The South Florida Roundup

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we took a look at the spate of elections that took place throughout South Florida this week, and how the political patterns of the past several decades seem to be shifting in some major city governments. We spoke with the two mayoral candidates for the City of Miami that are now set to battle in a runoff in December: Emilio Gonzalez and Eileen Higgins [01:09]. Then, we moved the conversation onto Hialeah to discuss the city's youngest mayor in its 100-year history — Bryan Calvo — and what the outlook is for a city facing economic uncertainty [22:43]. Finally, we rounded up local elections in cities on the coast and to the south from Miami-Dade to Monroe County [35:55].

On the latest episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed how the government shutdown could cause skyrocketing premiums for those who use government subsidized healthcare. In Florida, that's nearly 3 million people. And how SNAP running out of funding further compounds the affordability squeeze [1:06]. We also checked in on the recovery from Hurricane Melissa which devastated the Caribbean earlier this week. We heard from those mobilizing aid efforts here[18:30]. And we discussed Canvas, a 2006 film set and filmed in Hollywood, which comes home this weekend [34:10].

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we tried try to understand why and how charter schools can literally move into public schools like South Florida’s — and enjoy public school resources…for free [01:03]. Is this the death knell for public education? We also talked to Elisha Wiesel, who's the son of the late Holocaust survivor and Nobel peace laureate Elie Wiesel about the new documentary of his life, Soul on Fire [20:11] . And we asked why this Sunday’s mid-term elections in Argentina matter so much here in America [35:37].

On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup, we looked at the sudden revival of the plaintiffs’ case in their challenge to the state - or is it the federal? - migrant detention center in the Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz [01:09]. We also spoke with a close friend of Dwight Wells, the beloved Liberty City community activist and mentor who was shot dead on Oct. 10 [19:07]. And we talked with Karen Dustman, the author of the book Miami’s Great Hurricane about how that storm a century ago made us better prepared in this century [35:03].

On The South Florida Roundup, we hailed today’s announcement that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has won the Nobel Peace Prize — an award for democracy movements across the Americas [1:09]. We also looked at the controversy — and now a lawsuit — over Miami-Dade College’s gift of valuable downtown property for Trump’s presidential library [18:40]. And we talked about the response of Florida’s LGBTQ community to the state's campaign to eradicate crosswalk art [35:50].

On the latest episode of The South Florida Roundup, we reviewed Tuesday night’s nasty Miami mayoral debate — and asked whether this crowded and cacophonous race can improve before the Nov. 4 election. (We’re not counting on it.) (1:09) We also spoke to a Florida International University alum about the late activist Charlie Kirk and how his Turning Point USA has galvanized campus conservatives (18:37). And we looked at West Palm Beach’s latest win in its campaign to become Wall Street South (34:37).

On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed United Way’s discouraging new revelation that half or most residents in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are living paycheck to paycheck [01:11]. We also looked at the vote Miami Dade College's Board made this week to transfer a downtown lot to the state, which Gov. Ron DeSantis says it will be the space for the future Trump Presidential Library [24:47]. And South Miami Mayor Javier Fernandez discussed the less-than-clear end to his city’s suit challenging immigration enforcement cooperation [34:41].

In this engaging discussion, Karyn Cunningham, Mayor of Palmetto Bay, tackles the fallout from inflammatory social media posts and outlines options for Councilman Steve Cody's potential ousting. Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County's Mayor, reveals how the county managed to balance its $13 billion budget despite significant shortfalls. Lastly, Joshua Ceballos, a government accountability reporter, explains a Broward judge's controversial Stand Your Ground ruling in a police shooting case, raising questions about justice and public safety.

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup — whether or not that really is Donald Trump’s signature — we examined all the still unanswered questions in the Epstein sex-trafficking atrocity that still traumatizes South Florida [01:20]. We also looked at next week’s centennial re-opening of Miami’s Freedom Tower — but also at why Miami’s Cubans may be feeling more ambivalent than exultant at the ribbon-cutting [14:15]. And we said farewell to one popular hip music venue — but welcomed back another [27:08].

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we examined the standoff between Broward County’s major hospital systems, Memorial Healthcare and Broward Health, and its largest healthcare insurer, Florida Blue — which has stranded some 50,000 patients (01:09). We also looked at more Conch Republic controversy after Key West’s planning director resigned this week, adding to the ugly city hall optics there (21:31). And we discussed this week’s U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan drug boat — and what it portends (33:36).