The Florida Roundup

Hosted by WLRN News & WUSF

News Commentary PoliticsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 14, 202649 min

New property tax ballot language, funding for children’s safety net services and more

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the revised ballot language for Florida’s property tax amendment with one of the lawyers representing the group that sued over the original wording (00:00). Then, we spoke about how the property tax measure would impact funding for Florida’s network of children’s trust services (07:32). Plus, we looked at a lawsuit involving free speech at Florida International University (25:30). And later, some education news including a drop in enrollment at Broward County Public Schools (37:18) and a look at how student historians are helping to preserve the past at one Tampa Bay cemetery (40:14).

August 7, 202649 min

Property tax cut faces growing opposition, Florida’s child drowning crisis and more

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the president of the Florida Sheriffs Association about its official statement on the proposed property tax amendment (00:00). Then, we were joined by former state senator Jeff Brandes to talk about this week’s court ruling ordering a rewrite of the ballot language for the proposed tax cut (11:54). Plus, as the number of child drownings continues to rise in Florida, we spoke with two water safety advocates (20:06). And later, some back-to-school news including how the state and school districts are addressing the use of artificial intelligence in classrooms (37:20) and what’s behind the rising costs of school lunches (38:30).

July 31, 202649 min

GOP gubernatorial candidate Jay Collins, school board races, fact-checks and more

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Lt. Gov. Jay Collins about his run to become Florida’s next governor (00:00). Then, we looked at the lack of competition for school board seats in this election cycle with Trinity Webster-Bass, who covers education for the Florida Trib (20:04). Plus, Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact joins us to check some recent claims (33:14). And later, more news from across the state including a story about the economic burden immigrant families face with deportation (39:10) and a court challenge to Florida’s property tax amendment (44:48).

July 24, 202649 min

Property tax amendment local impacts, U.S. Senate Democratic primary and weekly news

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the estimated revenue loss for local governments under Florida’s proposed property tax amendment with investigative journalist Jason Garcia (00:00) and Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves (08:04). Then, we spoke with two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate: Rep. Angie Nixon (19:50) and former. U.S. Lt. Col. Alex Vindman (28:04). Plus, some educational news from the week (37:20) and environmental updates (43:40).

July 17, 202649 min

ICE arrests, Fishback’s campaign rhetoric, Florida’s August primary and weekly news

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by Jake Shore, investigative reporter for WLRN, to talk about the presence of ICE agents in Lake Worth and later, GOP gubernatorial candidate James Fishback’s controversial campaign (08:36). Then, we spoke with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections about important deadlines for the August primary and elections security (23:32). Plus, a look at how dramatically cutting Florida’s homestead property tax could impact mosquito control and other news from the week (37:22).

July 10, 202649 min

AI campaign ads and data centers, property taxes and healthcare, FL as the ‘14th colony'

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the use of artificial intelligence in political campaigns with WUSF’s Megan Bowman, Your Florida team government reporter (00:00). Then, we looked at the controversy over large scale data centers (09:24). Plus, we were joined by Justin Senior, CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, about how cutting property taxes might impact the state’s healthcare systems (21:56). And later, PolitiFact’s chief correspondent Louis Jacobson stopped by to tell us why Florida is referred to as the ‘14th colony’ (33:42). And we share more news from across the state including a federal court ruling on Florida’s “Stop WOKE Act” (38:16), and an update on extreme heat conditions (43:46).

July 3, 202649 min

Encore: Florida summer reading series

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup from May 22, we revisit conversations with two Florida-based authors. We spoke first with Artis Henderson about her novel No Ordinary Bird (03:22) and then Kip Lyman about her novel The Purple Ribbon. (29:32).

June 26, 202649 min

Live from Fort Myers: Property tax cuts, increasing healthspan, & the Caloosahatchee

This week on a special edition of The Florida Roundup live from Fort Myers, we spoke with Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter about the potential impacts of the property tax proposal (00:00). Then, we spoke with FGCU’s Shawn Felton about a regional initiative to increase the healthspan of Southwest Floridians (20:38). Plus, we examined the health of the Caloosahatchee River with WGCU’s senior environmental reporter Tom Bayles (37:44). Plus, music from the Joanne Hartley Trio for the hour.

June 19, 202649 min

'Freedom Won, Freedom Lost,' History of Fort Mose and Emancipation Day in Florida

This week on a special Juneteenth edition of the Florida Roundup, we spoke with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Eugene Robinson about his latest book Freedom Won, Freedom Lost. (00:00). Then, we revisited our conversation about a film that explores the unique history of Fort Mose (19:20) and the state’s plan to create a museum dedicated to Black history in Florida (31:36). Plus, historian and educator Tameka Bradley Hobbs joins us to discuss Florida’s Emancipation Day (37:10).

June 12, 202649 min

Florida’s new map set for midterms, property tax plan faces challenges and more

This week on The Florida Roundup, we checked in with reporters from across the state to look at how the 2026 Florida midterms are shaping up (00:00). Then, we looked at a legal challenge to the property tax ballot amendment (21:10) and took a closer look at its language with Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government team reporter (33:56). Plus, we hear from the mother of one of the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and look at how grief has reshaped the local community 10 years after the tragedy (37:22). And we also learned about some unseen threats to livestock and humans (44:30) and a match between professional beach volleyballers in South Florida (47:20).

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing