Sea Turtle nesting season is now over for 2010. As the late night and dawn beach monitoring work ends, sea turtle biologists and environmental specialists are beginning to log and interpret their data. And despite alarming decreases in the number of nests over the past decade, preliminary numbers show a significant increase this year in the number of nests state-wide. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Military groups like Operation Gratitude are collecting Halloween candy this year from dentist’s offices in Sarasota and sending it to U.S. Military troops stationed overseas. American Family Dental of Lakewood Ranch is one local office registered as part of the Halloween candy buy- back program. Dr Ji Jackson explains how the program works locally.

"We want the kids to donate their candy and we will give them cash for it for Operation Gratitude. So we can send the candy to the troops overseas."

O’Leary Orthodontics in Port Charlotte is also collecting candy. Each office will give kids a dollar per pound of candy. For the full list of participating dentists, go on line to Halloween candy buy back dot com.

This November, voters in Florida will weigh in on six constitutional amendments. As part of our Your Voice project “Florida’s Changing Constitution”… today we look at Amendment 2. The measure proposes a property tax break for Florida’s active duty troops serving overseas. The amendment is sponsored by the state legislature. But as WGCU’s John Davis reports, the real momentum came from an Orlando soldier fighting in the most notoriously dangerous regions of Afghanistan.

This November, voters in Florida will weigh in on six constitutional amendments. As part of our Your Voice project “Florida’s Changing Constitution”… today we look at Amendments 5 and 6.


Congresswoman Corrine Brown’s district stretches more than 120 miles from Jacksonville from Orlando. It’s shaped like the country of Italy, is only one mile wide in places and, by design, swoops through several largely African-American communities. Amendments 5 and 6 seek to change that by overhauling the way districts are drawn. But as Steve Brown reports, high-profile opponents of the measures say they would hurt minority representation.

This November, voters in Florida will weigh in on six constitutional amendments.  As part of our Your Voice project “Florida’s Changing Constitution”… today we look at Amendment One.

By Florida law, candidates for governor and three other statewide offices are given the option of capping spending on their campaigns. If their opponent then spends above that limit, candidates who abide by the limits are eligible for matching money from the state. Amendment One would eliminate this public financing of campaigns. Sascha Cordner reports that critics say eliminating public financing could make it harder for unknown candidates to win statewide office.

This November, voters in Florida will weigh in on six constitutional amendments. As part of our Your Voice project “Florida’s Changing Constitution”… today we look at Amendment 4.


This "Hometown Democracy" amendment would give citizens a direct vote on development projects in their communities. Supporters say it would put the brakes on reckless development. Opponents argue it would cost Florida taxpayers millions and drive away jobs. Tom Parkinson reports on what has become one of Florida’s most heated political battles.

One year has passed since a Haitian national named Mesac Damas allegedly killed his wife and five children in Naples. Police say the couple had a history of domestic violence. The incident shook the Southwest Florida Haitian community - as Damas was one of their own. For the Healthy State Collaborative, WGCU’s Farah Dosani reports on how it made them reflect on views within their culture that have allowed domestic violence to silently occur and escalate within the community.

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau announced a new, first of its kind, partnership Thursday with global travel publisher Lonely Planet.  WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more.

Lax oversight on foreclosure procedures have several leading banks investigating and even in some cases halting foreclosures. Meanwhile some federal lawmakers are calling for an industry-wide moratorium. One Sarasota family says they feel caught in the middle and their attorneys are still fighting to keep them in their home. Mia McCormick has more.

Physical illness or disease can sometimes trigger depression…and depression can sometimes trigger physical illness or disease. A forum in Fort Myers today will explore the connections. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more.