THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, FLORIDA LAWMAKERS WRAP UP THEIR LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITHOUT PASSING A BUDGET.

NOW STATE LAWMAKERS NEED TO GET BACK AT IT TO HAMMER OUT THE DETAILS LEAVING OTHER LEGISLATION IN LIMBO.

THE ROLE OF FAITH IN THE TIME OF NATURAL DISASTERS.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW ONE FORT MYERS BEACH CHURCH HELPS THE ISLAND HEAL FROM HURRICANE IAN.

AND MAKING AI WORK FOR YOU.

HOW THE NEXT GENERATION OF INNOVATORS IS EMBRACING THE HIGH-TECH REVOLUTION.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

FLORIDA'S 2026 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDED WITH A WHIMPER.

NOT MUCH FANFARE AFTER LAWMAKERS FAILED TO AGREE ON A STATE BUDGET LAST WEEK.

IT IS THE ONE THING THEY ARE CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED TO DO THE SESSION ENDED WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE DEADLOCKED ON A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS CONSIDERED PRIORITY LEGISLATION.

NOW LAWMAKERS PLAN A RETURN TO TALLAHASSEE FOR AT LEAST ONE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> JOINING ME NOW FOR A LOOK AT WHAT CAME OUT OF THE SESSION IN TALLAHASSEE AND WHAT'S AHEAD FOR LAWMAKERS.

>> FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR DOCTOR SANDRA PAVELKA AND WGC YOU HOST AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS.

WELCOME.

THANKS.

THANK YOU.

THE ACTION IS OVER.

THERE IS NO BUDGET.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WELL, SO NOW WE'RE IN THIS PREDICAMENT.

WE NEED TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AS PER THE STATE CONSTITUTION BY JULY ONE OR WE GO INTO A STATE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

SO THE LEGISLATURE REALLY IS IS FORCED TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION AT THIS POINT.

AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT WAS REALLY THE CONSTITUTION IS THE ONLY THING THEY NEED TO DO THIS SESSION.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PASS A BILL OR ANYTHING.

BUT WILL BE LOOKING TO A SPECIAL SESSION SOMETIME PROBABLY IN APRIL TO GET THAT DONE BY JULY ONE.

>> RIGHT CENTER, PRESIDENT ALBRITTON HOUSE SPEAKER PEREZ HAVE AGREED TO ME.

THEY SAID SOMETIME IN MID APRIL, WE DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE YET, BUT THAT'S ABOUT ALL THEY'VE AGREED ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE SPENDING PROPOSALS AS OF LAST CHART ARE STILL ABOUT 1.4 BILLION DOLLARS APART.

PEREZ THINKS THE SENATE JUST WANTS TO SPEND TOO MUCH.

HE'S BEEN VERY VOCAL ABOUT HOW HE'S NOT GOING TO BUDGE ON THAT.

SO I'M GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE JUST HOW THEY ACTUALLY DOING HAMMER OUT A BUDGET AND DESANTIS HAS SAID THAT HE WOULD VETO ANY BUDGET THAT INCLUDED CONSTANT EVERGLADES RESTORATION PROGRAMMING, WHICH IS SOMETHING I PEREZ HAS TALKED ABOUT.

I REALLY DON'T SEE THAT HAPPENING.

BUT FUNDING HAS BEEN VERY POPULAR AND THAT'S BEEN PART OF WHAT DESANTIS HAS BEEN PUSHING SINCE HIS VERY FIRST MONTH IN OFFICE AS >> JOHN.

CAN YOU TOUCH ON SOME OF THESE PROPOSALS THAT WE LITERALLY WENT NOWHERE THIS PAST SESSION THAT WERE REALLY IMPORTANT?

SO SURE, ONE OF THEM WAS THERE A PRIORITY OF SENATE PRESIDENT ALBRITTON.

THIS WAS THAT RURAL RENAISSANCE PACKAGE THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE.

>> REALLY INVESTING TENS OF MILLIONS DOLLARS AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO KIND OF HELP BOOST THE ECONOMY IS A RURAL AREAS IN FLORIDA.

EVERYTHING FROM UPDATING AGING INFRASTRUCTURE TO, YOU KNOW, INCENTIVES TO GET PEOPLE TO MOVE INTO WORK THERE, PARTICULARLY IN THE HEALTH CARE FIELD, REALLY A BROAD BASE PACKAGE.

AND THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO 2025 TO PASS THE SENATE.

IT DIDN'T PASS THE HOUSE AND THAT REALLY WAS KIND OF A TEMPLATE FOR WHAT HAPPENED WITH A LOT OF LEGISLATION, EITHER ABOUT FULL SUPPORT IN THE SENATE OR THE HOUSE.

AND THEN WHEN IT MOVED ON TO THE OTHER CHAMBER, WOULDN'T EVEN GET A COMMITTEE HERE.

WE SAW A LOT OF A LOT OF >> TIMES WHEN THE ONE HOUSE WAS IN SUPPORT OF ONE LIKE JOHN SAID, THE OTHER WAS NOT AND REALLY THAT BOTH BOTH CHAMBERS WERE AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER.

AND IT WAS JUST VERY INTERESTING SESSION TO TO SEE THAT, WHICH REPUBLICAN DOMINATED CHAMBER AND BOTH WERE AT ODDS.

YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT MASSING.

YOU WOULD NOT MUCH ADVICE IN THIS AND OTHER HIGH-PROFILE BILL THAT DIDN'T PAST WITH THE PROPOSED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BILL OF RIGHTS.

THIS IS SOMETHING DESANTIS HAVE BEEN PUSHING.

>> AGAIN, DID WELL IN THE HOUSE DID NOT PASS IN THE SENATE AND THERE'S A BROADER DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER TRYING TO REGULATE AI ON THE STATE ROUTE LEVEL RATHER THAN THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS EVEN A GOOD IDEA.

>> NOW, THERE WAS A KEY LEGISLATION THAT DID PASS.

TELL A LOT ABOUT WHY THERE UP SAFEGUARD ACT FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS THAT ACTUALLY PROVIDE SAFEGUARDS FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS AND ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDERS AND REPEAT OFFENDERS WILL SEE EVEN MORE SANCTIONS.

SO THAT IS A GOOD THING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND FOR THOSE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS.

AND YOU HAD MENTIONED A MEASURE INVOLVING DEI.

YEAH, THERE WAS A MEASURE THAT DID PASS KIND OF IN THE FINAL DAYS OF SESSION THAT WOULD BAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> FROM, I GUESS, FUNDING OR PROMOTING ANYTHING IN THE ROUND OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND I GET THE SENSE THAT THIS WAS REALLY TARGETING, YOU KNOW, I'LL G B T Q PRIDE EVENTS OR, YOU KNOW, EVEN MLK DAY PARADES.

BUT CRITICS HAVE SAID THE LANGUAGE IN THIS BILL IS SO BROAD IT COULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES LIKE THIS COULD PROHIBIT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM SUPPORTING THINGS LIKE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARADES ARE OKTOBERFEST FESTIVALS BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS IS ALL ABOUT CELEBRATING DIVERSE CULTURES.

THERE'S ALSO SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS WOULD EVEN COMPLIED WITH FEDERAL LAWS LIKE TITLE 9 TITLE 7 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, COMPLIANCE.

SO I REALLY I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THIS IS NOT A MEASURE THAT WE DON'T SEE ARE BEING CHALLENGED IN FEDERAL COURT.

>> AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE SEE KIND OF BROAD POLICY AND BROAD LAWS THAT ARE PASSED.

WHEN IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS AS WHERE YOU SEE A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS, THEN THE THE FORTHCOMING JUDICIAL ACTS WITH WITH CASES THAT COME TO COURT AND PEOPLE SEWING OTHER PEOPLE.

SO SURE.

AND I KNEW WE HAD TALKED ABOUT OUR PROPERTY TAX AND THE POTENTIAL REDUCTION IN PROPERTY TAXES.

>> THAT HAS HIT A STALEMATE.

THERE IS EXPECTED TO POSSIBLY BE A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS THE PROPERTY TAX ISSUE.

>> THAT IS ONE WAY THAT LAWMAKERS COULD CHOOSE TO HANDLE WHAT WE HONESTLY JUST DON'T SANDERS, YOU WOOD SAID BEFORE WE TURN THE CAMERAS ON, THEY MIGHT TRY TO ROLL THAT INTO THE SPECIAL SESSION ON THE BUDGET OR THEY MIGHT JUST CALL YET A 3RD SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS STOP.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW.

THE MEASURE THAT ADVANCED THE MOST IN THE HOUSE WAS THE ONE THAT WOULD GRADUALLY ELIMINATE NON-SCHOOL HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAXES OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 10 YEARS UNTIL THEY WERE ELIMINATED.

SO I WOULD THINK IF THEY DO DECIDE TO TAKE THAT UP IN A SPECIAL SESSION, THAT'S THE BILL THAT WE WOULD BE WATCHING BUT IT IS A GOOD REMINDER THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVEN IF THEY DO PASS SOMETHING ON THIS AND A SPECIAL SESSION, IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE FORM OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSAL.

SO IT'S STILL GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST 60% OF VOTER APPROVAL IN THIS NOVEMBER ELECTION BEFORE ANYTHING WOULD TAKE EFFECT.

WHILE ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT IS THE IMPACT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT WILL GO TO THE VOTERS.

>> ULTIMATELY, LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES WILL BE IMPACTED AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS NEED TO HAVE SOME TYPE.

THEY NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GET THAT MONEY AND THAT MONEY MAY COME IN AND IN THE FORM OF ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS FOR RESIDENTS, FEES, ET CETERA.

SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE UP THAT MONEY THAT THEY'VE LOST IN PROPERTY TAXES SOME WAY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO END UP PAYING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> YOU HAD MENTIONED THERE IS A SESSION SET CURRENTLY FOR RE RE DISTRACTING.

THAT'S THE ONLY ONE CORRECT?

>> YEAH.

THAT'S GOING TO START APRIL 20TH.

IT'S JUST A FIVE-DAY SESSION AND THAT'S JUST TO ADDRESS.

BASICALLY, GOVERNOR DESANTIS IS DESIRE TO ADD MORE REPUBLICAN SEATS TO THE U.S.

HOUSE BECAUSE AGAIN, WE'RE COMING UPON THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRATS ONLY NEED TO TURN A FEW SEATS IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, REFRAME THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE U.S.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> SESSION IS OVER, BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE AT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LATEST.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THANKS.

THANK YOU.

>> MAKE SURE YOU STAY UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN TALLAHASSEE.

>> YOU CAN FIND THE LATEST INFORMATION ON OUR WEB SITE W G C U DOT ORG.

COMING UP, RECOVERY THROUGH FACE.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW ONE FORT MYERS BEACH CHURCH, UNITED PEOPLE OF ALL FATE AFTER HURRICANE IAN DEVASTATED THE ISLAND.

WITH HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHING, LOCALS ARE PREPARING BY GETTING THEIR SUPPLIES IN ORDER.

BUT IN FORT MYERS BEACH, AN AREA STILL RECOVERING FROM HURRICANE IAN.

A SEASONAL RITE OF PASSAGE TOOK PLACE SHOWCASING THE RESILIENCE OF THE ISLAND AND ITS FISHING TRADITIONS.

WGC REPORTERS ON TO PARK EXPLAINS THE ROLE.

FAITH IS PLAYING IN THE ISLAND COMMUNITIES RECOVERY.

>> HOW DOES THE CHURCH PREPARE A COMMUNITY FOR A HURRICANE?

IN 2022?

HURRICANE IAN NEARLY DESTROYED FORT MYERS BEACH.

FISHING VESSELS WERE CRUSHED.

CHURCHES WERE DECIMATED.

BUT IN THIS MARITIME COMMUNITY, SOME CHURCHES ARE BEING RESTORED.

NOW THAT FISHING FLEETS ARE BEING RESURRECTED.

IT'S THE WAY OF LIFE HERE.

WHILE VESSELS ARE FISHERS OF SHRIMP CHURCHES ARE FISHERS OF PEOPLE.

FOR ONE CHURCH IN FORT MYERS BEACH, PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE MEANS DEMONSTRATING SUPPORT FOR THE SHRIMPING INDUSTRY THROUGH A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY.

DURING ITS ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET EVENT.

THE CONGREGATION, SAN RAFAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH FOR THE UPS ON THE PAIR'S FOR THE PRESSES STOPPED ON THE STREETS AFTER THE SENTENCE IS THE BISHOP WALKED THE PIER SPRINKLING HOLY WATER ON THE SHIP.

ONE FISHERMAN HIS VESSEL RECEIVED A BLESSING WAS RONALD RAY FRAZIER.

SENIOR.

>> THAT'S A REAL DANGEROUS JOB.

YOU JUST GO AWAY FROM YOUR FAMILY.

LIKE NEW KIDS GROW UP.

WOULD YOU PROVIDE A FORUM?

>> FOR 45 YEARS WRONG AND HAS WEATHERED HUNDREDS OF STORMS TO CATCH SHRIMP.

SHRIMP THAT ALSO PROVIDE A LIFELINE TO REBUILD CHURCHES.

FOR ONE THING, A CHURCH IS MORE THAN JUST A BUILDING.

IT'S ALSO A GATHERING PLACE.

A PLACE FOR HUMOR.

>> AS EVEN IN MY RELATIVES >> A PLACE FOR HUNGRY DINERS.

>> WE SAW THIS TIME.

WE SAID THIS IS GOD'S WAY OF TELLING US IT'S TIME >> PLACE FOR THE SHRIMP ENTHUSIAST.

>> THIS IS FRESH AND ANY SHRIMP AT HOME IS NOT.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU DON'T EAT THERE AT HOME.

IT'S NOT FOR A A FRACTION WHO CAN TAKE >> AROUND 200 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO THE CHURCH'S COMMUNITY SHRIMP DINNER THE PREVIOUS EVENING.

SOME MORE GUESTS VISITING FOR THE FIRST TIME >> I'M STAYING WITH FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THEY MENTION THAT THE SHRIMP FEST MOST TONIGHT, NOT TRIP PAST, BUT THE ALL YOU CAN EAT TRIP.

SO I PUT ON MY TRUE FISHER.

AND THEY JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE THIS.

LYING ON THAT.

I LIKE THE HAT TABLE IN THEIR 4 YEAR.

SO I PUT IT ON.

>> FOR THE EVENT 120 POUNDS OF LOCALLY SOURCED SOUTH FLORIDA PINK SHRIMP CAME FROM THE ERICSON AND JENSEN SEAFOOD COMPANY.

>> IT RIPPLES.

>> GRAND ERICKSON IS A 3RD GENERATION OWNER OF THE SEAFOOD PACKING BUSINESS THAT HIS GRANDPARENTS STARTED IN 1950.

GRANT SETS.

THE HURRICANES SEEM TO REPLENISH TO STRIP SUPPLY EVEN MORE >> THERE WAS PLENTY OF SHRIMP, BUT WE COULDN'T HARVEST BECAUSE THE BOATS WERE SO OUT OF BUSINESS.

SO DAMAGE.

SO WE SACRIFICE END.

BUT THE RESOURCE OF SHIP ITSELF.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.

THERE'S PLENTY OF SHRIMP AND IT'S AN ANNUAL CRIME.

IF YOU DON'T CATCH A SHRIMP AND ABOUT ONE YEAR HE'S GOING TO DIE OF NATURAL MORTALITY.

>> THE BLESSING OF THE FLEET IS AN EVENT TO PRAY FOR PROTECTIONS FROM THE DANGERS OF THE SEA TO PRAY FOR A BOUNTIFUL CATCH AND TO PLACE THE FISHERMEN.

IN RETURN.

FISHERMEN LIKE RONALD ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY CHURCHES.

>> THIS DON'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.

DIFFERENT FORTUNE.

YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T.

THAT'S MY FIRST TIME I GOT TO BE AROUND ONE.

WE HAD ALL COME DOWN ANYBODY COME DOWN, BLESSED ASLEEP WHEN EVERYTHING HAS BEEN HONORED.

YOU REALLY HAVE.

FROM THE HEART.

AS WELL AS MINE.

>> SO IN FORT MYERS BEACH, FISHING AND HURRICANES ARE INESCAPABLE REALITIES OF LIFE.

BUT AS LONG AS THERE WILL BE STRENGTHENED THE SEA CHURCHES WILL EXIST TO PLACE THE FLEET.

FOR WGC.

YOU NEWS.

I'M YON TO PARK.

LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS LIFTED UP THOSE IN THE SHRIMPING INDUSTRY ON FORT MYERS BEACH, DESPITE THEIR OWN LOSSES, IAN DEVASTATED SEVERAL CHURCHES ON THE ISLAND AND ALMOST DESTROYED SAINT PETER LUTHERAN FAITH AND COMMUNITY ARE ASSISTING IN THE REBUILDING EFFORTS.

FOR MORE ON THE IMPACT, RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS PLAY IN THE EMOTIONAL RECOVERY FROM A NATURAL DISASTER.

WE ARE JOINED BY DOCTOR JASON KURTZ, PRINCIPAL UP ACTOR, A COVER ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CAPE CORAL.

HE IS ALSO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT OF SAINT PETER LUTHERAN.

DR KURTZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE SAINT PETER LUTHERAN ON FORT MYERS BEACH SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FOLLOWING HURRICANE IAN.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE CHURCH SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY FOLLOWING A DISASTER.

WHEN YOUR CHURCH ITSELF WAS A VICTIM OF THE HURRICANE.

>> YEAH, I THINK INITIALLY AFTER THE STORM, YOU KNOW, KIND ENOUGH NOT TO BREATH OUT A LITTLE BIT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAD TO I THINK, LOOK INSIDE AND KIND OF DISCERN WHAT WAS, YOU KNOW, GOD ASKING OUR CHURCH FAMILY TO DO ON FORT MYERS BEACH.

AND HOW DID WE MOVE FORWARD?

OUR BUILDING WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, OF COURSE, AT THAT TIME YEAR CHALLENGE WITH INSURANCE CLAIMS AND PERMITTING AND ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

AND ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR OUR CONGREGATION BASICALLY GATHER TOGETHER AND DECIDED THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE SUPER IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN A PRESENCE ON FORT MYERS BEACH AND IN WHATEVER CAPACITY THAT COULD BE.

AND AND SO OUR COUNCIL VOTED AND WE BELIEVE IT OR NOT PURCHASE A A A A TENT LIKE A EVENT TENT, A BIG WHITE TENT AND SET IT UP IN OUR PARKING LOT.

AND FOR A YEAR AND A HALF FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, WE WORSHIP UNDER THAT 10.

SO PEOPLE DRIVING DOWN ESTERO BOULEVARD WITH CS PULLEN, STOP AND WORSHIP WITH US A BIG PART.

I THING TO OF OF FULFILLING THE NEED OF OF PEOPLE ON THE BEACH WAS ALSO ENSURING THAT WE HAD OPEN ARMS AND INVITED OTHER CHURCH MEMBERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES ON THE ISLAND.

THAT ALSO MAY BE THEIR CHURCH SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OR THERE OR MAYBE THEIR CHURCHES CLOSED ON.

AND, YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY CHAPEL BY THE SEA AND BEACH METHODIST OR 2 CHURCHES THAT HAD TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS PERMANENTLY AND WELCOME THEM INTO OUR CHURCH FAMILY.

YOU KNOW, A SECOND PIECE OF THAT THEN WAS LOOKING AT WHAT DOES OUR SERVICE LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DO YOU YOU KNOW WHAT?

AND TO OUR BELIEFS LOOK LIKE AND THEN MAYBE MODIFYING THEM A LITTLE BIT.

SO THAT.

OUR SERVICES FELT MORE.

I GUESS MULTI DENOMINATED DENOMINATIONAL MORE OPEN.

YOU KNOW, EVERYONE HAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT TAKE ON GOD'S WORD.

AND SO INCLUDING SOME PIECES FOR THOSE OTHER CHURCH FAMILIES SO THAT THEY FELT WELCOME AT HOME AS WELL.

>> HOW DID YOU CONTINUE TO PROVIDE CARE AND OUTREACH TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY?

WIND?

YOUR CHURCH ITSELF HAD ALMOST NOTHING.

>> I THINK WHAT WE LEARNED FROM FROM THIS, YOU KNOW, FROM HURRICANE IAN, IS THAT THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING.

A CHURCH IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAD MEMBER MANY MEMBERS THAT, YOU KNOW, LOST THEIR HOUSES, YOU KNOW, HAD TO MOVE AWAY OR MOVE OFF ISLAND AND IT WAS JUST IMPORTANT THAT I THINK THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT OUTREACH AND DID WHAT WE COULD AS A SMALL BUT MIGHTY GROUP, YOU KNOW, COLLECTING SUPPLIES THAT PEOPLE NEEDED ON THE ISLAND, BUT REALLY, I THINK, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO MAINTAIN SOME SAYS SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE THINK FOUND THAT THAT WEEKLY SERVICE, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE WAS NOT IS.

I GUESS IT WAS A NORMAL BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER A TENT AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE DID INCLUDE THE SAME MUSIC ON MENTOR, THE SAME LITTER, LITURGICAL ELEMENTS.

BUT JUST HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND WORSHIP AND, YOU KNOW, LEND EACH OTHER.

THAT SUPPORT WAS SUPER IMPORTANT.

>> AND HOW DO YOU FEEL THIS HELPED THE COMMUNITY HEAL?

>> WELL, I THINK AT ITS CORE SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES REALLY ARE A REQUIREMENT OF A OF A COMMUNITY.

AND SO ENSURING THAT WE MAINTAIN THE PRESIDENT'S ON FORT MYERS BEACH, CERTAINLY DOESN'T HELP THE COMMUNITY HEAL.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE, I THINK FOUND IS THAT BY KEEPING AN OPEN MIND AND LOOKING AT THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN MAYBE WE HAVE LOOKED AT THEM IN THE PAST.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY HAS GROWN AND EVEN UNDERNEATH THE THAT TENT, WE HAVE ADDED MEMBERS.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE DID LOSE A LOT OF MEMBERS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO MOVE AWAY BECAUSE THEY LOST EVERYTHING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD OTHER PEOPLE JOIN OUR CHURCH FAMILY AND, YOU KNOW, SOME FORMALLY IN AND SAID, YES, I WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF SAINT PETER LUTHER.

THERE'S JUST COME EVERY WEEK AND WORSHIP WITH THEY WE TREAT THEM LIKE THEY'RE PART OF OUR FAMILY WEATHER.

THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, FULL-TIME MEMBERS ARE PART-TIME MEMBERS.

>> AND YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS CHURCH.

I THINK YOU TOLD ME SINCE 2003, WHAT IS YOUR HOPE FOR THIS CHURCH NOW THAT IT'S REALLY UNDERGONE THIS TRANSITION?

>> IT IS SUPER EXCITING TIME FOR SAINT PIERRE LUTHERN YOU KNOW, WITH WITH IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHAPEL BY THE SEA, SOME OF THE CHAPEL BY THE SEA MEMBERS AND BEACH RESIDENTS, MEMBERS.

WE REALLY SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A REALLY LARGE PRESENCE ON FORT MYERS BEACH, NOT ONLY FOR ITS RESIDENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY THERE, BUT ALSO PEOPLE THAT ARE MOVING TO THE AREA WHICH MAY BE AND NEVER MOVED TO THE AREA BEFORE.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S YOU KNOW, MANY LOTS FOR SALE AND PEOPLE ARE BUILDING NEW CONSTRUCTION HAPPENING.

AND SO THOSE MIGHT BE OLD FORT MYERS BEACH RESIDENTS OR NEW FORT MYERS BEACH RESIDENTS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WITH THAT SORT OF PRESIDENTS, I THINK THAT THE SKY IS SORT OF THE LIMIT REALLY FOR US.

AND I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING A CALL COMMITTEE BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SORT OF PART-TIME PASTOR RIGHT NOW BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T HAD OUR SANCTUARY OPENED, YOU KNOW, DAILY LIKE WE DID IN THE PAST AS WE'VE BEEN RECONSTRUCTING.

AND BUT OUR CALL COMMITTEE, WE WILL BE CALLING A FULL-TIME PASTOR.

I THINK WE'RE LOOKING TO FIND SOMEBODY WHO, YOU KNOW, REALLY HAS THE SKILL SET TO HELP US GROW AND REIMAGINED WHAT A CHURCH ON FORT MYERS BEACH CAN BE THAT MAYBE HISTORICALLY HASN'T BEEN.

SO IT'S REALLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX WILL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING LOVE HEARING ALL THIS WONDERFUL INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOUR CHURCH AND >> HELPING TO HEAL AND REBUILD THE COMMUNITY IN FORT MYERS BEACH.

DR KURTZ, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> AFTER THE BREAK, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY WITH AI FGCU STUDENT SHOWCASE THEIR INNOVATIONS THAT AIM TO INCREASE TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE.

THE IMPACT FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE WORKPLACE CONTINUES TO GROW FROM HEALTH CARE TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS BEING RETROFITTED INTO COUNTLESS PROFESSIONS.

AND NOW STUDENTS AT FGCU ARE GETTING INTO THE ACT BUILDING AI PROGRAMS THAT CAN FIX YOUR POSTURE, ORGANIZED A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND EVEN IMPROVE HEADACHES.

WGC USED CAKE.

RONAN TAKES US THROUGH ALL THE INNOVATIONS ON DISPLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY'S FIRST AI DAY.

STEPPING ON TO TODAY'S FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY CAMPUS WAS LIKE STEPPING 20 YEARS INTO THE FUTURE WINE.

THE PREMIER'S AI DAY A MEETING OF THE MINDS FOR STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH ARTIFICIAL TECHNOLOGY.

ENGINEERING STUDENTS, JORDAN ROBERTSON AND DAVID, THIS BUILDING HAS PRESENTED THEIR COVID PROGRAM AT THE EVENT.

>> WE DELVED INTO A COMPUTER VISION MODELS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHICH IS LIKE A SUBSET OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

AND PHYSICAL.

WE DO IS WE JUST MAP OUT A PERSON AND WE USE SPECIFIC POINTS ON THEM WITH THEIR SHOULDERS AND NOSE.

THE NECK AND WE CALCULATE THEIR POSTURE.

THAT WILL WE COULD TELL THE USER IF THEIR POSH IS BATTERED THERE.

DEVON THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> AND SOMETHING KIND OF COOL ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS THAT THIS DATA?

>> CAN REALLY CHANGE IN DIFFERENT KIND OF FIELDS LIKE PHYSICAL THERAPY.

OUR TRUCK DRIVING, ET CETERA, NOT JUST FOR POSTURE.

>> AS AI MODELS OF FANS BY THE SECOND.

SO TO CONCERNS ABOUT ITS RAMIFICATIONS, THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOUND THAT 52% OF AMERICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AI IMPACTING THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

BUT AT STUDENTS ARE PREPARING FOR ENTIRELY NEW PROFESSIONS.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT STUDENT ALEXIS FOR EUROPE.

ALTUS ARE HEARD SPEECHES ON THE APPLICATIONS OF AI ACROSS SEVERAL DIFFERENT FIELDS BEFORE PRESENTING TO EXPERTS IN HEALTH CARE, BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT.

HIS PROJECT FOCUSED ON IMPROVING WORKFLOW AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.

>> MAKE THINGS EASIER MAKE THINGS MORE DIFFICULT, TOO, BECAUSE IF EVERYONE CAN USE IT AND IT'S GONNA BE REAL HARD TO WIN A JOB.

IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE CONSTRUCTION SINCE HIGH SCHOOL BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL.

AND COMMUNICATIONS.

THE AS MUCH I COULD LAY DO STUFF FOR ME.

IT'S NOT GOING TO FIX THIS CONFLICTS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO DISPUTE THE RESOLUTION.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO WITHOUT.

SO I HAVE NO ARRESTS.

>> ANOTHER CONCERN WITH AI USES THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

SCIENTISTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE REPORT.

EVERY 100 WORD PROMPT.

AI RIGHTS USES ROUGHLY ONE BOTTLE OF WATER.

DEAN OF THE WHITAKER COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING WHOSE CONTE SPEARHEADED THE DAVE INNOVATION AND TOUCHED ON THE ISSUE.

>> DEFINITELY CHALLENGES.

BUT THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GET MORE INNOVATIVE.

THE DAD, THE ENERGY NEEDS OFF AI AS WELL AS IN A OUT TO GET A COVID OUT.

A LOT OF THE SERVERS AND THE DATA CENTERS AT THINK SIDE DOES SO.

THOSE OTHER CONNOTATIONS WE CONSTANTLY HAVE AND AND THAT PART OF BEING IN A INTERCITY IS YOU CAN WORK ON THIS SOLUTION.

SET TO ADDRESS HIS MAIN CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING.

>> ALTHOUGH SOME ARE CONCERNED OVER HOW AI WILL AFFECT THE WORKFORCE AND ENVIRONMENT TEAM CAUGHT THE BELIEVES IT WILL BRIGHTEN OUR FUTURE FOR WGC.

YOU NEWS.

I'M KATIE CRONIN.

>> IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE LUCK, THIS SAINT PATRICK'S DAY, IT COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS CARRYING A LITTLE CHARMER.

EXPERTS SAY THAT.

WELL, A HEADS UP PENNY OR A HORSESHOE AREN'T EXACTLY MAGICAL BELIEVING IN THE LUCK THEY PROVIDE CAN CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK FEELING LUCKY CAN LEAD TO A POSITIVE MINDSET AND MAKE A PERSON MORE LIKELY TO TAKE ACTIONS THAT LEAD TO BETTER OUTCOMES.

DOCTORS LIKE SIOBHAN, A CHILD SAY IT CAN ALSO LEAD TO A BOOST IN CONFIDENCE >> LUCKY CHARMS ARE ACTUALLY VERY HELPFUL BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE A SENSE OF CONTROL.

SO WHAT LOOK DOES FOR US IS THAT IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A SENSE OF CONTROL.

IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON SOMETHING AND A LUCKY CHARM REINFORCES THAT.

>> ANOTHER CONFIDENCE BOOST GIVING YOURSELF DAILY POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS.

THAT CONSTANT POSITIVITY CAN REINFORCE HEALTHIER MINDSET.

ON THE NEXT SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA IN FOCUS, ARTIFICIAL REEFS ATTRACTING MORE THAN MARINE ANIMALS.

THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO KEEP OUR LOCAL WATERS CLEAN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU .ORG OR YOU WILL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

PLUS THE EXTENDED INTERVIEWS HAVE A GREAT SAINT PATRICK'S DAY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.