First Coast Connect: The politics of Everglades restoration

In a sprawling new investigation, Florida reporter Michael Adno dives into the political, legal and financial swamp of Everglades restoration efforts. The Rolling Stone cover story, “A Billionaire, a Scientist, and a Secret in the Florida Everglades,” focuses on the bitter split that occurred between the Everglades Foundation’s CEO and its chief scientist, ultimately landing the latter in jail. We ask Adno about the roots of the ugly breakup and how it’s affected the decades-long, multibillion-dollar effort to restore the iconic River of Grass. Guest: Michael Adno, reporter, “A Billionaire, a Scientist, and a Secret in the Florida Everglades” Betty Burney honored From living through segregation to leading in education, we talk to Betty Burney ahead of her OneJax humanitarian award. The former Duval County School Board chair recalls watching television with her parents as Black students were being denied access to Florida colleges. That early memory proved foundational to a career in education and community service. In 2010, after leaving the School Board, Burney founded the I'm A Star Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is defined by its acronym, dedicated to developing “Smart, Talented, And Resilient Students.” Teen participants volunteer their weekends for community service projects, focused on three core issues: childhood obesity, food deserts and student homelessness. We talk to Burney about what the OneJax recognition means and her ongoing work with the Jacksonville Journey Forward. Guests: Betty Burney, founder and CEO, I’m A Star Foundation  Elizabeth Andersen, CEO of OneJax 'If I Had Legs, I’d Kick You' A decidedly dark comedy, this A24 production offers an anxiety-laden take on modern motherhood. Featuring Golden Globe-winning Best Actress Rose Byrne as well as acclaimed performances by Conan O’Brien and A$AP Rocky, the film follows the mounting strain on Linda, a therapist and mother to a sick child whose exterior is beginning to show the disorder she feels inside. The film is just the latest in the Film at WJCT series, which focuses on award-winning new films and classic old ones. Next up is the Spike Lee Joint, Do the Right Thing. We talk to station manager David Luckin about picking the films and how the series has been received. Guest: David Luckin, host, Electro Lounge, WJCT Public Media station managerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.