This week, NewsNight examines the opioid crisis in Central Florida. New figures show the region is in the grip of a fentanyl epidemic, but prescription opioid abuse remains a major issue. The panel also discusses Orlando’s decision to join other local governments in suing pharmaceutical companies. Plus, how legislators are tackling opioids, from pill-mill laws to criminal justice reform.

Join host Matthew Peddie, 90.7 WMFE and panelists Naseem Miller, Orlando Sentinel; Karla Ray, WFTV; and Danielle Prieur, 90.7 WMFE on Friday, November 15 at 8:30 p.m. on WUCF and join the conversation about the stories in your community.

NewsNight is a weekly, taped 30-minute segment, featuring WFTV’s Nancy Alvarez as the moderator along with a team of journalists in radio, tv, newspaper, and blogs across Central Florida. The show is a weekly round-table discussion that highlights local journalism around important community topics. It is the story behind the story. The panel will break down the big story or stories of the week and discuss what and how they’ll impact the community.

Your community.
Your concerns.
Your journalists.

NewsNight airs every Friday at 8:30 p.m. on WUCF.

We want to hear from you! Send us your story ideas about what you want to see covered in the community. Email NewsNight.

Nancy Alvarez joined the WFTV Eyewitness News team in May 2010 and currently co-anchors Eyewitness News Daybreak.

Her family is from Cuba, and she was born and raised in South Florida but considers Orlando a second home. In fact, she's spent most of her career in central Florida.

Her first on-air job was as the Brevard County bureau reporter for Central Florida News 13. Then it was on to WKMG where she spent five years as a reporter and received two Emmy nominations for her work in the station's investigative unit. At both stations, she had the thrill of covering several space shuttle launches and landings at the Kennedy Space Center.

She was also in central Florida for Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne, reporting nonstop during the now infamous 2004 hurricane season.

After leaving the area for three years, Nancy returned to Orlando and started with WFTV. She became moderator of WUCF's NewsNight in 2019.

When she's not working, Nancy enjoys spending time with her husband, son Benjamin, and daughter Julia. Their favorite spots include Cocoa Beach and a local hang out on a lake in Clermont.

Follow Nancy on Twitter here.