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Legislative session, antidepressant drugs’ possible link to violence, Miami in 2050

"The Deering Estate in partnership with Live Arts Miami and #ARTiculatingClimate present PRELUDE to 2100,a new immersive arts experience imagining a future Miami, conceived and curated by Susan Caraballo and created in collaboration with over 30 multi-disciplinary artists."
Courtesy of Susan Caraballo
"The Deering Estate in partnership with Live Arts Miami and #ARTiculatingClimate present PRELUDE to 2100,a new immersive arts experience imagining a future Miami, conceived and curated by Susan Caraballo and created in collaboration with over 30 multi-disciplinary artists."

The state senate is hearing a bill that could make big changes to the way you vote. A Wellington man murdered his wife and children. He blames his antidepressant meds for his actions — even his doctors agree the drugs could be partially responsible. Plus, a new performance art project looks at life in Miami 28 years in the future.

On this Tuesday, February 1, edition of Sundial:

Legislative session

The way we vote could change after these next couple of months.

There is a federal trial underway in Tallahassee challenging last year’s voting law. Civil rights groups argue the law suppresses voting registration efforts in communities of color. While Republicans who support the law argue it makes the voting process more secure.

You turn to WLRN for reporting you can trust and stories that move our South Florida community forward. Your support makes it possible. Please donate now. Thank you.

Meanwhile, the Senate is now looking at another controversial election bill that could again change how we vote.

Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee bureau reporter Lawrence Mower joined Sundial to talk about these and other bills being discussed in this legislative session.

Legislative session

Antidepressant drugs’ possible link to violence

This story starts with a Wellington man who shot his wife and twin sons one day, killing them. This was just over a decade ago.

The man, Neal Jacobson, is now in jail. He is remorseful and blames his killing rampage on psychotropic medications that were supposed to treat his depression and anxiety.

He’s not the first to make this claim. But people close to him and even his own doctors say these prescribed drugs could, in part, be responsible.

It begs the question — should drug manufacturers or doctors be held accountable in cases like this one?

Palm Beach Post investigative reporter Wendy Rhodes has been researching this story for two years.

Dr. Manuel Montes de Oca is a psychiatrist and expert in cases like this one. He also treated Jacobson while in jail, after the murders.

Antidepressant drugs’ possible link to violence
Dr. Julie Holland, author of the new book, <em>Good Chemistry, </em>says that when patients taking antidepressants have stopped experiencing relief, psychedelic drugs might be used in conjunction with talk therapy to help some work through past traumas.

Miami in 2050

Imagine Miami in the year 2050.

Artist Susan Caraballo planned an entire immersive arts experience around this idea. It's an interactive combo, including visual and performing arts.

Here's the future she came up with: It's called 'Prelude to 2100'

The Deering Estate — a historical landmark — has been converted into a residential complex made up of tenants who have been displaced from different parts of the world due to climate change. When rooms become available, they decide to host their first open house, while reopening partially as an art space.

“Guests” will meet the residents who are adapting to a new world and living alternatively.

Event Dates:

Thursday, February 3: 7 pm & 8 pm

Friday, February 4: 7 pm & 8 pm

Sunday, February 6: 6 pm & 7 pm

Find more details and tickets to the event here.

Miami in 2050

Leslie Ovalle Atkinson is the former lead producer behind Sundial. As a multimedia producer, she also worked on visual and digital storytelling.