The Point Podcast

Wednesday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with UF IFAS extension agent Shelly Krueger on a large blob of seaweed heading toward the Florida coast. Plus, Florida electric vehicle owners may get their own version of a gas tax, a bill looks to change Florida defamation laws, and more.

Tuesday's host, Serra Sowers, speaks with Rachael Kangas, Director of the Florida Public Archeology Network's Central region, about a new state bill that could change how different local historic markers and Confederate monuments statewide are amended or removed.

Plus, radioactive phosphogypsum may be coming to your roads, a complaint about voter registration signatures sparks a federal lawsuit and more. Listen to these stories on Tuesday's episode of The Point.

Monday’s host, Elliot Tritto speaks to WUFT’s Marcus Rojas about how leaders from several labor unions gathered in front of Gainesville City Hall to protest a bill that proposes to give the state control of Gainesville Regional Utilities. Plus, legislation moving in the Florida House would ban discussion of menstrual cycles and other human sexuality topics in elementary grades, the Florida House has passed a major legislative package to limit lawsuits against insurance companies and businesses. and more.

Friday’s host, Elliot Tritto speaks with Florida Sea Grant Agent Rick O’Connor about a ruling from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission requiring an opening no larger than 6-by-2 inches to prevent accidental trapping and drowning of a turtle species named the diamondback terrapins. Plus Jalen Kitna, the former backup quarterback for the University of Florida, would face years in prison and hundreds of dollars in fines and be required to register as a sex offender if he were convicted on the child pornography charges, the Florida Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan plan to create more affordable housing for the state's residents and more.

Thursday’s host, Julia Cooper, speaks with Kava Gator owner Julia Brensel about a statewide bill that would potentially ban the sale of kratom products to anyone under 21. Plus, Florida’s 2023 legislative session begins with lawmakers emphasizing education changes, the state-backed insurer is becoming more popular as Floridians are being dropped for their private homeowners' insurance policies and more.

Wednesday’s host, Ailee Shanes, speaks with WUFT’s Chris Will and Camila Pereira on the first day of the 2023 Florida legislative session. Plus, Newberry and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners will discuss a new meat processing facility, CEO Ryan Chamberlin secures a bid to the general election for the Florida House District 24 seat and more.

Tuesday's host, Serra Sowers, speaks with Justin Ballard, a meteorologist with Florida Public Radio Emergency Network out of the University of Florida, about Flood Awareness week and how residents can prep and stay safe from flooding.

Plus, a new bill advanced by the Florida Senate Committee could change death penalty sentences, the Governor requested gender-affirming care records from UF Health and more. Listen to these stories on Tuesday's episode of The Point.

Monday’s host, Jake Reyes, speaks with University of Maryland associate professor of management science and statistics, Margret Bjarnadottir, about new research that suggests finding the sources of unfair pay could help close gender pay gaps. Plus, a new Florida rule to protect diamondback terrapin turtles from drowning in recreational blue crab traps went into effect this week, a proposed bill would make it illegal for doctors to provide gender-affirming care to transgender youths in Florida and more.

Friday’s host, Elliot Tritto speaks with UF Assistant Professor Adam Watson about how he and Ziynet Boz were able to print food using 3D printing technology. Plus, Gov. Ron DeSantis flip flops on Medicare and Social Security cuts, a USF researcher attempts to break a world record by living underwater for 100 days

and more.

Thursday’s host, Julia Cooper, speaks with Alachua County senior planner Jerry Brewington about cottage neighborhoods; a potential solution to affordable housing in the area. Plus, a new proposal would expand Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law through the eighth grade, the wood stork’s population recovery has environmental groups at odds, and more.