Critical Times

On Thursday, DeSantis signed Senate Bill 90, which introduces several regulations related to Florida elections. Some organizations are already denouncing the bill as unconstitutional. Omar Guerrero details the controversies surrounding SB90 and speaks to the president of the League of Women Voters in Florida, about a recent lawsuit against the bill.

The disaster at Piney Point brought concerns about water quality to the center of our headlines. Similar concerns are common throughout Florida, and people in Orange County sought a solution. A lawsuit filed last week could change the nature of environmental protections throughout the United States.

On Wednesday, April 21st, activists, organizers, and community members gathered to celebrate the guilty verdict on Derek Chauvin, and to mourn the lives lost to police violence. Becca Hadwen spoke with one of the organizers about the event.

Sarasota High School students want to work with the administration to update the school dress code after enforcement became more strict, and many girls were punished for breaking the code. Claire Thomas has details on the students' efforts and calls for change.

On April 15th, the Florida legislature passed a bill that threatens people’s right to protest. It could also undermine the budget making process of local governments. I spoke with two organizers to learn about the dangers of this legislation.

New College of Florida undergraduate theses encompass the hard work the students put forward in their years of study at New College. One thesis group this semester, consisting of both first and second semester thesis students, is putting their hard work towards an art exhibit entitled "what we do in the house that has no walls," and Claire Thomas spoke about it with one of the thesis students whose work will be on display, Hanna Isabella Gatof.

A recent breach at Piney Point thrust the site into the spotlight, but this situation is not new at all. Besides marking the past, Piney Point will set the tone for handling phosphate plants throughout the state. I spoke with Frank Alcock and Glenn Compton to talk about what’s gone wrong with Piney Point and the dangerous precedent it could set.

"A phosphate mine in Manatee has been leaking millions of gallons of nutrient-rich water into the Bay, which might cause a significant surge in red tide. Inmates from a nearby jail are kept inside despite the imminent threat of massive flooding. Omar Guerrero tells us more about the potential damage of the leak and the local efforts to contain it. "

On March 16th, a white man killed 8 people in Atlanta. All of them worked at spas. Six of them were Asian-American women. A week later and 500 miles away, Sarasota locals gathered to honor the victims and speak against racism.

Grass-roots activism is alive and well in the Sarasota community, and organizations such as Sarasota Strong are working towards equity for all people and offering resources and safe places for learning and growing. Claire Thomas spoke with members of the upcoming Sarasota Strong panel event on March 22nd. The topic of discussion: teaching anti-racism for parents and young children.