Top of Mind Florida

Immigration Attorney Reveals Florida's Deportation Reality Immigration attorney Richard Hujber spent his first years working for the federal government before shifting to private practice defending clients facing deportation. In this revealing conversation with Brian Crowley and Michael Williams, Hujber discusses the current state of immigration enforcement in Florida, the impact of workplace raid...

Pocketbooks and Predictions 2026 shape Florida's political landscape as Brian Crowley and Michael Williams analyze the governor's race, Trump's influence, property tax reform battles, and economic challenges facing voters. Byron Donalds leads with Trump's backing and $30 million, but will it hold. Democrats face a million-voter registration gap while younger generations worry about AI replacing jo...

Ken Kennerly joins Top of Mind Florida to discuss the explosive growth of sports in Palm Beach County and South Florida. From running the Honda Classic for 19 years to now leading the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, Ken shares insights on how the region is becoming a sports powerhouse beyond traditional major leagues. He reveals the innovative fusion of PGA TOUR Champions with...

Meet the Florida man who turned a childhood obsession into a real-life treasure chest. Irving Santiago is the ultimate kid at heart, but his collection is serious business. In this special holiday episode of Top of Mind Florida, Michael and Brian take a break from politics to explore a massive world of nostalgia right here in our backyard. Irving is the President of UltraCon of South Florida and t...

"Who do I trust for my news?" It is a big question Floridians are asking in 2025. In this inaugural Sunday morning episode of Top of Mind Florida , hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley review the massive political shifts of the year. We cut through the media echo chamber to analyze the consolidation of power in Tallahassee, the erosion of the "Sunshine Law," and the new federal immigration pol...

On December 14, we return to our 14-year tradition of Florida Sunday morning news analysis. We are moving Top of Mind Florida back to the time slot where we spent over a decade with you. In a media landscape often defined by shouting matches, we are recommitting to the quiet work of civil analysis and storytelling. From the 2026 Governor’s race to conversations with civic leaders, environmentalist...

The have nots keep growing in the Sunshine State, and the 'Florida Dream' is becoming a nightmare for working families. Are we pricing the middle class out of the Sunshine State? In this episode, Michael Williams and Brian Crowley sit down with Paige Shortsleeves (Executive Director, PEACE) to discuss the hidden economic crisis in Palm Beach County. They explore why some families are working three...

In this episode on Florida sea turtle conservation, we look in on the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Pres/CEO to see how Florida wildlife is surviving the condo boom. Andy Dehart discusses sea turtle nesting season, the 1-in-1,000 survival rate, and the fight to save our oceans. Despite rising ocean temperatures and booming coastal development, Florida is pulling off a conservation miracle. The Gree...

Florida’s affordability crisis collides with the 2026 governor’s race as Michael Williams and Brian Crowley unpack the rising push to reduce—or even eliminate—property taxes in Florida. What’s real policy and what’s political theater? What happens to essential services if the cuts happen? The discussion broadens to the fast-shifting governor’s race field, pocketbook pressures across Florida, storm...

Rural areas in Florida are being hard hit by the Congressional shutdown. In this episode of Top of Mind Florida, Brian Crowley and Michael Williams discuss this critical issue with Karis Engle, President and CEO of nonprofit The Glades Initiative. Food is becoming tougher to obtain. High percentage of people in poverty depend on food help. Many are employed but are not earning enough to meet incre...

In this episode of Top of Mind Florida , Urban League of Palm Beach County President Patrick Franklin joins Michael Williams and Brian Crowley for a hard look at how Floridians are struggling to make ends meet as the gap between the haves and have-nots widens. From nonprofit funding cuts and vanishing workforce housing to the loss of skilled labor and new voter restrictions , Franklin explains how...

From breast cancer awareness to the rise in cancers among younger adults, early detection can mean the difference between life and death. In this episode, Pap Corps Publicist Kay Renz joins Brian and Michael to discuss groundbreaking research happening at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System — including how artificial intelligence is helping speed ma...

Florida on the Move: Transit, Politics, and the AI Future Ahead From Switzerland’s spotless trains to Florida’s Tri-Rail troubles — Michael Williams and Brian Crowley explore why the Sunshine State still struggles to get mass transit right. What lessons can we borrow from abroad, and what does it say about Florida’s political priorities? Then the conversation shifts to the 2026 governor’s race — f...

Can Florida’s drivers and cyclists truly share the road? Top of Mind Florida hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley talk with Mark Hassell of Bill Bone Bike Law about the growing cycling culture, the rise of e-bikes, gaps in road education, and how more cyclists are part of our transportation future. Hassell, a former Palm Beach lifeguard turned cycling investigator, shares real-world stories fr...

Keeping Florida on the Move means tackling Florida’s toughest transportation questions. Can Tri-Rail survive after state budget cuts and fading federal aid? Former Executive Director Steve Abrams joins hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley to break down what it will take to keep 15,000 daily riders moving — from South Florida commuters to students and seniors who rely on Tri-Rail every day. Fro...

Will Democrats matter again in Florida? That’s the question Rep. Anna Eskamani (D–Orlando) tackles in this edition of Top of Mind Florida. Veteran journalists Michael Williams and Brian Crowley talk with Eskamani about Florida’s economic struggles, the decline of the Democratic Party, and the culture-war battles shaping Tallahassee. She shares her perspective on rebuilding Democratic relevance, ge...

Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. David Dodson joins ⁨@TopOfMindFlorida⁩ this week to talk about Florida's push to ban vaccines. Our discussion focuses on the controversy surrounding Florida's proposed changes to vaccination mandates, shedding light on the public health implications of reducing such mandates. Dr. Dodson expresses concern over misinformation and the potential health risks of this p...

Saxophonist Patrick Lamb shares his journey from Mississippi to Palm Beach, playing from his heart on global stages. Known for soulful jazz and live performances, Lamb opens up about passion, resilience, and the power of human connection in music. From touring with legends like Smokey Robinson, Gino Vannelli, and Diane Schuur to producing world-class jazz festivals, Lamb has carved out a multiface...

Who will harvest Florida's crops? A longtime Florida agriculture champion, Glades advocate and conservative voice, David Goodlett, worries about hardline immigration and deportation policies after a friend felt the impact of those policies, firsthand. Goodlett shares the story of that friend’s removal, the vital role of immigrant labor in Florida agriculture, and threats to families and farming. W...

Top of Mind Florida is where we mix Headlines, Hard Questions and Humor with stories that matter. This week, Michael Williams and Brian Crowley talk with a Florida rocket engineer from L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne who helps lead the Artemis mission . She shares her inspiring path from Wellington High School to FAU to the frontlines of America’s space program, managing the RL-10 engine that powers s...

In this 15th edition of Top of Mind Florida , veteran journalists Michael Williams and Brian Crowley reflect on why they launched the show and the value of mixing tough political discussion with personal storytelling. They share lighter moments from their careers — from newsroom lessons to campaign trail humor and even a brush with Ronald Reagan — while underscoring why thoughtful conversations st...

Nonprofit law expert Philip DiComo, who facilitated the WXEL-WPBT merger creating South Florida PBS, breaks down the devastating impact of federal funding cuts on public broadcasting. From his unique perspective as both a former PBS executive and attorney, DiComo explains why the recent Congressional rescission threatens the backbone of America's Emergency Broadcasting System and essential educati...

Water, Wildlife and Your Family's Future : Our At Risk Florida In this episode of @TopOfMindFlorida , host Brian Crowley sits down with Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, for a no-holds-barred conversation on the environmental crossroads Florida faces. From a controversial detention facility built in the heart of protected wetlands to the long-term consequences of unchec...

Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg joins Brian Crowley on Top of Mind Florida to talk about conspiracy theories, Florida justice, court mistrust, and a broken Democratic Party in Florida. From Epstein to DeSantis to addiction reform — it’s all here. @TopOfMindFlorida #floridajustice #brokendemocraticparty #davearonberg Aronberg, a Democrat and onetime state legislator, engages i...

@topofmindflorida Democracy:Crisis or Not Dr. Charles Zelden is a History and Politics professor, at Nova SE University in South Florida. He sits down with Brian Crowley and Michael Williams to discuss the current constitutional debate in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Constitution amidst polarized politics. He highlights Trump Administration actions, and U.S. Supreme Cour...