THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, LOOKING AT WHETHER THIS SUMMER VACATION SEASON IS OFF TO A SLOW START WE BREAK DOWN A NEW REPORT THAT CLAIMS THAT AIRPORT TRAVEL AT RSW TAKES A DIVE OVER THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND COMPARED TO SIMILAR SIZED METRO AREAS.

MILLIONS OF AMERICANS PROVIDING HELP FOR LOVED ONE WAS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA.

HOW ONE ORGANIZATION HAS BUILT A COMMUNITY TO GIVE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR AND A CELEBRATION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA PRIDE.

WE HEAD TO DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS TO SHOW HOW THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT LOCAL LGBTQ+ EFFORTS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SPRING TOURISM SEASON HAS PASSED IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

NOW THE REGION IS PREPARING TO CELEBRATE THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY, BUT A NEW REPORT SAYS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RANKS AT THE BOTTOM OF MIDSIZED METRO AREAS FOR AIRPORT TRAVEL OVER JULY 4TH WEEKEND.

THAT'S COMPARED TO OTHER DAYS OF THE YEAR.

RESEARCHERS AT LUXURY LAKE SAY RSW RANKED LAST OUT OF 72 MIDSIZED METRO AREAS FOR THE CHANGE IN DAILY ARRIVALS DURING THE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND OVER 3 YEAR PERIOD.

THAT'S WHEN COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE DAILY ARRIVALS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR AT RSW.

IN THE MEANTIME, RSW REPORTED A RECORD SETTING MONTH IN MARCH FOR THE SINGLE BUSIEST MONTH IN AIRPORT HISTORY.

ALSO 2025 HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF TRAVELERS WITH MORE THAN 11 BILLION.

IT AS WGCUS YOUN-JOO PARK REPORTS, RSW IS WORKING TO GIVE TRAVELERS EVEN MORE REASONS TO FLY OUT OF FORT MYERS.

>> I WAS IN NEW YORK MAYBE 6 MONTHS AGO AND I SAW THESE HUGE BILLBOARDS FOR TAMPA SAYING, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE FREEZING RIGHT NOW IN NEW YORK CITY AND TAMPA.

YOU BE LAYING ON THE BEACH.

AND SO IN FLORIDA, THERE'S COMPETITION FOR THOSE DOLLARS AS REGIONS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA ARE VYING FOR THE ATTENTION OF TRAVELERS WORLDWIDE.

>> SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS FIGURING OUT WAYS TO STAND OUT FROM ITS COMPETITORS.

THAT INCLUDES A GRAND STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AS EXPLAINED BY STEPHEN HENNIGAN, CCO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LEE COUNTY PORT AUTHORITY.

THE FIRST PART OF THE PLAN IS THE EXPANSION OF THE AIRPORT'S FACILITIES THAT CONSTRUCTION IS WELL UNDERWAY.

>> WE'RE ADDING APPROXIMATELY 800,000 SQUARE FEET.

SO THE NEXT 2, 2, AND A HALF YEARS.

THE SIZE OF THIS AIRPORT IS GOOD, ESSENTIALLY DOUBLE.

>> THE SECOND PART ENTAILS AN EXPANSION OF THE AIRPORT'S FLIGHT TO MAKE A CASE TO AIRLINES THAT MORE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOCATIONS ARE NEEDED.

THE AIRPORT MUST DEMONSTRATE PUBLIC DEMAND, HOWEVER, HENNIGAN SAYS THIS IS WHAT ALSO REQUIRES ASSISTANCE FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS.

>> PEOPLE LIKE DIRECT FLIGHTS, BUT WHAT PEOPLE DON'T ACCOUNT FOR IS ALL OF THOSE AIRPORTS, MIAMI, TAMPA, FORT LAUDERDALE TO 2 HOUR DRIVE.

YOU'RE PAYING FOR GAS.

YOU'RE PAYING PARKING.

THAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

>> HE SAYS THE CONVENIENCE OF USING OTHER FLORIDA AIRPORTS IS AN ILLUSION OR >> IF YOU'D LIKE TO GET TO THE AIRPORT 2 HOURS EARLY.

NOW YOU'RE LEAVING, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY 5 HOURS BEFORE WHEN YOU COULD JUST COME INTO RSW HOPPED ON A FLIGHT RIGHT HERE, BEEN THROUGH SECURITY.

EXTREMELY QUICK COMPARED TO SOME OF THOSE LARGER AIRPORTS.

YOU MAY HAVE A CONNECTION YOU MIGHT NOT.

BUT EVEN IF YOU DID IT, YOU KNOW, FROM UP FROM A COST STANDPOINT, FROM A TIME STANDPOINT, WHEN YOU DO THE MATH, A LOT OF TIMES, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE BETTER OFF USING LOCAL.

>> YET ANOTHER ADVANTAGE, ACCORDING TO HEAD AGAIN, IS THAT BY USING THE LOCAL AIRPORT, RESIDENTS ARE HELPING TO BOLSTER THE REGION'S ECONOMY.

COLLIER COUNTY COMMISSIONER RICK LOCASTRO CONFIRMS THIS FACT.

>> IF ALL THE SNOW BIRDS ONE AWAY AND ALL THE TOURISM ONE WAY OR WAS GREATLY REDUCED, YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GO DOWN TO 5TH AVENUE AND ENJOY WHAT WE GET TO ENJOY ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ULTIMATELY.

>> THE ADVANTAGES OF THE RSW AIRPORT ALL REINFORCE ONE.

ANOTHER UP.

>> THE MORE DIRECT FLIGHTS THAT ARE HERE MEANS MORE EMPLOYEES AT THE AIRPORT MEANS MORE MONEY INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY MEANS, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY MORE MORE PEOPLE WILL, YOU KNOW, UTILIZE THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> ACCORDING TO HEAD AGAIN, THERE ARE SNOWBALL EFFECTS BECAUSE THE AIRPORT CAN POSITIVELY INFLUENCE THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, WHICH WOULD LEAD TO MORE TRAVELERS VISITING THE REGION, WHICH STAND WITH LEADS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES FLOURISHING AND THEN ENABLE THEIR AIRPORT TO BE COMPETITIVE AND EXPANDING AIRLINE DESTINATION OFFERINGS FOR WGCU NEWS, IM YOUN-JOO PARK >> MICHAEL STROMBERG, THE CTO OF LATTICE PUBLISHING JOINS US NOW TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE HEADLINES.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

CAN YOU FIRST EXPLAIN HOW THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED, WHAT DATES AND WHAT YEARS?

>> YES, OF THE ANALYSIS LOOKED AT DATA FROM THE U.S.

BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION STATISTICS, PARTICULARLY FLIGHT DATA.

AND IT WAS FROM A FLIGHTS FROM 2023 TO 2025.

SO THE ANALYSTS WANTED A MULTI-YEAR APPROACH TO LEVEL OUT ANY NOISE.

>> AND THEN WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY FINDINGS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE US?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST THING IS THAT YOU DO THE LOCATIONS THAT SEE THE LARGEST SPIKES ARE.

NOT EXACTLY THE TYPICAL SUMMER DESTINATION THAT YOU MIGHT THINK ABOUT.

SO LOCATIONS IN ALASKA AND MAINE.

MONTANA, THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

THOSE AREAS IN PARTICULAR SEES A RELATIVELY LARGE SPIKE IN COMMERCIAL PASSENGER FLIGHTS.

A LOT OF THOSE PARTICULARLY OF HARSH WINTERS.

AND WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES AND NATURAL OUT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DURING THE SUMMER PERIOD, AT LEAST 2 THIS INFLUX IN DEMAND, PARTICULARLY IN THE SUMMER AND THE 4TH OF JULY WHERE SOME OF THOSE AREAS ARE LESS POPULAR ARE EVEN VERY DIFFICULT TO GET TO DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

AND THEN HOW DID YOU ARRIVE AT THIS CONCLUSION THAT?

>> FORT MYERS RANKED LAST 72 OF 72 MIDSIZED METRO AIRPORTS FOR THIS JULY 4TH TRAVEL.

HOW DID YOU GET TO THAT?

>> YEAH.

SO.

>> SO ONE IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION THAT FORT MYERS IS IN A CERTAIN LOSING TRAVELERS IN ABSOLUTE NUMBERS I SO THE ANALYSIS MEASURES HOW MUCH TRAFFIC CHANGES DURING THE 4 JULY WEEK COMPARED TO THE MARKETS.

NORMAL BASELINE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

LIKE WE DISCUSSED.

SO.

FORT MYERS IS ALREADY A TOURISM DESTINATION THAT ATTRACTS VISITORS YEAR ROUND, BUT PARTICULARLY IN THE SPRING AND WINTER MONTHS.

SO BECAUSE THE AREA'S STARTS WERE RELATIVELY HIGH BASELINE OF TOURISM ACTIVITY.

IT DOESN'T EXPERIENCE THE SAME HOLIDAY.

SPECIFIC SEEN STATIONS LIKE, YOU KNOW, ME IN MONTANA CONVENTION.

SO.

MANY OF THE HIGHEST-RANKING DESTINATIONS ARE PLACES WHERE.

TOURISM IS HEAVILY CONCENTRATED IN A SHORTER SUMMER SEASON, WHEREAS, YOU KNOW, FORT MYERS AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN GENERAL HAVE A MUCH BROADER PEAK TRAVEL TOURISM SEASON.

AND SO.

THAT PARTICULAR SCENARIO KIND OF CREATES THE PERFECT STORM FOR.

WHAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE A DROP IN IN FLIGHT TRAFFIC.

BUT IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S A HIGH BASELINE AND THEN ALSO AGAIN, THE SUMMER.

IN FORT MYERS IS A BIT OF THE OFFSEASON AS WE HAVE HOT WEATHER COMMUNITY.

SORT OF THE BEGINNING OF HURRICANE SEASON.

IT JUST CREATES A RELATIVE DROP OFF ON PAPER.

BUT AGAIN, FORT MYERS, 4TH OF JULY IS STILL A POPULAR DESTINATION.

FOR TRAVELERS IS JUST NOT A POPULAR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

>> SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ULTIMATELY FOR TRAVELERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT WANT TO COME TO FLORIDA OR SOUTHWEST OVER JULY 4TH CAN MAY EVEN GET BETTER FLIGHT DEALS.

I WANT OWN SPECIFIC DATES.

A USER DATA.

>> YEAH, EXACTLY.

SO >> ONE THING THAT WE WE DID NOTICE AGAIN, IT WAS THAT WHEN THE ANALYSTS LOOKED AT THAT ONE WEEK PERIOD IT IT REALLY IS DEPENDENT ON WHAT DAY THE 4TH OF JULY FALLS ON.

IF LAWYERS ARE LOOKING TO FIND A DISCOUNT OR LOOKING TO AVOID DISRUPTIONS POTENTIALLY FLY OUT CAN AVOID SOME OF THAT CONFLICT AND THEN AGAIN, 2 DAYS AFTER THE 4TH OF JULY, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR LIVES ON IS TYPICALLY ANOTHER PEAK TRAVEL DAY.

SO POTENTIALLY OF WARNING THAT IT COULD SAVE YOU SOME MONEY AND AND SOME HASSLE.

>> 3 DAYS AFTER OR 4 DAYS AND ENJOY A LITTLE MORE TIME HERE.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND SHARING MORE ABOUT THIS STUDY.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING.

THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> NOW IN RESPONSE TO THE SURVEY, PAMELA JOHNSON, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE LEE COUNTY VISITOR AND CONVENTION BUREAU SAYS THIS STUDY FOCUSES ON AIRLINE ARRIVALS, BUT MANY OF OUR SUMMER VISITORS TRAVEL HERE BY CAR, PARTICULARLY FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

COMING UP, TRUSTING YOUR GUT WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING BETTER HEALTH.

WE GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MICROBIOME AND HOW YOUR DIGESTION IS REALLY CRITICAL TO SUPPORTING THE REST OF YOUR BODY.

DEMENTIA AFFECTS MORE THAN 6 MILLION AMERICANS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

AS MORE PEOPLE ARE DIAGNOSED WITH THE DISEASE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE BECOMING THE MAIN CAREGIVERS.

WGCUS CARY BARBOR SHARES A LOCAL RESOURCE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA.

>> WHEN A LOVED ONE IS DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA, A FAMILY MEMBER MAY BE PUT INTO A POSITION THEY NEVER EXPECTED CAREGIVER.

IT'S A 24 7 JOB WITH NO TRAINING, NO PAY AND HUGE STAKES AND YOU'RE DOING IT WHILE WATCHING A LOVED ONE MENTALLY SLIP AWAY.

BUT NOW THERE'S A LOCAL RESOURCE THAT CAN HELP THE CAREGIVERS JOURNEY.

IT WAS FOUNDED BY SUE RYAN OF NAPLES AND NANCY TRIESTE OR OF ATLANTA BECAUSE THEY'VE BOTH BEEN THROUGH THIS JOURNEY, SUE MORE THAN ONCE.

AND THEY HAVE USEFUL INFORMATION TO SHARE.

THEY BEGAN WITH A PODCAST.

WE STARTED THAT IN.

>> AUGUST OF 2020 FOR THOSE 2 BRING ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

PEOPLE HAD WE SPECIFICALLY MADE IT ADVICE AND HOW TO AND WE SPECIFICALLY MADE IT.

IT HAS TO BE ACTIONABLE TIPS.

SOMEBODY HAS GOT AN ISSUE.

THEY COME AND THEY LISTEN AND THEY'RE SHORT PODCAST.

WE WANTED THEM TO GET ANSWERS.

THINGS I COULD DO WITHIN 25 MINUTES OR LESS.

AND THIS ESPECIALLY.

TRUE FOR THIS TOPIC.

>> WE'RE ALL ON THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER.

YES, WE ARE.

>> THE PROGRAM IS NOW MUCH MORE THAN A PODCAST.

IT'S A ROBUST WEB SITE WITH BLOG POST DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES AND MORE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO ANYTHING.

EVERYTHING IS FREE.

THE EVERY PODCAST EPISODE WE HAVE.

WE ALSO CREATE A MATCHING BLOG BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WANT TO READ AND NOT LISTEN.

SO WE HAVE THAT EVERY PODCAST EPISODE HAS SHOWN NO.

SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE REFER TO IT, PEOPLE CAN KNOW EXACTLY HOW TO GO GET SOMETHING.

AND WE NEVER REFER TO SOMETHING THAT WE HAVEN'T EITHER USED OR IF WE'VE GOT AN EXPERT ON THAT, THEY ARE EXPERT IN.

SO WE'RE NOT PROMOTING ANYTHING THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SOMEBODY MAKE A GOING TO MAKE A PROFIT OFF OF.

>> A GOOD PLACE TO START IS THE NAVIGATING DEMENTIA ROAD MAP WHICH WALKS PEOPLE THROUGH EACH STAGE OF THE DISEASE.

IT OUTLINES THINGS THEY MAY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF AT THAT POINT SUCH AS UPDATING THEIR LONG-TERM CARE PLAN AND THEN POINTS THEM TO RESOURCES TO HELP THEM DO THAT.

SUCH AS SAMPLE LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND ADVICE FROM AN ELDER CARE EXPERT.

>> WE NEVER WANT TO PRESENT ANYTHING.

>> THAT THAT WE'RE NOT REALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN.

AND SO WE BRING THE EXPERT BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO THAT AND THEY LOVE IT TO THE EXPERTS WHEN WE HAVE THEM ON, WE CREATE A TEMPLET.

WE CREATE AN OUTLINE.

WE CREATE OKAY.

THESE ARE THE TIPS.

LET'S LET'S GO THROUGH TOGETHER AND FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE THE MOST.

ACTIONABLE TIPS GOING TO BE THE MOST VALUABLE FOR OUR LISTENERS AND WE PREPARE.

WE WALK THROUGH IT TOGETHER BEFORE WE DO IT.

SO THE EXPERTS WHO COME ON ARE IN THE BEST POSITION TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

BE EXPERT.

GIVE THE ADVICE ON THAT PARTICULAR TOPIC.

RYAN ENTRY STIR ARE ADAMANT THAT THEIR RESOURCES.

>> GUIDE CAREGIVERS IN TOO QUICK AND SIMPLE ACTION.

>> SAYING THAT MAN SOON.

I DO SO WELL TOGETHER.

IS THAT WE REALLY PUSH EACH OTHER.

IT'S LIKE, OKAY.

WELL, WHAT WE DO THIS TOPIC, THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT WAY OF IT'S GOT TO BE MORE IMPACTFUL.

IT IF THAT WOULD BE TO FLUFF.

I THINK THIS IS A MORE IMPORTANT TOPIC THAN THAT IS RIGHT NOW.

LET'S SHELVE IT FOR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WE REALLY COLLABORATE WELL TO TO BRING OUT THE BEST OF WHAT IT IS TO HAVE IT BE THE MOST IMPACTFUL MESSAGE THEY'VE RECORDED 65 EPISODES SO FAR.

>> TOPICS RANGE FROM WHEN YOUR LOVED ONE WANDERS TO CREATING A SUPPORT NETWORK >> THEY HAVE 40,000 SUBSCRIBERS, ANOTHER METRIC THAT WE HAVE.

WE LAUNCHED A PODCAST EVERY OTHER TUESDAY MORNING AT 05:00AM EASTERN TIME.

AND BY ABOUT 05:00:05AM, EASTERN TIME.

WE'VE GOT 500 OR MORE DOWNLOADS.

SO WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING FOR THE NEXT EPISODE.

>> RYAN SAYS SHE'S GRATEFUL THAT A LOT OF THE SILENCE AND STIGMA THAT SHE DEALT WITH IN HER 20'S WHEN SHE WAS HELPING HER GRANDMOTHER ARE LETTING UP.

>> A LOT OF THE STIGMAS, A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW.

WE HAVE SOLUTIONS FOR AND OPTIONS FOR TO GIVE PEOPLE PERMISSION TO NAVIGATE THE JOURNEY.

MORE IN THE OPEN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THINGS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE RYAN HAS FOR CAREGIVERS IS TO ACCEPT HELP.

DON'T TRY TO DO IT ALL ON YOUR OWN AND DON'T DO WHAT I DID.

>> I JUST KEPT SHAVING OFF A LITTLE BIT OF MY OWN SELF CARE.

I CAN DO THIS LATER.

I DON'T NEED TO GO TO THE GYM EVERY DAY.

I CAN GET THIS DONE.

I PROMISE YOU THERE WILL COME A DAY WHEN THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO SHAVE OFF AND YOU WILL REALLY WISH THAT YOU HAD PRIORITIZED SELF CARE.

SO FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, MAKE PRIORITIZING YOUR OWN SELF CARE, YOUR OWN SELF EDUCATION.

VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

>> THE CAREGIVERS JOURNEY IS AVAILABLE ONLINE, COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE FOR WGCU, I'M CARY BARBOR.

>> THE QUICKEST WAY TO IMPROVING YOUR OVERALL HEALTH JUST MIGHT BE THROUGH YOUR GUT ABOUT 80% OF ALL IN NEW TISSUE RESIDES IN THE GOT.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO UC HEALTH MAINTAINING A HEALTHY BALANCE CAN LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS WITH IMMUNITY.

THE TABLE AND EVEN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH HEALTHY GOT IS ALSO KEY TO FIGHTING CHRONIC DISEASE.

SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOUR GOT AN OPTIMAL FOR?

>> JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT GUT HEALTH AND HOW IT IMPACTS OUR OVERALL HEALTH.

>> GASTROENTEROLOGIST.

DOCTOR.

SAHIL KIAHNNA FROM THE MAYO CLINIC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

GOOD MORNING, THE PLEASURES ALL MINE.

YOU HAVE A TOPIC THAT'S SO CLOSE TO MY HEART.

I CAN TALK FOR IT FOREVER.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE WRITTEN A VERY INTENSIVE BOOK ABOUT THIS SUBJECT ALL ABOUT GUT HEALTH.

WHY IS THIS SUBJECT THE FOCUS OF SO MUCH ATTENTION RECENTLY?

>> THE LAST 20 YEARS OR SO, IT'LL BE REALIZE THAT HUMAN HELP.

>> IS WILD RIDE.

BUT OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS GENETICS.

>> FAMILY HISTORY ON ENVIRONMENT AS ONE FACTOR.

THAT'S CONNECTS OUR BODIES OF THE FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE IS OUR GOT.

AND THEN GOT REALLY DRIVES A LOT OF DIFFERENT HELP.

AND DISEASE ISSUES.

AND THE OTHER PART THAT'S IMPORTANT IS THERE'S CERTAIN PARTS OF FAR HAVE THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN OUR CONTROL AND HE CAN MAKE SMALL LIFESTYLE CHANGES, IMPROVE OVERALL CALLED HEALTH.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHAT IS THE GUT MICROBIOME?

>> THE HUMAN GOT IS COLONIZED.

THEY HAD TONS AND TONS OF BACTERIA.

AND THE PRIME MORGAN IS THE LARGE INTESTINE.

THAT ARE 100 TRILLION MICROORGANISMS THAT LIVE IN THE LARGE INTESTINE.

WE THINK ABOUT 500,000 DIFFERENT SPECIES MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE NOT BEEN EVEN IDENTIFIED AND WE CANNOT GROW THEM IN A LAB.

YOU COULD THEM FROM NATURE.

AND THE REASON MEANS TO KEEP THE MICROBIOME HAVE THE AND THE REASON MEANS TO AVOID THE MICROBIOME FROM GETTING DISRUPTED, LOSING ITS DIVERSITY.

THE CUT MICROBIOME IS A LOT OF FUNCTIONS.

IT HELPS DIGEST FOOD, PRODUCES A LOT OF FATTY ACIDS AND VITAMINS.

THE BODY NEEDS.

HELP SPREAD SOME INFECTIONS.

>> IT'S QUITE FASCINATING.

>> WHAT IS THE GUTS ROLE IN METABOLISM AND WEIGHT GAIN?

>> GOT IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN METABOLISM AND WEIGHT GAIN.

WE KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE FUNCTIONS OFF THE HUMAN GUT WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE BRAIN ITSELF AND THEN AFFECT THE HUNGER IN THIS THAT IT CENTER OF THE BRAIN, THEIR FUNCTIONS OF THE HUMAN GOT THAT LOW METABOLISM OF THE FOOD THAT WE GET AND THE ABSORPTION OF THE FOOD THAT COMES WITH IT.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE CUT IN ITSELF.

IN ADDITION TO CALORIES HELPS SO BY DEMANDS AND MINERALS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THE BODY NEEDS.

>> HOW DOES GUT HEALTH LINKED TO OUR BRAIN FUNCTION?

>> EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAN CUT HAS IN NORA SYSTEM THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.

WE CALL IT THE CUT.

GREEN TAXES.

THAT IS CERTAIN DISEASES THAT PRIMARILY AFFECT THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM THAT AFFECT GUT HEALTH CAN CAUSE GS SYMPTOMS.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, OTHER ISSUES CAN HAVE MORE JAZZ SYMPTOMS AND THEIR SERVANTS YET DISEASES ONCE PEOPLE GET THEM.

THE START DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL GM BEEN SYMPTOMS LIKE ANXIETY AND AND OTHERS.

THEY'VE ALSO KNOWN THAT.

KEEPING THE GUT AND THE MINDS TOGETHER CAN HELP WITH A LOT OF JET COMPLAINS THINGS THAT ARE VERY COMMON IN THE POPULATION SUCH AS BLOATING IT ABOUT SYNDROME FEELING IN THE CHEST IN THE GULF AND IS ACTION.

ALL OF THOSE HAVE A GOOD BRAND COMPONENT TO IT.

AND SO DIDN'T GOT GREEN ACCESS TREATMENTS, INCLUDING CHEMOTHERAPY, HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO IMPROVE JUST SYMPTOMS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT TARGET AND KEEP IT HEALTHY?

>> STAY AWAY FROM FADS ON THE INTERNET.

STAY AWAY FROM.

I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO RESET MY GOT MID IN DIET TODAY AND IT'S GOING TO HELP.

I'M GOING TO DETOX THE TIME I GOT THE MILITARY SAID STANDING FIRM.

THAT NOTION THAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT I WOULD SAY.

GOT HEALTH IS MORE OFTEN AND DO AND STRANDING NOT A ONE-TIME SNAPSHOT.

I'M GOING TO DO THIS AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE MAN CUT THE FOREVER.

IN TERMS OF LIFESTYLE HABITS.

EXERCISE REGIMEN.

INCREASED NOT OF WATER THAT WE DRINK UNLESS THERE IS A REASON NOT TO DRINK WATER OTHERWISE AND TRIED TO GET TO 25 TO 30 GRAMS OF FIBER IN YOUR DIET.

THEIR VID FRUITS, VEGETABLES, ARAVIND FIBER SUPPLEMENTATION.

UNLESS THAT IS THE REASON THAT THE DOCTORS HAVE TOLD YOU NOT TO EAT.

FIBER.

THOSE THINGS PRIMARILY KEEP A LOT OF PEOPLE HEALTHY.

STAY AWAY FROM.

SUPPLEMENTS THAT ARE BEING SOLD.

THAT DID NOT HAVE DATA BEHIND HIM.

>> AND CAN YOU TOUCH ON THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DANGERS?

I KNOW YOU MENTION THIS IN YOUR BOOK.

HOW DOES THAT RELATE TO OUR GOOD HEALTH?

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN ENVIRONMENT AND DANGERS THAT THEY'RE EXPOSED TO.

AND THAT GOAL.

BUT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE EXPOSED TO AND WE JUST TAKE IT AS THIS IS NORMAL.

THIS IS LIFE.

AND I BELIEVE THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENT LEADER THAT WE HAVE IT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HIS HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP AND ADDED SUGARS.

I CLASSIFY THAT AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL DANGER.

IT SAID IT AROUND US.

YOU OPEN THE PACKET.

YOU OPEN THE BOX.

YOU OPEN A CAN.

YOU CANNOT STAY AWAY FROM THAT.

THE SECOND ENROLLMENT OF THINGS IS ADDED SODIUM OR EXTRA SALT.

THAT'S IN OUR DIETS.

THAT'S A MOMENT LATER THAT WE OUGHT TO STAND UP AND EVEN WITHOUT EVEN THINKING IT'S A PROBLEM.

AND WE NEED TO LOOK FOR THOSE IN TO LOOK AT FOOD LABELS.

BEYOND THAT, THERE ARE MICROPLASTICS THAT THE ORDINANCE THEY'RE PESTICIDES, THEY'RE GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS.

LOTS OF OTHER LINEMEN TOO DANGEROUS THAT CAN JEOPARDIZE SOMEBODY HAS GOT HELP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

DOCTOR SAHIL KIAHNNA, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THOUSANDS OF VISITORS FLOCKED TO DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS IN A CELEBRATION OF PRIDE MONTH.

WE JOIN THE FESTIVITIES AND LEARN HOW THE EVENT RAISES AWARENESS FOR THE LOCAL LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

10 YEARS AFTER PRIDE MONTH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1999.

THE FESTIVITIES CAME TO FORT MYERS WITH THE FIRST PRIDE SOUTHWEST, FLORIDA.

THE EVENT HAS BECOME AN ANNUAL TRADITION ATTRACTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

WTC IS KATE KRONON CAPTURED THE SIGHTS AND THE SOUNDS FROM THIS YEAR'S CELEBRATION.

MUSIC.

>> DANCING AND LAUGHTER ARE ALL FILLING THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS.

IT'S PRIDE MONTH WITH CELEBRATIONS STARTING OUTSIDE THE SIDNEY AND BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER THEN SPILLING OUT ACROSS FIRST STREET.

IT IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S LARGEST LGBTQ+ PRIDE CELEBRATION.

ACCORDING TO ORGANIZERS PRIDE, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, A NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO HONORING DIVERSITY AND PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY.

THE FESTIVITIES ARE KICKED OFF BY THE FLORIDA CALENDAR GIRLS.

WITH DANCERS ALL OVER AGE 50.

THEY SET THE STAGE FOR ALL AGES TO ENJOY SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

PRIDE.

AND THEY'RE REPRESENTING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF PRIDE, INCLUSIVITY.

FIRST AMBER FREY AND CRY TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS PARTNERED WITH THE VISUAL ALA T A NONPROFIT CO-FOUNDED BY ARLENE GOLDBERG.

OUR MISSION IS TO TO KEEP THE LGBT.

>> INDIVIDUALS SAY ED.

>> TOGETHER AND BEING ABLE TO JUST BE THEMSELVES.

GOLDBERG IS A PILLAR OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IN FLORIDA WHO WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF BRING THE RIGHT TO MARRIAGE TO FLORIDA.

>> SHE WAS ONE OF 8 PLANTIFFS IN A GROUND BREAKING LAWSUIT WITH THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION THAT STRUCK DOWN FLORIDA SAME MARRIAGE BAN IN 2015.

THE SHOW THAT WE HAD OF OURSELVES.

>> I'D WEAR NOT AFRAID TO BE OUT >> DIVERSE REPRESENTATION IS ANOTHER KEY PART OF PRIDE, ESPECIALLY FOR DRAG QUEEN EMMA ROSE WHO HOLDS THE TITLE OF MS CAPE CORAL PRIDE 2026, I THINK WHAT GOT ME INTO DRIVES THE SAME THING THAT MOTIVATES ME IS MY FIRST TIME GOING THROUGH A DRAG SHOW AND GETTING THAT FEELING OF EXCITEMENT.

AND I JUST.

>> I STILL REMEMBER THAT FEELING.

AND WHEN I STEP ON STAGE AND I SEE PEOPLE GIVE ME THAT, LOOK, IT'S THE SAME LOOK.

AND I HAD MY FIRST JACK.

SO.

>> JOYCE KNOWN VISITS PRIDE EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE STILL LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE ARE MARGINALIZED AT.

THERE'S NOT A SITUATION WHERE WE LIVE IN QUALITY YET.

AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE PEOPLE AND TO LIFT THEM UP WITH MARRIAGE EQUALITY ESTABLISHED IN FLORIDA JUST OVER 10 YEARS AGO.

>> PRIDE IS EMPOWERING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY ENSURING ALL VOICES ARE HEARD.

FOR WGCU NEWS, I'M KATE CRONIN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU VISIT WGCU DOT ORG, WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.