THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP, PROVIDING SAFE PASSAGE FOR SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM THAT BRINGS RELIABLE PASSAGE FOR PEOPLE IN NEED, HOPING TO BUILD A NEW LIFE.

KEEPING BICYCLISTS SAFE ON THEIR DEADLY COMMUTE.

THE COMMUNITY EFFORT BEING MADE TO PROVIDE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT FOR ANY CYCLIST.

BATTLING THE MORNING RUSH AND FINDING THE PERFECT VIBE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WE CHECK OUT THIS FEMALE OWNED A RECORD STORE.

IT OFFERS MORE THAN JUST A WIDE SELECTION OF MUSIC FOR ITS CUSTOMERS.

HELLO, I AM JENNIFER CRAWFORD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE, THE PATH TOWARDS A NEW LIFE COMES WITH CHALLENGES, INCLUDING THE NEED FOR SAFE AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO COURT HEARINGS, COUNSELING AND SEE DOCTORS, A NEW PROGRAM BACKED BY UBER HOPES TO HELP WITH THAT CHALLENGE.

THE GOAL TO HELP PROVIDE RIDES TO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASSAULT AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THE ALLIANCE FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL CAST OF FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER AND UBER HAVE ALL COME TOGETHER AS PART OF A NATIONAL INITIATIVE.

THEY CALL IT HOPE RIGHT?

JOINING US NOW IS LIZZIE PITTENGER FROM UBER TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND ITS RECENT EXPANSION TO FLORIDA.

LIZZIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY FROM TAMPA.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

SO EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT OUR HOPE RIDES PROGRAM AND JUST GET TO BE HERE TODAY WITH YOU ALL.

>> CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN WHAT IS THE PROGRAM CALLED HOPE RIGHT?

AND HOW IT ORIGINATED >> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

SO UBER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LIONS FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCED OUR HOPE RIDES PROGRAM LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE UBER RIDES TO SURVIVORS, TO BE ABLE TO GET TO FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD LEARNED FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL AND SOME OF OUR OTHER PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT TRANSPORTATION TRULY CAN BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS TO SURVIVORS FOR REACHING THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED AT FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS.

SO AS A TRUSTED AND RELIABLE FORM OF TRANSPORTATION FOR SO MANY COMMUNITIES, WE KNEW COOPER COULD PLAY A ROLE BY, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO LEVERAGE THE POWER OF OUR PLATFORM.

FOR THESE CRITICAL TRIPS.

AND, YOU KNOW, IN FACT, WE HAD LEARNED FROM FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS AND SOME OF OUR OTHER ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS THAT THEY WERE ALREADY USING.

UBER TO SUPPORT GETTING THEIR SURVIVORS TO AND FROM THE CENTERS.

SO WE WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THOSE TRIPS AND, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT WITH REMOVING THE ROADBLOCKS OF OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FOR SURVIVORS TO REACH THESE CRITICAL SERVICES >> HOW DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK IF SOMEONE IS IN NEED OF THIS SERVICE?

>> YES, SO, YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER AND THAT DID THE JUSTICE CENTER HAS AN UBER DASHBOARD THAT THEY CAN CALL THE OVERRIDE ON BEHALF OF THE CLIENT.

THAT IS THAT IS SEEKING SERVICE.

AND, YOU KNOW, OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT THE HOPE RIDES PROGRAM HAS ALLOWED SURVIVORS TO TO TRAVEL OVER 21,000 MILES WITH WITH MORE THAN 2000 RIDES COMPLETED ACROSS 12 YOU KNOW, WITH THIS IMPACT IN MIND, WE KNEW WE WANTED TO BRING THE PROGRAM TO MORE PLACES.

SO WE'RE JUST SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING IT TO THE CASA FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER.

AND, YOU KNOW, HERE IN ST.

PETERSBURG, FOR MORE SURVIVORS TO THE ABLE TO TO REACH THAT THE COST OF FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER AND THEIR SERVICES AND WHY OUR RIDES LIKE THESE SO CRUCIAL TO SURVIVORS OF ANY KIND OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

YEAH, THAT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE DONE SO MUCH LEARNING FROM ALLIANCE FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL.

AND AND, YOU KNOW, ALL OF OUR FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER PARTNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT THIS CRITICAL NEED.

SO WHEN SOMEBODY IS THAT DANGEROUS OR CONTROLLING SITUATION, THEIR OPTIONS ARE ALREADY LIMITED.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT WE HEAR FROM ADVOCATES IS THAT TRANSPORTATION CAN BE A PART OF THEIR CONTROL, RIGHT?

OR IT CAN BE SO INSURMOUNTABLE THAT LEAVING AN UNSAFE SITUATION CAN FEEL IMPOSSIBLE.

AND IF THE SIMPLE STEP OF HOW TO GET OUT ISN'T IN PLACE, EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, LEGAL HELP COUNSELING, SHELTER COULD BECOME OUT OF REACH.

SO TRANSPORTATION IS EASY TO OVERLOOK.

BUT IN THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER, WHETHER IT'S LEADING AN UNSAFE SITUATION GETTING TO COURT OR EVEN GETTING TO A JOB INTERVIEW TO TO START START AGAIN, THAT INDEPENDENCE BACK.

A SAFE, RELIABLE RIDE CAN BE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAKING ACTION AND AND AND STAYING STUCK.

SO LEARNING ALL OF THIS IS WHAT REALLY LED US TO LAUNCH HOPE RIDES WITH THE LIONS FOR HOPE INTERNATIONAL AS ONE SMALL WAY TO REDUCE THAT BARRIER.

AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE I JUST ARRIVED, JUST IMPACT THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST YEAR.

YOU KNOW, OVER 21,000 MILES TRAVELED SO FAR, WE TRULY HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE ON THAT PATH WAY WITH MORE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS TO, YOU KNOW, REMOVE REMOVE THIS CRITICAL TRANSPORTATION BARRIER.

>> AND AS THIS PROGRAM EXPANDS, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO LOOK LIKE?

SAY 5 YEARS FROM NOW?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN SUCCESS FOR US LOOKS LIKE SURVIVORS BEING ABLE TO ACCESS SERVICES EARLIER MORE CONSISTENTLY, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE GETTING THERE IS NO HURDLE OVER TIME, I I HOPE WE CONTINUE TO SEE STRONGER ENGAGEMENT AND INCREASED REACH WITHIN THE FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER SYSTEM IN FLORIDA AND ACROSS THE U.S.

THIS YEAR WILL EXPAND OUR SUPPORT TO 30 CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WITH WITH PEOPLE NOT JUST REACHING HELP ONCE, BUT, YOU KNOW, CONTINUING TO STAY CONNECTED TO THE TO THE SUPPORT THEY CHOOSE.

AND I'M YOU KNOW, I THINK MORE BROADLY A GOAL FOR US AND AND SUCCESS WOULD MEAN THAT WE'VE KEPT LISTENING TO OUR PARTNERS IN STATE INFORMED ON THEIR NEEDS AND WHAT THEY'RE HEARING FROM SURVIVORS THAT ARE USING UBER AS A FORM OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO THEIR CENTERS AND JUST CONTINUING TO PLAY A SMALL PRACTICAL BRAWL WHERE IT'S ACTUALLY USEFUL.

>> IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP TO THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US TODAY ABOUT THIS.

IT SOUNDS WONDERFUL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAV HAVING A SOUND WERE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO USE THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO ELEVATE OUR PARTNERS LIKE CASA FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER THAT ARE DOING AMAZING WORK.

SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH US ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANKS.

A LOT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ELIGIBILITY.

YOU CAN HEAD TO CASA PINELLAS DOT ORG.

THE ANTICIPATION IS TO PARTNER WITH ADDITIONAL JUSTICE CENTERS TO BRING HOPE RIDES TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS THEM ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WELL, COMING UP NEXT, TURNING HAPPY HOUR INTO A HEALTHY HOUR.

MORE PEOPLE ARE DITCHING BOOS BUT AREN'T QUITE READY TO PUT DOWN THE COCKTAILS JUST YET.

MANY RESTAURANT WORKERS NEAR DOWNTOWN NAPLES, RELY ON BICYCLES TO GET TO WORK.

THAT MEANS THEY OFTEN ARE WRITING TO OR FROM WORK IN THE DARK RECENTLY, THE NAPLES POLICE DEPARTMENT, VOLUNTEERS AND THE NAPLES PATHWAYS COALITION JOINED FORCES TO HELP MAKE THE BICYCLIST JOURNEYS SAFER.

WGCUS BRYANT MONTEILH HAS MORE.

>> OVER THERE WHERE WE ARE ALWAYS EXCELLED.

I THINK THEIR SAFETY >> RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY, YOU KNOW, KIND OF ACTION THAT HAPPEN EVERY DAY.

YEAH, IT REALLY HELPS US.

>> TERRY STAFF REINCE HIS BIKE TO WORK EVERY DAY, ALI MILES, EVERY MORNING, 4 O'CLOCK AND I GET DOWNTOWN AT 5 O'CLOCK EVERY MORNING AT THE CAFE, HE REALIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AND USING SAFETY EQUIPMENT AS A BIKE COMMUTER.

HE CAME TO GET SOME FRESH FREE SAFETY GEAR AT THE GIVEAWAY EVENT HELD BY THE NAPLES PATHWAY COALITION AND THE NAPLES POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> I HAVE THE SAFETY VEST.

WITH NOWHERE.

WE HAVE THE LIGHT RECHARGEABLE ONE, PUT THEM ON.

AND ALSO HAVE A LOT.

LET'S GO LOOK IT UP.

AND NOW YOU CAN SEE IT.

SAFETY FIRST.

>> THE IDEA FOR THE EVENT AT CAMBIER PARK IN NAPLES CAME FROM A SIMPLE BUT STARTLING OBSERVATION.

ONE NIGHT AS MAPLE AS POLICE OFFICER OR A RE AS EXPLAINS IT WAS COMMUNITY POLICING OFFICE OF ITS AREA.

>> I HAPPEN TO SEE ONE OF THE WORKERS GOING HOME ON A BICYCLE LOT OF HIS WAY WITH A WITH A CELL PHONE.

AND I WAS LIKE, WOW, THAT'S SO DION SAFE SAID SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.

I CONTACTED NAPLES PATHWAYS CO LISTEN THE DIRECTOR MICHELLE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO MEET WITH ME.

>> AND WE CAME UP WITH THIS PROGRAM, MICHELLE OF BROWN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAPLES, PATHWAYS COALITION.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO BE SAFE.

IT'S IT'S TERRIBLE.

BUT FLORIDA.

>> HAS THE WORST STATISTICS.

FLORIDA KILLS THE MOST PEDESTRIANS OF ANY OTHER STATE AND THE MOST CYCLISTS OF ANY OTHER STATES.

THAT'S WHY WE WORK SO HARD TO HEALTH AND THE SAFER.

>> ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, FLORIDA CONSISTENTLY LEADS THE NATION AND BICYCLE CRASHES AND FATALITIES BETWEEN 2019 2023, THERE WERE RECORDED 890 BICYCLIST FATALITIES IN FLORIDA IN 2023 ALONE, THERE ARE OVER 8,000 BICYCLE CRASHES WITH THE MAJORITY OCCURRING AT DAWN DUSK OR AT NIGHT, SOME OF THE MAIN FACTORS FOR BICYCLE CRASHES INCLUDED DISTRACTED DRIVING SPEEDING FAILURE TO SHARE THE ROAD AND IMPAIRED DRIVERS FOR CYCLIST OF BROWN SAYS SO.

WE RIDE WITH TRAFFIC.

>> I ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET.

THE ONLY PROTECTION NEVER WEAR EAR BUDS ARE IN YOUR PHONE'S.

ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S ILLEGAL, BUT IT'S ALSO IT JUST TAKES AWAY OUR SENSE OF WHERE SOUNDS ARE COMING FROM.

SO KNOW YOUR BYES.

WHAT A FUN HOLDER KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO STAY HYDRATED.

OBVIOUSLY KUZ WHERE IN FLORIDA AND BE AS VISIBLE AS POSSIBLE.

AND FOR DRIVERS OFFICER RARE SHARES COURTESY.

>> PATIENTS RIGHT OF WAY.

YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR DESTINATION.

THE WHOLE IDEA IS FOR EVERYONE TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATION SAFELY.

REMEMBERING THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SAFETY.

>> BEING VISIBLE, EQUIPPED AND STAYING FOCUSED ON SAFE TRAVEL IS THE KEY TO THE MISSION FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD.

WE JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO BE AWARE.

>> WE'RE SHARING THE ROADS.

EVERYBODY HAS SOMEONE WHO LOVES THEM AND WANTS THEM TO COME TO RESPECT EACH OTHER'S PICK.

THE PEOPLE DECLINED.

HOPE THAT PEOPLE RESPECT.

YOU WANT TO BUY.

HE WASN'T EASY TO GET HIT.

>> HARD TO GET UP.

EVERY JUICY BRYANT'S MONTE.

>> A SILENT KILLER COULD BE LURKING IN YOUR YARD AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT.

CHAGAS DISEASE HAS SPREAD FROM THE FECES OF NATIVE KISSING BUGS.

AND NOW IT'S ESTIMATE ALMOST 20,000 FLORIDIANS LIVE WITH CHAGAS EVERY DAY, PUTTING FLORIDA 3RD IN THE COUNTRY FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH THE DISEASE.

A LEADING RESEARCHER IN CHAGAS DISEASE JOINS US NOW TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS GROWING CONCERN IN OUR STATE DR NORMAN BT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE TODAY.

>> YOU THEN THANKS FOR HAVING ME IN.

EXCITED TO TALK TO A CHILD IS DISEASE.

>> CAN YOU FIRST TELL US WHAT IS TAUGHT US?

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IT.

>> CHAGAS DISEASE IS AN INFECTION FROM A PARASITE WHICH IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE KISSING BUG.

AND THIS PERSON'S CULTURE, OCCURS E AND YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT GETS IT.

MOST OF THE TIME INTO HER BODY FROM THIS BLOG AND ITS FECES.

THE BUG LIKES THE SOCCER BELIED AND UNFORTUNATELY ABOVE IT WILL PUT UPON US OR PROOF IN OUR HOUSE SOMEWHERE.

AND THAT HE SAYS COULD HAVE THE PARASITE ON IT AND WE CAN ACCIDENTALLY INTRODUCE IT.

DO THE MUCUS MEMBRANE OR THROUGH OUR SKIN.

AND NOW THE PAIR'S THAT'S IN OUR BODY.

AND WE COULD DEVELOP THE CHAGAS DISEASE.

>> WHY IS IT CALLED THE KISSING BUG AND DISTINGUISHED FROM THE LOVE BUG WHICH WE ARE ENTERING THE LOVE BUG SEASON.

SO I DO KNOW THERE'S SOME CONFUSION ABOUT THAT, TOO.

>> DEFINITELY VERY COMMON FOR ME AND THAT THE LOVE BUG'S ARE PRETTY BENIGN.

THEY WON'T HURT US OR BY BUS.

BUT THE KISSING BUG WILL AND THIS BOOK IS LOOKS MUCH DIFFERENT AND IT FINDS ITS WAY INTO OUR HOUSE.

IT'S A NOCTURNAL INSECT AND SO ITS GOAL IS TO STAY HIDDEN AND AWAY FROM OTHERS UNTIL NIGHT TIME.

AND THEN IT WILL.

AND THEN OUR HOME OR BE INSIDE OF A HOME ALREADY.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE CALLED THE KISSING BUG IN NORTH AMERICA IS BECAUSE WE'RE SITTING IN OUR BED AND WE'VE GOT THE COVERS OVER HER BODY WINNER HEADS EXPOSED AND THE BUCKLE CRAWL INTO HER BED AND BITE US IN THE FACE.

THAT SOUNDS TERRIBLE.

AND IT IS PRETTY CREEPY.

BUT WE HAVE THESE BOOKS HERE IN FLORIDA AND THAT'S BEEN SOME OF THE RESEARCH THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SHOW THE BUG IS FOUND THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS DISEASE?

>> WELL, FOR THE MOST PART, IF YOU ARE ACUTELY INFECTED WITH THE PARASITE, YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT AT ALL.

YOU MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

BUT IF YOU DO HAVE SOME SYMPTOMS THAT USUALLY LIKE A FLU-LIKE ILLNESS, MAYBE SOME FEVER, IT CHILLS AND FEELING FATIGUED FOR, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL WEEKS.

BUT THEN IT GOES AWAY ITSELF LIMITING AND THEN YOU GO INTO THE CHRONIC PHASE WHICH CAN GO ON FOR DECADES WITHOUT KNOWING IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE FEAR COMPLICATION OF CHAGAS DISEASE IS HOW IT CAN IMPACT THE HEART.

THE PARASITE CAN ENTER THE HEART.

AND IN FACT, THE MUSCLE TISSUE AND MAKE THE HURT WE CAN AND DISRUPTED LIVE ELECTRICITY OF THE HEART AND THEN WE ARE IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY MAY NEED A PACEMAKER.

WE MAY NEED MEDICATIONS TO KEEP OUR HEARTS STRONG AND THE WHOLE TIME WAS BECAUSE THIS PARASITE WAS THERE.

AND YOU KNOW, WHERE IS MAY WANT TO BRING AWARENESS OF THIS IS BECAUSE IF WE TREAT THIS EARLY ON, WE CAN CURE OR HOLD THE PROGRESSION OF ANY CHILD WHO SAYS HE'S DEVELOPING.

IT'S JUST A LACK OF OUR UNDERSTANDING OF IT IN OUR BODIES FOR MANY DECADES.

AND NOW WE'VE GOT CHRONIC PERMANENT.

THE DAMAGE.

>> AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT OBVIOUSLY CAN BE DEADLY.

IF SOMEONE HAS HEART FAILURE LINKED TO THIS DISEASE THAT HAS BEEN IN THEIR SYSTEM FOR DECADES.

>> YES, THAT'S THE SAD TRUTH.

AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE CARED FOR PEOPLE WITHIN STAGE CHAGAS DISEASE IMPACTING THEIR HEART.

I'M EVEN HERE TODAY IN MY CLINIC HERE IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA.

WE HAVE A CHILD.

THIS IS HIS CLINIC WHERE WE SEE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS DISEASE YOU KNOW, THE GOAL IS TO IDENTIFY EARLY THESE INTERACTIONS AND GET THEM TREATED.

>> WHAT CAN SOMEONE DO WITH ANYTHING TO PREVENT COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE PARASITE THAT CAUSES THIS?

>> YEAH, GREAT QUESTION.

WE WANT TO PREVENT HIS BUDDY FROM BEING AROUND US.

AND SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER INSECT HERE IN FLORIDA.

THAT'S, YOU KNOW, FIND ITS WAY AROUND HER HOME.

IT LIKES TO FEED TO IN THE BLOOD MEAL FROM SOMETHING SO SOMETIMES IT COULD BE WILDLIFE NEAR HOME.

WILDLIFE LIVING UNDER A HOME ARE LIVING IN THE ATTIC.

SOMETIMES IT COULD BE DOGS OR DOG KENNELS.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THOSE CANDLES CLEAN, AFFORD PILES.

AND HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE HAVE FOUND THAT CERTAIN WOOD PILES NEAR A HOME CAN HAVE THESE BOOKS IN THEM.

AND THOSE THOSE BUGS ARE FEEDING ON LIZARDS AND DIFFERENT YOUR NORMAL CREATURES THAT WE FIND HERE IN FLORIDA.

BUT THEN THEY GET REALLY HUNGRY AND THEY AND THEY CRAWL UNDER A HOME AND TRY TO FIND A WAY INTO THE HOME.

SO WE REALLY TRY TO KIND OF GET THINGS ARE AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN THE ANIMALS CAN LIVE.

AND THAT PREVENTS A LOT OF THE BUGS FROM WANTING TO GET IN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THE HOUSE LOOKING AT THE STRUCTURE, TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO CLOSE UP ANY CRACKS OR PUTIN AND ENSURE ALL THE SCREENS ARE INTACT AND THE DOOR JAMS ARE, YOU KNOW, NICE.

A NICE UNSEALED AND KEEPING THE BUGS OUT IS THERE IS A GREAT WAY TO PREVENT EXPOSURE TO THE PARASITE.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT PETS, IF WHERE YOU'RE WALKING YOUR DOG NIGHT?

CAN CAN YOUR DOG BRING IN THIS?

THIS INSET?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN SING, BUT DOES NOT TYPICALLY ATTACHED TO MAKE IT A QUIETER FLEA.

SOME OTHER INSECTS LIKE THAT WORTH OF POT.

IT'S IT.

IT DOESN'T DO THAT.

SO MOST OF THE IF YOU'RE WALKING YOUR DOG OR OUTDOORS WITH YOUR ANIMAL OR YOUR PET AND I KIND OF BE ON THE ANIMAL ITSELF MOST THE TIME THEY'RE JUST ATTRACTED TO THE ANIMAL TO GET THAT BLOOD MEAL AND WILD ANIMALS SLEEPING JUST LIKE WHEN WE'RE SLEEPING WITH THEIR ANIMALS ARE SLEEPING TOO.

AND SO WHEN I TRY TO RECOMMEND THE FOLKS WHO FOUND BOOKS NEAR THEIR HOME IS.

THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PROTECTING WHERE THE DOG OR ARE THEY AND THE CAT SLEEPS, PREVENTING BOOK FROM BEING AROUND THE THE BETTING AND AROUND WHERE THEY MAY BE AND NIGHTTIME AND SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, BRINGING THEM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND OFF THE PORCH AS A WAY TO AT LEAST PREVENT THOSE BOOKS FROM BEING SO ATTRACTED TO THE HOME BECAUSE A VERY ACTIVE AT NIGHT.

AND THAT'S WHEN THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THEIR BLOOD MEAL.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS GREAT INFORMATION.

CERTAINLY LEARNED A LOT TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> YOU CAN BE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF THE LATEST HEALTH STORIES BY CHECKING OUT OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

A RECENT GALLUP POLL SHOWS ONLY 54% OF U.S.

ADULTS REPORT DRINKING ALCOHOL.

THAT'S THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 90 YEARS.

MANY OF THE KEY FACTORS INCLUDED INCREASED AWARENESS OF THE HEALTH RISKS OF DRINKING AND THE HIGH COSTS AS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED DESPITE DITCHING THE, MANY FOLKS ARE STILL FINDING A WAY TO ENJOY THE OCCASIONAL SPECIALTY DRINK.

>> APRIL MARKS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH.

AND AS MORE PEOPLE LOOK TO CUT BACK ON DRINKING MOCKTAILS ARE BECOMING A POPULAR OPTION.

>> MOCKTAILS ARE SIMPLY NOT ALCOHOLIC VERSIONS OF ALCOHOL.

SO THEY'RE THERE TO NICK THE FLAVOR THAT CONSISTENCY, THE THE EXPERIENCE, EVEN BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE BOOST.

SO THEY'RE A GREAT ALTERNATIVE.

IF YOU WANT THAT EXPERIENCE, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WITH IT.

>> CLEVELAND CLINIC REGISTERED DIETICIAN.

KRISTIN KIRKPATRICK SAYS ALCOHOL CAN TAKE A REAL TOLL ON THE BODY FROM WEIGHT GAIN TO INCREASING THE RISK OF CERTAIN DISEASES.

WITH THAT IN MIND, CHOOSING A MOCKTAIL CAN BE A HEALTHIER OPTION.

OVERALL.

BUT LIKE ANYTHING WE EAT OR DRINK.

KIRKPATRICK SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE INGREDIENTS.

MOCKTAILS CAN INCLUDE ADDITIVES LIKE CAFFEINE, SUGAR AND ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS.

WHETHER YOU'RE OUT ON THE TOWN OR AT HOME.

KIRKPATRICK SAYS SIMPLE SWAPS CAN MAKE YOUR NEXT MOCKTAIL HEALTHIER.

>> IT'S GOT SIMPLE SYRUP.

SEEING IF YOU CAN REPLACE THAT FOR ACTUAL FRESH JEWS, ARE THERE ANY KIND OF HERBS OR ROUTES OR SPICES THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE MOCKTAIL JEN SEEING WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE.

GINGER WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE THAT WE KNOW HAS A FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT THAT CAN ACTUALLY HELP WITH DIGESTION ADDING SENTIMENT TO SOMETHING CAN HELP WITH BLOOD SUGAR MANAGEMENT.

SO WHERE CAN YOU GET THAT BENEFIT WITHOUT HAVING ALL THE SIMPLE SYRUPS, ALL THE SUGARS, ALL THE ADDITIVES.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO MOCKTAILS KIRKPATRICK SAYS PRESENTATION MATTERS AS WELL.

USING A COCKTAIL GLASS OR ADDING GARNISHES CAN HELP GIVE YOU THE SAME TYPE OF EXPERIENCE WITHOUT MISSING THE.

FOR WGCU NEWS IM TEDDY BYRNE.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, WE ARE GEARING UP FOR NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY BY HEADING TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT PROVIDES MORE THAN VINYL RECORDS BUT SERVES AS AN OUTPOST FOR MUSIC LOVERS OF ALL TYPES.

NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY IS COMING THIS SATURDAY AND IT'S SET TO BE A HUGE DAY FOR LOCAL VINYL STORES.

ACCORDING TO THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER IN 2025, SALES OF VINYL RECORDS SURPASSED 1 BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS CENTURY.

WHETHER IT'S VINYL CDS OR CASSETTE TAPES.

NEW GENERATIONS ARE LATCHING ONTO PHYSICAL MEDIA WGCUS KATE.

CRONIN HAS THE STORY.

>> WELCOME TO STELLAR RECORDS WERE JUST COME TOGETHER FOR A SHARED PASSION FOR MUSIC.

WITH A SELECTION RANGING FROM DOO-WOP TO DEATH METAL.

THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE INSIDE THE NEON GREEN SHOP.

THIS COCHRAN HAD ALWAYS PLANNED TO START A RECORD STORE SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

IT BUT A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT AND MONTHS WORTH OF RECOVERY CHANGED HER MIND.

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE STREAM LIKE, OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS WHEN WE RETIRE.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, GOT AN ACCIDENT.

COUPLE YEARS LATER HAD SURGERY LATE.

WE WERE LIKE, WHY NOT?

WHY NOT NOW LIKE I CAN WELL AND HEALTHY.

YOU ALL THE YOUNGER.

SO THOSE BIG PUSH FOR THIS.

>> COCHRAN PUSHES THE ENVELOPE ON WHAT A RECORD STORE CAN BE.

WELL COMING IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> ARMED WITH GUITARS AND UKULELE.

SEE THESE ISSUES COME TO STELLAR RECORDS FOR TUCK WHO STICK OPEN MIC NIGHT AND COCHRAN EVEN GOT IN ON THE FUN SINGING ONE OF HER FAVORITE SONGS >> AND THE SHOW A PA BEYOND OPEN MIC NIGHT.

STILL, THE RECORDS HOSTS ARE LISTENING PARTIES CRAFT NIGHT AND EVEN PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL BANDS.

>> CUSTOMERS LIKE FORT MYERS, RESIDENT SCOTT YANKEE, APPRECIATE THE AFFORDABLE PRICES.

IN A VARIETY OF MUSIC.

WELL, IPHONE.

>> PREPPING GOTTEN DAY.

SO THAT'S A PRETTY COOL RECORD.

>> I MOSTLY LOOKING FOR THE PUNK STUFF THAT THEY HAVE HERE.

AND THERE ARE PRETTY GOOD SELECTION OF PUNK STUFF.

>> STELLAR RECORDS WILL CELEBRATE ITS 3RD ANNIVERSARY IN SEPTEMBER IN AN AGE WHEN YOU CAN FIND ANY SONG AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, IT MIGHT BE SURPRISING TO LEARN THAT STORES LIKE THIS ONE ARE GROWING.

FORBES REPORTED OVER 1 BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW RECORD SALES JUST IN 2025.

THE WIRE NEWER GENERATIONS MEETING IN 2 AND A LOT OF MEDIA.

>> THEY'RE TIRED OF NOT OWNING STUFF.

THAT'S THE MAIN THING I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THEY'RE TIRED OF PAYING $20 A MONTH IN PERPETUITY FOR THE COMPANY.

IT LIKE SPOTIFY OR APPLE OR WHOEVER CONCHAS POLL, WHATEVER MUSIC THEY WANT OFF.

WHATEVER TIME.

BUT YOU BUY THE ALBUM PHYSICALLY ON RECORD CASSETTE OR CD.

THAT'S YOURS FOREVER.

YOU DON'T NEED TO PAY AGAIN EVERY MONTH FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF LISTENING TO IT WHEN IT'S ALREADY ON YOUR SHOW.

>> THE STORES NEXT BIG EVENT IS RECORD STORE DAY.

SOME GREAT NATIONALLY ON APRIL 18TH LAST YEAR'S AFFAIR SAW CUSTOMERS WAITING OVERNIGHT AND LINING THE BLOCK FOR A CHANCE TO BUY RARE AND EXCLUSIVE RECORDS.

SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE THAT.

>> IT'S ACTING AS ANOTHER COURT.

>> REACTS TO MY STORE.

IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M DOING SOMETHING TO HELP.

YOU KNOW, THE KIDS FIND SOMETHING POSITIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THERE ISN'T A LOT OF POSITIVE.

>> I WON NOT THE WGCU NEWS.

I'M KATIE CRONIN.

>> ONCE AGAIN THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH IS NATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY.

YOU CAN HEAD TO STORES LIKE STELLAR RECORDS WHERE THEY WILL HAVE EXCLUSIVE RELEASES DISCOUNTS AND MUCH MORE ALL IN CELEBRATION OF VINYL.

ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

THE BUSINESS BOOM CONTINUES THROUGHOUT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THAT INCLUDES A FAN FAVORITE RESTAURANT, WHICH WAS ONCE THOUGHT TO BE A THING OF THE PAST AND NOW IS GETTING A NEW LEASE ON LIFE TO THE DELIGHT OF CUSTOMERS EVERYWHERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HAD TO WGCU DOT ORG.

THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.