This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about election anxiety and how to lower the temperature of political rhetoric with former U.S. Reps Carlos Curbelo and Stephanie Murphy (02:15). Then, we heard about how Florida moved away from being a swing state with the New York Times’ Patricia Mazzei (20:24). And later, we checked in with Samantha Putt…

The economy is a leading topic mentioned by voters this year. A poll from the Pew Research Center published in September revealed eight in ten registered voters said the economy will be very important to their vote in the presidential election. People who responded to an unscientific WUSF survey said they have concerns about property and auto insur…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with WUSF’s Stephanie Colombini about the legal wrangling over Amendment 4 (08:09) and then we heard from former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court Charles Wells (12:00). We also talked about voter turnout and how to appeal to non-party voters first with DNC Chair Jaime Harrison (19:14) and later t…

Hurricane Milton made landfall nearly two weeks ago- and for some- the disaster isn’t over. Flooding is still causing big problems after the storm dumped more than a foot of rain in some parts of the greater Tampa Bay area. in Hernando County the Withlacoochee river is just starting to go down, but it’s going to take some time for flood waters to r…

As the presidential election heads into its final weeks, you’re probably seeing a torrent of campaign ads, memes and political headlines on your social media. There’s a lot of misinformation swirling around online too And after back to back hurricanes, misinformation is also spinning up around natural disasters- from how storms are formed to disast…

The tab for Hurricanes Helene and Milton will be in the billions of dollars. Some will be covered by insurance. And some won’t. The storms are just the latest reminders of the high cost of insurance. We speak with Michael Yaworsky, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Commissioner (2:36). Plus, early voting starts in just days. What you need to k…

It’s been nearly a week since Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key and ripped through the Tampa Bay region and across Central Florida. Just as people were beginning to pick up their lives after Hurricane Helene. And for many of you it’s been a tough stretch- dealing with damage to your homes, flooding, boil water notices and power outages…

People had barely even begun picking up their lives after Hurricane Helene two weeks ago when Milton hit the Gulf Coast.A day after Hurricane Milton slammed into the Gulf Coast, Florida Matters heard from people across the greater Tampa Bay region about the storm's impact and the recovery ahead.Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a Category 3 h…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at the widespread damage and the loss of life from Hurricane Milton. First, we checked in with NPR’s Greg Allen from Clearwater (02:18), then we heard from WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan about the impact in Sarasota (08:47) before turning to CFPM’s Molly Duerig to look at flooding in Central Florida (10:58). Later, …

People have strong opinions about immigration, and during this presidential election campaign, anxieties over America’s broken immigration system- and hopes the election might bring change- are top of mind for many voters. Some of you have told WUSF you’re worried about border security. Others are concerned about the rise in xenophobic rhetoric dir…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at recovery efforts a week after Hurricane Helene's landfall. First, we spoke to Florida Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (3:10), then we spoke with David Jolly, former Republican representative who penned a recent op-ed (10:42). Next we turned to Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections, Christina White, to dis…

Across the greater Tampa Bay region, people are taking stock of the destruction left behind by Hurricane Helene. Storm surge of eight feet and more in some places flooded homes and businesses. Tens of thousands of homes and buildings are damaged- some completely destroyed. Some beachside towns look like a war zone after a wall of water bulldozed sa…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with reporters and officials across the state to begin assessing the impact of Hurricane Helene. First, we heard from Lynn Hatter, news director for WFSU in Tallahassee (02:56), then we spoke with Megan Borowski, meteorologist for Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (07:07). Afterwards, we heard fr…

It’s election season. And if you’re a new voter, it may be intimidating trying to decipher the flood of campaign ads, figure out your ballot or even know who it is you are being asked to vote for.Two people paying close attention to elections are Tara Newsom and Alex Mahadevan. They sat down with WUSF’s elections podcast: Our Changing State, Vote 2…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Politico’s Kimberly Leonard about the state’s probe into the apparent assination attempt on former President Trump (01:14). We looked at mosquito control efforts in Lee County (09:11) and spoke with Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory’s Nathan Burkett-Cadena about the public health risk mosquitoes p…

In this episode of Florida Matters, you’ll get a taste of what’s on offer from the host of the Zest Podcast, Dalia Colon. Season 10 of The Zest includes vegan fare for theme park buffs, what basketball pros eat when they’re on the road, and even some kitchen hacks.If you’re a foodie, you’re probably already streaming the new season of The Zest, WUS…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Rep. Vicki Lopez about possible tweaks to new condo reform laws (06:55) Then, Miami Herald reporter Ashley Miznazi joined us to talk about the growing need for EV fast charging stations across the state (20:03). And later Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact joined us to review some recent c…

In the upcoming general election, Florida voters will get a chance to decide whether they want to approve the use of marijuana for recreational purposes.Matthew Peddie, host of "Florida Matters" and the podcast "Our Changing State," speaks with WUSF reporter Sky Lebron about what Amendment 3 means. And- it takes a savvy voter to separate fact from …

WUSF’s Gabriella Paul has been talking to renters, homeowners and investigators to find out what’s been going on with the housing market. She says investors are changing the market by adding competition on houses deemed affordable. Paul joins Florida Matters along with Kristin Washington, a Tampa realtor, to explain the impact of large and small in…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Tampa Bay Times environmental reporter who broke the story about FL DEP’s controversial state park plans (01:25). Then, we asked two polling experts for advice on how to interpret opinion polls going into the 2024 election (07:24) and then heard from two former Florida congress members about how t…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about a proposal to add new development to several state parks with WLRN environmental editor Jenny Staletovich and WUSF reporter Steve Newborn (00:10). Then, we spoke with Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su about the jobs outlook for Florida ahead of Labor Day Weekend (20:35) and later, we cover a s…

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection revealed plans to build golf courses, pickleball courts and lodges on some state parks- and people aren't happy about it. Now the group backing the golf course proposal has pulled out. The uproar over the development proposal shows just how strongly Floridians feel about their state parks. Coming up,…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with Politico’s Andrew Atterbury to talk about the primary results in this week’s school board races (00:08). Then, we spoke with Rep. Spencer Roach (20:00) about the proposed amendment he sponsored that asks Florida voters to decide whether to make school board elections partisan. Plus, we checked so…

You may know Titus O’Neil as a star of WWE. You may have even seen the viral moment when he tripped on his way into a wrestling match and slid under the ring. But in the greater Tampa Bay region, O’Neil is known best as Thaddeus Bullard, and how he gives back to the community through the Bullard Family Foundation. Every year the foundation holds a …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about cellphone restrictions in K-12 schools. First, we heard from Scott Howat, chief communications officer for Orange County Public Schools, about their total ban on cellphone use during the school day (03:34), then we spoke with Florida Education Association president Andrew Spar about how teachers are …

Abortion is a polarizing issue. But whatever your opinion, if you’re a Floridian voting this November, you’ll have a say in whether the right to an abortion is written into the state constitution.Like voters in 11 other states this fall, Floridians will have the chance to vote on abortion access - in this case through a constitutional amendment.But…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we went to Key West for a special show with a live studio audience. First, we spoke with former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (00:52). Then, we were joined by WLRN’s environment editor Jenny Staletovich to talk about warming ocean waters and coral reef restoration (21:28). And later, we heard from Julia Coop…

Debby dumped 12 inches of rain in some parts of Tampa Bay on her way through the area over the weekend. Cities are starting to assess the damage. And the Tampa Bay Rays are finally getting a new stadium, and then some, after the St. Petersburg City Council greenlighted the plan. Hear from WUSF's Kerry Sheridan about Debby's Impact on Sarasota. And …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with a member of FAMU’s board of trustees about its search for a new president (02:10), and we heard from a former state lawmaker about a bill he co-sponsored that alters the process for university presidential searches (14:14). Then, we spoke with CNN en Espanol host Alejandra Oraa and Miami-Dade College …

One of the hot button issues this presidential election is reproductive rights. Floridians registered to vote have a say on whether the state enshrines abortion rights in its constitution. Debbie Mucarsel Powell, one of the Democrats running for U.S. Senate, tells Florida Matters why she believes it could help her. Plus, you’ll learn where Incumben…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-FL-25th about presidential politics and the new direction for the Democratic Party (01:25). Then, we spoke with Craig Waters with the Florida Center for Government Accountability about regulating free speech on social media (21:30) and reviewed a recent SCOTUS dec…

Jamal would sleep outside some nights when his mother would lock him out of the house. Other nights he would go from couch to couch at friends' houses. That's until he found help with a Tampa non-profit run called Starting Right, Now. You'll hear how Jamal coped without a place to call home. And how Starting Right Now founder Vicki Sokolik dedicate…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Miami) about Congressional investigations into the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump (00:46) and then spoke with U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Pinellas) about her call for civility amid political violence (14:00). We hear from two community leaders w…

School board elections have been nonpartisan in Florida since 2000. That’s because voters here approved a constitutional amendment on the issue back in 1998.But now there’s a proposal to make school board races partisan again: a constitutional amendment to reverse the one decided 25 years ago. Floridians will get to vote on Amendment 1 in November.…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Redington Beach Mayor David Will about his opposition to bill that was vetoed by Gov. DeSantis that would have created statewide regulations for short-term vacation rentals (00:53). Then, we spoke about how presidential politics are playing out in Florida after both the Biden and Trump campaign made s…

The arts are vital in Florida. You’ve heard what cuts to arts funding means for hundreds of theaters, museums and arts groups - and the economies they help support. Arts and humanities also help Floridians make sense of this state. On this episode of Florida Matters, you'll hear from someone whose mission is to promote and share the history, cultur…

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three authors — novelist Lauren Groff (02:00), historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (20:28) and former Florida lawmaker Dick Batchelor (37:18) about free expression, leadership and discovering civility again.Oleh WLRN News & WUSF

Summer break is in full swing with a way to go until school starts up again. This is the time kids can lose a lot of the academic gains they’ve made during the school year.Nicole Brown, vice president of community impact for United Way Suncoast, joins Florida Matters to discuss programs to help stop the "summer slide". And, with the last two Scripp…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at new regulations for condominiums that were passed following the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers in Surfside. First, we spoke with Rep. Vicki Lopez (03:13) and then were joined by Tampa Bay Times’ reporter Rebecca Liebson (13:00). And later, what are Florida Democrats saying following this week’s …

Arts organizations around Florida are scrambling to make up budget shortfalls after Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in cultural and museum grants. The cuts will have an impact on hundreds of theatres, museums, performance groups and other arts organizations large and small.The vetoes are part of nearly $1 billion that DeSantis trimmed from…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we find out more about the changes to citizen-run police review boards in the wake of a new state law and break down what the new court action, or lack of action, on sports betting means for Florida and the country. Then, the Florida transgender community reacts and responds to a court ruling on state law. Plus, we…

It’s pride month - and Juneteenth is just around the corner. Pride celebrations take on added significance for LGBTQ+ Floridians who have been the focus of restrictive new laws in recent years.And for Black and LGBTQ + residents, June takes on extra significance. On this episode of Florida Matters, we speak with leaders in the greater Tampa Bay reg…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we find out more about the company at the center of Florida’s plan to import drugs from Canada with the Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers (00:24) and breakdown the 2024-25 state budget with Politico reporter Gary Fineout (11:53). Then, a new series explores the legacy of America’s broken promise in "40 Acres and …

On this episode of Florida Matters, we talk with two people involved in the Sunshine Skyway Bridge documentary, including one of the divers who helped recover the victims. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, after it was hit by a cargo ship, has rekindled interest in the Sunshine Skyway bridge disaster that happened 44 years …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Chief executive officer of the Florida High School Athletic Association Craig Damon about the board’s approval of NIL deals (02:48). Then, we heard from Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman about the bill she sponsored that created a state teacher apprentice program (13:22). Later, we spoke with meteorolog…

On this episode of Florida Matters we talk with two experts about the health impacts of vaping- both on adults and youth. We discuss the role of e-cigarettes as an alternative to conventional smoking for adults who want to quit and we take a look at a new Florida law aimed to stop children from vaping. We talked with Yiota Kitsantis, professor and …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we're joined by reporter Yvonne zum Tobel to discuss the WLRN series Role Call. The series looks into how Florida universities and school districts are incentivizing college students to become teachers in the highest-need areas.Oleh WLRN News & WUSF

In this episode of Florida Matters, we speak to Florida historian Raymond Arsenault about his biography of the late Congressman John Lewis.Lewis spent a lifetime fighting for equality. When the Georgia representative died in 2020, aged 80, America had changed profoundly from when Lewis fought for desegregation as a young civil rights activist.Lewis…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three authors — novelist Lauren Groff (02:00), historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (20:28) and former Florida lawmaker Dick Batchelor (37:18) about free expression, leadership, and discovery civility again.Oleh WLRN News & WUSF

Forecasters are predicting an extremely active hurricane season, with 23 named storms and 11 hurricanes, including five major hurricanes. We talk with Megan Borowski, the interim chief meteorologist and director of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network about the season ahead. Also joining the show to discuss hurricane preparedness are Tim Dudl…