Surveys of the Northeast Florida coastline confirm a tropical trajectory: red mangroves moving north. A Scientific American article tracks the “unprecedented” discovery of the South Florida species — first in marshes around Fort George Island and Amelia Island, and ultimately in Southern Georgia. The report’s author explains why the shifting boundary matters to the coastal ecosystem in ways that could help, and harm, its future health.
Guest:
- Michael Adno, Florida-based reporter and photographer who writes for The New Yorker, The New York Times and Rolling Stone, among others. His article on the northward mangrove march appeared in Scientific American.
Then, what is the future of food security in Northeast Florida? As Feeding Northeast Florida celebrates a recent $750,000 grant from Walmart, it's bracing for other economic headwinds. Florida and Georgia jointly stand to be the hardest hit by cuts to supplemental food programs in what is officially known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the reconciliation budget passed by House Republicans includes significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for millions of low-income Americans. Analysis of those cuts shows Florida and Georgia would see more than 1 million residents lose some or all of their food benefits, more than even California. The proposed cuts of nearly $300 billion over 10 years, the budget office says, would result in 3.2 million Americans losing their food assistance entirely.
Guest:
- Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida.
And, a free Florida-based program prepares students for Kindergarten. Voluntary Prekindergarten — or VPK — jump-starts core education and social skills for 4-year-olds. The Early Learning Coalition of Duval unveils its latest VPK registration initiative and the citywide collaboration to promote early childhood education.
Guests:
- Angel Carro, president and CEO, Early Learning Coalition of Duval.
- Lashonda Hicks, chief program officer, Early Learning Coalition of Duval.