Law enforcement officers from throughout Southwest Florida are taking part in a two-day training program designed to improve police interactions with people suffering from mental illness. The advanced crisis intervention training covers a variety of issues including hoarding, post traumatic stress disorder, dementia, autism and substance abuse. READ MORE

Republican State Representative Trudi Williams spoke to members of the Fort Myers Republican Women's Club Tuesday afternoon about her impressions of this spring's legislative session.  Representative Williams of Fort Myers says despite the state legislature's failure to pass measures including immigration reform and an energy bill, she's happy with the healthcare and education measures that did pass.  Williams praised the legislature's decision to overhaul Medicaid by moving 2.8 million Floridians into private networks.

"Certainly the Medicaid reform that hasn't been reformed since 1964," Williams said.  "The teacher tenure bill I think is great.  I mean finally you're going to be able to reward good teachers for good works.  There was a lot of really good legislation that passed out."  READ MORE

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a petition today/Thursday with a state appellate court challenging the process and procedures of Florida’s foreclosure courts. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

The Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte County Health Departments along with CEOs of 12 hospitals in the region will sign a public proclamation Monday to work together to combat prescription drug abuse. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Business owners, government officials, local residents and investors joined a day-long tour and Town Hall Meeting Thursday intended to boost interest in developing Florida’s green and renewable energy economy. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Florida’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program directs more than 300 volunteers throughout the state who act as an independent voice for the 160 thousand residents in Florida’s long term care facilities. The program’s become a center of controversy over the recent ouster of its director Brian Lee. Now an investigation is underway to determine if Lee’s forced resignation was legal and as WGCU’s John Davis reports it could have national repercussions.

 

Florida’s efforts to prevent tobacco use received poor marks in a report released Thursday by the American Lung Association. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

The Lee County Attorney’s office plans to file a claim against BP for economic losses related to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico nearly a year ago. WGCU’s John Davis reports.

Stress factors for today’s elders are quite different from what previous generations’ faced. As WGCU’s John Davis reports, Hope HealthCare Services’ upcoming conference on aging is aimed at addressing the new challenges of growing older.

With the federal income tax filing deadline just over a month away, the State Department of Financial services wants Floridians to know there’s still time to get some free help filing a return. WGCU’s John Davis reports.