THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE RACE TO BECOME FLORIDA'S NEXT GOVERNOR TAKES AN INTERESTING TURN AS DEMOCRAT DAVID JOLLY GAINS GROUND REPUBLICAN BYRON DONALDS SCRUB SOME REFERENCES TO PRESIDENT TRUMP ON HIS CAMPAIGN WEBSITE.

EX CONVICTS WHO HAVE SPENT YEARS IN PRISON ARE NOW EARNING BACK THEIR RIGHT TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

WE'RE FINDING OUT ABOUT THE PROGRAM, RAISING AWARENESS FOR THESE PEOPLE TO RECLAIM THEIR VOTING RIGHTS.

AND EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO PRESERVE AN AMISH TRADITION AS YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE SHYING AWAY FROM QUILTING, EXPERIENCED CRASS WOMEN ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ART FORM.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WITH THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION 5 WEEKS AWAY.

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS HEATING UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE RACE FOR FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR.

JOINING ME NOW FOR A LOOK AT THE LATEST IS WGCU HOSTS AND REPORTER JOHN DAVIS, AND JOHN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BYRON DONALDS RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW CAMPAIGN WEB SITE.

AND IN THAT WEB SITE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE REFERENCES TO PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT ARE NO LONGER THERE WAS GOING ON WITH THIS.

>> RIGHT.

SO THE DONALDS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED THIS NEW WEBSITE LAST TUESDAY AND IT DID RAISE EYEBROWS BECAUSE MOST OF THE REFERENCES TO PRESIDENT TRUMP THAT HAD BEEN ON THE SITE WERE REMOVED.

NOW THE DONALDS CAMPAIGN SAYS THAT THIS HAS BEEN PART OF THEIR STRATEGY FOR A LONG TIME.

BAY HAVE BEEN LOOKING TO SHIFT THE WEBSITE, FOCUS MORE TOWARDS PRIORITY ISSUES AFTER THE PRIMARIES.

BUT THEY'VE UNDERSTANDABLY BEEN VERY AS A CAMPAIGNING ACROSS THE STATE AND IT TOOK LONGER THAN THEY INTENDED TO.

BUT NO, THEY'RE SAYING THIS IS NOT ABOUT BYRON DONALDS TRYING TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THE PRESIDENT NECESSARILY.

BUT AGAIN, IT AGAIN, IT'S RAISING EYEBROWS BECAUSE OF TRUMP'S HISTORICALLY LOW APPROVAL RATINGS, YOU KNOW, AT OR BELOW 30%, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LOOK AND, YOU KNOW, JUST AGAIN, AT THE SAME TIME, DONALD SAYS THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

AND HE AND TRUMP HAVE BOTH JUST SAID FOR, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A FAKE NEWS STORY.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE DONALDS CAMPAIGN SO LAST SATURDAY TRUMP CONDEMNED, YOU KNOW, THE MEDIA REPORTS THAT HAD COME OUT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HIS NAME BEING TAKEN FROM DONALDS CAMPAIGN WEBSITE AND TOUTING UPCOMING RALLIES.

HE'S GOING TO BE HAVING IN FLORIDA AIMED AT HELPING DONALD AIMED AT HELPING THE REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATE CANDIDATE ASHLEY MOODY.

OTHER REPUBLICANS RUNNING AND HE'S ALSO ACTUALLY USE THIS AS FURTHER JUSTIFICATION FOR HIS RECENT EFFORTS TO BAR SPECIFIC NEWS ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE DONALD HAS ALSO DOUBLED DOWN.

HE TOLD REPORTERS ON MIAMI BEACH LAST SATURDAY THAT, OF COURSE HE'S GOING TO BE CAMPAIGNING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP WHEN HE COMES TO THE STATE AND ACTUALLY, JD VANCE IS GOING TO BE HOLDING A RALLY IN LAKELAND ON THURSDAY.

THAT'S GOING TO BE IN SUPPORT OF, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT IN FLORIDA IN GENERAL.

AND THEN ON FRIDAY THERE'S GOING TO BE A TRUMP RALLY AND MOBILE, ALABAMA, THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE SAYS THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AND ALABAMA THAT, YOU KNOW, IT COULD REACH VOTERS ON THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

SO THEY'RE CONSIDERING THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY HELP DONALD'S AS WELL.

>> AND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, DAVID JOLLY.

>> SO DAVID JOLLY RECENTLY ON ON FRIDAY, IME DOES PITCH TO THE TAMPA BAY TIGER BAY CLUB.

BUT INTERESTINGLY AFTER THAT EVENT, HE WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AND REALLY KIND OF CALLED OUT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE SAYING THAT WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT, HE COULD LOSE THIS RACE.

HE REALLY WANTS DEMOCRATS, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON A NATIONAL LEVEL TO SORT OF TAKE RACES IN FLORIDA OR SERIOUSLY PUT MORE EFFORT INTO THEM AND MAYBE REALIZE THAT THEY ARE MORE COMPETITIVE THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN RECENT YEARS PAST AND LATEST FINANCIAL REPORTS SHOW DONALD HAS RAISED MORE THAN 7 TIMES MORE THAN JOLLY.

SO, YEAH, YOU COULD CERTAINLY USE AT LEAST SOME FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> NOW, WE HAVE TALKED RECENTLY ABOUT THE FACT THAT FOR THE STATEWIDE OFFICES, THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO DEBATE THAT ARE SCHEDULED.

I KNOW WGCU IS WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO TRY TO PROVIDE A FORUM IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON THIS?

>> YEAH.

SO AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REPUBLICAN JAMES UTHMEIER HAS NOT AGREED TO WORK FOR HIM EITHER.

ALONE OR WITH HIS DEMOCRATIC OPPONENT, JOSE JAVIER RODRIGUEZ.

BUT RODRIGUEZ SAYS HE WAS ON BOARD WITH WHATEVER.

SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH A NONPARTISAN NONPROFIT FLORIDIANS FOR DEMOCRACY, TOO.

DO AN EVENT LIKE THAT.

WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD ON OCTOBER 9TH AND WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THAT EVENT JUST WITH THE DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE JOSE JAVIER RODRIGUEZ, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE FROM 07:00PM TO 08:00PM THE FRIDAY AFTER NEXT OCTOBER 9TH.

I'LL BE MODERATING THAT.

AND JUST ON THE OFF CHANCE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR ANYBODY FROM HIS CAMPAIGN HAPPENS TO CATCH THIS CONVERSATION, OUR INVITATION REMAINS OPEN.

WE WOULD LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, JOHN DAVIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE UPDATE.

>> AS THE CLOCK COUNTS DOWN TO THE MIDTERMS.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE KEEPING UP WITH ALL THE POLITICAL HAPPENINGS BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, RESTORING THE VOTING RIGHTS FOR FELONS WHO SERVED THEIR TIME.

THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS HELPING RETURNING CITIZENS GET BACK TO THE POLLS.

IN 2018, FLORIDA VOTERS PASSED AMENDMENT 4 RESTORING VOTING RIGHTS TO MOST PEOPLE WITH PAST FELONY CONVICTIONS WHO HAD COMPLETED ALL TERMS OF THEIR SENTENCE AS THE MIDTERMS APPROACH.

WTC'S KERRY BARBER LOOKED INTO HOW PEOPLE CAN BE SURE THEY CAN EXERCISE THAT RIGHT >> LET'S WITH SINGER WAS OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE, BUT IT JUST NEVER CARED TO BEFORE HE WENT TO PRISON.

>> IT WAS CHARGED WITH A DUI MANSLAUGHTER IN 2003, IT WAS AT A BASEBALL GAME, HAD A COUPLE DRINKS.

IT'S A GAME SHOW HOME WITH MY FRIEND IN THE CAR.

WRECKED A CAR AND KILLED MY FRIEND.

I WAS IN THE DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM FOR THE AIR FORCE THAT WAS EVEN LIVING IN FLORIDA AT THE TIME I CAME HERE TO SPEND TIME WITH MY PARENTS BEFORE I WENT TO BOOT CAMP.

AND THE AND SO I WASN'T OUT, YOU KNOW, RUN IN THE STREETS AND DOING THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN IN TROUBLE AS BEING ALL AMERICAN KID.

A BASEBALL GAME JUST MADE A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE DECISION.

AND AND HAD THE TO PAY THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT.

AND SO GOING TO PRISON ALMOST I WAS STILL AT THE DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS JAIL.

I STARTED TO DO MY PAPERWORK TO BE ABLE TO GET MY RIGHTS RESTORED BECAUSE I KNEW HOW IMPORTANT THAT WAS.

>> WITH SINGER WAS RELEASED IN 2011 AMENDMENT 4 PASSED IN 2018.

GRANTING THE VOTE TO FELONS WHO HAD SERVED THEIR TIME HAVEN'T BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDER OR OFFENSE AND HAD PAID ALL THEIR FINES AND FEES BY THEN WITH SINGER WAS ENTHUSIASTICALLY READY TO VOTE.

>> IN 2020, I WAS ABLE TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

SO A GROUP OF ABOUT 60 OF US MET AT THE MOUNT OLIVE CHURCH AND WE ALL HAD SIGNS AND THIS IS 2020, SO IS COVID.

SO WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AS IT WAS ANYWAYS.

AND WE MARCHED DOWN THE STREET AND WENT TO THE KERRY, THE ROBINSON CENTER IN FORT MYERS AND GOT THE VOTE.

THERE'S ABOUT 10 OF US THAT VOTED THAT DAY.

AND WHEN I WENT INTO VO, I CAME OUT TO A CROWD OF PEOPLE THAT WERE CHEERING AND ALL EXCITED.

AND I'VE TOLD PEOPLE I WISH EVERYONE HAD THE ABILITY TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF FANFARE FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY VOTE BECAUSE IT WOULD SHOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE ABLE TO USE YOUR VOICE LIKE THAT.

FOR US, YOU KNOW, HAVING MY VOICE TAKEN FROM ME AND HAVE IT RESTORED AND THAT TYPE OF SITUATION WAS JUST ALMOST OVERWHELMING.

IT WAS SO EXCITING TO GO THROUGH THAT.

>> EVENTUALLY HE WENT TO WORK FOR THE FLORIDA RIGHTS RESTORATION COALITION 501, C 3.

THAT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT 4 AND CONTINUES TO WORK FOR THE RIGHTS OF FORMER FELONS OR RETURNING CITIZENS AS MANY PREFER TO CALL THEMSELVES.

>> I KEPT THINKING I WAS LIKE THAT'S NEVER GOING TO CHANGE.

THERE'S NOBODY OUT THERE DOING THAT WORK.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO WAY THAT CARES ABOUT US BEING IN THE SYSTEM AND NOW HERE I AM ACTUALLY THAT PERSON THAT I DIDN'T BELIEVE EXISTED.

SO IT'S KIND OF FULL CIRCLE.

AND IN AS I CAME HOME, I SAW HOW HARD IT WAS LIKE.

I STILL HAVE A HARD TIME.

I CAN'T RENT AN APARTMENT BECAUSE I HAVE A FELONY.

THERE ARE CERTAIN JOBS THAT I CAN'T DO IT BECAUSE OF A FELONY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT MY CHARGES.

IT'S JUST THE FACT THAT I HAVE THE THAT'S TODAY.

>> TODAY HE'S ON HIS SECOND TOUR WITH THE FLORIDA RIGHTS RESTORATION COALITION NOW SERVING AS CAMPAIGN MANAGER.

HE HELPS HIS FELLOW RETURNING CITIZENS GET THEIR VOTING RIGHTS BACK AND HE KNOWS THE PATH THEY SHOULD TAKE.

>> SO THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS CHECK WITH THEIR CLERK OF COURTS AND SEE IF YOU DO OWN ANY FINES AND FEES YOU CAN CALL OUR HOTLINE AND THEY CAN ALSO HELP.

LOOK SOME OF THAT STUFF UP.

WE CAN ALSO ADD ADVISORY OPINIONS THAT ARE WRITTEN SO THAT MAYBE IF YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR FINES AND FEES, YOU CAN DO SOME COMMUNITY SERVICE.

>> WITH SINGER SAYS HE HASN'T MISSED AN ELECTION SINCE THAT FIRST ONE IN 2020 AND HIS FAVORITE PART OF THE PROCESS IS KNOWING THAT HIS OPINION MATTERS.

>> FEELING LIKE I HAVE A VOICE, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T VOTE BECAUSE THEY THINK IT DOESN'T MATTER UNTIL YOU HAVE THAT TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU.

AND YOU REALIZE JUST HOW IMPORTANT THAT ACTUALLY IS.

>> WITH VIDEOGRAPHY AND IN SCORE WITH THE MORE I'M CARY BARBOR FOR WGCU NEWS.

>> ONE OF THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED RACES THIS ELECTION YEAR IS FOR A SEAT ON THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IN DISTRICT 4, WHICH INCLUDES PART OF FORT MYERS, NORTH FORT MYERS AND EASTERN CAPE CORAL INCUMBENT DEBBIE JORDAN IS FACING OFF AGAINST TONY BOOKER.

MIKE WALCHER, FROM WGCU IS HERE WITH A PREVIEW OF THE RACE?

THANKS FOR JOINING YOU'RE QUITE WELCOME.

>> DEPUTE JORDAN HAS BEEN ON THE BOARD FOR ALMOST 2 CHARMS JUST UNDER 8 YEARS.

AND BOOKER IS A BUSINESSMAN IS RUNNING FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE.

WELL, LISTEN TO MOST OF THE TALKING FIRST ANSWERING THE QUESTION.

WHY RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD?

>> AND WE'LL START WAS INCUMBENT JORDAN TO ME.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED, WHETHER THAT IS IN PATHWAYS REGARDING COLLEGE OR PATHWAYS INTO OUR TRADES.

>> WE'VE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD PROGRESS IN TERMS OF OUR GRADUATION RATES AND SOME OF THE OTHER MEASURES THAT THE YOU KNOW, WHETHER SAYS STATE TESTING THE IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOLS.

AND AND, YOU KNOW, THEIR OWN SCHOOL LETTER GRADES.

BUT THAT PROGRESS, IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE AT THE FINISH LINE.

WE STILL HAVE READING LEVELS THAT NEED TO IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY.

DEBBIE JORDAN IS RETIRED AFTER DECADES HELPING NONPROFIT AGENCIES.

>> RECENTLY SHE VOTED AGAINST THE SCHOOL BUDGET FOR THE COMING YEAR.

>> WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE AMOUNT OF CUTS THAT WERE BEING MADE AND I'M SEEING THAT MOST OF IT IS COMING FROM OUR INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF VERSUS THE DISTRIC.

>> I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT TONY BOOKER MANAGES INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAINS.

AND SO I FEEL LIKE I CAN APPLY SOME OF THAT BUSINESS EXPERTISE TO HELP WITH A CONSTRAINED BUDGET.

BOOKER SAYS HIS TIME IN THE LEESCHOOLS YEARS AGO.

>> SET THEM UP FOR COLLEGE AND A SUCCESSFUL CAREER >> NOW THE CHAMPIONS VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR SOME STUDENTS.

>> BUT THE CHALLENGE I THINK COMES IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO BOTH OUR KIDS AND THE PARENTS AND A TIMELY ENOUGH FASHION TO WHERE THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM.

>> JORDAN AGREES VO TECH IS IMPORTANT, BUT SHE ALSO WANTS PARENTS TO GET INVOLVED IN A CHILD'S SCHOOLING.

>> CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS AND FAMILIES ARE ENGAGED WITH THEM IN THE PROCESS OF THEIR EDUCATION.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO DO MUCH BETTER.

JORDAN NOTES THAT BOOKER'S ENDORSED BY SOME CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT.

SHE FEELS SHE'S RUNNING AGAINST A BLOCK THAT COULD DOMINATE THE BOARD.

AND YES, I AM RUNNING AGAINST THE MACHINE.

I WOULD.

I WOULD SAY THEIR MACHINE.

>> AND >> WHEN I LOOK AT IT, I AM PROBABLY THE MOST CONSERVATIVE PERSON ON THAT BOARD BECAUSE WHEN IT COMES TO DOLLARS AND CENTS, I AM NOT WILLING TO JUST SPEND MONEY JUST TO SPEND MONEY.

>> BOOKER SAYS IF ELECTED HE WILL MAKE UP HIS OWN MIND ON THE ISSUES AND NOT JUST FOLLOW THE LEADER.

>> I'M GOING TO BE MAKING DECISIONS BASED OFF OF MY LIFE EXPERIENCE BASED OFF OF WHAT I'M HEARING FROM EVERYONE ELSE IN THE DISTRICT AND BASED OFF OF WHAT IS TRULY BEST FOR OUR KIDS.

>> FROM DEEP IN YOUR HEART, WHY SHOULD SOMEONE GO FOR YOU RATHER THAN YOUR OPPONENT?

>> WELL, ONE I'VE BEEN THERE.

>> I LEARNED A LOT AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PRESENT.

I'VE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.

NOT JUST AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, BUT ALSO AT THE AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL.

>> FROM YOUR HEART, TELL US WHY YOU'RE RUNNING AND WHY SOMEONE SHOULD VOTE FOR YOU RATHER THAN YOUR OPPONENT GROWING UP.

I BOUNCED AROUND A LOT BETWEEN MY 2 PARENTS.

I I WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THAT CHILDHOOD IF IT WEREN'T FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

THERE'S A LOT OF KIDS IN OUR DISTRICT THAT WERE JUST LIKE ME, LOOK, JUST LIKE I WAS GROWING UP AND THEY NEED SOMEONE.

THEY NEED PEOPLE TO COME ALONGSIDE OF THEM.

AND TO SHOW THEM THAT THEY HAVE A FUTURE AND THEY CAN MAKE OPPORTUNITIES HAPPEN.

>> MY COUNTER THESE CANDIDATES DO IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

>> WELL, JORDAN CAME IN FIRST.

SHE HAD 35% OF THE VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.

BOOKER WAS SECOND 28%.

BUT THE PERSONAL CAME IN 3RD WITH ABOUT 15% HAS ASKED HER SUPPORTERS THE VOTE FOR BOOKER.

WELL, THERE'S NO WAY TO TELL HOW MANY OF THEM HEARD THAT ADVICE OR WILL ACTUALLY FOLLOW IT.

BUT AT LEAST SHE MADE THAT REQUEST.

>> AND WHAT DOES THEIR FUNDING LOOK LIKE?

>> OQUIRRH IS HAS GOT A PRETTY BIG EDGE THERE.

AND HE HAS RAISED $83,000 SO FAR.

HE'S SPENT 60,000 OF THAT JORDAN.

32,000 RAISED AND SHE HAS SPENT 18,000 SHOW.

A BIG GAP THERE.

BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS TELL I MEAN, MANY TIMES MONEY WILL BE A DECIDING FACTOR, BUT NOT EVERY TIME FOR THEY WILL BE MOST INTERESTING COME ELECTION NIGHT.

>> ALRIGHT, THANK YOU, MIKE WALCHER.

>> FROM SCHOOL BOARD RACES TO WHO WILL BE FLORIDA'S NEXT GOVERNOR.

FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE OF THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS BY STAYING UP TO DATE AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO WGCU DOT ORG.

>> THIS IS LIKE SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO REDUCE SCREEN TIME IN SCHOOL AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF HOMEWORK THAT IS GIVEN ON SCREENS.

SO I FEEL LIKE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AS FAR AS EDUCATORS, PARENTS, PHYSICIANS AND REALIZING THAT WE KIND OF SWUNG TOO FAR IN ONE DIRECTION.

>> CHILDREN ARE GROWING UP WITH PHONES, TABLETS AND LAPTOPS TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE VERY COMMON EVERYDAY TO HAVE IN SCHOOLS.

BUT WHEN CAN PARENTS KNOW IF IT'S GETTING TO BE TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME PEDIATRICIAN WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DOCTOR GINA ROBINSON SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE REGARDING SCREEN TIME WHEN IT COMES TO HOMEWORK.

BUT EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED RECREATIONAL.

SHE RECOMMENDS LESS THAN 2 HOURS A DAY AND NO MORE THAN 30 MINUTES AT A TIME.

THE FOCUS CAN THEN TURN TO OFFLINE ACTIVITIES LIKE BIKE RIDING OR READING A BOOK.

DR.

ROBINSON SAYS RESEARCH SHOWS THE HARM OF TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME.

>> INDEFINITELY TO PACK BEHAVIOR CAN IMPACT ATTENTION SPAN.

IT CAN LEAD TO FEELINGS OF ISOLATION THAT CAN INCREASE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

SO IT DEFINITELY HAS A STRONG IMPACT.

SO WE WANT TO AVOID.

LUCKILY, THEY'RE NOT IRREVERSIBLE.

>> IT'S ALSO RECOMMENDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO LIMIT SCREEN USE BEFORE GOING TO BED SINCE THAT CAN MAKE IT MUCH HARDER TO FALL ASLEEP THE PRESSURE OF PERFORMING WELL IN SCHOOL OR IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LIKE SPORTS CAN CERTAINLY TAKE A TOLL ON CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AS WGCUS TEDDY BYRNE LEARNED SOMETIMES EXPERTS SAY THE BEST WAY TO HELP A CHILD THROUGH THESE EMOTIONAL TIMES IS TO CALL IN SICK >> EVERY SCHOOL YEAR, CHILDREN EVENTUALLY NEED TO TAKE A SICK DAY.

BUT WHAT ABOUT A MENTAL HEALTH DAY?

>> MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH AND WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO TAKE CHILDREN'S EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING SERIOUSLY FIRST AND FOREMOST AND MENTAL HEALTH DAYS IN GENERAL.

I CAN BE USED EFFECTIVELY THERE AND THEY ARE NEW.

LOTS, THOUGH.

>> DOCTOR EMILY MUDD IS A PSYCHOLOGIST FOR CLEVELAND CLINIC, CHILDREN'S.

SHE SAYS AN APPROPRIATE TIME FOR YOUR CHILD.

TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

IS IT?

THEY'RE FEELING EXPECIALLY OVERWHELMED FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAVE A LOT GOING ON WITH SCHOOL AND ARE DEALING WITH SOME FAMILY ISSUES, TOO.

DR.

MUD SAYS YOUR CHILD SHOULDN'T SPEND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH DAY JUST LAYING AROUND WATCHING TV OR SCROLLING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

INSTEAD, SHE SUGGESTS SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH THEM TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE FEELING AND DO SOMETHING THAT HELPS BRING THEM JOY.

THE GOAL IS FOR THEM TO FEEL RESTED AND RECHARGED.

>> WHERE IT KIND OF BECOMES NUANCED IS WE KNOW THAT FOR SIGNIFICANT ANXIETY OR FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE TROUBLE GOING TO SCHOOL OR WHO ARE AVOIDANT OF SCHOOL?

TAKING A MENTAL HEALTH DAY OR REPEATED MENTAL HOT.

THESE CAN ACTUALLY IMPAIR THEIR FUNCTIONING AND AND WE KNOW THAT CAN INCREASE ANXIETY.

SO IT'S NUANCED AND KNOWING WHAT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE FOR YOUR CHILD, SPECIFICALLY >> DR MUD SAYS IF YOUR CHILD IS REPEATEDLY ASKING, STAY HOME OR MAKING UP REASONS WHY THEY CAN'T GO THAT MERITS A DEEPER CONVERSATION.

YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO CONSULT A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL FOR WGCU NEWS, IM TEDDY BYRNE.

>> HERE IS ANOTHER MENTAL HEALTH FACT FROM THE NEWSROOM.

ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OVER 400,000 CHILDREN REPORT DEALING WITH DIAGNOSED, EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES.

ROUGHLY 34% OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS REPORT FEELING SAD OR HOPELESS FOR 2 OR MORE WEEKS IN A ROW TO THE POINT OF STOPPING THEIR NORMAL ACTIVITIES FOR MORE STORIES REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WGC.

YOU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE QUEST TO KEEP A GENERATIONAL TRADITION ALIVE.

HOW ONE COMMUNITY IS MAINTAINING AN OLD WORLD MENTALITY TO PRESERVE THEIR CULTURE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SAY IT'S A LOST ART AND IT TRULY DOES BECOME A LOST ART.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE SHOWS US AN EXAMPLE THAT'S LASTED FOR GENERATIONS AND HOW IT JUST MAY BE COMING TO AN END.

>> EVERY THURSDAY, A TROLLEY PULLS UP OUTSIDE ALMOST TO SCHOOL SHOPPING.

SARASOTA, A FEW DOZEN TOURISTS AND THEIR CAMERA PHONES.

THEY'VE COME TO SEE SOMETHING RARE.

AMISH AND MENNONITE WOMEN.

HE AND QUILTING.

HERE'S WHAT THE TOURIST DO NOT KNOW.

THE DAUGHTERS OF THESE WOMEN PROBABLY WILL NOT DO THIS.

AND MOST OF THEIR GRANDDAUGHTERS ARE INTERESTED EITHER.

SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE LAST GENERATION FINISHES ITS FINAL QUOTES?

THERE AREN'T NEARLY AS MANY PEOPLE.

IN INTERESTED IN DOING.

WHAT WE DO.

THE YOUNGER KIDS.

THEY'RE MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT?

I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT JOSIE IS A DECISION.

WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY 80'S.

THEY WOULD RATHER THE WORK AND HAVE A JOB BEFORE PHONES EVEN BEFORE CARS.

>> QUILTING WAS HOW ISOLATED FARM WOMEN.

SO ONE ANOTHER.

IT WAS COMMUNITY AND THERAPY ROLLED INTO ONE.

>> IT'S TIME TO GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND PEOPLE COME IN HERE.

WE CAN VISIT THAT.

GETS US OUT OF THE HOUSE.

>> LA TOYA NEVER WANTED TO RUN A CLOTHES SHOP.

SHE HAD A BUSINESS DEGREE AND A DIFFERENT LIFE PLANNED.

>> MY MOM AND DAD WERE SNOWBIRDS AND MY IT WAS A SNOWBIRD IT.

I SAID YOU NEED SOMETHING TO DO OPEN.

LITTLE HOOK SHOT FOR YOU INTENDING TO BE JUST A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD GO AND STITCHED SQUATS WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

I DIDN'T INTEND TO REALLY BE A RETAIL STORE TO BE A FABRIC STORE.

WE WERE JUST GOING TO KEEP THEM BUSY.

>> THE INTEREST FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD GREW FAST.

PUT A SIGN UP DOWN AT THE PINE CRAFT.

>> AND SAID ANY LADY THAT WANTS TO?

DO SOME HAND QUOTING.

AND THEN I PAY THEM A LITTLE BIT.

NEXT THING I KNEW I HAD PEOPLE THAT CAME UP CITIES AND STATES WITH MY MOM AND MY AUNT.

AND THAT'S HOW IT ALL STARTED.

>> THE SHOT BECAME A GATHERING PLACE.

THEN CAME A TURNING POINT.

THEN MY MOM DIED.

>> AND THEN MY AUNT DIED.

AND HERE WE HAD, THIS COULD SHOP IF THIS TRADITION WAS SO VALUABLE.

>> WHY ISN'T A YOUNGER GENERATION TAKING PART WHEN WE SEE 2 OF THE QUILTERS ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTER'S, YOU COULD SEE IT ON THEIR FACES.

THIS WAS THE QUESTION THEY DID NOT WANT TO ANSWER.

MY DAUGHTER'S NEVER CARED FOR IT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORRY IF THEY DON'T TAKE AN INTEREST IN, IT WILL HAPPEN.

SOMETHING USEFUL ALIGNED NO.

DOES BOTHER ME AT ALL.

NO.

I MEAN, YOU CAN FOR SOMETHING ON HIM AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO THAT AND WE DID TOO.

>> I I WHEN THEY GET OLDER THERE, BUT WHAT TO DO THIS.

>> YOU THINK THEY'LL GROW INTO?

I THINK SO.

UP.

YES.

I HOPE THEY DO.

MAYBE THEY'RE RIGHT.

>> REGIONAL BURKE HOLDERS, 28 FROM SUGARCREEK, OHIO AND 3 GENERATIONS OF WOMEN IN HER FAMILY HAVE QUILTED.

WELL, MOM USED TO PUT A BUILDING IN THAT HOME AND WE'D LIKE TO HELP HER.

>> SO I DON'T KNOW IN MY TEENS PROBABLY IS WHEN IT STARTED.

>> HE TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> HER GRANDMOTHER CAN'T ANYMORE.

SHE SIC AND BACK HOME.

MY GRANDMA USED TO COME END QUOTE.

>> DID THAT FOR MANY YEARS.

AND >> SHE CALLED IT A LOT.

AND IT WAS AN INCOME FOR HER.

SO SHE COULD BE DOWN HERE FOR THE WINTER.

>> TOY KNOWS BIRD.

>> COLDER IS THE EXCEPTION.

>> WHERE IS THAT?

THE OLD GUARD AND THOSE LADIES LIKE MY MOTHER AND MY AUNT THAT WERE RAISED IN ERROR WHERE THEY HAD TO DO THIS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE BLANKETS FOR THEIR FAMILY.

>> WHEN THE LAST GENERATION OF CULTURES IS GONE, THE TRADITION CHANGES.

>> IT'S REALLY AN ART FORM AT THIS POINT.

IT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO.

SOMETHING HEALTHY.

IT DID STILLS PATIENTS JUST THE COMPANIONSHIP.

>> AS MOSTLY WHAT I ENJOY ABOUT IT.

I WOULDN'T ENJOY DOING IT BY MYSELF.

SO, YEAH, I I COME IN HERE MOSTLY FOR THE COMES.

>> FOR NOW, THE TOURISTS KEEP COMING IN.

THE WOMEN KEEP QUILTING.

BUT IN THE DECADES TO COME, THE FRAMES MAY BE PUT AWAY.

WHAT WILL REMAIN ARE THE QUILTS AND THE YOUTUBE TUTORIALS LEFT BEHIND.

FOR WGCU NEWS, I'M ELIZABETH ANDARGE.

>> A 6 YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL FROM CHINA HAS MASTERED A SKILL.

FEW ADULTS POSSESS AROUND THE WORLD.

LIANE YOUNG G FROM CHENGDU.

A BROKE THE WOMEN'S WORLD RECORD FOR SOLVING THE RUBIK'S CUBE CONSISTENTLY WITH AN AVERAGE TIME OF JUST 4.5, 2 SECONDS HAD A RECENT COMPETITION.

A FEW DAYS LATER, SHE BROKE HER OWN RECORD WITH AN EVEN FASTER TIME.

4 POINT 2, 7 SECONDS.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

THE RECORDS WERE BOTH SET.

A WORLD CUBE ASSOCIATION CERTIFIED COMPETITION HELD IN CENTRAL CHINA.

COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, BUILDING A SOLAR REVOLUTION ON THE SHORES OF SANIBEL ISLAND.

THE COMMUNITY EFFORT THAT IS LOOKING TO HARVEST THE SUN TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCE THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU WILL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES ARE WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.