Hundreds of people turned out in Fort Myers Wednesday for the first day of the 16th annual Citrus Expo. It's the largest trade show of its kind in the state. WGCU's Valerie Alker reports.

A group of Collier County Sheriff's Deputies are adding a new role to their everyday duties; they are now working with the federal government in the battle against illegal immigration. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

The devastating earthquake that killed hundreds in Peru last week hit home for Southwest Floridians with Peruvian ties. It hit especially hard for a television crew in Naples which is now lending a hand. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has more.

A search committee has narrowed the field for Florida Gulf Coast University’s next president to six candidates:



• Ray Alden III -- Executive Vice President and Provost -- Northern Illinois.



• Wilson "Brad" Bradshaw -- President -- Metropolitan State.



• Karen Holbrook -- Former President -- Ohio State University.



• Joe Shepard -- Vice President for Administrative Services and Finance -- Florida Gulf Coast University.



• Bob Smith -- Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs -- University of Arkansas.



• Greg Weisenstein -- Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs -- University of North Dakota.



On campus interviews begin today inside the Student Union on campus…and continue thru Thursday. The public is invited…here’s the schedule.



• Raymond Alden: 3:30-4:30 p.m. today
• Wilson Bradshaw: 5-6 p.m. today
• Karen Holbrook: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday
• Joe Shepard: 5-6 p.m. Wednesday
• Bob Smith: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday
• Greg Weisenstein: 5-6 p.m. Thursday



A final decision is expected by Saturday.

The housing market continues to spiral downward with continued drops in building permits, home sales and home values. Conditions are forcing one of the nation’s largest lenders to cut jobs and look for financial help. But what does that mean to southwest Florida homeowners? WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has this report.

Faculty and staff at Florida Gulf Coast University are working quickly to select a new president - by the end of this week. WGCU's John Davis has more.

One out of every five Lee County eighth graders has used cocaine, marijuana or another type of illegal drug. The kids themselves reported that last year in the Florida Youth Substance Survey. So it makes sense that parents look for ways to police their children’s behavior. These days it can be done by curfew, GPS-infused cell phones, or by simply getting to know their child’s friends. Or, by picking up a free drug testing kit in Fort Myers, just in time for the new school year. Tyrone Martin reports.

The popular school anti-drug program known as DARE may be affected, as the state asks agencies to cut spending. WGCU’s Amy Tardif has more.

One of the many challenges during a disaster, whether man made or natural, is getting medicine to people as quickly as possible. There’s a new program that may help resolve that problem. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

A new report from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota says Southwest Floridians need a better plan to deal with red tide. And the report says they should stick to it to ensure success. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.