THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA AND FOCUSED COMING UP.

AMENDMENT 3 IS A HOTLY DEBATED ISSUE AS THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS DRAW CLOSER THE BILL WOULD INCREASE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS AND THAT WOULD LOWER SOME PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT THERE'S A SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SHERIFF WARNING IT COULD FORCE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO CUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

WE'LL TALK WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THAT PERSPECTIVE ABOUT AMENDMENT 3.

>> I'M WORRIED THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE WILL GET IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HEART.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED IN.

>> NO KINGS DAY PROTESTS DREW FLORIDIANS FROM EVERY COUNTY, INCLUDING HUNDREDS IN LEE COUNTY AND IN FORT MYERS.

WE'RE DIVING INTO POLITICAL POINTS MADE BY PROTESTERS AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT INFLATION, GOVERNMENT MISTRUST AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CASTING A BALLOT.

AND A FIRST OF ITS KIND FLU VACCINE IS HITTING PHARMACIES.

VACCINE USES M RNA.

TECHNOLOGY.

>> MOST OF THE VACCINES THAT ARE INVOLVED AND THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET HAVE LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE'VE 9.47 TO USE WHEN WE MAKE INFLUENZA VIRUSES IN CHICKEN EGGS >> RESEARCHERS AT JOHNS HOPKINS SAY IT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO FORMULATE OF FLU VACCINE THAT'S EVER BEEN DISCOVERED.

HELLO, EVERYONE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US ON MIKE WATER.

3 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS ARE ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER, BUT ONE IS GETTING A LOT OF SPECIAL ATTENTION FOR THE PROMISE OF LOWERING PROPERTY TAXES.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THOUGH, FROM MARION TO MANATEE COUNTIES AND FROM CHARLOTTE TO COLLIER ARE CAUTIONING THAT THE BILL COULD CAUTIONING THAT THE BILL COULD HAVE SERIOUS IMPACTS ON FUNDING FOR FIRE STATIONS.

POLICE AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

PUBLIC WITH MORE ON THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF AMENDMENT 3.

I'M JOINED BY SHERIFF BILL PRUMMELL OF THE CHARLOTTE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

SHERIFF, TELL US WHAT YOUR SAYING IN YOUR MESSAGE TO CHARLOTTE COUNTY VOTERS?

>> WELL, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT I AM NOT AGAINST TAX YOU KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING THEIR WILD EACH AND EVERY DAY WE'RE FEELING THE INCREASING OUR TAXES WERE FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THE COST OF LIVING.

AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR A BREAK.

THIS SOLUTION HERE IS NOT A SOLUTION AT ALL.

YOU KNOW, ARE OUR LEGISLATORS HAVE THE RIGHT PROBLEM.

THEY JUST HAVE THE WRONG SOLUTION.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A TAX SAVINGS.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A TAX SHIFT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE IT.

CONFUSED BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE WITHIN THE BALLOT SAYS THAT THE REVENUES FOR AD VALOREM WILL BE USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

AMONG OTHER THINGS LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES AND BOND.

IT SERVICES.

JUST BECAUSE IT SAYS IT WILL.

THAT MONEY WILL BE FOUGHT, USED TO FUND THOSE.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE BEING FUNDED AT THE SAME LEVEL BECAUSE THE REVENUES THAT ARE COMING IN RIGHT NOW.

OUR FUNDING THOSE.

SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THOSE REVENUES.

SO THAT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO BE FUNDED AT A MUCH DIFFERENT LEVEL.

>> WHAT WOULD THIS MEAN TO THE AVERAGE PERSON IN CHARLOTTE WHO HAS?

AN EMERGENCY OR THEY ARE THEY CALL IN.

THEY NEED HELP THOSE.

MAYBE THERE'S SOMEONE SUSPICIOUS.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SOMEBODY THEY BELIEVE IS CASING OUT.

HOMES WERE POSSIBLE.

BURGLARIES.

WHAT IS IT GOING TO MEAN THE RESPONSE TIME?

DO YOU FEAR SHOULD IT PASS?

>> WELL, WHAT I DO FEAR IS THAT IT IS GOING TO AFFECT RESPONSE TIMES.

IT'S GOING TO US REFLECT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT I HAVE ON THE ROAD.

THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE I HAVE THE ANSWER, THE 9-1-1 CALLS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES, THE MAJORITY OF THOSE AGENCIES ANYWHERE BETWEEN 83 TO 85% OF THEIR BUDGETS.

OUR PERSONNEL.

WE ARE A PEOPLE BASED BUSINESS.

SO THAT MEANS 16% OF MY BUDGET IS OPERATING AND CAPITAL.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SIGNIFICANT HIT, LIKE WE'RE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY FACING THE ONLY OTHER PLACE, I CAN CUT IS PERSONNEL.

I'VE ALREADY TOLD MY STAFF THAT WE KIND OF PUT A FREEZE ON THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON NOVEMBER.

3RD, SO I CAN SEE REDUCTIONS IN MY STAFF AND JUST TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, I SAID THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO CUT THAT MANY RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

BUT BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS NUMBER TO LOOK AT IS THE SECOND YEAR OF THIS GOING INTO EFFECT.

I'M LOOKING AT LOSING ABOUT 40 OF 48 MILLION DOLLARS BELIEVERS ARE 47 MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO 275 DEPUTIES.

>> YEAH, THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD REALLY GOT THE THE OFFICER DID NOT.

>> YES, IT WOULD.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE HOPING IT DOESN'T COME TO THAT.

I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF OUR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE READY.

I'M REALLY NOT SURE.

WHICH DIRECTION THEY'RE GOING TO GO.

SOME SOME FEEL THAT WELL, IF IF THAT'S THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE I CAN POTENTIALLY RAISE TAXES ELSEWHERE.

OTHERS SAY THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CORE FUNCTIONS ARE FUNDED.

AND A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE LEGISLATURE ALSO STATED THAT IF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WERE TO RAISE THE MILLAGE RATE BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT, THEY HAVE TO HAVE A UNANIMOUS VOTE.

SO I CAN GUARANTEE THAT I WOULD HAVE A UNANIMOUS VOTE TO BE ABLE TO RAISE OUR MILEAGE TO CONTINUE FUNDING WHERE WE NEED TO BE FUNDED.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ALSO THINK THAT WELL.

FLORIDA'S CONTINUING TO GROW.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY'S CONTINUING TO GROW THOSE NEW RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A VERY LONG TIME TO MAKE UP THAT DIFFERENCE.

PLUS, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE AS THE COMMUNITY GROWS, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES BECAUSE WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE SERVICES.

ALSO.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF JUST MISINFORMATION OUT THERE AND THERE'S THERE'S A WAY TO DO IT.

THIS JUST ISN'T THE WAY TO DO IT.

NOW.

>> LET ME GIVE YOU A FINE OPPORTUNITY HERE.

MAKE IT AN ARGUMENT TO VOTERS IN YOUR COUNTY WHO SUPPORT AMENDMENT 3.

YOUR CHANCE TO CONVENTION AND TO THINK TWICE ABOUT IT.

>> WE ALL DESERVE MEANINGFUL TAX RELIEF.

I I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THESE THIS PROPOSAL IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY UNLESS THERE IS A SEVERE ATTACK SHIFT.

NOW WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T SEEM TO REALIZE, TOO, IS THAT EVERY 20 YEARS THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS THE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMISSION, THEY MEET.

WELL, THEY'RE SET TO MEET NEXT YEAR.

AND THIS IS THEIR JOB.

THIS IS THEIR JOB TO LOOK AT BUDGETS.

LOOK AT TAXATION AND COME UP WITH VIABLE SOLUTIONS.

SO WE SHOULD WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT DOWN THE ROAD.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE OR THERE COULDN'T BE ANY REDUCTIONS TO OUR PROPERTY TAXES.

BUT THIS WAS DONE AND A SPECIAL SESSION IN 3 DAYS.

THERE WAS NO IMPACT.

STUDY COMPLETED.

SO PEOPLE TRULY DON'T KNOW.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTY'S I WORKED WITH MY COUNTY WHEN WHEN THIS CAME OUT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING YOU CAN'T PREDICT THIS.

IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY SIMPLE MATH.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THE COUNTY KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY THEY BRING ANY HERE THROUGH AD VALOREM THEY KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT THEY BRING IN THROUGH HOMESTEAD AD VALOREM.

SO JUST BY DOING THE SIMPLE MATH, IF THEY REDUCE ONE 50 AND THEN TO 50 OFF OF THAT.

THEY CAN COME UP WITH WHAT THEIR REDUCTION IS GOING TO BE.

AND FOR ME IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 26 MILLION THE FIRST YEAR AND 47 THE SECOND YEAR.

I JUST ASK PEOPLE TO REALLY LOOK AND TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THIS.

OUR LEGISLATORS RUSH TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT TO SHOW THAT THEY WERE DOING SOMETHING.

IT COULD BE DEVASTATING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN BY SITTING HERE TELLING PEOPLE THAT THEY SHOULDN'T VOTE FOR THIS.

I HAVE NOTHING.

YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO >> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SHERIFF BILL PRUMMELL, CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

THANKS FOR TALKING WITH US TODAY.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND FOR MORE COVERAGE ON THE UPCOMING MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>> AND REALLY ALL OF OUR LOCAL STORIES, WE HAVE CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS.

WE HAVE THEIR PLATFORMS, ALL OF IT ON OUR WEBSITE AS WE APPROACH THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTIONS.

FOLLOW WHAT OUR COVERAGE BY VISITING WGC.

YOU DOT ORG.

THE OPTICS OF THIS ARE WONDERFUL.

>> BUT WHAT REALLY COUNTS IS HOW YOU CHECK THE BALLOT AND THE CHANGE THAT YOU CAN BRING.

>> UP THE LATEST, NO KINGS PROTEST AS PEOPLE LINING THE STREETS.

WE'RE BRINGING YOU FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS FROM OUR TEAM.

A WGC YOU.

THEY WERE ON THE GROUND DURING THE NO KINGS DAY PROTESTS.

OVER THE WEEKEND, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA STREETS WERE LINED WITH PROTESTERS FOR A NO KINGS RALLY AND THE FOCUS WAS ABOUT VOTER PARTICIPATION.

WE'RE NOW JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AWAY FROM THE NOVEMBER 3RD GENERAL ELECTION ALL ACROSS THE AREA, RALLIES WERE HELD IN LOCATIONS, BIG AND SMALL.

THEY WERE HELD IN MATLACHA GORDA.

DENNIS SARASOTA, BRADENTON ELLINGTON.

HUNDREDS MORE WERE SCATTERED UP AND DOWN THE STATE FROM THE KEYS TO TALLAHASSEE.

PROTESTERS SAY THIS.

NO KINGS RALLY IS ABOUT ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE, WHETHER IT BE EARLY VOTING OR IN-PERSON NOVEMBER.

3RD.

ELECTION JOINING ME NOW IS WHO YOU MANAGING EDITOR MIKE BRAUN, WHO COVER THESE PROTESTS WHAT WAS THE MESSAGE OF THE PEOPLE?

>> WELL, OVER OVERARCHING MESSAGE FOR EVERYBODY WAS TO GET OUT THE VOTE ON NOVEMBER.

3RD, IT WAS A STRONG MESSAGE AND URGENT PLEA FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR VOTE COUNTED IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

YEAH, NO, NO KINGS PROTEST OR CERTAINLY NOT.

>> UNFAMILIAR HERE GOING BACK MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> AND WHAT THE WHAT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT?

PERHAPS ABOUT THIS ONE.

BESIDES THE GET OUT THE VOTE WAS A PRIMARILY A THAT WAS THE MAIN FOCUS WAS TO GET OUT THE VOTE.

THERE WAS AN URGENT PLEA.

WAS SOMETHING.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY HAD THAT ON THEIR LIPS, THEIR MESSAGES.

WE'RE BASICALLY, YOU KNOW, VOTER REGISTRATION, GET OUT THE VOTE, PUTTING UP MAIL THE EARLY.

ALL THOSE SLOGANS.

IT WAS JUST A PLEA FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT, MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CIVIC DUTY WAS WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD COMPLETE OUT HOW PARTISAN WAS A VOTE THIS WAY OR THAT ONE.

>> ACTUALLY, NO, IT WAS A PARTISAN.

AND THE FACT THAT THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF THE NO KINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR YEAR AND A HALF.

AND IT WAS MADE BASICALLY A PLEA TO GET BACK.

>> 2 WHERE WE HAD BEEN A COUPLE YEARS AGO IN TERMS OF INFLATION AND THINGS WITH IMMIGRATION AND COSTING PRICES NEVER GAS PRICES ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF TO PLEA FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE, TO GET BACK TO IS A CERTAIN LEVEL OF TIME.

>> NO WONDER WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE TURNOUT.

>> FOR THE RALLY WASN'T AS LARGE.

MAYBE JUST SLIGHTLY SMALLER THAN THE PAST ONES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE WEATHER HAD ANYTHING TO.

THAT WAS A LITTLE RAINY THAT DAY.

BUT I THINK BECAUSE OF THE MESSAGE WAS SO FOCUSED, THERE WAS A MESSAGE ABOUT VOTER PARTICIPATION, BASICALLY.

SO IT DIDN'T DRAG OUT AS MANY PEOPLE AS THE ONES GOING FORWARD IN RIGHT NOW.

WHAT WHAT ABOUT?

>> REACTION FROM DRIVERS AND THE SOLO THERE WAS LAST YEAR REACTION BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE >> A LOT OF HORN HONKING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING, YOU KNOW, WE SUPPORT YOU.

WE WITH YOU.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE LAWSUIT WHO HURLED EPITHETS AND IN.

SO WHERE'S AND THEN AGAIN TODAY THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE ARE GIVING BACK AS GOOD AS IT GOT.

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

>> BUT NO INCIDENTS THAT, YOU KNOW, THING THAT I WAS A GROUP THAT I WAS TOLD OF.

NO REPORT, NOTHING.

>> NOTHING BAD HAPPENED.

YEAH.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU, MIKE BRAUN FOR JOINING US.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

>> FLU SEASON STARTS THIS MONTH AND IT RUNS UNTIL ROUGHLY MATE.

>> AND AT THAT TIME, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ESTIMATES 1 BILLION PEOPLE WILL CATCH THE FLU.

THAT'S THE NUMBER IN RECENT YEARS.

BUT RESEARCHERS SAY THEY'RE HOPING TO LOWER THOSE NUMBERS BY ROLLING OUT A NEW VACCINE.

THE M RNA FLU VACCINE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE ARE 50 AND MODERNA REPORTS.

IT NOT ONLY PREVENTS MORE CASES OF THE FLU THAN TRADITIONAL VACCINES, BUT IT ALSO CAN BE FORMULATED A LOT FASTER.

WCU REPORTER KATIE CRONIN EXPLORES THE FUTURE OF FLU SEASON.

>> WITH MORE ON THE NEW MRNA FLU SHOT.

I'M JOINED BY FISH.

OIL WAS CALA.

HE'S THE VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL AFFAIRS FOR THE AFFECTIONS DISEASES WITH MODERNA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

OKAY.

>> SO JUST START.

CAN YOU TELL YOU WHAT THE REASON WAS FOR DEVELOPING THIS NEW FLU VACCINE AND WHY IT WAS SO NECESSARY?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE BURDEN OF DISEASE FOR INFLUENZA.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CONSEQUENCES AND OLDER ADULTS TO REALLY QUITE PROFOUND ABOUT 9 OUT OF 10 FLU-RELATED DEATHS THAT OCCUR IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE CURRENT OLDER ADULTS 65.

HE'S A BALD AND I KNOW.

SO THAT WAS REALLY T UNMET MADE THAT WE STARTED OFF WITH TO BE ABLE TO POTENTIALLY ADDRESS THAT BURDEN OF DISEASE WITH THE MARONITE INFLUENZA VACCINE WAS OUR GOAL.

>> AND HOW DOES THIS VACCINE DIFFER FROM THE ONES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE MARKET?

>> MOST OF THE VACCINES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THAT THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET HAVE LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY THAT WE'VE KNOWN FOR OVER 70 YEARS WHEN WE MAKE INFLUENZA VIRUSES IN CHICKEN EGGS NOW, THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT TO COLLEGE AND SERVED US WELL.

BUT THIS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WITH GROWING THE VIRUS IN EGGS.

THAT IS THAT IT TAKES SO LONG AND THE INFLUENZA VIRUS PROTECT.

THE POINT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE.

SO SOMETIMES WHAT WE SELECT TO INCLUDE IN THE VACCINES CAN DEFOE WHEN THE SEASON ACTUALLY ARRIVES.

NOW WITH MRNA, WE USE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO GROW THE VIRUS IN ANYTHING WE CAN DELIVER A TEMPER INSTRUCTIONS SO THAT WE MAKE THE PROTEINS TO TRAIN THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT PROCESS IS POTENTIALLY MUCH SHORTER.

WHICH ALLOWS US TO THINK ABOUT IN THE FUTURE SELECTING THE VIRUSES FOR THE VACCINES.

CLOSER TO THE START OF THE BEING CLOSER IN MATCH.

>> IT'S LIKE YOU MENTIONED THIS VACCINE WAS DESIGNED FOR OLDER MUCH MORE VULNERABLE POPULATION.

WHAT KIND OF ADVANTAGES DOES THIS NEW VACCINE GIVE THOSE PEOPLE?

>> SO A LARGE CLINICAL STUDIES INVOLVING MORE THAN 40,000 INDIVIDUALS WITH A NOVEL TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE MRNA APPROACH WAS APPROXIMATELY 27% BETTER IN REDUCING THE RISK OF INFLUENZA ILLNESS VERSUS TRADITIONAL STANDARD DOSE VACCINES.

NOW IN THAT CONTEXT OF THE BURDEN OF DISEASE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, THAT COULD BE POTENTIALLY VERY IMPORTANT SOLUTION FOR THIS FOLDABLE OLDER ADULT POPULATION.

>> KATO MORE ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY THIS MRNA TECHNOLOGY IS AND HOW IT WORKS THAT OUR BODIES.

>> YES, I THINK ABOUT MRNA AS A MESSENGER.

WE DELIVER 10 PRETTY INSTRUCTIONS TO OURSELVES SO THAT WE PRODUCE PROTEINS AND THOSE PROTEINS ARE USED TO TRAIN OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND WE CAN USE IT TO TRAIN OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM TO BE ABLE TO DETECT AND FIND INFLUENZA VIRUSES.

WE CAN ALSO USE THOSE PROTEINS TO TRYING TO I MEAN SYSTEM TO TACKLE OF THE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE.

SO THINK ABOUT CANCER.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE CAN POTENTIALLY TRAIN AND I MEAN SYSTEM TODAY ABLE TO DETECT AND DEFEAT CANCER CELLS IN A PARTY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

AND THAT'S AN AREA OF ACTIVE RESEARCH FROM A DINNER AT THE MOMENT WITH THAT PART IN A MOMENT IF ANNOUNCED POSITIVE RESULTS AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT READ GOD.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO BE HERE.

SO YOU THINK THIS TECHNOLOGY COULD BE USED TO DEVELOP VACCINES FOR OTHER DISEASES?

NOT JUST THE FLU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S A VERSATILE PLATFORM.

WE CAN MAKE PURCHASE THINGS THAT TRAIN OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND WITH THAT, WE CAN SO FULL POTENTIALLY NEW AREAS OF MEDICINE THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD SOLUTIONS FOR IN THE PAST.

>> AND THEN ANOTHER COMMON CONCERN.

THE FLU IS KNOWN TO ADAPT THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

HOW DOES THIS MRNA FLU SHOT WORK TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGES IN VARIANTS THROUGHOUT FLU SEASON.

>> TALKED ABOUT THE SPATE OF MR.

AND I SO BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH SHORT OF THING GROWING THE VIRUS IN EGGS WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY SELECT WHAT GOES INTO THE VACCINE CLOSER TO THE START OF THE SEASON SO THAT WE'VE GOT A BETTER CHANCE TO MATCH.

INTO WHAT INFLUENZA VIRUSES ACTUALLY CIRCULATING AT THE TIME.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY FOR US.

>> HOPE TO SHOW YOU HIS COLLEGE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY AND SHARING ALL THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GREAT NEW VACCINE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, KAT.

>> AS WE COVER THE DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH FLU SEASON.

THE MEASLES OUTBREAKS OF OTHER HEALTH STORIES THAT MATTER TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

YOU CAN FIND THE LATEST BY VISITING WGC.

YOU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK FROM TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN AND DESPERATE TIMES TO EXPANDING SERVICES FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT HOW ONE HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN SUCCESS AND HOW ITS PARTNERSHIPS OR FORM.

FOR ALMOST A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

NOW, THE NAPLES CHILDREN FOUNDATION AND THINGS JUST DID WITH THE MISSION FOR THE WELFARE EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT OF CHILDREN.

AND WHILE IT'S PAST THE SHOWING AMAZING RESULTS AS WE LOOK FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE, THAT AMOUNT OF CHALLENGES STAND IN FRONT OF NOT ONLY THE NAPLES CHILDREN FOUNDATION, BUT MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT STRIVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE LITTLE ONES.

WC KRONON SAT DOWN WITH LEADERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION IN COLLIER COUNTY TO LOOK AT WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD.

>> I'M JOINED BY KRISTEN HUNT.

IF SARAH CESAR KELLY WITH THE NAPLES CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

KNOW, SARAH, CAN YOU SHARE WITH OUR VIEWERS WHAT THE NAPLES CHILDREN FOUNDATION DOES?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO.

>> THE NAPLES CHILDREN FOUNDATION WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED IN 2000 BY A GROUP OF OUR TRUSTEES.

WHO KNEW THAT THERE IS A HUGE FUNDING GAP IN COLLIER COUNTY.

SO FOR ANYONE THAT'S NOT FAMILIAR WITH COLLIER COUNTY'S OVERALL BUDGET, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE COUNTY BUDGET IS ALLOCATED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

SO ARE TRUSTEES INITIALLY GOT TOGETHER KNOWING THAT THIS WAS A HUGE NEED AND THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO IN 2001, WE HOSTED OUR VERY FIRST NAPLES WINTER WINE FESTIVAL.

SO UNBEKNOWNST TO ANYONE AT THE TIME, THE RAYS JUST OVER 2.2 MILLION DOLLARS.

AND WE HAD 2 ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE FUNDED OUR VERY FIRST YEAR.

AND SINCE THEN WE ARE NOW GOING INTO HER 27TH ANNIVERSARY THIS UPCOMING YEAR.

WE'VE RAISED OVER 366 MILLION DOLLARS FOR CALLIE COLLIER COUNTY SERVICES AND 100% OF EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE RAISE DURING THE FESTIVAL HAS INVESTED BACK INTO COLLIER COUNTY.

CURRENTLY WE ARE FUNDING.

56 ORGANIZATIONS AND ALL THAT FALL WITHIN THE SERVICE CATEGORIES OF CHILD ADVOCACY, HEALTH CARE, EARLY LEARNING AND OUT OF SCHOOL TIME.

AND REALLY TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT WHO WHAT ARE THE NEEDS AND COLLIER COUNTY AND HOW CAN WE REALLY LOOK AT THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT?

HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THOSE GAPS?

AND THEN HOW DO WE MAKE A SUSTAINABLE MOVE FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR DOLLARS THAT WE'RE INVESTING INTO THESE PARTICULAR PROGRAMS ARE MAKING THE BIGGEST IMPACT THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> WOW, THAT IS SUCH IMPORTANT WORK NOW, CHRIS TING YOU GOT JUST SHARED WITH ME THAT YOUR PARTNER WITH 6 ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP CHILDREN IN OUR AREA.

CAN YOU TELL ME HOW THIS PARTNERSHIP CAME ABOUT?

ABSOLUTELY.

AS PART OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE, WE KEPT HEARING A COMMON THEME THAT THERE WAS IN NEED OF HAVING MORE TALENT IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.

AND SO THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVEST 2 MILLION DOLLARS ACROSS 6 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ULTIMATELY WILL HELP TO INTRODUCE 17 REGISTERED INTERNS INTO OUR COMMUNITY WITH A GOAL THAT THAT TALENT, NOT ONLY WILL THEY START THEIR INTERNSHIPS WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT REALLY GROW TO LOVE THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE SUPPORT AND BEAL TO STAY HERE AND CONTINUE TO SERVE THE CHILDREN.

COLLIER COUNTY.

>> AND SIR, WE'VE SEEN A LARGE HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGE ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

HOW IF YOU SEEN THAT IMPACT THE SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE?

>> SO SPECIFICALLY WITH OUR HEALTH CARE INITIATIVES, WE SEE THAT THEY'RE HUGE BACKLOGS AND THEN REALLY FOCUSING ON THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT OF IT.

WHEN WE KNOW A CHILD IS IN NEED, THEY NEED TO SEE A COUNSELOR.

THEY NEED TO GET IN TO SEE HELP AND SUPPORT THAT DAY WHEN THEY'RE TOLD IT'S A THREE-MONTH WAITING PERIOD.

NO PARENT WANTS TO HEAR THAT.

NO CHILD WANTS TO HEAR THAT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, EVEN WITH THE WINDS FESTIVAL AND AND CF AND THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WE INVEST INTO OUR MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T SOLVE.

WE CAN'T SOLVE THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT COLLIER COUNTY, IT'S INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE TO LIVE THERE.

IT'S INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT ARE NEEDED.

SO EVEN WITHIN OUR OWN REALM OF AGENCY IS THAT WE PROVIDE FUNDING TO.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY HEARING ABOUT THE BACKLOGS.

THE NEEDS AND WHAT WE KNOW AT THE END OF THE DAY IS EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT IS ON A WAIT LIST THAT IS NOT BEING ABLE TO RECEIVE SERVICES THAT DAY.

IT IS JUST IMPACTING THEIR LIVES THAT MUCH MORE.

SO WE HEAR IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

AND THAT'S REALLY WAS THE IMPETUS TO HELP US TO COME UP WITH THE IDEA TO CREATE THIS REGISTER BEHAVIORAL INTERN PROGRAM.

>> SO, KRISTEN, ARE YOU HOPING THAT BY INTRODUCING ALL OF THESE TRAIN BEHAVIORAL TECHNICIANS THAT WILL HELP ME AMELIORATE THE SHORTAGE WE'RE SEEING?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THEY'RE REALLY AGAIN.

WE WANT THEM TO HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT THE ORGANIZATION'S.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND TO USING THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE QUALITY SUPERVISORS BECAUSE THAT PLAYS A HUGE ROLE AND HAVING A GREAT EXPERIENCE THROUGH YOUR CLINICAL REGISTERED INTERNSHIP PROJECT OR TIME PILOT WITH US.

AND THEN OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS, ONCE THEY FINISH THAT THE HOPE WOULD BE THAT THEY WOULD STAY WITH THAT ORGANIZATION HAVING TO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE IN THE 5TH OVERALL AND HOW THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> I KNOW WE TOUCHED ON HOW WAIT TIMES CAN REALLY IMPACT PEOPLE'S QUALITY OF CARE.

WHY ELSE IS IT SUCH A NECESSITY THAT WE HAVE THESE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS IN OUR AREA?

>> THERE'S SUCH A GREAT NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH COLLIER COUNTY CHILDREN, NOT ONLY EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORAL, AND THAT REALLY SETS A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR A GOOD YOUNG LEARNER IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO BEING A LITTLE TOO, HAVE A SHORTER WAIT LIST ARE NO WAITLIST AT ALL.

AND BILL TO ACCESS SERVICES IN A TIMELY MANNER REALLY WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN A STRICTLY FOR THAT CHILD.

>> AMAZING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE.

YOU'VE GOT SOME GREAT THINGS COMING FROM COLLIER COUNTY, KRISTIN HIGH AND SARAH KELLY, THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

LIKEWISE.

THANK YOU.

>> ON OUR NEXT BROADCAST PERFORMANCE STORYTELLER BRINGS HER TALENTS TO THE TV SCREEN.

WE'RE GOING TO EXPLORE FOLKLORE TRADITIONS AND HISTORICAL NARRATIVES.

THAT'S ON OUR NEXT EPISODE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND MAKE SURE YOU HAD THE WGC YOU DOT ORG WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.