90.7 WMFE's Intersection

The holiday shopping season is here and it should be a good one for Florida retailers, even though the average amount people are spending on gifts is less than last year.

We talk to James Miller from the Florida Retail Federation about what’s driving sales, how tourism affects profits, how small businesses are adapting to the surge in online shopping and what toys are the favorites. Remember those wild haired Trolls dolls from the 90s? They’re back…

Then, you might be fed up with politics after a rough and tumble presidential election. But newly elected lawmakers are already gearing up for 2017. What’s on the calendar for the upcoming legislative session? And the challenges new members of congress are going to face in Washington. Political analysts Dick Batchelor and Frank Torres weigh in.

And Ben Brotemarkle is the host of Florida Frontiers, and he’s been celebrating the rich history of the Sunshine State on his radio program since 2009. He says he’s constantly amazed by the diversity of our history.

For more than 50 years volunteers with the Braille Association of Mid Florida produced textbooks, and picture books, for visually impaired kids. But now the volunteers have to move out of their temporary home at Longwood Elementary School. And until they find a new home the machines they use to make braille textbooks and embossed images will go into storage. We talk with Braille Association president Mariann Witengier about the work they do and their search for a new home.

Jared Burnett is not your typical violinist. He has been referred to as a Fabio-esque violinist and his skills are just as good as his looks. Along with non-typical violinist looks, his signature six-string green electric violin is not what you would imagine.

For more than 50 years volunteers with the Braille Association of Mid Florida produced textbooks– and picture books- for visually impaired kids.

But now the volunteers have to move out of their temporary home at Longwood Elementary School, and until they find a new home the machines they use to make braille textbooks and embossed images … will go into storage.

We talk to the Braille Association president Mariann Witengier about the work they do and their search for a new home.

Then, a dentist who takes a mobile clinic to Central Florida schools to treat kids and teach them not to fear the dentist’s chair. A conversation with Mike Allen from the Orange Blossom Family Health Clinic.

And Jared Burnett does not look like your typical violinist. He’s been described as Fabio-esque. Burnett stops by to perform some songs on his signature electric violin, and talk about his journey from Lakeland to the bright lights of Broadway.

If kids can’t make it to the dentist- there’s a clinic that can come to them. Mike Allen is the founding dental director at the Orange Blossom Family Health Center in Orlando, and he spends his time visiting schools in Central Florida with a Winnebago-sized mobile dental unit.

Florida has legalized medical marijuana. But one big question: Where will those dispensaries go? And how much control will local governments have to regulate medical marijuana? WMFE’s Health Reporter Abe Aboraya spoke with Intersection Host Matthew Peddie. PEDDIE: Briefly, tell us what’s expected to happen next for implementation of Amendment 2 in Florida? ABORAYA: So remember how Florida already has a limited medical marijuana program? Patients with cancer and seizures can get non-euphoric medical marijuana, the so-called Charlotte’s Web. And if two doctors agree that you’re terminally ill, you can get full-strength medical marijuana. Well starting January 3, doctors will be able to prescribe for those 10 new conditions under Amendment 2. Cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, for example. PEDDIE: So ...

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re talking turkey- with a twist. Hari Pulapaka, chef and owner of Cress Restaurant in Deland and Thomas Ward, owner of Pig Floyd's Urban Barbacoa join us for a conversation about the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table, what to cook if you’re tired of turkey or can’t eat it, and what to do with the leftovers.

New federal overtime regulations kick in December 1st, and businesses are scrambling to prepare. Orlando area employment lawyer Patricia Sigman talks about what the law means for businesses and employees and how it could have an impact on work-life balance. And whether a federal lawsuit in Texas delay the rollout of the overtime exemption rule.

New federal overtime regulations kick in December first. Is your business scrambling to figure out how to adapt?

We talk with an employment lawyer about what the law means for businesses and employees and how it could have an impact on work-life balance. Meanwhile, what does a new administration mean for the law, and could a federal lawsuit in Texas delay its roll out? 

Then, supporters of medical marijuana in Florida are celebrating the passage of Amendment Two.

So what’s next for medical marijuana in the Sunshine State? How are cities preparing for dispensaries? And could Amendment Two open the door for decriminalization and recreational marijuana?

90.7’s health reporter Abe Aboraya walks us through the post Amendment Two landscape.

And with Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re talking turkey- with a twist. Hari Pulapaka and Thomas Ward join us for a conversation about the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving table, what to cook if you’re tired of turkey or can’t eat it,and what to do with the leftovers.

As the big theme parks compete for the attention of the millions of tourists that hop off the plane at Orlando International Airport each year, they’re turning to technology to help them get an edge.

Whether it’s drones that can fly in formation like the drones Disney just debuted at its new light show.