Florida Matters

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.

As the presidential election heads into its final weeks, you’re probably seeing a torrent of campaign ads, memes and political headlines on your social media.

There’s a lot of misinformation swirling around online too

And after back to back hurricanes, misinformation is also spinning up around natural disasters- from how storms are formed to disaster recovery.

When your social media feed is jammed with images and headlines about political candidates and storm victims- how can you tell what’s real and what’s fake? In about 10 minutes you’ll hear from Alex Mehadevan, director of Mediawise at Poynter. He’ll share tips on the impact of misinformation- and how to spot it.

But first- 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. Hernando County Emergency Manager David DeCarlo joins Florida Matters to explain how people are coping with the ongoing flooding

It’s been nearly a week since Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key and ripped through the Tampa Bay region and across Central Florida. Just as people were beginning to pick up their lives after Hurricane Helene.

And for many of you it’s been a tough stretch- dealing with damage to your homes, flooding, boil water notices and power outages- and the frantic search for gas. But life is starting to return to some semblance of normal after back to back hurricanes. And that includes getting back to school. On this episode of Florida Matters you'll hear from Tampa Bay Times education reporter Jeff Solochek on how schools were preparing to reopen across the region. Also, Hillsborough County elections supervisors Craig Latimer shares tips on voting in the aftermath of a disaster. And FAU urban design professor John Renne talks about how communities can rebuild to be more resilient.

People had barely even begun picking up their lives after Hurricane Helene two weeks ago when Milton hit the Gulf Coast.

A day after Hurricane Milton slammed into the Gulf Coast, Florida Matters heard from people across the greater Tampa Bay region about the storm's impact and the recovery ahead.

Milton made landfall Wednesday night as a Category 3 hurricane near Siesta Key, just south of Sarasota, with dangerous storm surge, damaging wind and flooding rain. Millions across the state were still without power as first responders continued to rescue people stranded by floodwaters and assess the damage.

For many, Hurricane Milton is a life-changing event, and Florida Matters opened the phones to hear people share their experiences of the storm and ask questions about what's next for recovery and restoration from our panel of reporters and expert guests.

Among the voices you'll hear are WUSF reporters Stephanie Colombini, Kerry Sheridan, and Gabriella Paul, former FEMA director Craig Fugate, chair of the University of South Florida's Psychology Department, Dr. Judith Bryant, Axios senior climate change reporter Andrew Freedman, University of South Florida College of Public Health instructor in Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief and Homeland Security Elizabeth Dunn, former state senator Jeff Brandes, and Pinellas County Public Information Manager David Connor.

People have strong opinions about immigration, and during this presidential election campaign, anxieties over America’s broken immigration system- and hopes the election might bring change- are top of mind for many voters.

Some of you have told WUSF you’re worried about border security. Others are concerned about the rise in xenophobic rhetoric directed at immigrants. Immigration law is complex. And so is the way the immigration system works- and doesn’t work. And it’s not just immigrant communities who are affected. Joining Florida Matters to share their stories about how the immigration system impacts their lives and businesses are Diego Dulanto-Falcon, a DACA recipient and Masters student at the University of South Florida, Elizabeth Arranda, Professor of Sociology & Director of USF's Immigrant Well-Being Research Center and Gary Wishnatzki, a 3rd generation berry farmer and owner of Wish Farms in Hillsborough County. You'll also hear from WUSF's Nancy Guan who has been reporting on immigration in the greater Tampa Bay region. And an update from WUSF's Octavio Jones on the impact of Hurricane Helene on Hernando Beach and Aripeka, two weeks after the powerful hurricane brought storm surge to Florida's gulf coast.