Drew's News

Chris O'Brien is the state Capitol reporter for WKRN News 2 and Nexstar in Nashville, Tennessee.

He's a proud graduate of the University of Florida, and a lover of all things Gators. Chris worked in Greensboro after graduating, prior to his current position in Nashville, as a general assignment MMJ.

Chris is also a lover of the National Parks System, and would like to see all 63 National Parks in his lifetime -- he's currently at 12.

When he's not working, you can find him at a local bar watching sports or out hiking.

Connect with Chris: 

Instagram:   

@chris_obrien10

Twitter:

@THEChrisOB

Drew's News Podcast want to be on the show?

Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

I caught up with the Executive Director of the Center for Independent Living of North Central Florida, Tony Delisle, to talk about the fantastic work we do in the community! (Yes, I said we because it just happens to be where I work). We provide services through partnerships with the Department of Education, the Department of Health, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program, and the Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Putnam County School Boards. In addition, we are the only coordinator of sign language interpreting services for Alachua and surrounding counties and have four highly qualified sign language interpreters on staff. The CILNCF is also partnered with Florida Telecommunications and Relay, Inc. (FTRI), the designated Regional Distribution Center (RDC) of specialized telecommunications equipment. With this program, the CILNCF provides communication access to deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, and speech-impaired people residing in North Central Florida.

Further, our organization has developed intensive programming for youth with disabilities. The CILNCF operates a High School High Tech Program at six (6) area high schools in five (5) school districts in North Central Florida. High School/High Tech (HS/HT) was developed out of concern that too few students, especially those with disabilities, were being prepared for technology-based careers. Our program is designed to provide young people with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs and postsecondary education leading to technology-related careers. Locally, it is a community-based partnership comprised of students, parents and caregivers, businesses, educators, and rehabilitation professionals.

Connect with CIL:

Instagram: @cilgainesville 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FloridaCente...

CIL Podcast: 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the......

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ePzIFF...

Google: https://www.google.com/podcasts...

Or give us a call at 352-378-7474 to find out more about our services!

She has a heart of pure gold, works hard to make sure each of her students feels loved and cared for, and she bleeds purple and gold!💜💛🏈 I am talking about none other than Gilchrist county’s very own 2023 Florida Teacher of The Finalist, Brooke Whittington!! In this episode, we relived the magical moments of her becoming a teacher of the year state finalist and chat about the keys to becoming a great teacher.  

Drew's News Podcast want to be on the show? Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

The Drew's News podcast is back, baby! For the official return of the podcast, we have the honor and privilege of speaking with Emmy award-winning meteorologist Alex Calamia about all things weather and gardening. Enjoy!

Connect with Alex!

Twitter: AlexCalamiawx 

Instagram: AlexTropicalPics 

Facebook: Alex Calamia

Drew's News Podcast want to be on the show?'

Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

I caught up with disability advocate Ryan Lundy. Over the years he received occupational therapy and accommodations in school. He had a 504 which is a plan for students that need accommodations in regular education. This means he had many tutors, counselors, and academic advisors. Attending school was not easy for him, he got taken advantage of a lot and bullied by kids. Many days he would come home and cry and think about why he was not being included. Kids would take advantage of him by making him give them rides and money.  He discusses the way he coped with these situations and much more.

Connect with Ryan:

[email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-lundy-36471944/

Drew's News podcast want to be on the show?  

Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

 Jordan Ellis is a Unversity of Florida Alum. Writing is what she loves to do, so her dream job is to be an author. She lives with cerebral palsy and walks with two crutches, but she doesn't let that hold her back from much. Currently, she has recently completed her Bachelor's degree and has been focusing on her blog, which she's had for almost 4 years now. She really just loves a good story and believes we all have one. 

Connect with Jordan: 

Instagram: @JordEllis15and 

Blog Instagram: @from3west.

Blog: https://www.from3west.com/main-blog

Drew's News podcast want to be on the show?  

 Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

Billy Floyd is a former morning news anchor in Casper, WY, and Eugene, OR, and thanks to a change in his career path, he's now going crazy with his very own podcast show, "Who's On The News" — having the time of his life! Billy is everyone's hype man-- from career advice to advice about life in general Billy covers it all in this episode! 

Connect with Billy on all platforms:

@1billyfloyd

You can also subscribe to his podcast "Who's On The News"

Drew's News podcast want to be on the show?  

 Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

I caught up with my good friend, Kirby Snead, a former Florida Gator baseball player, and current member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization. During our conversation, he told me baseball has always been in his blood since he was a little boy. he also explains what it was like growing up as a small-town kid with big city dreams.

Connect with Kirby: 

Twitter and Instagram @KirbySnead

Drew's News podcast want to be on the show?  

 Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms. And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

 I had a wonderful conversation with the dynamic duo, Chrissy and Michael Holloway, about all things Special Friends Care Inc., and the secret to being a powerhouse business providing services and supports for people with disabilities in the North Central Florida community for over 20+ years! 😊

Learn more about Special Friends Inc:

http://www.specialfriendscareinc.org/

 Email: [email protected]

Drew's News podcast want to be on the show?  

Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms.  

And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.

I had a chance to catch up with Blade Hall, a local musical artist and content creator from Ocala, Florida. We chatted about a variety of things from his musical creative process, to how he went viral on TikTok! 

Connect with Blade:

IG: HallPassForBlade

Twitter: BladeHalll

TikTok: bladehall

Drew's News Podcast want to be on the show?  

Please email me at [email protected] or follow me on social media @DrewDeesReports on all platforms.  

And remember, if you can dream it, you can Drew it.