On tonight’s program: At long last, eleven weeks after the regular lawmaking session ended, Florida lawmakers have passed a state budget! Among the items that did not make it into the new spending plan, Florida Forever funding; Lawmakers will be back in Tallahassee next week for a special session to reduce property taxes. Although some worry the impact on rural, poorer communities may be severe; Congressional Candidates are weighing in as a potential data center project could be heading to North Florida’s Jackson County; Florida public school educators are feeling a bit under attack nowadays; Those adversely impacted by Alligator Alcatraz are patiently waiting for the facility to breathe its last; And some young reporters are jumping in to fill the news gap left in places no longer served by professional journalists.

On tonight’s program: The special session to pass a Florida budget goes on. And on. And on; The matter of Florida’s new congressional maps, passed by lawmakers and signed by Governor DeSantis, is by no means a fully done deal; There’s no official word yet, but there are many signs that Florida’s notorious Alligator Alcatraz detention facility may be on the verge of closure; And we see what it takes to bring a critical coastal area back to a cleaner and more natural state.

As lawmakers iron out the state budget, wrinkles are deepening among Florida’s top government leaders; Florida has announced a criminal investigation into a major AI company for alleged involvement in violent crimes; A recent article from the New York Times says Florida’s immigrant detention center in the Everglades could close earlier than expected; Gas Prices are becoming a significant pocketbook issue for many Floridiana—especially those in rural communities who face longer commutes; Florida’s public-school students don’t need to go hungry during the school year; They can access free lunch in the school cafeteria; But in the summer, keeping kids fed who otherwise may go hungry becomes the job of nonprofits and volunteers; And America is preparing for a massive wave of adults nearing or entering retirement; On "Southwest Florida In Focus".

On tonight’s program: The first of what could be several special sessions of the Florida Legislature is over. This one focused on redistricting. Another, to pass a state budget, is next; A powerful member of the Florida Senate reacts to the speed with which the congressional redistricting took place; Governor DeSantis signs two education bills, although many teachers wish he hadn’t; Despite some state ordered pay increases for starting teachers, the bulk of Florida’s public school educators continue to lag behind most other states; Despite all of our connective technology, more people are now feeling more disconnected than ever. How do we get back to feeling like communities again? And as a drought continues in much of Florida, lakes and rivers are starting to dry up. Fixing that will require some heavy rainfall.

Drought conditions in Florida are so bad that some lakes are drying up and alligators are running out of room.

Drought conditions in Florida are so bad that some lakes are drying up and alligators are running out of room.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is refilling after President Trump had it painted "American flag blue." Some visitors say the results of the project — which reportedly cost millions — are subtle.

The United States is throwing a big 250th birthday party this summer. Planning between two groups has become highly politicized.

New modeling from the CDC shows that if measures aren't taken immediately, this outbreak could sicken more than 20,000 just in the next 3 months.

President Trump's name is coming off the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Graham Platner is denying accusations of being physically rough with former girlfriends saying that report in The New York Times and other controversies are a sign his campaign is gaining momentum.

In 'Power Ballad,' a wedding singer played by Paul Rudd writes a hit — and a popstar makes it his.

The Senate passed legislation early Friday morning to fund President Trump's immigration enforcement agencies through the end of his term.

NPR's Michel Martin asks former Republican National Committee communications director Doug Heye how votes by outgoing Senate Republicans are likely to affect President Trump's agenda.

A case of New World screwworm has been found in a calf in Texas. The flesh-eating fly, which was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, poses a major threat to the cattle industry.

A new NPR/Ipsos poll shows many teachers are using AI to save time, but a majority are also worried the technology is making it harder for students to learn to think for themselves.

Senate passes $70 billion immigration enforcement bill, Trump's agenda tests the limits of some lawmakers' support, John Bolton pleads guilty to mishandling classified information.

A new HBO documentary by Questlove tells the story of the R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. Morning Edition host A Martinez speaks with band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson.

Former Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino recently spoke at an international far-right gathering alongside white supremacists and neo-Nazis.

NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with Laura Grant of station WEXT in Albany, N.Y., about new music out Friday by the Alabama-based band The Red Clay Strays.

There is mounting evidence to suggest GLP-1 drugs designed as diabetes and obesity treatments also help reduce cancer risk.

Amid widespread tech layoffs, some highly skilled workers are making radical career changes. Some laid-off workers are turning to lower paying temp jobs, and some are leaving tech altogether.

On Wild Card, well-known guests answer the kinds of questions we often think about but don't talk about. Actor and musician Maya Hawke shares the experience of realizing that she wasn't crazy.

The enamel on our teeth is the hardest tissue on the human body. A new study looks at the nanoscale structure of enamel from teeth dating as far back as 18 million years ago to see how it's changed.

Oil inventories have fallen drastically since President Trump launched the war against Iran. But it’s not because we’re suddenly using more fuel. Instead, the U.S. is exporting much more oil than usual — to places that can’t get enough with the Strait of Hormuz blocked. All this will have knock-on effects for oil prices in the U.S. for months to come. Plus: Investors want to yank more money from private credit firms, your social media algorithim is likely full of “stealth ads,” and we visit the elk antler market in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

For a while now, we’ve talked to small business owners who say they want to hire more employees, but aren’t in a financial position to do it, can’t find qualified applicants, or are too concerned about the economy to make the jump. But two new reports show small business hiring picked up this spring. In this episode, whether that’s a blip or the start of a positive trend. Plus: An AI prescription renewal tool is launched in Utah, Macy’s tries to turn things around, and we visit a river in the Pacific Northwest with two aging bridges at risk of collapse.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Massive Medicaid cuts, including new work requirements, are rolling out across the country. Trouble filing paperwork will be one reason qualifying Americans lose their coverage. In this episode, what history tells us about cutting Medicaid funding. Plus: Personal incomes are falling, consumers are prioritizing value over luxury, and we explain incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s preferred inflation measure.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Manufacturing production, new orders, imports, and exports were all up in May, according to the latest PMI report. The only piece of the manufacturing business that didn’t grow was the labor force — payrolls contracted for the 32nd month in a row. In this episode, how much can a sector grow without hiring more humans? Plus: Dollar stores dip into delivery, college campuses turn into robot training grounds, and new jobs data will tell us whether inflation growth keeps outpacing wage growth.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Hourly wages went up 1.7% over the past year, according to Indeed Hiring Lab. Salaried wages went up 2.9%, reversing a 2022 trend in which hourly raises outpaced salary raises. Still, there’s one thing all workers have in common: Neither group kept pace with inflation. Also in this episode: Oil futures tell us where fuel prices are headed, convenience stores transcend utility, and a travel nurse tells us about life on the road.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.