THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, MINIMAL RAIN ISN'T DOING ENOUGH TO EASE THE CURRENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS A LOOK AT THE STATE OF FLORIDA'S WEATHER AND WHY MORE HEAT COULD LEAD TO MORE BRUSH FIRES.

NEW NUMBERS ON INFLATION AS RISING PRICES TAKE THEIR TOLL ON THE BANK ACCOUNT, WHETHER IT BE AT THE GAS PUMP OR THE GROCERY STORE AND FLORIDA LEADS THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF BOOKS BANNED FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BUT A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM LETS PARENTS AND STUDENTS CHECK OUT THE BOOKS AND ARE BANNED IN LOCAL CLASSROOMS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE OFFICIAL START OF RAINY SEASON IN FLORIDA.

BUT THERE'S LITTLE HOPE THAT ENOUGH RAIN WILL FALL SOON ENOUGH TO EASE OUR SEVERE DROUGHT AND HELP REDUCE THE THREAT OF WILDFIRES.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SAYS SINCE THE START OF THE NEW YEAR, MORE THAN 1500 WILDFIRES HAVE BURNED MORE THAN 55,000 ACRES ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM BROWARD COUNTY.

THE MAXX ROAD FIRE AS IT'S KNOWN AS WHAT YOU SEE THERE.

AND WHILE IT'S 95% CONTAINED, THE FLORIDA FORESTRY SERVICE SAYS IT'S ALREADY BURNED.

11,000 ACRES.

THIS IS ON TOP OF ANOTHER FIRE IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.

THAT'S AT 300 ACRES AND A CHARLOTTE COUNTY FIRE NEAR THE AIRPORT HAS CHARRED CLOSE TO 100 ACRES.

>> JOINING ME NOW IS WGCU SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLES >> AND TOM, IT IS ONE THING WE TALK ABOUT A LACK OF RAIN.

BUT THIS IS BECOMING A DIRE SITUATION.

HE'S 2 FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS TRY.

WE'RE TALKING HISTORICALLY DRY.

>> MASSES, SPECIAL SATELLITES HAVE TAKEN A DEEP LOOK INTO FLORIDA'S CABINETS UNDERGROUND FOUND AQUIFER LEVELS OVERALL ARE AT THEIR LOWEST POINT IN 17 YEARS UNDER SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND MUCH OF THE REST OF THE STATE.

THE SATELLITES ORBIT, THE EARTH MEASURING MINISCULE CHANGES IN GRAVITY.

AND WHEN THE AQUIFERS THAT LOW, THE EARTHWORKS EVER SO SLIGHTLY.

THAT'S HOW SATELLITES CAN TELL HOW MUCH WATER IS OR IS NOT SITTING UNDERGROUND.

A NEW MAP FROM NASA'S EARTH OBSERVATORY PUBLISHED THIS MONTH SHADES THE AREAS WITH THE LOWEST AQUIFER LEVELS IN DEEP RED.

MOST OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND EVERYTHING NORTH IS THOSE VERY COLORS.

NASA SATELLITE READINGS ARE BAD NEWS FOR COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA THAT ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH BURN BANS.

AND SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WATERING RULES IN YEARS.

>> SO, TOM, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVEN WHEN THE RAINY SEASON HITS, WHICH TECHNICALLY STARTS, MAY 15TH, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REPLENISH THAT LAST WATER.

>> THE AQUIFERS ARE SO LOW BECAUSE OF A DROUGHT THAT HAS GRIPPED THE STATE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

WHICH OF COURSE YOU BEEN ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WGCUS ONGOING.

AN AWARD-WINNING SERIES PARCHED OF WHICH THIS IS THE 21ST INSTALLMENT.

THE U.S.

DROUGHT MONITOR SAYS NEARLY 80% OF FLORIDA IS AN EXTREME DROUGHT.

FLORIDA AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER WILTON SIMPSON SAYS THIS YEAR IS SHAPING UP TO BE ONE OF THE WORST WILDFIRE SEASONS IN MORE THAN A GENERATION.

A PAIR OF WILDFIRES NOW BURNING IN THE EASTERN EVER GLAZE HAS SCORCHED NEARLY 12,000 ACRES AND ARE THREATENING HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

AND AS YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO READ AT WGCU DOT ORG IN STORIES BY MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUE MICHAEL BRAUN, WILDFIRES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S EVERGLADES HAVE BURNED THROUGH AT LEAST 50,000 ACRES THIS YEAR.

IN FOR NOTABLE BLAZES.

MANY OF THESE FIRES BURNED SO HOT.

THEY NEEDED WILD LAND.

FIREFIGHTERS BROUGHT IN FROM OTHER STATES AND THE FEDERAL WITHOUT AN 18 MONTH DROUGHT IN THE REARVIEW A SOLID FLORIDA SUMMARY.

NICE SEASON.

MIKE WINTER DROUGHT OVER MONTHS.

BUT WITH THE STATE THIS PARCHED, THE DROUGHT MAY NOT IN THIS YEAR UNLESS WE WALK OUT OF ONE NATURAL DISASTER RIGHT INTO ANOTHER.

WOULD BE A HURRICANE.

>> AND NO ONE EVER WISHES FOR A HURRICANE.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE WE TRULY NEED THOSE KINDS OF RAINS.

>> TO HELP THIS.

YEAH, THE DROUGHT IS SO PERVASIVE THAT IT WOULD TAKE.

>> LOTS OF RAINY DAYS, ONE AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER.

>> OR WHICH IS MUCH MORE LIKELY A SLOW-MOVING HURRICANE THAT DROPS FEET OF WATER AND THEN IT WOULD HOPEFULLY SOAKING ENOUGH BEFORE DAWN WASHES AWAY.

AND WE'RE JUST WE'RE JUST IT'S UNFORTUNATE IN FLORIDA.

SOMETIMES YOU TAKE ONE NATURAL DISASTER AND TREATED FOR ANOTHER.

AND THIS IS AN EXTREME EXAMPLE OF THAT WILL THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

TOM BAYLISS.

THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

>> FOR THE LATEST ON BRUSH FIRES AND TO SEE MORE STORIES FROM SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS, INCLUDING HIS ONGOING COVERAGE OF THE DROUGHT.

MAKE SURE TO HEAD TO OUR WEB SITE AT WHEC YOU DOT ORG.

STILL TO COME, FIND OUT WHAT THE LATEST WHOLESALE INFLATION NUMBERS COULD MEAN FOR FAMILIES AT THE GROCERY STORE AND PRICES AT THE PUMP.

WE EXAMINE THE NEWEST ECONOMIC INDICATORS TO FIND OUT IF THERE'S ANY RELIEF FROM RISING INFLATION ON THE HORIZON, IT.

FOR MOST AMERICANS, INFLATION IS A PRIMARY CONCERN.

GAS PRICES ARE UP.

44% THIS TIME COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO TRIPLE A MOTOR CLUB OVER THE PAST YEAR, U.S.

ENERGY PRICES INCREASED BY NEARLY 28% AND ARE EXPECTED TO RISE DUE TO ONGOING GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY.

SHOPPERS PAYING MORE AT THE GROCERY STORE AS OVERALL PRICES INCREASE, INCLUDING THE COST OF MOST MEETINGS.

>> JOINING ME NOW IS DOCTOR VICTOR CLAAR, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS HERE AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS JUST RELEASED THE MOST RECENT >> PPI REPORT AND IT HAS SOME PRETTY GLOOMY NEWS AND OUTLOOK.

THE NUMBERS ARE TRIPLE OF WHAT WAS EXPECTED.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THE PPI IS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR OUR VIEWERS?

SURE.

WELL, IT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE CPI, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX THAT'S ALSO MEASURED BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

>> TRIES TO CAPTURE THE AVERAGE COST OF A BASKET OF GOODS THAT A TYPICAL HOUSEHOLD BUYS.

THE PPI IS LIKE THAT, BUT IT'S FOR PRODUCERS.

SO IT'S NOT THE PRICES THAT HOUSEHOLDS PAY FOR GOODS AND SERVICES.

IT'S THE PRICES THAT PRODUCERS OF THOSE GOODS AND SERVICES PAY FOR THE INPUT THAT THEY USE IN THEIR PRODUCTION PROCESS.

>> AND SO IF THAT WHOLESALE INFLATION HAS.

RISEN, TRIPLE FROM WHAT WAS EXPECTED, THAT IS REALLY NOT GOOD NEWS.

>> WE'VE SEEN RECENT UP TAX IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND IT LOOKS LIKE CONSUMER INFLATION IS THE KEY AND NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND MAY BE ON THE RISE AGAIN.

AND IF YOU PUT THAT TOGETHER WITH INCREASES IN THE PRODUCER PRICE INDEX, CONSUMERS COULD BE IN FOR A VERY ROUGH RIDE BECAUSE TYPICALLY THOSE INCREASES IN PRODUCER PRICES, THEY GET PASSED ALONG.

INEVITABLY THE CONSUMERS IN THE FORM OF HIGHER PRICES.

>> CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT IS DRIVING THIS?

>> A LOT OF THINGS ARE DRIVING IT RIGHT NOW.

SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.

WE THOUGHT THOSE WENT AWAY DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT THEY'RE STILL AROUND AND IN PARTICULAR, FOSSIL FUEL PRICES BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICT IN IRAN AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHEN IT WILL END AND HOW IT WILL IN ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE CREATED A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN AND YOUR VIEWERS, I'M SURE HAVE SEEN WHATS GOING ON WITH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, EVEN THOUGH AMERICANS GOT A LOT OF THEIR OIL FROM PLACES LIKE WEST TEXAS, IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT GLOBAL ENERGY PRICES ARE ON THE RISE AND ALMOST EVERY SINGLE GOOD OR SERVICE THAT AMERICAN BUYS TODAY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF FOSSIL FUELS.

>> HOW IT IMPACTS FULL IS THE INCREASING PRICE OF DIESEL FUEL WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL COST OF THIS PPI, THE INFLATION.

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING REALLY SIMPLE, LIKE A QUART OF MILK OR A CUCUMBER AT PUBLIX OR SUPER WALMART OR EVERY SHOP SUPER TARGET.

YOU THINK THAT AS A CONSUMER THAT YOU'RE JUST BUYING THE PRODUCT, BUT THEY'RE SO MUCH THAT HAPPENS ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN TO MAKE THAT PRODUCT AVAILABLE FOR YOU AND REFRIGERATED IF IT'S NECESSARY IN THE GROCERY STORE.

SO WHEN YOU SEE A CUCUMBER OR A QUART OF MILK THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED ALONG THE SUPPLY CHAIN LONG BEFORE IT ARRIVED FOR YOU TO PICK UP CONVENIENTLY AND NOT EVEN THINK MUCH ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT'S THERE FOR AND THE PRICE FOR NOW CONTINUES TO BE RELATIVELY REASONABLE.

BUT THERE'S CAUSE TO MAKE THE PLASTIC GUN OR THE PAPER CARTON.

THERE'S CUSTOM MAKE THE INK FOR THE LABEL.

THERE'S SOMEBODY WHO MAKES THAT LABEL.

SOMEBODY HAS TO ATTACH THE CAP.

IF IT'S A PLASTIC JUG OF MILK, ALL OF THESE THINGS ADD UP, RICK PRODUCER COUGH AND ULTIMATELY THEY GET PAST A LONG THE CONSUMER COSTS.

AND TO THE EXTENT THAT TRUCKING PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN ALL OF THOSE ACTIVITIES ALONG THE ENTIRE SUPPLY CHAIN.

IT'S INEVITABLE THAT WE'LL SEE HIGHER PRICES FOR PRODUCERS AND INEVITABLE HIGHER PRICES FOR CONSUMERS THAT WILL REALLY FEEL REALLY, REALLY ROUGH WHEN WE GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, WHAT DOES THIS BOIL DOWN TO WHEN YOU'VE GOT A FAMILY THAT'S TRYING TO BUDGET FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND THEY'RE UP.

>> TRYING TO GET GAS AND THEY ARE TRYING TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.

WHAT IS YOUR WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE?

>> THAT'S THE WORST THING THAT HAS MADE INFLATION SO BRUTAL FOR FAMILIES NOT ONLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT SINCE FOR ALMOST EVERY FAMILY, THE THINGS THEY HAVE TO BUY GASOLINE TO GO PLACES.

GROCERIES, TO PUT A MEAL ON THE TABLE, WENT PAYING PAYING YOUR MONEY, MONTHLY RENT.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS WE'VE SEEN HUGE INCREASES IN THOSE PRICES NOT ONLY DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT SENSE.

IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE MOST RECENT INCREASES IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, NOT ONLY IS IT HIGHER GAS PRICES, IT'S ALSO HIGHER SHELTER PRICES AGAIN.

SO WE THOUGHT WE WERE DONE WITH THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE CASE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE ROLE THAT TARIFFS ARE PLAYING CURRENTLY?

>> ECONOMISTS ARE REALLY CLEAR ON TARIFFS.

TARIFFS ARE A TAX PAID BY AN AMERICAN COMPANY THAT EMPLOYS AMERICAN WORKERS AND SERVICE AMERICAN CUSTOMERS.

SO IF A POLITICIAN TRIES TO TELL YOU THE TARIFFS WON'T BE INFLATIONARY, THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU WHAT MOST THE VAST MAJORITY OF ECONOMISTS BELIEVE IF YOU HAVE A HIGHER COST OF PRODUCTION, IT LEADS TO HIGHER COSTS OF YOUR PRODUCT.

IF WE'RE CURRENTLY SEEING THE ADMINISTRATION SUGGESTING THAT THEY MIGHT PULL BACK ON BEEF TARIFFS BECAUSE SURPRISE THE DEFENSE REALLY EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW.

IT MUST BE BECAUSE WHAT ECONOMISTS BELIEVE IS TRUE, TARIFFS ARE INFLATIONARY AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS ADMITTING THAT BY SAYING, WELL, MAYBE WE NEED TO REDUCE RESTRICTIONS ON OUR IMPORTED BEEF RIGHT NOW.

THE BAD NEWS IS THIS CREATES UNCERTAINTY FOR AMERICAN FARMERS BECAUSE THEY'VE GOTTEN USED TO THESE PROTECTIONS FOR OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE OR TIPS ON SOMEONE TRYING TO REALLY MUSTER THROUGH?

>> THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

WE DON'T SEE AN END IN THIS ANY TIME SOON.

FOR A TYPICAL FAMILY.

THE WHAT WHAT YOUR PARENTS TOLD YOU WAS TRUE.

DON'T BUY THINGS UNLESS YOU ACTUALLY NEED THEM.

>> EVEN IF IT'S ON SALE DOESN'T MEAN YOU NEED IT.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

THE OTHER THING IS TAKE CARE OF THE BIG THINGS.

FIRST, FEEDING YOUR FAMILY KEEPING A ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS, GETTING TO WORK, GETTING TO SCHOOL, GETTING THROUGH THAT CARPOOL LANE.

THOSE ARE MISSION CRITICAL FOR A FAMILY, ESPECIALLY A FAMILY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

SO FIGURE OUT HOW THOSE THINGS WILL WORK.

FIRST AND THEN ONCE YOU PUT THOSE IN BECAUSE THEY'RE A CENTRAL AND BIG ITEMS IN A FAMILY'S BUDGET, THEN WORK IN THE OTHER THINGS AFTER THAT.

>> HOW LONG DO YOU FORESEE THIS INFLATION RISING AND THE AND THE PPI AS WELL GOING UP.

>> THAT'S THE REAL KICKER RIGHT NOW.

MARKETS DON'T LIKE UNCERTAINTY.

I DON'T LIKE UNCERTAINTY, WHETHER IT'S WITH PRICES OR ANYTHING ELSE IN MY LIFE.

I LIKE CERTAINTY.

THAT'S THE REASON PEOPLE BUY INSURANCE.

THEY DON'T LIKE UNCERTAINTY AND THEY DON'T LIKE THE RISK.

I THINK AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO BECOME TARIFFS AND THERE'S SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HOW LONG THINGS ARE GOING TO DRAG OUT WHERE IRAN IS CONCERNED.

I THINK A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN MARKETS RIGHT NOW IS JITTERS ABOUT AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

AND SOMETIMES IF YOU'RE A PRODUCER, YOU RAISE PRICES, NOT BECAUSE YOUR COSTS ARE HIGHER RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU THINK THEY MIGHT BE HIGHER DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU'RE PROTECTING YOURSELF BY RAISING PRICES TODAY TO HAVE TO HANG TIGHT.

WE HAVE TO HANG TIGHT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR SKLAR, YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> AS GAS PRICES FLUCTUATE, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS FEELING THE BRUNT.

>> OF THE COSTS IN THE SUNSHINE STATE.

TRIPLE A SAYS THE FLORIDA AVERAGE FOR REGULAR UNLEADED GAS IS $4.31 PER GALLON.

BUT LEE COUNTY AND COLLIER COUNTY DRIVERS FACE SOME OF THE HIGHER PRICES OVER 4 AND A HALF DOLLARS PER GALLON.

THE FINANCIAL IMPACT IS BEING FELT BY MANY SMALL BUSINESSES DEPENDING ON FLEET VEHICLES AND GROUPS LIKE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ARE OFFERING SOLUTIONS TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE COST BURDEN.

SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FACING.

>> JOINING ME NOW IS MATT ATKINSON.

HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES AND OPERATIONS OF FORD PRO.

>> FOR NORTH AMERICA AT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND JOINS US NOW FROM MICHIGAN.

MISTER ATKINSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

RAMEL.

>> CAN YOU TELL US HOW ARE THE HIGH GAS PRICES IMPACTING SMALL BUSINESSES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.

AND WHAT KINDS OF BUSINESSES ARE MOST AFFECTED.

>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

AND AND YOU KNOW IT AT FORD.

MORE SMALL BUSINESSES TRUST OUR TRUCKS AND VANS THAN ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

THAT AND BRAND THAT IS OUT THERE.

AND SO KEEPING A PULSE OF WHAT IS IMPACTING AND INFLUENCING SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS TO US.

YOU KNOW, IT IS NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS FOR US THAT THAT'S REALLY EVERY MONTH.

YOU KNOW, WE FELT LIKE IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT MIGHT BE IMPACTED BY BY THESE VARIOUS HEADWINDS.

AND SO IT EARLIER THIS MONTH WE ANNOUNCED A SPECIAL PROMOTION THAT WHAT WE'RE CALLING EMPLOYEE PRICING FROM OUR BUSINESS TO YOURS.

AND IT'S GOING TO GIVE THESE SMALL BUSINESSES AN OPPORTUNITY TO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SAME PRICING THAT I WOULD PAY AS AN EMPLOYEE.

WE HOPE IS A WAY TO TO GIVE SOME CONSISTENCY AND EVEN SOME PEACE OF MIND.

A SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS THEY NAVIGATE WHATEVER HEADWINDS THEY MAY BE FACING.

>> WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE ON HOW BUSINESS OWNERS CAN MITIGATE THESE RISING FUEL PRICES AND HELP CONTROL THEIR EXPENSES.

>> SURE.

WELL, FIRST OFF, WE HEAR YOU.

YOU KNOW, WE WE KNOW THE THESE MACROECONOMIC THINGS FROM FROM THINGS THAT ARE MORE LOCAL TO THINGS THAT ARE ABROAD.

THEY TEND TO HIT SMALL BUSINESS FIRST AND AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO, YOU KNOW, TO BE THERE FOR THESE TYPES OF CUSTOMERS, FOR WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY NEED.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WE WOULD ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES OF ALL KIND IS, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THE TECHNOLOGY IS EVOLVING WITHIN OUR VEHICLES, CAN IT REALLY HELP TO UNLOCK SOME EFFICIENCIES THAT WE JUST WE DIDN'T HAVE EVEN JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

>> ARE YOU SEEING MORE BUSINESSES UTILIZING EVS?

>> EV IS IS IT WORKS FOR SOME BUSINESSES FOR SURE, BUT OTHERS THAT IT'S NOT THE RIGHT FIT AT PRO.

YOU WANT TO ONE OF THE THINGS OUR DEALERS AND OUR AND MANY OF OUR CUSTOMERS KNOW IS THAT WE OFFER THE POWER OF CHOICE.

SO EVS FOR CERTAIN CUSTOMERS ARE ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT FIT.

AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THE LINEUP THAT WE HAVE AND THE ONES THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN WITH OUR NEW PLANT IN LOUISVILLE, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO.

WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A NEW VEHICLE AND JUST ABOUT A YEAR.

BUT BETWEEN GAS ENGINES, HYBRID, PLUG IN OR DIESEL.

YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S A NEED FOR BUSINESS THAT WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN MEET ON NO MATTER WHAT THEIR VOCATION IS OR WHERE THEY'RE DOING THEIR THEIR WORK.

AND THAT'S THAT'S THE STRENGTH THAT WE THINK THE 4 PROGRAM HAS AND IS WHY WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TO BUILD THAT TRUST WITH THE CUSTOMER OVER TIME.

>> NOW, DO YOU FORESEE AN END TO THESE RISING FUEL PRICES?

AND IF SO, WHEN?

>> SO, LOOK, I DON'T KNOW IF MY CRYSTAL BALL IS ANY BETTER THAN THAN ANYONE'S, BUT YOU KNOW, OUR OUR OUR FORECAST FOR THE INDUSTRY, IT'S STILL REALLY STRONG FOR THE YEAR.

AND AND I THINK THAT'S WHY WE SHOULD BE DOUBLING DOWN ON PROGRAMS LIKE WE ANNOUNCED THIS MONTH WITH EMPLOYEE PRICING WHERE OUR BUSINESS WE'RE WE'RE WE CAN OFFER THE SAME BENEFITS THAT OUR BUSINESS GETS TO THE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE OUT THERE SO THAT IT'S ONE LESS THING FOR THEM TO TO WORRY ABOUT.

AND WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THE AMERICAN WORKER AND SMALL BUSINESS.

WE ARE THE MOST AMERICAN COMPANY.

WE HIRE THE MOST HOURLY AUTO WORKERS AND UNITED STATES AND WE BUILD THE MOST VEHICLES AND UNITED STATES OR OUR FUTURE IS HERE.

OUR INVESTMENTS ARE HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED AND THEY CAN TRUST IN THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THEIR VEHICLES LARGE AND SMALL.

>> WHERE CAN WE GO TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS?

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE CUSTOMERS TO VISIT US OUR WEB SITE AT 4 DOT COM.

BUT THEN, OF COURSE, OUR OUR DEALER NETWORK ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY HE'S EXCITED TO TO TO HELP FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HELP SOLVE THEIR AND THEIR NEEDS.

AND I'M I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE CUSTOMERS ARE LIKELY TO SEE IF THEY STOP IN A FOR CHILDREN TODAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, MR.

ATKINSON, THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHT TODAY.

>> APPRECIATE HAVING.

>> HERE'S SOME MORE INFORMATION ON GAS PRICES FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM A 2026 SURVEY BY GASBUDDY FOUND THAT GAS IS THE CHEAPEST IN MOST STATES ON SUNDAYS.

WELL, FILLING UP IN BETWEEN WEDNESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY IS OFTEN THE MOST EXPENSIVE YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH OUR ECONOMIC COVERAGE.

WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING YOU MONEY, SIMPLY LOG ONTO WGCU DOT ORG.

EVEN AS THE COST OF GOODS GOES UP, PEOPLE ARE STILL IN NEED OF BASIC FOOD ITEMS.

BUT HIS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE EXPLAINS.

THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT STEP YOU SHOULD TAKE WHEN YOU'RE BACK HOME FROM A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE.

>> WITH SPRING IN FULL SWING, PLENTY OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ARE IN SEASON.

BUT BEFORE YOU ENJOY THEM AT YOUR NEXT MEAL, IT'S IMPORTANT TO WASH THEM FIRST.

VEGGIES AND FRUITS ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY NUTRIENT DENSE, BUT THEY DON'T COME WITHOUT RISK IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY CAN COME.

>> VERY SO ON DIRT RESIDUE FROM PESTICIDES, BACTERIA.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS BECAUSE VEGGIES AND FRUITS ARE GROWN WITHIN NATURE.

AND SO THEY ALL HAVE THE PROPENSITY.

>> TO CARRY THOSE THINGS.

>> CLEVELAND CLINIC REGISTERED DIETICIAN.

KRISTIN KIRKPATRICK SAID IT'S BEST TO WASH FRUIT AND VEGGIES RIGHT BEFORE YOU EAT THEM TO WASH YOUR PRODUCE.

HOLD IT UNDER COOL.

RUNNING WATER FOR A THOROUGH RENTS FOR FIRMER FOODS LIKE APPLES AND POTATOES, GENTLY SCRUBBING WITH YOUR HANDS CAN HELP MOVE ANY RESIDUE ON THE SURFACE.

YOU ALSO DON'T NEED TO REWATCH READY TO EAT, PRODUCE.

WELL, THESE ARE THE KEY STEPS TO FOLLOW.

THERE ARE A FEW HABITS TO STEER CLEAR OF.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TO AVOID IS LIKE PROLONG SOAKING.

YOU WANT TO, YOU KNOW, TO PUT ALL YOUR KALE, JUST LET IT SOAK A LOT OF FRICTION THAT CAN KIND OF, YOU KNOW, REALLY KIND OF DEGRADE THE MEMBER A MONTH OF THE FRUIT OF THE VEGETABLE.

SO YOU WANT TO WASH ITS INEFFICIENT MANNER, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO SOAK IT.

AND AND REALLY, YOU DON'T REALLY NEED SOME PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME ABOUT TINY DETERGENT OR SOAPS.

YOU DON'T REALLY NEED THAT EITHER.

WATER AGAIN TENDS TO BE EFFECTIVE.

>> KIRKPATRICK HAS THAT YOU SHOULD CUT AWAY ANY DAMAGE OR BRUISE PRODUCE STOW SPOTS CAN HARBOR BACTERIA.

NEWS ANTHONY BYRNE.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, FIND OUT ABOUT A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM THAT OFFERS KIDS OF A CERTAIN AGE ACCESS TO BOOKS THAT ARE BANNED FROM SCHOOLS IN FLORIDA.

FOR THE 3RD YEAR IN A ROW, FLORIDA LEADS THE NATION IN THE NUMBER OF BOOKS BANNED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO PEN AMERICA.

THAT'S A GROUP THAT CHAMPIONS THIS FREEDOM TO WRITE AND FIGHT CENSORSHIP IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN FLORIDA, THOUSANDS OF TITLES HAVE BEEN REMOVED OR RESTRICTED.

BUT NOW PARENTS AND STUDENTS CAN ACCESS.

SOME OF THOSE BANNED BOOKS AS PART OF A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM.

>> KIDS AND PARENTS WHO ARE PLANNING FOR SUMMER VACATION SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 2 VERY IMPORTANT READING PROGRAMS.

WGCUS KERRY BARBOR IS HERE TO TELL US ALL ABOUT THAT.

KERRY, WHY ARE THESE PROGRAMS SO IMPORTANT IN FLORIDA?

>> WELL, AS YOU MAY KNOW, FLORIDA IS THE NUMBER ONE STATE FOR BANNED BOOKS.

THE STATE HAS BANNED NEARLY 9,000 BOOKS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SINCE 2021.

SO THIS PROGRAM CALLED BOOKS ON BAND CAN HELP BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A FREE DIGITAL LIBRARY CARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND THEN THEY CAN TAKE OUT ELECTRONIC AUDIO MATERIALS FROM ANY OF 6 PARTICIPATING LIBRARIES NATIONWIDE FOR EXAMPLE, A BOOK CALLED DREAMING IN CUBAN BY CRISTINA GARCIA IS BANNED IN LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS, BUT THEY COULD GET A BOOKS AND BAN CAR AND TAKE THE E-BOOK AND AUDIOBOOK OUT FROM THE BOOK BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING WHAT LIBRARIES ARE INVOLVED ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

USE IT.

>> IT WAS STARTED BY BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, BUT NOW PARTICIPATING.

BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, LA COUNTY LIBRARY, SAN DIEGO, PUBLIC LIBRARY, SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

SO THESE ARE THESE ARE LIBRARIES WITH HUGE COLLECTIONS.

>> YOU HAVE TO LIVE NEAR THE LIBRARY TO BE ABLE TO GET A CARD.

YOU DO NOT.

YOU CAN JUST GO.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT.

>> AGES OF IT ALL STARTED AGE 13 AND THE LA COUNTY LIBRARIES FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ONLY ALL THE REST ARE JUST OPEN TO ANY U.S.

RESIDENT OVER 13 FOR TEBOW DONE HEIMER OF THE BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY TOLD ME THAT BROOKLYN LIBRARY ALONE HAS HAD MORE THAN 12,000 PEOPLE APPLY FROM ALL 50 STATES AND THEY'VE CHECKED OUT ALMOST HALF A MILLION ITEMS.

>> HOW DOES SOMEONE GET A CARD?

HOW ARE THEY ABLE TO DO THAT?

YOU CAN JUST GO TO BOOKS ON BAND DOT COM.

>> AND YOU HIT THE LINK FOR GET A CARD AND APPLY FOR ANY THAT YOU QUALIFY FOR.

AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT >> CERTAINLY HELPS INSPIRE READING.

I KNOW.

I KNOW I LOVE THIS PROGRAM.

>> I DID 2.

I DID TO ITS THE PIZZA HUT BOOK.

IT PROGRAM.

SO YOU ARE NOT.

>> PERSONAL PAN PIZZAS FOR YOUR READING IN THE SUMMER.

>> AND YOUR APPARENT CAN SET YOUR GOAL.

AND THEN IT'S NOT BY HOW MANY BOOKS YOU READ, BUT IT'S HOW LONG YOU READ FOR EACH DAY.

SO THIS IS JUST A GREAT PROGRAM.

THE KIDS CAN EARN TREATS BY READING.

IT'S A WONDERFUL WAY TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO READ AND HELPS PARENTS TO PLANNING FOR BILLS IN THE SUMMER.

IT DOESN'T LAST.

>> IT'S A WIN WIN.

YES, IT IS.

THANK YOU, KERRI FOR JOINING SOME INFORMATION.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> READING CAN BE A RELAXING WAY TO PREPARE FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.

>> BUT IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO GET A FULL 8 HOURS, IT COULD BE DUE TO YOUR BEDTIME RITUALS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST FACTORS IN THE LACK OF A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP IS THE AMOUNT OF SCREEN TIME TO GET IN BEFORE GOING TO BED BLUE LIGHT FROM CELL PHONES AND TELEVISION CAN DISRUPT YOUR MELATONIN PRODUCTION, WHICH CAN THEN MAKE IT MUCH HARDER TO FALL ASLEEP AND STAY ASLEEP.

EXPERTS LIKE SLEEP SPECIALIST DOCTOR BRIAN CHEN RECOMMEND NO SCREENS IN THE HOUR OR 2 LEADING UP TO BED TIME AND THE SAME GOES FOR EXERCISING AND EVEN EATING.

>> IF YOU COULD PUT ALL THAT ALL THAT OFF SCREENS ARE OFF.

IF YOU DON'T EXERCISE AND UNEVEN, YOU'RE DONE FOR THE DAY, NOT DONE DOING ANYTHING.

THOSE LAY IN BED BUT DO SOMETHING RELAXING.

THAT'S A GREAT TIME FOR CLEANING READING JOURNALING, SITTING OUT THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO FOR THE NEXT DAY AND BEING READY, PREPARING YOUR BODY FOR THE NEXT DAY.

>> DR TAN SAYS ANOTHER FACTOR THAT COULD PLAY A ROLE IN POOR SLEEP IS SOMETHING CALLED SOCIAL JETLAG.

THAT'S WHEN A PERSON STAYS UP LATE ON THE WEEKENDS AND THEN HAS TROUBLE GOING TO BED EARLIER DURING THE WEEK.

THE BEST TIP, OF COURSE, IS TO TRY TO KEEP TO A CONSISTENT SLEEP SCHEDULE.

ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR.

AND SO ARE THE LOVE BUG'S.

THE INSECTS CAN BE SEEN HOVERING OR SPLATTERED ON THE FRONT OF YOUR CAR.

BUT DO THEY POSE ANY RISK GORE THAN JUST AN ANNOYANCE?

WE WILL TELL YOU TOMORROW.

AND COMING UP, I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG.

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

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.