Elizabeth Andarge

06/03/2026

Lee County’s teen birth rate is higher than both the state and national average. In 2023, Lee County recorded 20.8 births per 1,000 females ages 15–19, compared to 18.4 across Florida and 19.3 nationally.
Now, one Fort Myers program is helping young parents stay in school. The Young Parents Education Program gives students in grades 7–12 a flexible, self-paced path to earn their education while raising a family.

05/29/2026

Immokalee’s only homeless shelter will close June 30 as St. Matthew’s House seeks another organization to take over Friendship House operations.

05/19/2026

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, led by Maria Beebe, hosted an event celebrating African culture through storytelling.

05/05/2026

I spoke on a panel at The Southwest Florida Chapter of FPRA's media breakfast last week, talking with communications professionals about how stories actually make it into the newsroom. A lot of strong questions came up, but one theme we kept coming back to: relevance wins. The pitches that stand out quickly answer “why now?” and clearly show the impact on our audience.

Also, a fun point of agreement among the panelists: we DO appreciate follow-ups. If you've got a really good story, don't be afraid to get in touch. Call, email, text... send a fax if you have to.

Grateful to the organizers for putting together a discussion worth having.

04/30/2026

04/16/2026

I’m honored to share that I received my first Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists award in the Feature | Cultural/Historical category for my story, “The Dreamer’s Dilemma and the Uncertainty of DACA.” This piece would not have been possible without my source, Maria, whose trust made it happen. I’m incredibly grateful. There is still widespread misinformation about the path to citizenship, and I hope this piece helps clarify at least one part of that conversation. Thank you to everyone who supported this work.

03/21/2026

Fort Myers High School has been named a National Unified Champion School and recognized by ESPN as the Top Inclusive School in Florida for 2025–26! 🏀

This year’s basketball game featured Cape Coral's Thrive Academy FL. Check it out for yourself :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UterGKnXZuY

When Basketball is More Than Just a Game: While most college basketball brackets are busted and broken, WGCU’s Elizabeth Andarge attended one local high scho...

03/11/2026

In a quiet corner of Sarasota County, Amish and Mennonite families have preserved the art of handmade quilting for generations. The intricate craft reflects deep cultural roots and community values.

WGCU Culture and Connections Reporter Elizabeth Andarge examines why fewer young women are learning the skill and what that could mean for the future of this longstanding tradition. Full story in the comments.

If you enjoyed this story and would like to see more reporting like it, please consider making a donation today at wgcu.org or call 239-590-2300.

03/06/2026

to the 8th International Fest! Organized by the Cultural Heritage Center of Southwest Florida. We had the chance to chat with some of the dancers behind the scenes and hear a bit about the cultures they were representing. Filipino American Society Inc. Kasayahan Dancers and Albanian Eagles Dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQrDGhVueZw&t=1s

The four corners of the globe came together at the Mercado in Naples for a celebration of art and culture as part of International Fest. Regions of Eastern ...

03/02/2026