Greg Allen

Federal Forecasters To Juggle Active Hurricane Season With Sequester

Greg Allen — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:24:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

The actual effects of those automatic federal budget cuts, known as the sequester. The actual impact of those cuts can be as hard to predict as, say, a hurricane. Which means several challenges for government forecasters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration won't release its official forecast for the hurricane season until next week, but other meteorologists are already predicting numerous storms. The question is whether the sequester will deal its own blow to government forecasters, just as they're dealing with a busy hurricane season.

How A Florida Medical School Cares For Communities In Need

Greg Allen — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:15:00 +0000

If it's a Monday, you can usually find Dr. David Brown parked next to a lake in Miami, spending the day inside a 36-foot-long RV. He's not on vacation.

Brown is chief of family medicine at Florida International University's medical school. The RV is the school's mobile health clinic.

Every Monday it's parked at the Royal Country Mobile Home Park in northwest Miami-Dade County. "It's a beautiful place right here," he says.

Half Of States May Not Expand Medicaid Under Obamacare

Greg Allen — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:50:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

Now to a key part of the Affordable Care Act.

GOVERNOR EARL RAY TOMBLIN: We have weighed the options and believe expanding Medicaid is the best choice for West Virginia.

(SOUNDBITE OF APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

CORNISH: That's West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. With that announcement last week, his state became one of 20 so far to expand health coverage for the poor. But Obamacare makes that optional for the states and it looks like at least half of the states will opt not to do it.

George Zimmerman Waives Right To 'Stand Your Ground' Hearing

Greg Allen — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:43:00 +0000

George Zimmerman, charged with murder in the Trayvon Martin shooting, is back in court. His lawyers say prosecutors have adopted unethical tactics that have hampered Zimmerman's defense. The case goes to trial in May and Zimmerman's lawyers say the government is making it hard for them to be ready.

Rubio Tries To Convince Conservatives He Hasn't Been Duped

Greg Allen — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:59:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnrb3Dd8KkM

After Belt Tightening, Some States Are Back In The Black

Greg Allen — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:56:00 +0000

Across the country, state budgets are back in the black after years of belt-tightening and spending cuts. From California to Florida, in nearly every state, the economic recovery has produced a surge in tax revenue.

For governors and state legislators, that's produced a new question: how to spend the money.

The past three years have not been easy ones for elected officials. Nearly every state requires them to produce a balanced budget.

As Florida Bill Looks To Aid Feral Cats, Opponents Claw Back

Greg Allen — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 06:44:00 +0000

In state legislatures around the country, lawmakers are debating important subjects — education reform, election laws, gun control and abortion. But in Florida, one of the hottest issues to come before the Legislature this term involves cats.

There, lawmakers are considering a contentious bill that would offer legal protection to groups that trap, neuter and return feral cats to their colonies.

An Alternative To Shelters

Before Disney, Florida's Silver Springs Lured Tourists

Greg Allen — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:33:00 +0000
Before Disney World, Silver Springs in Central Florida was for decades one of the state's most popular tourist destinations.
Even if you've never visited Silver Springs, you might have seen it. The 1960s television show Sea Hunt was filmed here, as were countless movies, including Tarzan and Creature From the Black Lagoon.
The crystal clear water of Silver Springs made it invaluable to Hollywood.

Company Withdraws Naming Rights Offer For FAU Stadium

Greg Allen — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:26:00 +0000
Transcript
DAVID GREENE, HOST:
For Florida Atlantic University, a recent decision to sell the naming rights of its new football stadium to the GEO Group, turned from being a cash windfall to a PR disaster. When FAU's president announced the deal, she called GEO, a private prison corporation, a wonderful company. Not everyone agreed.

Cuban Blogger Wants Fidel's Cuba, Miami's Cuba To Unite

Greg Allen — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:28:00 +0000
For Cuban-Americans, Miami's Freedom Tower is almost a holy place — a former immigration intake center where thousands came in the 1960s after they fled the island's communist rule.
But across the street from the hall, where Cuban dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez spoke Monday, there were protests. A dozen anti-Castro activists repudiated some of Sanchez's past comments, including her support for lifting the long-standing U.S.

Florida Pitches New Facilities To Clinch Spring Training

Greg Allen — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:27:00 +0000
For baseball fans, spring training is a time for renewed hopes and a reminder that winter is almost over. But for the major league teams and Arizona and Florida communities, spring training is big business. In Florida, 1.5 million fans attend spring training games with an estimated $750 million annual economic impact, and the state is working to keep the teams from fleeing.
In Port St. Lucie, on Florida's east coast, an hour before the first pitch at Tradition Field, many fans are already in their seats.

Cruise Industry Stays Confidently Afloat Amid Major Accidents

Greg Allen — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 21:44:00 +0000
Transcript
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:
If the cruise industry is smarting from some recent PR disasters, it's not letting on. Executives are gathered in Florida this week for Cruise Shipping Miami, a big conference. It's been a month since an engine fire on the Carnival Triumph knocked out the ship's power, leaving it stranded in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cruise Ship Leaders To Discuss Industry's Future

Greg Allen — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:17:00 +0000
Leaders of several cruise lines are meeting in Miami on Tuesday to discuss the state of the industry. The conference comes after a series of setbacks, including a cruise ship losing power for days in the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida Atlantic Donation Sparks Outrage, But University Doesn't Budge

Greg Allen — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 11:05:00 +0000
Florida Atlantic University says it's standing by its deal to sell naming rights to its new football stadium to a controversial private prison company. The Boca Raton-based GEO Group faces allegations of abuse and neglect at some of its facilities, and there's a growing call on campus for the school to sever its ties.
Normally, when a school announces a multimillion-dollar donation, it's met on campus with cheers. But at FAU, a public university, the news that the Owls football team would soon be playing in GEO Stadium was met by many with incredulity and outrage.

Unarmed Teen's Murder Still Fuels Gun Debate

Greg Allen — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:21:00 +0000
Transcript
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
One year ago today, police in Sanford, Florida received a fateful call to their non-emergency line. A man named George Zimmerman was calling to report someone he said was suspicious.
(SOUNDBITE OF PHONE CALL)
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN: This guys looks like he's up to no good, or he's on drugs or something. It's raining, and he's just walking around, looking about.
LINDA WERTHEIMER, HOST:
Before police cars arrived, Zimmerman got into a struggle with the person he was watching, 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

In Miami, A New Condo Boom Revives Hopes Of Housing Recovery

Greg Allen — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 08:24:00 +0000
Here's a headline that may sound familiar: Miami is in the middle of a condo boom.
Just seven years ago, Miami had a similar surge in condo construction. But it all came crashing down.

Fla. Gov. Scott Reverses Medicaid Decision

Greg Allen — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:43:00 +0000
Florida Governor Rick Scott announced late Wednesday that he will expand Medicaid to an estimated 900,000 residents. The move is a surprise because the governor has previously been a vocal critic of President Obama's health care overhaul.

Carnival's Crippled Ship Expected To Hurt Cruise Business

Greg Allen — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:12:00 +0000
This week's debacle on the Carnival Triumph is a setback that may cost the company as much as $80 million and hurt the industry's image. Carnival says passengers who were on the Triumph the last five days without power were miserable, but at least they were safe. Industry watchers say Carnival generally has handled the mishap well, but that the industry may need to rethink how it deal with events like power outages on floating cities than can carry more than 5,000 people.

Taxpayers Steaming Over Florida Nuclear Plant's Shuttering

Greg Allen — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:40:00 +0000
The operator of Florida's Crystal River nuclear plant sent shockwaves through the state when it announced recently that it was shutting down the facility for good.
When nuclear plants have closed elsewhere, locals have cheered. But in Citrus County, it's been more like a death in the family.
At Fat Boy's Bar-B-Q restaurant in Crystal River, owner Bubba Keller says he's worried about what's going to happen to the community. "I mean, things are already tough," Keller says.

Carnival Cruise Passengers On Fourth Day With Limited Power

Greg Allen — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:44:00 +0000
Transcript
ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Robert Siegel.
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
And I'm Audie Cornish.
Passengers aboard the Carnival Cruise ship Triumph in the Gulf of Mexico will be very happy tomorrow when their cruise finally ends. A fire in the engine room knocked out power aboard the ship. And for four days, the Triumph has had no air conditioning, little hot food and a limited number of operating toilets. Three tugboats are now towing the Triumph to dock in Mobile, Alabama.

Supporters Mark Trayvon Martin's 18th Birthday

Greg Allen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:48:00 +0000
In communities around Florida, vigils and other events marked what would've been Trayvon Martin's 18th birthday on Tuesday. Neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman has been charged in the teen's death and a judge ruled Tuesday that a June trial will go forward as scheduled.

One-Way Tickets To Florida: Puerto Ricans Escape Island Woes

Greg Allen — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:22:00 +0000
Puerto Rico's population is dropping. Faced with a deteriorating economy, increased poverty and a swelling crime rate, many citizens are fleeing the island for the U.S. mainland. In a four-part series, Morning Edition explores this phenomenon, and how Puerto Rico's troubles are affecting its people and other Americans in unexpected ways.
According to the most recent census, the 4.6 million Puerto Ricans living on the U.S. mainland now surpass those on the island of Puerto Rico. For years, they've been migrating out of the U.S.

Gun Control Divides County Sheriffs

Greg Allen — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 23:10:00 +0000
When President Obama announced new measures to prevent gun violence, one of the groups there to show support was the National Sheriffs' Association.

Wood Stork's Endangered Status Is Up In The Air

Greg Allen — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:13:00 +0000
The last few years have been especially tough in South Florida for wading birds such as egrets, herons, ibises and wood storks that feed and nest in the region's wetlands.
The problem is there are fewer wetlands, and the last few years have been dry, reducing water levels in critical areas.
Despite that, the federal government says one wading bird, the wood stork, is doing well enough that it may soon be removed from the endangered list. In December, the U.S.

A High School Salsa Band In The Inaugural Parade? 'Of Course!'

Greg Allen — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 11:02:00 +0000
In the Inaugural Parade following the president's swearing-in on Monday, regimental and high school marching bands will appear alongside groups showcasing the nation's diversity. These include a float representing South Carolina and Georgia's Gullah-Geechee culture, plus Native American groups and a mariachi band from Texas. Bringing the salsa is Seguro Que Si, a high school band from Kissimmee, Fla.
Seguro Que Si is a nine-member ensemble from central Florida's Osceola County School for the Arts.

Estimated Costs Drive Debate As Florida Weighs Medicaid Expansion

Greg Allen — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:28:00 +0000
Florida and several other states are wrestling with a decision: whether to expand Medicaid.
When the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act last year, the court said states could opt out of that part of the law. But it's key. It would provide coverage to millions of low-income Americans who currently have no health insurance.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott says he's concerned about how much expanding Medicaid would cost. But others charge the governor is exaggerating.
No governor fought harder against the Affordable Care Act than Scott.

Outspoken Alan Grayson Gets Another Chance In Congress

Greg Allen — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 08:29:00 +0000
Among the more than 80 House freshmen who were sworn in this week, there were several who had been there before — including Florida Democrat Alan Grayson.
After starting his first term four years ago, Grayson quickly made a name for himself with biting comments targeting Republicans — like when he said during the health care debate: "If you get sick, America, the Republican health care plan is this: Die quickly."
His national stature didn't prevent him from being defeated in 2010.

Florida Becomes No. 1 In Concealed Weapons Permits

Greg Allen — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 21:20:00 +0000
Transcript
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.
After the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the country renewed a debate over gun control. At the same time, Florida quietly marked a milestone. It became the first state to issue more than a million permits allowing residents to carry concealed weapons.

Judge: Zimmerman Must Keep Wearing GPS Tracker

Greg Allen — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:38:00 +0000
Transcript
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
You're listening to ALL THINGS CONSIDERED from NPR News.
George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch volunteer who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, has himself become a victim. That was the message today from Zimmerman's lawyers, who were in court asking a judge to loosen the terms of his release on bail.

Death Of Florida Teenager Echoes Trayvon Martin

Greg Allen — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 21:24:00 +0000
Transcript
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:
In Florida, less than a year after the death of Trayvon Martin, the shooting of another unarmed black teenager is drawing attention to a controversial law. Seventeen-year-old Jordan Davis was killed last month at a Jacksonville gas station following a dispute over loud music. The suspect is in custody. As NPR's Greg Allen reports, Davis' death is again raising questions about what it means to stand your ground.
GREG ALLEN, BYLINE: It happened the day after Thanksgiving at a gas station in Jacksonville's Southside neighborhood.