90.7 WMFE's Intersection

Few states in the US are more vulnerable to climate change than Florida, but without a statewide policy – cities and municipalities have been left to deal with the impacts on their own.

In a conversation recorded live at the WMFE studios, we discuss a year-long reporting project on climate change with 90.7 environmental reporter Amy Green, Trevor Aaronson with the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, journalist Tristram Korten and research professor Randall Parkinson.

UCF president Dale Whittaker resigned last week, following a legislative investigation into money that was misspent on construction at the university. 90.7’s Abe Aboraya and Orlando Sentinel reporter Annie Martin join Intersection to discuss what’s next for UCF and what the fallout could mean for other universities.

And an exhibition at the Museum of Art Deland is showcasing the work of African American painters, sculptors and other visual artists who were part of the Harlem Renaissance.  The museum’s education curator Pam Coffman highlights some of the key works.

The City of Orlando has been touted as a leader in the fight against climate change. This month Orlando was recognized by former New York City mayor and UN special envoy on climate change Michael Bloomberg for its use of climate friendly vehicles and solar arrays.

Working to reduce emissions is one thing… but what about working to reduce waste? To find out what happens to the stuff people in Orange County recycle- we took a trip last summer to the Orange County Materials Recycling Facility, and on this episode of Intersection we revisit a conversation about what goes into Central Florida recycling bins, and where that recycling goes next.

Then- companion animal trainers develop a special bond with their dogs. So what does it take to train a companion dog?

We meet a couple of the volunteer trainers and their dogs with Canine Companions for Independence.

And we revisit a conversation with one of the listener favorites from last year’s Tiny Desk contest at 90.7 News. Holy Human, who describe their sound as “Psychedelic punk with a bluesy stomp, holy harmonies, and an attitude.”

President Trump declared a National Emergency to free up more money to build a wall along the southern US border.

The president made the announcement last week after agreeing to a funding deal to avoid another government shutdown. So how’s the declaration of emergency playing with lawmakers in Central Florida?

On this episode of Intersection we dig into the ramifications of the state of emergency and plans for a border wall with political commentators Jason Henry and Frank Torres.

Opportunity rover was only meant to spend three months roaming the surface of Mars.  15 years later, NASA finally pulled the plug on the mission after a dust storm finally killed the robotic spacecraft’s batteries. Brendan Byrne chats with Dan Batcheldor of Florida Tech about what Opportunity taught us- and is still teaching us today.

And the Capitol Steps political comedy troupe rolls into town next week. Founding member Elaina Newport explains how they got started and how the team stays on their toes to respond to a fast changing news cycle. That’s ahead on Intersection, first the news.

The state attorney’s office for Orange and Osceola County completed a six month investigation into shots fired by law enforcement officers during the Pulse mass shooting in 2016. Their conclusion- none of the more than 180 shots fired by officers during the confrontation hit clubgoers.

Orange County sheriff John Mina- who was chief of police at the time of the shooting- says the findings are a relief for the officers involved.

The report also brings some closure to some victims family members. But for others- there are still questions. Joining us on Intersection to unpack the investigation: 90.7’s Abe Aboraya and Emily Lang, and Frank Straub,  Director of the Center for Mass Violence Response Studies at the National Police Foundation. 

Then- as the crisis in Venezuela deepens, Venezuelans in Orlando are holding out hope that president Maduro’s grip on power may be loosening. We’ll hear the hopes of Waleska Maderer for her home country. 

And- Hannah Harber and the Lionhearts released their debut album this year. Hannah Harber joins us to perform songs from the album  ‘Long Time Coming’.

This week, Parkland marks one year since the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. On this episode of Intersection we look at how the school community is coping, how law enforcement agencies are using a new law to help them act on potential threats, and the connection between two cities affected by the trauma of a mass shooting.

For nearly a year, Florida police and sheriff’s offices have had so-called red flag legislation at their disposal, which allows them to ask a judge to temporarily remove guns from the hands of people deemed a threat to themselves or others. WLRN’s Danny Rivero joins Intersection to explain the impact of the law.

AP politics teacher Jeff Foster tells us how his students at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School turned to political action after last February, and how life has changed for students and staff.  

And the onePulse Foundation is sending a banner with messages of support to Parkland, and it will honor victims of the shooting on Thursday. The foundation’s Nikole Parker joins Intersection to talk about community healing after a tragedy.

Governor Ron DeSantis says he’s making addiction relief and mental health a top priority, calling for nearly $85 million  to tackle the opioid epidemic in Florida. At the same time, central Florida leaders are banding together in a local effort called project opioid.

On this episode of Intersection we explore how the approach of Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties complement statewide efforts to tackle the opioid crisis, and what solutions are most likely to succeed? Joining the program are Nikaury Muñoz, System of Care Director with the Central Florida Cares Health System; Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, who chairs the Attorney General’s Transition Advisory Committee Working Group on Opioid Abuse, and Tony Jenkins, Market President for Central Florida for Florida Blue and co-chair of Project Opioid.

Then- the storycorps airstream recording studio rolls out of Orlando today. We check in with mobile site manager Jacqueline Van Meter on the themes that resonated over the hours of conversation recorded in the trailer in the past five weeks.

And it takes 21 years to get good at playing the Uilleann pipes. Kathleen Cavanaugh joins us to perform the Irish bagpipes along with fiddler Vicky Gish.

Governor Ron DeSantis promised a bold vision for Florida when he took office. And his first weeks on the job have been marked by some bold actions- reversing Florida’s course on smokable medical marijuana, pledging a big spending plan to help clean up the Everglades, and signaling an end to common core.

The Governor’s also outlined what he wants in the state budget to pay for this.

On this episode of Intersection we check in with political commentators Dick Batchelor and Frank Torres. Just how bold is Ron DeSantis’s vision for Florida, and how will he execute that vision?

Then- the competitive e-sports bug bites college students. Students are joining collegiate leagues and developing rivalries just like those of traditional college sports.

Intersection’s Brendan Byrne chats with a team from the University of Central Florida, prepping for its first matchup in a Rainbow Six: Siege tournament.

And Trinidadian- Grenadian writer Anna Levi joins us for a conversation about giving voice to some of the overlooked residents of the Caribbean- children living on the edge of poverty.

Governor Ron DeSantis is pledging $50 million for springs cleanup. Environmentalists have been sounding the alarm for years about the declining quality of Florida’s numerous springs and waterways. Nutrient pollution is clouding many of the state’s once clear springs. That’s a problem- not just for tourists and Floridians who flock to the springs in summertime- but the wildlife too.

So the big question is- how will that money be spent and is it going to be enough?

On this episode of Intersection, we dive into the health of the springs with 90.7’s environmental reporter Amy Green, Clay Henderson with the Stetson University Water Institute, and Russell Bryant, a former board member of the Friends of the Wekiva.

The partial government shutdown ended a week ago, but the impact is still being felt by federal workers and contractors who are waiting on back pay.

We hear from Kevin Dimico, the business representative with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers about legislation he wants to get passed to guarantee contract workers back pay after the shutdown. 

And singers from Central Florida Vocal arts are getting ready to perform A Tale of Two Cities. Theresa Smith-Levin, baritone David Bracamonte and soprano Sarah Isola explain what it takes to bring the classic Charles Dickens novel to life as a musical.

The University of Central Florida is dealing with the fallout over misspending of more than $38 million in state money. The money was used to pay for construction of Trevor Colbourn Hall, which replaced an aging academic building. Bill Merck, the University’s former chief financial officer who lost his job over the incident, says the rules around how that state money could be spent were not clear.

On this episode of Intersection, we speak to Merck about how and why the university went about paying for Colbourn Hall- and what comes next. We’re also joined by Merck’s attorney, Chuck Greene, and 90.7’s Abe Aboraya, who’s been following the story about the misspent money. 

Florida is suffering a teacher shortage. The Florida Education Association says part of the solution is funding the state’s public education system adequately. Fedrick Ingram, the president of Florida’s largest teachers’ union, joins us to explain what the state needs to do to hire and retain more teachers.

And Orlando consistently makes the list of the country’s most dangerous places to walk and ride a bike. We’ll hear from the city’s top transportation planner, Billy Hattaway, about what’s being done to change that.

The Florida Supreme Court is poised to become the most conservative bench it has been in decades. Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed three new justices to the court. With Barbara Lagoa, Robert Luck and Carlos Muniz, the court’s expected to take a sharp turn to the right. On the campaign trail, DeSantis promised an end to so-called judicial activism — and the new court could bring sweeping changes to the state’s abortion laws, redistricting process and compensation to victims due to negligent actions of state agencies.

On this episode of Intersection- what’s ahead for the state’s highest court, how soon could those changes come about and what does it mean for Floridians? We’re joined by Molly Nardella, attorney and Republican political analyst, Democratic political analyst and media consultant Jason Henry, and Law 360 reporter Carolina Bolado. 

It’s been a rough week for journalists- with news organizations from Buzzfeed to Gannett announcing layoffs. But as newsrooms shrink, there’s another trend as well- unionization. We’ll hear from reporter Tessa Duvall about how why the reporters at the Florida Times Union decided to form a union.

And as the 30th Zora! Festival gets underway- NY Nathiri from the association to Preserve Eatonville Community joins us to talk about the enduring legacy of writer Zora Neale Hurston.