NewsNight

Following weeks of tense negotiations, Florida lawmakers finally agree on a budget and tax plan. The panel also looks at the debate over the future of Tourist Development Tax revenues and how they should be spent. Plus, President Trump signals a shift in focus for his administration's deportation program.

Concerns emerge over the readiness of FEMA and the National Weather Service as hurricane season gets underway in the Atlantic. The state's flagship university faces uncertainty after the Florida Board of Governors rejects Santa Ono's selection to be the school's next president. Plus, a look at the latest developments at NASA amid questions over future leadership and funding.

As Epic Universe officially opens its doors, tourism industry leaders expect a boost to already record visitor numbers to the state. NewsNight looks at the likely impact of Central Florida's newest theme park on the economy and infrastructure. Plus, Sunshine Corridor plans progress as a study is approved into a Sunrail extension to the airport and the attractions area.

Central Florida arts organizations watch the budget fight in Tallahassee as lawmakers debate spending levels, tax relief, and potential future changes to how Tourist Development Tax revenues can be used. Plus, a look at the growing calls for independent candidates to run in Florida's next gubernatorial election.

This week of NewsNight, President Trump proposes a 24% cut to NASA's budget, putting science programs and the future of the Space Launch System and Orion in doubt. And new polling shows a large majority of Floridians oppose repealing post-Parkland gun laws. Plus, a look at student homelessness in Central Florida.

This week of NewsNight, Governor DeSantis signs a bill supporters say will crackdown on fraud in the citizen-led constitutional amendment process, but that critics claim will make it too hard to get initiatives on the ballot. Plus, lawmakers pass new measures to try to ease cost burdens for condominium owners.

This week on NewsNight, local leaders face pressure from immigration advocates over state requirements to comply with federal enforcement agents. Plus, communities across Central Florida struggle with solutions to the region's homeless population, as data show the number of unhoused people remains stubbornly high.

This week on NewsNight Conversations, leaders from Central Florida's arts and cultural organizations discuss the state budget which is set to funding for arts groups. It follows Governor DeSantis' veto of grants last year. The panel looks at concerns over the criteria for successful funding applications going forward, and ways the arts community is seeking to diversity its outreach efforts.

This week on NewsNight, Florida adds hundreds of millions of dollars for water quality projects around the state, including for the Indian River Lagoon. But federal DOGE efforts spark concerns over potential impacts on restoration work in the Everglades. Plus, a look at projections for the 2025 hurricane season.

This week on NewsNight, Central Florida food banks grapple with supply shortages triggered by federal funding cuts amid reports of unprecedented demand. Plus, Florida lawmakers discuss a potential sales tax cut as the state's finances come into focus.

This week on NewsNight, local governments and agencies are pledging funds to pay for a study into the potential Sunshine Corridor between Orlando International Airport to the attractions area. Plus, a look at the potential economic impact on Central Florida of a drop in cross border travel from Canada.

This week on NewsNight, Florida begins implementing its new legislation aimed at cracking down on undocumented immigration, while state officials launch an effort to ensure local law enforcement compliance. And Florida politicians walk a tightrope on the ending of temporary protected status for Venezuelans and Haitians.

This week on NewsNight, Governor DeSantis says Florida might be facing the possibility of a correction in its housing market as lawmakers debate a range of issues including property tax, condo reforms, and insurance costs. Plus, arrests of homeless people rise in Orlando as the city shelves plans for a new shelter in SoDo.

This week on NewsNight, conversations with Republican and Democratic lawmakers previewing the upcoming Florida legislative session which begins on March 4th. Plus, the panel looks at the key bills filed on issues ranging from changes to the state's constitutional amendment process, to open carry on college campuses.

This week on NewsNight, Florida lawmakers compromise with Governor DeSantis on bills that include $300 million to tighten immigration enforcement and assist the Trump administration with its deportation efforts. Plus, the Department of Homeland Security halts an extension to Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, leaving the future for many in Florida uncertain.

This week on NewsNight, the Trump administration's shake-up of government leads to changes at NASA. The panel looks at the president's call for an expedited timetable for getting astronauts to Mars, and how cuts to federal spending might affect the space agency. Plus, Governor DeSantis floats relocating NASA headquarters to Florida.

This week on NewsNight, a conversation with outgoing Orlando International Airport CEO, Kevin Thibault, about major upgrades to support a continued increase in passenger numbers, the search for his replacement, and the future of transit connectivity in the Central Florida. Plus, the panel discusses next steps for Sunrail as local governments take over control of the commuter service from the state.

This week on NewsNight, Governor DeSantis clashes with legislative leaders over a bill to aid the Trump administration's deportation efforts. Plus, professors from a several state universities in Florida file a lawsuit challenging restrictions on DEI initiatives in higher education.

This week on NewsNight, a preview of the special legislative session on immigration as Governor DeSantis asks lawmakers to assist the Trump administration with deportations. Plus, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will fill the US Senate seat to be vacated by Marco Rubio should he be confirmed as Secretary of State in Donald Trump's cabinet.

This week on NewsNight, a look at how a change in immigration policy under the incoming administration in Washington might impact communities in Florida and key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and tourism. Plus, proposed legislation takes aim at the future of in-state tuition rates in Florida for undocumented immigrants.

This week on NewsNight, the second of a two part lookback at some of the top stories in Florida and our region in 2024, including the passage of legislation ranging from restrictions on homeless people sleeping outside to new rules on children's access to social media.

This week on NewsNight, the first of a two part lookback at some of the top stories in Florida and our region in 2024. From the presidential election to a punishing Atlantic hurricane season, host Steve Mort brings you some of the key moments from the last twelve months.

This week on NewsNight, as Donald Trump prepares to take back control of the White House in January, the panel discusses how the incoming administration might change federal environmental policies and what impact the shift may have on resiliency efforts in Florida. Plus, local communities harden their storm water infrastructure following another damaging hurricane season.

This week on NewsNight, an encore presentation of our program earlier this year looking at how arts and cultural organizations in Central Florida are pushing to secure future funding sources. It follows Governor DeSantis' decision in June to veto $32 million in state grants for the arts over his concerns about “sexual” content at Fringe festivals.

This week on NewsNight, a look at the political maneuverings sparked by President-elect Donald Trump's decision to name several lawmakers from Florida to his incoming administration. Plus, next steps following the election of Monique Worrell to the state attorney job that she was suspended from last year.

This week on NewsNight, Central Florida voters approve two amendments to the Orange County charter championed by environmental activists as a way to limit development on protected lands.

This week on NewsNight, a look at the outcome of the election in Florida as the GOP makes significant gains with Hispanic and Gen Z voters. Plus, proposed constitutional amendments on marijuana and abortion fail to gain enough support to pass.

This week on NewsNight, a look at the final get-out-the-vote efforts by Republicans and Democrats in Central Florida as Election Day approaches, and the role of young voters in deciding the outcome. Plus, the response of Central Florida's Puerto Rican community to off-color remarks about the island made during Donald Trump's recent rally at Madison Square Garden.

This week on NewsNight Conversations, the second of a special two-part series leading up to the election. The discussion focuses recent legislation in Florida changing some of the ways citizens can cast their votes. Plus, the panel talks about a few of the constitutional amendments on the ballot.

This week on NewsNight Conversations, the first of a special two-part series leading up to the election. The first discussion focuses on how Florida's growing and diversifying population is shifting the political dynamic in the state, and the impact that might have on the outcome in November. The members of the panel also talk about what they see as the most important issues facing voters.

This week on NewsNight, a look at how local agencies in Florida prepare for major events like Hurricanes Milton and Helene, and a conversation about equity in storm recovery. Plus, ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure resiliency in Central Florida.

This week on NewsNight, as Gulf coast communities clean up after Hurricane Helene, some residents in Central Florida worry about the ability of our region's infrastructure to deal with flooding events. Plus, a new state ban on sleeping in public places comes into effect. The panel looks at whether local governments are ready.

This week on NewsNight, a conversation about the science of hurricane prediction with one of the country's top tropical weather meteorologists. Plus, as Hurricane Helene hits the state, a look at the resiliency work taking place in coastal and inland areas.

This week on NewsNight, Governor DeSantis announces a parallel state investigation into the apparent attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump in Florida. Plus, Central Florida State Representative Carolina Amesty faces four felony forgery charges as she runs for reelection.

This week on NewsNight, a look at the issues facing the Boeing Starliner and what they mean for future commercial crew flights from the Space Coast. Plus, the Polaris Program and its role in the future of interplanetary travel. And former President Trump throws his support behind Florida's Amendment 3 to legalize recreational marijuana despite opposition from Governor DeSantis.

NewsNight examines the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Great Outdoors Initiative, including proposals for development projects in some state parks such as adding pickleball courts and hotels.

As Democrats gather to nominate Kamala Harris for president, campaigners in Florida say abortion will be a key issue in the election. NewsNight looks in-depth at the fight over Amendment 4 and what it might mean for the prospects of both parties amid a tightening race heading into November.

Florida Democrats hope the Harris-Walz ticket will boost their chances in November as new numbers show Republicans with a record voter registration advantage in the Sunshine State. Plus, Central Florida's Venezuelan community voices concerns over President Maduro's crackdown on dissent.

NewsNight takes a detailed look at efforts to develop a permanent memorial on the site of the former Pulse nightclub, with the facilitator and a member of the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee. Plus, Florida voters are set to decide whether school board elections should become partisan.

Orlando City Commissioners will hold another public hearing in August on an ordinance aimed at improving nighttime security in downtown areas amid concerns over crime. Plus, Florida proposes new rules to implement legislation restricting children from accessing social media.

This week on #newsnightwucf Arts and cultural organizations in Central Florida are scrambling for alternative funding sources. It follows Governor DeSantis' decision to veto $32 million in state grants for the arts over his concerns about “sexual” content at Fringe festivals. But critics say such festivals receive only a small fraction of the funding, and they're urging lawmakers to override the veto. wucf.org/newsnight

Hemp farmers and retailers in Florida are welcoming a decision by Governor DeSantis to veto a bill that would have banned certain hemp products such as delta-8 and imposed restrictions on others. NewsNight looks at the impact of the move and what it might mean for November's ballot initiative on recreational marijuana.

Following the recent approval of a toll road extension through the Split Oak Forest, NewsNight looks at what it means for the Florida Wildlife Corridor and conservation of our state's protected lands. Plus, the panel discusses severe flooding in South Florida following recent heavy rains.

Governor DeSantis says the state will allocate $1.25 billion dollars in the next Florida budget to pay for teacher salary increases. It'll be the latest in a series of compensation hikes for teachers since DeSantis took office. But tensions remain with unions who say the state continues to suffer shortages and ranks near the bottom in the nation for overall teacher pay.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issues its forecast for hurricane season which begins on June 1st with its highest ever prediction for the number of named storms. It follows the signing of a new bill removing all remaining references to “climate change” from Florida law, stripping an emphasis on renewables from the state's energy policy, and prioritizing fossil fuels.

New rules barring local governments from implementing heat protections for workers, beyond existing state and federal regulations, come into force in Florida this summer. NewsNight looks at what the incoming legislation will mean for employees, and why some businesses support the restrictions.

In the second part of our NewsNight Conversations series on Central Florida's water issues, experts and local officials discuss efforts to improve the resilience of coastal areas as the state ramps up spending on the work. An in-depth look at how our region can shore up its coastline to mitigate future damage from sea level rise and storms.

 In the first of a two-part NewsNight Conversations series, community members and stakeholders look at how a years-long effort to restore Florida's treasured Indian River Lagoon is going, and the challenges remaining in rejuvenating and maintaining the waterway and its wildlife.

Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida won't comply with Biden administration changes to the Title IX civil rights law on sex discrimination, adding protections for transgender students in schools, colleges and universities that receive federal funds. Plus, the president's reelection campaign heats up in Florida, with the state's new six-week abortion ban set to come into force this week.  

The City of Orlando takes its first step in renewed efforts to create a Pulse memorial. Plus, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments over the power of governments to punish people for sleeping outside when no alternative accommodation is available, NewsNight looks at what the case might mean for states like Florida that have passed laws banning unauthorized camping.