The Florida Roundup

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the statewide president of the United Faculty of Florida about the Board of Governors' decision to ban undocumented students from enrollment at the state’s public universities (00:00). Then, we remember the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and how Florida remains deeply connected to the events of that day (20:00). Plus, a look at how PACs are spending money in Florida’s midterm elections (37:12) and we bid farewell to longtime host Tom Hudson (45:16).

This week 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 (01:18) and then Kip Lyman about her novel The Purple Ribbon. (29:30).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Jim DeFede, investigative reporter for CBS News Miami, who first broke news of the grand jury’s report into the Hope Florida Foundation (00:00). Then, we looked at the state’s plan to rollback school entry requirements for 4 vaccines (10:46) with WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan and Dr. Rana Alissa, president of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP). Plus, a look at the new era of high school athletics in Florida Daniel Cornely, director of sports management programs at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (27:16). And later, a new investigation by WUSF and the Hechinger Report into how Florida is quietly removing climate change from its science textbooks (37:14) and two stories about tax dollars, tourism, and economic growth (44:26).

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 rising costs of school lunches (38:30).

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 ruling on Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act” (38:16), and an update on extreme heat conditions (43:46).

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 between professional beach volleyballers in South Florida (47:20).

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 Tampa Bay region are embracing a natural alternative to cement seawalls (37:12) and other environmental news (45:54).

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 individuals manipulated by an evil, otherworldly force. Lyman talks about the book and her real-life experience that inspired it. (30:30)

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 Samantha Putterman joined us to fact-check a recent claim from Governor Ron DeSantis about redistricting (41:30). And later, a roundup of news from across the state including Florida’s largest teachers union filing a lawsuit against the Department of Education (45:45).

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 vaccine mandates (32:25). And later, a roundup of news from around the state including Florida’s SAVE Act (37:45). Florida ranks last nationally in teacher pay (43:07). Plus, sea turtle nesting season begins (45:40).