

The Florida Roundup
WLRN News & WUSF
Each week, The Florida Roundup brings us up to speed on all things Florida- be it politics, the environment, the economy, culture and more. Join host Tom Hudson for lively discussion with newsmakers, journalists and you! Email the program radio@TheFloridaRoundup.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 9, 2024 • 53min
A social media ban for minors, Florida sends more troops to Texas, State Supreme Court tackles abortion ballot measure
This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about a proposal to prohibit children 16 and under from creating social media accounts with the bill's House sponsor (04:25) and then an attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (13:20). After that, we turn to a reporter in El Paso, Texas for more on how Florida’s National and State Guards are being used at the U.S. Southern border (32:41). Later, WLRN’s health reporter breaks down this week’s Florida Supreme Court hearings over the abortion ballot measure (37:14) and then we round up education stories from the week (43:50). And finally, Netflix subscribers in Florida brace for a new tax (46:40).

Feb 2, 2024 • 53min
Changes to child labor laws, Woodward and Bernstein reflect on Watergate, homelessness in Florida
This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about proposed changes to the state’s child labor laws with Florida Rep. John Snyder (10:20) and WLRN’s investigative reporter Danny Rivero (05:02 & 16:53). Then, we spoke with legendary journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the current state of journalism and American Democracy (25:24). Plus, we round up some news stories about homelessness in Florida (37:12) before checking in on a new Orlando-area Volleyball team and preview “Never Drop the Ball,” a new documentary that explores how Black baseball players built a brand of baseball out of segregation and into a worldwide pastime (44:12).

Jan 26, 2024 • 53min
Coastal migration, DeSantis returns to Florida full-time and a legislative briefing
This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the director of the Congressional Budget Office about how the country’s population is expected to get older (09:01). Then, we talked with FSU researchers about Florida’s rapidly aging coastal communities (15:36). Plus, we spoke with a Politico reporter Gary Fineout and UCF political science professor Aubrey Jewett about how Gov. DeSantis’ move away from the presidential race will impact state politics (27:22). We also spoke with former state senator Jeff Brandes about how the governor’s return impacts Florida’s Republican Party (34:31). Then, later, a briefing on recent legislative news (37:15).

Jan 19, 2024 • 53min
Florida's kratom industry, DeSantis a distant second in Iowa caucus and federal lawsuits could upend the real estate industry
This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with a Jacksonville-based owner of a Kava Bar about kratom (01:14) and we looked into the Tampa Bay Times’ multipart investigation into the kratom industry with some of the reporters who contributed to the series (06:19). Then, a conversation with longtime Florida reporter Matt Dixon about his latest book exploring the battle between former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis (28:17). And later, we find out how federal lawsuits are challenging the way real estate agents have been paid for decades (37:13). Plus, why some lawmakers consider changing Florida’s official state bird (47:15).

Jan 12, 2024 • 53min
Fact-checking DeSantis’ State of the State, Canadian drug imports, condo reform and Florida GOP’s new leadership
This week on The Florida Roundup, we fact-checked Gov. DeSantis’ State of the State address with PolitiFact (01:39). Then, we spoke with the former secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration about Florida’s plan to import prescription drugs from Canada (09:16). Next, we heard from Sen. Pizzo (D-Hollywood) about his push for condo reforms (20:37) and then spoke with the new chairman of the Florida Republican Party (29:23). Plus, an update on winter storms from the Florida Public Emergency Network (37:20) and some recent education news (40:44). Finally, we ask: is it “Sani-belle” or and “San-a-bull” (46:01)?

Jan 8, 2024 • 53min
Partisan school board elections, the push for abortion and marijuana on the ballot and weekly news roundup
This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about the proposed amendment to shift to partisan school board races in Florida with State Representative Spencer Roach (03:21) and FAU associate professor Meredith Mountford (12:29). Then, we discussed the push to get abortion rights on the 2024 ballot with the president of Women’s Voices of SW Florida (20:09). And later, we heard from a spokesperson for the campaign to put recreational marijuana up to a vote (32:00). Plus, we also caught up on some recent health (37:19) and environmental news stories from across the state (44:26).

Dec 29, 2023 • 53min
2023: Florida’s year in review
This week on The Florida Roundup, we look back at some of the biggest Sunshine State stories of 2023, including: Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign (01:44) and other political news (10:27); changes in public education (19:11); record heat (37:10); Hurricane Idalia and rising home insurance rates (40:46).

Dec 22, 2023 • 53min
Special edition of The Florida Roundup: Growing Up With Guns & Bright Lit Place
This week on The Florida Roundup, we bring you two special reports: Growing Up With Guns, a series from WUSF examining the way guns can endanger kids' lives and futures (10:40), and Bright Lit Place, a podcast from WLRN News that explores what fixing the Everglades would mean for Florida and the world (19:21).

Dec 15, 2023 • 53min
Senate's plan to expand health care access, free speech on campuses and Florida braces for stormy weather
This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo about her top priorities for the upcoming legislative session including her healthcare proposal (01:34 & 19:53). We also talked about how the plan aims to expand healthcare access with Politico reporter Arek Sarkissian (13:41). Then, we talked about how the issue of free speech is playing out on Florida campuses, with State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues (31:08). Later, FPREN meteorologist Megan Borowski joined us for an update on a developing storm (38:14) and we shared two stories at the intersection of water and health (42:56).

Dec 11, 2023 • 53min
Florida's insurance market, controversies for both political parties and environmental news
This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about some of the biggest challenges to stabilizing Florida’s insurance market with the state’s Insurance Commissioner Michael Yarwosky (01:40) and Tim Cerio, President/CEO and Executive Director of Citizens Property Insurance Corp (10:24). And later, we speak with the Miami Herald’s senior political correspondent about calls for the head of the state’s Republican Party to step down and the Florida Democrats' decision to cancel its presidential primary (29:55). Plus, a collection of environmental stories from across the state (38:06).