90.7 WMFE's Intersection

The dust has settled after a gruelling mid term election and litigious recount. So what does the prospect of two Republican Senators from Florida mean for the sunshine state? How will Ron De Santis govern Florida? And what does the political landscape look like for Florida Democrats?

On this episode of Intersection, we take stock of the mid-term elections.

Democratic political analyst Dick Batchelor says it all comes down to turn out for the Democrats as they look towards 2020. And Republican political analyst Frank Torres says the transition team that governor elect Ron DeSantis is assembling gives the first real glimpse of how he’ll govern the sunshine state.

Theme parks draw tourists to Orlando, but they aren’t the only attractions in the city beautiful. You can step off the beaten path and visit a jam factory, feed alligators, or even try skiing indoors. We chat to Jon Busdeker, co-author of the new edition of 100 things to do in Orlando before you die.

And, grab a pint and rosin up your bow. A trip to the Harp & Celt Pub for a traditional Irish fiddle jam. 90.7’s Brendan Byrne discovers how one couple has kept the spirit of Irish folk music alive here in central Florida for nearly two decades.

Florida’s mid-term election is finally over. The closely watched recounts in the race for Senate, governor and agriculture commissioner ended last Sunday and the results certified Tuesday.

Rick Scott will be Florida’s next senator, and his fellow Republican Ron DeSantis heads to the Governor’s mansion, while Democrat Nikki Fried held onto a slim margin to win the race for agriculture commissioner.

The last couple weeks have been closely watched by the national media, lawyers and Florida residents, but they’ve also been an opportunity for civics teachers to show their students how the election process works in real time.

On this episode of Intersection, lessons learned from the recount.

Then- what’s Thanksgiving without the turkey? We take a closer look at the traditional thanksgiving feast in a conversation with Hari Pulapaka, the executive chef of Cress Restaurant in Deland.

And the commander of the 45th Space Wing has an ambitious goal- ramping up rocket launches from the space coast. 90.7’s Brendan Byrne talks with Brigadier General Douglas Schiess about 45th’s plans. 

The machine recount in Florida’s mid-term election has ended- but the drama continues in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Brenda Snipes, the supervisor of elections in Broward, has been under fire over how her office handled the election.

After more than a week of mounting frustrations- and lawsuits- Broward finished its recount but missed the three o clock deadline to upload the results for the Senate, Governor and Agriculture Commissioner’s races by two minutes.

Meanwhile Palm Beach County also missed its deadline.  Supervisor of elections Susan Bucher said her staff gave a heroic effort and blamed outdated machines, vowing to buy new equipment.

Of the three statewide races, the Governor’s race appears all but decided,with a hand recount in the race for Senate and Agriculture Commission. And the election’s still being litigated,even as the front runners begin their transition to power.

Joining Intersection for the latest on the recount are 90.7’s Amy Green, WLRN reporter Caitie Switalski, Democratic analyst Jason Henry, Stetson University professor of law Ciara Torres-Spelliscy and Republican political analyst Frank Torres.

One of the winners in last tuesday’s mid-term elections wasn’t a candidate- but an amendment. Amendment four will restore the right to vote for people with felony convictions on completion of their sentences.

Previous constitutional amendments approved by Florida voters have not been implemented by the legislature but supporters of this amendment say they worked hard to make sure it will be rolled out as intended.

On this episode of Intersection, a closer look at what amendment four means for those who will be most affected by it. We’re joined by Paul Heroux, an advocate for restoring the voting rights of former felons, and Neil Volz, with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. 

The world’s largest amusement park and attractions trade show is underway at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

More than ten miles of aisles display everything from water slides to virtual reality headsets and the machines that make the food that keeps amusement park patrons fueled up.

Intersection;s Brendan Byrne takes a walk through the future of the theme park industry.

And- a new off broadway musical opens this week- The Hello Girls tells the story of the women of the US Army Signal Corps in World War One. We revisit a conversation with Historian Elizabeth Cobbs about the Hello Girls and their struggle for recognition as veterans.

Three days after the mid term election and three races look headed for a recount. So what would a recount mean in the race for Senate, Governor and Agriculture commissioner?

For Floridians who lived through the 2000 presidential election- this may bring back memories of the Bush v Gore recount dispute which ended up in the hands of the US Supreme Court.

On this episode of Intersection, a discussion about what triggers a statewide recount, why it’s taking so long to get an accurate tally of votes, and what happens next. Joining Intersection are 90.7’s Amy Green who’s been covering the story, University of Central Florida political science professor Aubrey Jewett, and Michael T Morley, professor of law at Florida State University who specializes in election law, constitutional law, remedies and the federal courts.

The UCF college of nursing is launching a fundraising drive- with proceeds supporting scholarships for nursing students, research and medical mission trips.

The college of nursing is approaching its 40th anniversary, and from the education desk this week we’re joined by Mary Lou Sole and Christina Gonzalez, for a closer look at the changing face of nursing education.

Orlando’s Maker Faire kicks off at the Central Florida Fair Grounds this weekend. It’s billed as the greatest show- and tell- on earth- a family friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness.

The event started out at the Orlando Science Center, a venue it’s now outgrown. We talked to a couple of the makers helping make it happen. Nick Georgoudiou and Allen Paschel say there’s something for everyone at this year’s event– from battle bots to chocolate making.

After a long, gruelling campaign season, election day is finally here. Depending on who you talk to, this midterm election is the most important in our lifetime, a blue wave or a red wave, a reaction to the Kavanaugh hearings or a referendum on President Trump his policies- or maybe a combination of all of the above.

Candidates made their final pitch to voters over the last few days, with some high profile support, whether it was President Obama, Jimmy Buffett and Eva Longoria stumping for the Democrats, or President Trump, Rudy Giuliani and Senator Lindsey Graham for the Republicans.

On this episode of Intersection, we talk turnout, early voting, and the races and issues that have been driving voters to the polls wit Democratic analyst Dick Batchelor and Republican analyst Michelle Ertel.

Six days ago eleven people were shot to death inside a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The grief and shock – and anger- over the shooting has reached far beyond the Tree of Life synagogue and the Jewish community.

On this episode of Intersection, we’re joined by the Rabbi Steve Engel, Imam Muhammad Musri and Reverend Bryan Fulwider for a conversation about keeping the faith in the face of a tragedy in a house of worship.

Three weeks after Hurricane Michael walloped the Florida panhandle – some advocates are worried the public- and the media’s- attention is shifting elsewhere.

The estimated cost of rebuilding after Michael is 4 point 5 billion dollars… and a coalition led by a couple former Florida lawmakers is trying to keep the spotlight on the recovery effort. A conversation with Ron Sachs about the effort to ensure Floridians don’t forget about the so-called Forgotten Coast.

And, E-Turn has a new album out. Young World is the Orlando based hip hop artist’s 3rd full length album. She joins Intersection for a performance- and a conversation about making that album and rapping with hip hop legends like KRS-One

A report that the Federal government could narrow the definition of gender is raising alarm in the LGBTQ community.

According to the New York Times a memo shows the Department of Health and Human Services is leading an effort to define a person’s gender as biological, immutable and defined by their genitalia at birth.

On this episode of Intersection, we’re joined by Christopher Cuevas of QLatinX and trans rights advocate Jordyn Victoria Laos for a conversation about how the LGBTQ community in Orlando is reacting to the news, and the level of support they’re finding at the local and state level. 7

The sexton of Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery, Don Price, is retiring after more than 3 decades with the city.

Part of Price’s role has been helping Central Florida families through their worst moments, and he’s also developed a following for his popular Greenwood Cemetery tours, telling stories of the history of Orlando. Although Price is moving on- he says he’ll continue his guided tours of the cemetery. 

And the technology that powered the Pokemon Go craze finds new expression in the world of art. From drawings that assemble into 3D objects before your eyes, to a door that opens into an artist’s studio, a new exhibit called City Unseen reveals the potential of Augmented Reality art. Patrick Kahn of Snap! gallery in Orlando explains how it works. 

Blue-green algae hit the headlines in 2016,  clogging the waterways around the St. Lucie river with Toxic slime.

The blue-green algae is still around, and now there’s another aquatic menace spreading along the Atlantic coast and littering the beaches with dead fish: red tide. So what’s behind these blooms? How much do scientists know about what causes red tide and how and why it spreads?

Today on Intersection we take a closer look at the problems fouling Florida’s waterways. We’re joined by 90.7’s environmental reporter Amy Green,  Stetson University Water Institute executive director Clay Henderson, and Mote Marine Program Manager for Environmental Health, Dr. Tracy Fanara.

Then- it’s hockey season- and yes the sunshine state has its share of hardcore hockey fans. We’ll meet someone whose passion for hockey is also his business. Justin Cirillo keeps the ice slick for the puck at the Daytona Ice Arena.

And- we revisit an interview with a Florida raised surf rocker- now making music in Boston. A conversation with Kaley Honeycutt about writing songs and carving a niche in the music industry.

Top issues for Orange County sheriff candidates include school safety, tackling the homicide rate and putting more resources into policing a growing county

On this episode of Intersection,  conversations with the candidates for Orange County sheriff. John Mina is retiring from his position as Orlando Police Chief- his last day at OPD is this friday. Joe Lopez is a retired Florida Highway patrol chief who now heads up security at Disney’s Epcot. And Darryl Sheppard says he’s running to bring more transparency and accountability to the office.

Then- how a trip to space camp led to a career working to inspire the next generation of young minds in the quest to explore beyond planet earth. A conversation with NASA education specialist Lynn Dotson.

And- the power of the pen- or the tablet. Andy Marlette and Dana Summers talk about political cartoons in the time of Trump.