Engage

We learn how a devastating injury brought 17-year-old Hala from war-torn Gaza to Orlando for treatment. A Bloomberg News investigation reveals some questionable practices in Florida’s homeowner’s insurance industry. Central Florida Public Media is taking the idea of connecting with people in our community a step further with our Building Briges Together event. Orlando designer Lindsay Matteoni alw...

As the region is plunged into near-freezing temperatures, area shelters are looking to provide warmth and comfort. Following a deadly road rage incident in Orlando, we’ll talk about the increase in anger on the road. We’ve all been sitting at a red light with no traffic around wondering why it won’t turn green. The Florida Policy Project’s chief discusses why that is and reforming the state’s traf...

ENGAGE presents our favorite discussions from today and yesterday in this retrospective Thanksgiving edition.

UCF Anthropology professor Ty Matejowsky tells us why we eat what we eat on Turkey Day. Therapist Cherlette McCullough offers tips on how to handle those tense dinner table confrontations. We learn about a culinary training program that is changing lives. Rollins College student Joseph Pool is uniting people through Breaking Bread.

Ahead of the Florida Blue Florida Classic this weekend, we are exploring the event’s significance to Historically Black Colleges and Universities alumni and the Central Florida community that welcomed the classic when other cities in this state rejected it. We invited people to join us for a kitchen table conversation at Oley’s Kitchen and Bar-B-Que on Rio Grande Avenue in Orlando. We spoke to Flo...

The owner of a popular downtown Orlando event venue discusses the new measures put in place by city officials to curb the street party atmosphere in response to the mass shooting Halloween night. A year since mobile sports betting was made legal in Florida, we discuss concerns these apps are cultivating a new generation of problem gamblers. The growing economic contributions Latinas are making in...

FAMU law professor explains when minors get prosecuted as adults and the role of the juvenile justice system. We meet Taylor Cadle whose reporting of sexual abuse as a teen to Polk County detectives resulted in charges being filed against her for lying. Central Florida Public Media’s Abe Aboraya stops by with the latest installment from the One Small Step series examining civil discourse in the re...

On this election day, we hear from Lake County Elections Supervisor Alan Hays about performing one of our most important civic duties. Central Florida Public Media’s Joe Byrnes is at the polls speaking with voting Floridians. Orlando City Commissioner Shan Rose discusses the city’s response to the tragic mass shooting that took place downtown on Halloween night. We learn about efforts to restore t...

Orange County voters will have the opportunity to renew a half-cent sales tax that benefits the region’s students. UCF’s Counseling and Psychological Services Director discusses dependence and addiction in the context of social media and generative artificial intelligence. One small step to find common ground during times of political division. A local Rocky Horror shadow cast explains the experie...

Dr. Tim Hendrix discusses the upcoming flu season in Central Florida. Florida constitutional amendments addressing partisan school board elections and public campaign financing explained. An Embry-Riddle hurricane researcher fearlessly flies into the eyes of tropical storms. A former Disney animator’s award-winning short film critical of the response to COVID plays this week in Orlando.

The mother of an Orlando teen who died by suicide after developing an addiction to AI chatbots is suing the program’s creator. The potential impact of Florida Amendment 3 on the medical marijuana industry and its patients. An investigative reporter shares concerns about cell phone tracking software. A twist on tailgating from BYU for UCF gameday this weekend helps combat food insecurity among stud...

Early voting started this week in Central Florida. Ballot Amendment 2 to codify the right to fish and hunt in the state’s constitution through the perspectives of a supporting sportsman and opposing conservationist. The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park will perform a recently discovered piece composed by a very young Mozart.

Engage checks in on Hurricane Milton’s impact on Central Florida’s citrus industry, health reporter Joe Mario Pederson parses out Florida’s abortion amendment, we look at how the election is effecting mental health and Central Florida Public Media’s One Small Step facilitates civil discourse.

HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman discusses her agency’s role in hurricane relief, a local high school football team appears in a popular video game, an Orlando music festival sees a lineup change and NASA is looking for tools to navigate on the moon.

We are taking time today to hear voices around our Central Florida community in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

Updates from around the region as Central Floridians prepare for Hurricane Milton. Central Florida Public Media reporters are in the field providing information about the area’s flood risks, sheltering for the unhoused population, and evacuation locations. We check in with Florida’s Insurance Advocate on what you need to know about preparing for a property claim once the storm passes.

A new law went into effect this week to combat homelessness in Florida. A pair of new laws that will help law enforcement appropriately deal with people who are living with Alzheimer’s. Unpacking the Amendment 5 ballot initiative that could have huge implications for homeowners. The history of Central Florida’s spooky themed attractions.

Founder and Host of the podcast GenZ Votes Prateek Seela, Content Creator and Influencer Danni Adams known as @amapoundcake, and Research Fellow for the Florida Pipeline Project Victoria Shinker join a panel discussion in Kissimmee to discuss young voter engagement.

Hurricane Helene strengthens to a major Category 3. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team from Central Florida mobilizes to help. A New York Times investigation looks at life inside of Florida’s unregulated maternity home industry. Central Florida Public Media is partnering with StoryCorps to do the One Small Step conversations. Eatonville’s Hungerford Elementary School opened the fi...

Helene is developing in the Gulf and could strengthen into a major hurricane. Lawmakers in Washington are preparing for tomorrow’s government funding vote. Hear from Representatives Darren Soto and Bill Posey to get the scoop from both sides of the aisle. The challenges hurricanes and other extreme weather events present to people trying to obtain sexual and reproductive health products.

Challenging times for the restaurant business in Central Florida. Tupperware declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday, but the company has a history of empowering women in post-war America. Central Florida voters discuss how they approach political disagreements with friends and family. The Orlando Museum of Art unveils a new exhibit on Saturday highlighting the punk rock movement.

Florida voters will decide on Amendment 3 that legalizes adult recreational use of marijuana. A popular Maitland lunch counter holds a historic place in sandwich history. Bach Festival Society of Winter Park celebrates its 90th season.

StoryCorps' One Small Step program is bridging division and building communities. Then, we talk with Republican and Democratic leaders about the Central Florida ground game and the issues driving campaigns from the White House to the streets of Orlando. Finally, National Hispanic Heritage Month with a free concert commemorating the legacy of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

The coach of Rollins College’s award-winning debate team talks about what makes a winning argument ahead of the Presidential debate tonight between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The Director of UCF Victim Services reflects on responding to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the eve of the anniversary. Ceremony held today in Titusville commemorating Corporal Leo Ba...

Following a school shooting in Georgia, we examine how the regular nature of these tragedies is impacting the mental health of today’s youth.