President Trump, Governor DeSantis and the rest of their delegation were met by protesters nearby voicing their environmental and humanitarian concerns about the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” this week. WLRN’s Tim Padgett was there.
The immigration detention center dubbed Alligator Alcatraz opened this week in south Florida. It brought national attention to the state’s Attorney General James Uthmeier [UHTH-myer]. Tristan Wood reports political watchers say it’s a massive boost for the little-known politician.
American granted Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, to Haitians after the 2010 earthquake. It has been renewed several times since. The Department of Homeland Security said it would end TPS in early September, but a federal judge has extended it back to the original expiration date in February of next year. So, what does this mean for the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who have been living and working legally in the U.S. for years? This includes more than 128,000 immigrants in Florida. WLRN’s Wilkine Brutus spoke with immigration attorney Vanessa Joseph about the impact of the Trump Administration’s decision to end TPS for Haitians. Joseph also serves as the City of North Miami's Elected City Clerk.
It’s been a little over a year since the Florida Heartbeat Act went into effect, banning abortion procedures after 6 weeks of gestation. In Florida, abortion numbers have fallen significantly compared to previous years. But, after the Dobbs decision three years ago reversed the abortion protections of Roe versus Wade, Joe Mario Pedersen reports abortion totals increased nationwide.
Broward County Public Schools is welcoming artificial intelligence into its classrooms in the coming school year. The district is collaborating with Microsoft in a, quote, “landmark” initiative to transform education with its AI chatbot, Copilot. This is the largest K-through-12 adoption of Microsoft Copilot in the world, according to a district press release.WLRN education reporter Natalie La Roche Pietri [lah roush pee-eh-tree] spoke with district staff spearheading the initiative: Executive Director of district IT Operations Manuel Castañeda and Director of Innovative Learning Sherri Wilson. Wilson starts by explaining the thinking behind this move.
A new Florida law took effect Tuesday (July 1) that prohibits municipalities from adding the mineral fluoride to their drinking water supply. Dentists are warning that the move will hurt children's health. Supporters of the ban say Floridians have been forced to consume fluoride-treated water without understanding how the mineral might affect the human body. WGCU's Sandra Viktorova (vick-tor-OH-vah) has more.