The Rotunda
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - For the fifth time in 24 years, Florida is changing its education standards - this time away from Common Core. But some educators say a complete overhaul is unnecessary. In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order to ditch Common Core, a set of academic standards in mathematics, arts and literacy that outline what students should know at the end of each grade. Some parents argue the guidelines are too rigid and require too much testing for students.
Episode 167: Resiliency Featured
THE ROTUNDA - Melba Pearson with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU of Florida) explains their fight to get a judge to block Florida’s law requiring fees be paid before ex-felons can vote. Plus, educators like Brian Dean of Instruction Partners tells Gomes why he’s urging state officials to improve, instead of eliminating Florida’s Common Core educational standards. Gomes also talks with Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council about their new study, which shows Florida’s 15 seaports are leading the nation in resiliency for sea level rise and natural disasters.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Voting- and civil-rights groups held a rally outside a Tallahassee federal court Monday, calling for a temporary injunction to allow former felons to continue to register to vote. In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment allowing some 1.4 million felons to regain their voting privileges. But the state's Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis requiring all fines, restitution and other financial obligations to be settled in order for felons to complete their sentences.
Episode 166: Keeping Busy Featured
THE ROTUNDA – The latest episode of "The Rotunda," features former congresswoman Gwen Graham, the daughter of former Florida governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham. Last year Graham sought the Democratic nomination for governor but lost to Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Graham tells Gomes that she was ready to join the Gillum campaign to help him win, but says they never engaged.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A new study from the journal Science shows a steady decline of nearly three billion wild birds in North America since 1970. Nearly a half century ago, about 10.1 billion birds used to soar the skies across the United States and Canada. That has dropped by 29%.Scientists say while the cause varies, from development, agricultural conversion to even sea-level rise, they all stem from human activity.
