A global group of scientists has traced the evolutionary history of Florida’s signature crop up to 8 million years into the past to the Himalayas of Southeast Asia. Through analyses of 60 types of citrus whose genomes they sequenced, scientists identified 10 natural citrus species, according to their new study, just published in the journal Nature. We’re joined by a UF professor who co-authored the study, Fred Gmitter, to learn more about the implications of this research.

Here’s an answer to a question submitted to us through our Curious Gulf Coast project where we invite listeners to ask questions about southwest Florida. A woman named Rose asked us “Please tell me about the factory on Ft Myers Beach which harvested coquina clams and used them to cook, can, and sell clam chowder.” So, we reached out to the IMAG History and Science Center in Fort Myers and they sent over a man named Jim Powers to give us some insight. WGCU’s Mike Kiniry sat down with Mr. Powers.

A German journalist recently kayaked about a hundred miles along the Great Calusa Blueway in Lee County over a span of nine days. Dirk Rohrbach did this as part of his multimedia project called, “50 States- A Journey into America.” He’s documenting an adventure in each state with a videographer. Rohrbach was a physician and radio journalist in Germany. He’s also published in National Geographic. WGCU’s Jessica Meszaros spoke with Rohrbach in-studio just hours after getting off his kayak on

As we enter week six of this year’s state lawmaking session, our legislative roundtable series continues with an in-depth look at how our legislators are addressing public education. After fierce partisan debate, last week, the Florida House approved a sweeping public education bill (HB 7055) that creates a new private-school voucher program. The nearly 200 page bill also makes a broad spectrum of other changes on everything from school testing to how much public funding charter schools can

This is turning out to be one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory, and the incidences of flu continue to rise in southwest Florida. We’re joined by Dr. Mary Beth Saunders, she’s Lee Health System’s Medical Director for Epidemiology and Infection Prevention. We’ll get an update on the current numbers, as well as ways folks can protect themselves from the influenza virus. And we’ll explore best practices for caring for a loved one who has come down with the flu.

As tax documents start showing up in mailboxes across southwest Florida we thought it was time to bring in a couple of experts to help listeners out. We’re joined by Kim Swanson, she’s a Crime Prevention Practitioner with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office , to discuss the kinds of tax frauds and scams that are out there these days. She’ll guide us through what to watch out for, and best ways to protect our identities during tax season. We’re also joined by Patrice Cunningham, she’s United Way

A University of Florida researcher has found three species of mosquitoes feeding on Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades. Lawrence Reeves, a post-doctoral researcher at the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Lab in Vero Beach, says he and his team have recovered python DNA from the blood meals of those mosquitoes, and that it may be possible to detect the presence of the snakes using the technique. We'll learn more about his research and plans going forward.

There are currently more than 40 million people in the United States over the age of 65, and that number is expected to more than double in the next 20 years. We’re joined by Dr. Ron Garry , Board Certified Gerontologist, and Dr. Jaclynn Faffer , president and CEO of the Naples Senior Center at JFCS to discuss the growing needs of senior citizens in Southwest Florida.

We’re going to learn more about a new and innovative way to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and spirit among college students. We’ll meet two women behind the new Entrepreneurship Living-Learning Community that’s starting at Florida Gulf Coast University this fall. We’re joined by Dr. Sandra Kauanui , Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Management at Florida Gulf Coast University , and Annie Stout , who teaches management at FGCU.

As we enter the fifth week of Florida’s state-lawmaking session, our legislative roundtable series continues in a conversation with State Sen. Greg Steube , R-Sarasota, who represents Senate District 23 , which covers portions of Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. In the 2017 legislative session, Sen. Steube successfully championed more bills through the legislative process than any other state lawmaker.