Afleveringen
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State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues joins Dara in the Speakeasy for the first of a lively, 2-part episode focusing on higher education. The pair delve into a panoply of changes affecting the state's public universities, such as doing away with DEI programs and services. The chancellor also gives Dara an update on federal funding cuts for research might impact Florida institutes of higher learning. The former House member also shares his views on the university presidential search process. College athletes? Professor tenure? Join Deeper Dive this week and next week for all that and so much more!
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Sen. Blaise Ingoglia joins Dara for a freewheeling chat about politics, legislation and rumors that he might be the state's next chief financial officer. Sen. Ingoglia also talks about his legacy as a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. The Spring Hill Republican shares some insights about Gov. Ron DeSantis that might surprise divas! Join Deeper Dive this week to discover what Blaise would do if he were king for a day, hear his take on a so-called proxy war between President Donald Trump and the governor, and much, much more.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, rejoin the show (for the first time since they've taken over as leaders in their respective chambers!) to give give Dara an update on the 2025 legislative session. Speaker Perez talks about the House's probe into reports that insurance industry leaders allegedly withheld critical information about their revenues as the Legislature passed a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing the property insurance market. President Albritton says the Senate will also launch dig into the issue. Hemp, condo reforms, help for families with autistic children, school start times? Join Deeper Dive this week for all that and more in this special two-part episode!
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Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power finally visits Dara in the Speakeasy to dish about DOGE, talk about the Sunshine State's political prominence and weigh in on the 2026 elections. Evan and Dara also discuss the impact President Donald Trump, aka the Disrupter in Chief, has had on GOP politics in Florida and the nation. The chairman gives his take on a move to eliminate property taxes and shrink local government. Plus, hemp, Crocs and much, much more!
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They're baaaack! EW Scripps Capitol reporter Forrest Saunders and Spectrum News' Capitol reporter Jason Delgado -- two of Dara's fave Capitol cohorts -- join the Chief Diva in the Speakeasy to prep listeners for the upcoming multi-layered legislative session. The trio break down all things DOGE, dig into immigration and dissect the 2026 gubernatorial race. Key players? President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, just to name a few. Plus, snacks and shoes!
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Senate Regulated Industries Chairwoman Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, joins Dara this week for a wide-ranging chat about issues facing Floridians. The senator dispels myths about recent efforts to strengthen condo safety laws and discusses a move to make structural-integrity reports more transparent. Sen. Bradley, who was instrumental in securing funding for improvements to the state's aged prisons, also shares insights about the third largest correctional system in the nation. The pair dig into decoupling, hearing aids and school start times. Stick around for snacks and golf!
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Sen. Joe Gruters was a key player in the drama surrounding plans to help carry out one of President Donald Trump's top priorities -- boosting enforcement of illegal immigration. On this week's Deeper Dive, the Sarasota Republican chats with Dara about potential legislative fallout from the GOP family squabble over the immigration proposals. The senator, who's treasurer of the Republican National Committee, also says (mostly) nice things about Gov. Ron DeSantis, talks about how Trump's "monster" power in Florida will shape the 2026 races (including his own campaign for CFO), and so much more. Plus, pot gummies and the Oura ring!
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Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo, R-Sunny Isles Beach, gives Dara his take on GOP legislation aimed at addressing illegal immigration ("It's crap!"), offers some alternate solutions, and weighs in on Republican leaders' showdown with the governor. The "candid and comprehensive" former prosecutor also offers a frank assessment of Florida Democrats, saying his caucus is "a lot less progressive and more practical than a lot of the people that are really loud on Twitter maybe want us to be." Also, will he or won't he? Listen as the pair discuss his ambitions for 2026. Plus, prisons, condos and so much more!
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In this week's Reporter Roundtable, POLITICO politics reporter Kimberly Leonard and The Miami Herald's Ana Ceballos join Dara to dissect the showdown between Gov. Ron DeSantis and GOP legislative leaders. Who will emerge the winner in a brutal messaging war over how best to implement President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration? How will the standoff affect the 2026 governor's race & other key players' political ambitions? The trio break down the multi-layered tug-of-war involving DeSantis, House Speaker Daniel Perez, Senate President Ben Albritton, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson & other GOP power players. Plus, key lime pie!
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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson rejoins Dara this week for a wide-ranging, lively discussion Divas will not want to miss! The Ag Commissioner gives Dara an update on how recent historic snowfall in North Florida is affecting nurseries, cattle ranchers and other ag producers in the state. Commissioner Simpson also enthusiastically welcomes President Donald Trump's return to the White House, and shares predictions about the role the president will play in Florida's midterm elections. Plus, special session, immigration, raw milk, land preservation, and so, so much more!
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Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell chats with Dara this week about what keeps her motivated, as Republicans continue to make political gains in the Sunshine State. The Democratic leader also explains how the GOP's looming crackdown on immigration could affect Florida families and the state's economy. Tune into this episode of Deeper Dive to find out what's on Leader Driskell's legislative bingo card and so much more! Plus, guess who's the Oprah of Florida?
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Former Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins joins Dara this week to discuss what drove her to launch Educated We Stand, a group aimed at countering Moms for Liberty. Jennifer shares details about harassment and intimidation she endured as a school board member in ruby-red Brevard after defeating Tina Descovich, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty, in 2020. Jennifer also talks about what Educated We Stand is doing to protect public schools. Plus, Desperate Housewives and haikus!
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Innocence Project of Florida Executive Director Seth Miller joins Dara this week to discuss wrongful convictions in Florida. Seth gives insights into what can be a decades-long exoneration process for people who've been convicted of crimes they did not commit. The pair delve into Seth's efforts to free Leo Schofield, the subject of Gilbert King's "Bone Valley" podcast. Mr. Schofield spent 36 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife before being released on parole in March. Seth also explains how the Innocence Project supports exonerees to re-enter their communities. PLUS Seth tells Dara how his 5-week journey on the Camino de Santiago changed his life. Divas, do not miss this episode!
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Capitol reporter Forrest Saunders joins Dara in the Speakeasy to dig into the biggest Florida stories of the year. Hurricanes. Elections. Abortion. State parks. We say goodbye to 2024 with Mar-a-Lago as the center of the political universe & as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to Make America Great Again -- with the help of the Sunshine State!
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Former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo gave up her gavel last month, but the Naples Republican has two more years to go before exiting the upper chamber. Sen. Passidomo, who's now chairwoman of the Rules Committee, shares insights with Dara about returning to the floor as one of 40 Somalian warlords after being president. The duo also discusses some of the hot issues for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, including condos, Dreamers and her Live Local affordable-housing plan. The senator also says she's not yet finished with Live Local yet.
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Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried visits Dara in the Speakeasy to conduct a postmortem on the 2024 elections. How did Donald Trump -- an affluent celebrity -- become the torchbearer of working-class voters? Nikki tells Dara that Dems missed the mark on messaging. The pair discuss weed, abortion, and much more, including The Scandal Bar!
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John "Mac" Stipanovich, a veteran Republican party operative, left the GOP years ago because he considered President-elect Donald Trump to be an "existential threat" to democracy. The erudite Vietnam vet returns to Deeper Dive this week to dissect the MAGA movement. Mac and Dara have a LIVELY discussion about feminism, liberal autocracy, and so much more. Mac called Dara after the show wrapped to add an extra history lesson, quoting from the Greek philosopher Thucydides: "The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must."
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Karen Woodall, a legend in the Florida Capitol, has devoted more than 40 years advocating for people from marginalized communities, including immigrants, farmworkers, children and the poor. On this week's Deeper Dive, Karen tells Dara about her decade-long battle to get breakfast for school kids and talks about how powerful personal stories can help shape legislation. Karen -- who's also the co-founder of the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy -- also shares how the Tallahassee-based Florida People's Advocacy Center is serving as a hub for stakeholders fighting for social and economic justice. Plus, the pair swap stories about out-of-this-world shoes and fabulous jewelry!
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To brine or not to brine? Chef Justin Timineri, Culinary Ambassador for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, returns to Deeper Dive this week to help divas prep for the holidays. Chef Justin dishes up some seasonal recipes, gives Dara some tips for the perfect turkey (or chicken!) and serves up some Sunshine State-style cocktails & mocktails as we head into fall!
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Whew! We finally made it through Nov. 5!
Republicans made gains up and down the ballot in Florida and throughout the nation, handily returning President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. A majority of Florida voters approved measures that would have allowed recreational marijuana and enshrined abortion rights in the state Constitution -- but the proposals failed to reach the 60 percent threshold required to pass. University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith joins Dara this week for an early analysis of voter turnout, the future of ballot initiatives and the path forward for Dems. - Laat meer zien
