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On tonight’s program: School choice supporters have pushed the idea of education savings accounts for years. Now, it could finally happen under a plan to merge Florida’s school choice programs; A slew of criminal justice bills has already made it through the initial committee stop. But not without some pushback from opponents. Like this and we will let you know which bill it’s in reference to; Lawmakers say anything, including healthcare cuts, could be on the table when it comes to making a spending plan this year. But some say a sunnier economy could be right around the corner, making those cuts unnecessary; Despite impending budget shortfalls, Florida lawmakers are still looking to fund several environmental projects; A well-known reporter for Orlando’s WMFE has penned a new and different book on the seemingly endless effort to protect and defend Florida’s Everglades; Everyone at the Florida Capitol says they favor government transparency. That’s why it’s befuddling why there are always bills carving out exceptions to that transparency in every single Session.

Amanda Karioth Thompson is an Assistant Director for the Council On Culture and Arts and manages arts education and public art programming. She shares that artists share their identity through their work, making them vulnerable. By this action, she is inspired. She advocates for art as an expression and healing tool, which can help especially through our current trying times.

Tallahassee native and Senior VP of Government Affairs for the Florida Bankers Association, Kenneth Pratt, has seen a shift of no voices representing his home neighborhoods on the south side of Tallahassee, to now where there are more voices talking about the issues affecting all different regions of the community. He sees people working together, which he believes benefits the Tallahassee community as a whole. Kenneth shares the importance of the support system that his parents surrounded him with - people who had his best intentions in mind.

Lequita Sharrock is the CEO of Sharrock Media Group, and Rory Sharrock is president and COO of Sharrock Media Group. They believe that embracing diversity and celebrating our differences is important, because everyone can learn from one another. Love should be the foundation of everything you do, and if it's not then you have the wrong agenda.

Kate Kile is a local leader of 'Moms Demand Action (Tallahassee).' June is gun violence awareness month and the group is asking people to raise awareness with #TallyWearsOrange. Their goal is to keep kids and families informed regarding gun safety. For example, Kate says it is important to talk about gun violence with kids and safe storage with friends. She draws inspiration from her faith and it is what moves her to work on this initiative.

Principal of R. Frank Nims Middle School, Dr. Benny L. Bolden, Jr., shares his inspiration for managing the school in Tallahassee, FL. He wants his students and the community to know that his school is run in the vein of care, hope, and love. He tells his students that if they would have known him in his youth, they would be shocked that he was their principal today. He sees himself in his students and makes it his assignment to give them his care, hope, and love.

With most of the criminal defenses in the six-county 2nd Judicial Circuit now falling to the Public Defender's office, that job is of vital importance to the region's criminal justice system. Also, there are widespread calls to reform that system, even as the pandemic is shrinking the state revenues on which that system depends. To talk about those and other issues are: Incumbent Public Defender Andy Thomas; and challenger Jessica Yeary.

On tonight’s program: The demand of Florida’s Education Department to fully reopen schools this fall has attracted a teachers’ union lawsuit; The sometimes violent controversy over protective mask wearing looms over the possible reopening of Florida schools; Some Florida hospitals and their staffs fear the present COVID spike will push them beyond their abilities to cope; The ACLU, Dream Defenders and others have been asking for the release of certain Florida prison inmates due to COVID-19. But the Capital region’s state attorney says it’s tough deciding who to release and who to keep locked up; A landmark federal court case about the vote in Florida is suddenly settled; The incidence of child abuse typically increases during times of stress and uncertainty. But the number of such cases now being reported is down and a noted advocate has one possible explanation.

The Americans With Disabilities Act took effect on July 26, 1990. Much has been accomplished since then to make all of society more accessible and participatory> But much more still needs to bring the full promise of the legislation to fruition. To talk about it are: Florida State University's J.R. Harding, long-time advocate; Dr. Max Lee of environmental consulting firm Koogler Associates; and Michael Elliott, CEO of Soar Technology, which provides services for the visually-impaired.

On tonight’s program: The State of Florida has ordered schools reopen in a matter of weeks. The state’s largest teachers union is pushing back in court; As Florida high school sports officials look at pushing back the date of the athletic season, the state’s leaders argue THAT decision is best left to parents; What happens if a COVID-19 outbreak hits a school?; A new Florida task force takes action aimed at getting visitors back into the state’s nursing homes; Florida’s clemency process remains sidelined by the pandemic. But critics contend that process hasn’t been fully functional in years; E-scooter use is up as riders find its a great way to cover distance while keeping social distance; If you hate dialing long phone numbers, you may soon want to get an auto-dialing machine.