Noted American artist Robert Rauschenberg celebrated his birthday on this day. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico. He now spends much of his time living and working on the other side of the Gulf, on Captiva Island off the Florida coast. Today, rather than the found materials that he used in his combines, Rauschenberg mostly photographs objects and scans them through a computer before applying them to canvas. Amy Tardif, of member station WGCU, visited him and has a profile of the artist at 74.
Florida legislatures this month approved pre-kindergarten classes for children across the state, in response to a constitutional amendment approved by the state's voters in 2002. But now that the program has become law, some fear it will not deliver quality education. Hear Amy Tardif of member station WGCU.
Thousands of 4-year-olds have started their school year in Florida. Three years ago, voters approved free pre-kindergarten education. Amy Tardif of NPR station WGCU reports on the first day of school.
This fall Florida joins a number of other states with a pre kindergarten program for all of its four-year-olds. But there’s uncertainty about the plan because some preschool options come with religious strings attached. From WGCU, Amy Tardif reports that as a result many preschools are opting out, at least for now.
FEMA is trying to collect $27 million it says it paid by mistake to 6,500 people in Florida in hurricane relief for damage last year. FEMA says the money was paid by mistake, not in response to fraudulent claims submitted by some Florida residents who weren't even in a hurricane zone. Amounts range from $5 to $50,000. Amy Tardif of member station WGCU reports.
A new law in Florida makes operating a pirate radio station a felony carrying a five-year prison sentence. The Federal Communications Commission says the state is a hotbed of illegal operators, but a crackdown is complicated by the difficulty of catching offenders. Amy Tardif of member station WGCU reports.
Seminole Patchwork
The Seminole Tribe of Florida adopted the colorful clothing shortly before 1920. Designs used on women’s skirts today are extremely intricate. It’s a technique that has been passed down from generation to generation and now there’s a commercial market for it. Seminole patchwork is a creative source of cultural pride and artistic achievement. My guests are several women who make, teach, wear and show Seminole patchwork.
Parenting Children with Down Syndrome
We meet two local moms who have children with Down Syndrome. They’re both bloggers and have been honored nationally for their advocacy.
Gulf Coast Live Marcus Jansen
Interview with Fort Myers artist Marcus Jansen