When extreme weather hits Florida, the destruction can be immense. Hurricane Idalia caused $3.6 million in damage when it barreled into the Big Bend last year. That’s according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s estimates. Cleaning it up is tough, dirty and dangerous work. The workers are often left without adequate protection…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with several education reporters from across the state about how districts are considering school closures due to shrinking enrollment. First we heard from Jacksonville Today reporter Megan Mallicoat about Duval County Public Schools (05:45), then we focused on Hillsborough County Public Schools with the T…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at Florida’s 6-week ban as it goes into effect (00:11). We also heard about the latest on campus protests (08:03) and speak to a student reporter about the arrests at the University of Florida (14:20). Plus, we talked about a proposed stadium in St. Petersburg for the Tampa Bay Rays with Tampa Bay Times r…

This week, we speak to WUSF reporters about their experience covering the pro-Palestinian protests on the USF campus, along with two local historians who talk about the history of protests in Tampa and at USF.College campuses around the country are witnessing a surge of protests against the war in Gaza. Some of the demonstrations have been marred b…

In this episode, we’re talking about Bob Graham’s environmental legacy - including his efforts to protect wild places like the Everglades and other waterways - and wildlife, like the manatee.Bob Graham knew how to rally people to a cause, no matter their political affiliation.He died this month at the age of 87. The Democrat from South Florida had …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with State Senator Lori Berman about legislation targeting antisemitic speech and behavior (01:48) and then we discussed a report finding a rise in antisemitic incidents in 2023 with the Florida Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League (10:06). Plus, an NPR Investigation into the fractured history …

This November, Floridians will vote yes or no on allowing adults 21 and older to use recreational marijuana.On this episode of Florida Matters, we discuss how the proposed amendment could change life in the Sunshine State.Joining the conversation: Tampa Bay Times/Tallahassee correspondent Romy Ellenbogen, who covers state government, with a focus o…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about how affordability challenges are forcing some older Floridians to return to work, with Tampa Bay Times reporter Lauren Peace (03:16) and further explore how retirement is changing in the state with Central Florida Public Media reporter Joe Byrnes and Anne Ray of UF’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studie…

Teachers have been navigating challenging and confusing times since education laws rolled out in 2022. In this episode, we get an update on what their classrooms have been like since.For the past couple of years, public school teachers in Florida have navigated some challenging, and at times confusing, changes to what they teach and how they teach …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with a UF doctoral student who studied the use of authoritarian language in the 2020 presidential campaign (02:11) and then explored the power of language with two Florida poets (13:01). Later we heard from the Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water about new limits for PFAS chemicals (23…

People know Titus O’Neil as a star of WWE.But before he was a pro wrestler and Global Ambassador for WWE, Titus O’Neil was Thaddeus Bullard. He began his athletic career as a promising football player - a University of Florida Gator who played under legendary coach Steve Spurrier, and later in the Arena Football League.Bullard's path to athletic fa…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the three high-profile decisions from the state’s highest court on abortion access and recreational marijuana use with Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (03:32), South Florida-based family physician Dr. Chelsea Daniels (19:33) and Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce (31:4…

The Florida Supreme Court released opinions on two proposed constitutional amendments Monday afternoon. One would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, and the other would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.At the same time, the court released a ruling on a challenge to Florida’s 15-week abortion ban. The court up…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about warm waters in the Atlantic and what it means for coral reefs with Brian McNoldy and Dalton Hesley with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science and WLRN’s environmental editor Jenny Staletovich (00:30). Plus, we talk about this week’s legal settlement reached…

The issue of a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays been debated for decades. And in the next few months, make-or-break decisions will be made on the redevelopment plans.This week marks the start of another season of baseball for the Tampa Bay Rays. They’ll face the Toronto Blue Jays in their first home series at Tropicana Field, the stadium that’s …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about a proposed federal bill to lower property insurance rates with Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller (02:47) and then discuss concerns on Capitol Hill over the state’s largest home insurer with the Insurance Information Institute's Mark Friedlander (10:52). Then, we talk about why real estate commi…

This week, we speak with two women veterans about their military experiences and opportunities and challenges for women veterans.The number of women in the military is rapidly growing. A 2022 Defense Department report shows that in 2021, there was an 18% increase in women in active duty and a 22% increase in women in the reserves. That’s even as th…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by NPR’s Sarah McCammon to discuss her new book, “The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church” (02:50). Then, we spoke about the settlement reached this week in a case against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Law with the attorneys who represented the plaintiffs …

One of the most controversial bills to come out of this year’s legislative session restricts the use of social media sites for teenagers. The bill had bipartisan support- but there are questions about whether it violates the first amendment rights of these young people. And it’s not clear which social media platforms will be affected. An earlier ve…

Florida lawmakers wrapped up the 60-day legislative session last Friday, passing a $117.46 billion budget and a slate of new bills. Among them are new restrictions on social media use by teenagers, limits to where people experiencing homelessness are allowed to sleep and some tweaks to the troubled homeowners insurance market.Political journalist W…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at some of the most notable bills that passed during the 2024 legislative session with WMFE’s Danielle Prieur (00:30) and WFSU’s Gina Jordan (05:35). Then, we ask the President of FHA how a major healthcare cyber attack is impacting Florida’s hospital system (09:08). Plus, we are joined by a White House sen…

An increasing number of people in Florida are experiencing homelessness. The surge in homelessness comes as state lawmakers are considering legislation that some advocates see as punitive: a law that would make it illegal to sleep on public property. Florida’s council on Homelessness reported 30,809 individuals experiencing “literal homelessness” l…

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This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the chair of the Hillsborough County-City Planning Commission about transportation challenges and possible solutions (06:34). Then, we turned to an infectious disease expert for guidance on Florida’s measles outbreak (21:57). Plus, the latest in the effort to restrict books in Florida’s schools (33:12…

Dalia Colón talks with Florida Matters about hosting The Zest podcast and releasing her new cookbook, "The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook."In the introduction to her new book, "The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook," Dalia Colón writes about her first impressions of the Sunshine State: “By the time I’d unpacked my car, I’d came to a conclusion: In Florida, …

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at a bill moving through the legislature that would prohibit local governments from enacting heat ordinances with reporter Valerie Crowder (05:04). Then Meteorologist Megan Borowski gives us an early look at the 2024 hurricane season (22:54). Plus, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman tests the truthfulness of s…

As Florida changed its Black history curriculum and removed books from public schools… first-time Tampa city councilwoman Gwen Henderson pushed back and opened a bookstore. Florida Matters visited Henderson at the bookstore she runs in Tampa Heights with her daughter Ariel. It’s called “Black English.” Henderson, who wears a ball cap covered in but…

Arthenia Joyner was first elected to the Florida legislature in 2000, taking office amid the legal turmoil of the presidential election between George Bush and Al Gore. Her sixteen year career as a state lawmaker included two years as senate minority leader, and she was the first Black woman elected to that post. We sat down to talk with Joyner abo…

This week, we talk with two Black women who are leaders in the community and who have each taken a different approach to politics. Former State Senator Arthenia Joyner was the first Black woman to serve as Senate Minority leader in the Florida legislature. We’ll hear from her later in the program. And long time educator Gwen Henderson is a first ti…

This week on The Florida Roundup, a WLRN investigation looks into how a new state law is eliminating public unions that had represented tens of thousands of state and public government workers. We spoke with the reporter behind that investigation (01:33) and as well as the law’s sponsor in the Florida House (12:06). And six years later, we remember…

Black nerds, or Blerds, are mainstream these days. From comic book superheroes on the big screen, like Black Panther or Storm, to hip-hop artists celebrating their affinity for anime, Blerds are a growing part of pop culture. But it wasn’t always like this. For a lot of Black kids growing up before the 2000s, there weren’t many people on screens or…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about a proposal to prohibit children 16 and under from creating social media accounts with the bill's House sponsor (04:25) and then an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (13:20). After that, we turn to a reporter in El Paso, Texas for more on how Florida’s National and State Guards are being …

Legislative priorities for lawmakers in Tallahassee this year include increasing the number of health care providers in Florida and clamping down on children's social media use.Although the state legislative session is almost half over, there’s still more work ahead for lawmakers before they can pass a budget.On this episode, we get a progress repo…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about proposed changes to the state’s child labor laws with Florida Rep. John Snyder and WLRN’s investigative reporter Danny Rivero. Then, we spoke with legendary journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the current state of journalism and American Democracy. Plus, we round up some news stories a…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about proposed changes to the state’s child labor laws with Florida Rep. John Snyder (10:20) and WLRN’s investigative reporter Danny Rivero (05:02 & 16:53). Then, we spoke with legendary journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the current state of journalism and American Democracy (25:24). Plus,…

Supervisors of elections have a lot on their plate this year. Florida’s presidential preference primary will be held in March, but there’s also a slew of municipal elections all the way up until November.In the meantime, election officials are preparing to deal with a flood of new voters and changes to voting rules since the last presidential elect…

The choice of candidates for Republican voters in the presidential preference primary has dwindled to just two- former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, and former president Donald Trump, the front runner in the race. That was not what Florida voters- and especially supporters of Governor Ron DeSantis- would have expected eight months ago when h…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the director of the Congressional Budget Office about how the country’s population is expected to get older. Then, we talked with FSU researchers about Florida’s rapidly aging coastal communities. Plus, we spoke with a Politico reporter Gary Fineout and UCF political science professor Aubrey Jewett ab…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the director of the Congressional Budget Office about how the country’s population is expected to get older (09:01). Then, we talked with FSU researchers about Florida’s rapidly aging coastal communities (15:36). Plus, we spoke with a Politico reporter Gary Fineout and UCF political science professor …

A new financial disclosure law has resulted in some local government officials resigning.Senate Bill 774, ethics requirements for public officials, took effect Jan. 1. It requires elected officials in local municipalities to file much more detailed financial disclosures than before- on assets over $1,000.Cities like St. Pete Beach, Anna Maria islan…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we speak with a Jacksonville-based owner of a Kava Bar about kratom, and we look into the Tampa Bay Times’ multipart investigation into the kratom industry with some of the reporters who contributed to the series. Then, a conversation with longtime Florida reporter Matt Dixon about his latest book exploring the bat…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with a Jacksonville-based owner of a Kava Bar about kratom (01:14) and we looked into the Tampa Bay Times’ multipart investigation into the kratom industry with some of the reporters who contributed to the series (06:19). Then, a conversation with longtime Florida reporter Matt Dixon about his latest book …

An eviction on your record can make it tough to find a place to live. But fighting the eviction in court can be costly. And it doesn’t always help.Evictions in the greater Tampa Bay region surged last year compared to pre-2020 levels. That’s a trend felt nationwide, as emergency rental assistance put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic d…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we fact-checked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address with PolitiFact. Then, we spoke with the former secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration about Florida’s plan to import prescription drugs from Canada. Next, we heard from Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, about his push for condo reforms and…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we fact-checked Gov. DeSantis’ State of the State address with PolitiFact (01:39). Then, we spoke with the former secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration about Florida’s plan to import prescription drugs from Canada (09:16). Next, we heard from Sen. Pizzo (D-Hollywood) about his push for condo refor…

DeSantis launched the 60 day session with a speech that touched on issues like immigration, education, and law enforcement, and appeared pitched to primary state voters as much as Floridians. The speech sets the stage for a legislative session where lawmakers will tackle issues like health care, the environment, and education, even as DeSantis cont…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about the proposed amendment to shift to partisan school board races in Florida with State Representative Spencer Roach (03:21) and FAU associate professor Meredith Mountford (12:29). Then, we discussed the push to get abortion rights on the 2024 ballot with the president of Women’s Voices of SW Florida (…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about the proposed amendment to shift to partisan school board races in Florida with state Rep. Spencer Roach and FAU associate professor Meredith Mountford. Then, we discussed the push to get abortion rights on the 2024 ballot with the president of Women’s Voices of SW Florida. And later, we heard from a…

We've had some very interesting conversations on Florida Matters with newsmakers across the greater Tampa Bay region. Here's a sampling of some of our favorites, from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor talking about her priorities for a second term, to Tarpon Springs resident Chris Powell reflecting on environmental changes to his favorite island.…

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look back at some of the Sunshine State's biggest stories in 2023, including Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign and other political news; changes in public education; record heat; Hurricane Idalia; and rising home insurance rates.