Advertise on podcast: The South Florida Roundup

This hour we unpacked the winners and losers in Tuesday’s historic midterm elections. Historically catastrophic, that is, for Republicans – but not so much in South Florida (01:03). Did the Democrats waste an opportunity here – or rediscover their mojo (19:03)? We also discussed the massive flooding so many of us in South Florida had to vote IN – and how the passage of Amendment 3 may make it harder to control. And we lit up our large Indian community’s Diwali celebration (34:35).

In this hour we dissected Referendum 3, the City of Miami question on Tuesday’s midterms ballot that asks how we should develop precious waterfront real estate like Virginia Key today (1:03). We also tried to separate fact from fiction about reports that federal immigration enforcement has been showing up at Florida polling places – including in Key Largo (19:03). And we discussed Flávio Bolsonaro’s defeat in Brazil – and his escape to Florida (34:35).

This hour we were all about Amendment 3, the ballot measure that would slash property taxes for budget-crunched homeowners – but would potentially gut services they depend on, from trash pickup to library access to paramedic response. We talked both against and for, starting with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez (01:03), as well as a host of journalists who are closely watching this momentous issue (34:35).

We talked about South Florida voters deciding whether teachers get to keep their pay raises — but voter confusion over the controversial Amendment 3 may lead to unintended consequences (01:03). Broward County commissioners are taking legal action against their own Sheriff’s Office — we took a closer look at this intra-county drama (19:03). And we chatted with the director of an Emmy-winning film about book bans, told through the lens of librarians (34:35).

We assessed the future of diversity, equity and inclusion in Broward County now that DEI has been outlawed by the state. Are the arts – and the renowned Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida – at risk (01:03)? We also discussed revived awareness of campus sexual assault amid the Cornell University case – one of whose alleged rapists now studies here (19:03). And we looked at a new WLRN documentary about the preservation drama involving downtown Miami’s indigenous Tequesta site (34:35).

We looked at the game-changing plan announced to bring a high-tech Carnegie Mellon University campus to Miami’s hip Wynwood district, courtesy of billionaire Ken Griffin (01:03). We also discussed a surprising new study that reveals Biscayne Bay is actually a sanctuary for endangered shark and ray species (13:34). And we fill you in on the 2026 edition of the Miami Broward Carnival that started Saturday, and this time it’s all Broward, baby (26:15).

We will discuss Palm Beach County’s rare budget pushback against its longtime sheriff, Ric Bradshaw — and the scrutiny Broward and Miami-Dade County’s top cops find themselves under (1:03). We also spoke to Hollywood City Mayor Josh Levy about why he’s left the Democratic party to be an independent (13:15). And we’ll examine the Venezuelan community’s anger about ICE arrests in Doral — and President Trump’s meeting with Delcy Rodríguez at the U.N. (26:50).

We examine Republican Miami Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar’s new video telling Trump he’s “gone too far” in his anti-immigration crusade. Is a Latino voter backlash building here? (01:03) As we, so far, experience a hurricane-free season, we’ll also mark today’s centennial of the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 and how it modernized storm preparation. (19:03). And we’ll discuss an important and promising new Alzheimer’s medication trial at Broward Health. (34:35).

We mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Not just the terrorist attacks that changed America forever, but the lives of the terrorists here in South Florida – and the Islamophobia that follows their atrocities even today (1:03). We’ll also discuss the Jewish High Holy Days that start this evening in the shadow of rising antisemitism (19:03). And we’ll talk with Miami Herald reporter Jay Weaver, who’s retiring after decades following South Florida’s often bizarre crime and crime fighters (34:35).

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we speak with filmmaker Xander Robin about his new documentary The Python Hunt. The film examines the rise of Burmese pythons as “exotic pets” that often end up in the Everglades, and the state sponsored 10-day competition to hunt and remove them (0:13). Alex Harris, lead climate change reporter for the Miami Herald, also joins to talk about the impact of climate change in South Florida (20:28), featured in the film Facing the Future: South Florida vs. Climate Change. In an interview with Marshall L. Davis, Sr. and documentary director Brian Bayer (An Instrumental Start: A Model for the Nation), we learn about the development of Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center., which provides access to educational and artistic resources for kids in Liberty City (33:56).

In this week's South Florida Roundup we discussed the disturbing allegations of child sexual abuse against the now suspended Palm Beach County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Mike Caruso, how warning signs get missed – and how victims’ privacy gets violated (01:03). We also looked at the controversial boom in so-called “Animal House” Airbnb rental properties – and that Brickell condo complex where the party just won’t stop (19:03). And we’ll examine how the TPS crisis has created a home healthcare crisis (34:35).

This hour we were joined by Florida International University politics expert Dario Moreno to unpack this week’s primary elections and what they portend for the November midterms. Has the left energized – or compromised – the Democrats? (01:03). We also asked what can be done to raise primary turnout here – especially in Broward County (19:03). And we looked at the record volume of smelly brown seaweed known as sargassum invading our beaches. What’s causing it? (34:35).

We're updating you on the situation in western Colombia after it was hit by a deadly magnitude 7.4 earthquake this week and how the community here is getting relief there. NPR correspondent John Otis will join us from Colombia (01:03). We’ll also take a deep dive into the controversial male dominance culture called the manosphere – and why South Florida is suddenly its epicenter. (19:03). And we’ll examine why it’s now harder to get by in Miami than it is in Manhattan (34:35).

In the next hour we will get you ready for the new school year that begins next week, starting with a conversation with Miami-Dade County’s incoming school superintendent Rafael Villalobos who’s got declining enrollment in his backpack (01:03). We’ll also talk with a nutrition advocate about what looks like the end of universal free lunch for many schools and with a pediatrician about student vaccinations (19:03). And a Broward teacher shares what it’s like to teach in Florida — on Florida pay (34:35).

The primaries are upon us in South Florida. Rest easy, your mail-in ballots look secure — but Democratic races in those new gerrymandered districts? They’re lookin’ messy.Early voting starts on Monday, so we devoted the hour to the Aug. 18 Florida primary elections. The League of Women Voters walked us through what you need to know about the contests and controversies before you head to the ballot box (01:03). We also looked at the hot local races and referendums from Palm Beach to Key West (19:03). And we discussed the primary chaos playing out in so many South Florida congressional districts thanks to that new map (34:35).