
Valerie Crowder
Valerie Crowder is a freelance reporter based in Panama City, Florida. Before moving to Florida, she covered politics and education for Public Radio East in New Bern, North Carolina. While at PRE, she was also a fill-in host during All Things Considered. She got her start in public radio at WAER-FM in Syracuse, New York, where she was a part-time reporter, assistant producer and host. She has a B.A. in newspaper online journalism and political science from Syracuse University. When she’s not reporting the news, she enjoys reading classic fiction and thrillers, hiking with members of the Florida Trail Association and doing yoga.
-
Andrew Gillum and his longtime associate Sharon Lettman-Hicks were indicted last year. The federal government accused them of steering campaign contributions for Gillum's personal use.
-
Attorneys in former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum's corruption trial gave jurors a roadmap of what they'll cover over the next three weeks.
-
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently held a roundtable with his allies in education to talk about efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs from higher education.
-
Florida lawmakers are moving forward with a bipartisan plan to regulate the use of kratom, an herbal supplement that causes opioid- and stimulant-like effects.
-
A bill that would remove mandatory training and fees to carry a concealed weapon in Florida passed in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Monday.
-
As Florida dedicates more money to transport migrants from other states, advocates say there isn't enough oversight to make sure transport is done legally and that migrants are relocated voluntarily.
-
House Speaker Paul Renner unveiled a "constitutional carry" bill last week that would allow people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
-
A measure to give nearly every K-12 student in Florida access to a stipend for private school or education programs is moving through the legislature.
-
A controversial measure that critics argue chills Floridians' right to peacefully protest remains blocked as a legal challenge to the new law moves through the courts.
-
A group of college students is lobbying for state funding to reduce hunger on campus as inflation drives up the cost of groceries.