THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP FOLLOWING MONTHS OF HOTLY CONTESTED RACES, THE 2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS COME TO A CONCLUSION AS VOTERS DECIDE ON THE KEY ISSUES THAT WILL IMPACT THE SUNSHINE STATE FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE AS FLORIDA PREPARES FOR THE RETURN OF A BLACK BEAR HUNT, A CHANGE IN FEDERAL HUNTING RULES IN ALASKA HAS SOME ENVIRONMENTALIST WORRIED IF BEAR BAITING COULD COME TO OTHER STATES.

>> IT'S AN INTERESTING HISTORIC REUSE OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL.

THAT'S THE, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL 100 YEARS OR 1000 YEARS OLD, ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL.

>> PRESERVING THE HISTORY AROUND US.

HOW SOUTHWEST FLORIDA'S FIRST RESIDENTS, THE CALUSA PAVE THE WAY FOR MANY OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY ELEMENTS WE STILL FIND TODAY.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FOLLOWING WEEKS OF CAMPAIGNS AND POLITICAL ADS, SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS TURNED OUT TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOTES ARE IN FOR THE 2026 MIDTERMS.

VOTERS CAST BALLOTS TO DECIDE RACES AT ALL LEVELS FROM LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD POSITIONS TO STATE LAWMAKERS, ATTORNEY GENERAL GOVERNOR AND CONGRESS BE SURE TO TUNE INTO WGCU FM.

4 ELECTION RESULTS AND COVERAGE OF ALL OF THE KEY RACES.

AND TOMORROW.

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS GULF COAST LIFE HOST JOHN DAVIS HELPS BREAK DOWN ALL THE TOP STORIES FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

FLORIDA BEAR HUNTING SEASON OPENS IN ONE MONTH.

THE STATEWIDE BEAR HUNT RUNS FROM DECEMBER 5TH TO DECEMBER 27TH BEAR BAITING ON PRIVATE LANDS WITH STRICT GUIDELINES IS ALLOWED AND A HANDFUL OF STATES PERMIT SOME FORM OF BEAR BAITING AND ARE HEAVILY REGULATED CONDITIONS IN OCTOBER.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REENACTED A RULE THAT LETS HUNTERS USE BAIT TO LURE BEARS IN ALASKA'S NATIONAL PRESERVES.

IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE AND IT'S WIDELY CONDEMNED BY CONSERVATION GROUPS WHO ARE GROWING MORE CONCERNED THAT EVEN BOR STATE COULD ALLOW BEAR BAITING.

WITH MORE.

I AM JOINED BY DAVID JENKINS, PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATIVES FOR RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP, WHICH IS A NATIONAL GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

MISTER JENKINS.

YEAH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

CAN YOU FIRST TO EXPLAIN WHAT BEAR BAITING IS FOR NON HUNTERS.

>> YEAH.

BEAR BAITING PUTTING FOOD OUT DO NOT SPEAKING GRIESE THINGS LIKE THE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING TRACKING A BARREN DRAWING IT TO A PLACE WHERE SOMEONE IS SET UP TO SHOOT IT.

SO YEAH, FOR US, IT'S JUST IT'S KIND OF COUCH POTATO HAUNTING AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE SHOOTING COWS GRAZING IN YOUR NEIGHBOR'S PASTOR.

IT'S NOT FAIR CHASTENING, WHICH JOB?

YEAH.

A LOT OF SPORTING GROUPS.

ADVOCATE FAR AS WHERE YOUR YOU'RE ACTUALLY.

ON THE GROUND PURSUING YOUR PREY AND DOING THINGS THAT ARE IN THEM ARE CHALLENGING WAY NOT JUST TRYING TO FIND THE LAZY WAY OUT.

>> WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S NEW POLICY THAT PERMITS BEAR BAITING AND ALASKA NATIONAL PRESERVES.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE VERY OPPOSED TO THAT BECAUSE FIRST OF ALL.

WE'RE TALK ABOUT NATIONAL PRESERVERS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT PROTECTING WILDLIFE BUT BEAR BAITING.

IT IS THE FUNCTIONAL EQUIVALENT OF FEEDING BEARS.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING ANY WILDLIFE EXPERT KNOWS IS WRONG.

AND BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAS A WEB PAGE ON THE AIR.

HOW BEAR BAITING BY COME CONDITIONING BEARS THE HUMAN FOOD ACTUALLY POSE A SAFETY RISK TO VISITORS.

SO WE'RE OPPOSED TO IT.

WE THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO CATER TO ITS SUPER WELL, THE TROPHY 100 HOUSE TOO, YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO BECAUSE OF BETTER BETTING IS NOT REAL HUNTING FOR THOSE KILLED IN A SPORT.

NOTHING LIKE THAT INVOLVED.

>> NOW THIS RULE DOES APPLY.

AS WE MENTIONED, ONLY TO ALASKA'S NATIONAL PRESERVES.

BUT WHAT CONCERNS MIGHT YOU HAVE THAT THIS KIND OF RULE COULD BE EXPANDED TO OTHER STATES EVEN IN FLORIDA?

>> YEAH, WELL, THERE'S A ORGANIZATIONS SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL, WHICH IS FOCUSED ON.

ADVOCATING FOR TROPHY HUNTING, WHETHER IT'S IN AFRICA OR IN THE UNITED STATES, WHEREVER.

AND THEY.

THEY FILE SUITS.

THEY THEY LOBBY.

THEY HAVE LIKE A.

25 MILLION DOLLAR.

YOUR BUDGET.

AND THERE REALLY CATERING TO THEIR WEALTHY MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES, A LOT OF CASES FOR THIS VANITY THING WHERE PEOPLE WANT AND JUST JUST FOR A TROPHY TO HANG ON THE WALL.

AND SO.

THE EASIEST AND QUICKEST WAY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO SHOOT ANIMALS AND KILL ANIMALS.

AND ON BE ABLE TO CLAIM THAT DAY THEY FACED, YOU KNOW, IT APPEAR SO MADAM OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND HANGING ON THE WALL, THEY'RE ADVOCATING FOR.

SO THEY HAVE LAWSUITS IN MAINE AND NEW JERSEY AND PLACES LIKE THAT.

SO SO YES, THIS KIND OF THING CAN COME ANYWHERE IF YOU DON'T HAVE.

YOU KNOW, VALUES AND ETHICS.

THE THE GUIDE YOU IN TERMS WHAT SPARE AND WITH TEARS IN PARTICULAR, THIS IS REALLY BAD BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THEIR WHOLE MISSION DURING THE SUMMERS TO BATON UP AND EAT AS MUCH AS THEY CAN SO THEY CAN SURVIVE THROUGH OUR NATION AND YOU'RE USING THAT GOD GIVEN INSTINCT AGAINST THEM JUST SO YOU CAN HAVE ON, YOU KNOW, KILL THEM BASICALLY, YOU.

BUT COUCH POTATO HUNTING AND THE TO US IT.

THIS IS WRONG ON ON QUITE A FEW LEVELS.

>> NOW IS THERE A NEXT STEP?

ARE YOU WORKING TO TRY TO GET THIS REPEALED OR OVERTURNED IN ANY WAY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IF CONGRESS CHANGES AND EVEN IF IT DOESN'T, WE WILL BE TRYING TO SEE IF THERE'S A WAY TO GET LEGISLATION INTRODUCED YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR THE STATE LEVEL THAT WOULD YOU KNOW, BAN THIS PRACTICE IS THAT THIS PRACTICE HAS BEEN BANNED OFF AND ON FOR FOR YEARS.

AND EVERY TIME IT'S BEEN DONE.

SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL ON THEIR LOBBYIST, COMMON TRY TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO ALLOWED AGAIN.

AND IT IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT THAT THAT'S NOT HUNTING IN OUR VIEW.

AM AND THEY'RE YOU KNOW, THEY'RE FOCUSING ON THESE PLACES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PRESERVES ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND THERE'S NO NEED TO REDUCE THE POPULATION.

>> AND YOU SEE ANY BENEFITS OF THIS AS FAR AS CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND TRYING TO WORK TO PROTECT AND CONTROL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, USING THIS METHOD.

>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, HUNTING IS SOMETHING THAT SUPPORTS CONSERVATION AND GENERAL ACROSS THE UNITED CONTRIBUTE TO THESE FUNDS TO HELP WITH THAT AND SO BORED.

BEAR BAITING DOESN'T DO ANYTHING TO ADD TO THAT AND IN FACT, THE IF I WAS A, YOU KNOW, IF I RENT A 900 IN A TRADITIONAL WAY.

I WOULD BE APPALLED THAT PEOPLE WHO JUST BEAR BAIT AND JUST WRONG.

THE WE'RE AN ANIMAL TO THEM.

JUST LIKE IF THERE WASN'T A ZOO.

>> MR.

JENKINS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

NO, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> COMING UP, BUILDING INSPIRATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SKILLED WORKERS.

THE EVENT THAT GIVES A HANDS-ON APPROACH TO HIGH SCHOOLERS TO FIND THE TRADE.

THAT IS THE PERFECT CAREER PATHS.

AN INCREASING NUMBER OF STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING TRADE SKILLS.

AND THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE RESEARCH CENTER.

IT REPORTS THAT TWO-YEAR VOCATIONAL ENROLLMENT HAS RISEN BY 5% SINCE 2020 IN LEE COUNTY.

A SPECIAL EVENT GIVES HIGH SCHOOLERS THE CHANCE TO TRY OUT SOME DIFFERENT TRADES WGCUS ELIZABETH ANDARGE REPORT.

>> WELDING PAINTING WIRING.

>> EVEN TOOTHPICKS AND MARSHMALLOWS.

>> ALL CAN BE FOUND AT THE 6TH ANNUAL BUILD MY FUTURE.

LEE COUNTY EVENT ABOUT 800 STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST OUT VARIOUS SKILL SETS.

AMONG THEM 15 YEAR-OLD WILLIAM HORNE.

HE'S CURRENTLY A SOPHOMORE AT SOUTH FORT MYERS, HIGH.

YEAH, AND HAS CEREBRAL PALSY.

>> IT DOESN'T AFFECT LOADING AS SUCH BECAUSE I CAN USE ONE AND ARRESTED ON THE OTHER.

BUT IT CAN AFFECT MY DAY-TO-DAY LIFE MORE THAN ACTUALLY TRADES HERE.

>> HE'S LEARNING IN REAL TIME.

34 SECONDS.

>> IT BEAT IT.

IF YOU PUT A NAIL ON A DRY WELL TOO FAR, IT MESS UP THE WALL IN THE DRYWALL TOGETHER.

>> FINDING STUDENTS LIKE CORN AND ASSURING THEM IN THE DOOR IS THE EASY PART.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO UNITED MECHANICAL SERVICE MANAGER MIKE ANTON UT.

>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S A SHORTAGE OF THE TRAYS AND WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET EVERYONE INVOLVED.

BRING HIM INTO THE TRADES IS ACTUALLY EASY IS THAT'S THE HARD PART.

C GOT TO MAKE IT FUN.

YOU GOT TO HAVE EDUCATION COMING OUT AT THE SAME TIME.

>> INTO NEWT.

HE ALSO TEACHES THE TRI COUNTY APPRENTICESHIP ACADEMY IN FORT MYERS.

AND IT'S BEEN 42 YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY.

HE SAYS SOME RECRUITS LEAVE WHEN REALITY HITS.

>> I THINK THEY'RE ALL LOOKING TO GET A LOT OF MONEY TO START AND WHEN THEY REALIZE IT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK AND YOU'VE GOT TO EARN YOUR WAY THROUGH IT KIND OF DETERS THEM A LITTLE BIT.

>> SO WHEN STUDENTS SHOW A REAL DRIVE AND 2 NEW CHIEF TO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> IF THEY SHOW THAT INTERESTS, THAT PASSION AND OBSESSION THAT WE LOOK FOR.

I SAW HIM COME SEE ME IN MY OFFICE.

WHEN YOU GRADUATE, I GET MY CARD.

>> 18 YEAR-OLD ARIANA PFEIFFER IS ONE OF HIS RECRUITS FROM LAST YEAR'S EVENT.

>> I WAS REALLY INTO WELDING.

SO WHEN HE FOUND ME, I WAS WELDING AND THEN HE GOT ME INTO THE HVAC DEPARTMENT.

MOST OF HER PEERS CHILLS.

THE COLLEGE WROTE.

>> MY DAD, HE DOES CONSTRUCTION AND MY MOM SAYS SHE WORKS AT A BANK.

NEW THEN WENT TO COLLEGE.

AND I SAW THAT THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL.

I WAS LIKE I'M GONNA GO FOR THE TRADES IN MY HANDS IN THERE.

START WORKING TODAY.

>> FIRE CREWS WORKING IN HEATING VENTING AND AIR CONDITIONING.

WILL SHE STICK IT OUT?

AND HVAC?

SHE SAYS THAT DEPENDS ON ONE THING.

>> I FEEL LIKE ALL KNOW THAT I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

IF I'M ACTUALLY STILL HAVING COME UP WITH WHAT I'M DOING.

>> PFEIFFER WILL KNOW IN A FEW YEARS WHETHER SHE CHOSE CORRECTLY FOR HORN AND A FEW 100 OTHERS.

THE QUESTION THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.

FOR WGCU NEWS IM ELIZABETH ANDARGE WITH VIDEOGRAPHER AMANDA WITH MORE.

>> AGRICULTURE IS BIG BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> ACCORDING TO THE FLORIDA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION.

>> THE STATE'S AG INDUSTRY GENERATES MORE THAN 100 BILLION DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC SALES EVERY YEAR.

SECOND ONLY TO TOURISM TO CELEBRATE THE INDUSTRY.

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS AND MANATEE COUNTY ARE HOSTING THEIR 35TH ANNUAL MANATEE COUNTY FARM CITY WEEK AGRICULTURAL TO R.

>> WITH MORE, I'M JOINED BY CAITLIN, SIR, LAZO A DOCTOR OF PLANT MEDICINE.

>> AND COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE AGENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA AND ALEXANDER DRAPER FOR A TOOTH DEVELOPMENT AGENT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU.

MS THIS SOUNDS LIKE A PRETTY INCREDIBLE EVENT.

IT IS THE 35TH YEAR THAT MANATEE COUNTY HAS CELEBRATED FARM CITY WEEK.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF ORGANIZERS?

>> SO THE GOAL OF FARM CITY WEEK, IT'S ACTUALLY A NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO TAKE URBAN COMMUNITIES AND EDUCATE THEM MORE ABOUT AGRICULTURAL AWARENESS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THEIR LOCAL AREA.

SO FOR US, WE'RE DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE AS WELL AS THE HISTORY AND WHAT'S MOVING FORWARD WITH AGRICULTURE IN MANATEE COUNTY AND CREATING AWARENESS FOR THOSE THAT LIVE.

AND THE MORE URBAN AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

>> AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES AND THE DATES THAT YOU WANT?

COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE AWARE OF.

SO.

>> BUT FIRST WE HAVE COMING UP IS GOING TO PRESIDENT, WHICH IS ON NOVEMBER 6TH.

IT IS THE FARM UP TORE THAT ALLOWS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

2 AND BE ABLE TO VISIT TOUR VISIT FARMS WITHIN THE COUNTY.

AND CAITLIN IS THE ORGANIZER OF THAT EVENT.

SHE CAN TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> YEAH.

SO THE FARM TOUR, THE PURPOSE OUR TOUR IS TO BRING PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HAVE A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE >> AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES THAT ARE GROWN IN OUR COUNTY.

SO OUR FARM TOUR THIS YEAR IS OUR 35TH ANNIVERSARY.

AND IT'S ALSO THE ANNIVERSARY OF ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN OUR COUNTY.

AND THAT IS THE MANATEE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM.

AND OUR AGRICULTURE MUSEUM IS DEVELOPED TO SHOWCASE THE HISTORY AND THE RICH HISTORY.

MANATEE COUNTY HAS WITH.

AGRICULTURE AND MANY PEOPLE THINK AS WE'VE BECOME MORE URBANIZED, WE NO LONGER HAVE AGRICULTURE ANYMORE.

BUT ACTUALLY WE HAVE A LOT OF AGRICULTURE CONTINUING IN THE COUNTY AND SO IN THIS TOUR, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO A COMMERCIAL STRAWBERRY GROWER.

OPERATION.

AND THAT WILL BE REALLY FASCINATING AND WILL CEASE SOME SHOPPERS BEING PACKAGED AND SHIPPED.

AND IN ADDITION TO BEING PICKED AND PROCESSED AND MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT PLANT CITY IS THE GROWING CAPITAL OF THE OF FLORIDA FOR STRAWBERRIES.

BUT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A ROUTE REALLY OUT OF STRAWBERRIES HERE IN MANATEE COUNTY AS WELL.

AND IN ADDITION TO STRAWBERRIES, WE'RE GOING TO GO TO OUR WORKING COMMERCIAL TOMATO FIELDS AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE TOMATOES ALSO BEING PICKED AND HARVESTED AND SHIPPED AND THEN DELIVERED OUT OF THIS OUT OF OUR AREA.

AND AFTER THAT, WE'RE GOING TO TOUR AROUND SOME OTHER AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS IN THAT AREA.

LOOK AT SOME CROPS BEING GROWN IN THE FIELD AND WE'RE GONNA FINISH THE TOUR WITH A STOP AT THE AGRICULTURE MUSEUM WHO IS HAVING THE ANNIVERSARY AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A COMBINATION OF SEEING WHAT'S CURRENTLY GOING ON IN AG.

IN ADDITION TO WHERE WE'VE BEEN AND WHAT EVERYTHING USED TO LOOK LIKE AND HOW WE USED TO RUN AGRICULTURE IN THE COUNTY AND HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN ADDITION TO HOW THEY'VE STAYED THE SAME.

>> THAT SOUNDS WONDERFUL.

AND WHAT WILL STUDENTS LEARN AT THE AG VENTURE EVENT?

>> SO ADVENTURE WILL HAVE ABOUT 2,000RD GRADE STUDENTS COMING FROM ALL AROUND THE COUNTY.

AND THAT WHEN THOSE YOUTH ARRIVE, THEY GO TO 6 DIFFERENT STATIONS THAT TEACH ABOUT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF AGRICULTURE.

THEY'RE TAUGHT BY EDUCATORS AND THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS LOCAL COMMERCIAL FARMERS AND VOLUNTEERS AND EACH STUDENT WILL VISIT SOME STATIONS THAT ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.

BUT EVERYONE IS GOING TO VISION A STATION THAT COVERS DAIRY THAT COVERS TOMATO, GROWING THE COVERS WATER RESOURCES AND THE COVERS.

AND TAMALA G.

>> YOU PUT SO MUCH TIME EFFORT, ENERGY INTO THIS WISE IS SO IMPORTANT FOR MANATEE COUNTY AND UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA TO HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY OF FARMING AND THESE AG OPERATIONS >> WELL, I THINK IT IS.

>> IN ORDER TO HIGHLIGHT HISTORY IS REALLY IMPORTANT AND ESPECIALLY FROM A YOUNGER GENERATION.

WE DON'T ALWAYS.

>> I THINK AS MUCH ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE'VE BEEN IN ORDER TO KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING.

AND SO MANY OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASK OURSELVES TODAY ARE NOT UNIQUE CHALLENGES.

THEIR CHALLENGES WE'VE HAD THROUGHOUT MANY, MANY YEARS, JUST PACKAGES PACKAGED DIFFERENTLY AND AND LOOK DIFFERENT ON THE SURFACE.

BUT WE CAN REALLY LEARN FROM WHAT OUR PAST GENERATIONS HAVE DONE.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT WITH ALL INDUSTRIES THAT AGRICULTURE, ESPECIALLY THERE'S A LOT THAT IS SEEMINGLY CHANGING IN AGRICULTURE, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A LOT OF THE SAME CHALLENGES.

AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, THEY BENEFITS IN THE CONNECTEDNESS OF THE COMMUNITY SO WE CAN LEARN FROM THE PAST AND THAT WAY.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOT FORGET OUR PAST AND TO USE IT TO HELP BRING OURSELVES INTO THE FUTURE.

BETTER.

AND FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF YOUTH AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF USE TO GROW UP AND WANT TO PURSUE CAREERS IN AGRICULTURE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW FOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> SO THIS EVENT IS THE FIRST STEP IN CREATING AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL CAREERS FOR YOUNG MEMBERS OF MANATEE COUNTY TO POSSIBLY PURSUE A CAREER IN AGRICULTURE AND LEARN ABOUT WHAT STEPS THEY NEED TO TAKE IN ORDER TO PURSUE THOSE CAREERS.

WELL, I LOOK FORWARD TO IT AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

CAITLIN.

>> SO LAZO AND ALEXANDRA DRAPER, WE SO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EVENTS AND TICKET PRICES FOR THIS YEAR'S FARM CITY WEEK.

YOU CAN VISIT MY NANA T DOT ORG WGCU HAS BEEN EXPLORING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IS PART OF OUR SERIES D COATING INC IN FLORIDA.

AMONG THE HIDDEN GEMS IS OTTER MOUND PRESERVE IN MARCO ISLAND.

CENTURIES AGO IT WAS PART OF THE CALUSA KINGDOM.

WGCUS JANINE ZEITLIN VISITED THE SITE WITH AN EXPERT.

>> I'M SARA AIRS RIGSBY.

I WORKED FOR THE FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHEOLOGY NETWORK.

WE'RE A STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

SO WE ACTUALLY ARE SUPPORTED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

>> AND HOW DOES >> THE FLORIDA PUBLIC ARCHEOLOGY NETWORK WORK IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> YES, SO WE COVER ALL 5 COUNTIES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

SO GLADES HENDRY, COLLIER, LEE AND CHARLOTTE COUNTIES.

AND WHAT WE TO IS ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO HELP PROMOTE OR FACILITATE THE STEWARDSHIP OF FLORIDA'S ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE.

SO PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE LIVING IN FLORIDA FOR OVER 10,000 YEARS.

SO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A REALLY LONG TIME SO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO KNOW WHEN WE'RE LOOKING OUT AT THE SITE AND THESE SHELL WALLS THAT YOU SEE HERE WITH THIS WELK SHOW.

THE WELL ITSELF COMES FROM THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CALUSA, BUT THE COUP IS THAT WE'RE NOT BUILDING THE SHELL INTO A WALL.

SO AND THE 1940'S, THE LANDOWNERS WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY GATHERED ALL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL, WHICH, AGAIN, IS ALL THE SHELLS AND THEN PLACE THEM HERE.

SO IT'S AN INTERESTING HISTORIC REUSE OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL.

THAT'S THE, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL 100 YEARS OR 1000 YEARS OLD, ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIAL.

>> IT'S AMAZING THAT YOU CAN BE WALKING ON A SIDEWALK AND SEE SOMETHING.

HUNDREDS, MAYBE MORE THAN 1000 YEARS OLD.

YES, YOU AND I MIGHT LOOK OUT AT THE SITE AND SAY, OH, LIKE NEAR WHERE GOD, BY THE PAST, WE THINK ABOUT THE LONGEVITY OF THE SITES.

PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING HERE, IF YOU'RE LIVING HERE, UNLIKE THE 1920'S, YOU SAW THIS MATERIAL AND YOU'RE A LAKE.

THIS IS A RESOURCE.

AND I USE IT TOO.

BUILD A ROAD.

I USE IT TO.

CREATE SHELL ARE WITH WALLS.

SO I DO THINK THE I THINK THAT THE EYE.

THE FACT THAT THESE WALLS REMAIN, THEY KIND OF HELP US UNDERSTAND A HISTORIC ATTITUDES TOWARD SOME OF THE CULTURAL MATERIAL.

>> BECAUSE THAT THAT WAS ANOTHER THING THAT WE'VE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY IS THAT A LOT OF OUR ROADS WERE BUILT FROM CALOOSA SCHELLMAN AND RAPE.

>> YEAH.

PEOPLE WERE LIKE, OH, THIS IS SO CONVENIENT.

WILL JUST LIKE PUTTING THIS OUT AND THEN WE'LL HAVE LIKE ROAD MATERIAL.

SO I GUESS YOU ON THE ONE HAND COULD THAT PEOPLE ARE RECYCLING THAT MATERIAL.

BUT ON THE OTHER OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE JUST RAIN THAT THE LEGACY OF SOME OF THOSE SITES.

AND IT'S A LARGE REASON REASON WHY SOME OF THE SITES THAT DIDN'T EXIST OR WERE MAYBE ON MAPS IN THE EARLY 19, 100'S ARE NO LONGER ON.

THOSE MAPS ARE IN PLACE TODAY.

TO LOVE THIS PARK.

IT IS.

IT'S GORGEOUS.

SO I THINK PARTS LIKE THIS ARE SUCH A GREAT.

WAY TO TRY AND PUT YOURSELF.

AND IN THE PAST HERE WHERE BEFORE YOU BEFORE, THERE WAS THE CANAL SYSTEM THAT DRAINS A LARGE PART OF THE EVERGLADES BEFORE THERE WAS WERE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE THERE WERE GAS STATIONS BEFORE THERE IS, YOU KNOW, ALLIGATOR ALLEY AND EVERYTHING AND JUST WHAT IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE AND HOW YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN MOVING BETWEEN PLACES ON ON THE WATER.

>> THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO CONNECT TO THE PAST IN A PLACE THAT SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S HISTORY AROUND BECAUSE THE BUILDING'S OR SO NOW.

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

JUST BECAUSE THE BUILDING IS NEAR DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE LAND IS YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE AGAIN FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

AND WE'RE JUST THE LATEST PEOPLE TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF, YOU KNOW, WALKING THROUGH THIS SITE AND USING THIS AREA.

SO I THINK ITS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER, TOO, THE RESPECTFUL OF THAT LEGACY AND TO BE GOOD STEWARDS RATES.

WE CAN PASS IT DOWN TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> TO LEARN MORE, YOU CAN FIND THE DECODING ANCIENT FLORIDA SERIES ON WGCU DOT ORG.

AND COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, THE STRAIN OF THE MIDTERM ELECTION HAS CREATED A DIVIDE BOTH POLITICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY AND ONE GROUP IS TURNING TO THEIR FAITH TO HELP PUSH THROUGH THE TURMOIL.

AS DIVISIVE CAMPAIGN RHETORIC DOMINATE AIRWAVES AND CONVERSATION.

MANY PEOPLE ARE RELYING ON THEIR RELIGION TO FIND PEACE AND HEALING.

WGCU REPORTER YOUN JOO PARK SPOKE WITH A GROUP OF WORSHIPPERS WHOSE CHRISTIAN FAITH HELPS THEM COPE WITH TODAY'S ISSUES.

>> SO IT'S LIKE TO BE.

>> MUSICALLY KING, UNITED STATES MEN IN CHRISTIAN FAITH.

>> THIS SMALL GROUP HAS GATHERED IN BONITA SPRINGS FOR OVER 2 DECADES AFTER A SERMON.

THE GROUP INC THE SERVICE WITH A PRAYER MINISTER.

JOSE CA STATUS SAYS GOD IS IN CONTROL OF AMERICA.

>> IT IS A COLD ANIMALS WERE CALLED TO PRAY FOR HIM.

BLESS OUR PRESIDENTS AND GOVERNORS.

BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THAT THEY, TOO HAVE A GOT TO HOPE THEY WILL ANSWER TO FOR THEIR ACTION.

AT SOME POINT.

THEY ALSO HAVE A LAWYER >> THE WEATHER AT THE PARK ON THIS SUNDAY MORNING AS COM.

THIS IS IN CONTRAST TO A DEEP SENSE OF AND QUIET AMONG SOME BONITA SPRINGS RESIDENTS.

ACCORDING TO RICARDO SAUDI, FAR.

>> THE ADVERSARY, OKAY.

THE TERM MEANS THOSE WHO OPPOSE YOU HAS GONE UP AND DOWN THE STREET TO TIME FOR.

WE'VE HAD SERVICE.

AND OUR MEMBERS OF OUR CONGREGATION OR OR GATHERING HAVE BEEN FEARFUL.

>> HE SAYS THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ANXIETY.

YS DUE TO HIGH AND IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

THE CHURCH GROUP HAS LOST MEMBERS DUE TO SOME ICE DEPORTATIONS AS WELL.

PERMISSION ARE HIS THIS SAYS THAT DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES RELIGIOUS FAITH MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

PROVIDES A SOLID RESPONSE TO BURRIES.

>> WAS IT A LOOK AT THE MUSCLES IN MY EYES?

AND THAT IS WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY WAS GIVEN THE PEACE OF CHRIST.

SO THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT PERSECUTION AND LEFT.

BUT THE CONSUMER.

>> AS MY BROTHER IN CHRIST SAYS, MAKE A PERSECUTION IS A LOT HERE ALL YEAR.

>> LAYS THEM.

IT IS THE LAW OF MEN IN A RELATED TO.

BUT IN THE LAW OF GOD, WELCOME TO CHRIST.

A FEW.

HE IS THE FIRST CALL IT EASY IN.

>> RENEWAL FROM THE SUNDAY SERVICE.

>> PHIL'S THESE MEMBERS WITH PEACE THAT IN TURN HELPS TO SPIRITUAL A SUSTAINED THEM THROUGH THE COMING WEEK FOR WGCU NEWS IM YOUN JOO PARK THE MINE COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

IT'S A MIDTERM ELECTION SPECIAL AS WE SIMULCAST WITH THE GULF COAST.

LIFE.

>> TO BREAK DOWN ALL THE IMPORTANT RACES HAPPENING ACROSS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HAD A WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING WITH A FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.