The Florida Roundup WLRN

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with three authors — novelist Lauren Groff (02:00), historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (20:28) and former Florida lawmaker Dick Batchelor (37:18) about free expression, leadership, and discovery civility again.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked into a special series from the South Florida Sun Sentinel that examines that state’s infant mortality rate. First, we speak with health reporter Cindy Krischer Goodman (00:21) before speaking with Dr. LaRae Brown, director of UF Health Women’s Specialists — North and Dr. Rodrigo Ruano, Director at UHealth Jackson Fetal Care Center and Division (09:09). Then, we looked at how a revamped federal form for financial aid for students is causing delays with the (19:22). Plus, fallout over a dubious major gift donation to Florida A& M (27:57). And other news from across the state from a deadly bus crash near Ocala (37:18) to severe weather in the Panhandle (40:28). We also heard from our listeners from last week's mailbag (45:44).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with several education reporters from across the state about how districts are considering school closures due to shrinking enrollment. First we heard from Jacksonville Today reporter Megan Mallicoat about Duval County Public Schools (05:45), then we focused on Hillsborough County Public Schools with the Tampa Bay Times’ Marlene Sokol (13:10) and then we spoke with WLRN’s Kate Payne about Broward County Public Schools (16:24). Then, we spoke with an Orange County Public Schools board member about how their district is looking to build new schools (24:08). And later, we were joined by NPR’s Jasmine Garsd for her reporting on the impact of Florida’s anti-immigration laws one year later (31:57). Plus, a series of reports about Florida’s Wildlife Corridor and the 2021 law to conserve millions of more acres (37:18).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we looked at Florida’s 6-week ban as it goes into effect (00:11). We also heard about the latest on campus protests (08:03) and speak to a student reporter about the arrests at the University of Florida (14:20). Plus, we talked about a proposed stadium in St. Petersburg for the Tampa Bay Rays with Tampa Bay Times reporter Colleen Wright (20:08) as well as the negotiations between the city of Jacksonville and the NFL Jaguars over massive stadium renovations with JAX Today reporter Casmira Harrison (30:44). And finally, a roundup of environmental stories from the panhandle to the Keys (37:23).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we spoke with State Senator Lori Berman about legislation targeting antisemitic speech and behavior (01:48) and then we discussed a report finding a rise in antisemitic incidents in 2023 with the Florida Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League (10:06). Plus, an NPR Investigation into the fractured history told by the thousands of historical markers across the country (19:26) and later, we fact-checked President Biden’s speech in Tampa with PolitiFact (38:30).

This week on The Florida Roundup, we talk about how affordability challenges are forcing some older Floridians to return to work, with Tampa Bay Times reporter Lauren Peace (03:16) and further explore how retirement is changing in the state with Central Florida Public Media reporter Joe Byrnes and Anne Ray of UF’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies (11:36). And we remember the life and legacy of Bob Graham with former Florida lawmaker Dick Batchelor (25:30) and later journalist Dan Christensen (31:42). Plus, a few environmental updates from across the state (37:20).