On WGCU Public Television’s next broadcast of “In Focus: on the Environment” we bring you an in-depth look at Red Tide. A great deal of research is underway as scientists try to learn more about this naturally occurring phenomenon. That’s in part because red tide impacts tourism, fisheries and quality of life. To learn more about Red Tide tune into WGCU Public Television at 8:30pm May 13th, for “In Focus on the Environment”. Valerie Alker has more. (AUDIO)

Each year the federal government spends $150 million to dump sand on beaches to stop beach erosion. And each year the President targets it for elimination. President Clinton and President Bush tried to zero out the program. Laura Strickler reports why this pot of money, despite the tight budget year, has become almost bulletproof. (AUDIO)

An advisory panel looking into ways the state of Florida can assist Haiti has released its recommendations. Governor Jeb Bush established the Haiti Commission last year. Its focus is on finding ways the state – and the estimated 400,000 Haitian-Americans & Haitian nationals living in Florida – can help the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.
Recommendations include: using Florida law enforcement to help train Haiti’s national police force; providing assistance during upcoming elections; and using resources at state university’s to address Haiti’s widespread deforestation. Much needs to be done. Former Naples resident – Sister Judy Doaner – runs a children’s hospital in Haiti’s capital, Port Au Prince.
She says there is no stability…and day-to-day operations at the hospital are chaotic…

“The first thing, every morning someone comes in my office and says we don’t have something…we can’t find powdered milk in the country. One day the company that provides our oxygen had been filled with people demonstrating, so we couldn’t get in to get oxygen for the children. So each day, I’m not sure what the crisis will be.”

Doaner says just last week a doctor's husband was kidnapped, and they were forced to pay nearly $50,000 to free him. Two days later, the brother of the hospital’s head nurse was killed in a demonstration. More than 400 people have been killed in clashes between gangs, former police and UN peacekeepers since the commission was established last September.

The state wants to know about exceptional females in Florida. July 15th is the deadline to nominate someone for the 2005-2006 Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. Last year’s inductees included a NASA scientist and the first women to lead the National Rifle Association.
Anita Mitchell chairs the committee that narrows down the nominees.

“Even though it’s a lot of reading for my committee, the more nominees the better. And every year, we get more—which is wonderful. We narrow it down to 10. When you get to the last 50, it’s difficult. But, we narrow those down to ten and give those to the governor. He then picks three. The number one criteria is “what have they done beyond and above what they get paid for?”

Past inductees include household names like Gloria Estephan and Chris Evert. But, many of the inductees are not widely known. To nominate someone, visit the website of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. It’s fcsw.net.

Governor Jeb Bush made appearances in Charlotte County Wednesday. His first stop was at Peace River Elementary School – where this years third graders surpassed last year’s class in F-CAT Scores. Valerie Alker has more. (AUDIO)

A national program promoting firearm safety in the home delivered thousands of free gunlocks to southwest Florida law enforcement agencies this week. Project Child Safe has distributed more than a million gunlocks in Florida since last year. Besides free gunlocks, the program also gives away educational materials. The goal is to remind gun owners to take steps to prevent loaded guns from falling into the hands of children. Spokeswoman - Mary Tougher – says it’s also to prevent tragedies by supplying information.

“The main issue about our program is education…and the goal is to inform all firearm owners on key safety issues. And with that, to provide firearm safety kits that include a gun-locking device. We try to prevent a loaded firearm from getting into the hands of a child to prevent a tragedy. Even if we can save one life our time has been worthwhile.”

Developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation - Project Child Safe is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. The free gunlocks are available at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Fort Myers and Sanibel Police Departments. The gunlocks are cable-style – and normally retail for about $10.

The 2005 Session of the Florida Legislature is now history. Ft. Myers News Press Political Correspondent Betty Parked joined Valerie Alker with this summary of the latest from Tallahassee. (AUDIO)

Many coastal residents do not intend to make a hurricane preparation plan before the official beginning of hurricane season June 1st. That’s according to a new Mason-Dixon poll of people from Texas to Maine. 1 in 3 say they won’t bother to prepare until after a hurricane warning is issued. The poll was conducted as part of the new National Hurricane Survival Initiative – a public education and safety outreach partnership that includes that National Hurricane Center, the Salvation Army and the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Spokesman for the initiative – Ron Sacks – says the poll confirmed how timely the effort is…

“Despite last year’s devastating and historic hurricane season the poll indicates dramatically that far too many residents in storm prone areas don’t sense any danger in the upcoming season, and even worse, don’t plan to take even simple steps to protect themselves, their families, their homes and their businesses.”

The poll also found nearly 1 in 5 coastal residents say they wouldn’t evacuate under ANY circumstances…and 1 in 4 say they don’t feel vulnerable to hurricanes. Florida’s Director of Emergency Management – Craig Fugate – wants this message to get out…hurricanes ARE a part of nature…they do REQUIRE preparation.

“We just need to live with them and respect them and their power and take the steps we need to take now to protect our families…and take the steps to protect our property…but I’d much rather lose my home than lose my life or lose my family. But these are the real risks you face if you’re not prepared and go into another hurricane season.”

The National Hurricane Survival Initiative seeks to educate hurricane-vulnerable residents through its new website at WWW.HURRICANESAFETY.ORG.

Former state legislator - Carole Green - is Florida’s new Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs. Green spent much of her 6 years in the Florida House of Representatives concentrating on health and elderly care, as well as working with the state’s Medicaid system. She chaired the House Elder and Long-term Care Committee…and the House Medicaid Committee. Her confirmation faced very little opposition. Secretary Green says Florida’s 60 and over population is expected to grow by more than 20-percent in the next 5 years…

“And I think that that brings to the forefront a lot of the pressures that we have on the department, and on our partners that are actually out in the field…if you will…managing the different areas to be able to make sure that we can reach as many of those seniors that do have needs as we can.”

Secretary Green says that many seniors give back to their communities… and that she sees their population as a resource. The Department of Elder Affairs employs 360 people, and has a budget of nearly $400 million…making it one of the smallest state agencies. Green left the Florida House for an unsuccessful bid to replace former U.S. Representative Porter Goss. She’s already been working as Secretary for the past 6 weeks.

Advocates for establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace will gather in Bradenton Saturday – as part of a nationwide effort in conjunction with Mother’s Day weekend. Department of Peace advocates will hold a “Give Peace a Piece of the Pie” rally on the steps of the Manatee County Commission office at 10 o’clock Saturday morning. Former Democratic presidential candidate, Representative Dennis Kucinich - first introduced legislation to establish a Department of Peace in 2003. Event coordinator - Arlene Sweeting – says Representative Kucinich will reintroduce the legislation in September…

“And so we’re getting out early and trying to drum up support for that. And after the rally they’ll go up to Representative Katherine Harris’ office and present her with some pies along with information about how the federal government currently spends on defense, and how small a piece of the pie we’re asking for for the Department of Peace.”

The proposed Department of Peace would get 2-percent of the current U.S. defense budget...or about $8 billion. The Department would focus on non-military peaceful conflict resolution, promoting justice and democratic principles, and expanding human rights…both at home and abroad. The Department’s not a new idea – George Washington introduced a similar bill to Congress in 1793.