM, YOU CAN CALL OUR HELPLINE JUDGMENT FREE ZONE.

+1-877-908-3360.

YOU GET TO ACTUALLY TALK TO A HUMAN.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY WITH THIS GREAT INFORMATION.

CATHY.

>> SO GLAD YOU HAD ME.

THANKS.

>> AS WE ALL TRY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PERSONAL DATA AND ALL OF THAT, ALSO OF OUR FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THIS STORY BY LOGGING ON TO WHEC.

YOU DOT ORG, VOCATIONAL STUDENTS THAT THE LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN NAPLES HAVE A CHANCE FOR HANDS-ON TRAINING.

THANKS TO THE SCHOOL'S NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH A PULSE AIRPORT.

WGCU REPORTER YOUN-JOO PARK TAKES US OUT TO TH AIRFIELD AND THE HANGARS TO SEE THESE NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THE GOAL OF THE STUDENTS TO MAKE FLIGHTS SAFER.

THE SENTIMENT.

EXCITEMENT.

>> IN CLASS WE HAVE IT.

IT'S REAL FINE.

AND WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF EVERYBODY AND AND CAMARADERIE, WE MOTIVATE EACH OF THE TO DO BETTER YET WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE IN A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOR AVIATION MECHANICS AT THE RENTAL WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

>> AND THANKS TO THE COLLEGE'S NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NAPLES AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

SOME OTHER TRAINING WILL TAKE PLACE HERE AT THE AIRPORT.

THE TIMING IS RIGHT FOR THIS COLLABORATION.

ACCORDING TO DIRECTOR OF LORENZO WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE, JOHN MONDA.

FLORIDA'S JUST GOING THROUGH A MAJOR INCREASE IN SERVING THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PILOTS AND MECHANICS >> WHO ARE RETIRING.

SO THERE'S JUST GREAT NOW.

A HUGE DEMAND OF AVIATION AIRFRAME APARTMENT MECHANICS.

GREAT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO MEET THAT LOCAL WORKFORCE.

THE NAPLES AIRPORT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> CRISPR ZELENSKYY.

>> SAYS NAPLES AIRPORT IS OPENING ITS AIR GROUND FACILITIES TO HELP WITH STUDENTS TRAINING.

>> 9.11, SECURITY PROTOCOLS ARE ACTUALLY IN AN INHIBITOR TO DATE GAINING ACCESS AND EXPOSURE TO ALL THE INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES.

AVIATION IMPORTS.

>> AFTER STUDENTS RECEIVED HANDS-ON TRAINING AT THE COLLEGE FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS.

THEY WILL BE PREPARED TO PASS THE CERTIFICATE AND START THEIR CAREER.

STUDENT.

EDWIN LOPEZ IS FAMILIAR WITH THE TOOLS.

>> THIS USED A RATING OF ITS LIKE IF WE GO IN, SHE LED A WORK FOR THE TEAM TO A DOOR IN A CRASH.

IF THIS IS ONE OF OUR MAIN THING WAS TO REBUT IT.

>> STUDENT LOGAN COOKE DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCE AND HIS WORK.

>> A VOLUSIA NEWS AND TAKING TELL JUST BY LOOKING AT IT DOUBLE AS A A >> INSTRUCTOR.

JOHN SWAYZE HAS TRAINED STUDENTS FOR 2 DECADES AND SAYS SUCCESS IS MEASURED, NOT BY ONE PROJECT, BUT BY THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

WE CAGE.

>> NOT JUST HOW TO TURN RIGHT.

WE TEACHERS SAFETY FOR LOSS.

EVERYTHING IS ABOUT SAFETY.

WE ARE THE VANGUARD, CAN CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT.

IT TAXES OUT.

TAKES OFF DOZENS WHITE BACKPACK TO UNLOAD AND NOBODY GETS SCRATCHED THING EARLY.

>> IT TYPICALLY ENOUGH MEN.

WOMEN ARE BEGINNING TO GAIN ENTRY INTO THE AVIATION MECHANICS FIELD STUDENTS.

YES, AND YEAR, LOPEZ HERNANDEZ SAYS HER COHORTS ARE WELCOMING.

>> PUTTING IN AS A GIRL, YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF GET NERVOUS ON HOW YOU BE TREATED AS YOU'RE KIND OF LIKE DIFFERENT.

YEAH, AND I HOPE THAT WE HAVE MORE GIRLS IN THE FUTURE.

I HOPE THAT WE HAVE MORE GIRLS JOINED THE PROTESTS WELL, SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST COME OUT ON APPEAL, THAT IT'S JUST MORE EVEN NOW.

>> IN FACT, THE AVIATION MECHANICS INDUSTRY BENEFITS BY THE PRESENTS A FEMALE WORKERS, ACCORDING TO STUDENTS FOR BEING A TESCO >> IN THE THE, U.S.

AND THINK MORE IT SMALLER AND TO MAKE A HARD PLACE.

>> FOR TODAY, HER SIGHTS ON A CAREER IN AVIATION.

MIGHT BE ROOTED IN TAKING ROUTINE WEEKEND FLIGHTS DURING HER TEENAGE YEARS.

>> OTHERS TRYING TO AND THEY TAKING.

>> ANOTHER STUDENT NEARY FOR IS TRYING TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CALL.

>> I GOT INTO THE PROGRAM BECAUSE MY WHEN MY RELATIVES WAS AIRCRAFT MECHANIC.

>> AND HE ACTUALLY WORKED HERE AT THE NAPLES AIRPORT FOR A WHILE.

>> AND I WAS ACTUALLY REALLY INSPIRED BY HIM.

AND YET THE CREAR OF THE STUDENTS MIGHT TURN INTO SOMETHING THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS NEVER DREAMED DEATH.

>> SWAYZE PREDICTS THAT HIS STUDENTS WILL BE POISED TO FACE RAPID ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY >> I TELL MY STUDENTS TOO LONG AGO.

I COULD SEE IN THEIR COUNTY.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE CALLED ON BY THEIR LAWYERS.

THE ICE ROCKET SHIP A WORK IN OUTER SPACE.

>> AND GIVEN THE PARTNERSHIP OF NAPLES AIRPORT AND THE RENTAL WALKER TECHNICAL COLLEGE, THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT FOR THE STUDENTS FOR WGC.U NEWS.

I'M YOUN-JOO PARK.

>> THE AVIATION MECHANICS PROGRAM HAS GROWN OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

LORENZO TECHNICAL COLLEGE HAS 3 YEARS AGO.

THEY HAD ABOUT A DOZEN STUDENTS.

NOW THEY HAVE 80 COMING UP NEXT.

FIGHTING FATHER, TIME AND POSSIBLE WAYS TO SLOW DOWN THAT CLOCK WHEN IT COMES TO STAYING ACTIVE.

AGING IN GOOD HEALTH IS THE FOCUS FOR SO MANY OF US, ESPECIALLY AS WE MOVE TOWARD RETIREMENT YEARS AND ALMOST 70 YEAR-OLD BODYBUILDER AND LONGEVITY EXPERT JOINS US NOW WITH SOME GREAT TIPS ON HOW WE CAN AGE IN.

GREAT HEALTH.

NATURALLY, EDWARD JONES JOINS US NOW FROM CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

EDWARD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING ME.

>> WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW DID YOU BECOME A NATURAL HEALTH PIONEER?

LET'S START WITH THAT.

>> WONDERFUL.

I'VE BEEN IN THE FIELD OF NUTRITION SINCE I WAS 21 YEARS OLD.

AND HERE I AM BE 69 VERY SOON.

AND ACTUALLY HAVE.

COUNSEL NUTRITION STORE BEEN INVOLVED IN IN DATA AND STUDIES ACTUALLY CAME OUT WITH PRODUCTS MYSELF.

BUT I'VE BEEN PERSONALLY AND TRADE OF HOW CAN WE CREATE GRACEFUL AGING?

BECAUSE WE ALL SEE OUR LOVED ONES AND OUR FRIENDS DECLINED PRETTY QUICKLY.

SOMETIMES WHEN THEY HIT.

45 55 YEARS OLD.

AND EVEN IF THEY DON'T, THEY DON'T HAVE SEEMINGLY THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT MANY OF US WOULD WISH THAT WOULD BE BETTER AS WE AGE.

AND SO I HAVE A PLAN, AT LEAST FOR MYSELF.

AND CERTAINLY WHEN I COUNSEL OUR CLIENTS AND OTHERS AND AS TO HOW CAN WE DO THIS?

BECAUSE THE GENERAL POPULATION IS AGING WAY TOO FAST.

>> NOW, ONE POINT YOU ARE IN A WALKER AND YOU REALLY HAD POOR HEALTH DECLINING HEALTH AND YOU MADE THIS COME BACK AFTER THE AGE OF 50.

SO CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT STORY?

YOUR BACK STORY.

>> WELL, IT WAS ABOUT LATE 1999.

I'M ALWAYS BEEN IN THE GYM WORKOUT VERY HARD.

USED TO ACHES AND PAINS BECAUSE I LIFT HEAVY.

SOMETIMES.

AND SO I DIDN'T THINKING ABOUT GETTING OUT OF BED ON THAT MORNING OF 1999.

WITH THIS TIP PROBLEM BACK HERE.

BUT WITHIN 2 WEEKS, I REALIZED THIS WAS NOT JUST JIM STUFF AND I ENDED UP DECLINING OVER THE NEXT 3 YEARS TO 3 AND A HALF YEARS TO A POINT OF NEEDING A CANE TO GET AROUND AND THEN A YEAR OR 2 LATER, I HAD TO HAVE A WALKER IN THE MORNING IN A WALKER AT NIGHT ALONG WITH MEDICATIONS WHICH I ABSOLUTELY I HAVE LIVED MY LIFE TO NOT HAVE TO HAVE PAIN MEDICATIONS, ALA BELIEVE IN THE GREEN PHARMACY APPROACH.

BUT IT WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT IT.

AND I ALSO WOULD IMAGINE ALL OF THAT.

>> AFFECTED YOUR MENTAL STATE AS WELL.

I WOULD IMAGINE THAT WE GET TO PRESSING IF YOU'RE SO ACTIVE IN GREAT SHAPE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE YOU'RE IN A WALKER.

>> IT WAS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

AND I THINK IT MADE ME MORE HUMBLE AND IT CERTAINLY MADE ME BASS LAKE MORE.

APPRECIATE THE FACT OF FEELING GOOD AND DOING HAVE PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN OF ACTION TO HELP MYSELF ENDURE THE NEXT DECADES.

THAT WILL BE LIVING.

I WANT TO HOLD MY GRANDKIDS.

I WANT TO BE FUNCTIONAL.

I WANT TO CARRY SUITCASES AND AND HAVE STAMINA.

I LOST ALL OF THAT DURING CHRONIC PAIN.

ANYBODY OUT THERE AS CHRONIC PAIN UNDERSTANDS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

>> SO CAN YOU THEN TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU GOT INVOLVED IN BODY BUILDING AND THEN HOW IMPORTANT THIS WEIGHT LIFTING PROCESS IS REALLY NO MATTER YOUR AGE AND ESPECIALLY AS WE GET OLDER.

>> I I I THINK YOU'RE HITTING ON A POINT THAT DATA HAS NOW CONFIRMED THAT THE NUMBER ONE METRIC FOR LONGEVITY IS MUSCLE STRENGTH.

IT IS BECAUSE THE LAST STRENGTH WE HAVE THAT IS CORRELATED WITH LAST MORE.

BUT MORE MORTALITY AND CERTAINLY LESS QUALITY OF LIFE.

THE ONLY 2 THINGS THAT TRULY HELP IN REGARD TO WOMEN AND MEN AS WE AGE TO MAINTAIN MUSCLE BECAUSE MUSCLES IN OREGON AND WE NEED IT TO BE OPTIMAL IS MAINTAINING HIGHER LEVELS OF GOOD QUALITY PROTEIN AND LIFTING WEIGHTS 4 TIMES A WEEK AND THE GM, MANY WOMEN THINK, OH, I DON'T WANT TO GET BULKY.

THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN.

I'VE BEEN IN THE GM SINCE I WAS 14 YEARS-OLD.

AND SO THAT'S 55 OR 60 YEARS.

AND IT DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY.

SO I ENCOURAGE WOMEN EXPECIALLY TO DO THE WEIGHT TRAINING FOR THE LONGEVITY, PREVENTING OSTEOPOROSIS, BUT ALSO LIVING LONGER.

>> CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS TERM CALLED PEAK SPAN AT WHAT IS IT?

AND I KNOW YOU SPECIFICALLY TIED TO SHARE STRATEGIES THAT HELP US EXTEND PEAK SPAN.

>> I LOVE THE WORD BECAUSE WE I THINK WE HAVE NORMALIZED FEELING ROTTEN IN THIS COUNTRY.

YOU GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND YOUR PAST 50 AND HE SAYS, WELL, YOU'VE HAD A LOT OF BIRTHDAYS.

I DON'T BUY THAT EXCUSE.

WE DID NOT USE TO FEEL AS POORLY AS WE DO.

AND WE DIDN'T HAVE MELANCHOLY IN OUR MOOD AND ANXIOUSNESS AND INSOMNIA AND ALL THE PARTS OF THIS POSSIBLE UNTIL WE WERE ABOUT 80.

BUT NOW IT'S HITTING DECADES EARLIER AND PEAKS PAN IS THE PLAN OF ACTION THAT I WANT PEOPLE TO PUT TOGETHER IN ORDER TO CREATE GRACEFUL AGING.

STAY STRONG.

THE POSITIVE.

AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE MY DATES.

I HAVE DAYS WHERE I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M 30 BECAUSE MOST THE TIME I DO FEEL 30, BUT 95.

SO THE TIME I FEEL SO GOOD WITH STAMINA AND ENERGY AND SLEEP HAD PROBLEMS WITH INSOMNIA.

GOT ALL THOSE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, VERY INFORMATIVE.

AND I'M CERTAINLY LEARNING A LOT.

THANK YOU, EDWARD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG.

THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

IF WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.