Thursday was what's called The Great American Smoke Out. The Lee County Health Department and the Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida used it as the backdrop for a major announcement. WGCU's Luis Hernandez reports.

A new collaboration between the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and researchers at the University of South Florida seeks to one day better predict when and where red tides will occur. WGCU's Mike Kiniry has more.

One of the most popular pianists in America performs in Southwest Florida tonight. Roger Williams was the first pianist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. At age 83 he still performs 14-hour-long piano marathons and as WGCU’s Amy Tardif reports, he’s considered a legend.


Click here to hear more of Amy Tardif's interview with Roger Williams.

Charlotte County Commissioners are rolling back impact fees to 1998 levels. It's a move calculated to spur the county's sluggish building industry. WGCU's Valerie Alker reports.

Charlotte County Commissioners are rolling back impact fees to 1998 levels. It's a move calculated to spur the county's sluggish building industry. WGCU's Valerie Alker reports.

Florida’s Attorney General says his office will take no further civil or criminal action in the death of Martin Lee Anderson. Trimmel Gomes reports.

This week’s forecast high in Cleveland, Ohio is 61 degrees. Lows there will be near freezing. Highs in Ft. Myers will be in the 80’s…and so the tourism season begins. Members of the Southwest Florida Attractions Association meet Wednesday morning to discuss the upcoming season in a changing economy. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The state Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will launch Florida’s “Statewide Campaign to Stop Bullying Now”. The agency is looking to recognize the work of educators and students that strive to create a bully-free school environment.


As WGCU news continues its three part series looking at the area’s anti-bullying efforts, Luis Hernandez focuses today on a program that uses a multi-media approach to reach very young children.

Imagine going to work every day and being told you’re fat, an idiot or a loser. Your boss tells you to ignore it. The scenario is real. Ask a child who has been bullied at school.


Twenty three states have passed anti-bullying legislation. But what the organization Bully Police USA called “the best anti-bullying law ever written to date” failed in the Florida legislature. It was pushed by a Cape Coral woman whose son committed suicide after being bullied by his classmates.


Instead, various anti-bullying efforts have cropped up around Florida. A three day “bully safe” training course for Lee County school staff began Tuesday. In this, the first of a three part series looking at those efforts, Luis Hernandez takes a closer look at a program that focuses on saying you’re sorry.

South Florida Water Management Officials say they are thrilled with the recent congressional veto override that led to passage of the 24 billion dollar Water Resources Development Act. WGCU’s Valerie Alker Report.