>> THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE RISE IN GAS PRICES TAKING A TOLL ON LOCALS.

THE IMPACT THE MORNING COMMUTE IS HAVING ON THE WALLET OF DRIVERS JUST TRYING TO GET TO WORK.

MANY FOLKS RELY ON THEIR HEADPHONES TO ESCAPE THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND RELAX.

BUT EXPERTS ARE WARNING ABOUT THE LASTING DAMAGE THAT CAN COME FROM TURNING THE DIAL UP TO 11.

AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS, BRINGING TEARS, BUT THEY'RE NOT OF JOY.

HOW TO TELL IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE MILLIONS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM SEASONAL ALLERGIES.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AS THE WAR IN IRAN CONTINUES, THE FALLOUT STATESIDE CONTINUES TO HIT OUR WALLETS WITH THE SURGE IN GAS PRICES IN FLORIDA TRIPLE A REPORTS THE AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON JUST OVER $4.

SOME PARTS OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA LIKELY AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES SEEING PRICES JUST UNDER 4 BUCKS A GALLON.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS $4.12 PER GALLON.

WGCUS EILEEN KELLEY LEARNS MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT.

THE RISE IN PRICES IS HAVING ON DRIVERS.

>> THERE'S NO ESCAPING.

IT USED TO BE ONE COULD DRIVE A COUPLE OF BLOCKS EVEN A MILE OR 2 AWAY IN SEARCH OF THE CHEAPEST UNLEADED GASOLINE IN THE AREA.

BUT NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE.

BUT HERE WE ARE AGAIN WITH ANOTHER WAR.

THIS ONE INVOLVING US AND ISRAEL AGAINST IRAN.

GAS PRICES ARE SPIKING ACROSS THE COUNTRY CLOSER TO HOME THE AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS HAS SHOT UP ONE BELLERIN $0.44 A GALLON IN JUST 30 DAYS.

ONLY ONE OTHER AREA IN THE COUNTRY.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS, HAS EXPERIENCED A HIGHER GAS PRICE IN SUCH A SHORT WINDOW.

AND FAYETTEVILLE BESTED FORT MYERS BY JUST A SINGLE PENNY.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO MY AWFUL LOT OF THEM.

SHE'S MANAGING EDITOR FOR AUTO INSURANCE DOT COM.

AND SHE'S THE AUTHOR OF THE NEWLY RELEASED STUDY ON GAS PRICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ITS IMPACT ON CONSUMERS IN THE FORT MYERS.

THE AVERAGE CHANGE IS 50%.

>> AND EVEN HIGHER THAN JAVON JACKSONVILLE, ORLANDO, MIAMI, WHICH IS AROUND 37%.

HER REPORTING FOCUSED ON THOSE WHO COMMUTE TO WORK.

>> SHE TELLS ME THAT NATIONWIDE THE COST TO FILL UP A CAR TAKE EACH WEEK JUMPED FROM $43 A WEEK TO 58.

AND WE ALL KNOW IN FLORIDA, IT'S MORE LIKE A $20 INCREASE TO FILL UP THE TANK.

SO I ASKED HER IF THESE INCREASES ARE CHANGING BEHAVIOR.

>> ACTUALLY, WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIORS.

THE NUMBER ONE CHANGE IN ABOUT HALF OF PEOPLE ARE DOING THIS IS LIKE YOU SAID, CUTTING BACK ON EATING OUT, TAKE OUT FAST FOOD.

THAT'S A REALLY KIND OF LOW HANGING FRUIT, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE IT'S NOT A NECESSITY PER SE, BUT ALSO THE SECOND AFTER THAT, I THINK PEOPLE ARE DOING THE SECOND MOST OFTEN IS REDUCING THEIR SPENDING ON GROCERIES.

AND WHILE SOME IN AMERICA MAY BE OKAY WITH THE ADDED MONEY IT TAKES NOW TO GET TO WORK.

SHE SAYS YOU'RE REPORTING REVEAL THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REALLY HAVING A TOUGH TIME AND IT'S FORCING PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND FIND ADDITIONAL JOBS JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

WE'RE SEEING YOUNGER COMMUTERS UNDER 30 ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO TAKE ON EXTRA WORK.

SO ABOUT HALF OF PEOPLE IN THAT GROUP ARE TAKING ON MORE WORK OR AS PEOPLE IN THE 45 TO 60 AGE RANGE, LESS THAN 25% LESS THAN ONE IN 4 PEOPLE IN THAT AGE RANGE VERSUS ONE IN 2 YOUNG.

PUT YOUR TEAM ON EXTRA WORK.

EMPLOYERS REALLY ARE NOT DOING MUCH TO TAKE THE BURDEN OFF OF EMPLOYEES LIKE THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ADDITIONAL REMOTE WORK FLEXIBILITY, WHICH AS WE KNOW FROM PAST 5 OR 6 YEARS, A LOT OF EMPLOYERS DID TURN AROUND AND GIVE PEOPLE FLEXIBILITY THE ONLY 8% OF THE COMMUTERS WE SURVEYED SAID THAT THEIR EMPLOYER IS BUT LETTING THEM COME INTO THE OFFICE.

FEWER DAYS A WEEK.

AND ACTUALLY, AS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, EMPLOYEES ARE AT ASKING PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE OFFICE MORE.

>> IN HER REPORTING OF PHILO FOUND THAT ROUGHLY 20% OF COMMUTERS SAID THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO PURCHASE AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AS A RESULT OF THESE RISING GAS PRICES.

SHE SAYS THAT WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF HER NEXT BIG REPORTING PROJECTS FOR A LINK TO THE STUDY.

GO TO A WGCU DOT ORG.

FOR WGCU NEWS.

THIS IS EILEEN KELLY.

>> AS THE COST OF LIVING CONTINUES TO INCREASE LOCALS JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THERE'S ANY RELIEF ON THE HORIZON.

WGCUS MIKE WALCHER SAT WITH ONE EXPERT WHO HELPED COMPILE AN ECONOMIC OUTLOOK THAT GIVES A SNAPSHOT ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ECONOMY, SOME OF THE KEY TOPICS AFFECTING US INCLUDE RISING GAS PRICES AND ALSO AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING FORWARD ABOUT POSSIBLE RELIEF FOR THE POMP AND MAYBE SOLUTIONS OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, WE CAN GET A BETTER PICTURE.

MY UTILIZING THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ECONOMIC OUTLOOK REPORT.

AND JOINING ME NOW IS JOHN SHANNON, A RESEARCH ECONOMIST IN THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE AT FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY.

JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

WHAT ARE THE SOME OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT YOU'RE SEEING IN THE REPORT ABOUT OUR LOCAL ECONOMIES?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I I SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, WE'VE SEEN ECONOMY IS SLOWING DOWN A LITTLE BIT FROM FROM DIFFERENT ASPECTS RIGHT NOW.

WE SEE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TICKING UP QUITE A LITTLE BIT OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS WE'VE SEEN ON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.

AND AND SO IT PAINTS A PICTURE OF AN ECONOMY THAT IS SLOWING DOWN.

BUT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE LARGER PICTURE, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHERE WE CAME FROM IN 2021, 2022, AND I THINK IT'S IT'S A IT'S A NATURAL PROGRESSION.

BECAUSE 2021 2022 OR SUCH HIGH YEARS THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT'S A BIT OF A CORRECTION SOMEWHAT SHOW YOU THAT YOU'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

AND WE'RE NOT.

>> GOING INTO A REAL DOWNTURN.

I WOULD CALL A DOWN TONIGHT.

I WOULD CALL, YOU THE MODERATION, IF YOU WILL.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE WE RAN PRETTY HOT LIKE I SAID IN 2021.

2022, WE HAD A LOT OF SEASONAL RESIDENTS COMING DOWN.

A LOT OF TERRORISM DURING THAT TIME.

YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE TIME YOU DO WITH A LOT OF THE PENT-UP DEMAND FROM SOME OF THE COVID MITIGATION MEASURES.

WE HAD THE STIMULUS PACKAGES THAT INCENTIVIZE MORE SPENDING DOWN HERE.

AND AS HAS ALL THAT HAPPENED, A LOT OF FOLKS MADE THEIR WAY DOWN HERE DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

WE SAW QUITE A LOT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND AT SOME POINT THAT WAS GOING TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT OVER THE PAST 12, 18 WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS, ONE OF THE TRENDS THAT YOU'RE SEEING THIS SIZE THIS TO SLOW DOWN AS YOU PUT IT.

>> WELL, >> YOU KNOW, IN IN IN MORE RECENT TIMES CAN BE IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS.

WE'VE SEEN OBVIOUSLY THE THE CONCERN IS NOW WITH WITH INFLATION AND WHAT THAT'S GOING TO DEAL WITH, YOU KNOW, THE CONFLICT OVER OVERSEAS AND WE WE ACTUALLY JUST, YOU KNOW, GOT SOME SOME DAYTON TODAY FROM FROM THE CPI JUST FINISH UP DOWN ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE COMING IN.

AND WE SAW THAT THE CPI TO TAKE UP A LITTLE BIT.

IT WAS IT WAS A BEEN EXPECTED GIVEN WHAT WE'RE SEEING OVERSEAS AND BUT THAT'S IN THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

AND AS WE START TO MORE CLARITY WITH WITH WITH THE CONFLICT OVERSEAS, HOW >> THOSE RATES ARE GOING TO START COMING DOWN.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE ABOUT HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE.

HOUSING HAS BEEN SUCH A PHRASE >> REALLY SINCE HURRICANE IAN, EVEN IAN, AND EVEN BEFORE.

>> WHERE ARE WE ON THAT?

IT IS THE HOUSING BECOMING MORE AFFORDABLE FOR FOLKS WHO WANT TO RENT OR BUY.

>> WE'VE WE'VE SEEN THE PRICES COME DOWN OVER THE PAST PAST YEAR.

MEDIAN PRICES ACROSS ALL 3 COUNTIES THAT WE TRACK.

YOU KNOW, LEE CHARLOTTE, COLLIER IS ACTUALLY REMAINED.

I KIND OF RESILIENCE.

WE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN MUCH DOWNWARD PRESSURE THERE.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN AN INCH DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT EVEN AS WE'VE SEEN MEDIAN PRICE FOR EXISTING HOME SALES COME DOWN OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT THEY ARE STILL ABOUT 15, 20% OVER PRE-COVID NUMBERS.

RIGHT?

SO EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SEEN THAT DOWNWARD PRESSURE AND A LOT OF THIS COULD BE, YOU KNOW, DUE TO THE INCREASED SUPPLY IN A MORE FAVORABLE LENDING AND ENVIRONMENT.

BUT EVEN OUTSIDE OF ALL THAT, WE'RE STILL SEEING STILL ELEVATED COMPARED TO PRE-COVID.

>> AS WE HEAD INTO SUMMER, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY THING IS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT?

I PRESUME GAS PRICES WILL BE ONE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DRIVE TO THIS AREA FOR SUMMER GETAWAYS.

>> WELL, THE THE INFLATION IS CERTAINLY ONE, RIGHT, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST GAS PRICES, BUT ALSO HOW YOU KNOW, DIESEL PRICES START FACTORING INTO OTHER AREAS OF A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET, RIGHT?

THINK ABOUT CO GROCERIES.

YOU THINK ABOUT SERVICES THE MOST GOOD.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY, YOU KNOW, INCREASING GAS PRICES AT SOME POINT BECAUSE GAS GOES INTO MOST GOODS AT SOME POINT DURING THEIR PRODUCTION PROCESS.

AND AND SO LOOKING AT OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING COMES DOWN RIGHT AWAY.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TAKE A FEW MONTHS, EVEN IF YOU KNOW, THE CONFLICT ENDED TODAY, HE WILL BE ASK YOU IN YOUR HEART.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

LOOKING AHEAD?

>> ARE YOU CAUTIOUS OPTIMISTIC GUARDED 9?

I THINK COMES I'M STILL OPTIMISTIC.

>> YOU KNOW, I I I KNOW RIGHT NOW THEY NEED THESE ARE.

RIGHT NOW.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS, YOU KNOW, SOME SOME DAY, A SLOWING DOWN.

AND YOU KNOW, IT'S IT'S IT MY PREP AND INJURY PICTURE.

BUT I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE LARGER AND LARGER PICTURE AND THAT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF LOT OF FAITH IN IN THIS ECONOMY.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL SEEING A LOT OF EXPANSION.

WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION HAVE A LOT OF COMMERCIAL EXPANSION.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU SEE, YOU KNOW, LIKELY HEALTH EXPANDING AS WE SEE THE NEW AMAZON FACILITY BEING BUILT.

THE RSW EXPANSION AS WELL THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BELIEF THAT WE'RE STILL GOING TO SEE A LOT OF POPULATION MIGRATION OVER OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

AND THAT ALONE CAN HELP PROP UP ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION AS WELL.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, JOHN, GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE NEXT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA ECONOMIC OUTLOOK.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> BE SURE YOU ARE STAYING UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF THE ECONOMIC STORIES IN OUR AREA.

THE KEEPING UP WITH OUR WEB SITE WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AS FLORIDA CONTINUES TO GROW AND DEVELOP, WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE THE GRID IS STAYING AHEAD OF THE GROWTH.

POPULATION.

GROWTH AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONTINUES TO SURGE LEE COUNTY'S POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY MORE THAN 30% OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS FROM NEARLY 800,000 RESIDENTS TO MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA'S BUREAU OF ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS RESEARCH TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH.

FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT SAYS THEY ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN HANDLE THE EXPECTED DEMAND FOR ELECTRIC POWER.

WGCUS BRYANT MONTEILH REPORTS.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE FAR TO SEE THE SIGNS OF POPULATION GROWTH.

DEVELOPMENT IS ABUNDANT IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS, HOMES, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.

ALONG WITH THE HUGE EXPANSION PROJECT AT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE SECOND PHASE OF THAT ENTERPRISE WILL COST 1.1 BILLION DOLLARS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMES THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR RESOURCES SUCH AS ENERGY AND POWER.

FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT HAS ABOUT 6 MILLION ACCOUNTS SERVING MORE THAN 12 MILLION PEOPLE IN 43 OF FLORIDA'S 67 COUNTIES HAVE PL SAYS THAT THEY'RE READY FOR THE GROWING DEMANDS THAT COMES WITH A BOOM IN POPULATION.

WELL, FLORIDA IS GROWING FAST.

IT'S ALSO BEEN GROWING FOR YEARS AND YEARS IN SUPPORT OF POWER.

AND LIGHT COMPANY IS VERY PRACTICED AND CAPABLE.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOMMODATING GROWTH IN FLORIDA AND DEPLOYING THE RIGHT RESOURCES AT THE RIGHT TIME TO RELIABLY SERVE ALL CUSTOMERS.

CURRENTLY.

THERE ARE ROUGHLY 713,000 CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS IN THE FORT MYERS, NAPLES AREA.

>> THE GROWTH MEANS A SIGNIFICANT NEW GENERATING CAPACITY AND DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH WILL MEET DEMAND IN FLORIDA.

ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING STATES IN THE U.S.

TO COORDINATED WE'RE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH PLANNING AGENCIES.

>> AND BUILDERS.

AND WE'RE ALSO USING LONG-RANGE FORECASTING 2 TO UNDERSTAND WHERE DEMAND IS HEADED.

AND ALL OF THIS ENSURES THAT THAT WE'RE STAYING AHEAD OF GROWTH AND NEVER CHASEN.

>> TO PROVIDE RELIABLE POWER SUPPLY.

USES NATURAL GAS.

A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF NEW CLEAR AND IS INCREASING THEIR USE OF SOLAR POWER.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS IDEAL FOR SOLAR AND LARGE-SCALE SOLAR FARMS ARE EXPANDING ACROSS THE STATE WHICH REDUCES RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS.

WE RUN THE LARGEST NATURAL GAS, WINNING THE NATION.

WE OPERATE.

>> SAFE, RELIABLE NUCLEAR POWER.

AND INCREASINGLY, WE'RE ADDING MORE AND MORE SOLAR AND BATTERY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY.

>> AND THAT'S BENEFITED OUR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO DRIVE FUEL COST OF THE CUSTOMER BILL.

AND IT'S ALSO VERY, VERY QUICK TO DEPLOY.

SO WHEN YOU NEED TO ADD ELECTRONS ONTO THE GRID QUICKLY.

>> SO REALLY, THAT'S THE BILL IN THE MIDST OF ALL THE DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION AND DEMAND FOR POWER.

WHAT CUSTOMERS WANT MOST IS RELIABILITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN STORMS IN OUR AREA.

THE LIABILITY IS 67% BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> THAT'S DESPITE THE SEVERE WEATHER THAT WE WE SEE HERE IN FLORIDA THAT A LOT OF PLACES DO NOT SEE.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF SMART PLANNING AND CONTINUING TO TO MAKE SMART LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS TO RELIABLY SERVE EVERYBODY.

>> HAS INCREASED THEIR USE OF STRONGER POLLS.

FLOOD RESISTANT SUBSTATIONS UNDERGROUND POWER LINES AND SMART GRID TECHNOLOGY TO HELP KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THE STORMS HIT FOR WCU NEWSOM.

BRYANT'S MONTE.

>> LAST MONTH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOUTHWEST FLORIDA JOINED MORE THAN 2500 MAYORS AND LOCAL LEADERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., THEY ATTENDED THE 2026 CONGRESSIONAL CITY CONFERENCE.

THE EVENT AIMS TO BRING LEADERS TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE A VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT COULD IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CONSTITUENTS.

>> JOINING US NOW SPERANZA DID SHE IS THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE.

>> AND DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL ADVOCACY WITH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER, FOR HAVING ME.

>> NOW, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ORGANIZATION?

>> YES, SO THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES IS AN ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS.

CITY OFFICIALS.

SO ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT'S MAYORS, COUNCIL MEMBERS, CITY STAFF.

WE ARE THEIR VOICE HERE IN WASHINGTON.

WE ALSO SERVE AS A CONVENER.

AND BRING THEM TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AND OUR NATION'S CAPITAL AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM TO ADVOCATE ON THEIR BEHALF AND THE PRIORITIES MOST IMPORTANT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR LOCAL LEADERS TO BE INVOLVED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR LOCAL LEADERS TO BE INVOLVED AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHING A FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP BECAUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO LIVE OR THEY DELIVER ON BEHALF OF THEIR RESIDENTS EVERY DAY.

THEY ARE THE MOST TRUSTED LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL LEADERS HERE FROM THEIR RESIDENCE IN THE GROCERY STORE WHERE EVER THEY GO ABOUT WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND SO THIS CONVENING IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL GIVES LOCAL LEADERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVOCATE ON THEIR RESIDENTS BEHALF AND BE ABLE TO KEEP WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THEIR RESIDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES FRONT AND CENTER HERE WITH CONGRESS AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE MEETING WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES WHILE THEY ARE IN TOWN TALKING ABOUT FEDERAL PROGRAMS, FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE A TRUSTED AND RELIABLE FEDERAL PARTNER.

TO DO THEIR WORK EVERY DAY.

>> HOW CAN LOCAL CITIZENS GET INVOLVED IF THEY DO WANT TO EFFECT CHANGE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT?

WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST ADVICE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER, FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

LOCAL LEADERS NOT ONLY NEED A PARTNER IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY NEED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR RESIDENTS.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS OF THE UPMOST IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO HELP PRIORITIZE WHAT IS MOST NEEDED AND WHERE IN NEIGHBORHOODS EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS CHALLENGES.

AND INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE IN THEIR LOCAL ECONOMY, WHICH THEN THEREBY HELPS OUR STATE AND NATIONAL ECONOMY THRIVE AS WELL.

>> NOW, I ALSO NOTICE THAT THIS IS A NON PARTISAN ORGANIZATION HOW HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT NON PARTISAN SHIP, ESPECIALLY IN THIS TIME WHEN EVERYTHING IS JUST SO DIVIDED POLITICALLY?

>> YEAH, NO, IT IS DIVIDED POLITICALLY AND THERE ARE NARROW MAJORITIES IN BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WHICH REQUIRES COMPROMISE.

AND SO CITIES IS A NON-PARTISAN ORGANIZATION.

AND IN FACT, MOST OF THE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THIS COUNTRY, OUR ELECTED UNAFFILIATED WITH ANY PARTY.

AND SO AS A RESULT, THEY ARE ABLE TO FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.

THAT'S WHAT BRINGS THEM HERE TO WASHINGTON.

THAT'S WHAT BRINGS THEM TO ADVOCATE AND DEVELOP STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH BOTH THE ADMINISTRATION AND WITH CONGRESS ON BEHALF OF THEIR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY ARE FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS BACK AT HOME REQUIRE AND ASK OF THEM EVERY DAY.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT THE PURPOSE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION?

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONVENE LOCAL LEADERS FROM ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, FROM COMMUNITIES OF ALL SIZES, URBAN RULE, LARGE SMALL, MEDIUM.

THEY ARE ALL FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THAT THEIR LOCAL ECONOMIES ARE STRONG ARE STABILIZED AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY CONVENE THAT THEY SHARE BEST PRACTICES.

HOW ONE ANOTHER ARE ADDRESSING SOLUTIONS THAT THEY'RE ALL LOOKING TO ADDRESS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND BRINGING BACK HOME.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THEY COME TOGETHER TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE TO BE ABLE TO CUT THROUGH THE MADNESS OF WHAT WE SEE EACH AND EVERY DAY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, PEOPLE WANT THEIR ELECTED LEADERSHIP TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT.

AND THAT IS CREATING A QUALITY OF LIFE BACK AT HOME THAT EVERYBODY CAN BE ABLE TO THRIVE AND PROSPER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY FROM DC AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHETHER IT IS BLASTING MUSIC OR HOURS SPENT PLAYING VIDEO GAMES.

MORE ADOLESCENTS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAYS APPROXIMATELY ONE IN A TEENS WILL DEVELOP PERMANENT HEARING DAMAGE BY AGE 18.

BUT AS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED, THERE ARE STEPS PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO HELP LIMIT THEIR EXPOSURE TO BLASTING NOISE AND MAINTAIN THEIR HEARING.

>> IF YOU HAVE A HABIT OF WEARING HEADPHONES ALL THE TIME OR OF CHILDREN THAT DO, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THE VOLUME ISN'T TOO LOUD.

REPORTS SHOW HEARING HEADPHONES IS A GROWING CONCERN.

>> WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT LISTENING THROUGH HEADPHONES, ITS ALL ABOUT HOW LOUD YOU LISTEN.

BUT ALSO HOW LONG THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VOLUME OF THE SOUND AND THE LENGTH OF THE EXPOSURE.

YOU CAN LISTEN THROUGH HEADPHONES SAFELY, BUT YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO DO THAT.

>> DR VALERIE POWER OF ITS ROUGH IS AN AUDIOLOGIST AT CLEVELAND CLINIC.

SHE SAYS IT'S GENERALLY RECOMMENDED THAT PEOPLE FOLLOW THE 60 60 RULE, WHICH IS WHEN YOU SET THE VOLUME OF YOUR HEADPHONES AT 60% FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER THAT, IT'S BEST TO TAKE A BREAK FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES BUT WHAT IF YOU'RE LISTENING AT A LOWER VOLUME, DR.

PAVEL, THAT'S ROUGH.

SAYS THAT BREAK IS STILL NECESSARY BECAUSE IT'S NOT HEALTHY TO BLOCK YOUR EAR CANALS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

>> THE DANGER OF HAVING SOMETHING CONTINUING BLOCKING YOUR EAR AND SOME OF MY HEARING AID PATIENTS ACTUALLY DEAL WITH THIS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WEAR THEIR HEARING AIDS ALL DAY EVERY DAY.

IS THAT WHEN YOU BLOCK THAT YOUR CANAL MOISTURE CAN BUILD UP IN THE EAR CANAL AND IT'S A BREEDING GROUND FOR BACTERIA.

YOU CAN GET EAR INFECTIONS.

>> DR.

PAVEL, IF IT'S ROUGH, SAYS HEARING LOSS FROM HEADPHONES CAN BE PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY.

IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION.

SHE SUGGESTS THOSE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING ANY KIND OF MUFFLED HEARING OR RINGING OF THE EARS TO TALK WITH AN AUDIOLOGIST FOR WGCU NEWS IM TEDDY BYRNE >> AFTER THE BREAK, GETTING A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE SEASON FOR YOUR WATERY EYES.

WE EXAMINE THE SYMPTOMS TO SEE IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE MILLIONS SUFFERS FROM SEASONAL ALLERGIES.

SPRING MEANS MORE ALLERGIES.

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION REPORTS THAT OVER 18 MILLION AMERICANS SUFFER FROM SEASONAL ALLERGIES.

BUT HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU'RE RUNNING NOSES BECAUSE OF ALLERGIES OR THE COMMON COLD WGCUS KATE CRONIN HAS THE ANSWER.

>> BETWEEN THE COMMON COLD FLU AND NOW SPRING ALLERGIES.

IT CAN BE HARD TO KNOW WHICH ONE YOU'RE DEALING WITH.

SO WE ASKED DOCTOR SANDRA HONG AN ALLERGIST AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC FOR SOME ADVICE.

>> SOMETIMES IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE IF SOMEONE HAS A COLD FOR SAYS ALLERGIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT YOU'VE GOT SYMPTOMS AROUND THE SAME TIME EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

>> DOCTOR HONG SAYS ANOTHER WAY TO TELL IF IT'S ALLERGIES IS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SYMPTOMS.

ARE YOU NOTICING ANY KIND OF ITCHING?

FOR EXAMPLE IN IT?

YOU THROW IT YOU EYES OR ITCHY EARS.

THAT'S VERY COMMON WITH ALLERGIES WITH A COLD OR FLU, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A FEVER.

BODY ACHES OR CHILLS IN ADDITION TO A RUNNY NOSE OR SORE THROAT.

DR.

HONG SAYS SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS ALSO TEND TO RESOLVE A LOT SOONER.

BUT WITHOUT ENERGIES, THEY CAN LINGER FOR WEEKS.

>> VERY FREQUENTLY.

PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIES ALSO HAVE PAST MONTH.

SO I WOULD ACTUALLY BE VERY AWARE OF THAT.

AND IF YOU NOTICE, GOSH, DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR THAT THINGS THAT YOU NORMALLY LIKE TO DO ARE CAUSING YOU TO BE SHORT OF BREATH OR YOU'RE COUGHING OR WHEN YOU GET SICK, YOU GET A LINGERING COUGH OR WHEEZING.

PLEASE TALK TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.

CONSIDER SEEING AN ALLERGIST BECAUSE THOSE SYMPTOMS CAN BE RELATED TO ASTHMA.

>> DOCTOR HONG SAYS IF YOU DO DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE ALLERGIES.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS THAT CAN HELP.

IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST.

IT IS BEST TO CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN.

FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M KATE CRONIN.

>> FOR MORE ON HOW TO STAY AHEAD OF SPRING ALLERGIES AND OTHER HEALTH-RELATED TOPICS.

MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE WGCU DOT ORG.

ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

WE DIVE INTO OUR NATION'S HISTORY BY LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND THE FOLKLORE LEGACIES THEY LEFT BEHIND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.