Talking Central Florida

This week on Talking Central Florida, the Orlando Sentinel's Executive Editor Roger Simmons discusses the work of creating a comprehensive, in-depth voter guide ahead of elections this year. Host Steve Mort is also joined by Eduardo Gamarra, professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University, to discuss the tens of thousands of Haitians in Florida facing potentia...

This week on Talking Central Florida, Ryan Lynch from the Orlando Business Journal and Brendan O'Connor from The Orlando Shine join host Steve Mort to break down temporary changes to the development approval process in Orlando's Downtown Historic Preservation District. Plus, the panel discusses what the fight over the construction of a toll road that intersects Split Oak Forest tells us about cons...

This week on Talking Central Florida, Ryan Gillespie from the Orlando Sentinel and Sam Stockbridge from Central Florida Public Media join host Steve Mort to discuss projections for what cities and counties could lose if voters approve property tax cuts in November. Plus, the panel looks at the race for Orange County mayor and whether Governor Ron DeSantis may get to appoint a replacement for Distr...

Joe Mario Pedersen from Central Florida Public Media and Alexa Lorenzo from WFTV Channel 9 join Talking Central Florida to discuss the tenth anniversary of the shooting at Pulse and the lingering divisions over the process toward creating a permanent memorial. Plus, Alexa talks about her reporting on infrastructure investments at regional airports and the development of electric-powered air travel...

Gabrielle Russon from Florida Politics joins Talking Central Florida to discuss her recent piece, "The Untold Story of Ron DeSantis vs. Disney." Court depositions from a civil lawsuit related to the clash, obtained this year by Florida Politics, reveal the stakes during the political fight over Florida's 2022 Parental Rights in Education law. Russon discusses the eleventh-hour development agreemen...

Florida lawmakers are preparing to give final approval to the Florida budget before sending it to Governor DeSantis for his signature and likely line-item vetoes. Jason Delgado from Spectrum News joins Talking Central Florida to discuss the budget and the fight ahead in the legislature over homestead property taxes. Also, Romy Ellenbogen from the Tampa Bay Times joins the show to talk about her re...

Sam Stockbridge from Central Florida Public Media discusses how elections supervisors are working to meet tight deadlines following the recent redrawing of the state's congressional map, along with concerns over security at the polls. Then, Catherine Silver from WKMG News 6 and Abe Aboraya from Oviedo Community News break down staffing cuts at Seminole County Public Schools, and the contentious de...

As the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission temporarily halts sloth imports to Florida amid calls for changes to permitting rules, Molly Duerig from Central Florida Public Media joins Steve Mort to discuss the existing regulations surrounding exotic animals brought into the state. Plus, the latest on the condition of the sloths being treated at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gard...

Tristan Wood from WFSU Public Media in Tallahassee joins Talking Central Florida to discuss the legal fight ahead over Florida's new congressional map passed last week by the legislature. Then, Skyler Swisher from the Orlando Sentinel and Norine Dworkin join host Steve Mort to look at the impact of redistricting on Central Florida and other key congressional races in the region. Plus, why two judi...

Kimberly Leonard, author of Politico's Florida Playbook, joins Talking Central Florida to outline the DeSantis administration's defense of a redrawn congressional map that could net Republicans four more seats, and how opponents argue it runs afoul of Florida's "Fair Districts" amendments. Plus, the Florida House kills the governor's hopes of passing an AI "bill of rights" and expanding vaccine ex...

Amy Green from Inside Climate News and Molly Duerig from Central Florida Public Media join Talking Central Florida to discuss a recent report showing that utility company profit margins are driving customers' electricity bills higher. The panel breaks down what it means for Florida customers, along with concerns that growing demand from data centers could push costs even higher. Plus, a look at FE...

Gary Huttmann of MetroPlan Orlando joins Talking Central Florida to discuss the future of transportation across the region, including long-term planning efforts and the challenges of keeping up with rapid growth. The conversation focuses on SunRail expansion, improving road capacity, and addressing congestion across Central Florida. Plus, the discussion explores emerging solutions including microm...

Brendan Byrne from Central Florida Public Media joins Talking Central Florida host Steve Mort to discuss the history-making flight of Artemis II, the data collected by the crew as they passed the far side of the Moon, and plans for splashdown this week. Plus, a look at President Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget request for NASA. Then, Winter Park Voice Editor, Beth Kassab, talks about her reporting...

Stephanie Rodriguez of WKMG News 6 and Alexa Lorenzo of WFTV Channel 9 join Talking Central Florida to discuss the potential for a Brightline station in Cocoa and what it could mean for the Space Coast economy. The panel also examines efforts by counties and municipalities across the region to regulate micromobility devices such as e-bikes and scooters. Plus, Ken Jackson of the Osceola News-Gazett...

Donovan Myrie from WKMG News 6 and Joe Mario Pedersen from Central Florida Public Media join Talking Central Florida to discuss their outlets' reporting on some of the state's most pressing healthcare issues, including how the nationwide measles outbreak is impacting Florida. Plus, the panel talks about the challenges of obtaining public records and other information from governments and state age...

This week, Kimberly Leonard from Politico joins Talking Central Florida to break down electoral politics as Republicans and Democrats map out their strategies ahead of the 2026 primaries and midterms. Plus, Skyler Swisher from the Orlando Sentinel and Jeff Allen from Spectrum News 13 discuss the end of the regular legislative session, as lawmakers prepare to return to Tallahassee to finalize the s...

Molly Duerig, environment reporter for Central Florida Public Media, and Abe Aboraya from the Oviedo Community News join Talking Central Florida to discuss the legal and philosophical battle over rural boundaries and other policies designed to limit sprawling development. Plus, a look at Orange County leaders' decision to scrap a proposal for a sales tax initiative to pay for conservation and infr...

Ryan Lynch from the Orlando Business Journal joins Talking Central Florida to discuss transportation stories including massive road infrastructure projects in Osceola, Orange, Polk, and Seminole counties, robotaxis, and an overhaul of Downtown Orlando streets. And Brendan O'Connor from The Orlando Shine and Nick Georgoudiou from The Community Paper discuss other downtown issues including public sa...

Orlando Sentinel reporter Ryan Gillespie discusses the dispute over federal reimbursements for the holding of ICE detainees and federal inmates at the Orange County jail. And Brendan Byrne from Central Florida Public Media explains the latest setback for the Artemis II mission, and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's ambitious goals for the Moon. Plus, Abe Aboraya from the Oviedo Community News joins the show...

This week, we take a look at the News Collaborative of Central Florida and how local outlets are working together to strengthen community journalism. Plus, Florida's "medical freedom" bill, and in-depth local reporting on development and e-bike regulation in Winter Park.   Show notes:    Orlando Sentinel:  https://www.orlandosentinel.com/   Oviedo Community News: https://oviedocommunitynews.org/  ...