90.7 WMFE's Intersection

For long time Titusville residents, the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket will evoke memories of the shuttle blasting off into space, and even launches from an earlier time in the space program.

On this episode of Intersection, we hear from the manager of Titusville’s Dixie Crossroads restaurant, Greg Holladay, about what Falcon Heavy means for the space coast. And 90.7’s space reporter Brendan Byrne joins Embry Riddle professor Dr. Eric Seedhouse  to discuss what this rocket launch signifies for the space program and aspirations for exploration of the moon and beyond. 

The Central Florida Commission on homelessness tackles a tough housing market in a bid to place 129 people in permanent homes. Hear from the CEO of the commission Shelley Lauten and from Andrew Williams, who spent seven years on the streets before finally getting the keys to his own home through the commission’s Welcome Home project. 

And a discussion with photographer Shawn Theodore, who documents disappearing African American communities, creating works that evoke and re-interpret classical works of art.

Theodore’s photos are on display in Orlando for the first time.

A controversial ad highlighting sanctuary cities brings immigration front and center to the Gubernatorial race. Democratic Candidate Andrew Gillum says he’ll debate the issue with Republican speaker of the house and potential candidate Richard Corcoran.

How important is immigration to you in the race for the governor’s mansion? Today on Intersection we’ll unpack this and other legislative stories from Tallahassee.

Then, a fresh look at Walt Disney and the role of food at his theme parks. And Disney’s influence on dining. A conversation with the author of Eat Like Walt.

And, young singer songwriter Zoya Zafar is a fairly new face on the Orlando music scene but she’s garnering critical praise. She joins us in studio to perform songs from her upcoming album.

The Orlando Regional Realtors Association says the lack of affordable housing is a real concern. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs admits providing affordable housing is a challenge. But she says it’s one that can be met by partnering with other counties and with buy in from the private sector. On this episode of Intersection, we revisit a conversation with Mayor Jacobs about the vision for affordable housing in Central Florida.

Then- is there anyone out there who wants to go fast? Jet dragster driver Elaine Larsen explains what it takes to power a 280 mile per hour race car. And we hear from interns Kat Redner and Paige Sanchez about the Florida Tech Jet dragster racing team.  

E Sports is big business. CEO Gaming director Alex Jebailey and Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy executive director Ben Noel give us a glimpse into the high stakes world of competitive computer gaming, and the Orlando training hub for the E-Sports economy. 

The Florida court system has been on the forefront of transparency including a step it took back in the 1990’s when it became the first state supreme court to stream oral arguments online. Now, the courts are expanding into the world of podcasts.

Today on Intersection we’ll take a look at the court’s efforts to increase transparency across the state. What does greater access to the courts mean for justice for all? And how do judges manage the deluge of information in the age of social media?

Then, what does it take to live on Mars? A recent experiment called HI-SEAS sent six test subjects to a simulated Martian base on Hawaii and kept them there for eight months. We’ll talk to one of those test subjects about what it was like participating in the study…and just what impacts does isolation have on people.

And, what’s the secret to a 62 year marriage? Authors Rachel and Jim Shipley join the program to talk about their news book “The Fundamentals: A Conversation about a Sixty Year Partnership” about what they learned after six decades of marriage and successful business ventures along the way.

The construction industry was facing a workers shortage before the 2017 hurricane season. Now it’s even worse. A recent survey found 70 percent of companies struggled to hire workers … even though they’ve raised salaries and thrown in benefits. This is a huge problem in Florida and central Florida with the building industry booming.

A look at why it’s so hard to find an electrician, roofer and plumber when there’s money to be made doing these jobs. And we examine how the education system and approach immigration are playing a major role in the construction worker shortage.

Then, the video of middle school student Keatan Jones plea to bullies to stop pushing him around went viral putting bullies back into the national conversation. We’ll talk with a Stetson University professor who as a principal and superintendent took a community approach to change the hearts and minds of students caught in the cycle of bullying.

And, grab a your hiking shoes, as we hit the trail at the Little Big Econ state forest. Winter is the perfect time in Florida to get out, and there are so many trails in less than an hour’s drive.

For years Orange County lead the state in juvenile arrests. Black boys made up a majority of the arrests that resulted in felony charges. New numbers show Florida is at 42-year low in juvenile arrests with Orange County leading the way. 90.7’s Catherine Welch caught up with Frederick Lauten, chief judge of the 9th judicial circuit to talk about whether civil citations are working in central Florida.

The Orlando Sentinel’s Red Huber has seen some of the biggest stories unfold through his camera lens. From hurricanes to the Pulse shooting, he’s been capturing pictures for the paper for 45 years.  Meet Red Huber, find out what’s behind the picture, and why photojournalists matter in the age of digital journalism.

There is no shortage of musical talent in Orlando. From the opera to the symphony to rock and punk and folk. Orlando Weekly recently ran a comprehensive list of artists worth listening to. Music critic Bao Le Hu stopped by the studio to highlight a handful of his favorites.

As construction companies desperately seek out workers to roof houses, lay bricks, do the electrical wiring and plumbing they’re offering higher salaries and benefits. Yet across the country, and especially in Florida, they struggle to find enough workers to build houses and office buildings.

Along 426 in Seminole County sits the Little Big Econ State Forrest. It’s a patch of natural beauty laced with hiking trails.

Bullying is something Stetson Assistant Professor Joyce Mundy thinks about a lot. She’s tackled the problem head-on as a principal and superintendent.

One of the first stops for some Puerto Rican evacuees is a non-profit billing itself as “The Puerto Rican embassy in central Florida.” The organization Latino Leadership has been helping families at its Puerto Rico Family Response Center in Orlando.

We speak to a community organizer on the front lines in helping those fleeing the island with food, employment mental health assistance and hugs to give people hope.

And a story of resilience. It’s been more than two years since an alligator bit off Rachel Lilienthal’s right arm while she was swimming in the Wekiva River. How is she doing now? We check up on her recovery

Then we revisit an Intersection session with Orlando musician Craig Thompson–he brings the spirit of growing up in Jamaica to the music he performs in Central Florida.