This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with two of the prominent candidates in Florida’s 2026 Governor’s race. First, we heard from Democrat David Jolly, former Republican Congressman representing Florida’s 13th district (02:02). Then, we spoke with Republican candidate Paul Renner, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives (10:40). Plus, we heard from listeners about affordability issues facing Floridians (20:30). Next, we looked at spending at New College of Florida and the state of free speech on campus with Amy Reid of PEN America (28:14). And later, we share news from around the state including the impacts of the federal shutdown in Florida and local food drive efforts (37:48) as well as a story about Lakeland’s famed royal swans (47:02).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about the impact the federal government shutdown is having on Floridians from those who receive SNAP benefits to what is happening to Head Start funding (00:00). Then, we are joined by Katie Roders Turner with the Family Healthcare Foundation to talk about changes to the ACA as open enrollment is set to begin on Nov. 1 (11:30). Plus, we spoke with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman about a recent claim Gov. DeSantis made about the proportion of revenue local governments receive from homesteaded properties (28:58). And later, we talk about how Florida’s Caribbean diaspora are helping with Hurricane Melissa recovery (37:30), hear about the Trump Administration’s airstrikes on on vessels near Venezuela (38:54) and learn about the many different types of “ghosts” that can be found in Florida (44:00).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Daniel Perez (R-Miami-Dade) about the effort to reduce or eliminate property taxes (00:00). Then, we were joined by The Athletic’s Matt Baker to talk about the multi-million dollar “parachute packages” for the football coaches at Florida’s top universities (28:08) following the firing of UF’s coach. And later, we looked at how the federal government shutdown is being felt in Florida (37:16) and spoke with the filmmakers behind a new documentary that explores the Everglades and centers the legacy of environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas (39:40).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about a new state law expanding Florida’s Schools of Hope program first with Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Conner (00:00) and later with Andrew Atterbury, education reporter for POLITICO (21:26). Then, U.S. Rep. Darren Soto joined us to talk about the ongoing government shutdown (21:26). Plus, PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman joined us to check some recent claims around the Affordable Care Act subsidies at the center of those negotiations (33:26). And later, we spoke with the producer and director of a new documentary that examines the trend of hedge funds buying newspapers and what it means for local journalism (37:32). We also dug into our inbox to share some notes from listeners (44:22).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about book restrictions in public schools first with Sophia Brown, program coordinator at PEN America Florida, (00:00) then with Julie Gephards, parent and member of the group Moms For Liberty in Hillsborough County (11:10). Then, we looked at the legal challenges and court cases involving the state law governing book removals with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government team reporter (16:52). Then, we spoke about the availability of COVID-19 boosters in Florida following changes to CDC guidelines and the state’s messaging around vaccines (20:26). Plus, we spoke with U.S. Rep. Randy Fine about the ongoing government shutdown (29:34). And later, we spoke with the director of a new documentary film that examines seashelling on Sanibel Island before and after Hurricane Ian (44:10).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke to former U.S. representatives Stephanie Murphy and Carlos Curbelo, of the Center Aisle Coalition, to discuss the government shutdown and its effect on Florida (00:19). We took listener calls and emails on the topic— specifically on how the battle over Affordable Care Act subsidies could affect Floridian's healthcare coverage. Then, we sat down with WLRN reporter and author, Daniel Rivero, to discuss his new book on the decades-long voting rights battle in the state (24:45). And we checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (37:30).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings about the recent state audits into the county’s spending (00:00). Then, we spoke about how the state’s DOGE efforts relate to property tax reform with Florida TaxWatch President Dominic M. Calabro (08:04) and later, Douglas Soule, Your Florida state government reporter (19:42). Plus, we spoke with a pub owner about why he won’t allow guns onsite despite Florida's new open carry rules (24:52). We also checked in with FPREN Meteorologist Megan Borowski for an update on the tropics (29:46). And later, Maeve McGoran, reporter and host of a new podcast that explores what went wrong in the sinking of the El Faro, joined us (37:36).

Floridians have come under public pressure for social media posts about the killing of Charlie Kirk (00:00). Then, we checked in with Samantha Putterman with PolitiFact to talk about the role that the FCC has in governing speech in broadcasts (15:02). And later, we partnered up with our colleagues at KQED in San Francisco to talk about how California and Florida have responded to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics (19:30); NPR’s immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd also joined the conversation.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at changes to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) under President Trump’s mega spending bill. First, we checked in with Meghan Bowman, Your Florida state government reporter (00:56) and later with Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association (09:12). Then, we looked at how Florida rapidly expanded publicly-funded school vouchers and how some students have gotten lost in the mix with Natalie La Roche Pietri, education reporter at WLRN (20:32). And later, we spoke with journalist and co-host of the Surviving the Survivor podcast Joel Waldman about the guilty verdict in a murder-for-hire plot against a FSU Law professor (32:24). Plus, we dug into our mailbag to share some listener feedback about recent shows (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner about his gubernatorial candidacy (01:04). Then, we spoke with Central Florida Public Media’s Joe Mario Pedersen and WLRN’s Carlton Gillespie about the removal of street art across the state (10:46 ). Plus, we had an update on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ from Christina Boomer Vazquez with WPLG Local 10 News (20:20) and spoke with Dr. Jason Goldman with the American College of Physicians about Florida’s move to remove vaccine requirements for children (25:54). We also checked in with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman for a claims check (32:28). And later, author and journalist Carl Hiaasen joined us to talk about his latest novel set in Florida (39:34).