90.7 WMFE's Intersection

On Orlando United day, one year after the shooting at Pulse, the community gathered at events across the city to mourn the 49 victims, pay tribute to the first responders, and comfort the survivors and their families.

We’re joined by Reverend Bryan Fulwider, Imam Muhammad Musri, and Rabbi Steve Engel, for a conversation about how the faith community responded to the tragedy.

Later in the show we’ll hear from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Teresa Jacobs, who helped steer Orlando through the tragedy, and who reflect on how the city’s darkest hour showed the community at its best.

But first we’ll hear from a club promoter and activist who says there’s still a lot of work to do for the city to be truly united.

After a workplace shooting in Orlando that left five people and the shooter dead, the Orange County Sheriff ruled out terrorism and called on the community to help prevent further fatal shootings.

On today’s program we’ll talk about crime, terrorism and the public’s role in prevention. What are the differences in how law enforcement, the community, and the media respond to violent crimes that are classified as terrorism- and crimes that aren’t?

Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum launched his campaign for governor back in March. At 37 he’s a rising star in the Democratic party, and if elected- he’d be the state’s first African American Governor. We’ll hear from Gillum about what sets him apart from his rivals.

And Violectric play classical stringed instruments- with a twist. They play classic rock riffs like Kashmir by Led Zeppelin. Violectric join us in studio to perform some songs, and chat with 90.7’s Brendan Byrne about putting the classical into classic rock.

The White House wants to slash spending on food stamps by tens of billions of dollars over the next ten years. On this episode of Intersection, Second Harvest of Central Florida CEO Dave Krepcho explains why he’s worried about the impact on food banks.

From the federal budget to Florida’s budget: lawmakers reached a deal with Governor Rick Scott and they head into a special session to hammer out the details. Political analysts Dick Batchelor and Michelle Ertel weigh in on the budget, the governor’s race and more.

And how do you beat congestion on the roads in Central Florida? Lynx CEO Edward Johnson says the bus may be the answer. Johnson talks about transit system improvements like dedicated bus lanes on busy roads, making sure the bus service keeps pace with a growing population, and working with commercial transportation providers like Uber to fill in the transit gaps.

Has greyhound racing in Florida run its course? A spate of bad news stories in recent weeks has focused new attention on greyhound racing: a dog died and 72 got sick after eating bad meat at the Orlando Sanford Kennel Club. And in another case a greyhound racer’s license was revoked after five dogs were found to have cocaine in their system.

On this episode of Intersection we talk to a lobbyist with the greyhound racing association, and Grey2K, an organization pushing to end racing in the sunshine state. What does the future of Greyhound racing look like in Florida?

As a kid, Andy Aldrin watched his dad make history, walking on the moon. Now he runs the Buzz Aldrin space institute- focused on getting humans to Mars. Andy Aldrin talks to 90.7’s Brendan Byrne about the next frontier in space exploration.

And- Dear World has been interviewing- and photographing people affected by the Pulse nightclub shooting. The producers explain the combination of words and imagery that make the Dear World project unique.

For veterans returning to civilian life- the transition can be a challenge. Back in December, UCF’s business incubation center launched a program to help veteran entrepreneurs hit the ground running.

On this episode of Intersection we’ll check back in with UCF’s Ricardo Garcia, and talk to retired Air Force veteran Derick Bugg, who’s developing a business to help children and adults with intellectual  disabilities.

From veteran entrepreneurs to the business of space- in Brevard County commercial space exploration is driving business development. Troy Post with the North Brevard Economic Development Zone explains what’s new on the space coast.

Hurricane season starts in a couple days. Just how prepared are you? Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris is hoping for rain to ease the drought- just not too much of it. And he reveals the secrets of the best hurricane preparedness kit in the county.

And: check out a book, chat with a social worker? Orange County Public Libraries now has a social worker on staff. We chat with Dr. Stem Mahlatini about her work, and why the library is an ideal place for a social worker.

Governor Rick Scott wanted more money for public schools than he got from lawmakers in the budget. School District superintendents aren’t happy with the education bill either. Who likes the education bill, who doesn’t and what it means for public schools?

Then, the Everglades has been at the heart of Florida environmental politics for decades but it still remains a bit of a mystery to many residents of the Sunshine State. 90.7’s environmental reporter explains her fascination with the River of Grass and novelist Jeff Vandermeer talks about how environmental concerns inform the detailed, terrifying apocalyptic worlds of his books.

And, Who doesn’t want a cannon? Don Price gives us a guided tour of the confederate veterans section of Greenwood Cemetery where a statue of Johnny Reb could soon join the civil war cannon.

After the Pulse nightclub shooting- mental health organizations mobilized to provide counseling. The mental health association of Central Florida brought in extra staff and created a new program with free counseling. Who has that program helped and where will they find the money to continue?

Today on Intersection, we talk to the Orlando United counseling service, and Hispanic Family Counseling about the help they’re providing after Pulse, and the ongoing need that could last for years.

Central Florida is a designated testing area for driverless cars. But how soon can you expect a driverless car to take the kids to school by itself, or a car that will let you catch up on emails while you commute to work? Find out what’s around the corner for automotive autonomy.

And the Call of Duty World Championships heads to Orlando. We’ll take a look E Sports: who’s playing, who’s watching, and what this industry’s worth.

On the shore of Lake Eola in Orlando there’s a statue of Johnny Reb. It commemorates the soldiers who fought on the confederate side during the civil war. Now, like other civil war monuments around the south, there are plans to move it. But not everyone agrees, like protesters who showed up at City Hall on Monday. Is the statue, as mayor Buddy Dyer says, a monument to the soldiers who died, a relic of history, or is it a symbol of white supremacy?

Then, first amendment foundation president Barbara Peterson says Governor Rick Scott should veto the budget because of how it was crafted. In secret. Just how much sunshine beams down on the capitol in Tallahassee, and is it enough?

And Beth McKee and Renee Arozqueta serenade us ahead of their concert at the Swamp Sistas La La at Orlando Fringe.

As a hurricane approaches, most people are putting up storm shutters and making plans to get out of the way. But there are some who head straight into the storm. Today on Intersection, we’ll check out one of the Air Force’s hurricane hunter planes.

Hurricane season is just a few weeks away and Rick Knabb has some advice on how to prepare. Knabb spent 5 years at the head of the national hurricane center in Miami, and he says people need to be more scared of water hazards after a hurricane.

From chasing hurricanes to hunting jobs. Intersection’s Talia Blake chats with some new graduates who are starting their job search. And economist Hank Fishkind talks to 90.7’s Brendan Byrne about what the job market looks like for those new graduates.

And Orlando’s Fringe festival turns 26. Producer Mike Marinaccio and performer Peter Michael Marino reflects on how Fringe has become part of the cultural landscape, and how the festival keeps its edge.

Orange and Osceola County state attorney Aramis Ayala is suing Governor Rick Scott to get her murder cases back. In court documents filed this week, Ayala argued the governor said in the past that he “had no power to forcibly intrude on state attorneys”. So why is Governor Scott intruding on her cases? Lawyers, human rights organizations, lawmakers and retired judges have filed briefs in support of both the state prosecutor and the governor in this case.

Later in this hour, with lawmakers unable to roll out a plan to implement medical marijuana. What’s next for patients and doctors? We’ll hear from a father who wants the rules sorted out for the sake of his daughter, who suffers from seizures.

And Bao Le Huu’s beat at the Orlando Weekly is the city’s music scene. He previews some upcoming shows: bands from as far away as Brazil to our own backyard.