The Florida Roundup

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, Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward tackles the state's audit of local spending, raising concerns about transparency and waste. Miami Herald reporter Alexandra Glorioso dives into the Ghislaine Maxwell inquiry, linking it to the Epstein case. Public media leaders Paul Grove and Judith Smelser discuss the severe impact of federal funding cuts on local stations in Florida, stressing the importance of community support to sustain vital programming. They highlight innovative partnerships needed to navigate these financial challenges.

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 discussion features Ted Hesson from Reuters, an immigration expert, Kate Payne from the Associated Press, who covers state government, and Bruce Ritchie from Politico, specializing in environmental issues. They dive into the controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center, weighing its implications for the Everglades. The guests also discuss new laws affecting beach access rights in Florida, as well as updates on the Champlain Towers South collapse and pressing topics like infrastructure challenges and coastal conservation efforts.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the demonstrations that took place across the state Saturday as part of the national “No Kings” protest (00:00). Then, we spoke with Shankar Vedantum of NPR’s Hidden Brain about our hot and cold emotional states (11:02). And after weeks of delay, state lawmakers passed a budget — POLITICO’s Kimberly Leonard joined us for an update (28:14). Plus, some higher education (37:12) and environmental news from the week (39:54).