90.7 WMFE's Intersection

The Bronx Boys, Alan Murray and Dan Lowery, met on the traditional Irish music circuit in New York City. Murray and Lowery bring the foot stomping tradition of the Irish bar to the studios of WMFE.

President Obama’s second inauguration in 2012 made Richard Blanco a star. Blanco says reading his poem One Today at that inauguration changed his understanding of the power of poetry in public life. Blanco joins us to talk about that poem- and the piece he wrote in response to the shooting at Pulse.

In this presidential election the unfavorability of both major party candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, are at record highs. So is this the year when third parties really make their mark? Dr. Jill Stein is the Green Party candidate for president. She’s currently campaigning in Florida. Is she a game changer in the Sunshine State?

Then, President Obama’s second inauguration in 2012 made Richard Blanco a star. Blanco says reading his poem One Today at that inauguration changed his understanding of the power of poetry in public life. Blanco joins us to talk about that poem- and the piece he wrote in response to the shooting at Pulse.

And, The Bronx Boys, Alan Murray and Dan Lowery, met on the traditional Irish music circuit in New York City. Murray and Lowery bring the foot stomping tradition of the Irish bar to our studios.

One piece of news you may have missed: In June, the VA declared Orlando had reached a functional end to chronic veteran homelessness. But to get from functional homelessness to actual homelessness, there’s still some work to do. VA secretary Bob McDonald sat down with 90.7’s health reporter Abe Aboraya to talk about the challenges facing homeless veterans.

In 2011, Arizona congresswoman Gabby Giffords was badly injured in a mass shooting that left six people dead. Giffords and her husband, former shuttle astronaut Mark Kelly are kicking off a nationwide bus tour to promote gun reform, and they’re starting in Orlando. Capt. Kelly talks about the push to prevent gun violence, and explains why they wanted to start the tour in Orlando.

Brian Pearson’s research into hops grew from a personal interest in beer, and a curiosity about whether hops would grow in Sunshine State. Now the University of Florida professor has brewers and farmers beating a path to his door. Intersection visits the hop yard where Pearson and two of his students, Richard Smith and Amanda Morgan, are cultivating a plant that could be an alternative to the state’s struggling citrus crops.

Former US Senator Bob Graham headlines a rally to highlight the imperiled environment of the Sunshine State this weekend.

Ahead of that rally in Jacksonville, Graham talks about the threats to Florida’s environment, and why he’s not giving up in the fight to protect it.

“Our purpose is to give the public information it needs to make informed judgments relative to the future of natural Florida and then hopefully encourage them to get actively involved in protecting our natural heritage,” said Bob Graham.

Amendment 1, which was passed in 2014, set aside money for land acquisition, but the money hasn’t been spent the way environmentalists wanted.

“Unfortunately, since 2009 there has been a virtual shutdown of acquisitions while the need grows,” said Graham.

“Public opinion is what it will take to change attitudes.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi held a press conference this week about the donation to her campaign from Trump. Bondi maintains she did nothing improper, but did that press conference do enough to quell suspicions about the timing of the donation and the decision by the state attorney’s office not to pursue a case against Trump University?

A look at the money flowing into the campaign to legalize medical marijuana shows Sheldon Adelson has just given the opposition to that campaign a big boost. Is Amendment 2 going the same way it did last time? Or does it have the momentum this time to pass?

Governor Rick Scott just got back from what the Orlando Sentinel dubbed a “Zika Outrage Tour.” Will congress pass a funding bill and give Florida the money it needs to fight Zika?

Democratic state legislature and political analyst Dick Batchelor and Republican analyst and publisher of the Orlando Political Observer Frank Torres join the program.

Ken Nai started writing music in the sixth grade. Growing up an only child in Queens, he had a lot to say, but no one to say it to. That started his passion for writing lyrics.

On today’s show: we’re talking politics and money. Donald Trump’s donation to Pam Bondi, Sheldon Adelson’s cash injection to fight marijuana reform, and the money Rick Scott wants the federal government to send our way to fight Zika. Are you thinking about the money flowing behind the scenes as you get ready to cast your vote this November?

Then, former US Senator Bob Graham headlines a rally to highlight the imperilled environment of the Sunshine State this weekend. Ahead of that rally in Jacksonville, Graham talks about the threats to Florida’s environment, and why he’s not giving up in the fight to protect it.

And, up and coming Orlando hip hop artist Ken Nai joins us in the studio to perform some songs and talk about the sounds and scenes that influence his art- from his Dad’s record collection to the music of the islands.