John Davis
Host, Reporter, Assistant News Directorjrdavis@wgcu.org
John Davis has been a Reporter/Producer for WGCU since 2007. For more than a decade he served as the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition. He currently serves as producer and host of WGCU’s radio talk program Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition with John Davis. Prior to joining WGCU, he worked at WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh, PA (now WESA) 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. Davis helped lead news team coverage around the clock during Hurricane Irma in 2017, which won a National Edward R. Morrow Award. More recently, his election and political coverage has garnered awards from the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists.
Send news pitches to wgcunews@wgcu.org
-
So far more than 1,300 people in Florida have tested positive for monkeypox with the majority of cases stemming from South Florida. The vast majority of infections are in men who have sex with men. As this global epidemic grows, vaccine supply remains limited. The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates Florida has the third highest number of confirmed monkeypox infections in the country. We’ll take a closer look in a conversation with Southwest Florida-based infectious disease specialist Dr. Douglas Brust. -
The Laboratory Theater of Florida in downtown Fort Myers is currently performing the Southwest Florida premiere production of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s 2019 Pulitzer Prize winning drama “Fairview.”The play tackles themes of implicit bias, prejudices, stereotypes, race, surveillance and privilege, but through an innovative and powerful defiance of convention.We explore the play in a conversation with the production’s Assistant Director Makayla Davis, actors and cast members Zaria Brown and Tijuanna Clemons, and Laboratory Theater founder and Producing Artistic Director Annette Trossbach. -
Wednesday, Aug. 10 will mark the maiden voyage of a new large-scale drone that Florida Power & Light plans to use to better assess damage and restore power more quickly after a hurricane. -
Early voting for Florida’s Aug. 23 Primary Election begins next week. Dates, times, and locations to cast a ballot early in-person vary depending on where voters are registered. For example, the early voting window begins Monday, Aug. 8, for registered voters in Charlotte and Hendry Counties, but early voting in Collier, Glades, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties doesn’t begin until Saturday, Aug. 13. This article includes a county-by-county breakdown of early voting dates, times, and locations across Southwest Florida. -
As Florida approaches what is typically the most active portion of the Atlantic storm season, Florida Power & Light is planning a flight of its new $1.2 million fixed-wing drone called FPLAir One. We’ll learn more about the new drone and other technology innovations the company uses to help customers before, during and after a hurricane. -
Artis-Naples has announced its full plans for the coming season. The overarching theme is “Distance – Devotion.” We’ll get a preview of the upcoming season with Artis-Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen. -
The Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office conducted its logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment and held the first canvassing board meeting in preparation for the Aug. 23 primary election. Testing of ballot tabulation equipment is required under Florida statute before every election. -
Monday, July 25, is the voter registration deadline for anyone looking to cast a ballot in Florida’s Aug. 23 primary election. In recent years, the Florida legislature has passed changes to some sections of Florida’s election code including new restrictions on absentee voting. -
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s Sea Turtle Monitoring Project is now in its 40th year, making it one of the longest continuously running sea turtle monitoring programs of its kind in the country. We’ll explore the history of this sea turtle monitoring project and its challenges, successes and findings with the Conservancy’s Director of Environmental Science Kathy Worley. -
A conversation with and music performed live in-studio by the Florida phantom folk band the Swamp Rats consisting of Scotty Crow on vocals, guitar and cajón and Andy Starkey on vocals and banjo
