Talking Central Florida

The News Collaborative of Central Florida
  • 5.0 (2)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Talking Central Florida host Steve Mort gets in-depth analysis from the journalists covering our region's most important issues. The show is a production of the News Collaborative of Central Florida.

  1. 6d ago

    Should Local Governments Get More TDT Flexibility?

    This week on Talking Central Florida, should counties and municipalities have more power to decide how Tourist Development Taxes are spent? Host Steve Mort is joined by the editor of the Winter Park Voice Beth Kassab to discuss how local governments are pressing for greater flexibility in TDT spending. And as Florida competes with states including Alabama, Ohio and Louisiana to host the new U.S. Space Academy, what could it mean for the Space Coast? Brendan Byrne from Central Florida Public Media talks about the latest news on the space beat, plus his new podcast about how humans might respond to the discovery of alien life. Show notes: Will Orange Mayors Join Push to Rethink how Tourist Taxes are Spent? (Winter Park Voice): https://winterparkvoice.com/will-orange-mayors-join-push-to-rethink-how-tourist-taxes-are-spent/ Amendment 3 would bring property tax cuts — and tough choices — to Winter Park (Winter Park Voice): https://winterparkvoice.com/amendment-3-would-bring-property-tax-cuts-and-tough-choices-to-winter-park/ Tree Advocates Warn Against Cutting Budget for City's Prized Canopy (Winter Park Voice): https://winterparkvoice.com/tree-advocates-warn-against-cutting-budget-for-citys-prized-canopy/ *** When We Find Them: https://www.cfpublic.org/podcast/when-we-find-them Are We There Yet? https://www.cfpublic.org/podcast/are-we-there-yet

    Should Local Governments Get More TDT Flexibility?

  2. Sep 23

    Journalist Julie K. Brown on Covering the Epstein Case

    This week on Talking Central Florida, a conversation with the award-winning Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown. Host Steve Mort talks with Brown about her extensive reporting on the sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, her ongoing coverage of the Epstein story, what survivors continue to tell her, and what she thinks future accountability might look like. Julie Brown will join the Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell for a live conversation on October 7 at a First Amendment Foundation event in Winter Park. Show notes: Julie K. Brown's Miami Herald reporting: https://www.miamiherald.com/profile/218644665/ The Epstein Files by Julie K. Brown (Substack): https://jkbjournalist.substack.com Tickets to Winter Park event: https://flpress.com/press_release/first-amendment-foundation/

    Journalist Julie K. Brown on Covering the Epstein Case

  3. Sep 16

    Florida's License Plate Reader Crackdown Draws Rare Bipartisan Agreement

    This week on Talking Central Florida, jurisdictions around the state face a deadline to remove automated license plate reader cameras along state roads, but many police officials lament the loss of a crime-fighting tool. Plus, a look at how the state has been spending emergency funds on immigration enforcement. Host Steve Mort is joined by Skyler Swisher from the Orlando Sentinel and Alexa Lorenzo from WFTV Channel 9. Plus, a conversation with investigative journalist Jason Garcia about the Hope Florida grand jury report. Show notes: Flock cameras: Florida's de-Flocking: After state order, Central Florida municipalities end use of high-tech cameras (Orlando Sentinel): https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/09/01/floridas-de-flocking-after-state-order-central-florida-municipalities-end-use-of-high-tech-cameras/ Orange County Sheriff's Office will keep using license plate readers (WFTV): https://www.wftv.com/news/local/orange-county-sheriffs-office-will-keep-using-license-plate-readers/QZ4BFZKWNFHXJODO4X5LM3JCPM/ Lake County commissioners vote to remove Flock cameras after tense meeting (WFTV): https://www.wftv.com/news/local/lake-county/lake-county-commissioners-vote-remove-flock-cameras-after-tense-meeting/BQWDEKLTPBEMTITKTQXWP3LMRU/ Flock cameras enter Senate race, as opponents Brodeur, Lowndes seek bans (Orlando Sentinel): https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/09/03/flock-cameras-enter-senate-race-as-opponents-brodeur-lowndes-seek-bans/ *** Immigration: DeSantis administration wants $250 million more to pay immigration bills (Orlando Sentinel): https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/09/03/desantis-administration-wants-250-million-more-to-pay-immigration-bills/ Polk sheriff's office clarifies no federal warrants existed in viral ICE hospital arrests (Sabrina Maggiore, WFTV): https://www.wftv.com/news/local/polk-sheriffs-office-clarifies-no-federal-warrants-existed-viral-ice-hospital-arrests/RJWNLU4EIJH77G4TDW3K744GSQ/ What the end of TPS means for Central Florida's Haitian community (WFTV): https://www.wftv.com/news/local/what-end-tps-means-central-floridas-haitian-community/2CTSCHRN3NC5FCUNOIKNGYR3QQ/ *** Hope Florida: Jason Garcia, Seeking Rents: 'A sophisticated scheme,' exposed: https://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/a-sophisticated-scheme-exposed Conflicting testimony and foggy memories: How the Hope Florida grand jury found wrongdoing but no wrongdoers: https://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/conflicting-testimony-and-foggy-memories Hope Florida fallout: https://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/hope-florida-fallout Grand Jury report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15YSC5ztguz1srPqz65ibtZSnD5LwmNot/view

    Florida's License Plate Reader Crackdown Draws Rare Bipartisan Agreement

  4. Sep 9

    Why Are Students Leaving Florida's Public Schools?

    This week on Talking Central Florida, as Orange County Public School leaders trim more from their district's budget, where is state education headed in Florida? Host Steve Mort is joined by Kayla Kissel, education reporter for Central Florida Public Media, and Massiel Leyva from Spectrum News 13 to look at why parents are increasingly choosing to pull their kids out of public schools and what officials are doing to address emptying classrooms. Plus, OCPS begins enforcing new rules on e-bikes and e-scooters. And the Florida Board of Governors moves to bar undocumented students from enrolling in state universities. Show notes: OCPS reports student enrollment decline of more than 7,600 students (Spectrum News 13): https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/08/27/ocps-reports-student-enrollment-decline-of-more-than-00-students OCPS enrollment plunges by nearly 8,000 students, more than anticipated (Central Florida Public Media): https://www.cfpublic.org/education/2026-08-26/ocps-enrollment-plunges-by-nearly-8-000-students-more-than-anticipated Enrollment in Central Florida public schools falls by nearly 12,000 students (Orlando Sentinel): https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/08/26/enrollment-in-central-florida-public-schools-falls-by-nearly-12000-students/ Homeschool enrollment rises across Central Florida (Spectrum News 13): https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/08/05/homeschool-enrollment-rises-across-central-florida Marion County School Consolidation Plans Put Vulnerable Students at Center of Debate (Central Florida Public Media): https://www.cfpublic.org/podcast/engage/2026-08-13/marion-county-school-consolidation-plans-put-vulnerable-students-at-center-of-debate Orange County Public Schools considers opening a micro school with a focus on baseball and softball (Spectrum News 13): https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/05/19/ocps-considers-opening-a-micro-school Orange County students will need a license or permit to ride an e-bike or e-scooter to school (Central Florida Public Media): https://www.cfpublic.org/education/2026-07-28/orange-county-students-will-need-a-license-or-permit-to-ride-an-e-bike-or-e-scooter-to-school Volusia sheriff seeks clarity on Deltona micromobility rules before deputies enforce them (Spectrum News 13): https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2026/07/31/volusia-sheriff-questions-enforcement-of-deltona-micromobility-rules

    Why Are Students Leaving Florida's Public Schools?

  5. Aug 26

    The Rise of Independent Journalism

    This week on Talking Central Florida, a conversation about journalism: where the news industry is headed, and the role of independent media in telling overlooked stories. Central Florida reporter Mike Schneider discusses his former career at the Associated Press covering the Sunshine State, the challenges ahead for journalism, and why he's continuing to report on population change through a new independent project. Show Notes: The Count of Counting: https://countofcounting.substack.com/ Mickey and the Teamsters: https://www.amazon.com/Mickey-Teamsters-Fight-Unions-Disney/dp/0813080304

    The Rise of Independent Journalism

  6. Aug 19

    Florida Primary Results: What They Signal for November

    This week on Talking Central Florida, a look at the primary election and what the results might signal about how voters are feeling ahead of November's midterms. Christopher Heath from WKMG News 6, Sam Stockbridge from Central Florida Public Media, and Kimberly Leonard from Politico join host Steve Mort to break down the outcomes of the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries, a victory for the Democratic Socialist candidate Angie Nixon in the Democrats' U.S. Senate primary, and the results in contests in our region - including defeat for Congressman Cory Mills. Plus, Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina advance to a November runoff in the race for Orange County mayor. Show notes: Progressive insurgent Nixon scores upset in Florida Dem Senate primary (Kimberly Leonard, Politico): https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/18/angie-nixon-wins-democratic-primary-florida-01041253 Florida governor's race is set (Kimberly Leonard, Gary Fineout Politico): https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/18/florida-governor-donalds-jolly-01041301 Donalds claims GOP primary victory in gubernatorial race (Sam Stockbridge, Central Florida Public Media): https://www.cfpublic.org/politics/2026-08-19/donalds-primary-victory-governor OC Mayor's race, District 2 Commission go to runoff, Congressional race set for Webster seat (Norine Dworkin, Voxpopuli): https://www.wintergardenvox.com/articles/oc-mayors-race-district-2-commission-goes-to-runoff-congressional-race-set-for-webster-seat Ryan Elijah upsets Rep. Cory Mills for U.S. House District 7 (Abe Aboraya, Oviedo Community News): https://oviedocommunitynews.org/2026/08/18/ryan-elijah-upsets-rep-cory-mills-for-u-s-house-district-7/ Nieves headed to House, Alvarez wins primary ( Ken Jackson and Debbie Daniel, Osceola News-Gazette): https://www.aroundosceola.com/election-2026-news/osceola-votes-2026-nieves-headed-house-alvarez-wins-primary   Results: Central Florida Public Media: https://www.cfpublic.org/live-updates/live-updates-primary-election-day-in-central-florida WKMG News 6: https://www.clickorlando.com/election-2026/2026/08/18/election-results-for-all-races-in-the-florida-primary-on-aug-18-2026/ Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/08/18/florida-primary-election-results-federal-state-and-county-races/ Oviedo Community News: https://oviedocommunitynews.org/2026/08/18/election-results-primary-election-2026/ Osceola News Gazette: https://www.aroundosceola.com/index.php/election-2026 LkldNow: https://www.lkldnow.com/lakeland-votes-primary-election-live-results/

    Florida Primary Results: What They Signal for November

  7. Aug 12

    A Conversation With Central Florida's Election Officials: Part 2

    This week on Talking Central Florida, the second part of the News Collaborative of Central Florida's recent conversation with our region's supervisors of elections, recorded on July 14. In this episode, the officials discuss issues including outreach to Spanish-language voters, vote-by-mail, how Florida tabulates ballots, law enforcement agents at polling places, and the extent of non-citizen voting. Host Steve Mort is joined by reporters from several news outlets to ask questions of the supervisors of elections from Seminole, Orange, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties.   Show notes: CENTRAL FLORIDA SEEN & HEARD REGISTRATION:  https://www.cfpublic.org/seenandheardevent?fbclid=IwY2xjawTgKOBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFEZXZaTllsTjBMQk9xcXR4c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlyv9ZEQR1ydwokCjj5HMQKWgYP5MwYpfX-JPeF_ItYk3BK4uupyBf4Llj5o_aem_HnYgfFyjWNZ1rM82r-hsMg Supervisors of Elections websites: Seminole: https://voteseminole.gov/ Orange: https://voteorangefl.gov/ Osceola: https://www.voteosceola.gov/ Brevard: https://www.votebrevard.gov/ Lake: https://www.lakevotes.gov/ Volusia: https://www.volusiaelections.gov/

    A Conversation With Central Florida's Election Officials: Part 2

  8. Aug 5

    What Property Tax Changes Could Mean for Public Safety

    This week on Talking Central Florida, as law enforcement and firefighters' associations express concern over the proposed constitutional amendment that would reduce non-school homestead property taxes, a look at the rising cost of public safety services in some places, and what might happen to those services if voters approve the measure in November. And Lakeland City Commissioners pass a one-year moratorium on data center construction as the debate over AI facilities plays out in election campaigns around the state. Plus, a check-in on school board races in Orange and Polk counties. Host Steve Mort is joined by Beth Kassab from the Winter Park Voice and Trinity Laurino from LkldNow.   SHOW NOTES: League of Women Voters Hot Topics event on property taxes - tickets: https://lwvoc.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=907481&item_id=2883788 ** ** Property taxes ** Winter Park Contends with Higher Police and Fire Costs and How to Maintain Roads (Winter Park Voice): https://winterparkvoice.com/winter-park-contends-with-higher-police-and-fire-costs-and-how-to-maintain-roads/ Winter Park Residents to Pay More for Electricity and Water in Proposed Budget (Winter Park Voice): https://winterparkvoice.com/winter-park-residents-to-pay-more-for-electricity-and-water-in-proposed-budget/ ** ** Voter Guide ** News Collaborative of Central Florida Voter Guide page: https://newscollabcfl.org/voter-guide-2026/ Oviedo Community News: https://oviedocommunitynews.org/voter-guide-primary-election-2026/ Osceola News Gazette: https://www.aroundosceola.com/news/voting-central-florida-2026 Winter Park Voice: https://winterparkvoice.com/your-primary-ballot-voters-guide/#/browse Central Florida Public Media: https://www.cfpublic.org/voter-guide-2026 WKMG News 6: https://www.clickorlando.com/votersguide/ Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/07/31/central-florida-voter-guide-august-primary-races-and-candidates/ VoxPopuli: https://www.wintergardenvox.com/2026-elections/2026-voting-central-florida-election-guide __ Polk County School Board District 3 race (LkldNow): https://www.lkldnow.com/school-board-district-3/ ** ** Data centers ** Lakeland Approves One-Year Moratorium on Data Centers (LkldNow): https://www.lkldnow.com/lakeland-approves-one-year-moratorium-on-data-centers/ 'Take a Breath': Experts Weigh In on Data Center Moratorium (LkldNow): https://www.lkldnow.com/take-a-breath-experts-weigh-in-on-data-center-moratorium/ Hyperscale Data Center Proposed for Lakeland (LkldNow): https://www.lkldnow.com/hyperscale-data-center-proposed-for-lakeland/ Water Restrictions Extended in Lakeland (LkldNow): https://www.lkldnow.com/water-restrictions-extended-in-lakeland/ ** Reviving the Roots: FSC's Century-Old Citrus Legacy Meets Tomorrow's Agribusiness (LkldNow): https://www.lkldnow.com/reviving-the-roots-fscs-century-old-citrus-legacy-meets-tomorrows-agribusiness/

    What Property Tax Changes Could Mean for Public Safety
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Talking Central Florida host Steve Mort gets in-depth analysis from the journalists covering our region's most important issues. The show is a production of the News Collaborative of Central Florida.

Information

  • Creator
    The News Collaborative of Central Florida
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    Talking Central Florida

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