Central Florida Public Media

Florida Special Session: Compromise on immigration bill

Lawmakers take up compromise immigration bill in special session this week After facing the threat of a veto from Gov. DeSantis, the Legislature is back to the table with more of what he wants. Here is the story: https://www.cfpublic.org/politics/2025-02-11/lawmakers-compromise-immigration-bill-special-session

Sinkhole location & cause tracking

Proposed federal law aims to keep better track of sinkhole locations, causes. Reliable sinkhole data isn’t readily available to the public. For the fifth time, a Central Florida Congressman is trying to pass a law to change that. Here's the story: https://www.cfpublic.org/environment/2025-02-11/proposed-federal-law-better-track-sinkhole-locations-causes

Weekend protest in East Orlando draws hundreds who oppose the Trump administration. Some two hundred people spent hours at Saturday’s peaceful protest, held to oppose a suite of sweeping changes recently announced by President Donald Trump and top adviser Elon Musk. Here's the story: https://www.cfpublic.org/politics/2025-02-10/protest-east-orlando-draws-hundreds-oppose-trump-administration

Maxwell Frost concerned about the power President Trump has given to Elon Musk

U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost from Orlando is vocal with his concerns about the power President Trump has given to Elon Musk over taxpayer information and money. The SpaceX and Tesla founder and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, has been given unprecedented access to federal agencies in the administration’s quest to identify and eliminate any government waste. On Tuesday, Musk and his team plugged into computer systems at the U.S. Treasury, giving them access to trillions of dollars earmarked for government spending on things like Social Security, veteran’s benefits and tax refunds. Congressman Frost, the Democrat representing Florida’s 10th congressional district, joins Engage and details his experience when he led a delegation to the Treasury and was denied entry. Hear more on Engage: https://bit.ly/3Q7jVfM

Trump policy opening churches to immigration raids worries some Central Florida pastors. One of the immigration directives of the new Trump Administration opens up churches and other previously protected locations to raids by government agents looking for undocumented immigrants. That has raised concerns for churches serving immigrant families in Central Florida. Some church leaders worry about religious freedom and say the change is making people afraid to come in and worship. Pentecostal Pastor Gabriel Salguero leads a truly bilingual English and Spanish service Sunday mornings at The Gathering Place in Orlando. Gabriel Salguero said he wants the church to be a welcoming place, regardless of immigration status. Here's the story: https://www.cfpublic.org/2025-02-05/trump-policy-opening-churches-immigration-raids-worries-some-central-florida-pastors

Memorial design that honors Pulse nightclub victims moves forward

Memorial design that honors Pulse nightclub victims moves forward. The permanent memorial will be built where the former nightclub currently stands and is set to be finished by late 2027. Here's more: https://www.cfpublic.org/politics/2025-02-05/memorial-design-honors-pulse-nightclub-victims-moves-forward #floridaminute #pulsememorial #pulseorlando

Florida Prepaid college tuition open enrollment

Florida Prepaid college tuition open enrollment is now open. #floridaminute https://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/ #college #tuition #floridaprepaid

The Wrap - Weekly News Roundup 1-31-25

Here's a few of the stories you'll hear on "The Wrap" this week: 1. DeSantis threatens to veto the immigration bill passed in special session. 2. More than 150 people gathered to protest in downtown Orlando's Lake Eola Park. 3. The Homeless Services Network of Central Florida is finished its Point-In-Time count this week. Get "The Wrap" each Friday morning to get caught up on the week. You can find it anywhere you get your podcasts and at https://www.cfpublic.org/thewrap

Spotlight: History Center’s ‘Music & Mayhem’ goes out with a bash. It’s a season of changes for the Orange County Regional History Center. Its popular indie-rock exhibit closes Sunday with a big send-off, and a new boss is in town. Get this episode of Spotlight at https://www.cfpublic.org/podcast/spotlight/2025-01-30/spotlight-history-centers-music-mayhem-goes-out-with-a-bash

Protesters upset with federal, state policies gather in Lake Eola Park, Orlando

Protesters upset with federal, state policies gather in Lake Eola Park. The group of more than 150 protestors spoke against President Donald Trump’s executive orders and Florida’s special session. Most of the crowd called Central Florida home. The group’s organizer, 20-year-old Brianna Larson, grew up in Seminole County. She invited people to join under the umbrella term “We March.” Posters promised a protest opposing mass deportations and speaking up for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights and “freedom.” She signed a free speech permit with the City of Orlando for the event. Here's the story: https://www.cfpublic.org/politics/2025-01-30/orlando-protesters-lake-eola-against-federal-state-policies #FloridaMinute #orlando #orlandoflorida

Orlando moves forward with plans to expand Coalition for the Homeless shelter

Orlando moves forward with plans to expand Coalition for the Homeless shelter. The ordinance is to expand the Coalition for the Homeless Men’s Service Center on Terry Avenue to include a women and children’s center. Here's the story: https://www.cfpublic.org/housing-homelessness/2025-01-28/orlando-moves-forward-with-plans-to-expand-coalition-for-the-homeless-shelter #floridaminute

Spotlight: Central Florida Vocal Arts gets nod for community work. It’s already a great year for Central Florida Vocal Arts. It's been named Community Organization of the Year by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. Here's the full story: https://www.cfpublic.org/podcast/spotlight/2025-01-23/spotlight-central-florida-vocal-arts-gets-nod-for-community-work