Martinez talks about the POPE
Florida Senator Mel Martinez is commenting on the death of Pope John Paul, II. Martinez, the first Cuban-American in the Senate, is also Catholic. He says the pontiff had an impact well beyond the church.

“The influence of the Pope extends well beyond the gates of the Roman Catholic Church. He took steps that were remarkable steps to achieve peace, Democracy, and freedom around the world. He crusaded against Communism in Eastern Europe and beyond, unbridled capitalism, and political oppression. And he worked to unite people of all different faiths.”

The pope died Saturday at age 84.

Two more people have contracted an E. coli infection likely from petting zoos at Central Florida fairs. This raises to 24 the total number of confirmed cases. Twenty-one children and three adults either tested positive for the infection in their stool or else had a potentially fatal kidney disease known as hemolytic uremic syndrome. One confirmed case is from Collier county, while one is from Charlotte. Florida Secretary of Health John Aguwnobi says of the 22 cases that required hospitalization, most of the patients have been released. He says though, that lab tests still have not determined the exact source of the strain of ecoli bacteria know as 0157-H7.

"It is possible. It is conceivable we may never get a match although there are many tests pending as it relates to the animals. Having said that we've actually found 0157h7 in at least one of the animals tested. Although it's not the same strain it clearly indicates that there is 0157 present. Now the point that I'm trying to make is that the testing isn't the only way that we determine where the arrows are pointing."

Agwanobi says interviews with the people involved frequently lead to the source. Science may not be accurate because the animals may have already shed the bacteria prior to being tested.
All the victims had attended the Central Florida Fair in Orlando, the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City or the Florida State Fair in Tampa in the past two months. Ag-Venture Farm Shows of Plant City supplied the animals at the three fairs. There are also 40 suspected cases - including 6 in Charlotte, 1 in Sarasota and 1 each in DeSoto and Hardee counties.

A Seattle law firm known for litigating Ecoli cases nationwide has filed a lawsuit against the petting zoo allegedly at the center of the Ecoli outbreak in Florida. Nineteen children and three adults are confirmed to have caught the bacteria. They all attended central Florida fairs and came in contact with animals from the Ag-Venture Farm show. Attorney Bill Marler represents Yvonne Miller of Orlando who became ill after attending the Central Florida Fair.

"Actually didn't even go into the petting zoo area, was just outside watching her kids ride on another ride and leaned against a railing and that's how we believe that she actually contracted the Ecoli bacteria. She suffered mild hemolytic uremic syndrome and was hospitalized for 5 days and required blood transfusions. This outbreak in Florida is frankly the largest group of extremely sick children that I've seen in an outbreak and my hope is that we learn from this."

The Florida Department of Health reports out of 35 samples taken from animals at the Ag-venture petting zoo, only one is positive for the same strain of Ecoli found in the human cases. Yet even in that case, tests did not prove a connection Marler says this could be because it's been a number of weeks since the transmission and the animals could have already shed the disease. Tests continue.

Butterflies play a very important role in food production. Organizations like the Butterfly Conservation Initiative promote butterfly habitats. The organizations newest member is Caribbean Gardens: the Zoo in Naples. The national organization is dedicated to recovering endangered butterfly species and to prevent further declines in butterfly populations. Currently 23 butterfly species are listed as endangered or threatened. Director of conservation for the zoo, Tim Tetzlaff, believes a decline in butterfly population is a serious issue.

“Butterflies can be critically important to an eco system. They are phenomenal pollinators, in fact birds are the only things that pollinate more that butterflies, and when you get down to brass tax, pollinators are something we are desperately depended on for our food supply. It is estimated that one in every three bits of food we take is dependant on pollination.”

The initiative encourages its members to raise public awareness on butterfly conservation. Caribbean Gardens promotes creating Backyard Wildlife Habitats. People can get their homes, schools, or businesses certified by the National wildlife association as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

Negotiations continue between the state and the Babcock family to acquire the 91,000-acre Babcock Ranch. Ryan Warner has this update. (AUDIO)

For the last several years, there has been a lot of debate over whether the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was doing enough to preserve Florida panther habitat. An official complaint was filed against the agency and it has been decided some changes need to be made. Carol Pratt reports.
(AUDIO)

The National, Florida and local Leagues of Women Voters are all celebrating milestones this year. The National League is 85 years old, the Lee County league is 56 and the Collier League is 30. Amy Tardif has more. (Audio)