Florida Gulf Coast University is considering going smoke free. The Faculty Senate will vote on a resolution Friday to ban smoking. WGCU’s Valerie Alker hung out yesterday near one of the several “smoking stations” set up on campus and talked to some students who smoke.

Lee County health officials are taking steps to help residents quit smoking – especially young people and pregnant women.  WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

Southwest Florida Addiction Services or ‘SWFAS’ and Lee Memorial Health System are working together to improve access to care for people with substance abuse disorders.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Scientists studying red tide are meeting in Sarasota this week to discuss efforts to control the harmful algae blooms which cause fish kills and respiratory problems for people.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Local health agencies and other community partners are kicking off a campaign to combat HIV infection rates among African-Americans.  It’s in conjunction with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Sunday.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

On the heals of new guidelines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission about corrosive drywall, U.S. Senator George Lemieux is holding an information meeting Saturday for homeowners living with the contaminated drywall.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Counselors with Hope Hospice in Fort Myers are holding grief sessions this week for people struggling to cope with last week’s devastating earthquake in Haiti.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Three mornings a week at an elementary school in Fort Myers more than a hundred kids show up early…so they can run laps.  It’s not punishment.  It’s not P.E.  It’s a running club, made possible by the volunteer efforts of one devoted woman.  WGCU’s Mike Kiniry has more.

Democratic
U-S Senator Bill Nelson spoke before the Chamber of Southwest Florida
on Tuesday about a host of issues including the economy, health care
overhaul, Chinese drywall and offshore drilling.  WGCU’s John Davis
reports.

The
U-S Consumer Product Safety Commission released results of several
studies Monday linking Chinese Drywall with air quality issues and
metal corrosion in effected homes.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.