The Florida Department of Transportation is holding workshops throughout the state aimed at developing public transportation systems for rural communities. WGCU’s John Davis has more.

Simply talking to teens about the dangers of mixing alcohol and/or drugs and driving is sometimes not enough to get the point across. The folks at the Coalition for a Drug Free Southwest Florida think they have to take it a step further. Hence what’s called “The Drug House Odyssey.” WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has more.

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Ave Maria University held the first Mass and dedication ceremony for the town’s oratory Monday, establishing the building as a holy place for worship and sacred celebrations. Bishop Frank Dewane of the diocese of Venice traveled to the town about 20 miles east of Naples to dedicate the 24 million dollar facility. Disputes between the Diocese and officials at Ave Maria have led to an unusual designation for this oratory. WGCU’s John Davis spoke with Naples Daily News Reporter, Liam Dillon, who has been covering plans for the dedication for the past few weeks…

After spending two weeks talking with homeowners in Florida, Republican U-S Senator Mel Martinez returned to Washington Tuesday to negotiate with Democrats on how to solve the housing crisis. A new housing bill could pass as early as this week. Sara Sciammacco reports from Capitol Hill.

More and more people are switching their standard home phone service to a new technology called ‘Voice Over Internet Protocol’ – or VOIP. This is basically using your high speed Internet connection to make phone calls. It’s offered by companies like Vonage and cable providers like Comcast. But there’s a catch…if the system isn’t set up correctly, it might not be able to call 911. Matt Rechkemmer (wreck-UH-murr) is the 911 program manager for Lee County Public Safety. He told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry that they’re asking Lee County residents who’ve switched to VOIP to call the county’s 911 office to arrange a test call. He says the problem is they have no way of knowing how many people this might be affecting…

For the third time in ten years state lawmakers want to tweak Florida’s education system. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has more.

Researchers at the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission are asking for help from beachgoers around the sunshine state. They want to know whose seen horseshoe crabs lately. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry reports.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation visited Florida Gulf Coast University last week, not to investigate a crime scene, but to create one. Students seeking careers in forensic science had the opportunity to train with the FBI’s Evidence Response Team. WGCU’s Andrea McCrary was there and has this report.