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This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the new immigrant detention center in the Everglades with Rep. Anna Eskamani (00:00) and spoke about the contractors who have been hired to operate the facility with Bob Norman of the Florida Trident (09:20). Then, we were joined by former state senator Jeff Brandes about property insurance reform (19:14). And later, a roundup of news from across the state including an outlook for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season (29:18), an update on Florida’s ban on homeless encampments six months out (41:22), and the battle between basketball and pickleball continues in Fort Lauderdale (43:12).

This week on a rebroadcast of The Florida Roundup's special winter reading program, we spoke with three authors. First, we spoke with journalist and author Carl Hiaasen about his latest novel “Fever Beach” (00:00) Then, we had a conversation with Michael Grunwald, journalist and author of “We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix our Food System and Save Our Climate” (19:34). Plus, journalist and author Danny Rivero spoke with us about his book “Just Freedom: Inside Florida’s Decades-Long Voting Rights Battle” (37:26).

In a re-broadcast of The South Florida Roundup, we revisited the stories WLRN reporters followed in 2025 on the South Florida cities that turned 100 years. It's WLRN’s fascinating series “History We Call Home: 100 Years of South Florida.” The reports take us back to the epic real estate boom of the 1920s, which spawned city charters up and down our coast. Was Al Capone a founding father of Deerfield Beach? Why did all those pink flamingos stay in Hialeah? And how did Boca Raton become a reverse, North-to-South Black migration magnet?

This week on The Florida Roundup, best-selling author and Florida resident Brad Meltzer joins us to talk about free expression in the Sunshine State, what the escalating cost of living means for families hoping for a new start in Florida, and finding empathy in an increasingly polarized and politicized world (00:00). Plus, a review of the first week of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session with Douglas Soule, “Your Florida” state government reporter (08:50). And we also fact-checked the 2026 State of the State address with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (12:40).

January 18, 2026 Author and musician Elijah Wald talks to Michael Stock before his appearance at The South Florida Folk & Acoustic Music Festival.

January 11, 2026 Chris Bourdain is surprised by off-hour antics.

Opinion: President Trump's so-called "law enforcement" capture of Venezuela's dictator Nicolás Maduro will be regarded a failure if it doesn't mean democracy restoration — which may require more U.S. military force. On the latest episode of Americas Decoded, WLRN’s Americas editor Tim Padgett warns that in Venezuela Trump may have removed the brutal dictator but he’s left the brutal dictatorship intact. The socialist regime’s top goons, led by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, remain entrenched in power, while Trump has sidelined opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. It’s a worrying sign that, unlike the country’s oil, a return to democracy in Venezuela is low on his agenda. You can watch the video for this and other Americas Decoded commentaries on WLRN’s YouTube channel on WLRN.org/Decoded. Subscribe to Tim’s Substack to receive his weekly digital commentaries and new episodes of Americas Decoded, at WLRN.org/AD. Sign up for his Americas Report newsletter on WLRN.org/newsletters. WLRN is South Florida’s NPR member station.

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we went back to the future to discuss Florida’s new English-only drivers license test, which in Miami is a historically sore subject — and the subject of a new play that just opened here [1:09]. We also examined what’s feeling like a trend: cities in Broward County opting out of law enforcement contracts with the Broward Sheriff’s Office [19:22]. And we looked at what’s next after a federal judge blocked cancellation of Haitian TPS — and where TPS stands after 35 years [33:12].

This week on The Florida Roundup, we first spoke with Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times reporter Lawrence Mower about how much money the state has spent on immigration enforcement efforts (00:00). Then, we were joined by Rep. Alex Andrade about a report that the DOJ will not take up a criminal investigation into the Hope Florida Charity (08:54). ‘Your Florida’ reporter Douglas Soule also joined us for an update on citizen-led constitutional amendments (33:26). Plus, we were joined by master gardener Nickie Munroe for advice on how to protect Florida fruit and fauna when there’s a cold snap (20:42). And later, we shared news stories from across the state including a legislative brief (37:34) and a delayed space exploration (41:04).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at the state’s report on local government spending with Sheila Weinberg, founder and CEO of Truth in Accounting (00:00). Then, we were joined by the Chair of the Hillsborough DOGE Liaison Committee Jake Hoffman to discuss the county’s fiscal accountability efforts (12:40). Plus, we looked at the state’s food contamination testing with an environmental scientist specializing in toxicology (20:38) and later with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman (32:14). And later, news from across the state including student protests against ICE (37:30), Florida’s dry weather outlook (40:16), and a possible new port project in Tampa Bay (42:40).

Opinion: As the U.S. cuts off global oil to Cuba, the island's communist regime could get President Trump to back off by offering something he's showing special interest in: dictatorship instruction. On the latest episode of Americas Decoded, WLRN’s Americas editor Tim Padgett suggests that with his failed attempts to take control of U.S. elections, lock up political foes and use federal law enforcement to take over cities, Trump would welcome some tyranny tutoring from his more efficient Cuban counterparts. You can watch the video for this and other Americas Decoded commentaries on WLRN’s YouTube channel on WLRN.org/Decoded. Subscribe to Tim’s Substack to receive his weekly digital commentaries and new episodes of Americas Decoded, at WLRN.org/AD. Sign up for his Americas Report newsletter on WLRN.org/newsletters. WLRN is South Florida’s NPR member station.

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we talked to Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald journalist who’s done the most to keep the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case alive. How does she assess the massive new release of files [1:09]? We also looked at disturbing complaints of alleged design errors and defective materials as Miami’s once celebrated Fountain bridge project faces even more delays and costs [19:33]. And we discussed the trials and triumphs of Puerto Rico that Bad Bunny was singing about at the Super Bowl [35:41].

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed the racist, sexist, homophobic and antisemitic online images and chat groups that have cast Florida’s young Republicans in a hate-mongering spotlight [01:21]. We also heard from a group that’s responding to the humanitarian crisis in Cuba by ferrying tons of aid to the island this weekend [14:19]. And we looked at how Venezuela’s first-ever World Baseball Classic championship has lifted up Venezuelans worldwide — when they needed it most [24:00].

March 15, 2026 Tret Fure talks to Michael Stock prior to her concert at the River of Grass March 22

March 29, 2026. Michael Stock talks to Allan Pepper and Billy Altman about The Bottom Line.

Opinion: Venezuela's first World Baseball Classic title win, against the U.S. in Miami, packed political symbolism — but, more importantly, also a joyful reminder of the country's character. Venezuela’s historic win in Miami, as the U.S. follows its removal of Nicolás Maduro with an unashamed focus on the country’s oil reserves rather than its democracy, could be read as a ‘screw you’ to the Trump administration. But for WLRN’s Americas editor Tim Padgett, baseball reveals the best of Venezuela, so the victory was an uplifting reminder of the country’s character. You can watch the video for this and other Americas Decoded commentaries on WLRN’s YouTube channel on WLRN.org/Decoded. Subscribe to Tim’s Substack to receive his weekly digital commentaries and new episodes of Americas Decoded, at WLRN.org/AD. Sign up for his Americas Report newsletter on WLRN.org/newsletters. WLRN is South Florida’s NPR member station.

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we looked at why Miami is now the “Billionaire Bunkers” capital [01:09]. More ultraluxury homes are sold here than any place in America — but where does that leave the rest of us? We also remembered Miami gunshot survivor Aaron Willis, who died by suicide last month — a reminder of the lasting pain young gun violence victims face [18:52]. And we talked with a local Iranian activist — and a local man stranded in the Middle East — about the hopes and risks of our new war [35:49].

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at state spending on Alligator Alcatraz, the immigration detention center near the Everglades with Eve Sample, executive director of Friends of the Everglades (00:00). Then, we visited a small citrus farm in Central Florida (20:20). And we looked at what’s left on lawmakers’ agenda as the 2026 legislative draws close to an end (37:30).

Opinion: Cuban regime change may take more time and effort than expected. So Cuba’s exile command should try being diplomats - not demagogues. A U.S. oil blockade is pinning Cuba’s dictatorship against the wall. But on the latest episode of Americas Decoded, WLRN’s Americas editor Tim Padgett says he fears Miami’s exile leaders may continue a historical habit of alienating folks who could help their cause. Case in point: the social-media sucker punch Republican Miami Congressman Carlos Gimenez threw at Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the recent CARICOM meeting. You can watch the video for this and other Americas Decoded commentaries on WLRN’s YouTube channel on WLRN.org/Decoded. Subscribe to Tim’s Substack to receive his weekly digital commentaries and new episodes of Americas Decoded, at WLRN.org/AD. Sign up for his Americas Report newsletter on WLRN.org/newsletters. WLRN is South Florida’s NPR member station.

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed new WLRN reporting that shows larger Miami-Dade County ties to a firm at the center of an investigation involving former schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho [01:09]. We also spoke with former CBS4 news anchorman Eliott Rodriguez about his decision to run for the Miami congressional seat held by Maria Elvira Salazar [13:16]. And we looked at a new effort to make Spring Break more relevant — and enjoyable — for young Black people [27:20].