Podcasts about Polk County

Edmundo Da Silva wore a TSA badge. He was trusted at the front line of American aviation security — until February 2024, when he got in his car in North Carolina, kids' birthday presents in the back seat, and spent the drive to Florida trolling Reddit for something else entirely. What he found was a "father" offering up his 15-year-old daughter in a Polk County hotel room. What was actually waiting for him was the Polk County Sheriff's Office - and Chris's cameras.  In this episode, Chris walks you through the chat logs, the takedown, and the courtroom collapse: the fake name, the $80 handoff, the room key, the screaming arrest, the "entrapment" defense, and the plea deal Da Silva turned down before a jury needed just 20 minutes to convict him on all counts. Now he's facing life. Sponsored by: Home Title Lock: Go to https://www.hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection  TruthFinder.com: To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody puts a picture of the barn in the listing and says, "We're not completely sure what's holding this thing up." Buying a homestead is a lot like dating — and today we're playing Would you date this homestead? We're past the basics. You know your price, your location, your acreage. This is what happens after the property catches your eye: what the listing photos aren't showing you, what to look for when you finally walk the land, the deed restriction that nearly cost us the property we loved, and the plumbing problem hiding under our slab that no inspection caught. I'm Wendi Bergin — Realtor, homesteader, and someone who has crossed a beautiful property off her own list more than once. Preparedness brings peace, not fear. That applies to buying land too. Chapters 00:00 — Falling in love with a listing before you've seen the barn 00:45 — Why buying a homestead is a lot like dating 01:05 — Welcome to Would you date this homestead? 01:20 — The dating profile: what the listing photos are not showing you 01:55 — Decoding listing language: "rustic," "peaceful country living" 02:20 — The Polk County drive-by, and the water we found 02:55 — Not in a flood zone yet: how new construction changes that 03:40 — The property that was 30 minutes from church, and why I crossed it off 04:25 — "Plenty of room for animals" doesn't mean you're allowed to have them 04:50 — The real question: the property, or the life you're imagining in it? 05:05 — First date: get out of the kitchen and walk the land 05:35 — Would that fence actually hold the animals you want? 06:00 — Why we tore out every fence on our property 06:15 — Outbuildings: is there water and power to the barn? 06:40 — The pig waterer I didn't know existed 07:20 — Pipes running there isn't the same as water that works 07:50 — Stand still and listen: traffic, dogs, shooting ranges, smells 08:30 — Distance matters: barn to house, feed, groceries 08:55 — Why our goats may never make it to the barn 09:25 — The one nobody asks: what will chores be like in the rain? 09:45 — The coughing goat, the nice sandals, and church 10:30 — What a good agent is actually there to do 11:05 — "Would I still want to live there on a tired Tuesday?" 11:40 — Meet the family: zoning, deed restrictions, and yes, HOAs 12:20 — Five acres each, horses allowed, goats not 13:05 — "It takes one person to pull up those deed restrictions" 13:50 — What I screened for: ag zoning, no HOA, flood zone 14:25 — Easements, insurance requirements, and animal rules 14:50 — Why we couldn't raise pigs in New Jersey 15:20 — Can you sell eggs? Park an RV? Run a business? Build a barn? 15:45 — Go deeper: episode 207 on buying land 16:05 — Well or city water, septic, who maintains the road, internet 16:40 — Calling the county until you get a real answer 17:25 — The baggage: every property has history 17:55 — Inspection questions worth asking out loud 18:50 — When the vines are doing most of the work holding up the fence 19:10 — None of this automatically means walk away 19:45 — Red flags don't turn green because the farmhouse sink is pretty 20:10 — Slab houses, buried plumbing, and what we didn't know 21:00 — Jackhammering up the half bath 21:40 — Relationship material: can you afford the house and the work? 22:35 — Land care in New Jersey vs. Florida, honestly 23:35 — What will you have to give up to own it? 24:20 — Maybe you need two acres, not five 24:50 — There is no perfect property 25:30 — Marry it, or thank it for a lovely afternoon 26:00 — What I actually want to know before I show you anything 26:40 — Buying outside Florida? I'll help you interview an agent A few things worth writing down The listing tells you whether you want a first date. It's not enough to decide whether you want to marry it. Fencing, outbuildings, water, and power are separate questions. Pipes to the stall don't mean working water; a barn can have water and no electricity. Stand still on the property for a full minute. Photos can't carry traffic noise, barking dogs, a shooting range, or the smell from the neighbor's operation. "Plenty of room for animals" and "legally allowed to have animals" are two entirely different things. Check zoning, deed restrictions, and HOA documents yourself — even on large acreage. Inspections don't catch everything. Ours didn't catch the plumbing under the slab, because nobody had lived in the house for three years. The question isn't whether the property has baggage. It does. The question is whether it's baggage you can afford, manage, and live with. Links Episode 207 — Three Things to Know Before Buying Land for a Homestead  Work with Wendi (Florida real estate) — https://joyfullyprepared.com/realestate/ Contact — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ All episodes — https://joyfullyprepared.com/podcast/ FEMA Flood Map Service Center — check any property's flood zone — https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home Come find me If you're thinking about buying a homestead here in Florida, I would love to help you. If you're buying somewhere else, I can still help you interview an agent in your area who knows that "room for chickens" is not enough information. Reach out before you commit to that charming farmhouse with the questionable fence — https://joyfullyprepared.com/contact-me/ And if this one was useful, send it to the friend who's been sending you Zillow listings at eleven at night.  

Polk County's only Live, Local, Call-In Marketplace, it's the WBF Shopper. A whole lot of fun, plus its free and it gets results, give us a try. Jeff takes your phone calls to buy sell or trade on National National Filet Mignon Day!

FM 102.9 - FM 97.1 - AM 1130 is home to the World Famous WBF Shopper. It's fun, free and gets results. Thanks for listening. Jeff takes your phone calls to Buy, Sell, or Trade on the first day of school in Polk County!

Polk County's only Live, Local, Call-In Marketplace, it's the WBF Shopper. A whole lot of fun, plus its free and it gets results, give us a try. Jeff takes your phone calls to buy sell or trade on National Cheesecake Day!

In this episode of LiberatED, host Kerry McDonald speaks with Melody Rider, president of ConnectED Polk, a Florida nonprofit helping build stronger connections between education and industry. Rather than creating programs in isolation, ConnectED Polk serves as a community intermediary—bringing together K–12 schools, higher education, employers, and civic organizations to better prepare students for success after graduation. Melody shares how ConnectED Polk has reached thousands of students through career exploration events and is expanding work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and other real-world experiences designed to help students discover their interests and build durable career skills. The conversation also explores ConnectED Polk's partnership with WonderHere to launch an innovative microschool inside a Title I public elementary school in Polk County, which Kerry wrote about at Forbes. They discuss the importance of helping traditional public schools innovate alongside charter and private school growth, and why durable human skills matter more than ever in an AI-driven economy. Whether you're an educator, parent, policymaker, or employer, this episode offers a compelling look at how community collaboration can create more meaningful pathways from education to employment—and better outcomes for students. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling, is available now wherever books are sold!

LT. Derik Zimmel GFPD,   CPL.  Micah Peterson  & Polk County Sherrifs Office Michelle Strezishar is in the studio talking about the Law Enfrorcement 5k run August 8th Show is recorded at Grand Forks Best Source. For studio information, visit www.gfbestsource.com – Or message us at bit.ly/44meos1 – Help support GFBS at this donation link - https://bit.ly/3vjvzgX - Access past GFBS Interviews - https://gfbsinterviews.podbean.com/ #gfbs #gfbestsource.com #grandforksnd #interview #local #grandforks #grandforksbestsource #visitgreatergrandforks @grandforksnd @THECHAMBERGFEGF #belegendary #followers #everyone

On this episode of Have a Seat, Chris Hansen is joined by Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd to discuss a recent arrest that will shock you! It involves a Wal-Mart, a man with a lengthy criminal history of sexual deviancy and his brother, who is known for playing the local Santa Claus. You're not going to believe what you hear! Footage Courtesy of : Takedown with Chris Hansen Www.watchtrublu.com Polk County Sheriff's Office https://www.polksheriff.org SPONSORS: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty Mars Men For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Polk County's only Live, Local, Call-In Marketplace, it's the WBF Shopper. A whole lot of fun, plus its free and it gets results, give us a try. Happy Fri-Yay! Jeff and Denise take your phone calls to Buy Sell or Trade on the Shopper!

Chris Williams sits down with Iowa Events Center General Manager Chris Connolly for an in-depth conversation about the future of Casey's Center, hosting NCAA Tournament games, bringing major concerts to Des Moines, Iowa basketball's return to downtown, and the continued growth of Iowa's premier entertainment venue.

From a proposed Polk County data center to an invasive pest threatening crops, environmental challenges are mounting across Florida. Let's get some details on those environmental stories.Then, NASA tries to rescue a sinking satellite and the many happenings at neighborhood pools.Wait until you hear about this grad's GPA. And his plans for the future.Website: https://www.wusf.orgSign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletterFollow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSFInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni3

Iowa sees its first measles case of the year. On today's Newsbuzz edition episode, we talk with Polk County Public Health director Juliann Van Liew about how Polk County is guarding against the highly contagious virus. We talk with Luke Nozicka of NPR's Midwest Newsroom about the rise in dementia cases and lack of specialists to keep up. We hear how Iowa's drinking water nitrate violations more than doubled last year from Cami Koons of the Iowa Capital Dispatch. IPR's Rachel Kramer shares how Iowa volunteers are racing to track the state's disappearing bumblebees, and we talk with Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders about the budget gap created by the new property tax law. Then, IPR's Cece Mitchell grooves us into the weekend.

On today's episode of The American Land Man Podcast, we are back in the studio with Jeff Fern.We discuss:Jeff currently has eight buildable lots in progress, including three five-acre lots near Stockholm/Pepin.Neil corrects a seller who thought $30,000 beat a $10,000-an-acre comp — hers was 3 acres, or $90,000 total.A Polk County seller who bought land at $4,500 an acre stands to profit roughly $100,000 subdividing it into lots.Jeff fights for driveway access on a state highway listing, where Wisconsin DOT requires a 500-foot gap.Neil recounts a landowner asking to borrow $85,000 — then discovers two bankruptcies and delinquent taxes.Neil declines to lend the money but offers to buy the land outright, giving the seller until May 15th.Jeff describes a $25,000 code violation on a 15-by-15 deck that surfaced during a home inspection.Neil and Jeff explain why sellers must disclose known defects even when selling a property "as is."Jeff estimates statewide land listings are down as much as 25%, even as listed properties keep selling.Neil spends two hours consulting a couple weighing a city's offer to buy only part of their land.And So Much More!Connect:-https://bit.ly/NeilHaugerWhitetailProperties-https://bit.ly/NeilHaugerFacebook-https://bit.ly/NeilHaugerYouTube-https://bit.ly/NeilHaugerInstagram

An extreme heat warning takes effect Monday across much of central and southern Minnesota could see temperatures hit the 90s and heat indices making it feel like 110. And with that high heat, the state's Department of Natural Resources is encouraging people visiting state parks to stay hydrated and seek shady areas.A judge in Polk County ruled in favor of the rural city of Fosston this past week as it takes on the big hospital system that took over its local hospital. Fosston argues that heath care has worsened since Duluth-based Essentia Health took over operations in 2009.And a new fire service program developed for young adults is off and running in Bemidji.Dangerous heat peaks Monday; heat index could reach 110 degreesRural Fosston moves forward in its quest to regain control of local hospital from Essentia HealthBemidji fire brigade helps youth with disabilities ladder up their skills

A guy upgraded to a bigger bike this year because last time his fat ass couldn't make it up the mountain. Also on the agenda: the full LGBTQ+ taxonomy from twink to zaddy explained by people who are figuring it out in real time, Messi's birthday goals, and a Florida ballot amendment that will either save homeowners money or defund every fire department in Polk County.

Polk County's only Live, Local, Call-In Marketplace, it's the WBF Shopper. A whole lot of fun, plus its free and it gets results, give us a try. Jeff takes your phone calls to buy sell or trade on National Cherry Tart Day!

The Value Paradox: Why Guests Are Spending More and Forgiving Less Consumer sentiment is at an all-time low, yet people are still spending. The World Cup just kicked off on American soil. And right here in Polk County, Florida, a landmark healthcare partnership just opened its doors with a vision that every hospitality leader should study. In this episode, I unpacks the paradox reshaping restaurants, hotels, and every guest-facing business right now: guests are opening their wallets and they are less forgiving than ever when the experience falls short. The brands winning aren't the cheapest or the fanciest - they're the ones whose people make guests feel like the money was worth it. We talk about lessons from the Watson Clinic and Orlando Health ribbon cutting in Lakeland - a masterclass in designing for the future. We also talk about the FIFA World Cup as the ultimate high-stakes CX case study, with a practical playbook for host cities, hotels, restaurants, and stadium concessions operators facing surge volume, international guests, and a global spotlight. In this episode: Why value has less to do with price than you think - and the three layers that actually drive loyalty The K-shaped consumer market and what it means for your frontline team The World Cup CX playbook: cultural fluency, surge staffing, recovery, and finishing strong Three leadership moves to make this week -not next quarter Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance (and sales growth).   Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

For the second time “teen takeover” in the Tampa Bay region has ended in arrests. A Polk County teen is facing an attempted murder charge after an incident at Clearwater Beach just over a week ago.Could social media be the key to keeping teens out of trouble?We also talk with the local architect undertaking the renovation project for the Jackson House in downtown Tampa.Also, does Hillsborough County need a new courthouse annex?And what does your book stack look like this summer?Website: https://www.wusf.orgSign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletterFollow us on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSFInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni3

Send us your Florida questions!Florida artist Blair Petersen Updike joins the podcast to talk about why she created the Florida Gallery, Florida art, and what she thinks everyone should do in Polk County.Links We MentionedWild Space Gallery at the Florida Wildlife Corridor FoundationBenjamin Dimmitt An Unflinching Look: Elegy for a LandscapeBlair Petersen Updike website and InstagramGeorge Snow Hill — WPA muralistHollerbach's in SanfordThe Florida Gallery (check out their art merch, too!)All Florida Blair Petersen Updike's Top Five Seven Things To Do in Polk CountyBok Tower GardensTiger Creek PreserveLake Wales Ridge State Forest Arbuckle TrailCircle B Bar ReserveRed Chilly's Indian RestaurantKualao Lao Thai FoodAndy's IglooMark Catesby image from The Florida Gallery; used with permission Support the showQuestion or comment? Email us at cathy@floridaspectacular.com.Subscribe to The Florida Spectacular newsletter, and keep up with Cathy's travels at greatfloridaroadtrip.com. Keep up with Rick at studiohourglass.blogspot.com and get his books at rickkilby.com.Find Cathy on social media: Facebook.com/SalustriCathy and everywhere else as @CathySalustri; connect with Rick Facebook.com/floridasfountainofyouth, Bluesky (@oldfla.bsky.social), and IG (@ricklebee).NEW: Florida landscape questions — Send us your Florida plant questions and we'll have an expert answer them on the show! Use this link!

Summer is hot, and in central Florida it is REALLY hot! Join us on this episode as we discuss tips and tricks that can make gardening in the summer a bit easier.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu   Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Find information about nutrition and nutrition programming in Polk County: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/nutrition-and-healthy-living/  Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/  Garden hoe tutorial: https://youtu.be/woHNgHkbWzA Protect the waterfront:  https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-9-protect-waterfront/https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/about-ffl/9-principles/principle-9-protect-waterfront/Polk County fertilizer ordinance: https://polk.wateratlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/Polk-County-Fertilizer-Ordinance-March2013.pdf Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.   

Des Moines metro residents are being asked to limit some of their water usage. There's a new mobile memory clinic in Polk County to help treat dementia. And Simpson College is dealing with a budget deficit.

In this episode, Crystal River City Manager Audra Curts shares her deep experience in hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery, with a special focus on the unique challenges small cities face. Audra reflects on being hit by Hurricane Helene just two days into the job, followed by Hurricane Milton a week later, and the flooding of City Hall from Hurricane Idalia before her arrival.Audra draws from her past roles in city and school district leadership, including her time as CFO for Polk County schools during the 2004 hurricanes. She explains how storm recovery often requires cities to front costs long before FEMA or insurance funds arrive, making financial reserves and intergovernmental cooperation essential.From managing recovery for over 160 school sites to navigating citywide disaster impacts, Audra encourages proactive planning, strong departmental coordination, and the importance of having flexible funding options ready. Her insights offer a valuable blueprint for local governments preparing for and responding to major storms.

Dean Edge hails from Rimbey, Alberta, Canada. Edge became only the third Canadian to win the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion contest, which debuted in 1963. Edge made a trip to Thorp, WI to appear at the Premiere Livestock Auction yard. Jill Welke had a chance to find out why this young man decided to pursue this field as his career. “This world championship might be connected to my name for the next year, but it’s not mine,” Edge said. “It’s ours. I’m going to be working for us for the next year to the very best of my ability to get out there and promote what we do.” As the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, he will spend the next year driving the custom-wrapped World Livestock Auctioneer Championship pickup all over the country to showcase his talents and promote the livestock industry. Edge can’t wait. Some storms and strong winds are on the way for the weekend. Stu Muck estimates rainfall amounts and temps for the weekend. Coming from a dairy farm in Watertown, Michelle Stangler has a deep skillset to offer as an Alice in Dairyland candidate. Stangler, a graduate from UW-River Falls, has spent a lot of time traveling the state gathering stories about Wisconsin agriculture. She's also ventured beyond the state to get perspective on what the state has versus other geographies. The Alice in Dairyland finale will be Saturday in Wausau. Greenhouse operators in Wisconsin faced some steep heating bills earlier this year. For Bergmann Greenhouse in Clayton, WI, starting those plants begins in January. This operation, located in Polk County, decided it was prudent to try and invest in equipment upgrades. Focus on Energy became their partner on smart renovations that brought them great rebates, and tremendous energy savings. Evan Croft, Energy Engineer and Technical Reviewer for Focus on Energy, worked with Jeanne and Invanna Bergmann. Bergmann's is a six-generation greenhouse operation that pays close attention to details. Jeanne explains the savings they've witnessed, and the ease they found in dealing with Focus on Energy. Paid for by Focus on Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Sherri Garrett, a native of Cedartown, GA, grew up as an Army brat. She is the daughter of the late Sgt. Lloyd Garrett and the late Clara Garrett.After graduation from Clark College in 1976, Sherri began her career as a teacher at Cedartown High School, Polk County, Georgia. During that time, she earned a Masters of Education degree in Curriculum /Supervision from the University of West Georgia. Following her stint at Cedartown High she moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and taught English for 7 years at Boyd Anderson High School. In 1986, she was called back to Polk County, GA to serve as the school district's elementary curriculum director and, simultaneously, serve as an interim elementary principal.In 1988, a new journey led her to various administrative positions with McGraw-Hill Publishing and McDougal-Littell Publishing Companies. Her 20 year affiliation with these textbook publishing companies bolstered her love of books and reading.After her retirement from textbook publishing Sherri decided to go back to school to pursue a doctorate at the University of Georgia. While pursuing her degree, she continued to teach as an assistant professor at Brenau University in Gainesville, Ga., and as a literacy coach for the two middle schools in Polk County. In 2015 she was awarded a PhD in Language and Literacy. Also in 2015 Sherri embarked on her final leg of employment as a certified English teacher taking a position at Lithia Springs High School in Douglas County. In 2018, Dr. Sherri Garrett retired officially. But it did not stop there… Dr. Garrett keeps busy with the following organizations:· Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for 50+ years;· Board Member of Polk County Historical Society· Book Reviewer for Ferst Readers, Inc.· Administrator of the Elm Street High School and the Cedar Hill High School historical Facebook Groups· Works with the Summerhill Legacy Group (Cartersville, GA) and the Black High School Reunion.· Member of the Georgia Black History Trail Initiative.Dr. Garrett is a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Powder Springs, Ga. and she is single with no children.

There is increasing interest in growing food—usually in dedicated vegetable and herb gardens, but there are plants that have both ornamental qualities and are edible. Join us on this episode to find out which Florida-Friendly plants have both ornamental qualities and also can be eaten.Sources for Show Notes:   Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu   Your Central Florida Yard Newsletter: https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    Find information about nutrition and nutrition programming in Polk County: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/nutrition-and-healthy-living/  Eventbrite for upcoming classes and workshops: http://polkcountyextension.eventbrite.com/  Floridacitrus.org/recipes  Chickasaw Plum https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/chickasaw-plum/  Citrus https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/  Blueberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/blueberries/  Beautyberry https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/shrubs/beautyberry/  Prickly pear cactus https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/prickly-pear/  Perennial peanut https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/perennial-peanut/  Rosemary https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/rosemary/  Roselle or Sorell  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/roselle/  Seminole pumpkin https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/seminole-pumpkin/ AND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBZkytmJazU   Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.   

Ryan, Dana, and Chris Trenkmann discuss Polk County reinstating a burn ban as drought conditions continue.

Ryan, Dana, and Chris Trenkmann discuss Polk County reinstating a burn ban as drought conditions continue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan, Dana, and Chris Trenkmann discuss a popular Polk County Santa who was arrested along with 18 others in a child sex predator sting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan, Dana, and Chris Trenkmann discuss a popular Polk County Santa who was arrested along with 18 others in a child sex predator sting.

Nicholas Alexander "Alex" Jenkins is an alleged predator caught in a Polk County, Florida investigation, part of Polk County's Cyber Guardian II operation.  At the time of the Sting, Nicholas Jenkins was living in Winter Garden, Florida. He had previously wanted to work with dialysis patients but found himself working in pest control.  A posted a picture of what appeared to be a minor girl in a hot tub on the social media platform Whisper (despite the picture showing her wearing a wedding ring).  The decoy then said that she was fifteen-years-old and asked if he cared about that. He responded, "Nope. Not at all," followed by "wanting to come see you." Jenkins arrived to the sting wearing a t-shirt with 1990s and early 2000s Cartoon Network characters on it.  Jenkins was transported to the Polk County Jail where Chris began to interview him. Sponsored by: AquaTru: Head to https://AquaTru.com  & use code HANSEN for 20% off your purifier and a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee OneSkin: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code HANSEN at https://www.oneskin.co/HANSEN #oneskinpod TruthFinder.com To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the second episode in a five-part series called The Corridor, following five separate encounter accounts submitted by five unconnected people across five different decades, all describing experiences along the same north-south ridgeline running from the Cohutta Wilderness in northern Georgia up through the mountains of eastern Tennessee.In Part Two, a woman named Karen shares an account from the summer of nineteen ninety-four. Karen was a seasonal employee with the United States Forest Service, assigned to maintain a decommissioned fire road along a ridgeline in the eastern part of Polk County, Tennessee. The road had been built decades earlier for timber access and fire suppression but had fallen into disuse, and Karen's job was to keep it from washing out entirely — clearing drains, cutting brush, removing blowdowns. She worked alone, driving a Forest Service pickup to the ridge each morning and spending six to eight hours on the road before heading home. The nearest paved road was about seven miles out by dirt track, and radio reception on the ridge was unreliable at best.Over the course of three weeks, Karen documented a series of findings that she logged in a field notebook with times, coordinates, and measurements. During her first week she discovered multiple hardwood trees snapped between six and nine feet above the ground, some with tops wedged into adjacent trees and at least one with a spiral fracture indicating the trunk had been twisted rather than broken by wind or ice. In her second week she began encountering a powerful organic smell at the same GPS coordinates on the road every afternoon, arriving consistently around four o'clock and dissipating within ten to fifteen minutes.At a creek crossing near the smell location she found bipedal tracks in soft mud measuring nineteen inches from heel to toe and roughly seven inches across the ball, with visible toe impressions and no claw marks, spaced in a walking pattern with an estimated stride of four and a half feet. In her third week she discovered handprints pressed into a clay bank alongside the road — large, with long fingers and a clear opposing thumb, significantly bigger than her own hand.The episode builds to the night Karen got a flat tire on the road after dark during her final week on the assignment. Alone, seven miles from pavement, with no cell phone and no radio reception, she knelt beside the truck with a lug wrench and a headlamp to change the tire.While she was working, she heard bipedal footsteps approaching on the gravel road from the north — steady, heavy, two-legged. The footsteps stopped approximately forty feet away and then began pacing back and forth across the road for roughly ten minutes. When Karen stood up, the footsteps stopped. Moments later she heard a single long exhale from the timber on the uphill side of the road, originating from above her own head height and close enough to hear clearly. She got in the truck and drove out on the spare without looking back.he episode also covers Karen's thirty years of silence about the experience, her decision to finally share her account after hearing similar stories on the show, and the behavioral parallels between her encounter and Herschel's account from Part One — including the gradual escalation over days rather than a single sudden event, the feeling of being watched before anything overt occurred, the biological silence that accompanied the closest contact, and the sense that whatever was present controlled the terms and timing of the encounter.Have you experienced a Bigfoot sighting, Sasquatch encounter, Dogman experience, UFO sighting, or any unexplained cryptid or paranormal event deep in the woods? We want to hear your story.Email your encounter to brian@paranormalworldproductions.com for a chance to be featured on a future episode of Backwoods Bigfoot Stories.Backwoods Bigfoot Stories is a paranormal storytelling podcast featuring real Bigfoot encounters, Sasquatch sightings, Dogman reports, cryptid experiences, and true scary stories from the backwoods.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss a chilling encounter from the forest. Listen with the lights off… if you dare.

An independent candidate is running to represent Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Public health officials in Polk County have created a plan to address community needs. And a bill would regulate AI used by minors.

Sheriff Grady Judd breaks down shocking cases from Polk County, including a fake child services worker attempting a kidnapping and undercover stings catching stores selling alcohol to minors. His approach is simple: expose, punish, and reward behavior to reshape an entire community.

Sheriff Grady Judd breaks down how Polk County prevents terror threats before they happen, revealing the intelligence systems, real-time monitoring, and behavioral patterns they rely on. He also explains why most attackers share one trait and how law enforcement spots danger early.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, April 10, include: Nebraska community colleges report nearly 5% increase in trade school enrollment, lawmakers debate proposed 2.5% property tax cap, Goodwill to shut down Grand Island behavioral health services, Lincoln downtown central library project clears another design step, Polk County homicide suspect dies following earlier assault and shooting, legislative session leaving behind proposals including measure aimed at helping refugees access benefits.

Your Nebraska Update headlines for today, April 9, include: Wesley Absher identified in Polk County murder and assault case, Lincoln police report six fatal drug overdoses in past two weeks despite overall decline, 19-year-old UNL student will be sworn in to lead student government after DUI plea, Lincoln begins outreach on $35 million O Street redevelopment project, Eaton announces new Bellevue facility with 200 jobs planned, man convicted of killing four people in Cedar County awaits decision on whether he will receive death penalty or multiple life sentences.

Douglas Vincent Cooley is a predator caught in a Polk County, Florida investigation. At the time of the sting, Cooley had been living in or near Apopka, Florida. Shockingly, he worked at the Clay Springs Elementary after-school daycare in Apopka.  Cooley had been communicating with a decoy posing as a foster mother willing to sell her fifteen-year-old daughter for sex. After learning of the girl's age, Cooley asked if they were law enforcement. Assured that they were not, Cooley then stated that he had never "come across this opportunity before." He also specifically asked to confirm the girl's age as fifteen. He agreed to pay $100 for a half hour of sex with the minor girl, saying, "I just want to fuck her." Cooley arrived at the house and was immediately arrested by deputies. While being handcuffed, Cooley muttered to himself, "I'm done for." While being searched, Cooley repeatedly kept telling himself, "I'm so dumb." He was first interrogated by deputies then it was Chris' turn. Sponsored by: Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/chrishansen and use promo code HANSEN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty AquaTru: Head to https://AquaTru.com & use code HANSEN for 20% off your purifier and a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee  TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Have A Seat merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Polk County's only Live, Local, Call-In Marketplace, it's the WBF Shopper. A whole lot of fun, plus its free and it gets results, give us a try. Jeff takes your phone calls to buy, sell and trade on a busy Saturday Shopper!

Send us Fan MailOn this episode of the Blue Grit Podcast, Host Tyler Owen and TMPA Field Representative Robby Campbell sit down with Polk County Judge candidate Larry Pfeil—not a courtroom judge, but the role that serves as the County's chief executive. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Pfeil breaks down his vision for restoring leadership, prioritizing public safety, and driving real economic growth in Polk County. From supporting law enforcement to making decisions that impact every resident, this race is about who will lead the county forward.This isn't politics as usual—it's about taking Polk County back.Support the showemail us at- bluegrit@tmpa.org

Update: Thermos man gets sprung from prison...this is that clown that was discovered to have a thermos in his no-no place when being processed at Polk County jail, Dwight Howard officially announces retirement to be with his 'family' amid divorce and police vists to his house, Chinese national arrested over attempt to smuggle 2000 queen ants from Kenya

Update: Thermos man gets sprung from prison...this is that clown that was discovered to have a thermos in his no-no place when being processed at Polk County jail, Dwight Howard officially announces retirement to be with his 'family' amid divorce and police vists to his house, Chinese national arrested over attempt to smuggle 2000 queen ants from KenyaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PLEASE ALWAYS READ THIS INFO BOX WHEN YOU VISIT TMVP BLOG. ***Especially please do not send any gift to this ministry unless you have read & understood the instructions below.*** DO NOT INTERACT WITH ANYONE ASKING FOR DONATIONS. Thank you. WEBSITE: WWW.THE-MASTERS-VOICE.COM PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: If you'd like to support this work, it is appreciated. Kindly use PayPal or email me for other options at mastersvoice@mail.com, and *please* give me some time to respond. If using PayPal PLEASE DO NOT send any gift with "Purchase Protection". I have an ordinary PayPal account, not a seller marketplace, so please do not damage my account by using "purchase protection" on your donation (as if I were making a sale to you). If you are not sure (especially if you sent in the past), please check the format of your gift on the PayPal receipt before sending. It is a freewill offering, I am not selling goods or services. Please use *only* the "Friends & Family" sending option. If you're outside the USA please DO NOT use PayPal, contact me instead at the email listed here & allow me a good window to respond. Thank you, God bless. PayPal ------- mastersvoice@mail.com.

John remembers civil rights leader and formative voice in 20th century US politics, Rev. Jesse Jackson who died at age 84 after a decade-long battle with a debilitating neurological disorder. He also talks about FCC Chair Brendan Carr putting the brakes on Steven Colbert's interview with Democratic Texas Congressman James Talarico and the death of legendary actor Robert Duvall who passed away at the age of 95. Then, he interviews Bruce Friedrich who is the founder and president of the Good Food Institute (GFI), a global science think tank with more than 230 full-time team members, the plurality scientists. Climate charity evaluator Giving Green recommends GFI as a top six charity for climate impact, highlighting its “successful track record, breadth of expertise, and strategic approach,” and calling it “a powerhouse in alternative protein thought leadership and action.” They talk about his new book "MEAT: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food—and Our Future". In the book, Bruce offers an exploration of how science, policy, and industry can work together to satisfy the world's soaring demand for meat, while building a healthier and more sustainable world. Next, John welcomes back Shawn Harris who is a retired Brigadier General and Polk County cattle producer, who returned home to Georgia after 40 years of military service to run a first-generation grass-fed cattle farm in Rockmart. Harris is running to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia's 14th Congressional District, a democrat in a crowded field of Republicans in a race that suddenly has the full attention of Donald Trump, who will travel there this week. And lastly, he jokes with "Comedy Daddy" Keith Price and they chat with listeners about Robert Duvall, Jesse Jackson, and Combover Caligula.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

H3-2/16/26- Rep Jake Johnson from NC on the WORD talk line about his district Polk County,Let's talk about how compromised our privacy really is, , Over the weekend, names have been released from the Epstein files

H3-S1, 2/16/26- Rep Jake Johnson from NC on the WORD talk line about his district Polk County

Feras Mahmoud Klisli is an alleged predator caught in a Polk County, Florida investigation.  At the time of the sting, Klisli had been living in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Heba, and their adult disabled daughter.  Klisli had been communicating with a decoy posing as a fourteen-year-old virgin girl. Described as "cryptic" by detectives, Klisli said in the chat that he wanted to kiss the girl all over her body and wanted sex. Klisli acknowledged the decoy's age at least five times, saying, "I hope I can meet with you, but you are 14 and that's dangerous."  When Klisli arrived at the sting house, he was taken into custody immediately after getting out of his car, instead of the typical scenario where the alleged predator walks into the house. Deputies took him to the ground in the middle of the road while Klisli repeatedly asked what was happening. Detectives called the number they had for Klisli, to verify that the person they were talking to was the man that showed up, and it appeared that Klisli had the decoy's name saved as "14.” During the interview with Chris, Klisli claimed that he did not know that the decoy was underage, instead claiming that he thought she was nineteen.  After further questioning, Klisli admitted that he did know that the decoy said she was fourteen, but claimed that he thought she was a liar.   Sponsored by: TruthFinder.com. To get the answers you're looking for about the new people in your life, and to discover information on potential predators, go to www.TruthFinder.com/predators Get your official Chris Hansen merchandise at https://haveaseat.dashery.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In June of 2021, a little girl went missing from her family's rural property in Tennessee. The case got the national attention most missing persons advocates would love to have, but then it went too far and impeded the investigation. While we debate the balance between reporting information and hurting a case, Summer Moo n-Utah Wells remains missing to this day. This case is *unsolved*If you know anything about the disappearance of Rose Bly, you can call the Polk County police at 715-485-8300. If you know anything about the disappearance of Summer Wells, you can call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or NCMEC at 1-800-THE-LOST.Support the show!Get the exclusive show Beyond the Files plus Crimelines episodes ad free onSupercast: https://crimelines.supercast.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/crimelinesApple Subscriptions: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crimelines-true-crime/id1112004494 For one time support:https://www.basementfortproductions.com/supportLinks to all my socials and more:https://linktr.ee/crimelinesSources:2025 Crimelines Podcast Source List Transcript: https://app.podscribe.ai/series/3790If an exact transcript is needed, please request at crimelinespodcast@gmail.com Licensing and credits:Theme music by Scott Buckley https://www.scottbuckley.com.au/Cover Art by Lars Hacking from Rusty HingesCrimelines is a registered trademark of Crimelines LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: 6:05pm- In a recent interview, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed that President Donald Trump plans to “campaign like it's 2024 again” during the 2026 midterm races. 6:10pm- While speaking with Politico's Dasha Burns, President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten attempted to rewrite history—blaming President Trump for not reopening schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. 6:15pm- Eight Philadelphia teens have been arrested for stealing over $2,000 worth of items from a sporting goods store in Polk County, Florida. On X, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) wrote: “They picked the wrong state—and the wrong county.” 6:30pm- Is Artificial Intelligence set to replace Hollywood actors? Plus, Sylvester Stallone wants the Rocky statue back!

On March 13, 2020, a long-simmering domestic conflict in Des Moines, Iowa, erupted into fatal violence. Paula Marie Thompson, a 50-year-old claims processor, was beaten to death with a crowbar by her adult son Christopher inside the home they shared on Pleasantview Drive. Her body would not be discovered until five days later.VICTIM PROFILE:Paula Thompson was 50 years old at the time of her death. She worked as a claims processor and was known among friends and coworkers as hardworking and responsible. Behind closed doors, however, Paula struggled with a volatile home situation. Her 32-year-old son Christopher still lived with her, financially dependent on her despite years of unemployment and sporadic work through temporary agencies. Paula had confided to friends that she was afraid of Christopher, tired of the drinking, and tired of supporting an adult who showed no progress toward independence.CASE SIGNIFICANCE:This case represents a devastating example of domestic violence that did not arrive suddenly. Paula Thompson spent months warning the people around her. She told friends she was afraid. She contacted her son's probation officer multiple times between December 2019 and March 2020, expressing growing fear. She even appeared in a Facebook video whispering to a friend that Christopher was "going to kill" her. Despite these warnings, Paula could not escape the danger living inside her own home.CONTENT WARNINGS:This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, blunt force trauma, and animal cruelty. Listener discretion is advised.KEY CASE DETAILS:• Paula and Christopher argued on March 13, 2020, both having been drinking. Christopher retrieved a crowbar and struck his mother multiple times in the head. He remained in the home with her body for five days before confessing to a friend over the phone.• Christopher also killed Paula's cat with the same crowbar, later disposing of the animal's body in a trash can. He pleaded guilty to animal abuse in addition to the murder charge.• On March 18, 2020, Christopher walked into the Polk County Jail and confessed. He was subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.RESOURCES:This episode draws from court documents filed in Polk County, Iowa, including criminal complaints and the Iowa Supreme Court opinion in State v. Thompson. Additional sources include reporting from KCCI Des Moines, KCRG, and the Des Moines Register. For anyone experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.SUPPORT OBSCURA:For extended episodes, bonus content, and ad-free listening, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/obscuracrimepodcast. Visit mythsandmalice.com/show/obscura for episode resources, sources, and additional case information.Our Sponsors:* Check out Chime: https://chime.com/OBSCURA* Check out Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com* Check out Mind of a Monster: The Killer Nurse: https://podcasts.apple.com* Check out Mood and use my code OBSCURA for a great deal: https://mood.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/obscura-a-true-crime-podcast/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy Thanksgiving!! Enjoy this Florida Man Friday bonus podcast sample from patreon.com/hardfactor - go there to join our community, get access to way more bonus podcasts, discord chat access, Trivia with the hosts on 12/12/25 at 9 PM, merch discounts, and more! Timestamps: (00:00:00) - Holiday Rush is here and the Robots aren't helping (00:06:07) - Insane Florida Woman of the Week killed her BF by crashing into a tree and is now on trial for Vehicular Homicide after he came out of a coma to tell the doctor (00:13:10) - Florida Man addicted to Grand Theft Auto survives 36 hour manhunt in swamp with cops, eventually caught by Fish & Wildlife (00:21:40) - Diving deeper into Grady's new Coffee schtick, and a man with possible shrinkage caught streaking in 36 degree weather in Polk County (00:29:18) - Florida Man admits to murdering UK girl who traveled to Florida for that specific purpose Thank you for listening, we love you all, and Most importantly HAGFD!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices