Episodes

  • Alligator Alcatraz, immigration enforcement in Palm Beach, Florida's state voucher program and Florida Emancipation Day

    Alligator Alcatraz, immigration enforcement in Palm Beach, Florida's state voucher program and Florida Emancipation Day
    May 15 2026
    Florida Roundup with New York Times reporter Patricia Mazzei talking about Alligator Alcatraz (1:08). Jake Shore from WLRN talks the Florida Highway Patrol's role in immigration enforcement (12:12). Politico's education reporter Andrew Atterbury joins to talk the state’s voucher program (20:24). We also look at the historical legacy of Florida Emancipation Day ahead of the May 20 anniversary (38:15).
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    54 mins
  • Abortions in Florida two years after six-week ban, maternal mortality, a Parkinson's pesticide link, weekly news briefing

    Abortions in Florida two years after six-week ban, maternal mortality, a Parkinson's pesticide link, weekly news briefing
    May 8 2026
    This week on the Florida Roundup, we took a look at Florida two years after the state enacted its six-week abortion ban. We talked with OB-GYN Dr. Aaron Elkin about how his practice has changed and how patient care is affected (3:11). We also spoke with Kate Payne of The Florida Trib about how her reporting into the state’s maternal mortality committee led to the release of years of missing data (11:15). Then, we discussed an investigation by a team of student journalists at the University of Florida examining the links between chemical exposure and Parkinson’s Disease (19:23). And, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to fact-check a recent claim from Governor Ron DeSantis about redistricting (41:30). And later, a roundup of news from across the state including Florida’s largest teachers union filing a lawsuit against the Department of Education (45:45).
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    53 mins
  • Florida redistricting, AI and vaccine mandates, weekly news briefing

    Florida redistricting, AI and vaccine mandates, weekly news briefing
    May 1 2026
    This week on the Florida Roundup, we took a deep dive into Florida’s newly-approved congressional map that could eliminate four districts represented by Democrats. We talked with the University of Florida’s Political Science Professor Dan Smith and Fair Districts Now CEO Ellen Freidin about the new map changes and how voters may respond (00:00). We were also joined by Rep. Kathy Castor from the Tampa area who discussed what the new map could mean for her reelection campaign (25:31). Then, we checked in with Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government reporter, about efforts by Gov. Ron DeSantis to legislate AI and vaccine mandates (32:25). And later, a roundup of news from around the state including Florida’s SAVE Act (37:45). Florida ranks last nationally in teacher pay (43:07). Plus, sea turtle nesting season begins (45:40).
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    53 mins
  • Political boundaries, campus free speech and weekly news briefing

    Political boundaries, campus free speech and weekly news briefing
    Apr 24 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about how congressional redistricting impacts voter representation and bipartisanship with the Center Aisle Coalition (00:00). Then, we spoke about the legality of mid-decade redistricting with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (19:30). Plus, we spoke about the tension between free speech on campus and safety with UF’s Jane Bambauer (26:00). And later, news from the week including an update on the state’s special sessions and budget negotiations (38:44), wildfires (40:20), and a new cursive requirement for Florida students (46:58).
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    53 mins
  • Senior homes lack state oversight, redistricting in Florida and Texas, and more

    Senior homes lack state oversight, redistricting in Florida and Texas, and more
    Apr 17 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Miami Herald’s deputy investigations editor Carol Marbin Miller about their reporting into problems with the state’s Adult Protective Services (00:00). Then, we joined our colleagues at Houston Public Radio for a simulcast to discuss Florida and Texas’s redistricting efforts (19:44). Plus, we spoke with a middle school aerospace technology teacher about how Artemis II is helping inspire future generations to go into the field of space exploration (37:30), learned of preparations for Artemis III (41:20), got an update on Florida’s drought conditions and wildfires from Florida Public Radio Emergency Network meteorologist Megan Borowski (42:22), and learned about a theater project in Sarasota that pairs teens with Holocaust survivors and Black elders (44:06).
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    53 mins
  • High gas prices and affordability, property tax ballot push, and environmental news

    High gas prices and affordability, property tax ballot push, and environmental news
    Apr 10 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the impact rising gas prices are having on Floridians with WUSF’s Gabriella Paul (00:00). Then, we were joined by Rep. Ryan Chamberlin to talk about his push for a citizens-led campaign to put the elimination of property taxes up for a vote in 2028 (20:50). Then, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to fact-check a recent claim from U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds on school districts driving up property taxes (38:08). Plus, environmental stories from around the state including an update on the lawsuit filed by conservationists challenging the immigration detention center (37:26), a manatee rescue and release in Melbourne (40:40), and early predictions for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season (45:26).
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    53 mins
  • Florida challenges NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule,' gas leaf blowers, birthright citizenship, Artemis II

    Florida challenges NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule,' gas leaf blowers, birthright citizenship, Artemis II
    Apr 3 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by former NFL head coach Tony Dungy to talk about the state’s challenge to the league’s ‘Rooney Rule’ (01:10). Then, we spoke about the corrosion of trust among neighbors and how we can better foster community with author Maxwell King (21:00). Plus, WUSF’s Douglas Soule joins us to talk about a new state law that prohibits local governments from banning gas-powered leaf blowers (32:36). And later, we hear from one Florida family that is closely watching the Supreme Court’s hearing on birthright citizenship (37:30) and look at the Artemis II launch (43:00).
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    33 mins
  • NASA’s new direction, Space Coast spies and weekly news briefing

    NASA’s new direction, Space Coast spies and weekly news briefing
    Mar 27 2026
    This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about NASA’s new plans to build a lunar space base and more with Don Platt, the director of Spaceport Education Center at Florida Tech and Adrienne Dove, Planetary Scientist and Chair of Physics at University of Central Florida (00:00). Then, former astronaut Chris Hadfield joined us to talk about the Artemis II launch and mission (14:26). Plus, we spoke with journalist Adam Ciralsky about his reporting for Vanity Fair about Florida’s hotbed of espionage (22:34). And later, we hear from law-abiding migrants who were deported (37:34) and we look at the results from this week’s special elections (45:54).
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    53 mins