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Changes to child labor laws; Woodward and Bernstein reflect on Watergate; homelessness in Florida

Feb 2nd, 2024 49m 30s

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 Ber

Coastal migration; DeSantis in Florida full time; a legislative briefing

Jan 26th, 2024 49m 28s

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.

Florida's kratom industry; DeSantis a distant second in Iowa caucuses; and federal lawsuits could upend the real estate industry

Jan 19th, 2024 49m 29s

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 seri

Fact-checking DeSantis’ State of the State; Canadian drug imports; condo reform; Florida GOP’s new leadership

Jan 12th, 2024 49m 29s

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

Partisan school board elections; the push for abortion and marijuana on the ballot; weekly news roundup

Jan 5th, 2024 48m 25s

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 abortio

2023: Florida’s year in review

Dec 29th, 2023 48m 29s

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

Special edition of The Florida Roundup: Growing Up with Guns and Bright Lit Place

Dec 22nd, 2023 49m 23s

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 t

Senate's plan to expand health care access; free speech on campuses; and Florida braces for stormy weather

Dec 15th, 2023 49m 33s

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 healt

Florida's insurance market, controversies for both political parties and environmental news

Dec 8th, 2023 49m 30s

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

DeSantis-Newsom debate; education news

Dec 1st, 2023 49m 29s

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 w

Waiting for America

Nov 24th, 2023 49m 25s

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.

Sports betting; Medicaid unwinding; Florida’s wildlife

Nov 17th, 2023 49m 28s

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 N

Florida politics and its national influence; special session recap

Nov 10th, 2023 49m 30s

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

State of Downtown Report; Florida flamingo mystery; College football

Nov 6th, 2023 53m

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

Homeowners' insurance; Disney employee exodus; Clay County School District settles with DOJ

Nov 3rd, 2023 49m 26s

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.

Florida's Supreme Court considers abortion ban; Legislature will address Iran; flood mitigation continues in coastal communities

Oct 27th, 2023 49m 32s

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 leg

U.S. Humanitarian Parole Program; Florida’s Israel flights; schoolbook reviews

Oct 20th, 2023 49m 24s

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 fl

COVID data; 2024 Elections; 5 years after Hurricane Michael; Jacksonville music history

Oct 13th, 2023 49m 25s

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 Mic

Book removals; speaker of the House ousted; Florida wildlife stories

Oct 6th, 2023 49m 25s

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

Book removals; speaker of the House ousted; Florida wildlife stories

Oct 6th, 2023 49m 25s

One year after Hurricane Ian; state minimum wage to increase; fact-checking Florida claims from GOP debate

Sep 29th, 2023 49m 23s

This week on The Florida Roundup, we take a look back at Hurricane Ian one year later with reporting from Florida Public Radio member stations. Plus, we look at the state’s minimum wage increase with FIU’s Dr. Maria Ilcheva and then WUSF’s Gabr

Childcare and Florida’s economy; government shutdown; Florida sports

Sep 22nd, 2023 49m 24s

Pandemic-era federal funding for child care centers set to run out by the end of the month. We look at how those funds have been used. Plus, we talk about the looming federal government shutdown and what it means for Florida. And later, how a S

Medicare drug pricing; new state rules for educators

Sep 15th, 2023 49m 24s

Medicare is now going to negotiate the prices of medications. Also, educators are trying to navigate controversial new rules about school curriculum.

Struggling to make ends meet; union and government jobs; jail troubles across the state

Sep 8th, 2023 49m 24s

Inflation, higher interest rates and the high cost of housing are stretching paychecks; Florida's union membership is among the lowest; Duval and Miami-Dade jails are under fire.