This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with two of the prominent candidates in Florida’s 2026 Governor’s race. First, we heard from Democrat David Jolly, former Republican Congressman representing Florida’s 13th district (02:02). Then, we spoke with Republican candidate Paul Renner, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (10:40). Plus, we heard from listeners about affordability issues facing Floridians (20:30). Next, we looked at spending at New College of Florida and the state of free speech on campus with Amy Reid of PEN America (28:14). And later, we share news from around the state including the impacts of the federal shutdown in Florida and local food drive efforts (37:48) as well as a story about Lakeland’s famed royal swans (47:02).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the impact the federal government shutdown is having on Floridians from those who receive SNAP benefits to what is happening to Head Start funding (00:00). Then, we are joined by Katie Roders Turner with the Family Healthcare Foundation to talk about changes to the ACA as open enrollment is set to begin on Nov. 1 (11:30). Plus, we spoke with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman about a recent claim Gov. DeSantis made about the proportion of revenue local governments receive from homesteaded properties (28:58). And later, we talk about how Florida’s Caribbean diaspora are helping with Hurricane Melissa recovery (37:30), hear about the Trump Administration’s airstrikes on on vessels near Venezuela (38:54) and learn about the many different types of “ghosts” that can be found in Florida (44:00).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Daniel Perez (R-Miami-Dade) about the effort to reduce or eliminate property taxes (00:00). Then, we were joined by The Athletic’s Matt Baker to talk about the multi-million dollar “parachute packages” for the football coaches at Florida’s top universities (28:08) following the firing of UF’s coach. And later, we looked at how the federal government shutdown is being felt in Florida (37:16) and spoke with the filmmakers behind a new documentary that explores the Everglades and centers the legacy of environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas (39:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new state law expanding Florida’s Schools of Hope program first with Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Conner (00:00) and later with Andrew Atterbury, education reporter for POLITICO (21:26). Then, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto joined us to talk about the ongoing government shutdown (21:26). Plus, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to check some recent claims around the Affordable Care Act subsidies at the center of those negotiations (33:26). And later, we spoke with the producer and director of a new documentary that examines the trend of hedge funds buying newspapers and what it means for local journalism (37:32). We also dug into our inbox to share some notes from listeners (44:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about book restrictions in public schools first with Sophia Brown, program coordinator at PEN America Florida, (00:00) then with Julie Gephards, parent and member of the group Moms For Liberty in Hillsborough County (11:10). Then, we looked at the legal challenges and court cases involving the state law governing book removals with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government team reporter (16:52). Then, we spoke about the availability of COVID-19 boosters in Florida following changes to CDC guidelines and the state’s messaging around vaccines (20:26). Plus, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Randy Fine about the ongoing government shutdown (29:34). And later, we spoke with the director of a new documentary film that examines seashelling on Sanibel Island before and after Hurricane Ian (44:10).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke to former U.S. representatives Stephanie Murphy and Carlos Curbelo, of the Center Aisle Coalition, to discuss the government shutdown and its effect on Florida (00:19). We took listener calls and emails on the topic— specifically on how the battle over Affordable Care Act subsidies could affect Floridian's healthcare coverage. Then, we sat down with WLRN reporter and author, Daniel Rivero, to discuss his new book on the decades-long voting rights battle in the state (24:45). And we checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (37:30).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings about the recent state audits into the county’s spending (00:00). Then, we spoke about how the state’s DOGE efforts relate to property tax reform with Florida TaxWatch President Dominic M. Calabro (08:04) and later, Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government reporter (19:42). Plus, we spoke with a pub owner about why he won’t allow guns onsite despite Florida's new open carry rules (24:52). We also checked in with FPREN Meteorologist Megan Borowski for an update on the tropics (29:46). And later, Maeve McGoran, reporter and host of a new podcast that explores what went wrong in the sinking of the El Faro, joined us (37:36).

Floridians have come under public pressure for social media posts about the killing of Charlie Kirk (00:00). Then, we checked in with Samantha Putterman with PolitiFact to talk about the role that the FCC has in governing speech in broadcasts (15:02). And later, we partnered up with our colleagues at KQED in San Francisco to talk about how California and Florida have responded to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics (19:30); NPR’s immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd also joined the conversation.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under President Trump’s mega spending bill. First, we checked in with Meghan Bowman, Your Florida state government reporter (00:56) and later with Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association (09:12). Then, we looked at how Florida rapidly expanded publicly-funded school vouchers and how some students have gotten lost in the mix with Natalie La Roche Pietri, education reporter at WLRN (20:32). And later, we spoke with journalist and co-host of the Surviving the Survivor podcast Joel Waldman about the guilty verdict in a murder-for-hire plot against a FSU Law professor (32:24). Plus, we dug into our mailbag to share some listener feedback about recent shows (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner about his gubernatorial candidacy (01:04). Then, we spoke with Central Florida Public Media’s Joe Mario Pedersen and WLRN’s Carlton Gillespie about the removal of street art across the state (10:46 ). Plus, we had an update on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from Christina Boomer Vazquez with WPLG Local 10 News (20:20) and spoke with Dr. Jason Goldman with the American College of Physicians about Florida’s move to remove vaccine requirements for children (25:54). We also checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (32:28). And later, author and journalist Carl Hiaasen joined us to talk about his latest novel set in Florida (39:34).

This week a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup from May 23, we revisit conversations with three authors who have written in or about Florida. First, we spoke with veteran science journalist Stephan Hall about his book “Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World” (00:52).Then, we had a conversation with Annabelle Tometich, author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” (19:52). Plus, host of WUSF’s “The Zest” podcast Dalia Colón shared some of her favorite meals from “The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook” (37:38).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Florida’s CFO Blaise Ingoglia about the latest ruling on “Alligator Alcatraz,” redistricting, and the state’s DOGE audits (00:00). Then, POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard joined us for a deeper dive into this week’s two court decisions around the controversial immigrant detention center in the Everglades (12:14). Plus, author and journalist Michael Grunwald spoke about his latest book that explores the tension between food production and climate change (20:26). And later, a roundup of news from across the state including a ruling on Florida’s book ban (37:34), the standoff between local governments and state officials over crosswalks (39:40), and why a growing number of undocumented migrants are making the decision this year to self-deport (43:14).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we connected with colleagues at Houston Public Media to talk about Texas’ foray into universal school vouchers, following Florida’s lead (03:28). But first, we checked in with Your Florida state government team reporter Douglas Soule for a look at how Florida’s voucher program is going (00:00). Then, we explored the mounting tensions between condo owners and condo board associations in the wake of condo reforms with Your Florida state government team reporter Meghan Bowman and Julio Robaina, former Republican member of the Florida House (20:28). Plus, Glenna Milberg, reporter for Local 10 News in South Florida, joins for an update on the environmental hearing on ‘Alligator Alcatraz' (37:32). And later, Florida has a new Lieutenant Governor and other news from across the state (40:52).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with reporters across the state to see how cities and counties are responding to audits from the state’s Department of Government Efficiency or ‘DOGE’ (00:24). Then, we spoke with Your Florida state government reporter Douglas Soule about Gov. DeSantis’ push to draw a new congressional map for the state (19:50) and later UF Professor Sharon Austin (28:04). Plus, a roundup of education news from the week including reports of fewer teacher vacancies (37:44) and how Florida’s voucher program is funneling money away from public schools (39:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about what’s causing record-breaking heat in parts of the state with meteorologist Megan Borowski (01:40) and how extreme heat can affect your health with Dr. Cheryl Holder (08:04). Plus, a new investigation from WLRN and the Miami Herald looks into why Brightline is the deadliest passenger train in the nation, with WLRN reporter Joshua Ceballos and Aaron Leibowitz, reporter for the Miami Herald (20:00). And later, we bring you news from across the state including a look into why some mobile homeowners are being priced out (37:36), the standoff between the state and the city of Orlando over immigration policy (43:18), and a look into student protests at FAU over construction that threatens burrowing owls’ habitat (45:12). And we share some listener emails (46:52).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward about the state’s plans to audit the city in addition to other local municipalities as part of its effort to reduce unnecessary government spending (00:00). We also spoke about those efforts with the Miami Herald’s Alexandra Glorioso (09:22), who stuck around for our conversation about how Florida is once again at the center of the Epstein case (14:02). Then, we looked at how federal and state cuts to public broadcasting will impact public media in Florida with Paul Grove, president and CEO of WEDU — West Central Florida’s PBS station — and Judith Smelser, president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media, based in Orlando (19:32). Plus, a roundup of immigration news from across the state (37:24).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about President Trump’s new tax and spending plan and what it means for Social Security benefits with PolitiFact’s Louis Jacobson (00:00). Plus, WUSF’s Douglas Soule joins us to tell us about an effort by Gov. DeSantis and the state to change the way education standards are set for Florida universities and colleges (20:04). And later, we check in with Megan Borowski, meteorologist for the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network after a week of heavy rain and flooding (32:24). Plus, some education news from around the state including how one school district is bracing for federal funding cuts (39:02) and a group of 5th graders who are unplugging (41:48).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the new immigrant detention center in the Everglades with Rep. Anna Eskamani (00:00) and spoke about the contractors who have been hired to operate the facility with Bob Norman of the Florida Trident (09:20). Then, we were joined by former state senator Jeff Brandes about property insurance reform (19:14). And later, a roundup of news from across the state including an outlook for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season (29:18), an update on Florida’s ban on homeless encampments six months out (41:22), and the battle between basketball and pickleball continues in Fort Lauderdale (43:12).

In a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup, we chatted with three authors who have written in or about Florida. First, we spoke with veteran science journalist Stephan Hall about his book Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World (00:45). Then, we had a conversation with Annabelle Tometich, author of The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony (19:40). Plus, host of WUSF’s The Zest podcast Dalia Colón shared some of her favorite meals from The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook (37:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at what we know so far about “Alligator Alcatraz,” the immigration detention center being built in the Everglades, with the AP’s Kate Payne and Ted Hesson of Reuters (00:00). Plus, we spoke with POLITICO’s Bruce Ritchie about a new law that aims to put a long running dispute between property owners and beach goers to rest (19:20). Then, WUSF’s Douglas Soule joined us to recap the long and contentious 2025 legislative session (34:24). And later, we bring you a roundup of stories from around the state, including an update on the investigation into the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside (37:22), a story about embattled shorebirds (40:45), and more changes to Florida’s higher education system (46:00).