The Florida Roundup

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with WUSF’s Stephanie Colombini about the legal wrangling over Amendment 4 (08:09) and then we heard from former Chief Justice of the Florida Supreme Court Charles Wells (12:00). We also talked about voter turnout and how to appeal to non-party voters first with DNC Chair Jaime Harrison (19:14) and later the Chair for the Republican Party of Florida Evan Power (26:30). Next, we turned to Samantha Putterman with PolitiFact to check some recent claims around Amendment 4 (31:59). Plus, we took a closer look at Amendments 3, 5, and 2 (37:14) and heard about a unique job posting in one Florida town (47:24).

The tab for Hurricanes Helene and Milton will be in the billions of dollars. Some will be covered by insurance. And some won’t. The storms are just the latest reminders of the high cost of insurance. We speak with Michael Yaworsky, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Commissioner (2:36). Plus, early voting starts in just days. What you need to know now to cast your vote (26:15). Hurricane Milton Recovery efforts (33:59). And, how Florida is just inescapable these days in our video and music streams (41:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at the widespread damage and the loss of life from Hurricane Milton. First, we checked in with NPR’s Greg Allen from Clearwater (02:18), then we heard from WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan about the impact in Sarasota (08:47) before turning to CFPM’s Molly Duerig to look at flooding in Central Florida (10:58). Later, we spoke with WQCS’ Chris Puorro about the deadly tornadoes Milton produced that touched down in Port St. Lucie (17:00) and Rep. Toby Overdorf whose district includes areas of St. Lucie and Martin counties (21:37). Plus, we heard from Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis about filing claims in the wake of Helene and Milton (28:23). We also checked some recent claims related to FEMA funding with PolitiFact’s Katie Sanders (33:23) and heard the story of one St. Petersburg resident as they evacuated ahead of Milton (37:09).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at recovery efforts a week after Hurricane Helene's landfall. First, we spoke to Florida Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (3:10), then we spoke with David Jolly, former Republican representative who penned a recent op-ed (10:42). Next we turned to Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections, Christina White, to discuss all the ways to vote in the upcoming Nov. 5 election (20:05). And also University of Florida Professor Michael McDonald, from the UF elections Lab (24:00). We also checked in with our partner PolitiFact for a claims check about social media and Hurricane Helene (33:25). Finally, we look at a few other stories from across the state including a look at how the state's ports are moving forward following a longshoreman strike earlier this week, and peanut farmers (37:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with reporters and officials across the state to begin assessing the impact of Hurricane Helene. First, we heard from Lynn Hatter, news director for WFSU in Tallahassee (02:56), then we spoke with Megan Borowski, meteorologist for Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (07:07). Afterwards, we heard from Stephanie Colombini with WUSF in Tampa (09:17) and Craig Fugate, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (19:56). Next, we turned to Áine Pennello with WUFT in Gainesville (25:44) and later, WUSF’s news director Mary Shedden (33:07). We also checked in with our partner PolitiFact for a claims check about NOAA (28:34). Finally, we look at a few other stories from across the state including a look at how communities are planning for future storms (37:16).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Politico’s Kimberly Leonard about the state’s probe into the apparent assination attempt on former President Trump (01:14). We looked at mosquito control efforts in Lee County (09:11) and spoke with Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory’s Nathan Burkett-Cadena about the public health risk mosquitoes pose (20:31 ). And later, we had Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact join us for the latest claims check (32:12). Plus, we shared some environmental news stories from across the state (37:24) and a listener mailbag (47:16).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Rep. Vicki Lopez about possible tweaks to new condo reform laws (06:55) Then, Miami Herald reporter Ashley Miznazi joined us to talk about the growing need for EV fast charging stations across the state (20:03). And later Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact joined us to review some recent claims on Florida’s abortion ballot initiative (31:23). Plus, a look at the growing number of incarceration deaths (37:15) and an update activity in the Atlantic from meteorologist Megan Borowski (45:28).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Tampa Bay Times environmental reporter who broke the story about FL DEP’s controversial state park plans (01:25). Then, we asked two polling experts for advice on how to interpret opinion polls going into the 2024 election (07:24) and then heard from two former Florida congress members about how to appeal to the swing voter (15:45). And later, we got the latest fact-checks from Sam Putterman with our partner PolitiFact (31:05). Finally, a roundup of stories related to workers unions (37:22) and an update on the Atlantic Hurricane Season from meteorologist Megan Borowski (44:11).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about a proposal to add new development to several state parks with WLRN environmental editor Jenny Staletovich and WUSF reporter Steve Newborn (00:10). Then, we spoke with Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su about the jobs outlook for Florida ahead of Labor Day Weekend (20:35) and later, we cover a series of court hearings and other news from across the state (37:12).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with Politico’s Andrew Atterbury to talk about the primary results in this week’s school board races (00:08). Then, we spoke with Rep. Spencer Roach (20:00) about the proposed amendment he sponsored that asks Florida voters to decide whether to make school board elections partisan. Plus, we checked some of the claims from the DNC with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (33:48). And later, a roundup of environmental news from the weekend (37:15) and a Florida athlete makes it to the Wheaties box (48:26).