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
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For our Halloween episode, we listen back to our 2023 conversation with writer, researcher, folklorist and host of the podcast "Tripping on Legends," Christopher Balzano about some of Southwest Florida's lesser-known folklore, legends, and myths. -
Players Circle Theater in Fort Myers opens its 6th season with playwright Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy “Bedroom Farce.” Ahead of opening night we explore the production in a conversation with the company’s Robert Cacioppo, Carrie Lund Cacioppo, and Ted Wioncek III. -
The Marco Island Historical Society is hosting a retrospective exhibition of works by Naples-based impressionist painter Paul Arsenault titled, “Reflections of South Florida: A 50-Year Art Adventure,” through Feb. 15, 2025. Ahead of an Oct. 17 opening reception, we talk with Arsenault about his work, his storied career, and his advocacy for protection of our natural world. -
Southwest Florida-based artist Susie Krichbaum’s first solo exhibition titled “Whispers of the Bayou: Voodoo and Forest Magic” opens Oct. 4 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. We talk with Krichbaum about her art, her creative process, and embracing the peculiar. -
The Southwest Florida Symphony will open the 2024-2025 performance season with new maestro Stilian Kirov after the sudden departure of music director Radu Paponiu in April. We listen back to our August conversation with Kirov and get a preview of what’s in store for the symphony’s 64th season. -
Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers kicks off its 27th season this week with an ambitious roster of productions including music revues featuring 1950s-era favorites, iconic women artists of the 1960s, an Agatha Christie murder mystery, a time-traveling love story and plenty of comedy, including a play based here in Florida. Florida Rep. Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen joins the show for a preview of the season ahead. -
Tampa-based blues, roots rock and sacred steel musician Damon Fowler performs Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Alliance for the Arts’ “Art Is Essential” bash. Ahead of the concert, we’ll talk with Fowler about his musical journey and hear songs from his latest album “Barnyard Smile.” -
The Southwest Florida-based rock band Rosaline drops a new album titled “Zhuzh” on Sept. 6 and will play an album release concert Sept. 7 at Nice Guys in Cape Coral. Ahead of the release, we get a preview from the band’s frontman Caleb Neff. -
The Southwest Florida Symphony will open the 2024-2025 performance season with new maestro Stilian Kirov after the sudden departure of music director Radu Paponiu in April. We’ll meet Kirov and get a preview of what’s in store for the symphony’s 64th season. -
In an unexpected and unprecedented move, Governor Ron DeSantis, in June, vetoed $32 million dollars in state grants for more than 600 arts and culture organizations throughout Florida. We hear an encore of our conversation with Molly Rowan-Deckart from the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, Elysia Dawn with United Arts Collier, and arts reporter Tom Hall about how local arts and culture organizations are coping with the lost funds and about the economic impact of the region’s arts and culture industry.
