This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, January 31st, 2022.

Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer, in our new weekly segment Disability as Ability.

More in today’s feature report.

Also coming up in the next half hour, we have some coverage on voting sites from the Monroe County Election Board.

Monroe County Election Board

On January 27th the Monroe County Election Board County Clerk Nicole Browne shared a concern she has regarding the security of their storage facility.

Board member Donovan Garletts discussed the buildings that he has reached out to. He said that four out of the five responded, however, they said they would prefer to have the equipment taken down nightly.

Clerk Browne responded saying that she doesn’t have many other options if these sites do not work out.

Garletts said that although the sites were not optimal, Clerk Browne has done her due diligence to make the voting sites work for everyone.

President of the board Shruti Rana agreed saying that Browne’s work has made sure that the voting sites are all accessible and in compliance with ADA requirements.

Garletts acknowledged that they are running out of time to make a decision on the voting sites, and motioned that the election board use the Napa building as the sole in-person voting location for the primary and general elections, and the Johnson Hardware building for mail-in votes.

Browne said that to avoid confusion she would prefer to use the North Showers building for mail-in votes, with both the Napa building and election central for voting central locations.

Deputy Clerk Tressia Martin explained that people are accustomed to voting at election central and will show up regardless of their official decision to use the Napa building.

Rana explained the importance of keeping things clear to make voting as easy and accessible as possible.

The board voted to utilize the Napa building as the in-person voting site for both the general and primary elections, and to have the Johnson building open for the final two weeks of voting. The board voted to approve the motion unanimously.

The next meeting will be held on February 3rd.

Feature Report:

On January 10, Haley Moss took her oath to become a practicing attorney in Florida. She is the first openly autistic lawyer in the state. Courtesy Haley Moss

Up next, WFHB Correspondent Abe Shapiro speaks with Haley Moss, Florida’s first openly autistic lawyer, in our new weekly segment Disability as Ability. This is Part One of the interview.

Up next, we have some recent prison-related news and announcements from the producers of Kite Line - our public affairs program devoted to prison issues in the Midwest and beyond. Kite Line airs each Friday at 5:30 p.m. on WFHB. The program is available online or wherever you get your podcasts.

Credits:

You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,

Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats - Community Access Television Services.

Our feature was produced by Abe Shapiro.

Kite Line is produced by Mia Beach.

Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.

Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.