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 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).
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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).
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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 administrator 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).
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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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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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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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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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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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This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Florida Senate President Pro Tempore Jason Brodeur about the Senate’s stop-gap funding measure for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program or ADAP (00:00). Then, KFF’s Lindsey Dawson joined us to talk about the troubles facing the federal ADAP program and how states are responding (17:16). Plus, best-selling author James Patterson joins us to talk about an effort to boast early literacy (21:12). And later, news from across the state including a letter from a group of Florida sheriffs urging a change in federal immigration policy (37:32), an update on a new state-produced intro to biology college textbook (39:52), and the story of a pair of traveling burrowing owls (46:20).
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This week on The Florida Roundup, a second-generation gas station owner in Florida who is navigating the price hikes (00:00). Then, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor joined us for updates on the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and partial government shutdown (06:26). Plus, WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan and Dr. Shalika Katugaha with Baptist Health joined us to discuss a rise in measles cases in the state and pushback against a bill that would’ve made it easier to opt out of common vaccines (20:30). Then, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter Douglas Soule gave us a wrap-up of the legislative session and a look ahead (33:50). And later, we looked at a few bills that will be heading to the Governor’s desk (37:32), met a man who is foraging all his meals in Florida (41:00), and shared some listeners’ notes from our mailbag (45:40).