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February 25, 2024 Marilen Hartnett had a close encounter with a kangaroo.

February 25, 2024 Joanie Leeds will be performing in South Florida next week, Michael Stock talks to her about her Grammy win and her new album Freadom.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the three high-profile decisions from the state’s highest court on abortion access and recreational marijuana use with Florida House Speaker Paul Renner (03:32), South Florida-based family physician Dr. Chelsea Daniels (19:33) and Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce (31:45). Plus, Colorado State releases its annual forecast for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season (37:00) as Lee County prepares to sue FEMA over its loss of flood insurance discount (38:27). And later, a look at why home buyers are getting priced out in the Tampa Bay area (39:57). Also, why online gambling could provide millions to save land and fight sea rise in Florida (43:48) and the rise in calls to the state's gambling hotline (45:30).

On the South Florida Roundup, we updated listeners on the worsening crisis in Haiti: Powerful gangs making a violent bid for political clout; political bosses holding up a new transitional government; the deeper suffering of Haitians themselves (01:02). We also looked at the legal battle raging in Broward County over how much money public schools are required to give charter schools (08:20). And we examined whether Florida’s draconian new abortion law may steer women here toward Latin America (21:38).

On The South Florida Roundup, we dedicated an entire episode to the housing crisis in South Florida and how to create more affordable housing as the cost of renting or owning a home, from Palm Beach to Key West, becomes more and more out of reach. We discussed the remedies that are gaining consensus across the region and across the state, from increased housing density to ramped-up housing vouchers. And we looked at how South Florida is or isn’t putting those answers to work.

May 5, 2024 Annette Jackson just can't believe she found a dream home.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with several education reporters from across the state about how districts are considering school closures due to shrinking enrollment. First we heard from Jacksonville Today reporter Megan Mallicoat about Duval County Public Schools (05:45), then we focused on Hillsborough County Public Schools with the Tampa Bay Times’ Marlene Sokol (13:10) and then we spoke with WLRN’s Kate Payne about Broward County Public Schools (16:24). Then, we spoke with an Orange County Public Schools board member about how their district is looking to build new schools (24:08). And later, we were joined by NPR’s Jasmine Garsd for her reporting on the impact of Florida’s anti-immigration laws one year later (31:57). Plus, a series of reports about Florida’s Wildlife Corridor and the 2021 law to conserve millions of more acres (37:18).

On The South Florida Roundup, we looked at the controversy surrounding Aileen Cannon, the Miami-raised federal judge who’s facing a storm of criticism over her handling of former President Donald Trump’s classified documents trial (01:02). We also said farewell to WLRN's education reporter Kate Payne — but not before she weighed in on some critical issues (18:43). And we discussed Panama’s president-elect, José Raúl Mulino, who wants to shut down a route so many migrants use to get here (34:30).

May 19, 2024 We remember professional Storyteller Jim Gregory with a story from his childhood

On the South Florida Roundup, we spoke with Ben Crump, the attorney for Donald Armstrong, the Liberty City man shot by Miami police last month during a mental health episode. Does the case revive issues about Miami police training? (01:03) We also looked at what happens now that Miami’s district map has been dumped because of its racial gerrymandering (15:10). And we talked about the new interactive Everglades restoration visuals for the WLRN podcast Bright Lit Place (28:09).

On the South Florida Roundup, we talked about a lawsuit filed by two FIU students from China and a UF professor that challenges a Florida law blocking some foreign research recruitment (00:04). We also discussed Miami-Dade County’s new tourism district in the Redland and what it could mean for the area (16:58). And the economic engine of pornography in South Florida (32:23).

May 12, 2024 Katelyn Delacruz recalls a traumatic family move.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at Florida’s 6-week ban as it goes into effect (00:11). We also heard about the latest on campus protests (08:03) and speak to a student reporter about the arrests at the University of Florida (14:20). Plus, we talked about a proposed stadium in St. Petersburg for the Tampa Bay Rays with Tampa Bay Times reporter Colleen Wright (20:08) as well as the negotiations between the city of Jacksonville and the NFL Jaguars over massive stadium renovations with JAX Today reporter Casmira Harrison (30:44). And finally, a roundup of environmental stories from the panhandle to the Keys (37:23).

January 24, 2021 Patricia Varas Chong accepted help from her aunt.

April 21, 2024 Nick Parris' inspiration comes from tragedy.

On the South Florida Roundup, we examined the tragic death of 15-year-old Ella Riley Adler – killed when a boat struck her last weekend as she was wake-boarding off Key Biscayne. Are boating accidents becoming too common in too-crowded Biscayne Bay? (01:03) We also looked at a raft of projects being planned to better move folks to and around the Florida Keys (19:05). And we talked with the director of a documentary that follows Venezuelan journalists busting the Venezuelan kleptocracy (33:52).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked into a special series from the South Florida Sun Sentinel that examines that state’s infant mortality rate. First, we speak with health reporter Cindy Krischer Goodman (00:21) before speaking with Dr. LaRae Brown, director of UF Health Women’s Specialists — North and Dr. Rodrigo Ruano, Director at UHealth Jackson Fetal Care Center and Division (09:09). Then, we looked at how a revamped federal form for financial aid for students is causing delays with the (19:22). Plus, fallout over a dubious major gift donation to Florida A& M (27:57). And other news from across the state from a deadly bus crash near Ocala (37:18) to severe weather in the Panhandle (40:28). We also heard from our listeners from last week's mailbag (45:44).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with a UF doctoral student who studied the use of authoritarian language in the 2020 presidential campaign (02:11) and then explored the power of language with two Florida poets (13:01). Later we heard from the Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water about new limits for PFAS chemicals (23:49) and then spoke with Central Florida Public Media’s Brendan Byrne about the end of an era for space exploration (32:54). Plus, we looked into Sarasota County’s truancy court (37:21). And finally, we shared solar eclipse stories (43:31) and found out why fuzzy caterpillars are becoming a nuisance for some (46:55).

April 14, 2024 Anissia Narcis remembers when candy was great.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with State Senator Lori Berman about legislation targeting antisemitic speech and behavior (01:48) and then we discussed a report finding a rise in antisemitic incidents in 2023 with the Florida Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League (10:06). Plus, an NPR Investigation into the fractured history told by the thousands of historical markers across the country (19:26) and later, we fact-checked President Biden’s speech in Tampa with PolitiFact (38:30).