The Florida Roundup

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at how mass layoffs are impacting Florida’s federal workers with WLRN’s Jenny Staletovich (08:15). Then, we spoke with Sen. Ben Albritton, Florida’s Senate President, about his priorities for this legislative session (30:00). And later, we heard about some of the bills being considered with WUSF’s state government reporter Douglas Soule (31:03). And later, we bring you the latest from around the state including a proposal to repeal the pushback of school start times (37:22), an update on Milton recovery efforts in Polk County (40:33) and sounds from Key West’s annual “Conch Honk” competition (47:05).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we traveled to Gainesville for a special show at our partner station WUFT at the University of Miami. First, we spoke with a journalist with the UF student-owned newspaper The Independent Florida Alligator (00:00). Then, we explored the role of the federal government in weather forecasting with Tim Miller, chief meteorologist for the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (19:21). And later, WUFT reporter Rose Schnabel about the joy and jeopardy of Florida’s famed springs (37:15). And musical guest Thomas Allain also joins us for the hour.

This week on The Florida Roundup, a previously unpublished study from 2022 found affiliates of Florida insurance companies paid out $680 million dollars to investors between 2017 and 2019 while claiming to be running out of money and filing for big rate increases for policyholders. We spoke with the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times’ investigative reporter Lawrence Mower who brought the study to light (00:08). Plus, we hear about the growing debate over whether or not to adding fluoride to public water supplies with Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey (20:45) and later Dr. Johnny Johnson, a former pediatric dentist and President of the American Fluoridation Society (33:45). And we also bring you the news of the week from Florida’s own DOGE efforts (39:40) and the start of turtle nesting season (47:24).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the similarities and differences between California and Florida when it comes to property insurance with KQED Science reporter Danielle Venton (03:30) and Anne Greggis with the Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network (12:54). And later, we were joined by Jeff Solochek, Tampa Bay Times education reporter, to talk about how Florida scored on the Nation’s Report Card (30:52). Plus, we looked at what’s at state for Florida with the proposal to do away with FEMA (37:21), remember the late Geraldine Thompson (41:42), and learned about young bird watchers (43:13).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos and WLRN’s Danny Rivero about immigration bills passed this week and how the state plans to enforce the law (07:22). Then, we share what listeners love about Florida (20:12). And later, we spoke with U.S. Rep Moskowitz about the impact of the sweeping gun control laws passed in the wake of the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland (25:06). Plus, how some faith leaders in Florida are responding to the Trump Administration’s immigration policies (37:34), an update on Citizens’ home insurance rates (45:10 ) and changes to weather forecasting in the Gulf (46:27).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we went to Zoo Miami for a special show with a live studio audience. First, we spoke with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava about Florida’s condo crisis, local government spending and immigration (01:20). Then, we were joined by Dr. Frank Ridgley, the head of the Conservation and Research Department at Zoo Miami (20:38). And later, we met and learned about a few animals (37:58).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new immigration bill passed by the Florida legislature with its sponsor, Sen. Joe Gruters (01:24). Then, we heard from U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost about a slew of executive orders this week from the Trump administration (11:52). And later, we talked about a state mandate to push back school start times for middle and high schools with Jude Bruno, president-elect of the Florida PTA (27:41) and then Tampa Bay Times’ education reporter Jeff Solochek (32:28). Plus, more on immigration including Florida lawmakers push to end in-state tuition for DACA recipients (37:35) and we share some of your emails (44:42).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with meteorologist Megan Borowski to talk about the record-breaking snowfall in the Panhandle (07:00). Then, POLITICO’s Gary Fineout joined us for a preview of next week’s special legislative session and special elections (12:55). And later, NPR’s Sarah McCammon joined us to talk about how the Evangelical Right has influenced national policy (25:44). Plus, a look at Florida’s struggling citrus industry (37:33), why experts say 2025 will be a big year for seaweed (41:22) and a look at how homeless shelters in Tampa Bay are grappling with all the extreme cold weather (46:00).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discussed Gov. DeSantis’ immigration policy proposals for a special session and the role local police will have with Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey (02:52). Then, we spoke with POLITICO’s Nahal Toosi about what to expect if Marco Rubio is confirmed as Secretary of State (24:54). Plus, we checked in with PolitiFact's Samantha Putterman to look back at President Biden’s promises (31:02). And later, we shared a collection of news from the week including updates on a proposed rate hike from Citizens Property Insurance (37:32), how local water managers are dealing with increased flooding (39:34) and a big week for the Space Coast (46:06).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn about how students and teachers are adapting to new cell phone restrictions in school (02:20). Then, we spoke with Rep. Toby Overdorf who is one of the sponsors of a new law that bans children 14 and under from accessing social media platforms (11:19). Plus, with news of Facebook doing away with fact-checking, we have a conversation about media literacy with Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise at the Poynter Institute (27:06). Later, we bring you the latest news of the week including an update on Florida’s record-breaking low temperatures from Meteorologist Megan Borowski (37:30), a look at how undocumented immigrants in Central Florida are preparing for a new Trump administration (41:29) and more.