This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke about the push to build new large-scale data centers for artificial intelligence and how local communities in Florida are responding with WUSF’s Jessica Meszaros (00:00). Then, we checked in with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter, about an effort to restrict the governor's use of the state’s emergency fund (14:42). Plus, we heard about a new film from Flagler College about the unique history of Francisco Menéndez and the free Black settlement Fort Mose (19:34). We also spoke about the state’s plan to create a museum dedicated to Black history in Florida (31:00). And later, a roundup of educational news from across the state (37:32) and the outlook ahead for Florida’s drought (45:08).

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).

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 spoke about a new state law that gives cities the option to allow churches and other religious institutions to build affordable housing on their property regardless of zoning. First, we spoke with the sponsor of the law Sen. Alexis Calatayud (00:00) and then we heard from a pastor of a church in St. Petersburg that is close to breaking ground on a new housing development (15:16) Plus, we took a closer look at a recent legal opinion from Florida’s Attorney General calling for the state to stop enforcing many state laws giving preferences, quotas and other considerations based on race (20:26). And we asked our partners at PolitiFact what is and isn’t legal to do at a protest (32:58). Plus, more news from across the state including new property tax proposals (37:34), campaign announcements (40:02) and an update on Florida’s unusually cold weather (41:32).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look at immigration policy a year into the second Trump administration (00:00). Then, we looked at Florida's affordable housing problem with FSU professor Sam Staley (20:26) and bills aimed to address the issue with Douglas Soule, ‘Your Florida’ state government reporter (34:02). And later, news from the week from across the state including an update on the state’s DOGE task force (37:32) and public school closures in Broward and Brevard counties (43:36). Plus, an effort to eliminate pennies moves forward in the Florida Senate (47:12).

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).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta about inflation, the job market and affordability (00:30). Then, we talked about the upcoming state legislative session with Senate President Ben Albritton (20:14). Plus, we connected with Samantha Putterman with our partner PolitiFact for the latest fact-checks of the news (32:54). And later, Your Florida’s Meghan Bowman joined us to preview a new project exploring how the detention known as Alligator Alcatraz center awoke a decades-old environmental fight (37:30).

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).

This week on a special ‘Film Fest’ edition of The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three directors of three film documentaries related to the Sunshine State. First, we spoke with Rick Goldsmith, the director of “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” (01:10). Then, we spoke about the documentary “River of Grass,” with its co-producer Ali Codina and director Sasha Wortzel (19:30). Plus, we were joined by Jamie Winterstern, the director of “Sanibel,” a documentary that explores sea-shelling around the island before and after Hurricane Ian (37:36).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we were joined by KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to talk about what’s at stake for Florida as the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire (00:00). Then, we spoke with Rep. Tom Fabricio (R-Miami-Dade) about the effort to reform property taxes that will be the focus of the next legislative session (08:32). Plus, we heard from a man who has witnessed hundreds of detention hearings in a Florida federal immigration court (19:34). We also looked at how the largest school district in the state may be cut out of decisions about new charter schools (37:28). And later, we share some listener emails from our inbox (45:28).