
The Florida Roundup
Hear what Florida is talking about each week with newsmakers and journalists discussing issues defining the Sunshine State, hosted by Tom Hudson.
This show is co-produced by WLRN in Miami and WUSF in Tampa.
Ways To Connect
- X: @FloridaRoundup
- (305) 995-1800
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Latest Episodes
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward about the state’s plans to audit the city in addition to other local municipalities as part of its effort to reduce unnecessary government spending (00:00). We also spoke about those efforts with the Miami Herald’s Alexandra Glorioso (09:22), who stuck around for our conversation about how Florida is once again at the center of the Epstein case (14:02). Then, we looked at how federal and state cuts to public broadcasting will affect public media in Florida with Paul Grove, president and CEO of WEDU — West Central Florida’s PBS station — and Judith Smelser, president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media, based in Orlando (19:32). Plus, a roundup of immigration news from across the state (37:24).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about President Trump’s new tax and spending plan and what it means for Social Security benefits with PolitiFact’s Louis Jacobson (00:00). Plus, WUSF’s Douglas Soule joins us to tell us about an effort by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state to change the way education standards are set for Florida universities and colleges (20:04). And later, we check in with Megan Borowski, meteorologist for the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network after a week of heavy rain and flooding (32:24). Plus, some education news from around the state, including how one school district is bracing for federal funding cuts (39:02) and a group of fifth graders who are unplugging (41:48).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the new immigrant detention center in the Everglades with Rep. Anna Eskamani (00:00) and spoke about the contractors who have been hired to operate the facility with Bob Norman of the Florida Trident (09:20). Then, we were joined by former state Sen. Jeff Brandes about property insurance reform (19:14). And later, a roundup of news from across the state including an outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season (29:18), an update on Florida’s ban on homeless encampments six months out (41:22), and the battle between basketball and pickleball in Fort Lauderdale (43:12).
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In a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup, we chatted 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 (00:45). Then, we had a conversation with Annabelle Tometich, author of The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida and Felony (19:40). Plus, host of WUSF’s The Zest podcast Dalia Colón shared some of her favorite meals from The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook (37:22).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at what we know so far about “Alligator Alcatraz,” the immigration detention center being built in the Everglades, with the AP’s Kate Payne and Ted Hesson of Reuters (00:00). Plus, we spoke with Politico’s Bruce Ritchie about a new law that aims to put a long-running dispute between property owners and beachgoers to rest (19:20). Then, WUSF’s Douglas Soule joined us to recap the long and contentious 2025 legislative session (34:24). And later, we bring you a roundup of stories from around the state, including an update on the investigation into the Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside (37:22), a story about embattled shorebirds (40:45), and more changes to Florida’s higher education system (46:00).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the demonstrations that took place across the state Saturday as part of the national “No Kings” protest (00:00). Then, we spoke with Shankar Vedantum of NPR’s Hidden Brain about our hot and cold emotional states (11:02). And after weeks of delay, state lawmakers passed a budget — Politico’s Kimberly Leonard joined us for an update (28:14). Plus, some higher education (37:12) and environmental news from the week (39:54).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the residential housing market across the state with a collection of business journalists (00:00). Plus, we explored the new era of collegiate athletics now that student athletes can get paid directly (19:22). Then, lawmakers are closer to reaching a budget agreement. We checked in with WUSF’s Douglas Soule for the latest on negotiations (29:06). And later, we bring you a roundup of news from the week including an update on the families of the victims of the deadly mass shooting at Pulse Nightclub (37:20), reactions to the Trump administration’s revoking of a humanitarian parole program (40:26) and an update on a famed flamingo (45:32).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we heard from one family living in Florida who have been authorized to be in Florida for more than a decade, waiting and worrying about their immigration case (00:00). Then, we spoke with David Jolly, the former Republican Congressman who has entered Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial race as a Democrat (20:16). Plus, we checked in with WUSF’s Douglas Soule for an update on ongoing state budget negotiations (31:44). And later, education news from around the state including UF’s ongoing presidential search (37:16), the FIU Board approving Jeanette Nuñez as President (46:00), and shake ups at Pasco Hernando State College (46:38).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about leadership changes at Florida’s universities with Politico’s Andrew Atterbury (00:00). Then, we looked at how the U.S. House spending bill could affect Floridians with NPR’s Claudia Grisales (19:25). Plus, the latest in state budget negotiations and other legislative news with WUSF’s Douglas Soule (32:56). And later, we heard about ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian five years on (37:23) and looked at what’s behind recent state executions (42:44).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, we chatted 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” (00:45). Then, we had a conversation with Annabelle Tometich, author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” (19:40). Plus, host of WUSF’s “The Zest” podcast Dalia Colón shared some of her favorite meals from “The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook” (37:22).