THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE COUNTDOWN TO FLORIDA'S PRIMARY ELECTION IS UNDERWAY LEADING UP TO THE MIDTERMS.

WE TALKED WITH A NEWLY APPOINTED LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE SHOWING UP AT THE POLLS OR MAILING YOUR BALLOT.

FLORIDA'S STATE BUDGET WENT INTO EFFECT JULY 1ST AFTER THE GOVERNOR VETOED MORE THAN 1 BILLION DOLLARS.

WE'RE FINDING OUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR FUNDING CERTAIN PROJECTS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 DECADES, THE FDA RULES ON A NEW CHEMICAL THAT CAN BE ADDED TO SUNSCREEN.

WE'RE IDENTIFYING WHAT YOU SHOULD KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ON THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND WHY THIS CHANGE IS BEING MADE.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AS VOTERS PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING FLORIDA PRIMARY.

WE'RE SPEAKING WITH THE LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS ABOUT DEADLINES AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTION PROCESS.

IN LEE COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED AT ELECTION NOTICE WITH INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER.

ALSO, JENNA PERSONS-MULICKA SAYS SHE IS RECUSING HERSELF FROM THE THREE-MEMBER CANVASSING BOARD BECAUSE A FAMILY MEMBER IS ON THE BALLOT.

PERSONS-MULICKA WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS.

SUPERVISOR OF LEE COUNTY ELECTIONS IN MAY.

SHE RESIGNED FROM HER 3RD TERM REPRESENTING DISTRICT 78 IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE TO ACCEPT THE NEW ROLE.

FOR MORE ON UPCOMING DEADLINES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR VOTERS.

I AM JOINED BY THE SUPERVISOR OF LEE COUNTY ELECTIONS.

JENNA PERSONS-MULICKA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME IN STUDIO TODAY.

WELL, THANK YOU, JENNIFER, FOR HAVING ME ON.

IT IS A SUPER BUSY TIME RIGHT NOW FOR YOUR OFFICE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PRESSING DATE THAT'S COMING UP IS JULY 20TH.

WHY IS THIS SO SIGNIFICANT?

>> BUT FIRST, YOU'RE CORRECT.

OUR OFFICE IS WORKING DAY AND NIGHT GEARING UP FOR THE AUGUST 18TH PRIMARY ELECTION.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

THE FIRST BIG DEADLINE IS JULY 20TH.

THAT'S THE DEADLINE FOR ANYBODY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.

IT'S ALSO THE DEADLINE FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO CHANGE THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION.

A LOT OF FOLKS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY MOVED DOWN HERE FROM ANOTHER STATE.

THEY DON'T KNOW THAT OUR STATE HAS WHAT'S CALLED A CLOSED PRIMARY STATE.

THAT MEANS THAT ONLY REPUBLICANS VOTE IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR A PARTISAN OFFICE.

ONLY DEMOCRAT TO VOTE IN THE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY FOR A PARTISAN OFFICE.

NOW THERE'S A WHOLE HOST OF NON PARTISAN OFFICES WHERE EVERY VOTER CAN VOTE REGARDLESS OF PARTY AFFILIATION.

WE CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THIS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE ONE PARTISAN RACE ON THE AUGUST 18TH PRIMARY.

THAT'S WHAT WE CALL A UNIVERSAL PRIMARY CONTEST.

THAT MEANS THAT THERE'S NO GENERAL ELECTION OPPONENT SO THAT RACE WILL BE DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

AND THAT'S LEE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5.

THERE ARE 2 REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 5 BECAUSE THERE ISN'T A AN OPPONENT IN THE GENERAL THAT ELECTION WILL BE DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY.

AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S ONLY REPUBLICANS RUNNING, EVERY LEE COUNTY VOTER CAN VOTE AND THAT ELECTION.

>> AND THIS UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING ON PRIMARY DAY, WHICH TYPICALLY HAS A VERY LOW VOTER TURNOUT.

TYPICALLY LESS THAN 30%.

WHY?

WHY IS THIS SUCH A PERVASIVE PROBLEM WHERE VOTERS DON'T GET OUT TO THE POLLS?

DURING THE PRIMARY DAY?

>> NO ONE.

AND THAT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT POINT, JENNIFER, BECAUSE OUR LOCAL ELECTIONS IMPACT OUR DAILY LIFE.

YOU KNOW, MOST OF THE DECISIONS THAT THAT AFFECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

THEY HAPPENED HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND A LOT OF THOSE RACES WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS DECIDED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION 2 YEARS AGO, THOUGH, WE DID SEE A LOW TURNOUT.

23 1% OF LEE COUNTY VOTERS SHOWED SHOWED OUT TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION AND IT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT OVER THE YEARS HAVING A LOWER TURNOUT.

THEN WHEN YOU GET TO THE GENERAL ELECTION, YOU KNOW, IS THAT A MIDTERM ELECTION OR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND PEOPLE GET REALLY EXCITED ABOUT NOVEMBER.

BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE PEOPLE IN LEE COUNTY EXCITED ABOUT THE AUGUST 18TH PRIMARY AS WELL.

>> AND IF SOMEONE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE, WHAT DO THEY NEED TO DO AND WHAT ARE THE UP?

YOU KNOW, THE DEADLINES FOR THAT.

>> AGAIN, THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS JULY 20TH.

YOU CAN FIND ALL THE INFORMATION AND THE LINK THAT TAKES YOU DIRECTLY TO THE APPROPRIATE WEBSITE ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE DOT VOTE.

OUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS ALSO ON OUR WEBSITE AT LEE DOT VOTE.

AND YOU CAN CALL US AT ANY TIME AND WE'LL HELP WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT THE DEADLINE IS JULY.

20TH.

SO IF YOU'RE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE, CALL, CALL US GO ONLINE BEFORE JULY.

20TH ALSO GO ONLINE AND CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS.

HIM MAKE SURE YOU IF YOU WANT TO VOTE BY MAIL THAT YOU'VE SIGNED UP FOR A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT, YOU CAN CHECK YOUR VOTER REGISTRATION STATUS TO PULL DOWN YOUR OWN SPECIFIC SAMPLE BALLOT FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT RACES YOU WILL BE VOTING ON IN YOUR PRECINCT.

>> AND YOU WERE THE SPONSOR OF LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE THAT PASS TO GAVE US NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAPS.

THOSE MAPS ARE NOW IN PLACE IN LEE COUNTY AND IMPACT AT LEAST 100,000 REGISTERED VOTERS WHO IS IMPACTED BY THOSE.

AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT, HEY, MY IMPACTED BY THIS >> IN LEE COUNTY, WE HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED BY 2 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, A DISTRICT, 17 IN DISTRICT, 19.

THE LINE BETWEEN 19 AND 17 CHANGED IN AND THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE THIS SPRING AND HAS BEEN RECENTLY UPHELD AND BY THE COURTS BEEF.

BEFORE WE GO TO AS WE HEAD INTO THE ELECTION SEASON.

SO THAT LINE CHANGE SLIGHTLY AND IMPACTED ABOUT 109,000 VOTERS.

SO THERE'S 109,000 VOTERS IN LEE COUNTY THAT MIGHT HAVE SWITCHED FROM 17 TO 19 OR 19 TO 17.

WE SENT OUT IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

NEW VOTER INFORMATION CARDS TO EACH ONE OF THOSE IMPACTED VOTERS.

SO THAT CARD NOW INCLUDES YOUR CAN GET CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AGAIN.

EVERY VOTER CAN IT GET IF ANY VOTER HAS A QUESTION REGARDING WHAT DISTRICT THEY LIVE IN, THEY CAN GO ONLINE AND AGAIN, PULL UP THEIR PERSONALIZED SAMPLE BALLOT TO SEE WHAT ELECTIONS WILL BE ON THEIR BALLOT FOR THE AUGUST 18TH PRIMARY.

SO >> JUST FOR OUR AUDIENCE, HOW DO YOU ENSURE?

>> INTEGRITY OF THIS ELECTION PROCESS?

WHAT PROTOCOLS ARE THERE IN PLACE.

>> BUT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE PUT LAWS IN PLACE REGARDLESS OF.

>> OF WHAT COUNTY YOU'RE IN TO ENSURE THERE.

OUR CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT THERE'S INTEGRITY IN THE ELECTIONS BECAUSE WE WANT VOTERS TO TRUST THE PROCESS AND THEN THOSE THE GREATEST CHECK AND BALANCE THAT WE HAVE ELECTIONS IS WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED A KANSAS TEEN BOARD AND THAT CANVASSING BOARD OVERSEAS THE PROCESS MAKES THE FINAL DECISION ON ANY BALLOTS WHERE THERE MIGHT BE A QUESTION REGARDING SIGNATURE AND SO FORTH.

BUT THAT CANVASSING BOARD IS THERE TO ENSURE THAT.

THAT NOTHING IS HAPPENING THAT WOULD MAKE THE VOTERS NOT TRUST IN THE PROCESS.

BECAUSE MY FATHER WILL BE ON THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

AND I WILL BE ON THE GENERAL ELECTION.

I'VE CHOSEN TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM THE CAMPUS IN PORT.

IF YOU HAD ONE LAST MESSAGE TO GET OUT TO VOTERS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

>> PLEASE JUST.

>> REACH OUT TO HER OFFICE AND ASK US ANY QUESTIONS.

MY EMAIL IS SUPERVISOR AT LEE DOT VOTE.

I CHECK IT PERSONALLY.

I'M HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANYTHING BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY VOTER IN LEE COUNTY HAS THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO BE ELECTION READY BECAUSE LET'S HAVE A GREAT TURNOUT.

THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS YOUR VOICE AND OUR LOCAL STATE AND NATIONAL GOVERNANCE.

AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT RIGHT AND AS WE CELEBRATE AMERICA'S 200 50TH BIRTHDAY, I CAN'T THINK A GREATER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAN TO GET OUT AND EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

BUT IF YOU'RE NOT REGISTERED BY JULY 20TH, YOU WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

SO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE DEADLINES AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, REACH OUT HER OFF.

AND I THINK WE'VE TOUCHED ON IT AT LEAST 4 TIMES, JULY 20 JULY 20.

SO THERE'S NO EXCUSE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

JULY 2 IN HER, RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

JENNIFER PENSACOLA.

>> COMING UP, THERE ARE NOW MORE OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING YOURSELF IN THE SUN.

THE NEW SUNSCREEN CHEMICAL BECOMES THE FIRST TO BE APPROVED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IN MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS SIGNED THE STATE'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR.

THAT BEGAN JULY 1ST AS IN PAST YEARS, DESANTIS WAS NOT SHY ABOUT EXERCISING HIS VETO POWER.

HE CUT MORE THAN 1.6 BILLION DOLLARS THAT HAD BEEN APPROVED BY LAWMAKERS AND THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 800 MILLION DOLLARS IN LINE ITEM VETOES.

AND JOINING US NOW FOR A CLOSER LOOK IS WHEC HOST AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS AND JOHN, CAN YOU GIVE US SORT OF A BIRD'S EYE VIEW, AN OVERVIEW OF THIS BUDGET AND THE CUTS?

>> SURE.

SO DESANTIS SIGNED THE BUDGET IS 117.6 BILLION DOLLARS.

AND THIS CAME IN JUST UNDER THE WIRE.

HE STARTED LAST MONDAY, JUNE 29TH, WHICH WAS, YOU KNOW, JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE NEW FISCAL YEAR TOOK EFFECT LAST WEDNESDAY ON JULY.

1ST, THE BUDGET OVERALL IS SMALLER THAN THE BUDGET FOR THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

AND THIS IS ACTUALLY THE 4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

BUT DESANTIS HAS SIGNED A BUDGET THAT WAS SMALLER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

SO WE ARE SEEING THAT CONTINUED TREND OF RAINING AND TAXPAYER SPENDING, AT LEAST AT THE STATE LEVEL.

AND IT MAINTAINS DESANTIS SOME LAWMAKERS PRIORITIES IN TERMS OF SPENDING THAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT LIKE FUNDING FOR K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SAFETY, EVERGLADES RESTORATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS, TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT AS YOU MENTIONED, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF VETOES AS WELL.

DESANTIS VETOED A TOTAL OF 1.6 BILLION DOLLARS A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT.

ACTUALLY.

BUT THAT INCLUDES MORE THAN 800 MILLION DOLLARS IN LINE ITEM VETOES.

NOW THESE LINE ITEM VETOES ARE A MOSTLY THESE SORT OF SPECIAL PROJECTS.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT EVEN CALL THEM TURKEYS.

AND THESE ARE WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE ASKING MONEY FOR TO HELP FUND.

>> LOCAL PROJECTS.

HOW DID THE FUNDING REQUEST FROM LEE COUNTY FAIR DURING THIS PROCESS?

SO LEE COUNTY SPECIFICALLY WAS INTERESTING.

THE COUNTY DID RECEIVE $600,000 APPROVED FROM A $950,000 REQUEST.

>> AND THAT WAS FOR IMPROVEMENTS THAT MIKE GREENWELL REGIONAL PARK IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

THIS IS PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS THE LEE CIVIC CENTER AND RESIDENTS WHO HAVE LIVED HERE A WHILE CERTAINLY NOW IT'S AN OLDER BUILDING.

IT IT'S FACED A LOT OF ISSUES THAT THE BUILDINGS OF HIS AGE 10, 2.

SO THAT WAS CERTAINLY A BOON.

THE COUNTY WAS APPROVED FOR HALF OF THE MONEY THEY HAD REQUESTED FOR A PROJECT TO EXPAND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S THEY WERE APPROVED FOR 1.3 TO 5 MILLION DOLLARS.

THIS IS REALLY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE THIS MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE DOESN'T JUST SERVE LEE.

IT ALSO SERVES HENDRY AND GLADES COUNTIES AND THE CURRENT OFFICE HAS JUST SIMPLY OUTGROWN ITS DESIGNED CAPACITY.

IT JUST AMONG THE RAPID POPULATION GROWTH THAT WE'VE SEEN THEY'RE SEEING INCREASED DEMAND FOR DEATH INVESTIGATIONS.

AUTOPSIES, TOXICOLOGY AND FORENSIC SERVICES, EVEN EMERGENCY RESPONSE DURING HURRICANES AND OTHER EVENTS THAT UNFORTUNATELY LIKE WITH HURRICANE IAN, WE KNOW CAN BE MASS FATALITY INCIDENTS.

IT'S STILL JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET BECAUSE THIS IS OVERALL AN ESTIMATED 40 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO EXPAND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

SO THIS ISN'T GOING TO BRING THEM OVER THE FINISH LINE BY ANY MEANS, BUT IT WILL CERTAINLY HELP DESANTIS DID VETO MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION DOLLARS APPROVED BY LEGISLATORS FOR A PROGRAM CALLED PACE.

AND THIS IS IN VARIOUS COUNTIES THAT PROVIDE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY RESIDENTS TO ARM STILL LIVING INDEPENDENTLY, BUT DO REQUIRE SOME HELP TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

WHAT ABOUT ANY LOCAL PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT MYERS, SOUTH OF THE CITY OF FORT MYERS?

THEY RECEIVED HALF OF THE MONEY THAT THEY HAD ASKED FOR TO EXPAND THE CENTRAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

SO THEY GOT A 2 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS THERE.

AGAIN, NOT A VERY TOPIC, BUT WASTEWATER TREATMENT IS CERTAINLY IMPORTANT.

QUALITY CARE FOR IT.

THEY WERE.

THE CITY WAS ALSO APPROVED FOR A MILLION OF THE 2 MILLION DOLLARS THAT THEY REQUESTED FOR A SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION PROJECT.

THERE'S STILL SOME MIKE 500 PROPERTIES WITHIN CITY LIMITS THAT ARE ON SEPTIC.

AND AS YOU KNOW, FROM OUR REPORTING, SEPTIC TO SEWER SYSTEMS WHEN THEY BECOME FAULTY CAN CERTAINLY BECOME PROBLEMATIC FOR WATER QUALITY ON NUTRIENT POLLUTION THAT CAN FEED HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.

BUT AGAIN, THE OVERALL COST OF THAT SEPTIC TO SEWER CONVERSION PROJECT IS GOING TO ABOUT 22 MILLION.

SO THIS ISN'T A GAME CHANGER, BUT IT, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING HELPS.

ALSO THIS CITY'S 5 MILLION DOLLAR REQUEST TO HELP FUND THIS MIDTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECT WAS NOT APPROVED AT ALL.

SO THAT CERTAINLY UPSET CITY LEADERS.

ANOTHER BIG ONE, THOUGH, WAS THAT THE CITY OF FORT MYERS IS NOT GOING TO GET A $750,000 REQUEST THAT WOULD HELP BUILD A NEW FIRE STATION ALONG TREELINE ROAD.

THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE CITY'S FIRE BUDGET TOTAL IS AROUND.

36 MILLION DOLLARS.

AND 21 MILLION OF THAT COMES FROM PROPERTY TAX REVENUE.

THAT'S A BIG CHUNK OF WHERE THE FIRE BUDGET COMES FROM.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, JOHN DAVIS, THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE ON THE POLITICAL HAPPENINGS OCCURRING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND JON DAVIS IS REPORTING YOU CAN VISIT WGCU DOT ORG.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEBATES IN FLORIDA DURING THE SUMMER IS WHETHER THE ACA SHOULD STAY BLASTING THROUGHOUT THE DAY OR TURNED OFF WHEN YOU HEAD TO WORK.

ON ONE HAND, TURNING OFF THE AC WELL OUT IS AN ENERGY EFFICIENT COST SAVING METHOD, BUT OTHERS ARGUE LEAVING IT RUNNING PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM STRAINING AND KEEPS THE HOME COOL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY.

KIKI SAID HEIRESS OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS EXPLAINS HOW IT REALLY MATTERS WHERE YOU LIVE TO TAKE OUR FLORIDA HUMIDITY INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> OKAY.

LET'S SETTLE THIS DEBATE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

IS IT MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT TO TURN YOUR AIR CONDITIONING OFF WHEN YOU LEAVE OR KEEP IT RUNNING?

ALL THE EXPERTS TOLD US THAT THE SWEET SPOT IS USUALLY SETTING YOUR THERMOSTAT A FEW DEGREES HIGHER WHILE YOU'RE GONE.

NOT LAST IN COLD AIR ALL DAY, BUT OF COURSE, THAT DEPENDS ON A FEW FACTORS LIKE CLIMATE AC UNIT TYPE AND THE BILLS OF YOUR HOME TURNING IT OFF COMPLETELY FOR A FULL WORK DAY 10 SAVE ENERGY BY IN HUMID CLIMATES, LIKE FLORIDA AT RAISING THE THERMOSTAT IS SAFER AND SHUTTING IT OFF.

YOUR AC ALSO CONTROLS MOISTURE, WHICH HELPS PREVENT MOLD.

AND YOUR SYSTEM MATTERS TO WINDOW.

UNITS ARE HARDER TO SEAL AND USUALLY LESS EFFICIENT WHILE CENTRAL SYSTEMS DON'T HAVE TO WORK AS HARD.

START TO MISS THAT ARE THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT OPTION SINCE THEY CAN SENSE WHEN YOU'RE OUT OF THE HOUSE AND ADJUST AUTOMATICALLY.

SO HOW MUCH CAN YOU ACTUALLY SAVED BY NUDGING THE THERMOSTAT UP JUST A LITTLE TYPICAL NUMBER OF THE USE IS ONE DEGREE FAHRENHEIT ADJUSTMENT OR INCREASED IN THE FIRST AT THAT POINT.

>> YOU ABOUT A 3% SAVINGS AND YOUR COOLING COSTS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SAYS SETTING YOUR THERMOSTAT 7 TO 10 DEGREES HIGHER FOR 8 HOURS A DAY CAN CUT COOLING COSTS BY ABOUT 10% A YEAR.

AND YOU DON'T ALWAYS NEED A SEAT TO STAY COOL.

>> EXPERTS RECOMMEND OLD-SCHOOL FIXES CLOSE YOUR BLINDS NEWS, REFLECTIVE WINDOW FILM OR OPEN WINDOWS AT NIGHT IN DRY CLIMATES TO LET THE COOL AIR.

SO HERE'S THE TAKEAWAY.

IF YOU'RE OUT FOR THE DAY, SET YOUR THERMOSTAT HIGHER, YOU'LL USE LESS ENERGY, SAVE MONEY AND STILL COME HOME TO COMFORT.

>> WHEN YOU GO OUT IN THE SUN, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN.

APPLY SUNSCREEN AND SOON YOU MAY HAVE MORE OPTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 25 YEARS.

THE FDA HAS APPROVED A NEW INGREDIENT TO BE USED IN SUNSCREEN.

THE FDA SAYS THE CHEMICAL HELPS PROTECT FROM BOTH ULTRAVIOLET A AND B RAYS.

IT ALSO HAS LOW LEVELS OF SKIN ABSORPTION.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ROBERT F KENNEDY JUNIOR SAID THE CHEMICAL HAS QUOTE, BEEN USED SAFELY IN EUROPE FOR DECADES AND THE FDA'S ACTIONS WILL INCREASE COMPETITION AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS.

>> JOINING ME NOW FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP IS ALEXA FRIEDMAN.

>> SHE'S A SENIOR SCIENTIST WITH THE ORGANIZATION.

ALEXA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

FIRST OF ALL, LETS TALK ABOUT THIS NEW INGREDIENT THAT THE FDA HAS APPROVED FOR SUNSCREEN.

WHAT IS IT AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

THIS NEW INGREDIENT CALLED BEMOTRIZINOL OR BE EMPTY FOR SHORT HAS BEEN RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE FDA AND CATEGORIZED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE, EFFECTIVE.

THIS IS THE FIRST NON MINERAL FILTER THAT HAS GAINED THAT CLASSIFICATION.

AND THE FIRST UV FILTER BEING ADDED TO THE SUNSCREEN MARKET.

AND 25 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE ON THE SKIN?

SO TO BE APPROVED BY THE FDA, THE COMPANY THAT SUBMITTED THIS APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL HAD TO DO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TESTS.

SO THEY HAD TO LOOK AT AFTER BEING APPLIED TO THE SKIN.

DOESN'T CAUSE IRRITATION OR DOES IT LEAD TO ALLERGIC REACTIONS?

AND IN CLINICAL STUDIES ON HUMANS, THEY SHOWED THAT THERE IS NO SIGNS IRRITATION OR ALLERGIC REACTION, NOT ONLY AFTER ONE USE, BUT AFTER BEING USED IN SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW AND IN ADDITION WHEN IT'S APPLIED TO THE SKIN, IT DOES NOT READILY ABSORBED INTO THE BODY.

SO IT HAS VERY LITTLE DERMAL ABSORPTION.

>> NOW YOU MENTIONED IT'S BEEN ABOUT 25 YEARS SINCE THE FDA HAS APPROVED ANY INGREDIENTS LIKE THIS.

WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO GO THROUGH THIS REGULATORY PROCESS?

>> YEAH, THERE'S A COUPLE REASONS.

SO IN THE UNITED STATES SUNSCREENS ARE CLASSIFIED AS OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS.

THAT MEANS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS BEFORE CAN BE APPROVED.

THOSE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE GOOD THING.

WE WANT THE INGREDIENTS THAT WE USE IN IN PRODUCTS THAT WE SHOULD BE USING EVERY DAY TO HAVE SAFETY DATA ATTACHED.

BUT BECAUSE OF THIS SORT OF THRESHOLD FOR SAFETY, AS WELL AS SOME CUMBERSOME REGULATORY PROCESSES THAT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME.

WE'VE SEEN SOME SHIFTS IN THOSE REGULATORY PROCESS IS PARTICULARLY IN 2020 WHERE PROCESS OF DOING A DROPOUT LOCATION, THOSE OUTDATED RULES WERE MODERNIZED WHICH OPENED THE DOOR FOR THIS APPLICATION.

BUT FOR A LONG TIME OVER 20 YEARS, THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, THEN LOOKING FOR APPROVAL IN THE U.S.

AND IT NEEDED TO HAVE THAT SAFETY DID ATTACHED BEFORE.

COULD IT BEFORE IT COULD BE APPROVED?

>> IT ISN'T USED IN EUROPE AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

>> THIS INGREDIENT BEMOTRIZINOL HAS BEEN USED SUCCESSFULLY ON INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR 2 DECADES.

IT'S BEEN USED IN THE EU SINCE THE EARLY 2, THOUSANDS AND HAS SHOWN, YOU KNOW, NO CONCERNS.

ALSO SUCCESS AND FORMULATION IN TERMS OF ONES THAT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BROAD SPECTRUM PROTECTION.

SO THAT PROTECTION FROM BOTH THOSE UVB RAYS THAT CAUSE SUNBURN AND THOSE UVA RAYS, THE ONES THAT CAN TREAT DEEP INTO THE SKIN.

SO SEE WHAT 6 SIGNS OF SKIN AGING AND IMMUNE SUPPRESSION.

AND BOTH OF THESE UV RADIATION IN GENERAL INCREASES OUR RISK OF SUN SKIN CANCER.

>> SO IF WE WERE TO GO TO THE STORE TO STOCK UP ON SUNSCREEN, WHAT WOULD WE WANT TO LOOK FOR IF WE WANT TO BUY SOMETHING THAT HAS THIS PARTICULAR INGREDIENT?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE WHILE UNTIL WE SEE THIS IN GREAT IN THE MARKET WAS APPROVED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

YOU KNOW, IT CAN TAKE TIME TO FORMULATE.

I KNOW SOME BRANDS HAVE PROBABLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS FOR A LITTLE BIT.

HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE NEWS OR HAVE YOU KNOW, PRODUCTS AND OTHER COUNTRIES ALREADY.

SO WE MIGHT SEE THIS INGREDIENT ON THE MARKET AT THE END OF 2026.

MORE LIKELY IN 2027.

SO FOR NOW WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SUNSCREEN, AISLE ARE WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR SUNSCREEN PRODUCT.

MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO LOOK FOR SUNSCREEN THAT HAS BROAD SPECTRUM PROTECTION AND IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A 15 TO 50 SPF THOSE HIGH SPF NUMBERS CAN BE SOMEWHAT MISLEADING YOU KNOW, IT'S CONSUMERS HAVE SAID THAT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO REAPPLY WHEN THEY'RE USING A HIGH SPF, WHICH IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE.

AND YOU ALSO WANT TO STICK TO LOTIONS AND STEAK APPLICATIONS OF POSSIBLE THOSE SPRAYS, ALTHOUGH VERY CONVENIENT TIMES CAN LEAD TO AN AD THAT COVERAGE AND ALSO HAVE SOME CONCERNS FOR THE INGREDIENTS WHEN THEY'RE IN THERE THAT FORM BECAUSE YOU CAN INHALE THEM.

>> AND COULD YOU TOUCH ON AGAIN THE SAFETY OF THIS INGREDIENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN?

CAN IT BE USED IN BABIES?

>> YES, THIS INGREDIENT HAS BEEN IMPROVED FOR APPLICATION ON THE CHILDREN AND EVENTS AFTER 6 MONTHS OF AGE ALL THE WAY THROUGH ADULTS, THE SAFETY PROFILE FOR THIS INGREDIENT IS ONE OF THE MOST ROBUST SAFETY PROFILES FOR ANY UV FILTER THAT'S ON THE MARKET.

SO PRIOR TO ITS APPROVAL, THE ONLY OTHER 2 UV FILTERS IN THE U.S.

THAT HAD THAT CLASSIFICATION OF SAFE IN A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WERE ZINC OXIDE AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE.

THOSE ARE MINERAL FILTERS AND SOME FOLKS, YOU KNOW, PREFER NOT TO USE IS BECAUSE THEY CAN LEAVE A BIT OF A WHITE CAST.

BUT THIS NEW INGREDIENT THAT HAS SAFETY DATA THAT SHOWS IT'S NOT IRRITATING OR CAUSE OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

IT ALSO IS AN ASSOCIATE WITH TUMOR FORMATION IN ANIMALS OR ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL HARM.

SO THIS INGREDIENT CAN BE MIXED WITH ANY OF THE UV FILTERS ON THE MARKET, MEANING IT CAN BE MIXED WITH SOME OF THOSE OTHER MINERAL FILTERS OR THAN ON MINERAL FILTERS.

SO IT WILL GIVE CONSUMERS A LOT MORE OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO SUNSCREENS THAT PROVIDE BROAD SPECTRUM PROTECTION CONSUMERS CAN ALSO FEEL GOOD ABOUT BECAUSE IT HAS THAT SAFETY DUE TO ATTACHED.

ALEXA FRIEDMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

SENIOR SCIENTIST WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP.

>> HERE'S ANOTHER SUNSCREEN.

FACT FROM THE WGCU NEWSROOM.

THE FIRST MODERN SUN PROTECTION FORMULA WAS INVENTED BY SWISS CHEMIST FRANCE, GREATER IN 1946, HE DEVELOPED A SUNSCREEN.

HE CALLED GLACIER CREAM AFTER SUFFERING A SEVERE SUNBURN WHILE ON A MOUNTAIN FOR MORE HEALTH RELATED STORIES OR SUMMERTIME FEATURES.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WGCU DOT ORG.

AFTER THE BREAK WITH TEMPERATURES FEELING LIKE THEY'LL BE IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER FOR PARENTS ABOUT KEEPING YOUR KIDS SAFE IN THE CAR.

EVERY YEAR.

NEARLY 40 CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES DIE FROM HEAT STROKE AFTER BEING LEFT IN A CAR AND HUNDREDS MORE ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH SEVERE INJURIES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE NET NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

AS TEMPERATURES IN FLORIDA SURGE AND THE HEAT INDEX RISES INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE REPORTS SOME SUMMER SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS.

>> WITH SUMMER IN FULL SWING EXPERTS SAY IT'S A GOOD TIME TO REMIND PARENTS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF HOT CARS.

TEMPERATURES INSIDE A VEHICLE CAN CLIMB 20 DEGREES IN JUST 10 MINUTES.

AND CHILDREN ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO THE HEAT.

>> THE MAIN REASON IS THAT THEY JUST HAVE A LOWER SURFACE AREA AND ARE NOT ABLE TO DISSIPATE THE HEAT NEARLY AS MUCH AS AN ADULT.

BUT ALSO CHILDREN GET THEMSELVES IN SITUATIONS IN CARS WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO GET THEM OUT OF IT.

SO THEY'RE FEELING HOT.

THEY MAY JUST START FEELING SLEEPY INSTEAD OF SAYING I NEED TO GO GET THE CAR GOING, GET OUT.

>> DR.

JUNE ON THE SCENE WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC.

CHILDREN'S SAYS THE HEAT CAN QUICKLY OVERWHELM A CHILD'S BODY AND LEAD TO HEAT STROKE.

WITH THIS IN MIND, NEVER LEAVE THEM ALONE IN A VEHICLE.

EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE CRACKED.

ITS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR PARENTS TO ACCIDENTALLY FORGET THEIR CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE OUT DOING THEIR NORMAL ROUTINE.

THAT'S WHY DOCTOR WAS SUGGEST PUTTING SOMETHING LIKE YOUR CELL PHONE NEAR THEM.

AS A REMINDER, SHE ALSO RECOMMENDS ALSO LOCKING YOUR VEHICLE.

>> MANY PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT LOCKING THEIR CARS IN THEIR DRIVEWAYS BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE IT'S IN MY DRIVEWAY.

IT'S FINE.

BUT KIDS ARE CURIOUS AND IT COULD BE A NEIGHBOR KID THAT'S GOING TO COME OVER OPEN UP THAT CAR DOOR AND GET IN THERE AND THEN PANIC NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

>> IF SOMEONE ELSE IS DRIVING YOUR CHILD, DR WAS SAYS TO CHECK IN WITH THEM OR ASK THEM TO CALL ONCE THEY ARRIVE SAFELY.

WGCU NEWS TEDDY BYRNE >> AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO MAKE SURE YOU HAD TO WGCU DOT ORG OR YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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

IN FOCUS.