Anti-Social

A FULL BLOWN TRADE WAR is now raging, after Donald Trump started slapping tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, China, and now, most of Europe. But what is his theory, and does it have any economic history? 

OUR GUEST is a JAMES FEIGENBAUM, a professor of economics who formerly worked for the Federal Reserve Bank, who says the president is following a centuries old script -- that most countries abandoned a long time ago. 

We also talk about another area -- the impact of illegal immigration on the economy, which Feigenbaum has researched and written about. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

NO ONE KNOWS how deep the cuts are, but forecasters at America's weather agency, NOAA, say the quality of forecasts could be jeopardized with layoffs of scientists and other employees. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a wide research mission that Floridians depend on for hurricanes and research into climate change and sea level rise. 

Our guest is JAMES FRANKLIN, a veteran scientist who has flown dozens of missions into the eyes of hurricanes. 

We ask him what's at stake. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

A LITTLE BIT OF BOASTING, but Key Biscayne's annual "Rib Off" is set in an idyllic bayside spot where smoke, pork, and community fuse together for one of the nation's best barbecue competitions -- all done for a great charitable cause

Our guest is Ron Magill, South Florida's best-known wildlife expert who just also happens to be a baby back rib lover and one of the judge's for this year's competition. 

BONUS: stay tuned at the end of the show for an interview with one of  Jorge Blanco, captain of the one of the winning teams, Smilin' Swine.

Here is a link to the results.  

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping package of immigration laws on Thursday aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump ’s mass deportation agenda. 

Republicans say the laws put Florida — long a haven for immigrants — on the leading edge of conservative-controlled states working to leverage state and local resources for federal immigration enforcement.

Our guest is TIFFANY HANKINS, was right in the middle of this big decision Tallahassee - she is the director of policies and politics for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, an organization that assists and advocates for immigrants in Florida with extensive know your rights resources

And, Tony and Jan talk about the state of disarray in Key Biscayne's massive Big Dig project, the Super Bowl -- and the presidential retaliation over the Gulf of Mexico. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

YEARS OF PLANNING was thrown into turmoil this week when the mayor of Key Biscayne reversed position on the Big Dig, aimed at protecting the Miami barrier island from sea level rise. Joe Rasco ran for office on resiliency projects, but his announcement endorsing a pause came in response to public concern about rising costs. 

Our guest is Thom Mozloom, a marketing and branding expert, joined with senior correspondent John Pacenti. We discuss how the project ran into opposition, and where the Village goes next.

In our second segment, the panel discusses the rapid moves by President Trump less than a month into his term. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

KIRSTEN HINES has a master's degree in biology, but it was later in life she learned the lens was the way to get close to the wildlife she loves. An award winning author, she knows Key Biscayne and Miami well. Join us for a fascinating discussion about the amazing beauty that exists even in big urban areas like Miami. 

You can see her work here

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS called a special session to deal with a financial crisis facing millions of condo residents, but so far, the Legislature is balking.

It's all about dealing with expensive repairs to aging buildings in the wake of the deadly collapse of the Champlain Towers building in Surfside in 2021. Combined with property insurance rates, condo ownership is becoming unaffordable.

Our guest is Dana Goldman, a former mayor of Sunny Isles Beach and a condo law expert - we ask her about the challenges that policymakers are facing. 

And, in in our second segment, Tony and Jan talk about how a man with a cigar changed policy in Key Biscayne.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

DOMINOES is a cultural touchstone in South Florida, but the annual gathering of players on the beach at Key Biscayne has a special purpose - furthering hopes and dreams in Liberty City, an economically-challenged area in Miami.

Our Guest for the first episode of season eleven (!) is Toby Rohrer, who with her husband Bill raises money for scholarships helping Liberty City residents. Tune in and learn about this cool program-- and about the passion players have for the game.

Details on event Jan. 18 here

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

Layoffs. Billionaires. Hedge Funds. Influencers. Declining ad revenue. 

Journalism has been hit with one Category-5 storm after another. 

In our final show for Season 10, Sergio Bustos, a veteran journalist and VP of news for WLRN, joins the discussion. We talk about how news has changed, and how organizations are adapting against economic headwinds even as the public craves more fact-based coverage. 

In our second segment, we talk about Luigi Mangione, accused of gunning down a health care executive in New York and public reaction. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today

ALLISON MCCORMICK just wrapped up eight years as a member of Key Biscayne's Village Council, a term that saw four village managers, a pandemic, and the start of the biggest public works project in the barrier island's history. 

We talk to her about the challenges of all that - and what is was like to be a public servant at the level closest to the people. And we welcome her as a new board member of Miami Fourth Estate, the parent nonprofit of the Key Biscayne Independent, the Liberty City Independent, and this podcast. 

This show is on the eve of Giving Tuesday, and we ask our listeners to support the show and the Key Biscyane Independent so we can keep providing you factual information about your town. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Subscribe to the Key Biscayne Independent today