{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 8: Watering the Roots","description":"SYNOPSIS: Well before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. brought his vaccine skepticism to the federal government, many Southern states were already taking steps to weaken immunization mandates. This week, we take a look at recent moves in Florida, Louisiana and Texas to make it easier for parents to opt their children out of vaccines. Florida already leads the nation in unvaccinated kindergarteners. The conversation this week is with Brandon Jones, political director for the Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, which is seeking out and supporting progressive candidates in local races across the Deep South. Jesse talks with Jones about his background \u2014 which includes a stint in the Mississippi Legislature \u2014 and why grassroots races are important to building progressive strength.&amp;nbsp; Also: It\u2019s AthFest time!  SHOW NOTES: \u201cCiting Government Overreach, Louisiana Won\u2019t Promote Vaccination, Surgeons General Say\u201d CDRAP  \u201cVaccine Opt-Outs Continue to Climb in Florida Schools\u201d Axios  Texas House Bill 1586 Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund New Southern Majority  AthFest  CONTACT: Jesse Mayshark jmayshark@theprogressivesouth.org  (865) 214-7764 ","author_name":"Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South","author_url":"https:\/\/theprogressivesouth.org\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37013070\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/37013070"}