This is southwest Florida in focus.

Coming up, migrant detentions are reaching record high numbers, and a new report details the surge in children that are winding up in federally protected shelters three years after Hurricane Ian blasted through Matt Lashay, the once vibrant art community reinstitute an island tradition and look back at the nearly 100 years of memories that Dunbar High School provided to the Fort Myers black community.

Hello, I'm Teddy Byrne, thank you for joining us.

The continuing efforts from the federal government to target what they claim is illegal immigration has reached a new high.

According to a report from Track Reports, a data gathering and research organization, there were more than 65,000 people being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers in November, surpassing previous records of those detained over 73% had no criminal conviction, committing only minor offenses, including traffic violations.

A new report sheds light on that.

Children have been caught in the crosshairs on the focus of illegal immigration.

An article from ProPublica has found that Ice has sent more immigrant children into federal shelters than the previous four years combined.

They report that over 600 immigrant children have been displaced by Ice, the highest number since recordkeeping began a decade ago.

This has led to families being separated and children spending up to six months in federal shelter.

For more on the increase in immigrant children detentions, we are joined by Mario Ariza, a reporter for ProPublica.

Thank you, Mr.

Ariza for joining us.

My pleasure.

Thanks so much for having me.

So this has become a nationwide issue, but your report has had a heavy focus on Florida's role in the detention of migrants.

How has the policies from the federal government trickled down to the states enforcement of their own laws?

Yeah, that's a great question.

Well, Florida and the federal government's new push for immigration detention and to to get migrants out of the country, they're working hand in hand in a way that few other states are.

Florida passed a series of laws last January that really solidified the, cooperation between state police and, local police and federal immigration authorities.

This has led to, an increase in the amount of children, who are being picked up by Florida police, handed over to immigration authorities and ending up in federal, detention for unaccompanied minors.

These are often children who either came here as an unaccompanied minor, themselves, many years ago and had been given to, a custodian to take care of, often a family member.

So there's essentially some, some families being separated again.

So it was noted in your report that in Florida, if a child is found alone or in danger, the police are required to contact the state's Department of Children and Families.

But you are finding that it's different now and they are going directly to Ice.

So what kind of precedent is this setting?

Yeah, that's a that's a great question, Teddy.

So I, I think there needs to be further reporting.

And I would call on, media organizations across the state, to look into whether or not Florida police are contacting the Department of Children's and Families when they encounter, an undocumented migrant child, who they believe may be alone, abused or abandoned.

We were not able to establish whether or not the the Florida Highway Patrol officers involved in these 24 traffic stops that we documented.

Whether or not they called the child hotline.

Now, why is it important for police officers to call the state's hotline when they encounter a child like this?

Well, first of all, they're mandated reporters by law.

And second, it's it's a third degree felony if you're a mandated reporter and you don't.

But regardless, the issue becomes that now we've got a separate system where, kids who are in danger, perhaps, are being, shuffled into the federal system.

And in the federal system, there's no judicial review.

A judge doesn't look over the decision to separate you from your parents.

In the Florida system, there is nobody gets no kid gets removed from their family in the Florida system, without a judge reviewing that removal within 24 hours.

So there's there's a lack of judicial review here, and a difficult precedent is being set.

And I would add, this is occurring despite promises from Florida lawmakers that nothing would change.

And then one of the things that you also mentioned in the article was about sponsorship, in that now many people are unwilling to come forward for fear that their own detention could be imminent if that happens.

So what does that leave as options for children who are now caught in this system, with no one here that can provide any shelter or just a normal way of living for them?

Yeah.

That's a that's a great question.

I mean, the example that we wrote about, Carlos was pretty lucky because his aunt, was, had had legal status was a green card holder.

Right.

But in a lot of instances, we ran into, examples of, kids in the shelter system who had, an aunt who had a parent, in the country who could take care of them.

But that parent or aunt or relative was afraid to come forward, because if they did, they knew they'd get nabbed and deported.

So that that means that these kids often, are interacting with the federal shelter system in a manner which leads them to choose to self-deport.

The federal shelter system is not set up in such a way as to be like a foster home or in such a way as to be long term housing for kids in this kind of situation.

And a lot of the kids in it, are And then in the article two, it had a Ice agent stating that parents can be given a choice that either their child could be deported or they have to leave them in the care of another adult.

So is there no other option that allows for families that may be only involved in minor offenses to be reunited?

Or is this kind of where immigration is at this point in time?

Yeah, it's it's a much more, exacting and difficult process to get these kids out of the Aurora shelter system.

And it's completely new that they're being put into the shelter system from within the interior of the country, that families are getting separated like this.

So we're we're in uncharted waters in, in, in, I guess, the application of, of, federal immigration standards to this class of kids.

I should note that the last time families were being separated, was it the border?

Right.

During the last Trump administration, there was a lawsuit.

A federal judge put a stop to it.

And even today, if a family shows up or if an unaccompanied kid shows up at the border, they're not separated from their family, right.

Because the administration is still following the precedent in that lawsuit and that that agreement.

But but the lawsuit didn't say anything about the interior of the United States, and that's where the separations are occurring.

Mario Ariza from ProPublica.

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us about this.

Thank you so much, Teddy.

I really appreciate, the attention to, to the reporting and the journalistic work that you do.

Well, have a great day.

Coming up from art walks to Christmas musicals, we're breaking down all the celebrations, bringing the holiday cheer throughout Southwest Florida.

A Florida landmark, Matlatcha was left in shambles following a trail of destruction from Hurricane Ian.

The main road was torn and tattered.

Most businesses were severely damaged, including many one of a kind art galleries.

But the spirit of the community hasn't faltered, and as WGCUs Samuel Brucker reports, local artists are continuing the recovery by bringing back a popular tradition that highlights Matlatcha's vivacious lifestyle.

Take a step into Matlacha's revived Artwalk, where more than 30 vendors from across southwest Florida lined streets alongside over ten local businesses, all greeted by hundreds from near and far coming to experience and support the historic fishing villages unwavering charm.

The colorful old Florida style boutiques are drawing crowds again, just three years and a couple months after Ian nearly wiped the town off the map.

And more than one year after Hurricanes Helene and Melton.

Angela Swearingen from Oklahoma, is one of those visitors drawn to Matt Shades charm.

I'm just impressed with their camaraderie for each other and their love for each other.

Very endearing.

I loved it when we came back right after the last hurricane.

We were devastated for them.

Hurricane Ian battered Matt Lashay in 2020 to a record breaking storm that inundated the historic fishing village, with surge levels surpassing 14ft and sustained winds of 145mph.

And we just stood there looking at this empty space that, like the world is completely gone and is completely washed away.

So, it was just devastation.

It was it it.

Just talking about it three years later, kind of, you know, brings that that trauma back in my heart.

Like, it makes sense.

I do want to cry.

Jennifer Bennett, owner of Island Flair, says the hurricane's also devastated the artist community's morale, preventing local artists from supporting themselves and their families.

The town was seeing a rebirth until last spring with the death of renowned local artist Liam Lovegrove from stage four breast cancer.

That is something that we really need.

We need Liam Keller back in this town and they're bringing it back.

Sara Cushman, general manager of the Lovegrove Matt Lashay gallery, says Lovegrove attracted visitors with her vibrant artwork along with other artists who were rebuilding and seeing a revival, especially in this past year of No Storms.

She was my best friend.

Now I can't explain it.

Matt Lashay has had some major comebacks as far as, a businesses opening up and, traffic coming back and people coming back, and, there's, there's just a lot to be done and there's a lot of glioma to go around, and, we've got a lot of work to do.

This is the Art walk's main goal reviving and resurrecting the vibrancy, color and morale of Matt Lashay, all inspired by Liam Lovegrove.

So the art walk was about reviving the area, reviving Matt Lashay, letting people know that we're still here.

Sharon Caskey from Oklahoma, says she is happy to see the soul of Matt Lashay is still sailing high.

It's a loving community.

It's it's someone strong in friendship.

They are?

Yes.

The family that has rebuilt and supported each other.

I love seeing all the local support here, as well as people like us that come back to support these businesses.

All right folks, you heard it here.

Artwalk is back.

Happening from 5 to 8 every second Friday of every single month.

If you didn't come to this one, don't be afraid.

Like I said, the next one is going to be on December 12th, 5 to 8.

Make sure you bring a bag of chairs so that you can vibe with the musicians and catch some coastal breezes.

For WGCU I'm Samuel Brucker.

... There are countless traditions that ensure the holiday season remains festive.

Think sleigh rides or sipping on hot cocoa.

But one of the popular choices heading out to the theater to catch a seasonal performance that embodies the joys and celebration of the winter months.

And to learn more about the can't miss show is happening throughout Southwest Florida.

We are joined by the festive WGCU arts and culture reporter, Tom Hall.

Tom, thank you so much for joining us.

I am thrilled to be here.

So I think when you think of the holiday season, one of the first shows that comes to mind has to be Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.

And that seems to be the most in-demand performance.

I think you said that there are 27 performances by eight different ballet companies in our area.

There are, and I think one of the reasons that The Nutcracker is what it is, is beyond Tchaikovsky's beautiful score and the exceptional dancing costumes and sets.

This is a ballet that really triggers fond Christmas memories.

It starts off with a party scene under a beautiful Christmas tree.

But the other secret is is there are a ton of roles for kids.

And so, you know, it's the involvement of all the kids really, I think makes this a popular show.

It truly is a ballet for everyone.

And so I think everyone has seen it at some point in some shape or form.

And that is by far like not the only performance that is happening in this area.

Now there are like 19 different Christmas based shows happening from Sarasota to Marco.

So what would you say then are some of like your can't miss productions that are coming up the season?

When you talk about can't miss, three shows come to mind?

The first to be White Christmas.

And there are actually two different productions of that.

Sure, Playhouse is doing it right now to the 21st, and then it opens at Cultural Park Theater in Cape Coral on the 12th.

And for that one, you've got all of the standard Irving Berlin.

Melodies that people remember Blue Skies, Sisters, and of course, White Christmas, that being Crosby made famous.

But really the greatest number in that particular musical opens act two.

It's a tap dance extravaganza called I Love a Piano.

It's absolutely sensational for anybody who loves tap dancing.

And the formula that they use in that show is really kind of intriguing.

Two boys meet two girls when the girls then lose them and then get the girls back.

So it's kind of a riff on Cole Porter's formula and all of the shows that he used to do.

So that's one show that really is is a is a no brainer.

There are two musical revues that I think are exceptional.

One is called home for the holidays.

That was written by Mark Danny.

And takes place at Theater Zone December 19th through the 21st and over.

Player circle theater.

I think through the 20th is Bob Cass the boss?

Ho ho ho.

The Christmas show.

So that that's another good one.

And then the last one is for anybody who is a Charles Dickens fan.

A Christmas Carol opens at Fort Myers Theater on the 11th, but for this one, they've set it to music.

And when I say they, I mean Alan Menken and Lynn Aarons.

Now, if you don't know those names, Alan Menken is beauty and the beast.

Little mermaid, little shop of horrors.

And Lynn Aaron's credits are ragtime, Sousa, Cole and Once on This Island.

So it's really a strong show with with very memorable musical numbers.

I was going to say that's going to be something that's going to be a little bit different here than not what you expect.

The traditional Christmas, Christmas sounds kind of maybe mixing it up and making it a little more unique.

Exactly.

So what about shows for like the kiddos, a lot of kids are gonna be home for school soon.

Parents, grandparents looking for those performance that are good for all ages.

Is there anything like that on the horizon?

Again, three shows come to mind.

The first takes place at, the Florida Repertory Theater.

They're doing a show, called, Jingle and Mingle, a children's holiday cabaret.

And, that is going to involve, 40, students from their Florida Rep education program.

Ages six to, I'm sorry, ages 5 to 16.

And under the direction of Monique Caldwell and, Rachel Leonard, with music by Earl Sparrow.

Here's some of the numbers that they'll be performing.

Christmas time is here.

The peanuts favorite.

You're a mean one, Mr.

Grinch.

Little Drummer boy.

And and, of course, I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus.

So that's that's at Florida rep.

If you travel up to Sarasota, in the Keating Theater, the Florida Studio Theater is doing Deck the Halls.

Think palm trees wrapped in Christmas lights and sand.

Snowmen.

It's, a way to show how we celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah.

Southwest Florida style.

And then the last show for anyone who's ever loved the movie.

A Christmas Story.

Well, Broadway Palm is bringing that to life on stage.

So?

So the kiddos were really love that one.

And I think parents will tell you, I mean, that's one that I grew up on.

Couldn't miss it every holiday season there.

And then so as I was perusing the, WGU app, I was going through the extensive outlines that you have laid for both the Nutcracker theater performances and musical performances.

And then there was a couple of the, we'll call them Outside the Box holiday shows.

And I think the one that has drawn the, most of my attention right now that I might get a ticket for is the clown bar Christmas.

And when you see it, it will be one that you will will remember for the rest of your life.

Crowd.

Clown bar Christmas sounds just like what it says.

It's clowns in a bar at Christmas.

But actually, there's there's kind of a lot to this particular show.

But what I think audiences are going to really appreciate are the parodies.

The clowns parody pretty much all of our favorite Christmas, songs and Christmas stories.

For example, they go gangster with, The Night Before Christmas.

So that that's an interesting variation.

And the Clown Bar also jumps on the let's parody Hallmark Christmas movies, a band wagon.

They have a scene in there.

Where that takes place at a Christmas tree farm, where everything that can go wrong goes awry.

Again, clown style.

So this is definitely a show if you're looking for something way, way, way out of the normal clown bar.

Christmas at Lab Theater is is your ticket.

So there's something for everyone, no matter what you're looking at to enjoy.

You can find it, and you can head to wgcu.org and get a full list of every show that's coming up as well.

Find our guides.

You'll you'll have a list of all 77 shows, this season that you can choose from.

So whether you're sticked is ballet, the theater, or concert performances, there's something for everyone this season in Southwest Florida.

Well, I'm sure it's going to keep you busy going up in the near future there.

So thank you for joining us and have a happy holidays and quick clowning around.

I'll try.

Okay.

Well, after the break.

Building a better community.

One lesson at a time.

Generation of students reunite to share the legacy created at Dunbar High School.

When Dunbar High School opened its doors nearly a century ago, it was designed to offer the black community of southwest Florida the opportunity to have the same educational standards as everyone else.

But the institution grew into something more, providing a lasting legacy for the Dunbar area and the countless students who graced the hallways.

As Schools Brian Monteith shares, generations of Dunbar graduates reunite every other year to express their appreciation for a school that helped reshape the neighborhood and their lives.

And live.

And I've gone to school.

And asked you to transfer.

You were released.

I just had a good time.

I hate it leaving school, and I know I had to work.

At 102 years old, Haywood Lee Baskin has seen a lot in her life.

And then her neighborhood near the old Dunbar High School.

A member of the class of 1941 and who many call Miss Pete.

She was the oldest Dunbar graduate to attend the bi annual reunion to celebrate special memories, school pride, and to honor the legacy of tradition.

We've had some great leaders in the community that, of course, graduated from Dunbar.

It's a school that ties everybody to it because somebody.

I don't care how young you are, either your grandparent or your great grandparent actually went to Dunbar.

So growing up, that's all you heard about.

That was the community school is Dunbar High.

This year's celebration marked the 90th anniversary of the original building opening.

The construction of Dunbar High School was a landmark accomplishment for the black community.

Prior to its opening, public education for black children in Lee County was limited to the eighth grade.

But the new school meant black students could now receive four years of high school education.

I'm standing here on the grounds of the old Dunbar High School, which these doors were once opened for the first time back in 1927.

It was unique in the sense that it served African-American high school students from three different counties Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.

We went through some rough times when we had second handed books.

We didn't have the materials that other parts of the community had, but still we have that pride that no matter what, we were going to be successful.

And our teachers told us that during segregation, black students were given hand-me-down books, supplies and equipment from white schools.

Even to the band, we had uniforms that were passed down, books that were passed down, and we would get books that had all kinds of profanity.

And it was just a horrible thing.

Even with the challenges of the times, Dunbar graduates may never forget the lasting lessons.

You couldn't be late if you were late.

Mrs.

South's was standing at the sidewalk waiting.

If that last bell caught you without your foot on that sidewalk, he tapped you.

They wanted you to work hard and be quiet.

And at homeroom.

Teacher.

Her name was Elizabeth, man.

She would threaten to wash out the window if we went quite.

That was, one of the fun memories.

But many alumni agree.

Teachers and administrators would remind the students that education was a key to achievement.

We had teachers who really cared about us, who wanted us to do our best, be our best, and strive for the best.

You were expected to be on your best behavior and always to treat others as you wanted to be treated.

This year's theme for the reunion was Bridging the Gap, connecting older alumni to more recent graduates.

No matter the age or generation.

The Tiger Pride runs deep.

What made it memorable for me is having a high school in an area that people may look down upon, but then you have the people in the high school that are taking this city to the next heights.

I feel like Dunbar brings the best out of people and encourages us to be bold.

And it really helps us learn how to be successful.

Achievement is the expectation.

Well, the building in people might have changed throughout the years.

One component has stayed constant for the past 26 years.

Dunbar has been led by Principal Carl Burnside.

It's history where it was a school that had a legacy of having students who were achieving, in spite of the challenges, that exist in a society at the time.

And then when they reopened, it took those challenges and raised it into, another level.

The next reunion in 2027 will be Dunbar High School's centennial anniversary.

The orange and green represents a lasting presence and enduring legacy.

And when it comes to aging with grace and timeless influence, Miss Peet shares this simple wisdom.

It's like the most beautiful.

For WGCU news, I'm Bryant Monteilh for all of us here at what I Dunbar High School was named after the famous black poet, novelist and short story writer Paul Laurence Dunbar.

His work became the voice for the African American experience in the United States during his time.

And coming up next week, Florida braces for the return of the black bear hunt.

While some voiced concerns over the impact it will have on the bear population, proponents say this will promote a healthier ecosystem.

Well, thank you for joining us and make sure to download the WGCU app or visit wgcu.org where you'll find all of our stories, plus extended interviews, and have a great weekend and join us again here next week on Southwest Florida InFocus.