The Florida Roundup

This week on The Florida Roundup, we broke down the results from Florida’s primary elections with Politico’s Kimberly Leonard (00:00). Then, we were joined by PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for some fact-checking (14:14). Plus, NASA scientist Jeremy Perkins spoke with us about a new space telescope that’s set to launch from Kennedy Space Center at the end of the month (19:48). And later, we looked at how the state is investing in speech and debate programs this school year (37:14) and more educational news.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the revised ballot language for Florida’s property tax amendment with one of the lawyers representing the group that sued over the original wording (00:00). Then, we spoke about how the property tax measure would impact funding for Florida’s network of children’s trust services (07:32). Plus, we looked at a lawsuit involving free speech at Florida International University (25:30). And later, some education news including a drop in enrollment at Broward County Public Schools (37:18) and a look at how student historians are helping to preserve the past at one Tampa Bay cemetery (40:14).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the president of the Florida Sheriffs Association about its official statement on the proposed property tax amendment (00:00). Then, we were joined by former state senator Jeff Brandes to talk about this week’s court ruling ordering a rewrite of the ballot language for the proposed tax cut (11:54). Plus, as the number of child drownings continues to rise in Florida, we spoke with two water safety advocates (20:06). And later, some back-to-school news including how the state and school districts are addressing the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms (37:20) and what’s behind the...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins about his run to become Florida’s next governor (00:00). Then, we looked at the lack of competition for school board seats in this election cycle with Trinity Webster-Bass, who covers education for the Florida Trib (20:04). Plus, Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact joins us to check some recent claims (33:14). And later, more news from across the state including a story about the economic burden immigrant families face with deportation (39:10) and a court challenge to Florida’s property tax amendment (44:48).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the estimated revenue loss for local governments under Florida’s proposed property tax amendment with investigative journalist Jason Garcia (00:00) and Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves (08:04). Then, we spoke with two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate: Rep. Angie Nixon (19:50) and former. U.S. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman (28:04). Plus, some educational news from the week (37:20) and environmental updates (43:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by Jake Shore, investigative reporter for WLRN, to talk about the presence of ICE agents in Lake Worth and later, GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback’s controversial campaign (08:36). Then, we spoke with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections about important deadlines for the August primary and elections security (23:32). Plus, a look at how dramatically cutting Florida’s homestead property tax could impact mosquito control and other news from the week (37:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns with WUSF’s Megan Bowman, Your Florida team government reporter (00:00). Then, we looked at the controversy over large scale data centers (09:24). Plus, we were joined by Justin Senior, CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, about how cutting property taxes might impact the state’s healthcare systems (21:56). And later, PolitiFact’s chief correspondent Louis Jacobson stopped by to tell us why Florida is referred to as the ‘14th colony’ (33:42). And we share more news from across the state including a federal court ruli...

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup from May 22, we revisit conversations with two Florida-based authors. We spoke first with Artis Henderson about her novel No Ordinary Bird (03:22) and then Kip Lyman about her novel The Purple Ribbon. (29:32).

This week on a special edition of The Florida Roundup live from Fort Myers, we spoke with Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter about the potential impacts of the property tax proposal (00:00). Then, we spoke with FGCU’s Shawn Felton about a regional initiative to increase the healthspan of Southwest Floridians (20:38). Plus, we examined the health of the Caloosahatchee River with WGCU’s senior environmental reporter Tom Bayles (37:44). Plus, music from the Joanne Hartley Trio for the hour.

This week on a special Juneteenth edition of the Florida Roundup, we spoke with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Eugene Robinson about his latest book Freedom Won, Freedom Lost. (00:00). Then, we revisited our conversation about a film that explores the unique history of Fort Mose (19:20) and the state’s plan to create a museum dedicated to Black history in Florida (31:36). Plus, historian and educator Tameka Bradley Hobbs joins us to discuss Florida’s Emancipation Day (37:10).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with reporters from across the state to look at how the 2026 Florida midterms are shaping up (00:00). Then, we looked at a legal challenge to the property tax ballot amendment (21:10) and took a closer look at its language with Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government team reporter (33:56). Plus, we hear from the mother of one of the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and look at how grief has reshaped the local community 10 years after the tragedy (37:22). And we also learned about some unseen threats to livestock and humans (44:30) and a match...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about what made it to the final version of Florida's property tax proposal with Douglas Soule, reporter with Your Florida and WUSF (00:00). Then, we heard from one of the co-sponsors of the measure Sen. Mack Bernard (08:40). Plus, we fact-checked some recent claims about the impact the ballot measure would have on local governments with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (25:30). We also spoke about Florida’s job market with WUSF’s Gabriella Paul (29:12). And later, we shared some gaming and sports stories from across the state (37:20).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the official federal forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season that begins June 1 with meteorologist John Morales (00:00). Then we spoke about emergency response and preparedness with former FEMA administratior Craig Fugate (13:40). We also spoke with the mayors of Daytona Beach Shores and Cedar Key to talk about how their coastal communities are preparing for this year’s storm season (21:26). Plus, Your Florida reporter Meghan Bowman joined us to discuss Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax plan and the new state budget (28:52). And later, we learned about how more municipalities and private homeowners in the...

On this edition of The Florida Roundup, we feature some of the fiction and creative nonfiction that you should read in our Summer Reading Special. Authors Artis Henderson (No Ordinary Bird) and Kip Lyman (The Purple Ribbon) join to talk about their novels. In No Ordinary Bird, Henderson writes about her father, a pilot involved in a South Florida drug smuggling operation in the 1970s and 80s who died in a plane crash — a crash that she survived (1:10). The Purple Ribbon is the debut novel from writer Lyman. A psychological thriller set in Fort Pierce, the story follows two separate in...

Florida Roundup with New York Times reporter Patricia Mazzei talking about Alligator Alcatraz (1:08). Jake Shore from WLRN talks the Florida Highway Patrol's role in immigration enforcement (12:12). Politico's education reporter Andrew Atterbury joins to talk the state’s voucher program (20:24). We also look at the historical legacy of Florida Emancipation Day ahead of the May 20 anniversary (38:15).

This week on the Florida Roundup, we took a look at Florida two years after the state enacted its six-week abortion ban. We talked with OB-GYN Dr. Aaron Elkin about how his practice has changed and how patient care is affected (3:11). We also spoke with Kate Payne of The Florida Trib about how her reporting into the state’s maternal mortality committee led to the release of years of missing data (11:15). Then, we discussed an investigation by a team of student journalists at the University of Florida examining the links between chemical exposure and Parkinson’s Disease (19:23). And, PolitiFact’s Samant...

This week on the Florida Roundup, we took a deep dive into Florida’s newly-approved congressional map that could eliminate four districts represented by Democrats. We talked with the University of Florida’s Political Science Professor Dan Smith and Fair Districts Now CEO Ellen Freidin about the new map changes and how voters may respond (00:00). We were also joined by Rep. Kathy Castor from the Tampa area who discussed what the new map could mean for her reelection campaign (25:31). Then, we checked in with Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government reporter, about efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis to legislate AI and...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about how congressional redistricting impacts voter representation and bipartisanship with the Center Aisle Coalition (00:00). Then, we spoke about the legality of mid-decade redistricting with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (19:30). Plus, we spoke about the tension between free speech on campus and safety with UF’s Jane Bambauer (26:00). And later, news from the week including an update on the state’s special sessions and budget negotiations (38:44), wildfires (40:20), and a new cursive requirement for Florida students (46:58).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Miami Herald’s deputy investigations editor Carol Marbin Miller about their reporting into problems with the state’s Adult Protective Services (00:00). Then, we joined our colleagues at Houston Public Radio for a simulcast to discuss Florida and Texas’s redistricting efforts (19:44). Plus, we spoke with a middle school aerospace technology teacher about how Artemis II is helping inspire future generations to go into the field of space exploration (37:30), learned of preparations for Artemis III (41:20), got an update on Florida’s drought conditions and wildfires from Florida Public Radio Emergency Network meteorol...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the impact rising gas prices are having on Floridians with WUSF’s Gabriella Paul (00:00). Then, we were joined by Rep. Ryan Chamberlin to talk about his push for a citizens-led campaign to put the elimination of property taxes up for a vote in 2028 (20:50). Then, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to fact-check a recent claim from U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on school districts driving up property taxes (38:08). Plus, environmental stories from around the state including an update on the lawsuit filed by conservationists challenging the immigration detention center (37:26), a manatee resc...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by former NFL head coach Tony Dungy to talk about the state’s challenge to the league’s ‘Rooney Rule’ (01:10). Then, we spoke about the corrosion of trust among neighbors and how we can better foster community with author Maxwell King (21:00). Plus, WUSF’s Douglas Soule joins us to talk about a new state law that prohibits local governments from banning gas-powered leaf blowers (32:36). And later, we hear from one Florida family that is closely watching the Supreme Court’s hearing on birthright citizenship (37:30) and look at the Artemis II launch (43:00).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about NASA’s new plans to build a lunar space base and more with Don Platt, the director of Spaceport Education Center at Florida Tech and Adrienne Dove, Planetary Scientist and Chair of Physics at University of Central Florida (00:00). Then, former astronaut Chris Hadfield joined us to talk about the Artemis II launch and mission (14:26). Plus, we spoke with journalist Adam Ciralsky about his reporting for Vanity Fair about Florida’s hotbed of espionage (22:34). And later, we hear from law-abiding migrants who were deported (37:34) and we look at the results from this week...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Florida Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur about the Senate’s stop-gap funding measure for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program or ADAP (00:00). Then, KFF’s Lindsey Dawson joined us to talk about the troubles facing the federal ADAP program and how states are responding (17:16). Plus, best-selling author James Patterson joins us to talk about an effort to boast early literacy (21:12). And later, news from across the state including a letter from a group of Florida sheriffs urging a change in federal immigration policy (37:32), an update on a new state-produced intro...

This week on The Florida Roundup, a second-generation gas station owner in Florida who is navigating the price hikes (00:00). Then, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor joined us for updates on the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and partial government shutdown (06:26). Plus, WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan and Dr. Shalika Katugaha with Baptist Health joined us to discuss a rise in measles cases in the state and pushback against a bill that would’ve made it easier to opt out of common vaccines (20:30). Then, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter Douglas Soule gave us a wrap-up of the legislative session and a look ahe...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at state spending on Alligator Alcatraz, the immigration detention center near the Everglades with Eve Sample, executive director of Friends of the Everglades (00:00). Then, we visited a small citrus farm in Central Florida (20:20). And we looked at what’s left on lawmakers’ agenda as the 2026 legislative draws close to an end (37:30).

This week on a special edition of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Orange County Schools Superintendent Maria Vazquez about possible school closures (00:00). Then, we were joined by Central Florida Public Media’s Brendan Byrne and Greg Autry, Space Czar and Associate Provost at the University of Central Florida (21:00). Plus, the founder of TastyChomps Orlando Food Guide Ricky Ly joined us to explore all the city has to offer beyond its famous theme park (37:48).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the push to build new large-scale data centers for artificial intelligence and how local communities in Florida are responding with WUSF’s Jessica Meszaros (00:00). Then, we checked in with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter, about an effort to restrict the governor's use of the state’s emergency fund (14:42). Plus, we heard about a new film from Flagler College about the unique history of Francisco Menéndez and the free Black settlement Fort Mose (19:34). We also spoke about the state’s plan to create a museum dedicated to Black history in Florida...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the state’s report on local government spending with Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of Truth in Accounting (00:00). Then, we were joined by the Chair of the Hillsborough DOGE Liaison Committee Jake Hoffman to discuss the county’s fiscal accountability efforts (12:40). Plus, we looked at the state’s food contamination testing with an environmental scientist specializing in toxicology (20:38) and later with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (32:14). And later, news from across the state including student protests against ICE (37:30), Florida’s dry weather outlook (40:16), and a possible new port project in Tampa Bay (42:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we first spoke with Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times reporter Lawrence Mower about how much money the state has spent on immigration enforcement efforts (00:00). Then, we were joined by Rep. Alex Andrade about a report that the DOJ will not take up a criminal investigation into the Hope Florida Charity (08:54). ‘Your Florida’ reporter Douglas Soule also joined us for an update on citizen-led constitutional amendments (33:26). Plus, we were joined by master gardener Nickie Munroe for advice on how to protect Florida fruit and fauna when there’s a cold snap (20:42). And later, we shared news s...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new state law that gives cities the option to allow churches and other religious institutions to build affordable housing on their property regardless of zoning. First, we spoke with the sponsor of the law Sen. Alexis Calatayud (00:00) and then we heard from a pastor of a church in St. Petersburg that is close to breaking ground on a new housing development (15:16) Plus, we took a closer look at a recent legal opinion from Florida’s Attorney General calling for the state to stop enforcing many state laws giving preferences, quotas an...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at immigration policy a year into the second Trump administration (00:00). Then, we looked at Florida's affordable housing problem with FSU professor Sam Staley (20:26) and bills aimed to address the issue with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter (34:02). And later, news from the week from across the state including an update on the state’s DOGE task force (37:32) and public school closures in Broward and Brevard counties (43:36). Plus, an effort to eliminate pennies moves forward in the Florida Senate (47:12).

This week on The Florida Roundup, best-selling author and Florida resident Brad Meltzer joins us to talk about free expression in the Sunshine State, what the escalating cost of living means for families hoping for a new start in Florida, and finding empathy in an increasingly polarized and politicized world (00:00). Plus, a review of the first week of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session with Douglas Soule, “Your Florida” state government reporter (08:50). And we also fact-checked the 2026 State of the State address with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (12:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta about inflation, the job market and affordability (00:30). Then, we talked about the upcoming state legislative session with Senate President Ben Albritton (20:14). Plus, we connected with Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact for the latest fact-checks of the news (32:54). And later, Your Florida’s Meghan Bowman joined us to preview a new project exploring how the detention known as Alligator Alcatraz center awoke a decades-old environmental fight (37:30).

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup's special winter reading program, we spoke with three authors. First, we spoke with journalist and author Carl Hiaasen about his latest novel “Fever Beach” (00:00) Then, we had a conversation with Michael Grunwald, journalist and author of “We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix our Food System and Save Our Climate” (19:34). Plus, journalist and author Danny Rivero spoke with us about his book “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades-Long Voting Rights Battle” (37:26).

This week on a special ‘Film Fest’ edition of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three directors of three film documentaries related to the Sunshine State. First, we spoke with Rick Goldsmith, the director of “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” (01:10). Then, we spoke about the documentary “River of Grass,” with its co-producer Ali Codina and director Sasha Wortzel (19:30). Plus, we were joined by Jamie Winterstern, the director of “Sanibel,” a documentary that explores sea-shelling around the island before and after Hurricane Ian (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to talk about what’s at stake for Florida as the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire (00:00). Then, we spoke with Rep. Tom Fabricio (R-Miami-Dade) about the effort to reform property taxes that will be the focus of the next legislative session (08:32). Plus, we heard from a man who has witnessed hundreds of detention hearings in a Florida federal immigration court (19:34). We also looked at how the largest school district in the state may be cut out...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Jacksonville Today education reporter Megan Mallicoat about a lawsuit against Duval Schools over teachers’ right to free speech (00:00). Then, we were joined by Allison Matulli, lawyer, children’s author and educator, for a conversation about free speech and consequences (07:44). Plus, we spoke with NBC 6 investigative reporter Tony Pipitone about what newly released I.C.E. data tells us about who has been detained at Alligator Alcatraz (21:16). And PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman helped us check some claims from President Trump about affordability (32:48). Later, we checked in with stories from across the state (37:30), includ...

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the congressional redistricting efforts in the Florida House with “Your Florida” state government team reporter Douglas Soule (00:00). Then, we talked about Florida’s recent redistricting efforts and legal battles with Patrick Rickert, who teaches Political Science at Rollins College (09:58). And later, we looked at how Florida lawmakers might regulate artificial intelligence with Sonja Schmer-Galunder, Professor in AI and Ethics at the University of Florida (24:00). Plus, we checked in on the latest in the property tax reform debate (37:38) and looked at wildlife news from around the state (39:38).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three authors for a special “winter reading” program. First, we spoke with journalist and author Carl Hiaasen about his latest novel “Fever Beach” (00:00). Then, we had a conversation with Michael Grunwald, journalist and author of “We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix our Food System and Save Our Climate” (19:34). Plus, journalist and author Danny Rivero spoke with us about his book “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades-Long Voting Rights Battle” (37:26).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the latest in the push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files with the Miami Herald’s Ben Wieder (00:00). Then, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, who represents the district where Epstein lived and operated (14:06). And we shared an excerpt from WLRN's new four-part podcast series exploring mental illness and the criminal justice system through one family’s tragic story (19:50). Plus, Douglas Soule with "Your Florida" joined us for an update on the Florida House’s proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes (32:52). Later, a look at educational news from around...