The South Florida Roundup

On the latest episode of the South Florida Roundup, we took a closer and deeper look at the decades of rapes of dozens of women allegedly committed by the wealthy Alexander brothers. Why is South Florida so often the scene of this horror (01:09)? We also examined a groundbreaking, $60 million effort in Palm Beach County to create a more modern and effective central mental health facility (19:34). And we discussed the drama unfolding in Venezuela today as the dictator who brutally stole an election swears himself in (34:33) .

On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup, we reviewed 2024, and previewed 2025, for the paradise — or at least the traffic-jammed region — that we call South Florida (01:13), as well as for that annex of South Florida that we call Latin America and the Caribbean (34:47). Our panel of journalists and experts guided us through the good and the bad that shaped us last year and promise to define this year. Such as, where are we ever going to put that garbage incinerator and will Venezuela ever be free?

In a re-broadcast of The South Florida Roundup, we revisited conversations we aired last month with local Miami Book Fair authors. Asha Elias talks about her new novel of Miami Beach dysfunction, Pink Glass Houses (01:11); Haitian-American educator Isabelle Camille discusses her poignant memoir of her child’s transgender journey, Sole’s Mom (18:28); and Jamaican-American poet Geoffrey Philips tells us about his graphic biography of Black nationalist hero Marcus Garvey for young readers, My Name Is Marcus (34:56).

On the South Florida this week, we devoted the hour to the holidays — starting with just getting there: What to expect on the roads and in the skies, especially with Miami International Airport in the midst of a $9 billion makeover (01:12). We also looked at our community’s growing number of interfaith programs and projects, whose efforts to build religious understanding matter a lot this time of year (18:13). And we looked back on some of the tasty holiday food stories WLRN has brought you in years past (34:07).

On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup: Corruption charges against former Miami City Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla collapsed – and why the watchdog in this case looks worse than the dog. We also ask why five of Palm Beach County’s largest medical centers – all owned by Tenet Healthcare – just got F or D ratings by a national nonprofit. And we examine a new Broward school board proposal to keep religion – including Satanology – off school signs. Lastly, we look to the rise of gun violence in the Caribbean; Barbados, to be exact. This week regional leaders attended an urgent public security conference hosted by the InterAmerican Development Bank.

On The South Florida Roundup, we kicked Miami-Dade County’s garbage incinerator can down the road once more. And we asked: is the plan dead in Doral because President-elect Donald Trump killed it (01:20)? We also looked back at this week’s Condo Summit in Davie – and looked ahead to the pocketbook pain condo owners face starting this month with no deadline extension in sight (14:33). And we examined how bad the gang nightmare is now for women and children in Haiti. What can be done (27:00)?

On the South Florida Roundup, we talked with a Florida International University coastal expert known as "Dr. Beach" about the growing number of people caught — and dying — in rip currents. And it’s not just a summer hazard (01:10). We also looked at Miami-Dade’s recent resolution to ban single-use plastics at its county-owned venues — and how it reflects the national trend to quit the plastics habit, even in red Florida (20:13). And, we spoke with South Florida’s leading hunger relief group about the holiday work ahead for all of us (35:44).

On the South Florida Roundup, we talked with three of the Miami Book Fair’s featured local authors. Asha Elias’ new novel Pink Glass Houses shows us Miami Beach social climbers battling for control of their kids’ school PTA (01:11). Haitian-American educator Isabelle Camille’s poignant memoir Sole’s Mom embraces her child’s transgender journey (18:28). And Jamaican-American poet Geoffrey Philip’s graphic book My Name Is Marcus presents young readers to Black nationalist hero Marcus Garvey (34:56).

On the South Florida Roundup, we looked at the dispute between Miami-Dade County and Miami Beach that just resulted in the Beach ponying up $10 million to the County’s Homeless Trust (01:11). We also discussed why President-elect Donald Trump won so many Black — especially Black male — votes in South Florida. Was it a sexist thing, as Barack Obama said, or something deeper? (20:22) And we examined what to expect from Marco Rubio, if he’s confirmed as Trump’s top diplomat, in Latin America — and its ties to China (35:48).

On the South Florida Roundup, we looked at the Trump triumph, the MAGA makeover, the GOP juggernaut, the Republican rout – whatever you want to call this week’s general election in Miami-Dade County. You could also call it the Democratic disaster (01:06). Donald Trump became the first Republican and up and down the ballot, GOP candidates here marched in on his coattails. And, if you thought this was just a Latino thing — think again (37:10).