Episodes

  • Live from Orlando: Enrollment decline at Orange County Public Schools, the Space Coast's big year and hidden Orlando

    Live from Orlando: Enrollment decline at Orange County Public Schools, the Space Coast's big year and hidden Orlando
    Mar 5 2026
    This week on a special edition of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Orange County Schools Superintendent Maria Vazquez about possible school closures (00:00). Then, we were joined by Central Florida Public Media’s Brendan Byrne and Greg Autry, Space Czar and Associate Provost at the University of Central Florida (21:00). Plus, the founder of TastyChomps Orlando Food Guide Ricky Ly joined us to explore all the city has to offer beyond its famous theme park (37:48).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • A.I. Data Centers and legislative updates, Francisco Menéndez and Fort Mose, and more

    A.I. Data Centers and legislative updates, Francisco Menéndez and Fort Mose, and more
    Feb 20 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the push to build new large-scale data centers for artificial intelligence and how local communities in Florida are responding with WUSF’s Jessica Meszaros (00:00). Then, we checked in with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter, about an effort to restrict the governor's use of the state’s emergency fund (14:42). Plus, we heard about a new film from Flagler College about the unique history of Francisco Menéndez and the free Black settlement Fort Mose (19:34). We also spoke about the state’s plan to create a museum dedicated to Black history in Florida (31:00). And later, a roundup of educational news from across the state (37:32) and the outlook ahead for Florida’s drought (45:08).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Florida DOGE report, State tests some food for toxins, and weekly news briefing

    Florida DOGE report, State tests some food for toxins, and weekly news briefing
    Feb 13 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the state’s report on local government spending with Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of Truth in Accounting (00:00). Then, we were joined by the Chair of the Hillsborough DOGE Liaison Committee Jake Hoffman to discuss the county’s fiscal accountability efforts (12:40). Plus, we looked at the state’s food contamination testing with an environmental scientist specializing in toxicology (20:38) and later with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (32:14). And later, news from across the state including student protests against ICE (37:30), Florida’s dry weather outlook (40:16), and a possible new port project in Tampa Bay (42:40).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • State immigration enforcement costs top $500M, Hope Florida halted, and more

    State immigration enforcement costs top $500M, Hope Florida halted, and more
    Feb 6 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we first spoke with Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times reporter Lawrence Mower about how much money the state has spent on immigration enforcement efforts (00:00). Then, we were joined by Rep. Alex Andrade about a report that the DOJ will not take up a criminal investigation into the Hope Florida Charity (08:54). ‘Your Florida’ reporter Douglas Soule also joined us for an update on citizen-led constitutional amendments (33:26). Plus, we were joined by master gardener Nickie Munroe for advice on how to protect Florida fruit and fauna when there’s a cold snap (20:42). And later, we shared news stories from across the state including a legislative brief (37:34) and a delayed space exploration (41:04).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • ‘Yes, in God's Backyard,' Florida AG’s memo targets racial equity laws, and more

    ‘Yes, in God's Backyard,' Florida AG’s memo targets racial equity laws, and more
    Jan 30 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new state law that gives cities the option to allow churches and other religious institutions to build affordable housing on their property regardless of zoning. First, we spoke with the sponsor of the law Sen. Alexis Calatayud (00:00) and then we heard from a pastor of a church in St. Petersburg that is close to breaking ground on a new housing development (15:16) Plus, we took a closer look at a recent legal opinion from Florida’s Attorney General calling for the state to stop enforcing many state laws giving preferences, quotas and other considerations based on race (20:26). And we asked our partners at PolitiFact what is and isn’t legal to do at a protest (32:58). Plus, more news from across the state including new property tax proposals (37:34), campaign announcements (40:02) and an update on Florida’s unusually cold weather (41:32).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Immigration in Trump’s first year, Lawmakers tackle housing affordability, and more

    Immigration in Trump’s first year, Lawmakers tackle housing affordability, and more
    Jan 24 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at immigration policy a year into the second Trump administration (00:00). Then, we looked at Florida's affordable housing problem with FSU professor Sam Staley (20:26) and bills aimed to address the issue with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter (34:02). And later, news from the week from across the state including an update on the state’s DOGE task force (37:32) and public school closures in Broward and Brevard counties (43:36). Plus, an effort to eliminate pennies moves forward in the Florida Senate (47:12).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Education, expression and empathy with Brad Meltzer

    Education, expression and empathy with Brad Meltzer
    Jan 16 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, best-selling author and Florida resident Brad Meltzer joins us to talk about free expression in the Sunshine State, what the escalating cost of living means for families hoping for a new start in Florida, and finding empathy in an increasingly polarized and politicized world (00:00). Plus, a review of the first week of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session with Douglas Soule, “Your Florida” state government reporter (08:50). And we also fact-checked the 2026 State of the State address with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (12:40).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • A conversation with Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Sen. Ben Albritton and more

    A conversation with Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Sen. Ben Albritton and more
    Jan 9 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta about inflation, the job market and affordability (00:30). Then, we talked about the upcoming state legislative session with Senate President Ben Albritton (20:14). Plus, we connected with Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact for the latest fact-checks of the news (32:54). And later, Your Florida’s Meghan Bowman joined us to preview a new project exploring how the detention known as Alligator Alcatraz center awoke a decades-old environmental fight (37:30).
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins