Sandra Viktorova

A Pollster’s View: What we learned from the primaries about November’s face-off

Sandra Viktorova

Dr. Mark Schulman served as Time magazine’s pollster for almost ten years, and he worked on the ABC News Election Decision Desk for many years. Dr. Schulman became President of the American Association for Public Opinion Research 2002. He co-founded one the nation's largest public opinion/survey research firms, Scientific Research Based Interventions or SRBI, which is now part of Abt Associates.

A Pollster’s View: What we learned from the primaries about November’s face-off

Sandra Viktorova

Dr. Mark Schulman served as Time magazine’s pollster for almost ten years, and he worked on the ABC News Election Decision Desk for many years. Dr. Schulman became President of the American Association for Public Opinion Research 2002. He co-founded one the nation's largest public opinion/survey research firms, Scientific Research Based Interventions or SRBI, which is now part of Abt Associates.

Students in the Aviation Maintenance School at Charlotte Technical College prepare for their final days of class before graduation. Charlotte County School District leaders say the launch of a new aerospace program next academic year will bring in more jobs and help diversify the economy. The district plans to build a hangar to house the program at Charlotte High School. It's an expansion of the district's already blossoming aviation program.

Education

Charlotte High will launch a new aerospace program to help develop a much-needed young and skilled labor force in SWFL

Sandra Viktorova

Charlotte County School District leaders plan to launch a new aerospace program will at Charlotte High School in hopes of developing a young and skilled labor force in Southwest Florida. It's an expansion of the district's growing aviation program having success at Charlotte Technical College

Colby Wottman, Supervisor with Restore Drilling, helps to guide the conduit off the cart as it is pulled underground. On Wednesday, FPL demonstrated how they are replacing overhead neighborhood power lines with underground lines to improve resiliency especially during hurricanes and severe weather and also enhance reliability in day-to-day conditions using the The Storm Secure Underground Program (SSUP). Trees and vegetation leading to downed power lines is the leading cause of power outages during storms. SSUP has brought underground lines to more than 400 neighborhoods. According to FPL, underground lines performed significantly better than overhead lines day-to-day and during severe weather – including six times better during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and 12 times better during Hurricane Idalia last year.

Hurricane Recovery

FPL asks more SWFL homeowners to bury power lines underground

Sandra Viktorova

The secret to a quicker hurricane recovery is hidden in the ground — at least if you ask FPL. The power company is promoting a new program to convince homeowners in older neighborhoods to do away with their overhead powerlines and agree to have them buried in the ground. The company said its research on power outages is clear.

Chloelle Altaratz feels weightlifting is the perfect sport for her. Moments from a Wednesday afternoon workout. In it’s first year, the Barron Collier Female Weightlifting team found competitive success winning the district championship and two athletes placed in the top 20 at state competition. But forCoach Melissa Jackson, the best part has been seeing these young women enjoy the sport. Women’s weightlifting is taking off in High Schools around the country.

Sports

More Southwest Florida girls taking to competitive weightlifting

Sandra Viktorova

A trend nationally for more women being involved in weightlifting competitions as well as female celebrities who showcase their strength training routines on social media has helped boost the sport to women.

Sunseeker Resort overlooking the Peace River/ Charlotte Harbor.

Business/Economy

Sunseeker opening has many optimistic about the outcome in private and public sectors

Sandra Viktorova

Charlotte county leaders and business owners are optimistic about the economic impact of Sunseeker Resort’s openingCounty and community leaders believe its impact will be significant countywide and beyond.

Health

All Lee schools stocking Naloxone to combat potential opioid overdoses

Sandra Viktorova

Lee County School District begins distribution of Naloxone to all schools to combat potential opioid overdoses

Jaha Cummings, the president of the non-profit New Operation Cooper Street Inc who manages the facility, talks about the history outside the building. For decades, the Cooper Street Recreation Center has been a place for kids to play and get tutored and for the public to gather for community events--often an epicenter of celebrations for the African American community. Now for entrepreneurs like Michelle & Jeremy Gwaltney, aeroponics farmers in Punta Gorda it’s become a place to get marketing advice. The pair come to Cooper Street every month for free, one-on-one coaching with a business advisor from the Small Business Development Center. This is just an example of what is happening in the Rec Center. The Punta Gorda City Council is at odds with the center’s leaders, asking for a new short term lease and new management. The Cooper Street Rec leaders are in for the fight.

Government & Politics

The future of the Cooper Street Recreation Center is a point of contention for Punta Gorda

Sandra Viktorova

City and community leaders disagree over the future of the Cooper Street Recreation Center in Punta Gorda.

Chase Cusmano, the owner of Gunpla-Box is eager to see change and growth at the Port Charlotte Town Center

Public Affairs

Retailers hope mall transformation will give Port Charlotte Town Center new life

Sandra Viktorova

Retailers and community leaders hope mall transformation will bring business development, profits and new life to the Port Charlotte Town Center

Members of the Punta Gorda cirty council discuss vacation home rentals recently.

Public Affairs

Punta Gorda city leaders go back to the drawing board on regulating short-term property rentals

Sandra Viktorova

Punta Gorda city council members consider more restrictions on short term rental properties.