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Brandon A Guell
Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park gains more than 60 newly conserved acres, further connecting the world’s largest subtropical strand swamp.
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Spotlight on WGCU Original Content

Watch the latest episodes covering regional and national topics of interest.
Highlighting the resiliency of Bailey's General Store as the family business rebuilds after Hurricane Ian.
In the heart of Pine Island, Florida, mangoes reign supreme. Discover how mangoes thrive in Florida's climate.
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PBS News
  • At the White House Wednesday morning, President Trump convened the very first Cabinet meeting of his second administration. In an hour-plus question and answer with reporters, Trump did most of the talking. But there was one figure there who didn’t have a seat at the table whose influence was undeniable. Lisa Desjardins reports.
  • Elon Musk claims his campaign to fire tens of thousands of federal workers and cancel government contracts is in the name of rooting out “fraud” and “waste.” A website claims they’ve saved billions by cutting certain federal contracts, but reports and government documents prove that these so-called savings are either misleading or incorrect. White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López reports.
  • In our news wrap Wednesday, an unvaccinated child has died in the West Texas measles outbreak, Supreme Court justices seemed to side with a woman who brought a lawsuit claiming workplace discrimination because she is straight and a Baltimore judge is considering whether to reduce the life sentence for Adnan Syed to time served after prosecutors withdrew an attempt to vacate his murder conviction.
  • When the House passed the Republican budget Tuesday night, it was an important step towards funding President Trump’s agenda. Their bill includes tax cuts totaling $4.5 trillion, spending cuts amounting to $1.5 to $2 trillion and about $3 trillion added to the deficit over the next ten years. Rep. Jodey Arrington is chair of the House Budget Committee and joined Amna Nawaz to discuss the plan.
  • A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order halting the admission of refugees into the United States. The judge said the administration had likely exceeded its authority by freezing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which was established by Congress in 1980. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Mark Hetfield of HIAS, the country’s oldest refugee resettlement agency.
  • President Trump made carrying out the “largest mass deportation” in U.S. history a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign. But there are reports he's unhappy with the pace of that effort so far. William Brangham reports on a new, controversial tactic to carry out the administration's crackdown on unlawful migration.

WGCU YouTube Channels

PBS TV Shows
Washington Week with The Atlantic
Today's top journalists discuss Washington's current political events and public affairs.
FRONTLINE
A trusted source of journalism presenting news documentaries on today's public affairs.
NOVA
Explore scientific discoveries on television's most acclaimed science documentary series.
PBS News Hour
Top journalists deliver compelling original analysis of the hour's headlines.
Nature
Capturing the splendor of the natural world, from the African plains to the Antarctic ice.
Sanditon
The fan-favorite drama inspired by Jane Austen’s final, unfinished novel.
Amanpour and Company
Amanpour and Company features conversations with leaders and decision makers.
POV
Independent filmmakers present unique stories and characters with a point of view.
Around the World in 80 Days
David Tennant stars in a new adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic adventure novel.
Radio Shows
Gulf Coast Life
A locally produced talk show that strives to connect listeners to the people, places, and things that make Southwest Florida unique.
Three Song Stories
Three Song Stories is an exploration of the power music has to connect us to times, places, people, and emotions from our lives.
With the Wild Things
Hosted by wildlife biologist Dr. Jerry Jackson. who explores Southwest Florida’s beaches, swamps and preserves
Gulf Coast Life: Arts Edition
John Davis has been a full-time Reporter/Producer for WGCU since 2009. He is the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition and producer and host for WGCU’s radio talk program Gulf Coast Life! John came to WGCU as an intern in 2007, and is now reporting on a broad spectrum of topics of interest to Southwest Florida. Prior to joining WGCU, he worked at WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh, PA covering local government and general assignments.John studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University. His work has garnered awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Radio Television Digital News Association, and a first place award and “Best in Show” from the Florida Associated Press for his investigative work in 2011. Send news pitches to wgcunews at wgcu.org
GCL Book Club
For intelligent, candid conversations with authors of all genres, tune in to the Gulf Coast Life Book Club with Cary Barbor.Listen in on the first Wednesdays of the month at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
All Things Considered on WGCU
Visit website
Fresh Air Weekend on WGCU
Opening the window on contemporary arts and issues with guests from worlds as diverse as literature and economics. http://www.npr.org/series/139029251/fresh-air-weekend