THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, THE IMPACT OF THE BLUE WAVE ON THE FINANCIAL MARKETS.

WE FIND OUT WHY THE MIDTERM RESULTS SENT STOCK MARKETS ON A WILD RIDE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY MIGHT BE FORCED TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY CHOSE TO BAN CERTAIN BOOKS FROM THEIR SCHOOL LIBRARIES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DOZEN YEARS, NEW GUIDELINES IN TO HELP WOMEN DEALING WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE.

HOW THESE CHANGES CAN HELP ANY WOMAN LOOKING FOR TREATMENT OPTIONS?

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK THE MIDTERMS SAW THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RETAKE THE U.S.

SENATE AND HOUSE FINANCIAL MARKETS SURGED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ELECTION AND WE SAW A DROP IN CRUDE OIL PRICES.

THEN ON THURSDAY, U.S.

STOCKS PLUMMETED LED BY A MASSIVE AI AND TECH SELL-OFF.

NOW THE MARKET APPEARS TO BE ON THE REBOUND.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF THE BLUE WAVE RIPPLING THROUGH OUR ECONOMY.

>> WGCUS ECONOMICS CONTRIBUTOR DOCTOR VICTOR CLAAR FROM FLORIDA.

GULF COAST UNIVERSITY'S LOOKED GOOD COLLEGE OF BUSINESS.

>> JOINS US NOW IN STUDIO.

AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

IT'S BEEN A WILD WEEK.

>> IT HAS AND WE ARE IN A FEW DAYS POST MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS AND IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY WILD, RIGHT, A BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AS FAR AS A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT'S GOING ON ECONOMICALLY AS A RESULT OF THIS BLUE WAVE.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE WERE THRILLED THAT THE ELECTION WAS BEHIND US WERE ALMOST REGARDLESS OF HOW IT ENDED.

IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF RELIEF IN THE MARKETPLACE THAT IT WAS OVER AND WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO TURN OUT.

AND BASED ON THAT, I THINK PEOPLE WERE PRETTY OPTIMISTIC THE DAY AFTER THE ELECTION AND IT WAS IT WAS A SELLER'S MARKET.

AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BUYING STOCKS, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

AND IT DROVE UP THE AVERAGE VALUE OF THE STOCK ACROSS ALL THE MARKETS.

AND THEN IT'S ALMOST LIKE PEOPLE WOKE UP IN THE MORNING ON THURSDAY AND THEY HAD SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

PART OF THE REASON IS THAT PEOPLE WERE COMING TO TERMS WITH THE FEC.

THAT THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT MIGHT NOT BE AS FRIENDLY TO AI AI DATA CENTERS AND REFRIGERATION AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER A DIFFERENT SORT OF ADMINISTRATION, A DIFFERENT SORT OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, A DIFFERENT SORT OF SENATE.

SO THINKING THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PULLBACK IN TERMS OF OUR INVESTMENT AND ENTHUSIASM ABOUT AI MOVING FORWARD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE WHO WERE HOLDING A LOT OF THOSE AI STOCKS STARTED TO SELL THEM OFF BECAUSE STOCKHOLDERS ARE OWNERS AND THEY THOUGHT THAT THE VALUE OF THEIR OWNERSHIP WAS COMPLETING DETERIORATING RIGHT BEFORE THEIR EYES.

AND SO THEY SOLD OFF.

AND WHEN YOU SELL OFF SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO IT AT THE SAME TIME, IT DRIVES DOWN THE AVERAGE PRICE OF THAT SOMETHING IN THIS CASE, STOCKS I AN AI RELATED INDUSTRIES.

WE ARE SEEING.

>> THE PRICES COME DOWN WHEN WE GO TO BUY GAS, WHETHER ITS DIESEL A REGULAR, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT DYNAMIC?

>> SO AGAIN, AFTER A NIGHT OR IN SOME CASES TONIGHT TO TO PONDER HOW THE ELECTIONS TURNOUT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE FEELING BETTER ABOUT WINDING DOWN THE CONFLICT IN IRAN.

THE FLOW OF CAN CREWS IN AND OUT OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MIGHT BECOME MORE REGULAR AND THE LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT THAT WE HAVE IN IRAN AND HOW LONG THAT INVOLVEMENT MAY LAST THINGS LOOK A LITTLE BETTER NOW THAN IT DID BEFORE THE ELECTION BECAUSE WE NOW HAVE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS DEMOCRATIC SEN SENATE.

AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT TOGETHER THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER JOB AT BRINGING AN END TO THE WAR AND A FASTER JOB AT BRINGING AN END TO THE WAR BEFORE THAT, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHEN IF EVER OUR ACTIVITY IN IRAN WOULD STOP.

>> NOW, DO WE THINK THAT THIS DECREASE IN THE PRICES, ESPECIALLY AT THE GAS PUMP?

>> WILL THAT END UP OVERALL IMPACTING AFFORDABILITY?

>> AS WE LOOK A MONTH, 2 MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD WITH GROCERY PRICES AS WELL AND OTHER COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES AS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, ISSUES OVERALL.

>> YOUR RIGHT.

CONSUMERS PAY FOR HIGHER FUEL PRICES, NOT JUST WHEN THEY GO UP AT THE PUMP, BUT ALSO WHEN THEY PAY FOR ANYTHING THAT WAS STRUCK OR SHIPPED TO THEM OR GROWN ON AMERICAN FARM USING DIESEL DIESEL FUEL.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS DRIVE UP THE COST OF LIVING FOR HOUSEHOLDS WHERE WE'LL SEE THE MOST IMMEDIATE RELIEF IS THE OBVIOUS PLACE.

WHEN WE STOP AND BUY GAS EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS OR EVERY WEEK, THOSE PRICES ARE LOW OR WILL WE SEE LOWER COSTS OTHERWISE OR A BETTER QUESTION IS WILL BE SEE LOWER PRICES AT THE GROCERY STORE.

AND EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT LOWER, MAYBE THEY DON'T GO UP QUITE AS QUICKLY AS THEY HAVE THE LAST 5 OR 6 YEARS.

WE MAY SEE THAT, BUT IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THOSE COST SAVINGS TO BE PASSED ALONG TO SHOPPERS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

EVENTUALLY.

BUT WE DO GET A PRICE BREAK AT THE PUMP ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY A WELCOME RELIEF.

>> NOW THE FED MEETS IN DECEMBER AND THE BIG QUESTION AGAIN, WILL THEY BE RAISING THE INTEREST RATE?

WILL THERE BE SOME KIND OF A HIKE?

HOWEVER, SMALL, WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?

AS WE COME OUT OF THE MIDTERM ELECTION RESULTS?

IT'S INTERESTING.

IN THEORY, THE FED IS SUPPOSED TO BE BLIND TO WHAT'S GOING ON IN FINANCIAL MARKETS.

IT SUPPOSED TO BE LASER-FOCUSED ON THE 2 RESPONSIBILITIES.

CONGRESS GIVES IT.

>> MAXIMUM EMPLOYMENT AND PRICE STABILITY.

AND THE FED KNOWS THAT FOR FAR TOO LONG AND HAS NOT BEEN PAYING CLOSE ENOUGH ATTENTION TO INFLATION AND PRICE STABILITY.

SO IT SEEMS LASER FOCUSED ON THAT.

I THINK THE CONSENSUS RIGHT NOW AMONG MOST ECONOMISTS, ISRAEL CARD LIST OF THE DAY TO DAY MOVEMENTS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE, WHICH LET'S FACE IT THIS WEEK, IT'S BEEN NECK BREAKING.

HOW QUICKLY THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

THE FED IS PROBABLY GOING TO RAISE INTEREST RATES AT LEAST A QUARTER POINT, POSSIBLY EVEN HAVE A POINT BECAUSE WE'VE GOTTEN SOME OF THE OTHER NUMBERS IN THE LAST WEEK OR 2 GDP NUMBERS WERE GREAT.

WE GOT SOME JOB MARKET NUMBERS THIS MORNING THAT WERE ALSO GREAT AND VERY ENCOURAGING.

SO THE FED MAY FEEL A LITTLE IN BOLD AND TO RAISE INTEREST RATES, MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE MORE.

MAYBE A HALF POINT BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT THE RISK THAT THOSE HIGHER INTEREST COSTS WILL TRANSLATE INTO A DECREASE IN PURCHASES AND EVENTUAL RECESSION DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AS LIKELY AS I WAS SAY, A MONTH OR 2 AGO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

ONCE AGAIN, DOCTOR VICTOR CLAAR ARE APPRECIATED.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> FROM GAS PRICES TO HOME COSTS, MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE KEEPING UP WITH ALL OF OUR FINANCIAL STORIES THAT ARE IMPACTING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP, A JUDGE ORDERS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN ONE NORTH FLORIDA COUNTY TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY BAN CERTAIN BOOKS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

A RECENT COURT RULING IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY ORDERS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY DECIDED TO BAN HUNDREDS OF BOOKS FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

THE LAWSUIT UNDERWAY ALLEGES THE ESCAMBIA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT VIOLATED THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF STUDENTS, AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS BY REMOVING HUNDREDS OF BOOKS.

WITH THE LATEST ON THIS BOOK BANNING LAWSUIT, WE'RE JOINED BY WGCU REPORTER CARY BARBOR AND CARY LAST MONTH.

THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT RULING ABOUT SCHOOL BOOK BANNING.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT?

>> IS TOOK PLACE IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY, WHICH IS UP IN THE PANHANDLE AND THE PLAINTIFFS INCLUDED THE PEN AMERICAN CENTER, WHICH IS A GROUP THAT WORKS TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.

PENGUIN, RANDOM HOUSE.

THE PUBLISHER AND A MOTHER AND ON BEHALF OF HER 7 YEAR-OLD CHILD, THE CHILD JUST FINISHED FIRST GRADE AND SEVERAL THE BOOKS SHE LIKED ORBAN AND SCHOOL LIBRARY SPECIFICALLY AND TANGO MAKES 3 ON GO BODIES WEDDING AND WENT 8 AND BECAME A BROTHER.

SO SHE WENT AND ASKED HER MOTHER, WHAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON WHERE THESE BOOKS THAT I LOVE AND THAT'S THEY TOOK IT ALL THE WAY TO THE COURT OF APPEALS.

WHAT WAS THE SCHOOL BOARD'S DEFENSE IN ALL OF THIS?

SO SCHOOL, THE ESCAMBIA SCHOOL BOARD ARGUED THAT THEY SHOULD BE OUT ABLE TO TAKE BOOKS OUT OF THEIR SCHOOLS.

WITHOUT HAVING TO EXPLAIN WHY OR WITHOUT HAVING ANY ACCOUNTABILITY AND WHAT ARE THE RESULTS WELL, ON OCTOBER 19TH, THE 11TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RULED THAT LEGISLATIVE PRIVILEGE AS IT'S KNOWN, DOESN'T SHIELD THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS.

SO THEY DO HAVE TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

THEY DO HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY ARE TAKING BOOKS OUT.

HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE BEEN BANNED IN FLORIDA LAST ACADEMIC YEAR?

IT WAS 3200 BOOKS.

>> IS THERE A LIST IF SOMEONE WANTS TO FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY IS BANNED?

>> ON PENN DOT ORG PEN.

AMERICA'S WEBSITE LISTS.

MANY OF THEM.

YEAH.

>> NOW FOR CONTEXT, WHEN DID THIS PROCESS A BOOK BANNING AND ESPECIALLY IN THESE INCREASED NUMBERS?

WHEN DID THAT START?

IT REALLY STARTED AROUND 2022.

WHEN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE PASSED.

>> A COUPLE OF LAWS THAT CONTRIBUTED HB 1467.

EXPANDED THE ABILITY OF PARENTS AND OTHER RESIDENTS TO CHALLENGE BOOKS IN SCHOOLS AND THEN HB 7, WHICH WAS KNOWN AS THE STOP WOKE ACT, THE RESTRICTED ANY MATERIALS IN SCHOOLS THAT HAD TO DO WITH GENDER OR RACE NATIONAL ORIGIN, WHICH IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS HAVE TO DO.

US.

WASHINGTON POST INVESTIGATION FOUND INTERESTINGLY THAT MOST OF THE BOOK CHALLENGES IN THE HUNDREDS SCHOOL DISTRICT WERE FILED BY 11 PEOPLE AND MANY OF THEM NOT EVEN PARENTS THAT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH.

>> IT WILL SURPRISE ME TO HEAR THAT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CHILD IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, YOU CAN STILL GO TRY TO GET A BOOK.

BAND ARE TAKEN OUT OF THAT LIBRARY.

YES.

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?

>> THE NEXT STOP.

IT'S SORT OF PART 2 OF THE SUIT IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE BOOKS.

THE FIRST PART IS JUST SAYING THAT THEY NEED TO EXPLAIN THEIR DECISION FOR REMOVING THEM NOW WILL HOLD ON AND KEEP WATCHING TO SEE WHETHER THEY HAVE TO ACTUALLY REPLACE THE BOOKS, RIGHT.

KARI BARBARA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS REPORT.

THANK YOU.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

>> FOR THE LATEST UPDATES ON EDUCATION STORIES.

YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE WGCU DOT ORG.

DOCTORS SAY THAT NEW GUIDELINES TO TREAT SYMPTOMS OF MENOPAUSE COULD HELP PROVIDE RELIEF FOR MANY WOMEN DEALING WITH HOT FLASHES NIGHT SWEATS AND OTHER SYMPTOMS.

THE CHANGES ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF BROAD FEDERAL SAFETY WARNINGS LAST YEAR.

THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED NEW GUIDELINES FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS.

DOCTOR ANDREA BOARD CERTIFIED OBGYN PROVIDER JOINS US NOW FROM TALLAHASSEE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

>> FIRST, EXPLAIN WHAT MENOPAUSE IS AND ITS PREVALENCE.

>> IN A PAUSE IS THAT A CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR LIVES WHERE WE CUT THROUGH THE WELL, PEOPLE CALLED THE CHANGE A LIFE.

SEMINOLE PAUSES, A MEDICAL TO MEDICAL TRANSITION THAT WHEN THEY GET THERE, IT'S NOT SOMETHING JUST TO ENDURE THEIR MULTIPLE SYMPTOMS THAT ARE RELATED TO IT.

AND IT IT'S IF THE DEFINITION IS THE CESSATION OR THE STOPPING OF YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE.

BUT IT ALSO REFLECTS THAT, YOU KNOW, WOMEN HAVE HAD SURGERY AND HAD THEIR OVARIES REMOVED.

SO YOU SURGICAL MENOPAUSE.

YOU CAN ALSO HAVE HAD PROCEDURES.

THEN WHERE YOU'RE YOU PERHAPS MAY NOT MEAN STRAIGHT ANY LONGER, BUT YOU WILL STILL GO THROUGH MENOPAUSE.

SO A BETTER, BROADER DEFINITION MAY BE TO INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE ASPECTS OF MENOPAUSE AND THE CHANGE OF THE CHANGE OF LIFE IN THE TRANSITION.

WE GET THERE WHEN WE HAVE HOMEOWNERSHIP US BEFORE AS WE AGE.

>> HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE NEW RECOMMENDATIONS ARE FOR TREATMENT OPTIONS.

>> SURE.

WHAT'S CHANGING IN THE GUIDELINES.

SO TO CHANGE IS AN ESSENTIAL IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS RESET THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENOPAUSE IN GENERAL.

THERE IS THE FDA LABEL UPDATE.

AND THEN A CUBS PUBLISH ITS FIRST FULL MINUTE PAUSE GUIDELINES SINCE 2014, THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF A BIG UN'S CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE NUMBER 13.

AND THEN WE RE PUBLISHED NUMBER.

THIS IS REPUBLIC'S OCTOBER.

15TH THIS YEAR, JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO AND THE JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, IT GIVES A STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING HORMONE THERAPY FOR HOT FLASHES NIGHT SWEATS AND SLEEP DISRUPTION THAT THIS CAUSE WORTH PATIENTS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE.

AND FOR THOSE PATIENTS WITHOUT ANY CONTRAINDICATIONS, THE RECOMMENDATION IS ESTROGEN.

PLUS PROGESTERONE, OR YOU CAN HAVE ESTROGEN PLUS ANOTHER MEDICATION THAT'S AN ALTERED IT TO PROTEST IN BOTH GIVING RELIEF TO THOSE SYMPTOMS.

TIMING IS IMPORTANT.

STARTING BEFORE AGE 60 OR WITHIN 10 YEARS OF NATURAL MENOPAUSE.

INSIDE THAT WINDOW, IT'S THE BEST TIME TO GET THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR AGING.

BUT ON AND CARDIOVASCULAR HOUSE FOR PATIENTS AND THEN A PAUSE.

>> SO DOCTOR, COULD THESE NEW GUIDELINES MAKE IT EASIER FOR PATIENTS TO GET INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR MENOPAUSE?

>> I THINK IT SHOULD.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE EVIDENCE BASED RESEARCH IN THE FDA LABELING CHANGE HAS CERTAINLY BEEN PROMISING IMPACT ON BEING ABLE TO HAVE THIS COVERAGE?

I THINK HOPEFULLY WE ARE ACTUALLY WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO GET.

MOORE COVERAGE AND REDUCE THE BURDEN OF AUTHORIZATIONS.

SO SOME OF THAT LABELING CHANGES LIKE IN NOVEMBER 10TH OF 2025.

THE FDA ANNOUNCED IT WOULD REMOVE MOST OF THE BOX LABEL WARNINGS ON ESTROGEN CONTAIN A MINUTE PASS PRODUCTS.

SO INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT UP WITH THAT FEBRUARY.

12TH AT THIS YEAR.

FIRST 6 REVISED LABELS WERE APPROVED, DROPPING BOX FOR MORNING LANGUAGE ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

CANCER AND PROBABLE DEMENTIA SO TO APPLY TO SYSTEMIC AND VAGINAL PRODUCTS, WHICH IS A BIG WIN FOR CANCER PATIENTS.

AND THEN THE ENDOMETRIAL CANCER WARNING FOR ESTROGEN ALONE THERAPY AND WOMEN WITH THE UTERUS THAT ACTUALLY STILL STAYS IN.

IT'S STILL VERY IMPORTANT AND I COULD GET ON A SIDE WITH THAT BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO HAVE THE PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE PRESCRIBING THAT ARE AWARE OF THESE WARNINGS, WE CAN GET INTO SOME TROUBLE, SIR.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE SEEING.

I CERTIFY WG RAN OR SOMEONE THAT IS CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALLY AND MANAGING HORMONE THERAPY.

HOPEFULLY, YES, THIS IMPACT FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES IS GOING TO BE THAT THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO.

THE FDA LABELING CHANGES AND OUR EVIDENCE BASE AND RESEARCH TO SHOW THAT THIS IS BENEFICIAL FOR WOMEN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EXPERTISE AND TAKING TIME TO SPEAK WITH US TODAY.

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> FROM UPDATED GUIDELINES TO MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE HEALTH RELATED STORIES AT WGCU DOT ORG.

FLORIDA BEAR HUNTING SEASON OPENS IN ONE MONTH.

THE STATEWIDE BEAR HUNT RUNS FROM DECEMBER 5TH TO DECEMBER 27TH AND ALLOWING BEAR BAITING ON PRIVATE LANDS WITH STRICT GUIDELINES IS ALLOWED IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

NOW, THIS PAST OCTOBER, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REENACTED A RULE THAT ALLOWS HUNTERS TO USE BAIT TO LORE BEARS IN ALASKA'S NATIONAL PRESERVES.

A HANDFUL OF STATES ALREADY PERMIT BEAR BAITING UNDER STRICT RULES THAT VARY STATE BY STATE.

IT'S A CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE AND IT'S WIDELY CONDEMNED BY CONSERVATION GROUPS.

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 EXPLAIN WHAT BEAR BAITING IS FOR NON HUNTERS?

>> YEAH.

BEAR BAITING IS.

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 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 ON THE 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 BIKE COME CONDITIONING, BEARS TO HUMAN FOOD ACTUALLY POSE A SAFETY RISK TO VISITORS.

SO WE'RE OPPOSED TO IT.

WE THINK 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, THE SKILL THAT THOSE POOR, NOTHING LIKE GOT 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 THEIR 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 A NOTE 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'S FAIR 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.

MY COUCH TO US IT, THIS IS WRONG ON QUITE A FEW LEVELS.

>> NOW IS THERE IN THE NEXT STEP?

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

>> WELL, THE YOU KNOW, IF CONGRESS CHANGES 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, THEIR LOBBYIST COMMON TRYING TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO IT ALLOW AGAIN AND IT IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT THAT THAT'S NOT HUNTING IN OUR VIEW.

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

>> MR.

JENKINS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

NO, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

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

WE TELL YOU ABOUT THE EVENT THAT GIVES A HANDS-ON APPROACH FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO FIND A TRADE THAT COULD BE PART OF THEIR PERFECT CAREER PATH.

MORE HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING JOBS, WORKING IN TRADES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE RESEARCH CENTER REPORTING THAT 2 YEAR VOCATIONAL ENROLLMENT HAS RISEN 5% SINCE 2020 WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE TAKES US TO A SPECIAL EVENT IN LEE COUNTY THAT GIVES STUDENTS A CHANCE TO TRY OUT DIFFERENT TRAINS.

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 AND HAS CEREBRAL PALSY.

IT.

>> 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 IF YOU PUT A NAIL IN A DRY WELL, TOO FAR, IT WILL ALL 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 TRADES 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 AT 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.

>> 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.

NONE OF THEM 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 WHITAMORE.

AND COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM.

>> ANOTHER PATH FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS EMERGES FOR THOSE LOOKING TO ENTER THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR.

THIS AS CYBER SECURITY TO THEIR STUDIES AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A COSTLY CHANGING DIGITAL LANDSCAPE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO W G C DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN RIGHT HERE FOR SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUSED.