WGCU Staff

The Education Foundation of Collier County's Champions for Learning program was started in 1990 with a mission to serve as a catalyst for educational success by investing in Collier’s students and educators. They have programs for students designed to prepare them for their future learning and career goals, both college or occupation-based learning and skill building. Of the roughly 350 students they worked with in their mentorship program, 100% graduated high school last year, 33 of which took dual enrollment courses and 62 received industry certifications. Almost three-quarters of their students are slated to be the first in their family to go to college or receive any other kind of post-secondary education. We talk with their new President and CEO, and an alumna of the program to better understand what they do and the impact their programs can have.

There were 96 flight delays and nine cancellations Saturday and at least 134 flight delays and 15 flight cancellations as of early Sunday evening at Southwest Florida International Airport. The numbers come from the MiseryMap, a listing of delays and cancellations at U.S. airports by FlightAware, a flight tracking service.

Traffic will shift to the new Big Carlos Pass bridge overnight Thursday, Nov. 13.

Residents and visitors once again may enjoy convenient, stress-free travel to some of Lee County’s most popular destinations as LeeTran resumes free seasonal trolley and tram services. Connectivity and timing improvements made to other LeeTran routes.

 As the nation prepares to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites Floridians to reflect on the people and places that shaped the nation’s story and the service members who have safeguarded it. On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, Florida State Parks will offer free admission for all visitors to recognize and thank those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. 

Charlotte Harbor Parrot Head Club will hold its second annual Thanksgiving Food Drive on November 22 in the parking lot of the Punta Gorda Walmart on Jones Loop Road. It will benefit St. Vincent de Paul Society's Punta Gorda food pantry.

A church parishioner in Sarasota and the Diocese of Venice are addressing financial and food needs in light of the government shutdown.

Florida SouthWestern State College has been granted initial accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, effective Thursday, Nov. 6.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reminds small businesses and private nonprofits in Florida that they have until Dec. 8 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the drought occurring Feb. 11, 2025.The disaster declaration covers Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.