Shows / Florida Matters
Florida Matters
Your spot for real, daily conversations. Where neighbors become storytellers, newsmakers explain why and how changes happen and where locals — natives to the area and newcomers — discover and delight in the community they share.
Episodes
- Florida Matters
Fighting for street-legal art, blue-night specials, a low-water mark, recipes lost and found
Florida muralists are challenging the state over removed sidewalk artwork. Ideas to survive the drought. A culinary anthropologist's hobby. And a new social…
- Florida Matters
Birth plan on trial, tariffs on tap, SRQ flies through shutdown, Century Club equestrian
A woman says her own birth plan was overridden when a hospital sought legal intervention. The case was argued before a judge over Zoom – while she was in…
- Florida Matters
HIV patients get temporary relief, school vaccines and protests, New College film, Betty Castor
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure to keep funding going for lifesaving medication. But the coverage runs out in July. Hence, the legal back-and-forth over the…
- Florida Matters
Work to do in Tally, Tampa's gold medalist, questioning St. Pete's boom, Pilates pop-ups
Despite passing a slate of high-profile bills, Florida lawmakers couldn’t resolve some of their biggest disagreements. Where do things stand and what’s up with…
- Florida Matters
Red-light cameras on trial, turning a new reef, sea for yourself, learning and living outdoors
A judge recently found one red-light camera ticket unconstitutional. With dozens of intersections under electric eyes, broader impacts of the ruling remain…
- Florida Matters
Burdens of proof for voters, terror labels, power pole honor roll, a local centennial
“Florida Matters Live & Local” takes a closer look at a pair of controversial bills heading to the governor’s desk. One covers voter ID and the other allows…
- Florida Matters
Travelers' turbulance, Rays the roof cost, Sun worshippers wanted
Spring breakers are hitting the skies as fuel costs surge and economic uncertainty grows. Airline expert Darryl Jenkins warns he can’t confidently predict…
- Florida Matters
Spicing up the mayor's race, sports engineering, Legislative lookback, a real piece of quirk
East Tampa native Anthony Gilbert is best known online as a food influencer exploring hidden culinary spots. Now he’s bringing a full plate of ideas to local…
- Florida Matters
Talking with Lt. Gov. Collins, Dalí news that will melt your clocks, Cocoa's Car-uso
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins dials into “Florida Matters Live & Local” to talk about why he’s running for governor and review some of his legislative priorities. We’ll…
- Florida Matters
AG candidate José Javier Rodríguez, ICE and H-1B visas, a World Cup love letter
Former state lawmaker José Javier Rodríguez wants to be Florida’s Attorney General. He faces steep odds in a very red state. On “Florida Matters Live & Local,”…
- Florida Matters
Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
In just a week, gas prices have shot up to almost $4 for a gallon of regular unleaded. "Florida Matters Live & Local" takes a closer look at what’s driving up…
- Florida Matters
A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol
Hillsborough schools are rolling out smart sensors that detect vape clouds, the Legislature's last week, meeting a Tampa City Council member and taking a dive…
- Florida Matters
Jolt for Lakeland residents, bill deletion, response to Welch, risky med cuts, women take field
Lakeland residents face higher electric bills, while a Senate bill transferring USF Sarasota-Manatee land to New College vanishes — leaving both energy costs…
- Florida Matters
St. Pete mayor looks ahead, nonprofits and citizenship checks, Jackson House rebirth
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…
- Florida Matters
Lessons in school change, Tampa's role in Iran, a new teen curfew, postpartum psychosis
"Live & Local" jumps into four controversial issues: school closures in Pinellas, war planning at MacDill, the new teen curfew in Palmetto and treatment gaps…
- Florida Matters
The Iran attack's many layers, fight for student journalists, Legislature at the stretch
University of South Florida Middle East specialist Arman Mahmoudian weighs in on the bombings in Iran and retaliatory strikes. Call: 813-755-6562 Message…
- Florida Matters
Buildings with a pinkish hue, solving cold cases, a very fast learner
"Florida Matters: Live & Local" brings you stories of art, justice and hometown pride this week. Call: 813-755-6562 Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org Website…
- Florida Matters
A conversation with USF's new president, and a look at kitchen-table economics
So what goes on during the workday of a university president during his second week on campus? Moez Limayem is here to talk about the challenges ahead. Call…
- Florida Matters
Fresh approach to hunger, urchin care for reefs, growth reality check, prison to prevention
From expanding fresh food access and restoring reef ecosystems to measuring regional growth and mentoring youth, "Florida Matters Live & Local" explores…
- Florida Matters
Swiftie Lit 101, Tampa Bay eyes on Iran, Black History Month reprises
From "Folklore" to "Tortured Poets," USF students can take a classical look at Taylor Swift's lyrics. "Florida Matters Live & Local" signs up for a closer…
- Florida Matters
Tigers in their town, fair days in Hardee, sweet strawberries
Florida hosts 15 baseball teams for spring training, but no town has been "all in" and for so long as Lakeland, where the Detroit Tigers have stuck around…
- Florida Matters
'Ought to be' an e-bike law, down on the freezing farm, an NFL journey goes full circle
The death of a classmate in an e-bike accident leads teens to help draft a bill on helmet safety with a state representative. Plus, how growers dealt with the…
- Florida Matters
Protecting our wildways, Capital earmarking, online threats, punky-glory in Gainesville
Polk County recently rejected a planned truck refueling stop near a key wildlife corridor crossing over Interstate 4. It's a pretty big deal for animal and…
- Florida Matters
Counties coping with potential cuts, grading Florida's gun laws, in a shriveled state
With the elimination of property taxes still on tap in Tallahassee, a study shows billions of dollars in potential losses, with some counties standing to lose…
- Florida Matters
Sarasota's Super conductor, saving the Everglades, measles go viral, adore ♥️ explore
The Sarasota Orchestra’s music director had the time of his life during Bad Bunny's Spanish-language Super Bowl halftime, plus segments on Everglades…
- Florida Matters
New College, Phillippi Creek, 2 launch stories, campus hunger, raptor rescues
A couple of college challenges are in the spotlight. We get an update on the New College-USF controversy and learn about the growing concern of student food…
- Florida Matters
A look at the Gas Plant District's past and future, student walkouts, trail praisers
It’s hard to have a conversation about what a place can be without talking about the way it was. Such is the case with the current Tropicana Field site…
- Florida Matters
English-only testing, touching base in Tally, a Was pause, shaping Tampa’s Black story
Will the state's English-only driver's tests make roads safer? We look into the rule change on "Florida Matters Live & Local." Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org…
- Florida Matters
Death penalty in focus, 'granny flats,' Bad Bunny's halftime, Super Bowl yummies
We're a month into the 2026, and Florida is continuing its accelerated schedule lethal injections for condemned prisoners, carrying forward a record pace from…
- Florida Matters
Welcoming Mayor Castor, cold hands and green thumbs, Tampa Bay's 'Timeline'
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor sits down for a wide-ranging conversation, tackling everything from the Rays stadium talks and public safety to immigration…
- Florida Matters
The smoking alarm, cleaning up beads, Ybor City safety, capybaras and friends
From Florida’s failing tobacco policies to giant rodents munching lettuce, we cover the state’s public health challenges, community cleanups, street safety…
- Florida Matters
Shooting for the moon, inside lawmaking, an app for that, sweet tradition
You may not have noticed, but NASA is about to launch a crewed mission to the moon. Let's catch up on the latest Artemis mission, which could lift off as soon…
- Florida Matters
Charters and closures, both sides of the tax, glacial recognition, Tampa's gold star
Pinellas County is making big moves to close and merge under-enrolled campuses as charter schools seek space in public schools through the state’s Schools of…
- Florida Matters
Understanding grief attacks, looking up at heroes, Ybor safety, Black romance on silver screens
It's more than just depression. It's exponential bereavement that can feel like panic attack, bringing deep sadness and a feeling of losing control. Let's…
- Florida Matters
Twin Cities' toll on Floridians, and a treasured tradition
On "Florida Matters Live & Local," we discuss how immigration raids in Minneapolis have captured national attention — stirring questions and fears around the…
- Florida Matters
Drilling instruction, a Capitol update, novels from the sin bin, kicking ice in Tampa
Florida leaders from both parties are urging President Trump to keep the offshore drilling moratorium in place, warning of risks to the Gulf’s environment…
- Florida Matters
Rough seas for port proposal? Plus, avoiding immigration scams and a long to-do list
An idea for a cruise terminal near the Skyway is drawing early resistance as environmental groups question whether the promised benefits outweigh the risks to…
- Florida Matters
Sarasota schools, immigration and fear; Hillsborough College will play ball with Rays
Immigration enforcement and education collided this week in Sarasota, where a narrow school board vote drew hours of public testimony and intense debate. Call…
- Florida Matters
Renner makes his case, fallout of data dousing, digging in the past, a teacher to remember
Former House Speaker Paul Renner is running for the Republican nomination to be Florida's governor. He talks about his plans with "Florida Matters Live &…
- Florida Matters
On MLK Day: Reflecting on Black pioneers who carried the dream
"Florida Matters Live & Local" spends the hour looking at the lives and legacies of lawmakers John Lewis and Arthenia Joyner, author Zora Neale Hurston, and…
- Florida Matters
The Rays and Tampa, Plant City's No. 1 advocate, fair sharing, celebrating MLK
It's no secret that the Tampa Bay Rays have been searching for a new home since the former ownership walked away from a St. Petersburg redevelopment deal. It's…
- Florida Matters
Keeping St. Armands above water, another view on State of the State, art without a home
Sarasota has the money to improve coastal flooding protection. However, the funding comes with questions about what improvements can be made and will they…
- Florida Matters
Instant analysis of Gov. DeSantis' State of the State address
The conversation features insights from longtime local political journalist William March, PolitiFact Florida government reporter Sam Putterman and WUSF…
- Florida Matters
ACA clock is ticking, drop in international students, USF athletics success
A high-stakes debate in Congress will likely determine whether Affordable Care Act premiums stay affordable. Will there be a resolution before this year's…
- Florida Matters
Sky's the limit for airport boss, recalling Tampa lunch counter sit-ins, musicians band together
We learn plenty from Tampa International Airport CEO Michael Stephens during a special interview on "Florida Matters Live & Local." Also, a bit of local…
- Florida Matters
Behind our Everglades report, Rauschenberg’s Florida, bird's-eye views, snow and tell
From a decades-old environmental clash to a centennial art celebration, a quirky state bird debate and a frosty escape, "Florida Matters Live & Local" guests…
- Florida Matters
Protecting endangered wildlife, a literary legacy, sculpture culture, surviving in sync
"Florida Matters Live & Local" guest host Cathy Carter dives into topics that highlight the challenges and the creativity that define our state. From…
- Florida Matters
Freedom and stability are within Venezuelans' grip, SOS for RSV, a memoir of survival
Freedoms, fevers and family secrets lead "Florida Matters Live & Local" into the new year, with discussions on Venezuela, children's health and a revealing…
- Florida Matters
Florida Matters Live & Local - December 23, 2025
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…
- Florida Matters
Florida Matters Live & Local - December 22, 2025
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…
- Florida Matters
When no fare is OK, hidden holiday hazards, loan 'pros' and cons, getting ready to slay
An interesting mix of convos on "Florida Matters Live & Local." We roam from free rides and student loan changes to safety tips and a local queen hitting the…
- Florida Matters
Tracing tax money, a new history 'major,' hot lit, cat lovers unite, giving 2 hoots and more
Learn more about an investigation into Medicaid money used by the DeSantis administration to fight a pair of amendments. Also, meet the new history center CEO…
- Florida Matters
Digging into the drilling dilemma, books get an afterlife, Harlem Globetrotting, Tampa bowl talk
From debates on energy and environmental risks to rescued books, basketball legends, and college football thrills, "Florida Matters Live & Local" celebrates…
- Florida Matters
USF's new president, local reaction to Australia terror, state park devotees, urban farms
Sky Lebron is the guest host on "Live & Local," with segments on USF's new man in charge, faith congregations' reaction to violence, a couple who loves…
- Florida Matters
The boss signs off, Circus City, reinventing the 'Greatest Show,' avoiding TSA drama
On "Florida Matters Live & Local," hear 23 years of radio insight from WUSF's outgoing leader, JoAnn Urofsky. Then it's off to the circus, to learn about…
- Florida Matters
Screen time showdown, an F for voucher chaos, parks need a tuneup, a pastor's miracle
"Florida Matters Live & Local" scrolls from social media and voucher mismanagement to underfunded state parks and a church leader's survival against the odds…
- Florida Matters
Buying into a grocery co-op, thrown under the syllabus, Capitol ideas, a star-spangled sprinter
On "Florida Matters Live & Local," host Matthew Peddie directs listeners from south St. Pete's food concerns, a dustup over oversight of college courses, a…
- Florida Matters
Meet Madam Mayor, Palladium's next act, chasing pursuit questions, driverless cab rides
"Florida Matters: Live & Local" explores topics on leadership, culture, safety and innovation that are shaping communities across the state. Call: 813-755-6562…
- Florida Matters
Fundraiser encore: Vets deploy in the business world, Dr. Deep Sea resurfaces, Florida Man cometh
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…
- Florida Matters
Fundraising encores: 'Re-volt' readiness, a neighborhood for the books, half-pipe dreams
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…