Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us Monday through Thursday from noon-1pm EST as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the challenges facing our community and our state. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

The Tampa Bay Rays are being sold. Major League Baseball approved the deal- worth a reported one point seven billion dollars- last week. The Rays will be back in a patched-up Tropicana Field next season. But a permanent home for the team is still undecided. Ahead on Florida Matters, Live and Local- what’s next for the Tampa Bay Rays? And– pro wrestling has been a staple of American pop culture for decades… and a lot of its stars have come from Tampa Bay. You’ll also meet two pro-wrestlers and hear how they got their start… and why wrestling has deep roots in our region.

If you’ve ever received a speeding ticket, it was probably issued by a state trooper, a police officer, or the city or county where you were snapped speeding. But have you ever gotten one from a Homeowners Association? ALSO READ: HOA or Big Brother? Suncoast neighborhoods use controversial technology to fine speeders Josh Salman of the non-profit newsroom Suncoast Searchlight talks about how some neighborhood associations in Sarasota are issuing their own speeding citations, and why that’s raising concerns about privacy. Also in this episode Developers and environmental groups aren’t always on the same page in Florida. We’ll talk with Tampa Bay Times reporter Jack Prator. He tells the story of how a company accused of destroying a local wetland asked conservation advocates to help make its case. And remember the ocean heatwave that devastated Florida’s coral reefs a couple of years ago? Scientists have been working to rescue the corals and rebuild the reefs. You’ll hear from Keri O’Neil, director and senior scientist of the Florida Aquarium's coral conservation program. O'Neil's on the front lines of coral restoration, and she talks about the threat to Florida corals and what gives her hope for the future.

It’s been pretty hot this summer. If you live in Florida- that’s not news. But you might not know just how dangerous the heat can be for you and your neighbors here in Tampa Bay. On this episode of Florida Matters, we talk about how the heat can be more than just uncomfortable if you’re pregnant. It can cause major health problems for the pregnant person and the baby. WUSF’s Jessica Meszaros explains what she learned about pregnancy and heat. And why these problems are only likely to get worse. Also on the show: we know how expensive it can be to get housing in Tampa Bay. You’ll hear from Bradenton area business owner John Horne of Oyster’s Rock Hospitality and Mark Vengroff, CEO and Managing Partner of One Stop Housing about a solution to the problem: building workforce housing. And Dalia Colon, host of WUSF’s The Zest, joins us to talk about the new season of the podcast- plus food tips for hurricane season.

New rules for people applying to get their learners' permit in Florida aim to make it safer for teen drivers. WUSF’s Meghan Bowman and Pasco County tax collector Mike Fasano join Florida Matters to explain. Have you ever wondered what it takes for a dog to become a service animal? Meet dog trainer Katie Baker with Dogs Inc. of Bradenton and her service dog in training, Star. And the guy behind Tampa International Airport’s wildly popular social media feed is C.J. Johnson. His cheeky Instagram posts are often funny- but there’s more to them than just entertainment.

Amid the country's strict immigration policies, stories are emerging from people placed in federal detention and those no longer in U.S. Some have been deported and some are leaving voluntarily. WUSF's Nancy Guan joins "Florida Matters" to share her reporting about two people whose lives in the Tampa Bay region have been turned upside down. Also, roadways across the state are looking a bit less colorful. Cities and counties are being told by state and federal leaders to remove rainbow crosswalks and other types of street art. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said he doesn’t like it, but the city will comply. Byron Green-Calisch, president of St. Pete Pride, explains how the city’s LGBTQ+ community is reacting to the removal of the iconic rainbow crosswalk at Central Avenue and 25th Street.

Public health experts are worried about the dip in childhood vaccinations. In Sarasota County, the vaccination rate has slid to about 80% for kindergartners. That’s a lower rate than neighboring counties — and the statewide immunization rate. On this episode of Florida Matters, we talk about what’s behind vaccine hesitancy in Sarasota County with WUSF’s Kerry Sheridan. Plus, it’s peak rainy season — meaning mosquitoes are out in full force. You’ll hear from Gabriella Henderson, Community Relations Coordinator with Hillsborough County mosquito management, about how the county is working to control these tiny but dangerous critters.

Inflation has cooled off a bit this year, and prices aren’t going through the roof like they were last year and the year before. But they’re still creeping up. Add cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, and some families in the Tampa Bay region are worried they’ll go hungry. Taylour Grant, a single mom from Tampa, joins us to talk about how SNAP benefits help her buy groceries for her four kids. And WUSF’s Gabriella Paul talks about the wider impact of cuts to those benefits. And, if your kids are in school, you might have had the conversation about whether to pack a lunch or let them have school lunch. We chat about healthy school lunch options with Dr. David Berger, a pediatrician with Wholistic Pediatrics and Family Care in Tampa.

It's hard to believe, but school is back in session. If you're a parent, that means you're already dealing with that early morning dash to school and also coping with the chaos in the car line. On Florida Matters we got a peek inside the backpack as another school year is underway in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties. School administrators are breathing a sigh of relief as millions of dollars in frozen federal grant money have been released. But there's still uncertainty. We spoke with Hillsborough County Public Schools' Deputy Superintendent for Academics and Transformation, Shay McRae, who discussed coping with uncertainty and finding enough bus drivers and teachers. We also got some overall context about vacancies and the school districts from Tampa Bay Times education reporter Jeff Solochek. And finally, we were joined by Shanta Teller-Montes, who is a math teacher in Lutz.

People often own the manufactured home they live in, but rent the land it sits on. And the rent is going up. On this episode, you'll hear from people explaining how they’re struggling to keep pace with rising rent. Their stories are part of a special reporting project from WUSF called Not So Forever Home. The Pulitzer’s Center for local reporting supported it. You’ll also hear from WUSF reporters Octavio Jones and Gabriella Paul. Jones spent the last year talking with people in mobile home communities about their plight, and Paul explains how one more door to home ownership is being squeezed shut.

On this episode you’ll hear from caregivers and advocates about how they face this challenge. Our guests are Rachel Piltch-Loeb, author of The Millennial Caregiver: Caring for Loved Ones in the Busiest Years of Your Life. Viviam Sifontes, research educator at Moffit Cancer Center Lauren Klinger, a Wesley Chapel resident and writer. She’s been a caregiver and is author of the “Learn from My Mistakes” Substack. Thanks to our partners in developing this show - Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and the Alzheimer’s Association, Florida region. This Caregiving project was funded by a grant from WETA and Vu Haus. It’s part of a new documentary and national engagement campaign on the state and stakes of providing care in America. A feature-length documentary and accompanying short films are available on PBS.org and at Well Beings.