THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, FLORIDA CARRIES OUT ITS FIRST DOUBLE EXECUTION IN 6 DECADES.

AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THERE'S A SPIKE IN EXECUTIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR ELDERLY INMATES ON DEATH ROW.

THE WAR IS BLUE.

GREEN ALGAE CAN SEND ANY FLORIDIAN SWIMMING TOWARDS THE SHORE.

BUT DESPITE A BLOOM IMPACTING AREAS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE'RE DIVING INTO WHITE OFFICIAL WARNINGS WERE NOT TO BE FOUND.

AND IT MAY LOOK LIKE A SCENE OUT OF THE MOVIE JAWS, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A SUMMER CAMP.

WE'RE TAGGING ALONG WITH KIDS ON SANIBEL WHO ARE LEARNING SCIENCE SKILLS BY DISSECTING SHARKS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ON TUESDAY, THE STATE OF FLORIDA CARRIED OUT ITS FIRST DOUBLE EXECUTION IN MORE THAN 60 YEARS CONTINUING WHAT HAS BEEN A RAPID INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF EXECUTIONS IN THE STATE.

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS HAS SIGNED OFF ON 40 DEATH WARRANTS SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN 2019, 30 OF THOSE WARRANTS WERE SIGNED IN THE PAST 2 YEARS.

THE 2 MEN EXECUTED ON TUESDAY INCLUDE A FORMER POLICE OFFICER.

68 YEAR-OLD JAMES DUCKETT.

HE WAS CONVICTED OF THE KIDNAPPING, RAPE AND MURDER OF A LITTLE GIRL.

11 YEAR-OLD THERESA MAY UK BE BACK IN 1987.

5 HOURS LATER, FLORIDA EXECUTED EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD KEY KONY.

HE WAS CONVICTED IN THE DOUBLE MURDER.

HIS EX GIRLFRIEND'S PARENTS IN 1986.

HIS DEATH MAKES HIM ONE OF THE OLDEST PEOPLE EXECUTED IN MODERN U.S.

HISTORY.

>> ROBIN MAHER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DEATH PENALTY INFORMATION CENTER.

>> WHICH IS A NATIONAL NONPROFIT GROUP.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ARE YOUR GROUP STATES?

IT DOES NOT TAKE A POSITION ON THE DEATH PENALTY, BUT WHAT DO YOU SEE IS HAPPENING IN FLORIDA WITH THE INCREASE IN EXECUTIONS BEING CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR?

AND WE HAD A RECORD SETTING NUMBER IN 2025.

WITH 19 EXECUTIONS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> OR CENTER FOCUS IS ON REPORTING THE FACTS AND THE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE DEATH PENALTY IS BEING USED OR NOT AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION.

WE DON'T HAVE POLICIES BUT WE DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY FOR VOTERS AND FOR CITIZENS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE DOING, HOW THEY'RE SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY WHEN THEY ARE USING THE DEATH PENALTY.

FLORIDA IS AN OUTLIER.

IT HAS BEEN AN OUTLIER FOR A FEW YEARS NOW.

LAST YEAR IT WAS THE LEAD.

THE COUNTRY IN THE NUMBER OF EXECUTIONS THIS YEAR.

IT APPEARS TO BE ON PACE TO DO THE SAME.

ALREADY.

IT IS EXECUTED 3 TIMES THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT THE NEXT HIGHEST STATE HAS EXECUTED.

SO FLORIDA HAS EXECUTED 12 PEOPLE THIS YEAR, TEXAS, WHICH USED TO BE THE LEADER, HAS EXECUTED 4.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL US?

SOMETHING VERY UNUSUAL IS HAPPENING IN FLORIDA.

WE THINK THAT IT IS LARGELY DOWN TO GOVERNOR DESANTIS.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE ALMOST NO OTHER INFORMATION TO GO ON.

GOVERNOR DESANTIS ALONE IS THE ONE WHO SELECTS PEOPLE TO BE EXECUTED AND SETS THEIR EXECUTION DATE.

UNLIKE OTHER STATES WHERE COURTS HAVE A ROLE IN SETTING THOSE DATES.

ONLY GOVERNOR DESANTIS IN HIS SOLE DISCRETION MAKES THOSE DECISIONS.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF SECRECY IN FLORIDA.

THE PUBLIC IS NOT PERMITTED TO KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE EXECUTION DECISIONS THAT ARE BEING MADE OR A LOT ABOUT THE EXECUTION TO SOME EXECUTIONS THEMSELVES.

SO ALL OF THIS IS RATHER TROUBLING.

A PET, PARTICULARLY IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY WHERE WE REALLY PRIZE GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> WE HAD A DOUBLE EXECUTION YESTERDAY.

HOW UNUSUAL IS THAT?

>> VERY UNUSUAL.

WE REALLY DON'T SEE DOUBLE EXECUTIONS VERY OFTEN.

IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE MODERN ERA OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN FLORIDA.

THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA WAS BACK IN THE 60'S.

AND WHY IS A PROBLEMATIC?

WELL, IT PUTS A LOT OF STRESS ON EXECUTION STAFF.

IT CERTAINLY INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO GO WRONG DURING AN EXECUTION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTED BY EXECUTIONS, NOT JUST THE PRISONER AND HIS FAMILY OR THE VICTIM'S FAMILY, BUT PRISON STAFF AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THESE EXECUTIONS AND WON 2 OF THEM HAPPEN ON THE SAME DAY.

THAT STRESS IS IS PRETTY INTENSE.

>> WE'VE ALSO SEEN A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF SENIOR OR ELDERLY DEATH ROW INMATES BEING EXECUTED OR HAVING THEIR WARRANT SIGNED.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS HAPPENING?

>> WELL, ONE REASON IS BECAUSE WE ARE EXECUTING PEOPLE THAT WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO DEATH MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THE PUBLIC FELT VERY DIFFERENTLY ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY WHEN THERE WERE DIFFERENT LAWS AND SOMETIMES OVER ZEALOUS PROSECUTORS THAT WE'RE SENDING MORE PEOPLE TO DEATH.

SO WHAT WE HAVE IS REALLY KIND OF A LAGGING INDICATOR.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE SEE SENTENCED OR EXECUTED TODAY WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE SENTENCED TO DEATH TODAY IF THEY WERE TRIED.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE PEOPLE EXECUTED YESTERDAY WAS AN 80 YEAR-OLD GRANDFATHER.

IT'S HIS IMAGE.

THE KIND OF PERSON VERY FRAIL, VERY OLD, VERY ELDERLY, NOT THE IMAGE THAT MOST AMERICANS HAVE WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT PEOPLE THAT WE ARE EXECUTING TODAY.

>> HOW DOES THE PUBLIC SENTIMENT YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT THAT FACTOR INTO WHETHER A DEATH WARRANT IS ACTUALLY SIGNED AND CARRIED OUT.

>> WELL, IT SHOULD FACTOR.

WE HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE ACTING IN OUR NAME.

THEY ARE DOING THE BIDDING OF THE CITIZENS THAT ELECTED THEM.

AND SO THEY SHOULD BE PAYING ATTENTION TO HOW PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY.

AND RIGHT NOW WE KNOW THAT SUPPORT FOR THE DEATH PENALTY IS AT A FIVE-DECADE LOW.

JUST 52% OF THE PEOPLE ASKED SAY THEY SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY IN GENERAL, BUT WE HAVE A 3 TIMES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSING THE DEATH PENALTY THAT WE'VE HAD IN MANY DECADES.

SO WE SEE CONCERN AND OPPOSITION ON THE RISE AND SUPPORT ON THE DECLINE.

AND I THINK THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INNOCENT PEOPLE WE'VE SEEN SENT TO DEATH ROW PEOPLE LIKE POSSIBLY MISTER DUCKETT WHO WAS EXECUTED YESTERDAY.

HE HAD UNRESOLVED INNOCENCE CLAIMS THAT THE STATE NEVER RESOLVE BEFORE EXECUTING HIM.

AND I THINK A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT FAIRNESS AND RACISM IN THE SYSTEM.

>> THERE'S ALSO A BELIEF THAT THE COST OF EXECUTION >> IS HIGHER THAN THE COST OF KEEPING SOMEONE IN PRISON FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THAT?

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE IN EVERY STATE THAT HAS CONDUCTED U.S.

STUDY OF COSTS.

EVERY SINGLE STUDY HAS CONCLUDED THAT IT IS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE TO EXECUTE SOMEONE THAN IT IS TO KEEP THEM IN PRISON FOR THE REST OF THEIR NATURAL LIFE.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE PRICE TAG FOR THE DEATH PENALTY IS VERY HIGH.

WE NEED MORE SECURITY, MORE RESOURCES BEGINNING AT THE MOMENT THAT THE TRIAL BEGINS AND ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO AN EXECUTION.

THOSE COSTS, THOSE APPEALS, ALL OF THE ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCES FOR A CAPITAL MATTER ARE MUCH, MUCH HIGHER THAN THEY WOULD BE IF WE SIMPLY SENTENCE THAT PERSON TO LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.

>> AND HOW DO YOU THINK THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IF IT NEEDS TO BE WHAT WOULD EASE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE HIGHLIGHTED.

>> WELL, PRISONERS, EVEN PRISONERS HAVE COMMITTED TERRIBLE OFFENSES, HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AS THE REST OF US.

AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE A PROTECTION AGAINST THE UNUSUAL INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF PAIN AND SUFFERING AND SO ANY METHOD THAT'S USED SHOULD NOT TORTURE THEM TO DEATH SHOULD NOT INFLICT UNNECESSARY PAIN AND SUFFERING AND THEY'RE BEING EXECUTED.

>> BISMARCK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND SHARING IT WITH US TODAY.

MY PLEASURE.

>> FOR MORE STORIES ON THE FLORIDA DEATH PENALTY AND OTHER POLITICAL STORIES FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

MAKE SURE TO VISIT WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, THE BELL IS ALMOST READY TO RING AND CLASS WILL SOON BE BACK IN SESSION.

BUT FOR THE KIDS WHO WILL BE HAVING THEIR FIRST SCHOOL EXPERIENCES, THERE ARE SOME STEPS TO BE READY FOR DAY ONE OF KINDERGARTEN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WGCU >> BROUGHT YOU THIS STORY ON A RARE WINTER TIME BLUE GREEN ALGAE BLOOM THAT IMPACTED.

>> A 35 MILE STRETCH OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER.

WELL, BLUE GREEN ALGAE ALONG THIS AREA IS PRETTY COMMON, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WARMER SUMMER MONTHS.

THIS PREVIOUS CITING LACKED ANY NOTIFICATIONS DESPITE THE HEALTH RISKS TO PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS POSED BY THE ALGAE.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DID NOT POST ANY WARNINGS TO THE PUBLIC OR ON THEIR REPORTING SURROUNDING BLUE GREEN ALGAE.

WE ARE JOINED BY SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TOM BAYLISS.

AND TOM, WE HAVE ALL BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR REPORTING ON THESE RECENT OUTBREAKS FOR MONTHS.

AND I AM SURPRISED TO LEARN THERE HAS STILL BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM STATE OFFICIALS.

ABSOLUTELY NONE.

IT IS TRULY AMAZING.

>> BACK ON VALENTINE'S DAY, RESIDENTS ALONG THE UPPER REACHES OF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE WOKE UP THAT MORNING TO FIND WATER HAD TURNED DARK GREEN FROM THE FRANKLIN LOCKS NEAR ALVA ALL THE WAY NORTHEAST TO MOORE HAVEN WHERE THE RIVERS STARTS AT OKEECHOBEE.

HIS HEAD.

WYATT AND IT WAS THE EASY PART.

DROUGHT LOWERED THE RIVER, SLOWING THE FLOW, SHALLOW WATER WARMS FASTER AND COMBINED WITH THE RIVERS, CHRONIC NUTRIENT POLLUTION.

BLUE GREEN ALGAE AT EVERYTHING IT NEEDED TO TURN INTO A HARMFUL BLOOM.

FAR HARDER TO FIND WERE ANSWERS AS TO WHY NO STATE AGENCY WARNED RESIDENTS IN OR NEAR THE CALOOSAHATCHEE IN LEVY, ANDREW AND GLADES COUNTIES.

THEN A BIG BLOOM OF HARMFUL BLUE-GREEN ALGAE WAS COATING THE RIVER.

>> THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND THE SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

>> SHARE WATER, QUALITY DUTIES THROUGHOUT THE CALOOSAHATCHEE REGION, INCLUDING TESTING FOR HARMFUL ALGAE BLOOMS.

WHEN DISCOVERED IT'S THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S RESPONSIBILITY TO WARN AREA RESIDENTS.

THEN A TOXIC SUBSTANCE IS IN THE WATER.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALSO HAS STANDING DIRECTIONS WARNING PEOPLE TO STAY OUT OF THE WATER.

WHEN BLUE-GREEN ALGAE IS PRESENT.

AND THE AGENCY ROUTINELY ISSUES PRESS RELEASES AND POSTS WARNING SIGNS WHEN THE ALGAE CONTAMINATES A CANAL OFF THE CALOOSAHATCHEE.

SO WHY DIDN'T THE AGENCY INFORMED THE PUBLIC WHEN THE HARMFUL ALGAE FILLED THE RIVER ITSELF?

WHY DIDN'T ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR THE WATER DISTRICT?

WGCU ASKED ALL 3 AGENCIES FOR ANSWERS REPEATEDLY FOR WEEKS CALLS WEREN'T RETURNED.

EMAILS WERE ANSWERED.

GETTING NOWHERE 4 MONTHS AGO I SENT EACH AGENCY ONE OF THESE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST ASKING FOR BASIC INFORMATION ON THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO HANDLE COLLECTING WATER, QUALITY READINGS AND WARNING THE PUBLIC WHEN SOMETHING'S WRONG.

AND THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT.

CHAPTER ONE, 19 AND THE FLORIDA STATUTES SAYS PROVIDING INFORMATION REQUESTED BY THOSE ALSO CALLED A SUNSHINE LAW REQUEST.

IT'S NOT VOLUNTARY.

BARBARA PETERSEN FROM THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY MAKES IT CLEAR PUBLIC AGENCIES DO NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO IGNORE THE PUBLIC'S QUESTIONS.

>> IT'S A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF LAW, FLAGRANT VIOLATION LAW.

THERE'S A PROVISION IN CHAPTER ONE, 19 THAT REQUIRES AGENCIES TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC RECORDS PROMPTLY AND IN GOOD FACE.

THEY THEN HAVE A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO PRODUCE THE RECORDS.

THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED BY LAW TO IGNORE YOU OR TO IGNORE YOUR REQUEST.

>> PETERSON HAS BEEN LEADING OPEN RECORDS ORGANIZATIONS FOR DECADES.

>> TO IGNORE YOUR REQUEST IS A CRIMINAL ACT.

IF YOU'VE MADE THAT REQUEST IN MARCH, YOU'VE GONE BACK TO THEM PRESUMABLY MORE THAN ONCE.

THAT IS AN INTENTIONAL VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

IN MY OPINION.

>> IN THIS CASE, IT COULD BE A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH.

SCIENTISTS ARE STILL LEARNING ABOUT THE TOXINS IN BLUE-GREEN ALGAE.

BUT WHAT IS KNOWN IS SOBERING AND WORTHY OF WARNINGS.

BLOOM CAN AND DOES KILL FAMILY DOGS, LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL TOXINS FOUND THAT SOME BLUE GREEN ALGAE CAN DAMAGE BRAIN CELLS.

SCIENTISTS ARE STUDYING WHETHER YEARS OF REPEATED EXPOSURE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF ALZHEIMER'S, PARKINSON'S AND ALS.

>> THE TOM, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF NONE OF THESE AGENCIES RESPOND?

>> WITHOUT SOMEONE FORCING THE ISSUE AGENCIES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MEAN NUMBER FULLY ADVISE THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM BLUE.

GREEN ALGAE OR ANY OTHER ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT.

SO WE ALL KNOW WHEN IT IS AND WHEN IT IS UNSAFE TO GO SWIMMING, FISHING OR CAMPING.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS THAT JOURNALIST HAVE AS THEY'RE TRYING TO GET INFORMATION LIKE THIS?

>> EITHER THE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH OR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR OR THE WATER DISTRICT COME THROUGH WITH THE COMPLETED RECORDS, WGCU'S NEXT OPTION IS TO PURSUE THE INFORMATION LEGALLY.

PETERSON SAID HER AGENCIES AND WON SEVERAL PUBLIC RECORD.

LEGAL SKIRMISHES.

BUT BECAUSE WHEN THE PUBLIC WINDS, THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY HAS TO PAY THE LEGAL FEES FOR THE REQUESTER AND THE PAY THOSE WITH TAX DOLLARS LEAVING SOME VICTORIES A LITTLE HOLLOW.

THANK YOU, TOM, FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THIS.

I'M SURE YOU'LL.

>> KEEP US UPDATED.

SALUTE.

THANKS, TOM.

THANK YOU TO.

>> YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL OF TOM BAYLISS STORIES AND FIND OUT MORE ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAPPENINGS IMPACTING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE WTC, YOU DOT ORG IN JUST 2 WEEKS, SCHOOL BUSES WILL BE BACK ON THE ROAD AND STUDENTS WILL BE WAVING GOODBYE TO SUMMER VACATION AS THEY HEAD BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

BUT FOR SOME THIS EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE THEIR FIRST AND IT COULD BE A DAUNTING FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN RECENT DATA FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHOWS THAT ONLY 44% OF CHILDREN ENTERING PUBLIC SCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN MEET THE STATE READINESS BENCHMARKS, BUT HIS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED.

THERE ARE SOME STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO MAKE SURE YOUR LITTLE ONE IS READY FOR THE FIRST DAY.

>> IF YOUR LITTLE ONE IS GETTING READY TO START KINDERGARTEN NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START PREPARING THEM.

NOT JUST WITH LEARNING THINGS LIKE LETTERS, NUMBERS AND COLORS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT PARENTS CAN DO TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN BE READY.

THERE'S ACADEMIC READINESS, THEIR SOCIAL READINESS, AND THERE'S BEHAVIORAL READINESS AND EACH ONE OF THOSE THINGS NEED SOME TIME AND ATTENTION IN ORDER FOR A CHILD TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SQUAW.

>> DOCTOR KIMBERLY GIULIANO IS A PEDIATRICIAN AT CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S.

SHE SAYS OTHER SKILLS THAT ARE IMPORTANT INCLUDE TEACHING YOUR CHILD HOW TO SIT STILL AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTION.

THE SAME GOES FOR WAITING FOR THEIR TURN TO TALK USING AN INSIDE VOICE AND KNOWING WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP.

SOMETIMES A CHILD MAY BE TOO NERVOUS TO SPEAK UP AND STRUGGLE IN SILENCE.

INSTEAD.

DOCTOR GIULIANO SAYS YOUR CHILD SHOULD ALSO BE FULLY TRAINED AND BE ABLE TO REMOVE CLOTHES ON THEIR OWN.

>> IF A CHILD IS STRUGGLING, AVOID THINGS THAT HAVE THAT THE PIRS, THE BIDENS, IF THERE'S JUST AN ELASTIC WAISTBAND THAT CAN GO UP AND DOWN.

THAT'S GONNA MAKE IT A LOT EASIER FOR THE CHILD.

I'M HEADED OFF TO SCHOOL.

>> DR GIULIANO SAYS IF YOUR CHILD DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DO SOME OF THESE THINGS, THAT'S OKAY.

THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME TO PRACTICE.

EVEN AFTER SCHOOL YEAR GETS GOING FOR WGCU NEWS ON TEDDY BYRNE.

>> THE GLADES COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS HAS EARNED A TOP SPOT IN YOUR FIELD ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

DR.

BETH BARFIELD IS NAMED AS ONE OF ONLY 3 FINALISTS FOR THE NATIONAL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD.

AND THIS COMES DURING A REBOUND FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT'S MADE GREAT STRIDES WHEN IT COMES TO ITS EVALUATION BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WGCUS EILEEN KELLY REPORTS.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T HAVE THE WORDS FOR IT.

I'M TRYING TO TRY TO SOAK IT ALL IN AND JUST ENJOY THE HOT TODAY.

BUT FOR DECADES, ALICE BARR, FIELDWORK IN LEE COUNTY, PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONSIDERABLY LARGER SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE SHE EARNED THE REPUTATION AS A TURNAROUND LEADER, A GO-TO PERSON TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AT STRUGGLING SCHOOLS IN TWENTY-TWENTY.

SHE SAID IT WAS TIME TO COME HOME TO GLADES COUNTY, A PLACE WHERE SHE GREW UP A PLACE WHERE FOR 6 GENERATIONS BARFIELD'S FAMILY HAS WORKED THE LAND IN THIS SMALL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY RIFE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 VOTERS IN GLADES COUNTY PICK BARFIELD TO BE.

THERE'S SUPERINTENDENT SHE GLADLY ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE AND THE SIGNIFICANT PAY CUT THAT IT MEANT TO COME HOME.

>> I KNEW THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO DO IS TO GO BACK HOME TO THE CLAY COUNTY IS WHERE I WAS RAISED.

I KNEW THAT I WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT GAVE IN.

AND HELPED CREATE WHO I WAS.

>> THE REPUTATION SHE ACQUIRED IN LEE PROVED TRUE IN GLADES.

IN TWENTY-TWENTY.

THE CLADE SCHOOLS RANKED 61ST AT A 67 SCHOOL DISTRICTS TODAY.

IT IS NUMBER.

24 RECENTLY, THE ONCE FAILING DISTRICT EARNED ITS SECOND A RANKING BY THE STATE BECOMING THE VERY FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE FLORIDA HEARTLAND TO EARN BACK-TO-BACK DAYS.

>> WE WORKED TOGETHER TO TRANSFORM OUR BELIEVING IN OUR CHILDREN AND REFUSING TO LET OUR RURAL LOCATION THE ON WHAT THEY COULD ACCOMPLISH BEING RECOGNIZED ON A NATIONAL STAGE SIMPLY REINFORCES WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED.

THAT SUCCESS SHOULD NEVER BE DETERMINED BY THE CHILD ZIP CODE.

BARFIELD SAID THE AWARD GOES OUT TO MANY.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE HONOR AND I AM DEEPLY HUMBLED BY IT.

WHILE MY NAME MAY BE THE ONE ON THE NOMINATION, IT'S RECOGNITION TRULY BELONGS TO THE STUDENTS.

THE TEACHERS, THE STAFF, MY SCHOOL BOARD, THE PARENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY AND ALL OF GLADES COUNTY AS ONE OF ONLY 3 FINALIST FOR FEDERAL REPRESENT THE GLADES SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> AND RURAL PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

AND I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY CALL HOME, HAVE ACCESS TO THE EDUCATION THEY DESERVE.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS, THIS IS CITING KELLY.

>> HERE'S ANOTHER FACT FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

THE TRADITION OF GIVING AN APPLE TO A TEACHER DATES BACK TO THE 16TH CENTURY.

THAT'S WHEN FAMILIES AND DENMARK AND SWEDEN WOULD GIVE TEACHERS BASKETS OF APPLES AND PRODUCE TO HELP PAY FOR THE SCHOOLING.

ACCORDING TO RICHARDS, READER'S DIGEST, THE SYMBOLIC GESTURE MADE ITS WAY INTO POP CULTURE AFTER BEING CROSBY RECORDED HIS SONG AND APPLE FOR THE TEACHER BACK IN 1939.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK.

BEFORE STUDENTS SAIL BACK TO SCHOOL, SOME HAVE THE CHANCE TO HIT THE SHORES ON SANIBEL AND GET AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT THE SHARKS THAT ROAM OFF THE COAST OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SUMMERTIME IS ALSO SHARK SEASON AND FLORIDA IS HOME TO OVER 50 SPECIES OF SHARK THAT LIVE OFF THE COAST.

AND EVEN IN BAYS AND SHALLOW ESTUARIES.

A SUMMER CAMP ON SANIBEL ISLAND OFFERS KIDS A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE CREATURES OF THE OCEAN.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE HAS THE STORY.

>> IT'S GOT TO BE HARD TO CUT THROUGH BECAUSE THERE'S CARTILAGE RIGHT HERE.

AND I PROMISE IF YOU JUST KEEP GOING AT IT, YOU'LL GET THROUGH IT.

>> THAT'S KIND OF DISGUSTING.

>> 14 YEAR-OLD VANESSA MUSSER IS DESCRIBING THE SITE.

IT DIDN'T SMELL LIKE ROSES EITHER.

HENCE THE PARKING LOT PUT.

LET'S BACK UP AND START WHERE THESE KIDS TO THE CLASSROOM.

GRAPHS AND A QUICK GAME TO SEE WHO IS PAYING ATTENTION.

BRITTANY, LAST OR EDUCATION OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR CROWE, THE CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE EXPANDS THIS CAMPER AT NOW IS WHAT WE SPRING CAMP, WHICH MEANS IT IS A MIX OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

>> AND WHERE THEY DO A LITTLE BIT MORE, IT'S NOT JUST SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITIES THERE ALSO ACTIVELY TRYING TO LEARN AS MUCH AS THEY MAY 5, THAT.

>> AFTER THE EDUCATIONAL PORTION, THE KEEPER SCRUB THEIR GLOVES AND IT TOOK OUT THEIR SCALPELS FOR SOME HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.

DISSECTING USDA APPROVED SHARKS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO JORDAN.

BRYANT CROWE, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATIONS INTERN.

ALL OF OUR LAB DISSECTIONS, EVERY ANIMAL OR ORGANISM THAT WE RECEIVE IS LAB GROWN OR SPECIFICALLY RAISED IN A LAB SETTING.

>> FOR THE INTENSE OF EDUCATION, WE ALSO WANT TO SHOW THEM THE COMPLEX ANATOMY BECAUSE WE CAN.

>> CONNECT.

THAT'S WHAT OUR VET MARION'S SEE AND 2 AT CROW THEY GO.

AND AND EVEN DURING A DISSECTION, IT'S REALLY EASY TO CUT SOMETHING YOU DON'T WANT TO CUT.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET THROUGH THE SKIN.

IT'S ABOUT HAVING THEM HANDS-ON WITH THAT.

WE CAN POINT OUT THESE ORGANS GUIDING THEM THROUGH IT.

BRIAN SAYS THE GOAL IS TO WIN THEM OVER.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS UNDERSTANDING WHY WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT THEM AND WHY THEY'RE IMPORTANT TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

THEY UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE OVER 100 MILLION SHARKS ARE KILLED EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

AND SO TO ME, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO JUST SPREAD AWARENESS TO SPREAD EDUCATION AND AN INFORMATION TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT SHARKS ARE NOT ACTUALLY SCARY.

>> RESEARCH PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL MARINE POLICY TRACK SHARK DEATHS FROM WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL FISHING BRYANT HOPING IT'S ENOUGH TO CHANGE SOME MINDS AT AN EARLY AGE.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO TELL THE KIDS HOW TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS JUST IN GENERAL AND JUST LIFE.

AND SO THIS IS KIND OF A WAY TO DO THAT IS SEEING THE PURPOSE OF THIS ANIMAL AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THE REASON IT DIED WAS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

>> BRYANT ALSO WANT TO TICK OFF A FEW BOXES OF HER OWN.

>> IS I'VE NEVER ACTUALLY TOUCHED A SHARK.

AND SO BEING ABLE TO FINALLY TALK ABOUT THE SKIN THAT I TALK ABOUT ALL THE TIME AND FEELING IT'S MOVED MIS THE MINUTES ROUGHNESS ALSO JUST BEING ABLE TO SEE THE INSIDE SEEING IT'S FINE AS WELL AS IT'S I IT'S HARD HOLDING ITS HEART IN MY HAND.

THAT WAS REALLY, REALLY AWESOME.

SO THE SUPER SPECIAL MOMENT FOR ME, I MAY HAVE TAKEN MORE FROM IT THAN THE KIDS, BUT AS LONG AS THEY TOOK SOMETHING FROM IT, I'M HAPPY >> FROM US OR SHE TOOK SOMETHING FROM MID TO MAYBE NOT WHAT SHE EXPECTED WALKING IN.

IT WAS REALLY COOL TO BE ABLE TO SEE.

>> INSIDE OF THE SHARK AND SEE HOW LIKE OLDEST PRINT PARTS WORK TOGETHER AND LIKE A LOT OF THE ORGANS DIDN'T LOOK HOW YOU THINK THEY WOULD.

>> FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M ELISABETH ANDARGE >> COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, A MUSICAL JOURNEY THAT SHOWCASES SOME OF THE FEE.

NOW PIONEERS OF MODERN MUSIC.

HERE ARE THE TUNES AND THE STORIES THAT ARE CREATING A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FEATURING SOME OF ROCK'S SIRENS OF THE 70'S.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WGCU DOT ORG, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.