The CoLab (or Community Laboratory) is an informal group of Central Florida's community leaders, partners, and supporters. Our goal is to shape the future of our community by sharing ideas, opportunities, and resources that promote unity, civil discourse, and civic engagement.
Meet The Helpers: WUCF announces new Helpers, supporting the America250 initiative including an American Sign Language interpreter promoting positive civic engagement, and a Public Service Worker talking about the voting process.
Changes to Florida’s election laws and what they mean for voters in November.
Florida’s growing population and its effect on the political make-up of the state.
The DNC takes place in Chicago as polls show Democrats closing the gap in Florida.
Hear from young voters about what they think about the upcoming election.
This week we take a deep dive into Florida’s political waters with Steve Mort and Krystel Knowles of NewsNight on Central Florida PBS. We talk contentious counties, redistricting woes, restoring voting rights for felons, and Governor Ron DeSantis’ policies and presidential ambitions. But first, a look at the latest election legislation news nationwide with Voting Rights lab’s Liz Avore.
How does someone with more than five decades of political reporting under her belt assess the current state of the union? For the past year, former PBS NewsHour anchor and current senior correspondent Judy Woodruff has been touring the country for a new project, America at a Crossroads, reporting on the divisions that plague our nation. Kara speaks with Woodruff about the roles that both politicians and the media play in our growing polarization, whether journalists can be “truthful, not neutral” (as CNN’s Christiane Amanpour has said) and what recent media consolidations (and proposed cuts to public broadcasting) mean for our democracy.
Watt, Windy, Lidia, and Mark all disagree about a mysterious event they witness, and come to understand that there can be different perspectives of the same event and all can be valid. #PBSKIDS #CityIsland #Understanding #Kindness
Watch and play more videos and games at https://pbskids.org or download the *FREE* PBS KIDS Video and Games app at https://pbskids.org/apps/
The Lou Frey Institute of Politics and Government at the University of Central Florida houses the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship and is a leading provider of civic education instructional and professional development resources in Florida. They work to help strengthen the civic education capacity of Florida’s K-12 education system through research, policy analysis, and advocacy. Learn more.
The Pledge Central Florida is a call to action for residents of Central Florida who are tired of hateful discourse and want to create a safe and inclusive community for all. The pledge asks residents to commit to treating all people with kindness and respect, especially those with whom they disagree. Learn more.
Jazz and the American Spirit with Jeff Rupert is a weekly radio show on 89.9 Jazz & More, examining the great stories of Jazz across America and the people who create it.
Meet The Helpers features two new Helpers in 2024 that support democracy and make information available for everyone: American Sign Language Interpreter and a Public Service Worker. The new Helpers segments are airing on WUCF TV and are available to stream here.
Orlando Shakes premieres What the Constitution Means to Me from October 2 through October 13. Follow playwright Heidi Schreck’s journey through the complexities of American democracy, gender equality, and the evolving interpretation of the United States Constitution.
University of Central Florida Civil Discourse and Engagement hosts various Public Policy Events throughout the year. Learn more.
University of Central Florida Government and Community Relations provides resources and information on the six amendments on the ballot this election cycle and is an early voting location. Learn more.
PBS LearningMedia Civics Collections empowers student citizens by teaching civic knowledge and understanding through applied examples from U.S. history and skills such as analyzing civic engagement and engaging in civil discourse. Focusing on multiple perspectives and diverse stories, these resources enable all students to see themselves as civic actors and prepare them to engage in civic political life. Learn more.
WUCF and VyStar Book Drive will begin in November 2024 and will culminate the week of January 22, 2025 during national literacy week with a Book Bash family event. This opportunity aims to inspire our community to support their neighbors through acts of kindness and support for early childhood education. Books can be dropped off to any Central Florida VyStar Credit Union location from November 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024.
Global Peace Film Festival will take place September 17-21, 2024 and aims to illuminate minds and spark conversation. Learn more.
