90.7 WMFE's Intersection

February 2nd marked one year since the suicide of Transportation Security Administration officer Robert Henry at Orlando International Airport. 

In the aftermath of Rob Henry’s death questions were raised– including about the workplace culture at TSA. An investigation by WMFE’s Abe Aboraya and Danielle Prieur uncovered allegations of abuse and retaliation at TSA, and followed up on some of the changes in culture that Rob’s death has prompted at TSA. 

On this episode of Intersection– we take a look back at the last 12 months and ask– what’s changed and what happens next? 

We’ll bring you two panel discussions recorded last week in front of a live audience at the Orlando Public Library’s Melrose Center. 

First we’ll hear from a panel of journalists who covered the story. 90.7’s Danielle Prieur and Abe Aboraya, Spectrum News 13 reporter Asher Wildman, and journalist and photographer Isaac Babcock. 

Then we’ll talk to some of Rob’s friends and colleagues: Brenda Shearer, Stan Tuchalski and Joe Donadio. 

We’ll also hear from mental health consultant Ryan Gallik and from Congressman Darren Soto about legislative changes to improve the working conditions of TSA officers. And we’ll talk to the president of the Union representing Orlando TSA officer, Deb Hanna. 

The new strain of coronavirus that emerged in China last month is the latest respiratory illness to trigger worldwide fears. The illness has spread rapidly in China, sickening thousands and killing 170 people so far, with isolated cases popping up in other countries across the globe, including 6 confirmed cases in the US. Coronavirus hasn’t reached the Sunshine state so far, but what should Floridians be aware of?

On this episode of Intersection, we talk to disease experts John Lednicky and Sean Beckman about coronavirus, from stopping the spread of infection to protecting yourself from bad information. 

Then the latest in the degree for grant funding scandal at the University of Central Florida. The Orlando Sentinel’s Annie Martin joins us to discuss the firing of three faculty members at the Institute for Simulation and Training, and what that means for the University. 

And what defines Orlando? We talk to four writers: novelists Nathan Holic, Jenny Torres Sanchez and Lauren Gibaldi, and screenwriter Jason Gregory about writing about Central Florida, the physical landmarks and the cultural identity of Orlando. 

 

Fans of the grocery store sip and stroll were dealt a blow this week– Lucky’s Market announced it will close all but one of its Florida locations. Does this mean there’s an opportunity for other specialty grocery stores to expand? What does the demise of Lucky’s say about the competitive nature of the supermarket business in Florida? 

On this episode of Intersection we’ll take a closer look at the rise and fall of Lucky’s Market with Orlando Business Journal reporter Jack Witthaus. 

Artist Mira Lehr has been making environmentally themed art for sixty years. Her Miami Studio is on the water, and with King Tides and the threat of climate change, there’s even more of a sense of urgency about her art. 90.7’s Matthew Peddie talks to Lehr about her new exhibition opening in Orlando this week at the Menello Museum– called High Water Mark. 

And the tale of the Florida Panther’s survival is one of long odds and some controversy. Journalist Craig Pittman dives into the story in his new book Cat Tale. We’ll talk to him about Florida’s elusive state animal. 

Even as libraries have transformed into hubs for innovation, learning and new technology, storytelling remains a vital part of their identity. Storytelling was showcased at a recent storycorps listening party presented by the Orange County Public Library System in partnership with WMFE and the Orange County Regional History Center. 

On this episode of Intersection we to listen back to the event, recorded at the Orlando Public library last month. 

We’ll hear from Randall Smith, who interviews his daughter Chelsea Smith about her lifelong passion for art. 

Celeste Kuri and her mother Riley Roca talk about homeschooling and the significance of the public library as a resource. 

Denise Diaz and her daughter Zoe´ Shipley-Diaz, talk about their experiences in middle and high school and some of the racism and bullying they have seen. 

We’ll also hear conversations with the library’s public affairs administrator Erin Sullivan, urban sketch artist Thomas Thorspecken and Orange County Regional History Center curator Pam Schwartz. 

You may have heard of food deserts– areas of a city where it’s hard to get fresh fruit and vegetables, but what about news deserts? As the media industry faces layoffs, there are fewer reporters covering local politics, city hall, and other important beats. 

Report for America aims to change that. On this episode of Intersection we talk to Report for America’s national director Kim Kleman about the bid to fill holes in the journalistic landscape by helping fund a new generation of reporters. 

Growing up, Jessica Granahan says she was good at math, but put off by her experience learning math in school, she majored in language arts education in college. Now, with a master’s degree to her name, she’s back teaching math and science. 

Grahanan joins us along with UCF’s Lisa Dieker to talk about STEM education in Central Florida. 

Florida Today news columnist John A Torres delves into his reporting file for inspiration for a new crime novel– Paradise Rolling. He chats with Intersection about his book, and the state of the media business today. 

The US constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America… but how much do you really know about it and how much attention do you pay to the constitution day to day? 

On this episode of Intersection we discuss this document that underpins life in America. It’s a text that derives strength from its brevity, and yet the language also leaves room for interpretation, and we see lawyers and lawmakers grappling over its meaning today. 

We’ll talk to Barry University associate professor of law Eang Ngov about why the constitution matters, how it’s endured hundreds of years of interpretation, argument and politics, and the challenges that lie ahead. 

And we’ll be joined by University of Central Florida Political Science professor Aubrey Jewett, for a comparison of the US and state constitution, and a discussion about how the impeachment battle playing out in congress is shining a spotlight on one of the founding document of the United States of America. 

Then: listen to a reading of the entire US constitution itself, read by staff at WMFE and members of the community. 

WMFE is kicking off a month long celebration of the US constitution: on today’s show you’ll hear the constitution and throughout January we’ll air the amendments. 

Orlando has a new city commissioner in District Six. Bakari Burns defeated Gary Siplin in a runoff election last week, a resounding win in a race that nevertheless saw only a few thousand votes cast. 

Burns may be new to politics but he grew up in the district and says he has his finger on the pulse of the big issues, including housing, transportation and infrastructure. 

Burns, who leads the non-profit Orange Blossom Family Health, tells Intersection he’ll spend the first few months of his term listening to residents and figuring out how to represent the needs of the entire district. 

Orlando Sentinel investigative reporter Jason Garcia has been reporting on how corporations are able to use Florida’s tax laws to their benefit and the revenue the state may be missing out on by leaving loopholes open. Garcia talks about his reporting and what businesses and lawmakers are saying about corporate tax. 

And Marc With a C has released a retrospective album of his past 20 years writing and performing songs, and a book to go with the record. Marc joins us to talk about the book and the box set, called “Maybe It’ll Be Good”, and about his unconventional tour plans for 2020. 

An investigation by WMFE this year into the death of Rob Henry documented allegations the TSA agent was bullied by co-workers and targeted by management before he jumped to his death at Orlando International Airport. 

A TSA report obtained by WMFE reveals more about what led to his death, but friends and family say they still have questions. 

On this episode of Intersection reporters Danielle Prieur and Abe Aboraya discuss what’s in the report, the reaction from family, friends and former co-workers of Rob Henry, and what TSA has done to try and change workplace culture after Henry’s death. 

Just before Thanksgiving, 1,300 families in Lakeland were mailed letters to let them know their medical debts had been paid. 

The congregation of Access Church partnered with a non-profit to figure out how much medical debt there was among Lakeland residents with incomes below 50 per cent of the federal poverty line, and paid off about half of it, to the tune of one point six million dollars. 

We talk to lead Pastor Jason Burns about how the church’s act of generosity has struck a chord with people across the country. 

And the League of Women Voters of Orange County has a new book out, celebrating the legacy of an organization that’s been advocating for political engagement for 80 years. We’ll chat to past and current league presidents Linda Chapin and Sandi Vidal about the league’s voter advocacy. 

Thanksgiving is a time to get together with friends and family- and a celebration of food. Hari Pulapaka calls this week “America’s food holiday.” Pulapaka is the executive chef at Cress Restaurant in Deland, and this week on Intersection we revisit a conversation where we take a closer look at the Traditional thanksgiving feast, from the turkey to the trimmings and what it means to celebrate Thanksgiving without meat.

How can you tell if your hamster’s unhappy? Is a loving home enough to help a dog from a troubled past change its behavior? Do pets grieve? And what kind of emotional toll does the work of a veterinarian take on the people who care for pets? 

Listen back to a conversation with veterinarian Dr. Lynn Honeckmann, and Tom Bohn with the North American Veterinary Community about the role of pets in American society– the money we spend on pets, and the human animal bond. 

And Benoit Glazer built a concert hall in his house. The co-founder of the Timucua Arts Foundation has even more ambitious plans for a floating concert hall. Earlier this year we sat down with Glazer for a conversation about how artists and musicians are beating a path to the door of his unique concert venue and how the boat he calls Benoit’s Arc would make classical music even more accessible.

More first responders in the United States die by suicide than in the line of duty. Orlando firefighter Jeff Orrange says those numbers are staggering, and he’s working to change the equationOrrange is part of a peer support team that helps firefighters reach out to fellow firefighters and get the mental health support they need. On this episode of Intersection we’ll revisit a conversation with Orrange about the education process for first responders and the importance of peer support. 

What do social media companies do with all of the data they’ve got from you? How sophisticated does a phishing email have to be to work? What’s the downside to the internet of things– smart watches, smart fridges, smart toys? These are some of the questions that keep UCF’s Dr. Yan Solihin up at night. We’ll listen back to a conversation with Solihin about cybersecurity and the pitfalls of the Internet of things. 

Before Fred Rogers was a children’s television icon, sporting his trademark sweater and sneakers, he was a music student at Rollins College. The college developed a walking tour last year for the 50th anniversary of his television show, Mr Rogers Neighborhood. The self guided tour returned this November– coinciding with the release this weekend of the movie “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood” starring Tom Hanks. We revisit the tour and our conversation with Rollins College communications manager Jo Marie Hebeler. 

 

We’ll take a Mr. Rogers walking tour of Rollins College. That’s ahead on Intersection- first the news.