News that the federal government is considering stepping in to prop up the quasi-governmental mortgage giants Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac has rocked the financial world. But president of Naples Classic Mortgage – Robert Harry – says he doesn’t see much risk to homeowners, although loans for people with less-than-perfect credit are going to be even harder to come by. Harry worked as an account manager for Freddie Mac from about 10 years starting in the mid 80s. He told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry that Fannie & Freddie aren’t sub-prime lenders trying to stay afloat…but solid companies suffering a crisis of shareholder confidence…

Even in tough economic times there’s still money for those in need. One southwest Florida group has raised thousands of dollars to lend a helping hand to people in Immokalee. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez has more.

City and County governments across the state are realigning their resources to reflect less tax revenue. In Collier County officials are dealing with the first decrease in property values in 53 years. WGCU’s Valerie Alker has more.

The skyrocketing cost of food is forcing South Florida school districts to offer students fewer choices when it's time for lunch. The painful decisions are also undoing some long-term efforts to improve nutrition in school meals. Michael Hibblen has this report.

BUYOUT052208

“Lee County Buyout”

Lee County administrators are expecting a budget shortfall of at least 14-million dollars for the coming fiscal year. In an effort to save money about one third of the county’s employees have been offered a buyout plan to leave their jobs. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

This Saturday letter carriers across the country will collect donations of nonperishable food items from homes and deliver them to food banks. Last year the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive collected more than 375 thousand pounds in Lee County alone. This year organizations that help struggling families are counting on the drive to stock food pantries struggling to keep up with increasing demand. WGCU’s Valerie Alker prepared this report.

Community leaders and members of the public are gathering in Estero this morning for a symposium called Market Pulse 2008. Speakers will present their outlooks on trends in the real estate market and broader economy. One of them is Dr. Gary Jackson, a Florida Gulf Coast University economics professor and director of the Regional Economic Research Institute. He told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry there is concern about declining consumer confidence…especially here in Southwest Florida, where many people were using their home equity as their bank account…

The need for emergency food relief in Charlotte County went up 75 percent in February - as the housing slump continues to squeeze Southwest Florida's working class. WGCU's Mike Kiniry reports.

While taxpayers consider what to do with their portion of the federal government’s economic stimulus plan – con artists are using it to try to steal people’s identities. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry reports.

With the real estate market in free fall some home builders are using unique techniques to sell homes. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports on a southwest Florida contractor who reverted back to an incentive he used thirty years ago…and it’s working.