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A school board’s partisan pendulum swings, and multitasking food trucks

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government dais with 4 women and 1 man sitting. behind them is a largo circle logo that says Sarasota County Schools, and a Florida and US Flag on poles
Sarasota County School Board
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YouTube

Sarasota County voters have reshaped a school board that became a flashpoint for Florida’s culture wars. Our guest panel looks at what comes next.

Then, meet the owner of a food truck that gives people with disabilities the chance to learn food prep, customer service and other job skills.

Finally, the Zest’s Dalia Colon checks in with another food truck working to reduce food waste and hunger.

Sarasota’s school board flip

(0:00) For four years, the board had a conservative-leaning majority. That changes after last week’s election, raising questions about the future of culture war politics in public schools. What does the shift mean for partisanship in education and groups such as Moms for Liberty?

GUESTS:

  • Kerry Sheridan, WUSF reporter
  • Rod Thomson, Republican political strategist
  • Maurice Cunningham, retired political scientist

Great Balls of hires

(21:02) A brightly painted school bus turned food truck is serving up ice cream — and opportunities. Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Love gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities hands-on job experience. Hear how one St. Petersburg entrepreneur is building a different kind of workplace.

GUESTS:

  • Emily Grace, food truck co-founder
  • Eric Silverman, food truck employee
  • Alexandra Silverman, Eric’s mother

Doing a 180 on hunger

(36:04) Dalia Colon, host of WUSF's "The Zest" podcast, catches up with a food truck that is tackling food insecurity by turning surplus food into free meals. The growing nonprofit is also teaching some meal recipients culinary skills and helping them find jobs.

GUEST:

  • Cameron McLeish, co-owner of 360 Eats

I am the host of WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local, where I get to indulge my curiosity in people and explore the endlessly fascinating stories that connect this community.
As the executive producer of WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local, I aim to create a show and podcast that makes all Floridians feel seen and heard. That's also my assignment as a producer for The Florida Roundup. In any role, my goal is always to amplify the voices often overlooked.
Quincy Walters is a producer for WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local,
I’m the lucky one who guides the WUSF News team as it shares news from across Florida and the 13 amazing counties that we call the greater Tampa Bay region.