Advertise on podcast: Between the Lines with Dara Kam

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs this week for the first of a two-part series, this week offering an unflinching look at the intersection of faith, public policy, and human dignity in Florida.  The conversation begins with a high-stakes dispute over Catholic school vaccination requirements and the state's threats to withhold voucher funding if diocese leaders do not reverse a policy requiring all students to be vaccinated. Archbishop Wenski defends the Church's stance, explaining why current vaccines align with Catholic teaching and why protecting public health serves the common good of students, educators, and the broader community. Dara and the archbishop of the state's largest diocese also delve into the Church's longstanding opposition to capital punishment as the state executes Death Row inmates at a record pace.  In part two, the pair discuss the humanitarian crisis surrounding immigration enforcement and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian migrants, with Archbishop Wenski sharing his deep personal connection to the Haitian community.  The series ends on a lighter note as the "Biker Bishop" reflects on his decades of ministry and life on two wheels. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs in the final stretch of what has become one of Florida's most heated — and most expensive — governor's races.  Facing a Republican opponent who has raised a staggering $140 million, Jolly argues that the more Byron Donalds spends, the worse he performs in the polls. With Election Day approaching, Jolly says he sees the race as nearly even, offering Democrats their first real shot at the governor's mansion in more than twenty‑five years. He describes his closing strategy as a "Lawton Chiles‑style" campaign, crisscrossing the state and visiting counties of every political shade, blue, purple, and deep red, in a final push to connect with voters directly. Jolly also reflects on his own political evolution, discussing why the former Republican congressman ultimately left the GOP, saying the party no longer reflected his values. Plus, in the "Between the Lines" lightning-round, Jolly shares his fave campaign snacks and reveals why he won't be donning a costume for Halloween! Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri joins State Affairs' "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" this week to break down his opposition to Amendment 3, a high-stakes property tax measure on the November ballot. Warning that "there really is no plan," Gualtieri cautions that the proposal could trigger an estimated $180 million revenue drop in Pinellas County during its first year alone — a loss he says threatens essential public safety services. Without explicit carveouts for law enforcement, Gualtieri argues, counties — especially smaller, fiscally constrained communities — will lack the flexibility needed to preserve vital programs. First on the chopping block in Pinellas? Safe Harbor — a key initiative tackling homelessness and jail overcrowding — alongside the county's Police Athletic League. Gualtieri also dives into the political fallout of opposing the Gov. Ron DeSantis-backed measure and unpacks the broader debate surrounding proposed tax cuts. Plus, the sheriff shares his perspective on the controversy surrounding Flock safety cameras and public pushback against Automated License Plate Reader technology. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

In this episode of "Between the Lines" from State Affairs, Dara chats with José Javier Rodríguez, the Democratic candidate for Florida attorney general, who says his campaign is rooted in fighting for everyday Floridians and challenging entrenched power.  Rodríguez, who hopes to become the first Democrat elected as the state's top legal eagle in nearly twenty‑five years, faces incumbent AG James Uthmeier. The Democratic challenger argues that his Gov. Ron DeSantis-appointed challenger is vulnerable on a number of fronts — including the controversial and expensive immigration detention center in the Everglades and questions surrounding its oversight and costs. Rodríguez reflects on his time in the Florida Senate, including the impact of the 2020 "ghost candidate" scandal and what it taught him about corporate influence in Tallahassee. On the campaign trail, Rodríguez says voters are most concerned about rising costs and corruption, issues he believes the AG's office must prioritize. The Democrat says the office can — and should — actively push back against utility and insurance rate hikes and refocus on protecting everyday Floridians In a twist, Rodríguez notes that his push to restore traditional priorities to the office makes him feel "kind of like the conservative" in the race. Plus, Capitol mainstays will want to stick around to find out whatever happened to JJR's rainboots? Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

Curious about what's at stake in Florida's looming property tax vote? On this week's episode of State Affairs' "Between the Lines," Dara sits down with Florida Realtors CEO Margy Grant to break down the ins and outs of the controversial property tax amendment. With the Realtors among the most prominent advocates for Amendment 3, Grant delivers a compelling defense of a measure that has sparked fierce debate since its passage by the Legislature's this spring. The pair  unpack how the amendment could reshape the state's homestead exemption, with Grant sharing projected homeowner savings starting in 2027. She also tackles tough questions on tax revenue, detailing how local governments will be allowed to use those funds. While acknowledging widespread concerns over cuts to core services, Grant argues that the proposal presents cities and counties with a prime opportunity to rethink and optimize their spending. Plus, Grant confronts some of voters' biggest anxieties head-on: Is power shifting away from local communities? Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

State Rep. Angie Nixon shocked Florida and much of the nation with a stunning victory in Florida's U.S. Senate Democratic primary. Outspent by her opponent 16-to-1, Angie shares how she racked up more than 70,000 miles traversing the state in her family's van — even changing her own tire — while wearing her trademark hot pink to spread her message to voters and how she's handling the ensuing fame. In this episode of "Between the Lines" from State Affairs, Dara and the candidate known universally as "Angie" discuss some of the most pressing topics of the U.S. Senate campaign. Amid Republican attacks regarding her affiliation with the Democratic Socialists of America, the candidate details where her stances align with the DSA and where they diverge from the organization. Plus, in this episode recorded just before the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Nixon shares her view on relations between Americans of different backgrounds and how that historical tragedy shaped the makeup of the country today.  Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), most recognizable as Flock Safety cameras, quietly spread across Florida, sparking a fierce debate over whether the technology signals the rise of Big Brother. Enter Carl Gunn, a Pinellas County resident known as the "Flock Blocker." When a photo of Gunn sitting in a lawn chair and holding a sign to block a camera's view went viral, he instantly became a symbol of citizen resistance. Gunn joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs to discuss the fight, which intensifed after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order banning the state's use of Flock cameras. Gunn tells our host how he plans to take his activism straight to the Florida Capitol — and eventually to Georgia, the home of Flock Safety's headquarters. While Gunn acknowledges surveillance tech can help solve crimes, he argues strongly for more transparency and stricter guardrails for government surveillance. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/fl for more.

With an explosive grand jury report rocking Tallahassee, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried joins host Dara Kam on "Between the Lines" from State Affairs to unpack the fallout of the Hope Florida scandal. In this episode, Fried discusses why she believes a significant turning of the tide is underway in the Sunshine State. Facing challenges like unaffordability, "chaos," and corruption in Tallahassee, Florida Democrats see a unique opening to whittle away decades of undisputed Republican rule. Yet flipping the script come November will be no easy feat. Dara and Chair Fried delve into the strategic balance required to win over an ideologically mixed electorate, detailing how Democrats are actively pushing back against partisan attacks — including the "democratic socialist" label affixed to primary upset-winner and U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon. Finally, stay tuned for a lighter, heartfelt moment as Nikki Fried shares her favorite Dolly Parton song in tribute to the legendary country icon's passing last week. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

Fresh off last week's primary elections, incoming Florida Senate Minority Leader Tracie Davis joins Dara to break down the impact of Democrat Angie Nixon's upset U.S. Senate victory and the brewing battle for Dems' political identity. The incoming caucus leader and Dara explore the fascinating ideological juxtaposition defining Democrats' top of the ticket: progressive Angie Nixon alongside "radically moderate" David Jolly and Gwen Graham in a state the GOP dominates. Despite the labels, Davis explains, Florida Democrats urgently need a unified ticket. Plus, Senator Davis pulls back the curtain on the "spicy" leadership quarrels that led to a budget meltdown during the 2026 session, and sounds the alarm on a critical November ballot measure. Davis explains how a "crippling"  upcoming property tax amendment could serve as a dangerous backdoor for massive corporate data centers to invade local Florida communities. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

It's a wild and scaly episode of "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs this week as python removal specialist Taylor Stanberry joins the show! As last year's grand prize winner of the Florida Python Challenge in the Everglades, Stanberry tells Dara that her approach to hunting these massive invasive predators is surprisingly low-tech, relying primarily on "a headlamp and hope."  Stanberry also recounts her closest, most heart-stopping brushes with pythons and how she managed to survive them.  When she isn't tracking pythons in the Everglades, Stanberry travels the world as a reptile influencer, creating educational wildlife content for Insta, YouTube and other platforms. Back home in Naples, Florida, she and her husband run the Wild Stanberry's Sanctuary, which focuses on providing a safe home for rehomed primates and other critters. The couple also relocates and removes unwanted reptililian visitors such as pythons and rattlesnakes. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

As Floridians head to the polls, Leon County Elections Supervisor Mark Earley joins "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs to ensure listeners are ready for the ballot box. Recorded with early voting under way, Earley breaks down some voting changes for this year's elections and highlights what Floridians need to know before casting their ballots in person or by mail. Earley, who also serves as chairman of the Cybersecurity Committee for the Florida Supervisors of Elections association, explains why combating distrust in the voting process is the greatest challenge facing today's supervisors. Plus, Earley walks listeners down memory lane in a chat about how the state transformed its reputation from the hanging chads of the chaotic 2000 presidential recount into a national model for election efficiency.  Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

In a story where the truth is stranger than fiction, this week's episode of "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs dives into a dark web of "murder, deception and injustice." Guest Pamela Colloff, author of the haunting new book "Catch the Devil," joins us to peel back the layers of a chilling Gulf Coast mystery that challenges what we think we know about the American justice system. At the heart of Colloff's investigation is Paul Skalnik, a master of manipulation. A former police officer turned career con artist, Skalnik morphed into one of the nation's most prolific jailhouse snitches. He operated as a shadowy "incentivized witness," leaving a trail of questionable testimony across dozens of cases in Pinellas County. "Catch the Devil" unearths Skalnik's pivotal role in the high-stakes death-penalty case of James Dailey. While Dailey was convicted of the brutal murder of a teenage girl in St. Petersburg, he steadfastly maintains his innocence  Colloff meticulously reconstructs Skalnik's labyrinthine history of scams and false claims, revealing a man who even attempted to weave his web of manipulation around the author herself during their intense interviews. Prepare to go deep into the shadows. Don't miss this compelling journey Between the Lines to confront the chilling reality of "Catch the Devil." Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

What the Florida!? Dara's reporter chats are back with the inaugural edition of "Behind the Byline" on "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs. E.W. Scripps Capitol Reporter Forrest Saunders takes Dara inside a Tallahassee courtroom to dish on the drama in a lawsuit Lt. Gov Jay Collins filed seeking to scrub GOP gubernatorial opponent James Fishback from the primary ballot. Dara and Forrest go Between the Lines on the governor's race, digging into Democrat David Jolly's potential path to victory and what Forrest describes as a clearer route to persuading non‑Republican voters than Florida Democrats have seen in years. In a state where winning requires reaching beyond your base, they break down the improbable, but not impossible, prospect of a Democrat reaching the governor's mansion. Plus, get the latest on the escalating fight over the looming vote that could overhaul Florida's property tax system. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

Florida's governor's race is at a fever pitch, with social media feuds between candidates driving the Sunshine State's news cycle. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, who's vying to replace the man who appointed him, says the online chatter does not reflect real life on the campaign trail. Collins joins the "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" podcast from State Affairs to give an update on the state of the race and address online fisticuffs involving some of Gov. Ron DeSantis' top aides. The LG also clarifies where his relationship stands with DeSantis amid the friction. Additionally, Collins lays out his strategy for taking on U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the well-funded, Trump-endorsed frontrunner leading the hotly contested race. With less than a month until the primary election, Collins argues it is time for the field to consolidate in order to compete against Donalds in the home stretch. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.

Temporary Protected Status is at the center of a high‑stakes policy battle that could reshape life for hundreds of thousands of immigrants — and their neighbors, employers and communities. In this week's episode of "Between the Lines with Dara Kam" from State Affairs, Tessa Petit, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, breaks down the human and economic risks if TPS protections are rolled back. Petit says terminating TPS could force the U.S. to lose more than 200,000 workers overnight, including many in healthcare, with South Florida facing the most severe impact. Born in Haiti, Petit details the dangers for people who could be forced to return to a country experiencing famine, gun violence, and political instability. In this frank conversation, Petit tells Dara that years of uncertainty have left many immigrants feeling "tired of being unwanted." Don't miss this week's episode, which also breaks down a recent Supreme Court decision that expands border agents' discretion over reentry for green card holders, altering long‑standing travel protections. Visit pro.stateaffairs.com/florida for more.