We explore Hillsborough County’s transportation challenges and some possible solutions. Attempts to pass a sales tax for transportation in Hillsborough County failed in November. It would have helped pay for a transit system that advocates say

Time and patience needed for rebuilding Hurricane Ian-impacted communities, North Port official says

Nov 30th, 2022 19m 11s

We check back in on hurricane recovery in our region. WUSF’s Cathy Carter has been reporting on how Manatee and Sarasota County residents are regrouping after Ian. Later in the show, we’ll hear more about how North Port is cleaning up -- and th

Rising inflation may lead to more food insecurity, changes in holiday spending

Nov 23rd, 2022 28m 2s

We explore inflation and its impact on food insecurity and the Tampa Bay region's economy, particularly around the holidays. Nearly one million residents are food insecure -- that is, they have trouble getting enough food to eat -- and about 1.

Florida's midterms solidified state Republican dominance, politics reporters say

Nov 22nd, 2022 28m 2s

We talk about what the midterm elections mean for both parties, for how the state is governed and Florida’s role on the national political stage.

A former congressman shares his thoughts on Florida’s divided political environment

Nov 2nd, 2022 28m 2s

We talk with former St. Petersburg congressman David Jolly about bipartisanship in a polarized political landscape. The former U.S. representative from Tampa Bay left the Republican party and registered as NPA or no party affiliation four years

Two weeks before election, we break down the most important issues to you

Nov 2nd, 2022 28m

We talk with political reporters, to answer your questions about the upcoming election. The general election is two weeks away and this election season, WUSF Public Media has been doing things a bit differently from other news media — focusing

Young voters say their trust in political systems is gone but they’ll still vote next month

Oct 19th, 2022 28m 3s

We check in with a growing part of the electorate — young voters — three weeks out from election day. As part of WUSF’s Democracy 2022 coverage, we held a listening session a couple weeks back, where we asked you to share your thoughts on the e

After a contentious 2020 election season, local elections officials gear up for November elections

Oct 13th, 2022 28m 3s

We talk with local election officials about voting in next month’s elections. Misinformation, disinformation and the aftermath of Hurricane Ian may complicate the process for voters. But Brian Corley, supervisor of elections in Pasco County, an

Southwest Florida residents reflect on Hurricane Ian’s life-changing impact

Oct 4th, 2022 28m 3s

We hear from survivors of Hurricane Ian across Central and Southwest Florida and discuss the challenges of rebuilding going forward. WUSF reporters spoke with residents and business owners from Myakka City to Bonita Springs about the storm.

Florida Matters features postcards from WUSF's COVID Conversations series

Sep 20th, 2022 28m 2s

We highlight a new oral history project about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected Black and Brown Floridians in the greater Tampa Bay region. We'll feature two interviews from the Florida Humanities-funded project and hear from one of its produc

Florida Matters highlights new WUSF series on mental health issues

Sep 13th, 2022 19m 2s

We highlight WUSF's recent series focusing on the challenges Black Americans face as they try to maintain their mental health.

Over two years into a pandemic, Tampa Bay businesses are looking at hybrid and remote work

Sep 6th, 2022 28m

We look at how workers and businesses in the greater Tampa Bay region are evolving away from the physical office space. For a lot of people, March 2020 was a crash course in remote work. More than two years later, the question of what the new n

After the August primaries, Sarasota’s non-partisan school board sees shift to conservative majority

Aug 30th, 2022 28m

We look at the impact Governor Ron DeSantis has had on the state’s non-partisan elections. DeSantis endorsed many school board candidates across the state. Some are also aligned with Moms for Liberty, a conservative group advocating for parenta

USF anthropologist recounts her time unearthing bodies at the Dozier School for Boys

Aug 23rd, 2022 28m

We talk with a University of South Florida anthropologist and author about her recently-published book, “We Carry Their Bones.” In 2012, a team of researchers lead by Erin Kimmerle uncovered the graves of young boys buried at the notorious Arth

Ahead of elections later this month, Florida Matters looks into the important races and the issues

Aug 23rd, 2022 28m

Primary elections are just a week away so we discuss the issues and candidates on the ballot. Although Governor Ron DeSantis has no primary opponent, he still has an influence on races across the state.

Educators voice their concerns and hopes ahead of a new school year

Aug 10th, 2022 28m

We discuss the challenges students and teachers face as a new school year begins. Schools in most counties in the greater Tampa Bay region open on Wednesday. And school districts are facing teacher shortages, with some missing hundreds.

In his latest book, historian Gary Mormino documents Florida during the 2000s

Aug 2nd, 2022 28m 2s

We talk with local author and historian Gary Mormino about his latest book on the Sunshine State's influence during the early 21st century.

After a month after overturning Roe V Wade, Florida faces uncertain future on abortion

Jul 26th, 2022 28m

We dive into where abortion now stands in Florida -- a month since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Florida Matters explores the Sunshine State's literary scene

Jul 20th, 2022 28m

We discuss Florida's literary scene and get summer reading recommendations from a local book critic and independent bookstore owner.

Three Tampa Bay food entrepreneurs share their experiences with starting small businesses

Jul 12th, 2022 28m

We hear from local food entrepreneurs who started their small businesses. Host Matthew Peddie talks with Zach Correa of lemonGRAFT, Sam Meyers of Tampa Bay Rum Company and Shayla Daniels of Chez Shay’s Sweets.

Florida Matters explores Tampa Bay 'staycation' options

Jul 5th, 2022 28m

We explore suggestions for local summer "staycations" with Tampa-based author and journalist Kristen Hare. Since 2014, she's written the "100 Things to do in Tampa Bay Before You Die" series.

Florida Matters gets an update on the region’s water quality

Jun 28th, 2022 19m 5s

We get an update on water quality in the Tampa Bay region from WUSF reporter Steve Newborn.He's reported on incidents like last year's toxic wastewater spill from the former Piney Point phosphate plant threatened the region's estuaries and ma

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch discusses first term goals

Jun 21st, 2022 28m

We talk with St. Petersburg mayor Ken Welch about his priorities for his first term. We visited Welch at his office in City Hall for a conversation about the Tropicana redevelopment, affordable housing, transportation and other challenges facin

Tampa Bay area law enforcement and residents weigh the future of Florida’s gun laws

Jun 13th, 2022 28m

We hear from Tampa Bay regional residents about what needs to change to stem the tide of gun violence. Later in the show — with the special session on property insurance in the rear view mirror — can homeowners expect some relief from skyrocket

Florida Matters highlights a recent WUSF series featuring Tampa Bay area teachers

May 31st, 2022 28m

We talk with Kerry Sheridan and Bailey LeFever, the reporters behind a series of audio postcards featuring the voices of Tampa Bay area teachers. Over the course of the show, you’ll also hear three of the postcards they produced on topics such