On this Thursday, March 5, episode of Sundial WLRN’s Caitie Switalski guest hosts:
Legislative update of gambling, vaping and medical pot
The 2020 legislative session is scheduled to end March 13 and one bill that lawmakers have been struggling to come to a consensus on deals with regulating teen vaping in the state.
House Bill 7089 would raise the purchasing age of tobacco products to 21 and regulate vape shops by creating a "nicotine products" distinction at their stores. Dara Kam, senior reporter with the News Service of Florida, has been reporting on the legislative session and joins Sundial to talk about this bill and others.
A preview to sewage leaks series
More than 211 million gallons of sewage have spilled from broken pipes in the city of Fort Lauderdale.
Most of the water has ended up in the city's signature waterways and canals. Residents of the community are concerned about public health and environmental impacts. This week, the city voted to hire attorneys to help with the almost $1.8 million fine imposed by the state.
Environmental reporter Jenny Staletovich joined Sundial to talk about the ongoing reporting on the city’s infrastructure and environmental struggles and a tease to a WLRN series on the sewage leaks.
Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus
When Gary Keating started the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus in the mid 1980s, it was one of the only gay choral groups in South Florida.
More than 30 years later, the group has performed throughout South Florida and has been educating their crowds on HIV prevention and awareness.
"In the first four years of the chorus we lost 41 members to HIV,” says Keating. "It was so wonderful to change the hearts and minds of people about what the LGBTQ community looks like."
Keating joined Sundial to talk about the group's history, and their upcoming performance spring show, “Divas Thru The Ages” on Saturday, March 7, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale.
River City Drumbeat
The film “River City Drumbeat,” by Miami native and Emmy-award winning Marlon Johnson tells the story of a group of kids and teenagers based in Louisville, Kentucky, who are learning about their African ancestry through drumming.
"I want audiences to think about what we can all do in our lives to give back to the community," says Johnson.
The main character Edward White has dedicated his life to leading the drum corps. The film takes viewers through a critical moment where White passes the torch to one of his former students, Albert. It's up to Albert to now lead the drumline and train the next generation. The film will premiere at the Miami Film Festival on Saturday, March 7, at the Miami Dade College Tower Theatre.