THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING COMES TO THE SUNSHINE STATE.

THE LATEST ON THE SPECIAL SESSION THAT LAWMAKERS VOTE TO REDRAW FLORIDA'S CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

FLORIDA TEACHERS RANK NEAR THE BOTTOM WHEN IT COMES TO SALARIES, CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO HELP GET STATE EDUCATORS BETTER PAY.

AND A LOOK AT THE CONTINUING RECOVERY EFFORTS FROM THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS OF HURRICANES.

AS WE LOOK AT WHERE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR PAST STORM RECOVERY ARE HEADED.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FLORIDA.

LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE APPROVED.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS SAYS PROPOSAL TO REDRAW FLORIDA'S CONGRESSIONAL MAPS FOLLOWING 2 SEPARATE DEBATES.

THE HOUSE VOTED 83 TO 28 AND THE SENATE VOTED 21 TO 17 IN FAVOR OF THE NEW MAPS.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ACCUSE REPUBLICANS OF GERRYMANDERING TO GAIN ADVANTAGE IN THE UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

REPUBLICANS HOLD 20 OF THE STATE'S 28 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.

THE NEW MAP SANTA AT 4 REPUBLICAN LEANING SEATS BY SLIPPING 4 OF THE SEATS CURRENTLY HELD BY DEMOCRATS AND OUR STATE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE INNING TO CHANGE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS LEADING UP TO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

WHILE THE TALK IN FLORIDA HAS FOCUSED ON THE POSSIBILITY OF PICKING UP MORE REPUBLICAN LED COUNTIES.

MARISA, DO HANEY SHOWS US HOW IN ONE STATE THERE'S A POSSIBLE NEW MAP SWINGING RED TO BLUE.

>> VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT IS DECIDING ON A CASE THAT CARRIES HIGH STAKES FOR THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE U.S.

HOUSE.

JUDGES HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS MONDAY ON WHETHER A VOTER APPROVED REDISTRICTING AMENDMENT COMPLIED WITH THE STATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

THE NEW DISTRICTS WHICH COULD NET DEMOCRATS FOR ADDITIONAL SEATS.

ONE NARROW VOTER APPROVAL LAST WEEK, BUT A REPUBLICAN CHALLENGE TO THE MAT CONTENDS THAT THE DEMOCRATIC LEAD GENERAL ASSEMBLY VIOLATED PROCEDURAL RULES BY PLACING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BEFORE VOTERS TO AUTHORIZE THE MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING.

IF THE COURT AGREES THAT LAWMAKERS BROKE THE RULES, IT COULD INVALIDATE THE AMENDMENT AND RENDER LAST WEEK'S VOTE MEANINGLESS.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE COURT'S RULING.

WE THINK AFTER LISTENING TO THE ORAL ARGUMENTS AND CERTAINLY LOOKING AT THE BREEZE, THE LAW'S VERY CLEAR THE CONSTITUTION WAS NOT FOLLOWED.

AND WE HOPE THAT THE COURT WILL RULE AVOID LIKE OVER 2 MILLION PEOPLE VOTED.

>> IN FAVOR TO RATIFY THIS PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT LAST TUESDAY IN THE CHALLENGERS ARE ASKING YOU TO OVERTURN THE DEMOCRATIC RESULT.

AND SO I THINK THE JUSTICES ARE APPROPRIATELY INTERESTED IN SCRUTINIZING THOSE ARGUMENTS VERY CAREFULLY.

IT'S THE LATEST IN A NATIONAL REDISTRICTING BATTLE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS SEEKING AN ADVANTAGE IN THE NOVEMBER MIDTERM ELECTION AND WILL HELP DETERMINE WHETHER REPUBLICANS MAINTAIN THEIR NARROW MAJORITY IN THE U.S.

HOUSE.

>> LAST SUMMER, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP URGED TEXAS REPUBLICANS TO REDRAW DISTRICTS TO THEIR FAVOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO WIN SEVERAL ADDITIONAL HOUSE SEATS.

>> FLORIDA LAWMAKERS WILL NOW TURN TO THE UNRESOLVED STATE BUDGET DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE LACK OF A BUDGET SALARIES FOR SCHOOL.

TEACHERS FOR THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW, FLORIDA RANKS 50TH IN THE NATION FOR AVERAGE TEACHER PAY ACCORDING TO THE 2026 NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES AND RANKINGS DATA REPORT TEACHERS IN THE STATE MAKE AN AVERAGE OF $56,000 EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S A PAY GAP OF $0.78 TO THE DOLLAR COMPARED TO OTHER EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS SO WHAT IMPACT IS THIS WAGE DISPARITY HAVING ON SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE?

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT >> THE LATEST REPORT, ANDREW SPAR, THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, PRESIDENT MR.

SPOHR, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JENNIFER.

APPRECIATE BEING HERE.

>> CAN YOU FIRST EXPLAIN HOW THIS DATA WAS GATHERED FOR THIS ANNUAL REPORT THAT REALLY SHOWS A DISMAL RANKING FOR FLORIDA TEACHERS ONCE AGAIN.

>> THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR AFFILIATES AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL FOR THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION GOES AROUND TO EVERY STATE AND ACTUALLY ASKED THE STATE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION FOR THIS INFORMATION AND THEN SIMPLY COMPARES THAT ACROSS THE NATION AND FLORIDA RANKS 50TH OUT OF THE 50 STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C., FOR THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW FOR AVERAGE TEACHER PAY.

THAT'S DOWN FROM 36 AND THE NATION BACK ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO.

>> SO THE BRIGHT SPOT WE'RE NOT DEAD LAST SECOND TO THE LAST.

TO YOUR POINT, >> YEAH, WE'RE WE'RE SECOND TO LAST.

BUT HERE'S THE REALITY OF WHAT IT MEANS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

IT MEANS OUR DISTRICTS HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING AND KEEPING TEACHERS AND STAFF IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE THAT CONSTANT TURNOVER.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR STUDENTS?

IT MEANS THEY MAYBE IN A CLASSROOM THAT DOESN'T HAVE A FULLY CERTIFIED CREDENTIALED TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT ALSO MAY MEAN THAT THEIR TEACHER LEAVES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR BECAUSE THEY'RE TIRED OF BEING BEATEN DOWN IN A STATE THAT DOESN'T VALUE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND NOT BEING PAID ENOUGH THAT THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR BILLS JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

>> WHY IS THERE SUCH AN EXTREME DISPARITY?

BECAUSE YOU HAVE ON THE HIGH END, CALIFORNIA TEACHERS MAKING IN THE 6 FIGURES.

SAME WITH NEW YORK WAS ALMOST IN THE 6 FIGURES AND THEN IT REALLY GOES DOWN TO THE NUTS MID 50'S FOR MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA AND FLORIDA.

WHY IS THERE THIS BIG DISPARITY?

>> WELL, SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT STATES ARE REALLY GOING TO INVEST IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH COST OF P ASLEEP.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST OF LIVING IN FLORIDA, HOMEOWNERSHIP CONTINUES TO GET MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE AS HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

RENTS ARE SKYROCKETING, ESPECIALLY IN THE FORT MYERS AREA.

WE'RE SEEING RENTS GOING UP AT AN ALARMING RATE.

HEALTH CARE COSTS AND FLORIDA ARE HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

SO IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE DOCTOR CAN AFFORD IT.

WE'RE SEEING GAS PRICES GOING UP, GROCERIES GOING UP.

AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING TEACHERS LEAVE THE PROFESSION.

IT'S ALSO WHY SO MANY OF THEM WORK A SECOND OR 3RD JOB AS THIS REPORT POINTS OUT AS WELL.

>> I NOTED THAT TEACHER SALARIES HAVE RISEN IN FLORIDA.

THEY'VE GONE UP.

I THINK IT'S SAID ABOUT 3.5% DO YOU SEE THAT AS A TREND IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> NOT AT ALL.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ACTUAL TIME THAT GOVERNOR DESANTIS HAS BEEN IN OFFICE OVER HIS 8 YEARS, SALARIES HAVE GONE UP ABOUT 14%.

SO LESS THAN 2% A YEAR.

SO WHILE THIS YEAR SOUGHT A 3% BUMP, LOOK AT WHAT THE COST OF LIVING IS.

LOOK AT HOW MUCH MORE WE'RE PAYING AT THE GAS PUMP RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE ENDS MEET, ESPECIALLY WHEN TEACHER PAY IS SO FAR BEHIND THE REST OF THE NATION IN MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO RECRUIT THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WE MUST DO BETTER.

>> AND WHAT IS THE ACTUAL AVERAGE FOR FLORIDA?

WHAT DID THIS REPORT SHOW?

>> SO THIS REPORT SHOWS THAT THE AVERAGE IS A LITTLE OVER $50,000 A YEAR.

I THINK CLOSING IN ON $56,000 A YEAR.

AND THAT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THE PROFESSION FOR 10 OR 15 OR EVEN 20 YEARS.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE BIGGEST NUMBERS WE'RE PEOPLE LEAVING THE PROFESSION, OUR TEACHERS WHO HAVE 15, 2025 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WHO ARE LEAVING BEFORE RETIREMENT.

AND THIS AGAIN IS IMPACTING THE ABILITY FOR OUR STUDENTS TO GET THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE AND NEED.

AND WE'RE SEEING THAT AS WELL IN SOME OF THE DATA COMING OUT, EVEN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL SAT SCORES AND FLORIDA ARE DOWN THE NABE SCORES.

THE NATIONALISTS IS A HUGE OCCASION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

THOSE SCORES ARE DOWN.

THAT'S THE NATION REPORT CARD.

IT'S PROBLEMATIC WHEN YOU START REALLY LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE WORLD-CLASS SCHOOLS IN FLORIDA AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT TO EDUCATE EVERY CHILD AT A HIGH LEVEL IS MATT AND FLORIDA'S NOT MEETING THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND TO BE CLEAR, THAT AVERAGE IS THAT IT'S AN AVERAGE.

IT'S NOT ENTRY LEVEL, CORRECT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MID 50'S FOR.

>> TEACHERS WITH ALL KINDS OF EXPERIENCE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND EVEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ENTRY LEVEL, IT'S NOT THAT FAR BEHIND IT.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES WE'VE HAD WITH.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS IS PLAN.

YOU KNOW, BEGINNING TEACHER PAY HAD RISEN PRETTY HIGH, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY DOWN 2 SPOTS IN THIS PROGRAM FROM LAST YEAR.

AND THIS THIS REPORT FROM LAST YEAR.

SO AGAIN, WE'RE SEEING AN EVEN NOW BEGINNING TEACHER PAY STARTING TO TAIL OFF AND OF COURSE, PAY FOR TEACHERS WITH EXPERIENCE, THE ONES WE WANT TO KEEP IN THE PROFESSION IS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE >> COUPLE OF DECADES, MR.

SPOHR, HOW DOES FLORIDA RANK?

>> WITH PER STUDENT SPENDING >> AND THAT'S ANOTHER AREA THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK AND TRY TO GET THE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE ON.

FLORIDA IS 41ST IN THE NATION AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, I THINK THAT MAY EVEN BE A LITTLE BIT INFLATED BECAUSE OF HOW FLORIDA FUNDS VOUCHERS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS OUT OF THE SAME FUNDING.

REMEMBER, THERE WAS AN AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT IN TALLAHASSEE THIS YEAR THAT HAD 17 RECOMMENDATIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AROUND THE STATE'S UNIVERSAL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

LAWMAKERS FAILED TO ACT ON IT AND IT'S NOT LOST ON ME THAT LAWMAKERS ARE MEETING THIS WEEK IN A SPECIAL SESSION TO TALK ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES RATHER THAN TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT IT'S REALLY HARD FOR FLORIDIANS TO MAKE ENDS MEET RIGHT NOW.

HEALTH CARE COSTS ARE OUT OF CONTROL AND AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE GROCERY PRICES GOING UP EVERY DAY AND LAWMAKERS ARE DEALING WITH THE EVERYDAY NEEDS OF FLORIDIANS, INCLUDING MAKING SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN GET THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE AND NEED.

>> HOW DOES THE FACT THAT THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE STILL HAS NOT PASSED A BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR?

HOW DOES THAT IMPACT WHAT IS GOING ON IMPACTING TEACHERS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE SALARIES AND THEIR BUDGETS?

>> BUT YOU'RE SEEING SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL OVER THE STATE TALKING ABOUT HAVING TO MAKE MASSIVE CUTS, INCREASED CLASS SIZES, EVEN DISTRICTS LIKE LEE COUNTY WHERE THEY HAVE INCREASING STUDENT ENROLLMENT ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET FINANCIALLY AND AGAIN, THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT FLORIDA IS FAILING IN ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS DIVERTING OVER 5 BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROFIT VOUCHER SCHEMES.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WITHOUT HAVING THE LEGISLATURE FINISHING THE WORK THEY NEEDED TO FINISH ON TIME.

IT MEANS DISTRICTS ARE KIND OF IN THE DARK.

NOT SURE HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE NEXT YEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ADD THE VOUCHER PROGRAM TO THAT MIX.

AND SO STUDENTS LOSE OUT WHEN WE HAVE TO MAKE CUTS OR CLOSE SCHOOLS OR INCREASE CLASS SIZE.

AND THAT'S NOT OK.

>> WHAT CAN FLORIDIANS DO TO HELP CREATE CHANGE IN THE SYSTEM TO TRY TO HELP INCREASED THE PAY FOR TEACHERS AND MAKE THEM MORE EQUITABLE.

WELL, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF DISTRICTS WHO HAVE >> PASS REFERENDUM TO INCREASE PAY FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF IN OUR SCHOOLS.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY ONE WAY TO DO IT.

BUT I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NEED TO PUT PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS ON OUR SET STATE SENATORS IN OUR STATE HOUSE MEMBERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO REALLY INVEST IN FLORIDA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY MAKE BUDGETING DECISIONS WHICH ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PRIORITIES OF THE STATE.

WHY IS IT THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS?

WHY IS IT ALWAYS LAST IN THAT CONVERSATION?

IT NEEDS TO BE FRONT AND CENTER AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT LAWMAKERS ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING OUT FOR THE FUTURE OF THE STATE.

OUR CHILDREN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

HAVE A GREAT ONE TO 2.

>> YOU CAN STAY INFORMED OF ALL OF THE EDUCATION RELATED STORIES IMPACTING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

JUST CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

AND COMING UP AS WE COUNT DOWN TO THE START OF HURRICANE SEASON, AN UPDATE ON MONEY HELPING PAY FOR CLEANUP FROM PAST HURRICANES AND PREPPING US FOR THE NEXT POTENTIAL STORM.

WE ARE JUST ABOUT A MONTH AWAY FROM THE START OF THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON OPENING UP ON JUNE.

1ST AND JOINING US NOW IS SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLES.

AND TOM, YOU HAVE SOME NEW INFORMATION ON FEMA, MONEY AND HURRICANES AND THERE'S SOME OTHER NEW UPDATES ON OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STORIES THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US TODAY.

VERY INC.

>> THANKS TO FACTUALLY.

>> JENNIFER, LET'S START WITH THE UPCOMING DATE ON THE CALENDAR THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT.

>> AND A DECISION THIS WEEK MADE BY FEMA WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

RESIDENTS.

FEMA SAYS THESE GRANTS ARE FOR LONG-TERM PROJECTS TO PREDICT PROTECT AGAINST FUTURE STORMS.

BUT THERE'S ALSO MONEY INCLUDED FOR DAMAGE DATING BACK TO HURRICANE IAN FOR INSTANCE, IN LEE COUNTY, 19 MILLION DOLLARS ARE GOING TO SEVERAL UTILITY COMPANIES FOR POWER, RESTORATION AND DISTRIBUTION FROM HURRICANES AND MILTON AND HELENE, SARASOTA COUNTY IS RECEIVING 17 MILLION DOLLARS FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM HIM.

FEMA SAYS WITH THIS LATEST PAYOUT, THE STATE AS A WHOLE HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 2 BILLION DOLLARS SINCE HURRICANE IAN.

NOW, AS WE LOOK AHEAD, A PORTION OF THIS MONEY ALSO INCLUDES DOLLARS FOR CITIES LIKE FORT MYERS AND CAPE CORAL FOR CONSTRUCTION COST TO MAKE BUILDINGS SAFER DURING HURRICANES AND HELP WITH FLOODING ROADS.

WE SEE AND WE KNOW HOW BAD THAT CAN BE DURING A TROPICAL STORM.

EVEN.

COMING OFF THOSE HURRICANES.

A VERY IMPORTANT PLACE FOR OUR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WILDLIFE, THE CLINIC FOR REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE AND YOU MAY NOTICE CROW THEY HAD TO FIND A WAY OF SUSTAINING THEIR MISSION OF SAVING ANIMALS AND ITS WILDLIFE HOSPITAL IN EDUCATION CENTER.

CROWE HAS NOT ONLY REBOUNDED IT, SEA TURTLE REHABILITATION FACILITY IS NOW IN PLACE.

IT'S CALLED THE HARKEY SEA TURTLE COMPLEX NAMED AFTER LONGTIME SUPPORTERS BILL AND LORI HARKEY.

THE PREVIOUS ETERNAL COMPLEX WAS ALSO DESTROYED BY HURRICANE IAN AND CROW HELD A RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE NEW COMPLEX, NEW COMPLEX THIS WEEK.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE READY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SEA TURTLE POPULATION AS SOON AS IT RECEIVES THEIR FINAL PERMITS.

FINALLY, JENNIFER, A DEVELOPING STORY WITH THE GROUP CALUSA WATERKEEPER.

JOE KAVANAUGH WAS HIRED TO LEAD THE ORGANIZATION LAST MAY.

NOW WE FOUND OUT THAT HE'S NO LONGER PART OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THE 2 PARTED WAYS THE BOARD MEMBER TELLS ME AND HE SAID THAT THE SIDES PARTED ON GOOD TERMS.

THANKS FOR NOT WORKING OUT THAT AND KAVANAUGH TELLS ME HE PLANS ON CONTINUING HIS WORK ON HABITAT AND SAWFISH CONSERVATION IN THE RIVER.

CALUSA WATERKEEPER IS A NONPROFIT THAT WORKS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER FROM LAKE OKEECHOBEE DOWN TO THE COASTAL WATERS OF LEE COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, JENNIFER, ONE OF THE KEY SERVICES THAT THIS ORGANIZATION DOES IS THE SAMPLE OUR WATER AND LOOK FOR CONTAMINANTS.

AND IN FACT, THE HEALTH OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER IS A MAIN CONCERN TO ALL OF US RIGHT NOW.

AND THE CALUSA WATERKEEPER TO TENSION AND OURS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE RIVER IN FEBRUARY WHEN IT FILLED, AS YOU REMEMBER WITH BLUE GREEN ALGAE FROM BANK TO BANK FOR 35 MILES FROM MOORE HAVEN.

WHERE COMES OUT OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE DOWN TO ABOUT OUT OF.

I WAS HERE 3 OR 4 WEEKS AGO TELLING YOU THAT I WAS HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME FINDING OUT ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHY THEY DIDN'T WARN THE PUBLIC THAT THIS TOXIC BLUE-GREEN ALGAE HAD FEEL THAT MUCH OF THE RIVER AND I WAS GETTING STONEWALLED AND SENT TO WEBSITES THAT WERE BROKEN DOWN FOR INFORMATION LINKS THAT WERE BUSTED AND I COULDN'T GET ANYBODY TO TALK FROM THE AGENCIES THAT MATTER THAT ARE HERE TO PROTECT YOU AND ME AND OUR CHILDREN.

WHEN WE GO INTO THE WATER.

>> I STILL AM UNABLE TO GET ANYTHING.

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THOSE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED WEEKS AGO?

YES, I FILED THE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS.

>> I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK YET THAT THEY FIRST SEE THEM NOW, ACCORDING TO STATE LAW, THEY HAVE ANY ANY AGENCY HAS A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO RESPOND THAT THEY'VE SIMPLY RECEIVED THE UPDATE AND THEN THEY HAVE MORE TIME TO ACTUALLY FILL THE INFORMATION THAT WE'VE REQUESTED.

I HAVEN'T EVEN RECEIVED WORD THAT ANY OF THE 3 ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR MORE INFORMATION HAS EVEN RECEIVED ARE ARE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST.

SO I'M I'M TALKING WITH THOSE AGENCIES PERSONALLY NOW TO SAVE WYMAN.

I RECEIVED ANYTHING.

IN WRITING THAT SAYS WE'RE AT LEAST WORKING ON THIS SO I CAN LET EVERYBODY KNOW THAT.

HEY, I'LL HAVE SOME SOME ANSWERS FOR YOU ABOUT WHY THERE'S SUCH A MASSIVE OUTBREAK OF TOXIC ALGAE THAT WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE PUBLIC.

>> RATHER CONCERNING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LATEST ON ALL OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

TOM BAYLISS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

>> FROM WATER QUALITY TO SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON.

>> THERE IS A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STORIES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

FOR SEVERAL DECADES.

WAYNE DAWKINS HAS HELPED SHAPE JOURNALISM AFTER SPENDING 24 YEARS AS A JOURNALIST AND EDITOR, HE TRANSITIONED TO A TEACHER AND A PROFESSOR AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY AND MORGAN STATE.

HE HAS ALSO WRITTEN 6 BOOKS INCLUDING SOME WITH THE FOCUS ON THE STRUGGLES OF BLACK JOURNALISTS IN AMERICA.

WGCUS BRYANT MONTEIL SAT DOWN WITH DAWKINS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS CAREER AND HOW HE GOT HIS START IN JOURNALISM.

>> GOES BACK 2.

>> CHILDHOOD MY PARENTS.

>> RACES, READERS.

WE HAD A AS A CHILD.

I REMEMBER WE HAD BUT I ACCESS TO FULL SET.

ENCYCLOPEDIA IS.

BOOKS GRIMM'S FAIRY TALES AND THE OTHER CLASSIC FAIRYTALES BOOKSHELF.

I LEARN.

THE LATER THAT ONE OF MY UNCLES WAS A JOURNALIST FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PAPER IN PANAMA CITY.

SO I HAD ALL THESE INFLUENCES.

SO BY THE TIME.

MIDWAY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL, I COMMITTED AND SAID.

I WANT TO BE A JOURNALIST.

THE ALL THE MENTOR THEY'D LIKE TO CALL MENTOR WAS SOMEONE THE WAY IN THERE.

JOHN TORBETT COLUMBIA WAS A COLOMBIAN ALONG THE EDGE ON TOUGH TALK THERE.

HE STRONG ARMY IN 2.

APPLYING TO COLOMBIA GRADUATE SCHOOL GIRLS.

I SAID, WELL, I HAVE MY DEGREE IN JOURNALISM AND I HAVE BEEN APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOLS WITH SOMETHING ELSE.

THAT'S IT.

WATCH THAT 2 DEGREES.

AND HE SAID.

SOMEDAY AFTER THE PRACTICE IT.

THEY WANT TO TEACH.

HERE I AM.

I MADE A CAREER SWITCH TO ACADEMIA FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

THIS DECISION I EVER MADE.

>> YOU SEE HOW THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING.

SO WORKED.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU TEACH THEM WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PROCESS?

YOU NOW AND HOW IS INVOLVED OR HOW IT SHIFTED.

AND HOW DO WE KEEP THAT RESILIENCE?

HOW DO WE KEEP THAT INTEGRITY?

HOW DO WE KEEP IT?

WHAT IT SHOULD BE?

>> I GO INTO AT MENTOR THAT WRITING STILL.

AT THE CENTER.

WHAT WE DO.

WHETHER YOU WERE FOR PRINT MEDIA, WHETHER YOU WORK.

IN TELEVISION OR RADIO SO THIS IS GREAT TO HAVE THE VIDEO, BUT WE STILL NEED SOME WORDS TO TELL THE STORIES.

ARE YOU CHOOSING THE RIGHT WORDS EVEN IF YOU HAVE A FEW WORDS TO WORK WITH.

SO THAT'S AS I OFTEN HAVE TO DISABUSE PEOPLE.

THE NOTION I CAN DO THIS BY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT.

>> AND THE MAIN MESSAGE YOU WANT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR TO COME AWAY WITH.

YOU'RE AMAZING.

WRITING.

AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT THEM TO COME AWAY WITH SAYING, YES, I WONDERED.

MOVE FORWARD WITH HIS FIGHT FOR WHEN YOU LOOK BACK HISTORICALLY.

>> OR WORSE THAN US AND THEY PERSEVERED.

>> THEY PERSEVERED AND THEY WERE DOING FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

AND THE CHILDREN AFTER THEM.

I KNOW SOMETIMES IT CAN TO SEEM LIKE WE'RE JUST LECTURERS.

WE'RE JUST PEOPLE WHO SCOLD AND TO LOSE SAID.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU FIND OUT SOMETHING THAT'S ON JUST WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER DO BETTER.

SO WE'RE JUST TRYING TO LEARN.

WE'RE STILL LEARNING THINGS SOMETIMES IT ISN'T PRETTY WHO SAID.

DEMOCRACY WAS PRETTY.

YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE FIGHT OF OUR LIVES TO SAVE OUR DEMOCRACY.

I LOVE THE A AND BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'LL FIND.

YOU'LL HAVE A. THESE ARE THE REMAINING MOMENTS.

JUST LIKE SOMEONE LIKE I HAD MY DAVID MCCALLUM, THE BIOGRAPHER.

YOU KNOW, EVEN AS AND HE WOULD JUST JUST HAVE THIS LIKE CHILD-LIKE WONDER ABOUT, WOW, LOOK AT.

LOOK AT WHAT I FOUND.

SO I JUST WANT TO CONTINUE THAT EVEN AS ABOUT TO RETIRE.

FOR REAL.

BUT YOU NEVER BE RETIRED BECAUSE I ALWAYS BE INTERESTED AND DOING THINGS THAT FROM SOME UNIVERSITY STILL WANT ME TO POP IN.

GIVE A TALK OR OR OR TEACH A CLASS.

ALL PROBABLY WANT TO DO THAT.

I'LL JUST TRY TO KEEP MY WIFE THAT BE.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, BEATING THE BLOAT THAT COMES WITH DINNER BY A SIMPLE EVENING STROLL MIGHT BE THE SOLUTION TO BETTER DIGESTION.

THE NAPLES ZOO CLOSED ITS DOORS SUNDAY TO THE PUBLIC, BUT OPEN THEM FOR SOME VERY SPECIAL GUESTS.

MORE THAN 1000 VIP XANDER, THE GATES TO TAKE PART IN DREAM NIGHT.

>> AND TO COME ON DOWN, ONLY HEARING.

>> 3 NIGHT 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 FACING SIMILAR CHALLENGES.

ONE OF THE POPULAR ACTIVITIES, SPECIAL ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS LIKE HAND FEEDING GIRAFFES AND A SPECIAL EVENT WAS FREE OF CHARGE.

DREAM NIGHT IS HOST IS AT OTHER ZOOS AROUND THE WORLD.

ONCE YOU HAVE THE PERFECT PAIR OF SHOES SELECTED GETTING OUTSIDE FOR SOME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

AND FOR MANY, JUST A CASUAL STROLL IS THE PERFECT WAY TO GET SOME EXERCISE AND FRESH AIR AS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED THERE'S ANOTHER HEALTH MINDED REASON TO INCORPORATE WALKS AFTER DINNER.

>> IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTION, YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER GOING FOR A WALK AFTER YOU EAT.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY HEALTH BENEFITS FROM WALKING AFTER A MEAL.

SOME OF THEM ARE NOT GASTROINTESTINAL, INCLUDING AND PROVING YOUR GLUCOSE CONTROL.

BUT FROM MY STANDPOINT, WALKING AFTER MEAL ACTUALLY CAN IMPROVE YOUR GAS, YOUR CAMPAIGN.

SO STUDIES ARE SHOWING THAT WALKING IMMEDIATELY AFTER A MEAL CAN SHORTEN RAPID WAY TO MAO TIME THAT FOOD SITS IN THE STOMACH.

AND SO THAT CAN REALLY IMPROVE SYMPTOMS OF FEELING EXCESSIVELY FULL REFUND.

LOOKS NO PAIN.

AND OTHERS.

>> DR JESSICA, PHIL PA IS A GASTROENTEROLOGIST AT CLEVELAND CLINIC.

SHE SAYS THERE'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL WHEN IT COMES TO RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WALKING AFTER A MEAL.

HOWEVER, SHE SAID IT CAN BE HELPFUL TO WALK WITHIN 15 TO 30 MINUTES OF EATING AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AFTER EVERY MEAL EITHER.

SHE SAYS WHAT MATTERS MORE IS THAT YOU'RE DOING IT AT ALL.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, SHE WOULD SUGGEST WALKING AFTER HEAVIER MEALS SINCE THAT'S WHEN DIGESTION TENDS TO SLOW DOWN.

BUT WHAT IF YOU CAN'T GO FOR A WALK?

DR.

PHILPOTT'S SAYS RESEARCH HAS FOUND EVEN SMALL MOVEMENT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING?

>> STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT EVEN JUST MAKING A CHANGE IN POSITION CAN.

>> IMPACT SOME ACCOUNTING.

SO A PERSON THAT CAN'T WALK AROUND THE BLOCK IF THEY AT LEAST GET UP TO STAND FROM SITTING, THEY WALK AROUND THEIR HOUSE AT MAY'S STILL IMPACT POSITIVELY THERE.

SOME A CAMPAIGN.

>> DOCTOR PHILPOTT'S SAYS GOOD DIGESTION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR OUR OVERALL HEALTH.

SO IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES, BE SURE TO LET YOUR PHYSICIAN KNOW.

FOR WGCU NEWS IM TEDDY BYRNE >> AND COMING UPON OUR NEXT PROGRAM TO LIFE AS BEING A PIANO PRODIGY.

WE NEED THE 17 YEAR-OLD MUSICIAN WHO IS MASTERING THE ART OF CLASSICAL MUSIC AND ART, A PROMINENT POSITION WITH THE GULF COAST SYMPHONY.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HAD A WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

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