90.7 WMFE's Intersection

It’s nearly six months since the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

90.7 News has been reporting on the story from day one- and on today’s program, we’re taking a look at the narrative that’s emerged from that night from the viewpoint of those who listened to the tragedy unfold: the 911 dispatchers.

How do the people on the other end of the 911 call train for a mass casualty event on this scale, and how they cope with the aftermath. We’re joined by a veteran dispatcher, and a 911 dispatch trainer.

In the six months since the shooting, Orlando residents reached out to one another for support. New political movements were started and new alliances formed. Terry DiCarlo joins us from The Center- the focal point for Orlando’s LGBT residents in the aftermath of the shooting. And we’re taking your calls. How do you think the city’s changed in the last 6 months?

And we’re bringing you an encore presentation of a performance by the Opera Realtor- D’Andrea Pelletier, performing a couple of her favorite holiday arias.

The Orlando Ballet’s getting ready for its annual performance of the Nutcracker. Artistic Director Robert Hill explains what keeps the crowds coming back to this holiday favorite, and the kinds of performances he sees in the ballet’s future.

The Orlando Science Center’s revamped Kids Town is part of a multi-million dollar makeover plan. The interactive exhibit for toddlers to elementary school kids wraps up science in an entertainment package. Science Center president JoAnn Newman and vice president of education Heather Norton chat about overcoming obstacles to STEM education.

On January 1st 2017 Mike Chitwood takes over as Volusia County sheriff. Chitwood’s been the chief of police in Daytona Beach for 10 years. As sheriff he’ll oversee law enforcement in a growing, and increasingly diverse county, and he says he wants his deputies to reflect that diversity. Chitwood sits down with Intersection to talk about how he plans to engage with the community and back up deputies as they answer calls.

On January 1, Mike Chitwood takes over as Volusia County sheriff.

He’s been the chief of police in Daytona Beach for 10 years. As sheriff he’ll oversee law enforcement in a growing, and increasingly diverse county and he says he wants his deputies to reflect that diversity.

Chitwood sits down with Intersection to talk about how he plans to engage with the community and back up deputies as they answer calls.

Then, we take a look at the Orlando Science Center’s revamped Kids Town: the interactive exhibit for toddlers to elementary school kids that wraps up science in a theme-park style entertainment package. Science Center president JoAnn Newman and vice president of education Heather Norton chat about overcoming obstacles to STEM education.

And the Orlando Ballet’s getting ready for its annual performance of the Nutcracker. Artistic Director Robert Hill explains what keeps the crowds coming back to this holiday favorite and the kinds of performances he sees in the ballet’s future.

As Cubans pay their respects to Fidel Castro, many of Florida’s Cubans are processing what his passing means and hoping it ushers in democracy. Meanwhile the thawing of relations between Cuba and the United States under President Obama could freeze over again. What does a post-Castro Cuba mean for those who fled the regime and made a home in Florida?

Orlando musician Nate Figueroa performs under the alias Nature. Intersection’s Brendan Byrne spoke to him about the art of songwriting and lyrics, and he performed three songs.

Military simulation has big presence in Orlando, and leaders in the industry say President Elect Trump could boost business once he takes office. We visit the floor of I/ITSEC- a tradeshow for military simulation- and peek into the future of this industry in Central Florida.

Fidel Castro’s death set off mourning in Cuba and celebration and calls for democracy from Miami’s Cuban population. Castro had been out of the spotlight for a decade, handing the reigns over to his brother Raul. So what does a post-Castro Cuba mean for those who fled the regime and made a home in Florida? And with a new Republican administration taking over January 20th, what of America’s detente with Cuba and the Sunshine State’s relationship to the Island?

We’re joined by Orlando business and government consultant Bertica Cabrera Morris who was born in Havana, and Steven Vigil, who was born in the US and first set foot in Cuba in 2013 for the reunion of a family split asunder by the revolution.

Then, the military simulation industry has big presence in Orlando and it’s banking on President Elect Trump funneling more money this way once he takes office. We visit the floor of ITSEC- a tradeshow for military simulation, and peek into the future of this industry in Central Florida.

And- a musician who goes by the stage name Nature, performs and talks about the tricky art of lyric writing.

Where did Orlando get its name? How do you pin down the identity of a state as transient and diverse as Florida? You might find answers to these questions on Florida Frontiers- the Florida Historical Society’s weekly radio show.