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On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, U.S. Representative Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, reflects on his time in Congress. As he seeks re-election, he fights off accusations from opponents that he’s a special interest candidate. One of Lawson’s challengers, Democrat Albert Chester, tells Gomes that constituents in Congressional District 5 need new energy and claims his experience as a pharmacist will help solve the country’s healthcare problems. Also, Florida House candidate Elijah Manley says he’s running to wake up Rep. Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, who won his last two terms unopposed. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, the protester at a news conference who shouted and called for the resignation of Governor Ron DeSantis over his handling of the pandemic says he would do it again. Gomes talks with Thomas Kennedy, a longtime Miami-Dade advocate for undocumented immigrants, about his vocal opposition. Also, former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum breaks his silence, opening up and discussing his time in rehab and therapy. Plus, the Florida Education Association president Fedrick Ingram says they have filed suit against the state of Florida over Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s order to open school buildings in August as coronavirus infections surge. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Governor Ron DeSantis outlines his plan for reopening Florida this week. Gomes talks with Debra Bennett, Florida state organizer for the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, who highlights the growing number of COVID-19 cases at the Department of Corrections. Other guests include, Leon County Commission Chairman Bryan Desloge as the National Association of Counties calls on Congress to steer more COVID-19 relief funds to local governments. Plus, as the need for local news increases, Jean Kiddoo, with the Federal Communications Commission, joins the program to discuss the national switch of TV station frequencies impacting several Florida cities this week. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, former Tallahassee Mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Gillum announce he’s entering into rehab to seek treatment for alcohol abuse. Gomes looks back on one of Gillum’s first one-on-one interview about his 2018 bid for governor. As state officials urge citizens to isolate during the Coronavirus pandemic, social media company Facebook lends a hand with a new “Local Alerts” tool. Gomes talks with U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., about the company’s other initiative called “Boost with Facebook” designed to help small businesses grow. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, a look at the ongoing fight for independence between nurses and physicians. David Herbert, the CEO of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, explains why he thinks removing physician oversight from qualified nurse practitioners will help solve the problems of increasing healthcare costs and the shortage of primary care physicians. Also, Gomes talks with civil-rights activists and families of people serving time in Florida prisons rallying support for a package of prison-reform bills. Gomes talks with Rep. Dianne Hart, D-Tampa, as she explains why so many of the reform bills are hitting roadblocks. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes' latest episode of The Rotunda, Alan Abramowitz, the executive director of Florida's Guardian ad Litem program, discusses policy priorities and tactics by child advocates to ensure lawmakers address the needs of Florida's children in the state budget. In honor of Black History month, Gomes profiles the Rev. C.K. Steele, who led the Tallahassee Bus Boycott in 1956 after two Florida A&M University students were arrested for sitting in the "whites only" section of a segregated bus. Throughout Black History Month, The Rotunda will highlight notable African Americans and related topics in Florida's history. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Leon County Republican Party chairman Evan Power discusses his campaign to become National Committeeman for the Republican Party of Florida. Power explains the loyalty-mindset of Trump voters and why he thinks the GOP brand is untarnished, despite critics. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Melba Pearson with the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU of Florida) explains their fight to get a judge to block Florida’s law requiring fees be paid before ex-felons can vote. Plus, educators like Brian Dean of Instruction Partners tells Gomes why he’s urging state officials to improve, instead of eliminating Florida’s Common Core educational standards. Gomes also talks with Doug Wheeler, president and CEO of the Florida Ports Council about their new study, which shows Florida’s 15 seaports are leading the nation in resiliency for sea level rise and natural disasters. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

Trimmel Gomes' latest episode of "The Rotunda," features former congresswoman Gwen Graham, the daughter of former Florida governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham. Last year Graham sought the Democratic nomination for governor but lost to Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. Graham tells Gomes that she was ready to join the Gillum campaign to help him win, but says they never engaged. Graham explains how she has returned or donated all of her leftover funds from her campaign war chest, including recent checks from unspent ads. Meanwhile, Gillum is locked in a feud with mega-donor John Morrgan for refusing to give back leftover campaign funds. Graham is a vocal critic of both the DeSantis and Trump administration and is calling for swift changes. Currently, Graham works closely with Joe Biden's presidential campaign and serves on multiple boards, including the Tallahassee Ethics Commission. She is also helping her father write his autobiography. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, a closer look at the student-powered enterprise news operation about Florida government making waves in Florida’s capitol. Gomes chats with student journalists Katie Campione and Max Chesnes at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications “Fresh Take Florida” news service. Plus, citizen groups are raising concerns over proposals at the capitol that would restrict citizen ballot initiatives. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, tech-savvy lawmakers Sen. Jeff Brandes, R- St. Petersburg, Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, and Rep. Jennifer Webb, D-Gulfport, discuss some of the more ‘disruptive’ issues facing Florida. Gomes spotlights the special roundtable featured in the Spring 2019 edition of INFLUENCE Magazine. Gomes also talks with advocates like Roy Miller with the Children’s Campaign who is concerned the state isn’t doing enough for today’s youth. Freelance journalist Kenya Woodard is also a featured guest this week, and with just a year left before the start of the 2020 Census, Gomes highlights how some organizations are ramping up public awareness campaigns to urge people to fill out census forms. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Tampa Bay Times political editor Adam Smith explains his decision to jump from journalism to public relations during what he thinks is an unusually slow time in Florida politics. Also, after Secretary of State Mike Ertel resigned after photos of him in blackface was leaked to the press, Gov. Ron DeSantis picks Tampa Bay judge Laurel Moore Lee to fill the vacancy. However former Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho tells Gomes why he thinks the replacement should’ve been another elections supervisor. Gomes also interviews Coral Springs Commissioner Dan Daley about his bid for House District 97. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, former Republican Gov. Bob Martinez said Florida’s environment has been neglected for eight years and is excited about the swift change of course with Gov. Ron DeSantis. Martinez also shares his concerns with seeing Florida’s public education system being starved of resources in favor of competition and suggests ways for more equitable reforms. Gomes also talks with state Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota who just became chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Gruters pledges that Gov. DeSantis and the Republican party will be responsible for the environmental cleanup of the state. Gomes also interviews Gilbert King, author of “Devil in the Grove,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning book about four black men falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949. The book renewed interest in the case leading to posthumous pardons. The accuser, Norma Padgett, speaks publicly for the first time since 1952. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda previews inaugural events celebrating Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis and Florida’s next Cabinet members. Also, Senator Lauren Book, D-Plantation, discusses policy changes in the Florida Senate to prohibit sexual harassment of employees. Book also talks about her efforts to shift oversight of the state’s concealed firearms program to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. With the automatic restoration of voting rights for some of Florida’s convicted felons expected to go into effect Tuesday, a recent study from Cornell University shows nearly 1 in 2 adults in the United States has seen an immediate family member go to jail or in prison. Gomes talks with Zoë Towns, senior director of criminal justice reform at Fwd.us, a nonprofit advocating for immigration and criminal justice reform. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of The Rotunda, Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey pledges to bend over backward to make sure Gov.-elect Ron Desantis will have one of the most successful inaugurations in the history of the state of Florida. Dailey reveals to Gomes why technically this is his second time being sworn in as mayor and his plans to transform the office. Also, some Floridians still sleeping in tents since Hurricane Michael are being pressured to relocate their tent cities. Concerned volunteers claim Panama City officials are rushing to attract tourists with an "open for business mantra," although city officials claim health and safety reasons for forcing the displaced to evacuate. Gomes talks with Steve Lowe, a volunteer doing post-hurricane relief work in the Panama City area. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of “The Rotunda,” Ion Sancho, a longtime Leon County supervisor of elections, calls for reform in Florida’s election laws to prevent the recurring nightmare of problematic recounts from happening. In an extended interview, Sancho tells Gomes some of the problems that plagued Brenda Snipes, the outgoing supervisor elections for Broward County, couldn’t be avoided under current statutes. Sancho also blames the state for approving ineffective voting machines in Palm Beach County. Gomes also checks in on a statewide listening tour by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. The group’s executive director Desmond Meade explains how he's working to help give back full citizenship rights to Florida’s 1.4 million ex-felons who were convicted and completed sentences for past crimes, as outlined in the voter-approved Amendment 4. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of “The Rotunda,” Florida's election recounts are underway in three of the state’s biggest races — governor, U.S. Senate and agriculture commissioner. The unprecedented review is dredging up memories of the 2000 presidential recount. Gomes talks with legal experts involved who argue frequent mistakes and glitches, particularly in Broward and Palm Beach counties, undermine the entire electoral process. Len Collins, an attorney representing the Republican Party of Florida chats with Gomes from the epicenter of the controversy in Broward County. Democratic Strategist Steve Schale is also guest. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of “The Rotunda,” highlights from Ron Desantis and Andrew Gillum’s fiery exchanges during their first national debate on CNN. Plus, in exploring new models for journalism Gomes talks with Florida Phoenix Editor-in-Chief Julie Hauserman about her approach to covering state government and politics. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of “The Rotunda,” Governor Rick Scott discusses ongoing response and recovery efforts with Hurricane Michael, how it compares to Hurricane Hermine and he’s asked about the impact of climate change on Florida’s environment. David Hastings, a marine and chemistry professor at Eckerd College, talks with Gomes about Florida’s ongoing red tide bloom. How will voters respond to negative campaign ads aired during and after the storm? Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida addresses the potential impact on campaigns. Gomes also talks to a group of Republicans calling for the country to have a united front in holding the Trump administration accountable. Chris Truax with Republicans for the Rule of Law is a guest this week. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.

On Trimmel Gomes’ latest episode of “The Rotunda,” John Mills, an attorney for the League of Women Voters explains why he thinks Gov. Rick Scott’s attempts to appoint three new justices to Florida’s Supreme Court defies common sense. Mills tells Gomes that Scott is on the verge of causing a constitutional crisis. After emceeing an awards dinner at Florida’s 2018 Court Reporters’ Workshop, which featured Chief Justice Charles Canady and retiring Justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis, and Peggy Quince, Kinsey predicts a fourth justice could soon leave the high court. Follow on @RotundaPodcast on Twitter and visit www.rotundapodcast.com for daily updates.