Richard Luthmann and Michael Volpe interviewed Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. Then the interview itself became a story.
Michael Volpe joins Luthmann to examine author and commentator Megan Fox’s criticism of Collins for appearing with them. They read posts, revisit the interview, and ask a direct question: What, specifically, was wrong with the questions or the answers?
The opening segment puts the policy discussion back on screen. Collins faces questions about affordability, insurance costs, teacher pay, deregulation, and Florida’s fight with Disney. Volpe challenges the state’s treatment of Disney; Luthmann defends Florida’s direction.
Then comes Fox’s criticism of Luthmann’s association with Joey Camp. The conversation gets heated between host and guest. Luthmann defends Camp and his freedom of speech. Volpe condemns the language in an email discussed on the show.
The second major segment turns to California reporter Susan Bassi and articles removed by the Davis Vanguard. Luthmann and Volpe examine removal notices, the publication’s apology to attorney Julie Levy, and Luthmann’s account of his interview with Vanguard counsel Paul Nicholas Boylan.
The correspondence takes center stage. The June 2023 email demands changes to Robert J. Hansen’s coverage while invoking donors and advertisers. More recent messages accuse Luthmann and other reporters of improper conduct. Luthmann and Volpe deny those accusations and demand specific transactions, records, and evidence. They examine the connection between the WomenSV Court Watchers email account and Bassi’s reporting operation. Bassi’s response, including her allegations against Luthmann and her demand that contact stop, is also discussed.
Volpe compares these exchanges with messages he received during his coverage of Jeremy Hales and the Hales/Preston-Cook dispute. He revisits the unidentified sender who claimed to have hacked his systems, the Mary Lenkins account, and communications from Hales.
The episode closes with journalism credentials and independence. Luthmann describes studying constituional law and legal journalism under James F. Simon, interning at Fox News, and learning through reporting with Frank Parlato. Volpe recalls the document work and interviews behind his investigation of former Chicago Heights Mayor Chuck Panici.00:00:00 Opening musical satire00:02:01 Richard Luthmann introduces the show00:03:37 Michael Volpe on the Collins-interview backlash00:06:08 Collins replay: Affordability, insurance and teacher pay00:11:00 Luthmann and Volpe debate Florida’s economy00:14:23 Collins replay: Business climate and deregulation00:19:58 Government spending and the Florida comparison00:24:04 Disney, free speech and special privileges00:35:25 Megan Fox’s posts and demands for an apology00:39:44 Joey Camp: A heated disagreement00:46:10 Camp’s denial and correction demand00:51:29 Political contacts and Luthmann’s response00:54:36 Luthmann discusses his criminal case and guilty plea01:03:40 Susan Bassi and the Davis Vanguard controversy01:04:54 Reading the removal notices01:09:43 Earlier dispute involving Julie Holburn01:15:15 Source protection and Robert J. Hansen’s criticism01:20:24 Julie Levy and disputed reporting01:23:25 Vanguard counsel and the reasons for removal01:28:39 The June 2023 email: Donors and editorial demands01:30:12 WomenSV Court Watchers allegations and responses01:34:26 Volpe revisits the threatening Hales-coverage email01:35:54 Luthmann demands specific evidence01:41:18 Connecting the email account to Bassi’s channel01:42:03 Mary Lenkins and suspected anonymous accounts01:48:31 The account’s explanation of its reporting role01:52:40 Bassi’s response and demand to stop contact01:53:49 Volpe compares the Hales correspondence02:02:23 Luthmann describes his journalism training02:03:37 Volpe’s Chuck Panici investigation02:09:45 Luthmann’s extortion allegation and proposed injunction02:11:08 How the Vanguard reporting began02:14:12 Final takeaways and support for further reporting02:16:16 Closing remarks02:16:52 Musical outroNOTE: This video is presented as Educational, Documentary, Scientific, and Artistic (EDSA) material for journalistic purposes. It contains commentary, criticism, and reporting on matters of public interest. Any referenced names, images, or events are used in that context and are not intended to harass, threaten, or invade privacy. Parts of this video are a satirical representation of newsworthy events and public commentary. It is intended for entertainment, criticism, and commentary purposes only. Any depictions, dialogue, or characterizations are exaggerated or fictionalized and should not be interpreted as statements of fact. No harm or harassment is intended.
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