The Florida Roundup

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about cellphone restrictions in K-12 schools. First, we heard from Scott Howat, chief communications officer for Orange County Public Schools, about their total ban on cellphone use during the school day (03:34), then we spoke with Florida Education Association president Andrew Spar about how teachers are adjusting to the changes (20:00). And later, we spoke with Garrett Shanley, with University of Florida’s student-run newspaper The Alligator, about his reporting on former UF president Ben Sasse’s record spending (26:23). Plus, we looked back at Hurricane Charley 20 years later (37:20) and checked in on Hurricane Debby recovery efforts (40:22) and impact on wildlife (44:42). Finally, a new TV series filmed in Florida debuts this week (47:35).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we went to Key West for a special show with a live studio audience. First, we spoke with former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (00:52). Then, we were joined by WLRN’s environment editor Jenny Staletovich to talk about warming ocean waters and coral reef restoration (21:28). And later, we heard from Julia Cooper, WLRN's reporter covering the Florida Keys (38:32).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with a member of FAMU’s board of trustees about its search for a new president (02:10), and we heard from a former state lawmaker about a bill he co-sponsored that alters the process for university presidential searches (14:14). Then, we spoke with CNN en Espanol host Alejandra Oraa and Miami-Dade College professor Vilma Petrash about Venezuela’s elections crisis (20:28). And later, an update on the new Rays stadium (36:46), a conversation with the leader of UF’s new space institute (39:03) and a look at a former mining town in Plant City (43:37).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-FL-25th about presidential politics and the new direction for the Democratic Party (01:25). Then, we spoke with Craig Waters with the Florida Center for Government Accountability about regulating free speech on social media (21:30) and reviewed a recent SCOTUS decision on a Florida social media law with Rebecca Klar, reporter for The Hill (34:44). And later, we went around the news of the week including cell phone bans in schools (37:28), NIL deals for high school athletes (39:14), Olympians from Florida heading to Paris (41:45) and the southernmost property for sale (46:50).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Miami) about Congressional investigations into the attempted assassination on former President Donald Trump (00:46) and then spoke with U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Pinellas) about her call for civility amid political violence (14:00). We hear from two community leaders working on homeless prevention about Dignity Village, a former tent community in Gainesville (19:57), and a new state law that will soon ban homeless people from camping or sleeping on public property (25:56). Plus, a new state law restricting local heat ordinances comes as the Biden administration considers federal restrictions (37:20), a new study on urban heat islands (41:42), the city of Orlando's efforts to help citizens stay cool (43:17) and an update on the financial impact analysis for amendment 4 (44:04). And finally, how Florida became a part of the United States 203 years ago this week (47:10).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Redington Beach Mayor David Will about his opposition to bill that was vetoed by Gov. DeSantis that would have created statewide regulations for short-term vacation rentals (00:53). Then, we spoke about how presidential politics are playing out in Florida after both the Biden and Trump campaign made stops in the state with WLRN's Danny Rivero and WUSF's Steve Newborn (20:11). Plus, we look behind-the-scenes at the group tasked with forecasting the financial impact of the proposed abortion amendment that will appear on November's ballot (37:10). And later, we hear more from listeners weighing in on new condo reforms (46:54).

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three authors — novelist Lauren Groff (02:00), historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (20:28) and former Florida lawmaker Dick Batchelor (37:18) about free expression, leadership and discovering civility again.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at new regulations for condominiums that were passed following the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers in Surfside. First, we spoke with Rep. Vicki Lopez (03:13) and then were joined by Tampa Bay Times’ reporter Rebecca Liebson (13:00). And later, what are Florida Democrats saying following this week’s presidential debate, with Politico’s Kimberly Leonard (30:48). Plus, we look at how arts institutions across the state are managing following budget cuts to grants funding (37:20).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we find out more about the changes to citizen-run police review boards in the wake of a new state law and break down what the new court action, or lack of action, on sports betting means for Florida and the country. Then, the Florida transgender community reacts and responds to a court ruling on state law. Plus, we hear from people at a Juneteenth event in Fort Myers and a Juneteenth historical tour in Central Florida. Later, one gallery exhibits queer joy in honor of Pride Month. And lastly, how love for the sport of hockey has grown in Florida.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we find out more about the company at the center of Florida’s plan to import drugs from Canada with the Orlando Sentinel’s Jeffrey Schweers (00:24) and breakdown the 2024-25 state budget with Politico reporter Gary Fineout (11:53). Then, a new series explores the legacy of America’s broken promise in "40 Acres and a Mule" (19:23). Plus, we get the latest on Boeing’s Starliner with Central Florida Public Media’s Brendan Byrne (33:27). And later, torrential rain brings dangerous flooding and standing water to much of South Florida (37:15), a federal judge blocks Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care (38:50), and more news from the week (40:31).