Florida is facing a range of challenges that touch the water at our shores and the people in our communities. We'll touch on those on "Florida Matters Live & Local."
Repeated flooding has Sarasota officials thinking long term about sea-level rise at St. Armands Circle. Armed with $13.5 million in federal money, hopes to boost coastal resilience at the popular shopping spot. The concern: Will the city have to address the issue again in 25 years? In 50?
Meantime, statewide policy debates continue to spark discussion and dissent. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address highlighted immigration enforcement and other priorities, but critics say civil rights and LGBTQ issues remain in the balance. We hear from voices offering a “People’s State of the State” perspective on what these policies mean for Floridians.
Closer to home, support for the arts is under strain. A Pinellas nonprofit recently lost county funding and closed its gallery, leaving local artists to adapt and find ways to keep their work alive.
A (sea) level-headed response
Flooding from the 2024 hurricanes has Sarasota officials under mounting water pressure regarding St. Armands Circle. Although the city is moving ahead with resilience projects funded by $13.5 million in federal disaster-recovery money, questions linger about long-term sea-level rise and local authority. What are the challenges?
GUEST:
- Jessica Meszaros, WUSF climate change/environment reporter
'People's State of the State'
Gov. Ron DeSantis praised his policies in his annual State of the State address on Tuesday, pointing to immigration enforcement as a public safety success. But there are other views. Civil rights advocates say those policies have real consequences for immigrants and LGBTQ Floridians.
GUESTS:
- Rev. Andy Oliver, pastor of Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg
- Kara Gross, ACLU of Florida’s legislative director and senior policy counsel
The price of public art
The nonprofit Creative Pinellas closed its gallery after the Pinellas County Commission whacked roughly $1 million in funding. Commissioners argue the cut won’t hurt the arts, but artists say losing space and support has real consequences for access, equity and visibility. A St. Petersburg artist joins us to talk about what’s lost and what comes next.
GUEST:
- John Gascot, Pinellas Park artist
