The Florida Roundup

Hosted by WLRN News & WUSF

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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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

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60 recent

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).

June 5, 202649 min

Florida’s property tax amendment, grads face higher unemployment and weekly news briefing

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about what made it to the final version of Florida's property tax proposal with Douglas Soule, reporter with Your Florida and WUSF (00:00). Then, we heard from one of the co-sponsors of the measure Sen. Mack Bernard (08:40). Plus, we fact-checked some recent claims about the impact the ballot measure would have on local governments with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (25:30). We also spoke about Florida’s job market with WUSF’s Gabriella Paul (29:12). And later, we shared some gaming and sports stories from across the state (37:20).

May 29, 202649 min

Hurricane season begins, DeSantis’ property tax plan, living shorelines and more

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the official federal forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season that begins June 1 with meteorologist John Morales (00:00). Then we spoke about emergency response and preparedness with former FEMA administratior Craig Fugate (13:40). We also spoke with the mayors of Daytona Beach Shores and Cedar Key to talk about how their coastal communities are preparing for this year’s storm season (21:26). Plus, Your Florida reporter Meghan Bowman joined us to discuss Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax plan and the new state budget (28:52). And later, we learned about how more municipalities and private homeowners in the Tampa Bay region are embracing a natural alternative to cement seawalls (37:12) and other environmental news (45:54).

May 22, 202650 min

Florida Summer Reading Series: 'No Ordinary Bird' and 'The Purple Ribbon'

On this edition of The Florida Roundup, we feature some of the fiction and creative nonfiction that you should read in our Summer Reading Special. Authors Artis Henderson (No Ordinary Bird) and Kip Lyman (The Purple Ribbon) join to talk about their novels. In No Ordinary Bird, Henderson writes about her father, a pilot involved in a South Florida drug smuggling operation in the 1970s and 80s who died in a plane crash — a crash that she survived (1:10). The Purple Ribbon is the debut novel from writer Lyman. A psychological thriller set in Fort Pierce, the story follows two separate individuals manipulated by an evil, otherworldly force. Lyman talks about the book and her real-life experience that inspired it. (30:30)

May 15, 202650 min

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

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).

May 8, 202649 min

Abortions in Florida two years after six-week ban, maternal mortality, a Parkinson's pesticide link, weekly news briefing

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).

May 1, 202649 min

Florida redistricting, AI and vaccine mandates, weekly news briefing

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).

April 24, 202649 min

Political boundaries, campus free speech and weekly news briefing

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).

April 17, 202649 min

Senior homes lack state oversight, redistricting in Florida and Texas, and more

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).

April 10, 202649 min

High gas prices and affordability, property tax ballot push, and environmental news

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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