This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup's special winter reading program, we spoke with three authors. First, we spoke with journalist and author Carl Hiaasen about his latest novel “Fever Beach” (00:00) Then, we had a conversation with Michael Grunwald, journalist and author of “We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix our Food System and Save Our Climate” (19:34). Plus, journalist and author Danny Rivero spoke with us about his book “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades-Long Voting Rights Battle” (37:26).

This week on a special ‘Film Fest’ edition of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three directors of three film documentaries related to the Sunshine State. First, we spoke with Rick Goldsmith, the director of “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” (01:10). Then, we spoke about the documentary “River of Grass,” with its co-producer Ali Codina and director Sasha Wortzel (19:30). Plus, we were joined by Jamie Winterstern, the director of “Sanibel,” a documentary that explores sea-shelling around the island before and after Hurricane Ian (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to talk about what’s at stake for Florida as the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire (00:00). Then, we spoke with Rep. Tom Fabricio (R-Miami-Dade) about the effort to reform property taxes that will be the focus of the next legislative session (08:32). Plus, we heard from a man who has witnessed hundreds of detention hearings in a Florida federal immigration court (19:34). We also looked at how the largest school district in the state may be cut out of decisions about new charter schools (37:28). And later, we share some listener emails from our inbox (45:28).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Jacksonville Today education reporter Megan Mallicoat about a lawsuit against Duval Schools over teachers’ right to free speech (00:00). Then, we were joined by Allison Matulli, lawyer, children’s author and educator, for a conversation about free speech and consequences (07:44). Plus, we spoke with NBC 6 investigative reporter Tony Pipitone about what newly released I.C.E. data tells us about who has been detained at Alligator Alcatraz (21:16). And PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman helped us check some claims from President Trump about affordability (32:48). Later, we checked in with stories from across the state (37:30), including a state-funded pilot facility to treat reclaimed water, or wastewater, for drinking (40:32).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the congressional redistricting efforts in the Florida House with “Your Florida” state government team reporter Douglas Soule (00:00). Then, we talked about Florida’s recent redistricting efforts and legal battles with Patrick Rickert, who teaches Political Science at Rollins College (09:58). And later, we looked at how Florida lawmakers might regulate artificial intelligence with Sonja Schmer-Galunder, Professor in AI and Ethics at the University of Florida (24:00). Plus, we checked in on the latest in the property tax reform debate (37:38) and looked at wildlife news from around the state (39:38).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three authors for a special “winter reading” program. First, we spoke with journalist and author Carl Hiaasen about his latest novel “Fever Beach” (00:00). Then, we had a conversation with Michael Grunwald, journalist and author of “We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix our Food System and Save Our Climate” (19:34). Plus, journalist and author Danny Rivero spoke with us about his book “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades-Long Voting Rights Battle” (37:26).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the latest in the push to release the Jeffrey Epstein files with the Miami Herald’s Ben Wieder (00:00). Then, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, who represents the district where Epstein lived and operated (14:06). And we shared an excerpt from WLRN's new four-part podcast series exploring mental illness and the criminal justice system through one family’s tragic story (19:50). Plus, Douglas Soule with "Your Florida" joined us for an update on the Florida House’s proposals to reduce or eliminate property taxes (32:52). Later, a look at educational news from around the state (37:28) and a look back at the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season with the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network's Megan Borowski (44:34).

This week on The Florida Roundup, as the longest federal government shutdown ends, we spoke with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (01:50) and later with Dan McCabe with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (10:04). Later, we looked at the record-breaking number of executions in Florida this year with Maria DeLiberato with Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (19:34) and then spoke with the daughter of one of the men who was executed by the state earlier this year (22:28). Plus, we look at how one man in Central Florida is honoring fallen soldiers through an act of service (37:36), a week of record-breaking cold temperatures (45:26), and Northern Lights in Florida (47:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with two of the prominent candidates in Florida’s 2026 Governor’s race. First, we heard from Democrat David Jolly, former Republican Congressman representing Florida’s 13th district (02:02). Then, we spoke with Republican candidate Paul Renner, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (10:40). Plus, we heard from listeners about affordability issues facing Floridians (20:30). Next, we looked at spending at New College of Florida and the state of free speech on campus with Amy Reid of PEN America (28:14). And later, we share news from around the state including the impacts of the federal shutdown in Florida and local food drive efforts (37:48) as well as a story about Lakeland’s famed royal swans (47:02).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the impact the federal government shutdown is having on Floridians from those who receive SNAP benefits to what is happening to Head Start funding (00:00). Then, we are joined by Katie Roders Turner with the Family Healthcare Foundation to talk about changes to the ACA as open enrollment is set to begin on Nov. 1 (11:30). Plus, we spoke with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman about a recent claim Gov. DeSantis made about the proportion of revenue local governments receive from homesteaded properties (28:58). And later, we talk about how Florida’s Caribbean diaspora are helping with Hurricane Melissa recovery (37:30), hear about the Trump Administration’s airstrikes on on vessels near Venezuela (38:54) and learn about the many different types of “ghosts” that can be found in Florida (44:00).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Daniel Perez (R-Miami-Dade) about the effort to reduce or eliminate property taxes (00:00). Then, we were joined by The Athletic’s Matt Baker to talk about the multi-million dollar “parachute packages” for the football coaches at Florida’s top universities (28:08) following the firing of UF’s coach. And later, we looked at how the federal government shutdown is being felt in Florida (37:16) and spoke with the filmmakers behind a new documentary that explores the Everglades and centers the legacy of environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas (39:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new state law expanding Florida’s Schools of Hope program first with Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Conner (00:00) and later with Andrew Atterbury, education reporter for POLITICO (21:26). Then, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto joined us to talk about the ongoing government shutdown (21:26). Plus, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to check some recent claims around the Affordable Care Act subsidies at the center of those negotiations (33:26). And later, we spoke with the producer and director of a new documentary that examines the trend of hedge funds buying newspapers and what it means for local journalism (37:32). We also dug into our inbox to share some notes from listeners (44:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about book restrictions in public schools first with Sophia Brown, program coordinator at PEN America Florida, (00:00) then with Julie Gephards, parent and member of the group Moms For Liberty in Hillsborough County (11:10). Then, we looked at the legal challenges and court cases involving the state law governing book removals with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government team reporter (16:52). Then, we spoke about the availability of COVID-19 boosters in Florida following changes to CDC guidelines and the state’s messaging around vaccines (20:26). Plus, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Randy Fine about the ongoing government shutdown (29:34). And later, we spoke with the director of a new documentary film that examines seashelling on Sanibel Island before and after Hurricane Ian (44:10).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke to former U.S. representatives Stephanie Murphy and Carlos Curbelo, of the Center Aisle Coalition, to discuss the government shutdown and its effect on Florida (00:19). We took listener calls and emails on the topic— specifically on how the battle over Affordable Care Act subsidies could affect Floridian's healthcare coverage. Then, we sat down with WLRN reporter and author, Daniel Rivero, to discuss his new book on the decades-long voting rights battle in the state (24:45). And we checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (37:30).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings about the recent state audits into the county’s spending (00:00). Then, we spoke about how the state’s DOGE efforts relate to property tax reform with Florida TaxWatch President Dominic M. Calabro (08:04) and later, Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government reporter (19:42). Plus, we spoke with a pub owner about why he won’t allow guns onsite despite Florida's new open carry rules (24:52). We also checked in with FPREN Meteorologist Megan Borowski for an update on the tropics (29:46). And later, Maeve McGoran, reporter and host of a new podcast that explores what went wrong in the sinking of the El Faro, joined us (37:36).

Floridians have come under public pressure for social media posts about the killing of Charlie Kirk (00:00). Then, we checked in with Samantha Putterman with PolitiFact to talk about the role that the FCC has in governing speech in broadcasts (15:02). And later, we partnered up with our colleagues at KQED in San Francisco to talk about how California and Florida have responded to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics (19:30); NPR’s immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd also joined the conversation.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under President Trump’s mega spending bill. First, we checked in with Meghan Bowman, Your Florida state government reporter (00:56) and later with Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association (09:12). Then, we looked at how Florida rapidly expanded publicly-funded school vouchers and how some students have gotten lost in the mix with Natalie La Roche Pietri, education reporter at WLRN (20:32). And later, we spoke with journalist and co-host of the Surviving the Survivor podcast Joel Waldman about the guilty verdict in a murder-for-hire plot against a FSU Law professor (32:24). Plus, we dug into our mailbag to share some listener feedback about recent shows (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner about his gubernatorial candidacy (01:04). Then, we spoke with Central Florida Public Media’s Joe Mario Pedersen and WLRN’s Carlton Gillespie about the removal of street art across the state (10:46 ). Plus, we had an update on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from Christina Boomer Vazquez with WPLG Local 10 News (20:20) and spoke with Dr. Jason Goldman with the American College of Physicians about Florida’s move to remove vaccine requirements for children (25:54). We also checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (32:28). And later, author and journalist Carl Hiaasen joined us to talk about his latest novel set in Florida (39:34).

This week a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup from May 23, we revisit conversations 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” (00:52).Then, we had a conversation with Annabelle Tometich, author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” (19:52). Plus, host of WUSF’s “The Zest” podcast Dalia Colón shared some of her favorite meals from “The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook” (37:38).

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).