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On tonight’s program: The hankie drops in mid-afternoon on the final day and Florida’s 2021 lawmaking session is over. But not before lawmakers passed a record-busting budget; When the House Appropriations chair is a North Floridian, it’s not surprising that part of the state gets a bigger slice of the Florida budget pie than it’s used to; Governor DeSantis is planning to sign off on election law changes that are opposed by Democrats and voting rights groups; Proponents of a Purple Alert for Florida say the proposal will help fill a gap in the missing persons’ alert system; Special Capital Reporter Steve Bousquet gives his take on how this year’s legislative session turned out; And a bill barring vaccine passports is on the way to the governor’s desk. But some worry the measure leaves people have been vaccinated open to discrimination

On tonight’s program: Governor Ron DeSantis has said Florida’s unemployment website was built to fail. Now an audit reveals he’s not too far off in that accusation; If you’re among the growing number of Floridians making use of free-standing emergency rooms, some lawmakers want to make sure you’re paying regular hospital prices for that visit; The Florida Legislature is considering giving money to local communities that would be used to combat sea level rise and flooding; A veteran state senator seems determined to make a significant mark on this year’s Legislative Session as he advances a plethora of important bills. Capital Reporter Steve Bousquet talks with Senator Jeff Brandes; And those who grew up in the 1950s and 60s may recall how the Cold War wasn’t limited to the military. Nearly every American institution was ferociously opposed to the growth of communism. Some members of the Florida Legislature are now determined to bring back that crusade against the “Red Menace.”

Local governments wouldn't be able to regulate things like gas stations under a bill advancing through the Senate. The measure would give that power to the state instead.

On tonight’s program: Florida’s revenues have been going down. But Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing a state budget in which spending is going up; Debate roils at the Capitol over a bill that would up the penalties for demonstrators if their protest gets even a little bit out of hand; Some Florida lawmakers believe the state’s election laws could use some serious tweaking. Bills to accomplish that have been submitted by both sides of the aisle; Florida officials are trying to discourage “medical tourism;” out-of-state visitors coming just to get coronavirus vaccinations while vaccine supplies remain sparse; Florida lawmakers hope to create a task force to study how many lost African-American cemeteries the state may have; And the person considered the governor’s strong right arm is moving on, just weeks before the Legislative Session when he might be needed most.

Older folks have certainly been more at risk for serious illness or even death from COVID-19. But the pandemic has also had some upsides for many seniors. From learning new online skills to discovering new ways to connect with family and the community, we talk about how seasoned citizens are responding with: Yolanda Hue with Tallahassee's Tapestry Senior Living; Gail Matillo, president and CEO of the Florida Senior Living Association; Elder Law Attorney Twyla Sketchley; Shiela Salyer, director of the Tallahassee Senior Center; and Dr. Neil Charness, director of the Institute for Successful Longevity at Florida State University.

On tonight’s program: The pandemic has revealed deep inequities when it comes to Internet access; COVID-19 liability protections could soon pass in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. But the measure’s opponents worry it could make it nearly impossible for people with legitimate claims to succeed in court; As state lawmakers consider a bill to make Florida’s official Emancipation Day June 19th, historians and advocates insist the traditional date of May 20th should be adopted instead; Telehealth for pets could mean more access to care. But some argue when an animal can’t tell you what’s wrong, an in-person physical exam is what’s really needed; And even though the pandemic has been rough on older folks, a surprising number have used the occasion to expand their horizons and skill sets.

The online format will permit additional workshops and seminars.

Starting March 29, the county will make the help available online, on the phone, or by in-person contact at two locations.

On tonight’s program: Parents have rights, but a bill now in the Florida Legislature would confer upon the parents of school kids an actual Bill of Rights. Supporters say it’s just “common sense”; House lawmakers are pushing a plan to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage; Politico Capital Reporter Gary Fineout shares his take on the Legislative Session thus far; And significant change could be on the way for a number of Florida laws affecting juvenile justice.

On tonight’s program: The possibility of some prison closings sparks a spat at the Florida Capitol; The House’s voucher consolidation bill is a work in progress, but its sponsor is determined to see it pass; The Legislature considers expanding some of its popular sales tax reductions; As Florida property owners see their insurance rates keep climbing, State Senators will soon have a chance to vote on a measure that supporters insist will reduce upward pressure on those rates. But opponents have a very different take; The cost of insulin can force people to choose between staying healthy and paying their mortgage or buying groceries; And if the U.S. Senate approves, a former astronaut will be the next head of the very organization than sent him into space.