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.
Should Local Governments Get More TDT Flexibility?
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/
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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
23 Sept 2026
Journalist Julie K. Brown on Covering the Epstein Case
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/
16 Sept 2026
Florida's License Plate Reader Crackdown Draws Rare Bipartisan Agreement
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 (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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