Imagine throwing an enormous party…or in this case convention…for more than 50-thousand people. Imagine the entire country, and even much of the world, will be watching. That’s the task at hand for Christian Duffus…who grew up in Southwest Florida and graduated from Fort Myers High School in 1990. These days he’s Deputy CEO for Finance and Administration for the 2008 Denver Democratic National Convention Committee. Duffus told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry that while he didn’t necessarily aspire to a political career…his time in the nation’s capitol opened certain doors…

The woman who has been in charge of news content and day to day operations at the News Press in Fort Myers for the past 7 years is leaving. Kate Marymont had been Executive Editor & Vice President since 2001. Starting today Marymont is “Vice President for Content” for the McClean (AIN), Virginia-based Gannett Company…which publishes 85 daily papers in the U-S, including the News Press. She told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry it’s a dream job…

The United Nations' Assistant Secretary General of Science and Technology is visiting Southwest Florida. He's touting ideas for people to use in their everyday lives that could lead to energy efficiency. WGCU's Luis Hernandez reports.

The editor of Birding Magazine is in Southwest Florida this week. Ted Floyd spoke Wednesday night at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and leads a field trip on Thursday. It’s his first visit to the area. Floyd told WGCU’s Valerie Alker he began making notes about birds as a teenager in the early 1980’s – and since then his passion has been taken up by many others.

A Palm Beach Gardens house cat named Gracie Mae is back home
after a completely unexpected trip to Dallas over the weekend. She
spent eight hours in a suitcase...but has only herself to blame. Rick
Stone reports.

Former FGCU Volleyball Coach Jaye Flood is going after her former employer. Friday morning she filed a lawsuit against the university asking for damages and her job back. WGCU’s Luis Hernandez reports.

The Everglades Coalition's 23rd Annual Conference got underway today on Captiva Island. The 3 day event brings together all the players in efforts to restore the River of Grass. Speakers include Governor Charlie Crist, former Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, Senator Bill Nelson and former CIA Director Porter Goss. Also speaking is Nathaniel Reed – who in 1967 was appointed the state’s first Environmental Counsel by Governor Claude Kirk.

Friends and family, and the many people whose lives he touched, are remembering Judge Isaac Anderson who passed away on Saturday. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

A Central Florida composer is one of three finalists in a competition that could decide Florida's new state song. As Becky Morgan reports, the classical composer is a New Zealand native who's been living in Orlando for just over a year.

A young Floridian who’s walking the state to helping homeless kids was in Tallahassee yesterday. Tom Flanigan has more…