Jessica Meszaros

Jessica Meszaros is a reporter and host of All Things Considered for WGCU News.

She was a multimedia reporter for Miami’s public radio station, WLRN Radio, for more than two years.

In the summer of 2013, Jessica interned for NPR's All Things Considered  in Washington D.C. She has a background in newspaper reporting from her summer 2014 internship with the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida.  

Jessica graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Honors College.

 

Red Tide And Human Health: Researchers Study 'Chronic Exposure'

By • 14 hours ago

Toxic red tide algae is starting to bloom along Florida’s west coast again. State wildlife officials say elevated levels have been detected recently from Pinellas to Collier counties, and people in Sarasota County have also been experiencing respiratory irritations.

Now, new research is looking into longterm health effects of the toxins, including neurological issues.

Florida Birds Losing Habitat Due To Climate Change, Study Says

By • Oct 11, 2019

Nearly 30 vulnerable bird species that call Florida home could lose more than half of their current range due to climate change and sea level rise, according to a new report from the National Audubon Society.

Antibiotic Injections Could Be Better At Killing Citrus Greening Bacteria

By • Aug 26, 2019

Researchers at the University of Florida released a study this month in the journal Phytopathology, saying there's a way to more quickly and efficiently kill bacteria that causes citrus greening disease.

Trump’s Endangered Species Plan An ‘Assault Against Nature,’ Rep. Buchanan Says

By • Aug 26, 2019

A Republican Congressman from Florida sent a letter to the Trump Administration Monday criticizing its plans to weaken protections for endangered species.

Regulators Could Lower Protections For Several Florida Species

By • Aug 19, 2019

Update: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is holding a meeting this week on delisting endangered species. Officials only plan to talk about Key deer, although other species are up for consideration. The story has been edited to reflect the updated information. 

Federal wildlife officials will discuss the status of the endangered Key deer Thursday. This comes as the Trump administration rolls back protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Florida's Big Cats Are Walking Weird; Officials Investigating

By • Aug 19, 2019

Some of Florida's big cats are walking strangely and state wildlife officials need your help to figure out why. 

Congress Funds Red Tide Human Health Research

By • Jul 24, 2019

Congress recently approved $6.25 million to study how red tide algae blooms affect people's health. Multiple facilities in Sarasota will work together on the research.

Climate Change Will Cause Massive Movement Of Wildlife, Study Says

By • Jul 15, 2019

By Jessica Meszaros

A new study describes the future mass redistribution of plants and animals on Earth due to climate change. 

 
The research conducted by the University of Florida and the University of Tasmania appears in the journal Nature Climate Change.
 
An author of the study says Florida is already experiencing this migration due to global warming.
 
Brett Scheffers, a professor of wildlife ecology at UF, spoke with WUSF's Jessica Meszaros.

Evolution Of Florida Citrus Growers: What It Takes To Stay In The Embattled Industry

By • May 22, 2019

Some Florida citrus growers are finally starting to see an increase of orange production. Those who managed to stick around as the greening disease ravaged their groves have been experimenting with different variations of trees, expensive chemicals and fertilizers. 

Congress Members Want Protection For Gulf Whales

By • Mar 14, 2019

Members of Congress want the Gulf of Mexico Bryde’s whale to be federally protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Florida Songbird Trafficking Increase Leads To New State Rule

By • Feb 26, 2019

State wildlife officials are drafting a rule to protect Florida’s native songbirds from illegal trapping. Officers are seeing an increase in bird trafficking for the pet industry.

Most Sea Turtle Deaths For Single Red Tide Event

By • Jan 21, 2019

The latest red tide report shows high concentrations of the toxic algae blooms in Sarasota and Collier counties. This nearly 16-month red tide event has killed more sea turtles than ever recorded.

Respiratory irritation related to red tide was also reported over the past week in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Florida Researchers Use Federal Grant To Restore Gulf Seagrasses

By • Apr 27, 2018

Researchers in Florida received funding from the federal government to restore seagrasses in the Gulf of Mexico. The goal is to protect about 30 acres of the sea floor, and repair about half of that.

Native American Burial Site Found In Gulf Waters

By • Mar 11, 2018

EDITOR'S NOTE: After being contacted by a representative of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, WGCU would like to make clear that the second to last sentence of this story in no way indicates that human remains are being excavated by the Seminole Tribe. 

A 7,000-year-old indigenous burial site was discovered in the Gulf of Mexico near Venice. The finding shows this kind of preservation can exist on the continental shelf, surviving hurricanes and sea level rise.

Fort Myers High Schooler Writes Shooting Victims' Names In Chalk

By • Feb 21, 2018

A senior at Fort Myers High School used chalk to write mass shooting victims' names outside of her school this past weekend.

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