Florida Roundup

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This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about proposed changes to the state’s child labor laws with Florida Rep. John Snyder and WLRN’s investigative reporter Danny Rivero. Then, we spoke with legendary journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein about the current state of journalism and American Democracy. Plus, we round up some news stories about homelessness in Florida before checking in on a new Orlando-area volleyball team. We also preview “Never Drop the Ball,” a new documentary that explores how Black baseball players built a brand of baseball out of segregation and into a worldwide pastime.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the director of the Congressional Budget Office about how the country’s population is expected to get older. Then, we talked with FSU researchers about Florida’s rapidly aging coastal communities. Plus, we spoke with a Politico reporter Gary Fineout and UCF political science professor Aubrey Jewett about how Gov. Ron DeSantis’ move away from the presidential race will affect state politics. We also spoke with former state Sen. Jeff Brandes about how the governor’s return affects Florida’s Republican Party. Then, later, a briefing on recent legislative news.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we speak with a Jacksonville-based owner of a Kava Bar about kratom, and we look into the Tampa Bay Times’ multipart investigation into the kratom industry with some of the reporters who contributed to the series. Then, a conversation with longtime Florida reporter Matt Dixon about his latest book exploring the battle between former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis. And later, we find out how federal lawsuits are challenging the way real estate agents have been paid for decades. Plus, why some lawmakers consider changing Florida’s official state bird.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we fact-checked Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address with PolitiFact. Then, we spoke with the former secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration about Florida’s plan to import prescription drugs from Canada. Next, we heard from Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, about his push for condo reforms and then spoke with the new chairman of the Florida Republican Party. Plus, an update on winter storms from the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network and some recent education news. Finally, we ask: Is it “Sani-belle” or and “San-a-bull”?

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talked about the proposed amendment to shift to partisan school board races in Florida with state Rep. Spencer Roach and FAU associate professor Meredith Mountford. Then, we discussed the push to get abortion rights on the 2024 ballot with the president of Women’s Voices of SW Florida. And later, we heard from a spokesperson for the campaign to put recreational marijuana up to a vote. Plus, we caught up on some recent health and environmental news stories from across the state.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look back at some of the Sunshine State's biggest stories in 2023, including Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign and other political news; changes in public education; record heat; Hurricane Idalia; and rising home insurance rates.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we bring you two special reports: Growing Up With Guns, a series from WUSF examining the way guns can endanger kids' lives and futures, and Bright Lit Place, a podcast from WLRN News that explores what fixing the Everglades would mean for Florida and the world.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo about her top priorities for the upcoming legislative session including her health care proposal. We also talked about how the plan aims to expand health care access with Politico reporter Arek Sarkissian. Then, we talked about how the issue of free speech is playing out on Florida campuses, with State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. Later, FPREN meteorologist Megan Borowski joined us for an update on a developing storm, and we shared two stories at the intersection of water and health.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about some of the biggest challenges to stabilizing Florida’s insurance market with the state’s insurance commissioner, Michael Yarwosky, and Tim Cerio, president/CEO and executive director of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. And later, we speak with the Miami Herald’s senior political correspondent about calls for the head of the state’s Republican Party to step down and the Florida Democrats' decision to cancel its presidential primary. Plus, a collection of environmental stories from across the state.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discussed the debate between Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom with fact-checking from PolitiFact Florida’s Samantha Putterman and then simulcast with LAist daily news show AirTalk to hear what both Floridians and Southern Californians thought about the showdown. And later, we hear some of the major education stories from across the state. Plus, a Florida distillery will bottle a new signature rum from The Rolling Stones.

On the Florida Roundup, we look at the impact of President Biden's humanitarian parole for migrants, one year later. Throughout the hour, we explore the WLRN News’ series “Waiting for America” with some of the reporters who contributed to it.

This week on The Florida Roundup, Seminole Hard Rock Casino has relaunched its sports betting app after a court fight over bringing sports betting to the state. We talk about the stakes with sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach, the head of No Casinos John Sowinski and Jessica Cattelino, author of “High Stakes: Florida Seminole Gaming and Sovereignty.” Plus, we look at how the Medicaid unwinding process is going with WMFE’s Joe Mario Pedersen and WUSF & Health News Florida’s Stephanie Colombini, and later KFF’s Jennifer Tolbert. And later, we catch up on some of the wildlife stories from across the state.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we heard from some Florida voters about what’s on their minds ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Plus, we talked with a U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, a Republican member of Florida’s congressional delegation, and Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican U.S. lawmaker. And we spoke to veteran Capitol reporter Mary Ellen Klas about Florida’s influence on national politics. Then later, a recap of this week’s special legislative session from our partner stations.

Monday on First Coast Connect: 2023 State of Downtown Jacksonville Report and one writer's quest to find a Florida flamingo.

The property insurance market has been in crisis for several years in Florida. Some insurance companies like Farmers and Progressive are not writing any new home insurance policies. Others, like United Property and Casualty, have gone bankrupt.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the legal limbo around abortion access as the Florida Supreme Court considers a challenge to the state’s 15-week ban. Plus, Politico’s Gary Fineout joins us for a preview of November’s special legislative session. And later, a collection of stories about coastal communities' efforts to mitigate flooding.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the U.S. Humanitarian Parole Program with Luis Miranda, principal deputy assistant secretary for communications at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Plus, we look at Florida’s chartered flights from Israel with the Miami Herald’s Ana Ceballos. And later, an update on how school districts are navigating book reviews.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discuss Florida settling a COVID infection information lawsuit that it fought for two years, new laws that may change how you cast your ballot in the 2024 election, and the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Michael's impact on parts of the panhandle.

Florida schools have removed more books from public school libraries than any other state. Plus, a Florida Republican leads the charge to bring down the Republican U.S. Speaker of the House. And: wandering bears, a livestream of eagles and hazy skies from wildfires ... we present some wildlife stories throughout the state.