90.7 WMFE's Intersection

On this episode of Intersection a conversation with a first time voter, and analysis of the Senate Judiciary’s debate and vote on the president’s nomination of Amy Coney Barret to the US Supreme Court.

We're less than three weeks away from the presidential election and Americans appear more divided politically than ever before. The country is still in the grip of a deadly pandemic and legislation to help people hardest hit by the economic crisis is stuck in congress. Meanwhile, President Trump has declined to promise a peaceful transition of power. 

On this episode of Intersection, you'll hear a conversation with two veterans of previous administrations: Andrew Card who was chief of staff for president George W Bush, and Peter Rouse, who was a counselor and interim chief of staff to President Barack Obama. 

Card and Rouse were guest speakers this week at a lecture series hosted by the University of Central Florida. You’ll hear them discuss the response to crises like 9/11 and how the Trump administration has changed the Republican party and American politics. 

Then- the Right Stuff- the story based on the early days of American space exploration- just launched on Disney Plus- it was filmed around Central Florida. Orlando Film Commissioner Sheena Fowler joins Intersection to talk about the series and the future of the film industry in the face of the pandemic.

Former White House chiefs of staff Andrew Card and Peter Rouse discuss politics, governance and the presidential race. And Orlando Film Commissioner talks about 'The Right Stuff' and the future of the film and television industry.

To answer your questions about making sure your ballot counts, we spoke to Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley and WMFE reporter Joe Byrnes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expired this week. The governor’s office said it was to avoid confusion over whether the state order- or the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium should apply. So where does that leave renters? 

On this episode of Intersection, 90.7's Matthew Peddie talks with state representative Anna Eskamani, who says she’s been fielding calls from tenants throughout the pandemic- seeking help with rent or trying to avoid eviction. They discuss the politics around the housing crisis as the pandemic continues. 

Florida’s now in phase 3 of recovery from COVID-19, with bars, restaurants and businesses allowed to reopen. The governor’s announcement last week, though, sent local authorities scrambling- figuring out how to interpret the order and keep mask ordinances in place while coronavirus cases continue… even as the state relaxes rules around the pandemic. 

Orange County mayor Jerry Demings says communication between the governor and local authorities needs to improve. He joins the program to talk about the county’s approach- and the impact of thousands of layoffs at Walt Disney World. 

And in Lake County- leaders want more businesses to apply for grant money to get them through the pandemic. County commission chair Leslie Campione talks about the challenges facing business owners and the help that’s available.

Governor Ron DeSantis’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosures expired this week. The governor’s office said it was to avoid confusion over whether the state order- or the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium should apply. So where does that leave renters?

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the US Supreme Court, as the nation pays tribute to a legal- and cultural icon. 

Ginsburg’s passing has added another layer of complexity to an already tense 2020 presidential election. 

Republicans are calling for the vacancy on the court to be filled soon. And Democrats are calling hypocrisy- after the Republicans stonewalled President Obama’s nomination to the Supreme Court- Merrick Garland-- in 2016. 

On this episode of Intersection we talk through the politics of the Supreme Court pick with political analysts Dick Batchelor and Chris Carmody. 

We’ll also discuss Governor Ron DeSantis’s controversial proposal to ramp up penalties for protesters. 

Then- a conversation with Stetson University College of Law Professor Louis Virelli about the process of picking a new justice; Bush V Gore; and the notion of an expanded Supreme Court. 

And- reporters from the Miami Herald take us behind the gates of President Trump’s ‘Winter White House’, Mar A Lago in their book The Grifter’s Club. 

Two of those reporters: Sarah Blaskey and Nicholas Nehamas, join Intersection to explain how the resort has become a magnet for politicos and power seekers looking for an audience with the president, and a place where the norms of presidential decorum and government business have been upended.

On this episode of Intersection we talk through the politics of the Supreme Court pick with political analysts Dick Batchelor and Chris Carmody. Stetson University College of Law Professor Louis Virelli talks about about the process of picking a new justice. And Miami Herald reporters Sarah Blaskey and Nicholas Nehamas take us behind the gates of President Trump’s ‘Winter White House’, Mar A Lago in their book The Grifter’s Club.

The Washington Post shone a spotlight on an Osceola County motel where residents are staying with no water or power. Now many of the families at the Star Motel are being moved into safer, cleaner accommodation. But that’s just a temporary fix. 

On this episode of Intersection, we talk about how the pandemic and the recession is amplifying the housing crisis with Barbie Austria, founder of Kissimmee Poinciana Homeless Outreach, and Rev. Mary Lee Downey, CEO of the Community Hope Center. 

And- the census is just a couple weeks away from wrapping up, and staff from the US census bureau- along with leaders in Orange County- are pushing to get more people to complete it. 

Mayor Jerry Demings wants the county to reach a 70 percent self response rate. Melvin Pittman, with the complete count committee, joins Intersection to talk about the challenge of getting the census done during the pandemic, and the importance of the count for federal funding and political representation. We also listen back to an interview first aired in March, with Marc Morial, CEO of the National Urban League.

On this episode of Intersection, we talk about how the pandemic and the recession is amplifying the housing crisis in Osceola County, and we discuss the census and the push to get more people to complete it.