90.7 WMFE's Intersection

Governor Ron DeSantis took a defiant tone on COVID and education in his state of the state address opening this year’s legislative session. 

He touted Florida’s booming economy and a proposed budget that includes a healthy surplus, and hammered the Federal government on inflation and other issues. But the economy has gotten a tailwind from federal stimulus, and some of the governor’s proposals rely on federal money. 

On this episode of Intersection, we talk with political analysts Chris Carmody and Dick Batchelor about the 2022 legislative session. Issues to watch include abortion rights, redistricting, election security, nursing shortages and attempts to help Florida’s struggling manatees. 

We’ll also check in with the AARP’s Jeff Johnson on issues affecting the state’s seniors. 

And later in the program, a conversation with Randolph Bracy Jr, Kathy Hunt and Jaylen Christie about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and how that legacy resonates with today’s struggle for civil rights.

One year ago today a mob of people stormed the US capitol in an attempt to stop the election of Joe Biden from being certified. More than 700 people have been charged in connection with the attack, and a congressional committee is investigating the events of January 6th. 

On this episode of Intersection we talk with WMFE’s Joe Byrnes who has been following the case of two North Central Florida residents who are members of the Oath Keepers militia group- and charged with conspiracy, obstruction of official proceedings and other crimes. 

Just how far reaching are the political consequences of January 6th? And what does 2020 tell us about how future presidential elections could play out? John Hanley, a political science lecturer at UCF, says there are big questions about how new voting laws could influence this election cycle and beyond; and what role state legislatures could play in the next presidential election. 

And: how do you teach the events of January 6th to a 7th grade class? Civics teacher Matt Kiernan says it’s an opportunity to show how government works, and how the different branches function in extreme circumstances.

At the start of 2021- there were high hopes for COVID-19 vaccines. Twelve months later, millions are vaccinated, but the vaccines have become increasingly politicized, and in the meantime, Florida weathered the worst impacts of the delta variant surge over the summer. 

On this episode of Intersection we’ll look back at the milestones in the second year of the pandemic and what’s in store for 2022, with WMFE health reporter Abe Aboraya  and WLRN health reporter Verónica Zaragovia

It's been a tough year for the manatees. WMFE’s environmental reporter Amy Green joins us for a conversation about covering the triumphs and tragedies of Florida’s environment. 

And after the US resumed launching astronauts last year, the pace picked up for 2021. Space reporter Brendan Byrne runs through the highlights for commercial spaceflight and NASA’s excursions into the far reaches of the solar system. Plus- a plan to knock an asteroid off course, just in case our planet ever faces an Armageddon-like threat.

Rising inflation, supply chain issues and the looming threat of the pandemic- these have been some of the defining factors of the economy in 2021. 

So what’s the outlook for 2022, two years after the pandemic threw a wrench in the economy? 

On this episode of Intersection we take a look back at the year that was and explore what’s ahead with PNC economist Abbey Omodunbi. 

Two years ago, Ray Warthen broke ground on an urban farm in the heart of Parramore. Now the farm is producing crops from eggplant to okra… and honey. We’ll hear from Warthen about Infinite Zion farms and how he’s working to create an oasis of fresh produce in a food desert. 

And a new exhibition opening at the Orange County Regional History Center next year aims to help end the stigma of drug addiction by telling the stories of people who have died from from substance use disorder. 

Theresa Clower, whose son died of a Fentanyl overdose in 2018, started drawing portraits of others who have died from overdoses to help process her grief.

Governor Ron DeSantis is lauding police officers who want to work in Florida. So who are the officers relocating to the sunshine state?

On this episode of Intersection we speak with WUFT reporter Elise Elder about what she found after digging into the files of Lakeland Police Department's newest recruits from New York. 

Governor DeSantis wants to revive the Florida State Guard. It would have a similar function to the national guard- but would not be controlled by the federal government. Political commentators Chris Carmody and Dick Batchelor join the program to discuss this and other headlines in state and national politics, from the pushback against vaccine mandates to redistricting. 

A new redevelopment plan for the Fashion Square Mall in downtown Orlando includes 1,400 apartments.  But Austin Valle with Orlando YIMBY is calling on the developer to include even more apartments to meet Orlando’s soaring demand for housing. Valle talks about his vision for walkable neighborhoods and a less car-centric city.

Every year Project Censored publishes a book of 25 stories that the group believes should get more coverage by the media. The latest edition of the Orlando Weekly features 10 of this year’s top stories, from the impact of prescription drug costs to how Pfizer negotiated with South American countries to distribute its COVID-19 vaccine. 

On this episode of Intersection  we talk with Project Censored director Mickey Huff and associate director Andy Lee Roth about independent journalism and media literacy. 

Oceanographer and National Geographic explorer Sylvia Earle has a new book out: Ocean- a global odyssey. The 86-year old has spent decades exploring the ocean, and yet she says there’s still much more to be learned about the earth’s life support system. Earle talks about the mysteries of the deep and what we can do to protect the oceans. 

Florida freestyle rapper Reverse won the USA national final of the Red Bull Batalla. Next week he heads to Chile to compete in the international final. Reverse joins the show for a conversation about the world of competitive freestyling.

Second Harvest of Central Florida CEO Dave Krepcho says the pandemic had a profound impact on the way the food bank operates. For a start- the amount of food going out has nearly doubled. Krepcho retires at the end of the year, but says he’s confident that second harvest- and the non-profit world in Central Florida- is in good hands with the next generation of leaders. 

On this episode of Intersection we talk with Krepcho about the safety net for people hardest hit by the pandemic, and what’s next for Second Harvest.

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. 

And Rollins College alumnus Fred Rogers is celebrated with a new sculpture unveiled last month. Paul Day, the artist who created the sculpture, talks about how he wanted to show Rogers doing what he did best: talking to children on their level.

Tribal leaders from across the United States met this week for the first Tribal Nations summit since 2016. On the agenda for the virtual summit hosted by the White House were public safety and justice, land and treaty rights and the impact of COVID-19 and climate change. 

On this episode of Intersection we talk about takeaways from the summit for Florida tribes with the managing editor of Native News online, Valerie Vande Panne. 

The Florida Classic is back. Florida A & M University and Bethune Cookman University square off in a contest for football- and marching band- supremacy. Joining Intersection to talk about the game are Florida A&M University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha, Bethune Cookman University Director of Athletics Reggie Theus, Bethune Cookman University football coach Terry Sims and Florida Blue Vice President for the Central Florida Region, Tony Jenkins. 

And the Florida Surf Film Festival this weekend showcases a new documentary about the 'father of modern surfing' Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku. Director Isaac Halasima joins Intersection along with Film Festival co-founder Kevin Miller to talk about bringing the story of this legendary American athlete to the big screen.

It’s veteran’s day and this week the memory mall at the University of Central Florida is dotted with 1,400 flags to represent the students attending the university who are veterans. 

On this episode of Intersection we take a closer look at one aspect of how veterans transition to life outside the military- by attending college. 

Joshua 'JJ' Johnson with the Veterans Academic Resource Center at UCF joins the show to discuss how the center has grown and how it supports students who are veterans and others attending college on the GI bill. 

The hospitality industry is at what could be a watershed moment. Restaurants are struggling to hire as the economy picks up again from the pandemic driven recession, and the staff shortage has shone a light on issues with restaurant culture. We explore at what that means for hospitality- and for Central Florida- with a panel of experts. 

Joining Intersection are Orlando Weekly restaurant critic Faiyaz Kara, operating partner at The Pinery Carol Holladay, UCF Rosen School of Hospitality professor, Dr. Robertico Croes, and Sodexo vice president of supply management Aaron LaMotte.

And we revisit an interview with Orlando area poet and US army veteran Brian Turner. He reflects on his military service and talks about how he connects with other veterans through writing.

With COP26underway in Glasgow this week, there’s renewed focus on the effort to tackle climate change. 

President Biden said the US aims to be a net zero emissions economy by 2050 and other countries are making similar promises. But adapting to climate change has to be part of the strategy too. 

On this episode of Intersection we talk with National Geographic explorer, film maker and scientist Alizé Carrère about her new series on PBS: ‘Adaptation’, about communities that are adapting to profound environmental changes. 

Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act opened this week. Pat Geraghty, the CEO of Florida Blue joins us to discuss the impact of the pandemic on health insurance and healthcare. 

And Beacon College’s TV Show 'A World of Difference' shines a spotlight on learning differences and profiles people with learning differences who’ve found success, like Shark Tank star Daymond John. We hear from Beacon College’s Darryl Owens about the show.