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Capital Report

Capital Report: October 25, 2024

Published October 25, 2024 at 6:40 PM EDT

As voters head to the polls to cast their ballots on a proposed abortion amendment, arguments on both sides are heating up.

Florida Governor Ron and First Lady Casey DeSantis have shifted from their opposition to Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion in the Florida Constitution, to Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults. As Margie Menzel reports, earlier in this election season, polls showed Amendment 3 passing easily. But since Governor DeSantis and his allies have been working to oppose it, the campaign has tightened

The medical marijuana program in Florida is the largest in the U-S. For many of the 100-thousand-plus seniors in that program, it’s about reducing pain or anxiety or helping them sleep. Amendment 3 on the November ballot would legalize recreational marijuana for adults over age 21. And it would shake up the current, highly regulated system. Joe Byrnes with Central Florida Public Media takes a look at what that might mean for the more than 880-thousand Floridians with a medical marijuana card.

Republicans have a solid grip on power in the Sunshine State, and that has many people wondering how Democrats will fare in the November elections.
With early voting underway, longtime Democratic political consultant Beth Matuga joined the Deeper Dive with Dara (DARE-uh) Kam (Cam) podcast to discuss the state of play in Florida and national races.
Matuga is the general consultant for state House Democratic campaigns and also offered some insight into the Democrats’ long game and what keeps her motivated.

The top issues for many young adults in this election aren't about culture wars, but their wallets. Inflation and rising prices have hit a lot of people in this age group, and many who can't afford groceries and rent are on the cusp of homelessness. WUSF's Steve Newborn talked with some who say they're not hearing candidates address their concerns.

The State of Florida is taking legal action against the U.S. Department of Justice over its decision to block the state from investigating the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course. Adrian Andrews tells us more.

Capital Report

Capital Report: October 18, 2024

On tonight’s program: As mail in ballots return to elections offices, data shows more Democrats have voted so far than Republicans, but experts don’t expect that lead to last; The race for a North Florida state Senate seat is heating up; And we’ll hear about how to fight disinformation and misinformation during disasters and their recovery; As Floridians recover from three different hurricanes, questions about insurance are growing; One line worker shares what keeps her going as she works to get the lights back on in her community; And a group of seniors gathers to reflect on their experiences following the recent hurricanes.
Capital Report: October 11, 2024

On tonight’s program: This year’s hurricane season has taken a toll on Floridians. With back-to-back storms some are struggling to recover; As conspiracy theories and misinformation about the recent hurricanes and the recovery process spread, officials worry about the consequences; A battle is brewing to extend the voter registration deadline after concerns that Hurricanes Milton and Helene could disenfranchise voters; After a storm, one of the primary concerns is often how quickly the electricity will be restored. That answer starts with the transmission lines; As severe weather becomes more common in the state and across the country, Floridians may soon receive more guidance about to expect, and how to prepare, for the future; And after years of planning, one community is working to remove what’s often a major barrier to getting mental healthcare, by providing housing for those in treatment.
Capital Report: October 4, 2024

On tonight's program: There’s a new Florida law restricting the places unhoused folks can sleep in Florida; The big push in advance of election day is on. Those for and against Florida’s constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access are kicking up their marketing campaigns; We hear from a man who saw Hurricane Helene at its worst; A respected meteorologist explains why we shouldn’t focus ONLY on the hurricane cone; Even though Helene made official landfall in Florida’s Big Bend, its devastation extended for hundreds of miles, including the Tampa Bay area; And it seems much of the storm damage may not be covered by regular homeowner’s insurance policies.
Capital Report: September 20, 2024

On tonight’s program: Governor DeSantis wants lawmakers to come back to Tallahassee before the 2025 Session to tackle the matter of unsafe condominiums; What’s the old saying about blending politics and religion usually being a bad idea? Florida’s present abortion debate runs counter to that wisdom; This is suicide prevention month. We speak with a family that is using its own tragic loss as a way to reach and help others; Florida voters will have a chance in November to reduce their property taxes. But only if inflation goes up; Another proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution would make local school board races partisan affairs. But it may not have the impact many of its supporters would like; And we follow the inspiring adventures of some very aware kids.
Capital Report: September 13, 2024

On tonight's program: Supporters of Amendment 4, which would enshrine access to abortion in the FloridaConstitution, charge the DeSantis administration of trying to muddy the electoral waters; Governor DeSantis claims some of the petitions that put Amendment 4 on the Florida ballot were fraudulent. The governor’s opponents are calling that a “voter suppression” tactic; With abortions nearly unavailable in Florida, it seems more people are opting for pregnancy prevention strategies; Unregistered voters can’t vote. So that’s sparking a big voter registration push in advance of the November election; Florida’s high court mulls over the way state officials redrew a number of congressional district lines; Voting for appellate judges and supreme court justices is unique in Florida; and Florida has a condo crisis. The state is moving to ramp up inspections for older buildings and impose more regulations on new construction. But some believe it’s all happening too fast.
Capital Report: September 6, 2024

On tonight’s program: Outright lies in political advertising? Who could imagine such a thing?; How do you match a political message to its intended audience? It’s a combination of art and science; For a growing number of people who have mental health issues, a stay in a Florida jail or prison is essentially a death sentence; A Florida program to help kids with disabilities get ready for great careers is looking to grow the number of students it serves; And Florida is also ramping up the number of student nurses in the pipeline in response to a rapidly growing need.
Capital Report: August 30, 2024

On tonight’s program: An execution in Florida revives the ongoing conflict between supporters and opponents; A plan to add golf courses and pickleball courts to some of Florida’s state parks raises a royal ruckus; Advocates are looking to an Alabama gender affirming care case for clues on what might be next for Florida; Low-income Florida school kids missed out on a summer meals program this year. But what about next year?; We revisit an area that’s still recovering from last year’s Hurricane Idalia; Last week’s low voter turnout in Florida doesn’t seem to be alarming too many people.
Capital Report: August 23, 2024

On tonight’s program: A now-fired Okalaloosa County deputy sheriff faces formal charges in connection with the shooting death of Airman Roger Fortson back in May; Kamela Harris becomes the official Democratic candidate for president, much to the delight of many Florida Democrats; Is Governor Ron DeSantis’s political clout beginning to wane? We’ll have some analysis in that regard; Voter turnout continues to slip in Florida; We have the second and final story in our series about the impact of Florida’s new abortion restrictions; And the Olympics are over, but the Paralympics start next week. We’ll hear from a world champion swimmer who is heading to the Paralympic games for the first time.
Capital Report: August 16, 2024

On tonight’s program: It seems the former president of the University of Florida wasn’t exactly thrifty when it came to his office spending; A big administrative shakeup is underway at Florida A&M University as an interim president takes over. Among those who’ve packed their bags….; A Florida ban on what’s known as “cultivated meat” is being challenged in court; The battle for Florida State Senate District Three has become more than a little bit interesting; Florida’s stricter abortion restrictions have prompted a growing degree of out-of-state travel by those seeking that procedure; While more homeowners are being forced into Citizens Insurance, that ultimately means higher prices, even for those who aren’t policyholders; And there’s often a reason why college and university students have to wait awhile until landlords repair the property damage from the previous student renters.
Capital Report: August 9, 2024

On tonight's program: Governor Ron DeSantis has some definite thoughts about a fellow-governor who’s the Democratic pick for vice president; With so much fake news abounding, at least one media organization says it can help voters separate fact from fiction; The season’s first hurricane to strike Florida comes ashore in the state’s Big Bend region, although its impacts were felt much further afield; Amidst a cornucopia of challenges, Florida A&M University begins the search for a new, permanent leader; And if you think YOUR job is hot this summer, try working in a food truck.

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