We’re featuring an encore presentation of our conversation, including live music, from Southwest Florida rock and blues musician and vocal powerhouse Kate Skales . We spoke with Skales just ahead of her headlining performance at the first show of this year’s “ Sounds of Summer” concert series at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers. Skales is currently traveling and performing outside of Florida, but she’ll be back in town next month for a show at Beach Records in Fort

Sports are far more than just games -- that’s the underlying principle behind a new exhibit on display at the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers called Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America . The Smithsonian Institution travelling exhibit explores the many ways sports, from pick up games to national championships, have connected people and communities, and have become a fundamental part of our culture.

A persistent red tide bloom has been plaguing Southwest Florida’s Gulf coast since the fall of 2017, with reports of fish kills and beachgoers experiencing respiratory irritation from exposure to the toxic algae. To date, there has been no proven way to eliminate red tide, particularly in large areas, without causing harm to the natural ecosystem.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County recently issued a health advisory for the Alva Boat Ramp, Davis Boat Ramp, and Franklin Locks after water sampling found the presence of Cyanobacteria , commonly known as blue-green algae, which can cause gastrointestinal effects if swallowed. The large algae bloom was first reported in the area about two weeks ago, about two weeks after the first high volume releases of nutrient-rich freshwater began flowing out of Lake Okeechobee. The algae bloom

One of the biggest draws to our area is the beaches, but when red tide is blooming off the coast, dead and injured animals wash ashore, and people who get a whiff of the airborne algae can have respiratory issues. Red tide can cause s ome birds to look drunk, while sea turtles can become basically incapacitated. While researchers busy themselves with trying to figure out what causes red tide, or what could help get rid of it, we’re sitting down with a person whose focus is on what the stuff does

We’ll hear from Southwest Florida musician Xid and the 25 upon the release of his second album of high-energy mix of Electronic Alternative and Synth Pop/Rock music. Xid went into the studio to create the new album, “ Counting Days ” with the goal of adding “more energy, more layers, and more passion.” These eight new tracks follow the release of Xid’s first album “ 21 Apologies ,” which came out in 2017. Xid is also a member of the popular Southwest Florida band Cobress , which was featured on

The Americana Community Music Association holds its 6 th Anniversary Concert this Saturday at All Faiths Unitarian Congregation in Fort Myers. The non-profit brings together professional touring artists, local singer/songwriters and fans of the Americana/Folk/Roots music community for performances in a respectful, intimate setting. The association’s Sunday songwriter circles also provide a supportive venue for songwriters to present new songs and foster their own creativity.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has been conducting its annual Kids Count study data every year since 1990. The goal it to give state legislators, public officials, and child advocates reliable data to inform policy choices. The 2018 data book was released at noon today. Florida showed improvement in children living in high-poverty areas, teen births and proficiencies in reading and math. The sunshine state earned an overall ranking of 34 in child well-being. We’re joined now by Dr. Norin Dollard

Breaking out old photo albums is almost guaranteed to take you on a journey, and now a new show is promising to do that in places across the country. We’re taking with the host and the executive producer of a new public television miniseries called Family Pictures USA . They are in town meeting people from all walks of life across southwest Florida on a search for places to hold photo-sharing events, which will be filmed, and used as the basis for a Family Pictures television program, as well as

Grieving the loss of a loved one is difficult for anyone, but when children lose a parent or sibling, the loss can be particularly profound. We’re joined today by the Founder and CEO of a local non-profit called Valerie’s House that works to help families and children struggling with loss. She says they’ve seen a spike in the number of kids who need help following the overdose death of a parent or sibling, and that right now about a quarter of children who need grief support is struggling with