The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has opened an investigation into reusable grocery bags, following a Tampa Tribune report that found some highly decorated bags contained elevated levels of lead. Also, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor called on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the issue, and has called for hearings in the House of Representatives. Lead is considered a toxin, and can cause learning disabilities in children and fertility problems in adults. Sarasota reporter Grant Boxleitner has more.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers signed an agreement today/Tuesday with the state’s largest tomato grower cooperative to provide higher wages and better working conditions for farmworkers. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

As the economy continues to suffer, the number of people turning to unlicensed contractors is rising -- and so are complaints about their work. Mia McCormick reports from Sarasota.

Saturday marks the second annual Survivors United in Naples Community Walk at Sugden Regional Park. The fundraiser benefits the crisis intervention work by the non-profit Project HELP, which works with victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes as well as grieving loved ones after a suicide or homicide. As WGCU’s John Davis reports, Project HELP’s small staff is working hard to meet an increased need for services in the down economy.

National Estuary Program scientists, managers and other experts are in Punta Gorda this week for their annual meeting. Nationwide there are 28 National Estuary Programs – keeping close watch on the health of 42 percent of this country’s shoreline. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

Will the Baltimore Orioles get to throw out their first pitch against
the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium, their new Sarasota home for
spring training? Project managers say yes. Though lawsuits have delayed a 30 million dollar renovation project, now nearly half complete. Mia
McCormick has more.

In commemoration of the 72nd anniversary of Kristallnacht, the FGCU Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Human Rights Studies welcomed one of the world’s leading Holocaust experts to campus on Monday. WGCU’s Amy Tardif reports.

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and his counterparts in other states are calling for an investigation into the mortgage practices of the nation’s major home mortgage lenders. Meanwhile, the states are looking into numerous allegations of shoddy paperwork and other questionable practices by some lenders. Tom Parkinson at WMFE in Orlando asked economic analyst Hank Fishkind if the foreclosure crisis is worse here in Florida than in other states…

The number of foreclosure filings in Lee County last month fell sharply to the lowest number in more than three years. WGCU’s John Davis has more.

The Lee County Extension Service is hosting its 10th annual Southwest Florida Butterfly Conference on Saturday, with a focus on what to plant to attract butterflies. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.