Talking Central Florida

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.

Talking Central Florida is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 30 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Talking Central Florida, a news show with 30 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Talking Central Florida

  Should Local Governments Get More TDT Flexibility?

  Sep 30, 202635 min

  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

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  Talking Central Florida

  Journalist Julie K. Brown on Covering the Epstein Case

  Sep 23, 202630 min

  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/

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  Talking Central Florida

  Florida's License Plate Reader Crackdown Draws Rare Bipartisan Agreement

  Sep 16, 202633 min

  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

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  Talking Central Florida

  Why Are Students Leaving Florida's Public Schools?

  Sep 9, 202627 min

  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

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  Talking Central Florida

  The Rise of Independent Journalism

  Aug 26, 202632 min

  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

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