WGCU Public Media

01/24/2025

Sheldon Zoldan’s is paying tribute to the artists who died in 2024.

Sergio Mendes, the bossa nova legend with a touch of funk, passed away at 83 from long COVID in September. His 60-year career brought unforgettable rhythms to the world. 🎶

🎧 To hear more: https://bit.ly/42oumTP

01/24/2025

Internationally renowned artist Hunt Slonem has gifted his stunning artwork “Totem Winter” to the Golisano Children’s Museum’s permanent collection. 🌟🎨

Slonem’s work is featured in over 250 museums worldwide, including the Guggenheim and the Met, but he always shows love to places like , where art inspires young imaginations.

“Totem Winter” will take center stage in a Pop Art-inspired exhibition opening later this month, leading up to Golisano’s Night at the Museum on February 8. Don’t miss it! 🖌️✨

✍️ Tom Hall | WGCU

Internationally renowned artist Hunt Slonem recently donated an artwork titled “Totem Winter” to the Golisano Children’s Museum’s permanent collection.

01/24/2025

More Trump Administration pardons announced:

Three of five people who were at the center of a federal lawsuit claiming violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Fort Myers in 2022, are among 23 described as pro-life proponents who have been pardoned by President Donald Trump.The Freedom of Ac...

01/23/2025

Join WGCU News host Sandra Viktorova for Southwest Florida In Focus. Watch on Fridays at 6:30 & 11:00 PM, Saturdays at 5:30 AM & 6:30 PM, and Sunday at 11:30 AM.

Catch the full discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/-News/videos or use the 🔗 in our bio.

01/23/2025

Applause erupted at U. Tobe Recital Hall as the winners of the inaugural Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Voice Competition were revealed! 🎶✨

Congrats to soprano Luna Park, mezzo-soprano Simona Genga, tenor Minghao Liu, and bass Camhur Gorgun! Each earns $10,000+ in contracts, including roles at the Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars and next season’s Florida Grand Opera. 🌟

An exciting revival of a legendary competition! 🏆

✍️ Tom Hall | WGCU

Thunderous applause echoed through U. Tobe Recital Hall at the Bower School of Music as the names were announced of the four singers who won the inaugural Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition. They are soprano Luna Park, mezzo-soprano Simona Genga, tenor Minghao....

01/23/2025

❄️ Cold weather is here, and local officials in Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties are stepping up with shelter and resources for those in need:

🌡️ Lee County:
- Salvation Army: Limited single beds available Jan. 23 & 24 evenings. Call 239-789-1169 for details.
- LeeTran warming buses Jan. 24 & 25, 6–10 a.m. at Cape Coral & Edison Mall Transfer Centers.
- HOT teams providing cold-weather supplies like jackets, blankets & hand warmers.

🌡️ Charlotte County:
- Charlotte CARE Center offers shelter Jan. 23 & 24 nights. Call 941-627-4313 to pre-register by 8 p.m.

🌡️ Sarasota County:
- Shelters at 100 Church & Salvation Army open Jan. 23 & 24, 5 p.m.–7 a.m. (meals provided).

Bundle up, stay safe, and spread the word! 🧥🧣

Cold weather conditions continuing through the end of the week has preparations being made for sheltering availability by Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota officials.

01/23/2025

Volunteers Needed! 🚨 Collier County's annual Point-in-Time Count is happening Jan. 30-31. This critical effort helps identify the unhoused and secure federal funds to support them.

🌟 How you can help:
- Survey participants
- Hand out backpacks & toiletries

💬 “They’re human, just like us. Let’s stand up for our community and do what’s right,” says Nadja Joseph of the Collier County Homeless Coalition.

👉 Volunteer training options:
- In-person: Friday, 3–4 PM at United Way, 9015 Strada Stell Ct., Suite 204
- Online: Available anytime

📧 Contact Nadja Joseph at 239-263-9363 or [email protected] to sign up. Together, we can make a difference. 💙

✍️ Eileen Kelley | WGCU

The Point-in-Time count is done annually across the country each year. It's vital to receiving funds to combat homelessness

01/23/2025

📣 Over 50 people gathered this weekend at U.S. 41 and Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers—not for a sale or food truck, but for a cause. The Fort Myers Women’s March brought together a diverse group, united in their commitment to fight for reproductive rights.

Attendees shared powerful stories:
💬 Sheila Chilton-Davis: “This is the second time I’ve had to do this... it just stopped safe abortion.”
💬 Janine Mole: “I don’t want this to happen to my daughter or the people I love.”

Sharon Gray of the Local National Organization for Women (NOW) encourages everyone: “Don’t give up. We need your help.”

✍️ Elizabeth Andarge | WGCU

The Women's March Fort Myers organized hundreds of demonstrators to gather for a nationwide movement championing social justice.

01/22/2025

From the White House to global diplomacy, Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has had a remarkable career spanning six decades. He’s been at the forefront of political change, serving under Presidents Johnson, Carter, Clinton, and Obama.

We spoke with him about his journey, his friendship with Jimmy Carter, and the evolving landscape of politics. 🎙️

Tune in to hear his incredible story!

🎙️ Mike Kiniry | WGCU

Stuart Eizenstat met Jimmy Carter when he was running for Governor of Georgia in 1970 and remained a central figure of Carter’s team until he left the White House in 1980. During President Carter’s administration Eizenstat served as Carter’s Chief Domestic Policy Adviser, and throughout his ca...

01/22/2025

Rename the Gulf of Mexico? Trump’s executive order to call it the 'Gulf of America' has stirred mixed reactions along the Gulf Coast. 🇺🇸 🌊 Some see it as patriotic, others call it a distraction. What’s your take?

✍️ Aidan Bush and Libby Clifton/Fresh Take Florida | WGCU

President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico has left residents along the Gulf Coast sharply divided. Some say it awakens their pride in the U.S. while others suggest it’s a silly distraction.The order, which Trump signed Monday night, his first day in office, directs th...

01/22/2025

The Lee County Supervisor of Elections Office says that the March 4 regular election in the Village of Estero is canceled.

The Elections Office says each candidate for Estero Village council in Districts 1, 2 and 6 was unopposed after the close of the candidate qualifying period on Jan. 17, resulting in an uncontested election. No other positions were up for a vote in the village.

For more election information, visit WWW.LEE.VOTE.

01/22/2025

💰 Florida lawmakers are gearing up for the 2025 legislative session, but spending might take a hit. With federal COVID-era funding drying up, leaders warn of tighter budgets.

👩‍💼 Lawmakers are already filing funding proposals for local projects, but expect a return to pre-COVID spending levels, around $500M-$750M.

🌊 Some good news: New funding from the Seminole Tribe gambling deal could help with water projects, invasive species removal, and more.

✍️ Jim Turner/News Service of Florida | WGCU

Florida lawmakers have started filing what are expected to be hundreds of proposals seeking money for local projects and programs — but legislative leaders are cautioning not to expect as much spending as in the past few years.As of Tuesday morning, House members had filed 40 funding proposals, wh...

01/22/2025

Affordable housing progress in Lee County! 🏘️

Miami-based McDowell Housing Partners has the green light to build Ekos on Evans in Fort Myers, a 144-unit apartment project designed for low-income families. Thanks to $28.5M in mortgage revenue bonds from post-Hurricane Ian recovery funds, one-bedroom units could rent for as low as $450/month!

🕒 Timeline: It’ll take 20-22 months to complete, with delays due to a shortage of subcontractors post-storms.
💭 Some residents remain skeptical, questioning if affordable housing will ever truly meet the demand.

Do you think efforts like these will make a difference? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️

✍️ Mike Walcher | WGCU

A Miami company has gotten the okay to access money to build affordable housing in Lee County.Lee commissioners Tuesday approved a deal that uses post-Ian recovery money for mortgage revenue bonds.

01/22/2025

Even in Florida's winter, wetlands come alive with vibrant ferns thriving in moist environments. From Shoestring Ferns nestled in Cabbage Palm fronds to the adaptable Resurrection Fern, each species finds its unique niche. 🌿 Explore the lush beauty of Florida's ferns this season!

🐾To learn more about South-West Florida’s ecosystem and fauna, tune into this week’s latest episode of With The Wild Things!🐾

Every day at 7:20 am and 5:18 pm on 90.1 FM. Tap the 🔗 in our bio for more!

✍️ Dr. Jerry Jackson
📸 Dr. Jerry Jackson

01/21/2025

🎭💎 Murder, mystery, and… diamonds? Florida Rep’s Lucky Stiff is serving up laughs, music, and a rotating cast of VIP cadavers! 👓🪑

Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson kicked things off as the stiff on opening night—who will it be next? You’ll have to wait for Act One’s big reveal!

Catch this offbeat musical-farce at the historic Arcade Theatre, running now through Jan. 26. Shows Tuesday–Sunday! 🎶✨

For more info on what's onstage the week of January 20: https://bit.ly/4atEaO4

✍️ Tom Hall | WGCU

'Lucky Stiff' continues through the weekend at Florida Rep

01/21/2025

Big moves for Lee County! 🌊🔥💧

This week, the Lee Board of County Commissioners approved:
1️⃣ A $1.8M contract for a Regional Alternative Source Water Study to ensure a sustainable water supply for East Lee County & Lehigh Acres.
2️⃣ A $174K plan to develop the county’s first Community Wildfire Protection Plan, addressing wildfire risks, including those worsened by Hurricane Ian.
3️⃣ A $260K agreement with Collaboratory to tackle disaster preparedness through the EPA Community Change Grant.

These projects are part of the ResilientLee Recovery Plan to boost sustainability, safety, and resilience. 💪

✍️ WGCU

The Lee Board of County Commissioners Tuesday voted to award a $1.8 million contract for a a Regional Alternative Source Water Study in east Lee County and Lehigh Acres and a $174,334 proposal to develop a countywide wildfire protection plan.In other action, the Lee Board of County Commissioners als...

01/21/2025

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued sweeping pardons for around 1,500 supporters charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, including commuting sentences for Oath Keepers and Proud Boys leaders. Among those impacted: Joseph Hackett of Sarasota and David Moerschel of Punta Gorda.

This decision has major implications for one of the largest Justice Department investigations in history. Thoughts? 💭

✍️ WGCU & Associated Press

President Donald Trump on Monday said he was pardoning about 1,500 of his supporters who have been charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, using his sweeping clemency powers on his first day back in office to dismantle the largest investigation and prosecution in Justice Department history...

01/21/2025

Prep being done for the coming colder weather in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.

Due to the National Weather Service forecasting cold temperatures Tuesday night, cold weather shelters will be available in Charlotte and Sarasota counties.