90.7 WMFE's Intersection

From March to December last year, about 57,000 eviction notices were filed in Florida. That number is likely an undercount. It’s one of the startling statistics in reporting from the Orlando Sentinel on the eviction crisis as the pandemic amplified an already perilous housing situation for thousands of residents.

On this episode of Intersection we discuss the prevalence of domestic violence with Harbor House's Laura Lucy; Opera del Sol's Nicole Dupre talks about a new work that highlights opioid addiction, and fossil hunters Derek Demeter and Henry Sadler explain how they found a giant mammoth bone in the Peace River.

The 2021 legislative session ended last week- with a flurry of controversial bills in the final stretch of the session defining a contentious two months in Tallahassee for lawmakers. From the  bill focused on voting to legislation targeting the participation of transgender athletes in school and college sports, on this episode of Intersection we unpack the session with political analysts Dick Batchelor and Frank Torres.

As tourism numbers begin to pick up again- central Florida leaders are cautiously optimistic about the impact on the region’s tourism driven economy. But even as more travelers from other states head to Orlando on holiday or for business - the return of international travel to pre-pandemic levels is expected to take longer.  Cassandra Matej joins the show to talk about getting passengers back on planes and tourists back on the road- and the next few months of th recovery. 

And- Veteran journalist Mark Pinsky’s leaving the Sunshine State and moving to North Carolina. We talk to Mark about religion, politics and crime- which has been his focus during a quarter century of writing about Florida--  and the next chapter of his journalism career.

The 2021 legislative session ended with a flurry of controversial bills after a contentious two months in Tallahassee. We unpack the session with political analysts Dick Batchelor and Frank Torres.

In the wake of a controversial bill to crack down on protests, Florida lawmakers have sent a police reform bill to the governor's desk. 

On this episode of Intersection, we talk with Sen. Randolph Bracy about what’s in the bill, what didn’t make it in, and his push for broader policing reform. 

Then- facing a mountain of charges ranging from sex trafficking to wire fraud, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg is reportedly mulling a plea deal. In the meantime, questions are being asked about what kind of oversight there was over his office. 

Orlando Sentinel justice and safety editor Jeff Weiner joins us to talk about the Sentinel’s reporting on a story that covers crime, politics and real estate, and connects an ever expanding network of Florida power brokers. 

And- Orlando Fringe is back! WMFE’s Clarissa Moon talks with a panel of Fringe experts about the past 30 years of the theater festival- what’s changed since the pandemic- and what it’s like to get back on stage.

On this episode of Intersection, we talk to Sen. Randolph Bracy about the police reform bill; Orlando Sentinel justice and safety editor Jeff Weiner joins the program to discuss the Joel Greenberg case; and WMFE's Clarissa Moon covers the return of the Orlando Fringe festival.

After the guilty verdicts in the trial of the former police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd, activists who have been protesting police brutality since last summer say there’s still much more work to be done. 

Maxwell Frost with March for our Lives says the verdicts delivered accountability rather than justice. On this episode of Intersection we speak with Frost about what the George Floyd case means for those in Florida who are marching for social change. 

The 'Combating Public Disorder' bill, nicknamed the 'anti-riot' bill, is now law. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill this week, surrounded by invited law enforcement officers. 

DeSantis and proponents of the bill say it’s a necessary safeguard against lawlessness and rioting. Opponents call it unconstitutional and an attack on free speech. 

Former Florida Supreme Court justice Peggy Quince has been an outspoken critic of the bill. She joins us to talk about this and other legislation she says is problematic. 

The future of transportation and urban design in Orlando could include flying taxis along with electric scooters- and a park under I-4. Orlando’s new transportation director Tanya Wilder joins us for a conversation about getting from A to B in the city beautiful.

After the guilty verdicts in the trial of the former police officer charged with the murder of George Floyd, activists who have been protesting police brutality since last summer say there’s still much more work to be done.

What does the pause in distribution for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine mean in the fight against COVID-19? How will the issues that the CDC is investigating with the vaccine affect the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy?

On this episode of Intersection, Dr. Ali Mokdad with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation joins us to talk about the vaccination effort in Florida and the US- and how the Johnson and Johnson vaccine fits into that. 

Then- the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition’s bus tour is rolling through Florida this week. While it’s not an election year, advocates are working to keep the focus on issues like getting voting rights restored for the formerly incarcerated and helping them to find housing and employment when they leave prison. We’ll talk to FRRC deputy director Neil Volz about these issues- plus what he’s keeping an eye on the legislative session, and the making sure the rights of people who are still behind bars aren’t overlooked during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

And- a conversation with Eric Camarillo who’s been working to trying to solve some of the challenges facing people experiencing homelessness- like access to clean clothes. Camarillo, CEO of the non-profit SALT joins the show to talk about the rollout of a mobile laundry trailer, and how the pandemic ramped up the urgency for non-profits like his that provide services to help the unsheltered.

On this episode of Intersection, Dr. Ali Mokdad with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation joins us to talk about the vaccination effort in Florida and the US- and how the Johnson and Johnson vaccine fits into that.