Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton upended peoples lives across the greater Tampa Bay region, and WUSF reporters were there to report on the storms as they happened, and the recovery as people rebuild their homes, businesses and get their lives back on track.

Three reporters from the WUSF news team join Florida Matters for a look back at their reporting on the hurricane season. You’ll hear Kerry Sheridan’s insights on how Sarasota and Manatee Counties were impacted by back to back storms. And Gabriella Paul who talked with people who rode out the storms in Pasco County, and rode along with emergency workers as they scrambled to help people in the days and weeks after the storms had passed.

Other highlights include the saga of a missing owl that brought the community together, and stories of how people are getting back to work after back to back hurricanes. Meszaros, Sheridan and Paul also reflect on some of the stories that made the biggest impact in 2024.

From back to back hurricanes to the twists and turns of the US presidential election, there’s been a lot to keep up with in 2024.

Reporters in the WUSF newsroom who covered the issues that had the biggest impact on the greater Tampa Bay region join Florida Matters to share their insights.

Steve Newborn covers politics and the environment, Nancy Guan focuses on immigration and education, Stephanie Colombini covers health care and Sky Lebron covers transportation among other things.

Highlights include stories about polarizing constitutional amendments on recreational marijuana and abortion access, immigration issues, the high cost of groceries and housing, campus protests, and a widely criticized plan to put amenities like pickleball and golf courses in state parks. Reporters also covered some lighter stories including a quest to find the source of mysterious sounds in Tampa Bay, which some speculate was caused by fish mating.

Just a few short months ago the Tampa Bay Rays appeared to be in striking distance of getting a brand new ballpark in St. Petersburg- on the Tropicana Field site.

Then, in October, Hurricane Milton roared into town, tearing the roof off Tropicana Field.

This was no leaking roof: the storm destroyed the massive fabric top of the stadium. That led to a cascade of new problems for the talks already 18 years old.

The city council needs to address repairs to the existing stadium. And newly elected Pinellas County Commissioners less friendly to the stadium deal were sworn in And delays caused by the hurricane are threatening to drive up the cost of the $1.3 billion dollar project.

So are the hopes of the Rays- and St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch- for a new stadium in tatters like the roof of the beloved Trop?

Colleen Wright who covers St. Pete for the Tampa Bay Times joins Florida Matters to bring you up to speed-- and to help explain what the community could expect.

You might remember when state parks hit the headlines last summer.

Florida’s department of environmental protection proposed major developments at nine state parks- including lodges, pickleball courts and a golf course.

But they dropped those plans after widespread protests.

You’re about to meet a St. Petersburg couple on a mission to visit all 175 state parks. And you’ll hear what makes these places so special and why people want to protect them.

In the months after March 2020 as the world grappled with the unknown of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilma Norton and Peter Couture decided to start visiting state parks. And as you’ll hear on this episode of Florida Matters, they have a whole new appreciation for Florida since they embarked on their adventure.

As you look ahead to Thanksgiving, you’re probably thinking about the logistics of the get-together: travel, food preparation or navigating conversations with your extended family.

And you may also be thinking of your neighbors and how you can step up for those who need a helping hand this time of year.

Jennifer Yeagley, with the St. Pete Free Clinic, calls it a “beautifully busy time” as the spirit of giving rolls out. And this year the holidays are going to be even busier as people get their lives back on track after Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

Yeagley talk with Florida Matters about what the free clinic provides for vulnerable people in the community- from health check-ups to groceries- and how the hurricane season has already driven up demand for those services.

affordable houses in short supply and lots of competition.

But if you do own a home in the Tampa Bay region, you might be facing another challenge: getting insurance.

WUSF’s Jessica Meszaros has been reporting on what the homeowner’s insurance crisis looks and feels like in Tampa Bay, and her reporting is featured on WWNO’s ‘Sea Change’ podcast.

Meszaros’ podcast ‘The Stormy Insurance Crisis in the Sunshine State’ dropped back in August, before Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. Those back to back storms brought the insurance crisis into focus, as the region recovers.

Meszaros joins Florida Matters why Florida is the “origin story” of the collapsing home insurance market, and how sketchy companies and climate change are fueling the crisis.

Like a lot of your friends and neighbors across the greater Tampa Bay region- you’re probably looking forward to putting the 2024 Hurricane season in the rear view mirror.

The season’s not quite over- yet.

But if your home or business was damaged by Hurricane Milton- or Helene or Debby- it may take some time to get your life back in order.

Joining Florida Matters to take calls from listeners around the greater Tampa Bay region this episode are: Brady Penn, external affairs officer with FEMA; Charles Gallagher, attorney with Gallagher and associates in St. Petersburg; Clara Reynolds, President and CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

On election night 2025, Florida Matters heard from reporters at WUSF and partner stations at watch parties in the Tampa Bay region as results came in.

Political journalist William March shared insights on the races that were set to have the biggest impact on the balance of power in federal and state government. And the proposed constitutional amendments - on recreational marijuana, abortion access and more.

And listeners called in to share their experience of the election, from voting to the issues that were top of mind as they cast their votes.

Guests on this episode include:

Political journalist William March

WUSF reporters Nancy Guan, Steve Newborn and Stephanie Colombini

WLRN reporters Verónica Zaragovia and Wilkine Brutus

The economy is a leading topic mentioned by voters this year. A poll from the Pew Research Center published in September revealed eight in ten registered voters said the economy will be very important to their vote in the presidential election.

People who responded to an unscientific WUSF survey said they have concerns about property and auto insurance. Income inequality, the cost of housing, inflation and the national debt are among the other economic issues that you say you’re worried about. And basic needs - like the cost of food - are important for voters of all ages.

On this episode of Florida Matters, you’ll hear from WUSF’s Steve Newborn about the economic concerns of senior citizens and students across the greater Tampa Bay region as they think about how they’ll vote. And Michael Snipes, an associate professor of instruction in economics at the University of South Florida, explains the relationship between the election and the economy when it comes to issues like inflation, the cost of housing and homeowners insurance, and policy proposals like eliminating tax on tips.

And, with the presidential election just days away, a lot of people are worried about election integrity. Marion County elections supervisor Wesley Wilcox talks about how you can be sure your vote will be counted, and what’s being done to prevent cyberattacks on elections offices.

Hurricane Milton made landfall nearly two weeks ago- and for some- the disaster isn’t over. Flooding is still causing big problems after the storm dumped more than a foot of rain in some parts of the greater Tampa Bay area. in Hernando County the Withlacoochee river is just starting to go down, but it’s going to take some time for flood waters to recede. Hernando County emergency manager David DeCarlo explains how people near the Withlacoochee river are dealing with the floodwaters, and what the county is doing to help.