MidPoint

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell, who is leaving the Florida House, discuses what's next for her and the Florida Democrats.

June is Pride Month and we were joined today by Nadine Smith, Founder and Executive Director of Equality Florida, the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor joined us to discuss all things happening in Congress: Iran, the "Big, Beautiful Bill," Florida losing FEMA dollars, massive anti-Trump protests, plus violence against Democratic elected officials, and much more.

MidPoint was joined by Pulitzer prize-winning columnist and local newshound, Dan Ruth for our quarterly Talk Back Town Hall where we open up the phone lines and invite our listeners to discuss whatever they want to discuss.

The Barbershop Conversations program is training barbers to be mental health and wellness advocates for their clients in underserved communities.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Florida makes It harder to participate in democracy with more restrictive voting laws on registration, Vote By Mail, and amending the State constitution.

Released Kennedy Assassination Documents Reveal Top Secret CIA Operations from 1960's and 1970's

Florida Child Labor Law reforms endanger students' success according to education and labor advocates.

The FL legislature's proposed education funding bill threatens to reduce college and career readiness programs, including AP and IB, by up to 50%, and reduce funding for Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs. Our guests are Hillsb. Co. School Bd Member Jessica Vaughn, Dr. Norin Dollard, Sr. Policy Analyst, FL Policy Institute, & Ellen Koehler Lyons, VP Operations, Hillsb. Co. PTA.

If a tree falls in Florida, who is responsible? Could shifting liability for falling trees impact the region's urban canopy? MidPoint looks at the proposed Fallen Tree Act (HB 599/SB 724) which would make the owner always liable for its falling trees or limbs, even if they were not visibly prone to fall. This could negatively impact our urban tree canopy if tree owners are disincentivized to plant or retain trees on their properties.

Meteorologists say DOGE cuts to NOAA impact weather forecasting and hurricane readiness and may damage national and international commerce.

Trump attacks Big Law firms to settle his political grievances. Some firms capitulate and others go on the defensive.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Psychologists offer some advice and coping strategies for how to deal with the anxiety caused by the Trump agenda.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

DOGE is destroying USAID, firing its employees, and leaving the US vulnerable throughout the world.

Environmental lawyers are challenging Mosaic Phosphate company's plans for their hazardous waste disposal in Florida

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Gulf Coast JFCS refugee resettlement department discussed the effect of the Trump Stop Order on refugees admissions and funding.

Dr. John Licato, Prof. of Computer Science gives us an introduction to artificial intelligence, Open AI, machine learning, and why the financial markets dived on the release of the Chinese AI platform Deep Seek.

What to do about our sewage spills, leaky septic tanks & stinky beaches. Solving the problem of poop.

Urbanist Gil Penalosa advises communities on how to create vibrant cities and healthy communities for everyone. His focus is on the design and use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as sustainable mobility.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

The FL Public Service Commission voted to hike electricity rates despite sustained opposition from the public and against the recommendation of its own staff.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Christmas Day is also the 1st night of Chanukah. It's Chrismukkah! We celebrate the Chanukah story, that victory over tyranny, and bring you some Chanukah gifts & music with Rande Friedman, former host of the Sunday Simcha.

The holidays are not a happy time for everyone. If you've suffered a loss, get some coping tools to help you get through the happy season.

Nationally syndicated columnist, Stephanie Hayes of the Tampa Bay Times joins us for a Year in Review across the spectrum of Florida news from the important to the absurd and the mundane.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

MidPoint explored genetics testing and the challenges of receiving a medical diagnosis of a genetic condition, along with legal concerns over the privacy of genetic health information.

The Democratic Socialists of America have some thoughts on why Amendment 4 for abortion access failed and what to do next.

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Two local Democrats, Whitney Fox and Pat Kemp, are running for Congress in competitive races in Pinellas and Northeast Hillsborough, parts of Polk and Pasco Counties. They joined us on MidPoint one week before the election.

FL House Democratic Leader Representative Fentrice Driskell joined us on MidPoint. We discussed the insurance crisis, affordable housing, climate change, busting the GOP super-majority, DeSantis vs. Amendments 3 & 4, and her political future.

The Medicare Open Enrollment period is now. A trained Florida SHINE counselor can help you evaluate available Medicare plans and select the best option for your needs. Award-winning SHINE counselor Fran Oberne helps our listeners with some of their Medicare questions

Your mid-week, mid-morning source for local and statewide news and public affairs from a local perspective.

Jeffrey Chernoff of Insurance and Trust Co., an insurance claims expert, and Paul Hauzer, CEO of VetCor, a recovery & restoration company, to discussed what to do and not do in the immediate aftermath of a disaster like so many in our community have experienced from Hurricane Helene. They provided us with valuable insights into the disaster recovery process.