THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, MILLIONS OF VISITORS ARE PREPARING TO TRAVEL TO FLORIDA FOR SUMMER VACATIONS, BUT SICKNESS CAN RUIN EVEN THE MOST WELL PLANNED TRIPS.

WE'LL HAVE TIPS ON HOW TO STAY HEALTHY DURING YOUR SUMMER BREAK.

AND UPCOMING THEATER PERFORMANCES GOING TO THE DOGS LITERALLY WE CHECK OUT THE CASTING CALL FOR THE PERFECT POOCH TO TAKE ON THE ICONIC ROLE OF TOTO, YOU KNOW, LOCAL RENDITION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ.

AND THE FIGHT TO MAINTAIN POWER DURING AND AFTER A HURRICANE, WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ADVANCEMENTS BEING MADE TO ENSURE THE ELECTRIC GRID STAYS CHARGED.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON IS HERE.

MANY SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS HEADING ABROAD AND SNOWBIRDS TRAVELING NORTH AND VACATIONERS POURING INTO PARADISE.

ACCORDING TO VISIT FLORIDA, NEARLY 35 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO VACATION IN THE SUNSHINE STATE BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST.

BUT THE RECENT OUTBREAKS OF EBOLA HANTA VIRUS AND FEARS OF NOROVIRUS AS WELL AS COVID CAN CERTAINLY HAVE A WREXHAM TRAVELING PLANS COMING UP AND MAKE YOU FEEL A BIT UNEASY.

WE HAVE SOME EXPERT ADVICE ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO BE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE AND AFTER YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURES.

JOINING ME NOW IS DOCTOR LAURETTA IT TO STATE PHARMACY, CLINICAL SERVICES MANAGER AT WAL-MART DOCTOR TUESDAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY.

JENNIFER.

>> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE VISITING FLORIDA OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT TRAVELERS SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT PRIOR TO MAKING ANY TRAVEL PLANS?

>> SO NUMBER ONE, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE TRAVELING IN AND OUT OF FLORIDA WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TELLING EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

SO IF YOU ARE HAVING SOME SYMPTOMS, IT MAY NOT JUST BE THAT YOU'RE FATIGUED OR HAVE A COLD.

IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUS.

IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING LIKE COVID.

SO YES, COVID IS STILL A THING AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INFORMING OUR FLORIDIANS THAT WE ARE EQUIPPED TO TEST AND TREAT YOU AT THE LOCAL PHARMACY.

>> AND WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES, WE ALMOST ALWAYS THINK OF WINTER.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE BE CONCERNED ABOUT IT DURING THE SUMMER SEASON?

>> SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN FLORIDA, RIGHT?

WE'VE GOT THE EXCITING WORLD CUP.

SO WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE AN INFLUX OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS.

SO WITH THAT COMES ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESPIRATORY VIRUSES, ONE OF THEM BEING COVID.

>> ARE THERE SOME VACCINES THAT PEOPLE SHOULD GET THAT YOU MIGHT RECOMMEND FOR SUMMER?

>> SO THERE ARE VACCINES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND THE BEST PERSON TO SPEAK TO WITH THIS IS YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST.

THEY CAN ACTUALLY CHECK AND SEE WHAT VACCINES YOU DO FOR.

AND IF THAT VACCINE IS GOOD FOR YOU.

>> AND WHEN SOMEONE GETS SICK ON VACATION AND THIS HAPPENS QUITE A BIT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE IN ORLANDO AT ANY OF THE THEME PARKS.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT'S TIME TO ACTUALLY GO SEE A DOCTOR OR URGENT CARE IF YOU'RE HAVING RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS?

>> SO WERE ALSO UNIQUE.

AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

IT ACTUALLY IS SOMETHING THAT MOST THE TIME WE DO THINK WE CAN JUST TREAT THIS WITH AN OVER THE COUNTER.

BUT SOMETIMES EVEN THESE MILD RESPIRATORY THINGS CAN TURN INTO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE SEVERE.

SO IF YOU'RE A PATIENT WHO IS IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, IF YOU'RE SOMEBODY WHO HAS DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ASTHMA, IF YOU'RE OBESE, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE SERIOUSLY.

AND EARLY TESTING IS RECOMMENDED.

SO GOING INTO SENIOR LOCAL PHARMACIST IS WHAT WE WOULD LOVE TO DO AND WE'D LOVE FOR YOU TO COME IN.

GET TESTED.

AND AND IF YOU KNOW THIS, BUT PHARMACIST IN FLORIDA CAN ACTUALLY TEST AND TREAT.

SO YOU WOULD ACTUALLY LEAVE THE PHARMACY AN ANTIVIRAL IF THAT IS NECESSARY FOR YOU.

I WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT.

TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT.

SO IF YOU'RE FEELING SICK AND YOU'RE AT ONE OF THE >> THEME PARKS, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS YOU CAN ACTUALLY GO INTO A LOCAL PHARMACY LIKE OR WAL-MART OR CBS, CORRECT?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND WE WOULDN'T.

WE ARE ALL TRAINED AND EQUIPPED AND ABLE TO TEST AND TREAT IS SO WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AT THE PHARMACY AND GET YOU GOING.

AND WE ARE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

SO COME AND SEE US.

>> NOW, WHAT STEPS CAN PEOPLE TAKE?

2 AVOID GETTING SICK ON THEIR SUMMER TRIPS.

>> I LOVE THAT QUESTION.

I'M A MOM TO AND AS FLORIDIANS WE LOVE TO BE PREPARED.

NOT PANICKED.

RIGHT?

SO UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

WASHING OUR HANDS IF WE'RE NOT FEELING SO WELL GETTING EARLIER TREATMENT.

SO IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE NOT SURE OF COME AND SEE US AT THE PHARMACY, THE PHARMACIST CAN REALLY HELP.

JUST IN SPEAKING WITH YOU KIND OF HELP DIRECT TO YOU.

IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT CAN BE TREATED WITH AN OVER THE COUNTER OR IF IT'S SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE, WE'RE UNSURE OF LET'S GET YOU TESTED AND TREATED AT THE PHARMACY.

>> AND WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO?

IF THEY WANT MORE INFORMATION TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR TRAVEL PLANS ARE HEALTHY ONES?

>> THE PHARMACY WAS HERE.

7 DAYS A WEEK.

WE ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.

COME AND SEE.

S YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, YOUR DOCTOR'S OFFICES.

BUT WE'RE JUST ONE OPTION.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US TODAY?

DOCTOR?

>> I'M JUST GONNA SAY, GO USA.

>> WITH THE WORLD CUP.

YES.

THANK YOU TO US.

>> WITH THE WORLD COME EXACTLY.

I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, JENNIFER.

AND HELPING US SPREAD THE WORD ON WHAT COMMUNITY PHARMACIST CAN DO IN FLORIDA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES, INCLUDING MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS OR JUST TIPS ON HOW TO LIVE A HEALTHIER LIFE.

MAKE SURE TO VISIT W TCU DOT ORG.

WHETHER IT'S A DAY AT THE BEACH OR A WALK THROUGH ONE OF THE MANY DOWNTOWN AREAS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS TO GET OUT AND ABOUT WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE REPORT ON SOME OF THE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT COME FROM SOAKING UP THE SUNSHINE.

>> WITH THE WARMER MONTHS HERE, PLENTY OF SUNNY DAYS ARE AHEAD.

EXPERTS SAY IT'S A GOOD TIME TO GET OUTSIDE AND SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE.

>> THE HEALTH BENEFITS ARE THAT IT IMPROVES YOUR VITAMIN D LEVEL.

IT IMPROVES YOUR SLEEP AND IMPROVES YOUR MOOD.

>> DR.

NIA VS EXPLAINS THE SUN IS OUR MAIN SOURCE OF VITAMIN D WHICH SUPPORTS BONE HEALTH.

IMMUNE FUNCTION AND MUCH MORE WHEN IT COMES TO SLEEP.

GETTING SOME LIGHT IN THE MORNING HELPS WAKE US UP AND REGULATES OUR SLEEP-WAKE CYCLE.

SUNLIGHT MAY ALSO IMPROVE MOOD BY BOOSTING FEEL-GOOD CHEMICALS IN THE BRAIN WHILE SOAKING UP THE BENEFITS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO WEAR SUNSCREEN AND AVOID PROLONGED SUN EXPOSURE TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN.

DR VS AS THE AMOUNT OF SUN EACH PERSON NEEDS VARIES.

>> IT DEPENDS ON A HOST OF DIFFERENT FACTORS, INCLUDING HOW YOUNG YOU ARE, HOW OLD YOU ARE?

IT DEPENDS ON AND WHERE YOU LIVE IN PROXIMITY TO THE SUN WITH A LIVE IN THE NORTHERN LATITUDES ARE THE MORE CENTRALLY NEAR THE EQUATOR.

IT ALSO DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR SKIN PIGMENTATION IS AS WELL.

>> DOCTOR VIA SAYS IT'S BEST TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH SUNLIGHT IS SAFE FOR YOU.

WGCU NEWS.

TEDDY BYRNE >> COMING UP, THE RETURN OF THE WARM WEATHER MEANS MOSQUITOES ARE BACK IN FLIGHT THE BEST WAY YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF DURING ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY.

WHEN THE WIZARD OF OZ DEBUTED IN AUGUST OF 1939, ONE OF THE UNEXPECTED STARS OF THE FILM KAREN TERRIER NAMED TERRY.

SHE WAS ONE OF THE 2 DOGS THAT BROUGHT TOTO TO THE BIG SCREEN IN FORT MYERS, AUDITIONS FOR TOTO TOOK CENTER STAGE AS THE BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE PREPARES TO SHOW WIZARD OF OZ.

WGCUS ARTS REPORTER TOM HALL JOINED THE PACK TO SEE WHICH DOGS WERE HEADS AND TAILS ABOVE THE REST.

>> ON THE LAST DAY OF MAY, 9 SMALL DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS SCAMPER THROUGH THE GLASS DOORS AND BROADWAY, PALM DINNER THEATRE THEY CAME TO AN ADDITION FOR A SPOT AS THE NEXT TOTO IN PRATHER ENTERTAINMENT'S UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ AND STAY TOGETHER IN LOBBY.

CASTING DIRECTOR BRIAN ENDS BEING WATCHED AND OBTRUSIVE LEE FROM A HIGH-TOP TABLE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE BALL AND WHO WAS INTENT, OF COURSE, AND SEEING HOW THE TOTAL WANT TO BE SOCIALIZE WITH EACH OTHER AND THE HUMAN TO FOOD.

DOES THE CAN ZIGZAG BETWEEN THEIR SNEAKERS THINK AND HAS BEEN ALSO FURTIVELY ASSESSED HOW EACH DOG REACTED TO THE CAMERA AS THE OWNER WAS INTERVIEWED CAFE.

IT WAS KOBE WHO SEEM CURIOUS ABOUT THE ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE ALL AROUND HIM.

PINK RIBBON BELLA, A YORKIE BASK IN THE ATTENTION BEING LAVISHED ON HER FROM HER PERCH INSIDE A LINED WICKER PICNIC BASKET.

MUCH FANCIER THAN THE ONE WHICH DOROTHY CARRIES BREAD IN THE TIN MAN'S WELL, CAN LEAH MURRAY SPENT HER TIME IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA SHOWING OFF HER REPERTOIRE OF TRICKS SUCH A SET UP AND LAYING DOWN IN THE BROADWAY PALM WOULD LOOK PLANK FLOORING.

>> AND THE OTHER NIGHT AT MY FRIEND'S HOUSE WHERE WE'RE GOING GET TO WATCH FOR THAT FORM OF PATRIOT.

OH, MY GOSH.

TURKEY SISTERS, AMY AND LUCY.

WE'RE THE YOUNGEST AUDITION OR SEND THEM NEXT.

>> THEY RESPONDED WITH EXCITEMENT AND ANTICIPATION TO THE DIN OF NOISE AND COMMOTION THAT ENVELOPED THE ROOM WHILE THREE-YEAR-OLD LUNA ROSE I THE CAMERA AND ONLOOKERS WITH INQUISITIVENESS CAPPING A 6 YEAR-OLD YORKIE PEAK IN THESE CURRENT TERRIER MIX, SCAN THE ROOM WITH HIS BIG BROWN EYES AS MILTON'S SEEMED CONTENT TO LISTEN AS HIS MOM DESCRIBED AS VIDEO AND MAGAZINE CREDITS.

AND ARE YOU WITH YOUR DEVICE FANS?

YEAH.

WITH THE ON-CAMERA INTERVIEWS IN THE CAN, THE PUPS AND THEIR PERSONS AMBLED INTO THE THEATER FOR THE ON-STAGE QUESTION PORTION OF THE AUDITION.

WANTS THE TOTAL ASPIRANTS WERE ACCLIMATED TO THE STAGE AND HAS BEEN CALLED EACH IN TURN BECOME CENTER STAGE TO SHOW THEM JUST WHAT THEY COULD DO UNDER THE LIGHTS.

THEY ALL DID WELL, EVEN THOUGH ONLY SCOOTER HAS BEEN ON STAGE BEFORE THE AUDITION ENDED WITH EACH OWNER WALKING THEIR DOG ON LEASH ACROSS AN OFF THE STAGE.

THAT WAS SOMETHING OF AN ANOMALY BECAUSE IN THE MOVIE TOTAL WAS NEVER ON A LEASH.

AFTER ALL FROM DOGS RAN WILD IN 1939, THE SIGHTS TOTAL METAPHORICALLY REPRESENTS DOROTHY'S INTUITION GUIDING HER INTO THE ADVENTURE AND HELPING DOROTHY NEGOTIATE THE THRESHOLD.

GUARDIANS THING COUNTER ALONG THE WAY.

WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE.

IN THIS PRODUCTION, TOTAL WILL BE ON A LEASH WHEN SHE ISN'T AND DOROTHY'S ARMS.

AND SMITH SAID AT THE END OF THE AUDITION, HE'S LIKELY TO CAST 3 OR 4 TOES SO THAT EACH DOG IS PLENTY OF REST BETWEEN SHOWS.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THOSE WHO ARE PUREBRED OR PARKED CAR AND TURNER WILL HAVE AN ADVANTAGE.

BUT WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT ALL 9 DOGS WHO TURNED OUT FOR SUNDAY'S AUDITION ARE DESERVING.

AND EACH US WILL BRING THEIR OWN PANACHE TO THE ROLE THAT TERRY, THE CAR CARRIER ORIGINATED IN 1939.

>> SO, TOM, IT LOOKS LIKE BROADWAY, PALM CASTING IS GOING TO HAVE A PRETTY TOUGH TIME PICKING 2 OR 3 DOGS TO PLAY TOTO.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH CHOICE.

>> WHY?

WHY DO THEY NEED MULTIPLE DOGS FOR THIS ROLE?

>> WELL, PERFORMING IN A MUSICAL LIKE THE WIZARD OF OZ IS PRETTY DEMANDING.

THE SHOW RUNS WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY FOR 6 AND A HALF WEEKS WITH MATINEES AND EVENING PERFORMANCES.

MOST WEDNESDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

THAT'S 8, 9 SHOWS WEEK WITH THE SHOW RUNNING 2 AND A HALF HOURS, INCLUDING INTERMISSION.

NOW WHILE TOTALS ON STAGE, MOST OF THAT TIME, THEIR OWNER HAS TO BE BACKSTAGE TO WATCH THEIR PET WHENEVER THEY DON'T HAVE A SCENE.

SOME PROBABLY PALM FEELS IT'S IMPORTANT TO CAST SEVERAL DOGS SO THAT EACH CANINE HAS PLENTY OF DOWN TIME BETWEEN PERFORMANCES.

THERE'S A SECOND REASON, THOUGH, THAT IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE MULTIPLE TOES JUST LIKE THE CAST INCLUDES SEVERAL UNDERSTUDIES AND SWINGS IN CASE AN ACTOR GETS 6 WHO ARE INJURED OR HAS A FAMILY EMERGENCY.

THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN WITH THE CANINE PERFORMER OR THEIR OWNER.

SO IT'S JUST PRO TO HAVE ON THE THEATER'S BEHALF TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ONE OR MORE BACKUPS FOR TOTO AS WELL.

>> THE THEATER CONSPIRACY IS ALSO BRINGING COMEDY THIS SUMMER TO THE OFF BROADWAY THEATER LOCATED AT BROADWAY, PALM.

HE SPOKE WITH THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BILL TAYLOR TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON THIS SUMMER.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PRODUCTION'S HE'LL BE DOING THERE?

>> YEAH, I DID TALK WITH BILL YOU KNOW, HE'S BEEN HE'S BEEN PRODUCING SHOWS NOW LOCALLY FOR 3 DECADES AND OVER THAT SPAN OF TIME, HE'S REALLY DEVELOPED A KNACK FOR PICKING JUST THE RIGHT SHOW FOR THE THEATER THAT IS GOING TO BE THE SHOWS ARE GOING TO BE IN THE OFF BROADWAY PALM AT BROADWAY, PALM DINNER THEATRE AND THE OFF BROADWAY PALM SAYS JUST 85 PEOPLE, IT'S INTIMATE.

IT'S COZY.

IT'S IDEAL FOR CHARMING, SMALL CAST COMEDIES AND TAYLOR HAS LINED UP 3 GEMS FOR HIS SUMMER STOCK SHOWS THIS YEAR.

HERE IS TO TELL US WHAT THEY ARE.

>> 3 INCREDIBLE COMEDIES COMING UP THAT OR BOGO TICKETS, BUY ONE GET ONE FREE.

ALMOST MAINE OPENS ON JUNE.

THE 12TH THAT COMEDY PLACE FOR 3 WEEKENDS FOLLOWING THAT IN JULY, DANCING LESSONS BY MARK SAINT GERMAIN AND THEN IN AUGUST, ANOTHER COMEDY, WHAT SPRINGS FORTH BY KERRY CREME.

>> LOTS OF GREAT PRODUCTIONS THIS SUMMER.

YES, THERE ARE.

>> AND WILL ACTUALLY BE AT THEIR DRESS REHEARSAL NEXT MONDAY TO THE FILM, ALMOST MAINE.

SO TUNE BACK IN NEXT WEEK.

OF COURSE, YOU WILL BE.

DANIEL, GIVE US ALL THE LATEST ON.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TIME PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> BE SURE TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF TOM HALLS, ARTS REPORTING AS WELL AS OTHER ENTERTAINMENT HAPPENINGS IN OUR AREA BY HEADING TO WGCU DOT ORG.

>> KIDS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF YOUR LIFE MAY GO TO BED AND WAKE UP NATURALLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

YOUNGER KIDS GENERALLY WAKE UP EARLIER, OLDER KIDS, TEENAGERS GENERALLY SLEEPING LATER.

WE ALL KNOW THAT.

>> DO THEY NEED A SCHEDULE?

THAT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY HAVE GOING ON IN THE SUMMERTIME.

>> AS THE SCHOOL YEAR PREPARES TO GIVE WAY FOR SUMMER BREAK.

PARENTS MIGHT CONSIDER LOOSENING THE RULES WHEN IT COMES TO BED TIME.

BUT THAT MIGHT NOT BE A GREAT IDEA.

EXPERTS SAY THAT IF YOUR CHILD PLAY SPORTS OR HAS OTHER SUMMER ACTIVITIES, IT'S BEST TO KEEP THEIR BEDTIME SCHEDULE CONSISTENT THAT WAY.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WELL RESTED THE NEXT DAY.

IF YOUR CHILD ISN'T DOING AS MUCH, IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE.

BUT IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP.

ANOTHER NOTE, THE MORE YOU DELAY A CHILD'S BED TIME, THE HARDER IT WILL BE TO READJUST WHEN SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION.

>> WE GENERALLY RECOMMEND SHIFTING ONE HOUR.

NO PASSING A ONE HOUR EARLIER PER WEEK.

AND SO IF YOUR NORMAL BEDTIME FOR SCHOOLS, 09:00PM AND IN THE SUMMERTIME, THEY SLIP OLD WAY DOWN TO 01:00AM.

THEN YOU HAVE.

FOR WEEKS YOU HAVE STARTED A MONTH BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS LITTLE BY LITTLE.

MAYBE JUST SHIFTING UP BY LIKE 10 MINUTES A DAY.

10 MINUTES IS IT'S NOT THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY CAN GO TO THE 10 MINUTES EARLIER, 10 MINUTES A DAY AND JUST KEEP IT GOING FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR A MONTH.

AND YOU'LL BE PERFECTLY FINE.

>> WITH THE SUN SETTING LATER IN THE SUMMER.

IT CAN BE HARD FOR SOME KIDS TO FALL ASLEEP, A SOLUTION FOR THAT TRY BLACKOUT CURTAINS.

MORE KIDS HOME FOR THE SUMMER MEANS MORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, WHICH OF COURSE, CAN LEAD TO MORE ENCOUNTERS WITH MOSQUITOES TO HELP COMBAT THE INSECTS.

LEE COUNTY IS TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

THE LEE COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT HAS BECOME THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO RELEASED STERILE MOSQUITOES BY USING A DRONE.

THE DISTRICT HOPES THE STERILE MALE MOSQUITOES WILL MATE WITH THE FEMALES RESULTING IN EGGS THAT WILL NOT HAVE IT.

ONLY MALE MOSQUITOES ARE BEING RELEASED BECAUSE THEY DON'T FIGHT LIKE THEIR FEMALE COUNTERPARTS.

THE DISTRICT SAYS USING DRONES WILL ALLOW THEM TO COMBAT MOSQUITOES IN EVERY LOCATION.

>> BEFORE WE'RE REALLY STUCK WITH WHATEVER WE CAN ACCESS BY ROAD.

SO HAVING THIS TRONE MEANS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY PUT THIS, YOU KNOW, PLACES WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.

AND WE GET A BETTER EVEN SPREAD OF MOSQUITOES ALL AROUND.

BUT I WILL SAY WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD REALLY GOOD RESULTS OUT OF OUR DRONE RELEASED SO FAR.

>> IT'S HARD TO AVOID THE BUGS THIS TIME OF YEAR.

NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY, BUT WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARN SOME SIMPLE TECHNIQUES THAT WILL HELP YOU FROM BEING BITTEN.

>> AS TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO CLIMB THIS SUMMER, YOU'RE SURE TO SEE MORE PESKY MOSQUITOES BUZZING AROUND.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO KEEP THEM AWAY?

>> MOSQUITOES ARE VERY LIGHT FLYERS, RIGHT?

AND SO ANY AMOUNT OF TURBULENT ERA, THAT'S A CEILING FAN.

IF THAT'S A DESK FAN GOES A LONG WAY BECAUSE THE MOSQUITOES SIMPLY CAN'T, YOU KNOW, FLY THROUGH IT AND HOVER CLOSE ENOUGH TO GET DOWN TO SKID LEVEL.

SO IF YOU'RE AT THE DESK FOR SLEEPING, ET CETERA, CIRCULATING AIR GOES A LONG WAY.

>> DR CHRISTOPHER BIZILJ IS AN EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AT CLEVELAND CLINIC.

HE SAYS BUG REPELLENTS ARE ALSO VERY EFFECTIVE AT KEEPING MOSQUITOES AWAY.

HE RECOMMENDS BUYING A BRAND WITH 20% DEET.

HE SAYS ANYTHING WITH THE CONCENTRATION HIRED AND THAT IS UNNECESSARY.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE TEXTURE OF DEET, YOU COULD GET BUG REPELLENT WITH PICK KERATIN AND INSTEAD OR SOMETHING CALLED IR 3, 5, 3, 5, AND AGAIN, 20% CONCENTRATION IS ENOUGH.

DR IS ONLY SAYS OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO INCLUDE WEARING PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, USING MOSQUITO NETTING AND DUMPING ANY STANDING WATER IN YOUR AREA.

>> WE SEE THOSE THE STANDING WATER, STILLWATER TO REPRODUCE AND ANALYZING NEAR WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHERE YOU'RE GOING, TRY TO MINIMIZE ANY STANDING WATER, MAKING SURE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TIRES THAT ARE COLLECTING POOLS OF WATER, YOU KNOW, ON THE INSIDE LINING FOR BUCKETS, LAYING OUT OR WATERING CANS LEFT OUT, MAKE SURE THAT IF YOU HAVE A GARDEN A FEATURE THAT THE PUMP IS RUNNING.

>> DR BUSILY SAYS MOSQUITOES ARE ALSO ATTRACTED TO SWEET AND SUGARY SENSE.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE TO BE MINDFUL OF.

IF YOU DO GET BIT TRY NOT TO SCRATCH IT BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE AN INFECTION INSTEAD WASH THE AREA WITH SOAP AND WATER AND THEN APPLY ICE OR AN ANTI ITCH CREAM.

WGCU YOU NEWS.

TEDDY BYRNE.. >> ANOTHER MOSQUITO BASED FACT FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM, FEMALE MOSQUITOES ONLY NEED A BOTTLE CAP WORTH OF WATER TO LAY HUNDREDS OF EGGS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET RID OF STANDING WATER AROUND YOUR HOME EVERY WEEK AND OTHER BUT REALLY DID FEATURES.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING POWER DURING A STORM, YOU'LL WANT TO WATCH THE NEXT STORY.

FIND OUT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO HELP KEEP THE LIGHTS ON DURING THE WORST WEATHER.

AS WE MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRST WEEK OF HURRICANE SEASON.

MANY WORRY ABOUT LOSING ELECTRICITY AS THE STORM HIT.

ACCORDING TO FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT, IT CAN TAKE ONE TO 5 DAYS TO RESTORE POWER GRID AFTER A SEVERE STORM EVEN LONGER FOR AREAS THAT ARE THE HARDEST HIT.

BUT FOLLOWING HURRICANES LIKE IAN HELENE AND MILTON CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO HELP SOUTHWEST FLORIDA KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AFTER THE STORM.

>> JOINING US NOW IS PUNTER FROM FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING HURRICANE SEASON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> JENNIFER, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

>> FP AND L PROVIDE SERVICE TO ABOUT HALF A MILLION SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT'S BEING DONE TO MAKE THE ELECTRICAL GRID STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT WITH HURRICANE SEASON STARTING IMMINENTLY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JENNIFER, HERE AT WE PREPARE YEAR-ROUND FOR HURRICANE SEASON.

THIS IS A YEAR-ROUND FOCUS FOR US BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF, BUT WHEN THE NEXT HURRICANE WILL STRIKE.

AND IN TERMS OF PREPARATION WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, IT'S MANAGING VEGETATION ACROSS THOUSANDS OF MILES OF POWER LINES THROUGHOUT ENTIRE SERVICE TERRITORY, A HARDENING OUR OVERHEAD INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE'S ESSENTIALLY REPLACING OLDER WOODEN POLES WITH A REINFORCED WOULD STEAL OR CONCRETE BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT AFTER STORM, IT TAKES MUCH LESS TIME TO RESTRAIN A LINE THAT IT IS TO REPLACE A WHOLE NEW POLL.

AND WE'RE ALSO BEARING A NEIGHBORHOOD POWER LINES.

>> CAN YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AREA.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> IN TERMS OF OUR UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM, OUR STORM SECURE UNDERGROUND PROGRAM WHICH TAKES A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO DETERMINING WHICH LINE TO PLACE ON THE GROUND IN SOME OF THAT DATA WE LOOK AT IS OUTAGES RELATED TO HURRICANES AND OUTAGES RELATED TO VEGETATION AND WE USE THAT DATA TO DETERMINE WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS WOULD BENEFIT THE MOST FROM THIS PROGRAM.

THIS WAS A PROGRAM THAT STARTED BACK IN 2019.

AND SINCE THEN, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE MORE THAN 4,000 PROJECTS UP ROSS ENTIRE SERVICE TERRITORY.

BUT FOCUSING SPECIFICALLY ON THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AREA, THE LEVY COUNTY LUSH CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE IT UP TO THIS POINT, APPROXIMATELY 500 PROJECTS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND PLANS FOR THIS YEAR ARE ABOUT 150 PROJECTS.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW FPNL IS USING RENEWABLE ENERGY TO TRY TO HELP STRENGTHEN THE GRID?

>> SO IN TERMS OF OF SOLAR IN AND WHEN IT COMES TO RESTORATION, WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED RC FORTSON.

THESE ARE ESSENTIALLY SHIPPING CONTAINER CONTAINERS THAT WE RETROFITTED TO SERVE AS A MOBILE OFFICES FOR OUR CREWS WHO ARE OUT IN THE FIELD WHEN IT COMES IN IN TERMS RESTORATION AND MOST OF SEA FORTS OR MOBILE OFFICES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED WITH TO OPERATE OFF OF A SOLAR POWER TO HELP WITH CENTRAL CONNECTIONS INSIDE THAT MOBILE OFFICE, WHICH IS IN SULLY, OUR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.

OUR COMPUTERS AND OUR PRINTERS INSIDE THOSE MOBILE OFFICES.

AS FAR AS FPL CUSTOMERS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO KNOW BEFORE WE REALLY GET INTO THE TO THE PEAK SEASON?

>> WHETHER YOU'RE A LONGTIME RESIDENT OR IF YOU'RE NEW TO THE SUNSHINE STATE NOW IS REALLY THE TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT YOUR EMERGENCY PLANS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE RELIES ON MEDICAL.

WE LIKE, BUT HE QUIT MEANT THAT REQUIRES ELECTRICITY.

WHAT'S YOUR BACKUP PLAN IN CASE YOU LOSE POWER IF YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO EVACUATE.

WHERE ARE YOU?

GO MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO STAY CONNECTED SUCH AS MAYBE HAVING A BATTERY OPERATED RADIO OR A SOLAR POWERED, A CHARGER FOR YOUR PHONE SO THAT YOU CAN STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION.

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT OUR CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IN TERMS WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING FOR HURRICANE SEASON.

AND A NUMBER OF US RELY ON GENERATORS WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT DURING A STORM.

>> WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE READY TO GO AND SAFE TO USE ON THE CHANCE THAT THEY NEED IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, JENNIFER, SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE A FALLING HURRICANE LAST YEAR, CHANCES ARE MANY CUSTOMERS MAY KNOW THAT WE USE THAT GENERATOR LAST YEAR.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE DID YOU TESTED BEFORE HURRICANE SEASON STARTS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE FOLLOWING THOSE INSTRUCTIONS IN THAT OPERATOR'S MANUAL IN MAKING SURE THAT GENERATOR IS OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME FAR AWAY FROM DOORS AND WINDOWS, INCLUDING YOUR GARAGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION AND YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

SUMMER CAMP SEASON IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND WE MEET THE ORGANIZATION THAT BRINGS THE SUMMERTIME EXPERIENCE TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

CAMPERS OF EVERY AGE AND ALL ABILITIES.

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