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.
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The Florida legislature will meet in mid-April to draw the state's congressional districts after Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected two maps lawmakers approved earlier this month. -
Voting rights groups are concerned the legislature and governor won’t reach an agreement before the congressional candidate filing deadline in mid-June. -
The fire is 40% contained, thanks in part to recent rain. -
Nearly 200 firefighters, more than 70 bulldozers and at least 10 aircraft have been working to contain three wildfires. -
Rain over a massive wildfire in northwest Florida helps cool flames, but fire size remains unchangedMore than three inches of rain fell last night over a massive wildfire in northwest Florida, but the fire hasn't gotten smaller. -
The Bertha Swamp Road Fire in Bay, Gulf and Calhoun Counties is 28,109 acres, growing from 14,000 acres on Monday afternoon. -
Three wildfires that started over the weekend are still threatening neighborhoods in Bay County. -
Wildfires swept through the Florida Panhandle county over the weekend, near where Hurricane Michael made landfall and thousands of acres of tree debris remain on the ground. -
Firefighters work to contain three wildfires in Bay County as high winds and dry conditions make their efforts more challenging. -
The Florida legislature is sending its congressional plan to Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval after the House and Senate agreed upon a measure that contains a preferred map and a backup.
