Sofia Zarran
Morning Edition ProducerSofia “Z” Zarran is the Morning Edition Producer at WLRN.
Z graduated from the University of Florida in the Summer of 2025 with her bachelor's degree in journalism. She studied journalism, linguistics and ESL. Her studies intersect in her overall passion for language and finding the best ways to use language to make a difference in our daily lives.
This passion earned her 4th place in the Hearst Audio competition in 2026. She also placed first in the Broadcast Education Awards for Student Radio Hard News Reporting 2026. Although she believes that sharing the stories of the people she meets is the true reward, these recognitions make her hopeful for the future and encourage her to continue telling the stories of those who are too often overlooked.
Whether it’s a school for at-risk boys, a free ESL class filled with immigrant students, or a silent reading party striving to bring people together, Z is there with a microphone and a curious ear. Although she’d prefer to have one-on-ones with her sources, Z is not unfamiliar with scouring through bills, agendas, presentations and hours of meeting tape. Her creativity helps her approach every story with the care and attention they deserve.
Z was an intern at WLRN over the summer, a deputy editor at WUFT during her senior year, and podcast producer for the Florida Political Review out of the Bob Graham Center at the University of Florida.
She is grateful and excited to be a part of the NPR station she listened to growing up. As a painter and musician in her free time, she is excited to bring her own creativity and color to every story she reports and produces. Her cat, King Boo, is excited to have more equipment to cover in cat hair.
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The party scene in Miami is not just changing, it’s rewinding. In some cases, it’s going analog. The kids are turning to yoga, retro cameras, and at one local bookstore, silently reading with a group of strangers. At the Books & Books reading party, the party is silent and the vibes are literary. -
Renaming Palm Beach County's main airport after President Donald Trump would cost an estimated $5.5 million. -
The longtime PBS series Great Performances turns its focus to the young artists behind the New World Symphony on Miami Beach. The first episode of Chasing Crescendos releases Wednesday afternoon on Great Performances digital platforms. -
The record-breaking cold snap that hit Florida over the weekend had South Floridians shivering - and iguanas cold-stunned. Trappers collected thousands of iguanas, and thousands more were turned into the The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in just two days. -
The U.S. House Ethics Committee says they have evidence of violations of government ethics and House rules by the Democratic South Florida Congresswoman. -
The city planning board recently heard public comment on Sept. 9 ahead of the decision. They also heard from former comedian and mayoral candidate Steve Burke who’s now the entrepreneur behind the Superhuman Museum. -
The Broward Sierra Group Junior Team set up the county's first seed libraries at five library branches. Visitors “borrow” packets of seeds free of charge to plant in their own yards or community gardens. The seeds are native or beneficial to South Florida’s ecosystems, in order to support pollinators like bees, increase biodiversity and reintroduce native plants lost to development. -
Florida has the highest rate of book challenges and restrictions in school and public libraries. Meanwhile, the owners of Roots Bookstore and Market aim to offer opportunities for the community through literature and activism. -
Florida Power & Light’s proposed rate hike will have its first hearing on Monday before the Florida Public Service Commission. Ahead of the hearing, consumer activist groups held a press briefing to press the PSC to reject it. -
Although stingrays and other rays around the world are at a growing risk of extinction, research into their habits has been lacking. "Biologging" is a non-invasive method of tracking animals in the wild and is transforming how scientists study movement, behavior and social interactions. -
South Florida-based Spirit Airline will soon become the only carrier offering nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Key West. -
City commissioners recently deferred a vote on considering two applicants for the contract. This is the third time in the past year the commission has punted a decision.
