This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new state law expanding Florida’s Schools of Hope program first with Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Conner (00:00) and later with Andrew Atterbury, education reporter for Politico (21:26). Then, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto joined us to talk about the ongoing government shutdown (21:26). Plus, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to check some recent claims around the Affordable Care Act subsidies at the center of those negotiations (33:26). And later, we spoke with the producer and director of a new documentary that examines the trend of hedge funds buying newspapers and what it means for local journalism (37:32). We also dug into our inbox to share some notes from listeners (44:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about book restrictions in public schools first with Sophia Brown, program coordinator at PEN America Florida (00:00), then with Julie Gephards, parent and member of the group Moms For Liberty in Hillsborough County (11:10). Then, we looked at the legal challenges and court cases involving the state law governing book removals with Douglas Soule, "Your Florida" state government team reporter (16:52). Then, we spoke about the availability of COVID-19 boosters in Florida after changes to CDC guidelines and the state’s messaging around vaccines (20:26). Plus, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Randy Fine about the ongoing government shutdown (29:34). And later, we spoke with the director of a new documentary film that examines seashelling on Sanibel Island before and after Hurricane Ian (44:10).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke to former U.S. Reps. Stephanie Murphy and Carlos Curbelo, of the Center Aisle Coalition, to discuss the government shutdown and its effect on Florida (00:19). We took listener calls and emails on the topic — specifically on how the battle over Affordable Care Act subsidies could affect Floridians' health care coverage. Then, we sat down with WLRN reporter and author Daniel Rivero to discuss his new book on the decades-long voting rights battle in the state (24:45). And we checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (37:30).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings about the recent state audits into the county’s spending (00:00). Then, we spoke about how the state’s DOGE efforts relate to property tax reform with Florida TaxWatch President Dominic M. Calabro (08:04) and later, Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government reporter (19:42). Plus, we spoke with a pub owner about why he won’t allow guns onsite despite Florida's new open carry rules (24:52). We also checked in with FPREN Meteorologist Megan Borowski for an update on the tropics (29:46). And later, Maeve McGoran, reporter and host of a new podcast that explores what went wrong in the sinking of the El Faro, joined us (37:36).

Floridians have come under public pressure for social media posts about the killing of Charlie Kirk (00:00). Then, we checked in with Samantha Putterman with PolitiFact to talk about the role that the Federal Communications Commission has in governing speech in broadcasts (15:02). And later, we partnered up with our colleagues at KQED in San Francisco to talk about how California and Florida have responded to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics (19:30); NPR immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd also joined the conversation.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act under President Trump’s mega spending bill. First, we checked in with Meghan Bowman, Your Florida state government reporter (00:56) and later with Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association (09:12). Then, we looked at how Florida rapidly expanded publicly funded school vouchers and how some students have gotten lost in the mix with Natalie La Roche Pietri, education reporter at WLRN (20:32). And later, we spoke with journalist and co-host of the Surviving the Survivor podcast Joel Waldman about the guilty verdict in a murder-for-hire plot against a Florida State University Law professor (32:24). Plus, we dug into our mailbag to share some listener feedback about recent shows (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner about his gubernatorial candidacy (01:04). Then, we spoke with Central Florida Public Media’s Joe Mario Pedersen and WLRN’s Carlton Gillespie about the removal of street art across the state (10:46 ). Plus, we had an update on "Alligator Alcatraz" from Christina Boomer Vazquez with WPLG Local 10 News (20:20) and spoke with Dr. Jason Goldman with the American College of Physicians about Florida’s move to remove vaccine requirements for children (25:54). We also checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (32:28). And later, author and journalist Carl Hiaasen joined us to talk about his latest novel set in Florida (39:34).

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup from May 23, we have conversations with three authors who have written in or about Florida. First, we spoke with veteran science journalist Stephen Hall about his book “Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World” (00:52). Then, we had a conversation with Annabelle Tometich, author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony” (19:52). Plus, the host of WUSF’s “The Zest” podcast, Dalia Colón, shared some of her favorite meals from “The Florida Vegetarian Cookbook” (37:38).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Florida’s chief financial officer, Blaise Ingoglia, about the latest ruling on “Alligator Alcatraz,” redistricting and the state’s DOGE audits (00:00). Then, Politico’s Kimberly Leonard joined us for a deeper dive into this week’s two court decisions around the controversial immigrant detention center in the Everglades (12:14). Plus, author and journalist Michael Grunwald spoke about his latest book, which explores the tension between food production and climate change (20:26). And later, a roundup of news from across the state, including a ruling on Florida’s book ban (37:34), the standoff between local governments and state officials over crosswalks (39:40), and why a growing number of undocumented migrants are making the decision this year to self-deport (43:14).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we connected with colleagues at Houston Public Media to talk about Texas’ foray into universal school vouchers, following Florida’s lead (03:28). But first, we checked in with Your Florida state government team reporter Douglas Soule for a look at how Florida’s voucher program is going (00:00). Then, we explored the mounting tensions between condo owners and condo board associations in the wake of condo reforms with Your Florida state government team reporter Meghan Bowman and Julio Robaina, former Republican member of the Florida House (20:28). Plus, Glenna Milberg, reporter for Local 10 News in South Florida, joins for an update on the environmental hearing on "Alligator Alcatraz" (37:32). And later, Florida has a new lieutenant governor and other news from across the state (40:52).