Florida Crossroads
The Cutting Edge:
Florida’s Medical Schools, Part I

Florida’s five public medical schools are responsible for training and shaping Florida’s future doctors, but each has a unique mission to improve the quality and delivery of health care. In this Florida Crossroads, the Secretary of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration visits the University of Florida in part one of this series. 

Florida Crossroads
Florida's State Parks

From humble beginnings in 1899, Florida's state park system has grown to include a total of 160 properties. Each of these fulfills at least one of the system's three goals of providing recreational activities, preserving historic sites, and preserving endangered ecosystems. In "Florida's State Parks", Florida Crossroads looks at the history of the state park system, discuss its current goals and challenges, and visit more than a dozen of the system's most outstanding sites.

Florida Crossroads
Bolts from Above

Florida is the "Lightning Capital of the United States" and for a good reason. With more than 1.5 million lightning strikes per year,lightning kills more Floridians than any other weather hazard, including hurricanes, tornados and floods. Although science has expanded in the 250 years since Benjamin Franklin's experiments with lightning, much about the natural phenomena remains a mystery. Scientists still do not fully understand how lightning gets started in the clouds, how it decides to attach itself to objects on the ground and why it takes a crooked path to get there. Kirsti Satterstrom shows us some of the research being done in Florida to better understand and forecast the "Bolts From Above."

Florida Crossroads
Florida...Believe It or Not

Late at night, the stories around the campfire can be spooky or just a bit farfetched. But what if that pirate’s treasure map is real? And there is a volcano on Florida’s Gulf Coast? Or maybe the spirit of an Indian chief really has reversed gravity? We explore some of Florida’s myths and legends In Florida… Believe it or Not.

Florida Crossroads
Florida's Disappearing Forests

Forestry is a multi-billion dollar industry in Florida…. making it a top crop in agriculture. In recognition of State Forest Awareness Month, we revisit a program that first premiered in 2006. Producer Debra Lindgren takes a look at both public and private forest land…. and the everyday challenges facing Florida’s foresters.

Florida Crossroads
Roads Well Traveled: Fifty Years of the Interstate System

First constructed in 1956, America’s interstate system has been called the greatest public works project in history. Hundreds of miles of interstate can lead to a great vacation destination or serve as a main route for truck drivers hailing goods and products. In this edition of Florida Crossroads, we take a look at the first 50 years of the interstate system and how it impacts the quality of life in our state.

Florida Crossroads
The Cutting Edge: Florida's Medical Schools Part 2

Florida's five public medical schools are responsible for training and shaping Florida's future doctors, but each has a unique mission to improve the quality and delivery of health care. In part two of this series, Florida Crossroads travels with the Agency for Health Care Administration to the University of South Florida.

Florida Crossroads
VPK: Investment in Florida's Future

In 2002, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that requires the state to provide a free quality education program for four year olds. Florida Crossroads visits several voluntary pre-kindergarten programs around the state to see how Florida's VPK program is preparing its youngest citizens for success.

Florida Crossroads
Florida’s Historic Places: The Florida Spanish Colonial Heritage Trail

For nearly 500 years, Spanish heritage has enriched Florida's history. In the 21st century, it is travel, trade, enterprise, intellectual and entrepreneurial exploration with Spain that continues to inspire our future. With that in mind, "The Florida Spanish Colonial Heritage Trail" was launched as part of the Viva Florida! campaign... meant to attract visitors to historical sites rich in Spanish Colonial history around the state. In this program, Florida Crossroads travels along northern Florida and takes a look at some of those sites.

Florida Crossroads
The Art of Making Wine

Wine making is a tradition in Florida that dates back to the 16th century. Today, Florida is among the top wine consuming states in the country. Still, “Fresh From Florida” wine is considered a “secret” label to many, but for others who discover some of the flavors unique to Florida… it’s a treasured find. More than a dozen certified farm wineries from the panhandle to the southern tip of the state are selling a variety of homemade wines here and around the world. In this Florida Crossroads we explore … “The Art of Making Wine.”

Florida Crossroads
Florida's Footpath Forever

A trail spanning the length of Florida started as one man’s dream in the 1960’s. Today, volunteers have helped create the Florida Trail, a footpath that is more than 1,300 miles long, spanning from the swampy areas of Big Cypress National Preserve in the south to the white sandy beaches of Pensacola in the north. Join us as we find out how it all began, and visit several sections of “Florida’s Footpath Forever”.

Florida Crossroads
The Cutting Edge: Florida’s Medical Schools, Part 3

Florida’s five public medical schools are responsible for training and shaping Florida’s future doctors, but each has a unique mission to improve the quality and delivery of health care. In part three of this series, Florida Crossroads visits Florida State University’s College of Medicine to find out how the school is fulfilling Florida’s need for primary care doctors… and introduce you to the state’s two newest public medical schools.

Florida Crossroads
Andy's Army

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two. The disease affects one in six thousand births in the United States… yet many people have never heard of SMA. In this Florida Crossroads, we follow the lives of children and families affected by SMA… and how one child’s story led to the formation of a group fighting to educate others…. a group known as Andy’s Army.

Florida Crossroads
The Prescription Drug Epidemic: In-State and Out-of-Control

Over the past several years, Florida has seen a dramatic increase of prescription drug abuse. In 2008, Broward County earned the distinction of being known as the “pill mill” capital of the world. Among the top 50 oxycodone dispensing physicians in the nation, 49 of them are in Florida. This legal remedy for pain is producing a lethal reality for young and old, rich and poor in urban and rural areas across the state. At least eleven people die from prescription drug overdose everyday in Florida. In this program, Florida Crossroads explores the prescription drug epidemic.