The South Florida Roundup

Latest Episodes:

Flight attendant on Spirit shutdown, Palm Beach airport's name change, and a crackdown on Cuban migrants May 08, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we spoke with a former Spirit flight attendant based in Fort Lauderdale about the impacts of the airline's abrupt shutdown [0:11]. Host Tim Padgett also spoke with a Miami Herald reporter about the financial specifics of Palm Beach County International Airport's name change after current President Donald J. Trump [18:00]. We spoke with a Cuban American immigration attorney about a new CATO Institute study showing the immigration crackdown that Cubans, in particular, are facing. And, we also listen to some konpa music during Haitian Heritage Month [34:00].

Redistricting on South Florida politics, health impacts of loneliness, and Venezuelan disapproval of Trump grows May 01, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed Florida's new maps after state redistricting efforts [0:11]. Host Tim Padgett spoke with a former U.S. Surgeon General on the health impacts of loneliness [18:00]. We spoke with a South Florida Venezuelan expat who heads the nonprofit Venezuelan-American Caucus. And, we also look at how one South Florida organization is looking for solutions to loneliness through the 10 Days of Connection festival [34:00].

Sheila Cherfilus McCormick's seat, Amazon layoffs in Homestead and the dangers of rip currents Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed the resignation — and replacement — of Democratic Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick amid corruption allegations [1:08]. We examined whether Amazon is violating a jobs agreement with Miami-Dade County when it closes a Homestead shipping center this summer [18:09]. We looked at more heartbreaking rip current deaths here — and how to prevent more. And, we also remembered the life and music of New World Symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas [36:33].

Catholic Charities funding cuts, college immigration cop agreements and South Florida's climate change activists Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we talked with Miami’s Roman Catholic Archbishop Thomas Wenski about the Trump Administration’s erasure of a program to aid unaccompanied child migrants — and the papal-presidential quarrel behind it [01:07]. We also examined a growing movement on Florida college campuses to rescind cooperation deals with federal immigration agencies [19:43]. And we discussed a new WLRN documentary that casts South Florida as a national climate resilience model [35:35].

A Palm Beach County Democrat flips a legislative seat, Inter Miami's Nu Stadium and Liberty City's art treasure Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we talked with newly elected Democratic state Representative Emily Gregory about her surprise win — in President Trump’s district. Was it a harbinger of November’s national midterms? [02:46]. We also reviewed last weekend’s debut of Nu Stadium — the new home of our Major League Soccer club Inter Miami and megastar Lionel Messi [18:15]. And we looked at a Miami Film Festival documentary on Liberty City’s revered arts school — and the stars it’s trained [34:39].

An interfaith intersection: Passover and Easter Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we devoted the whole hour going through two religious holidays that intersected Friday: Good Friday for Christians — leading to Easter on Sunday — and the weeklong Passover celebration for Jews, which started Wednesday evening. So, we hosted Jews and Christians for an important discussion about each other’s faiths. Important because these days new wedges are being driven between those two faiths — and South Florida should be the exception to that troubling trend.

Impact of immigration crackdown in South Florida, a Democrat wins Florida Congress seat and Ron Magill's career Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we talked about how a South Florida crackdown on immigration is impacting the community, despite the lack of national attention. We followed a family through the immigration court system [01:09]. Also, a Democrat has won a special election right in Trump’s backyard. Is reliably-red Florida in for a reckoning [18:31]? Plus, Zoo Miami’s Ron Magill announced his retirement after nearly 50 years [34:33].

College conservatives, a humanitarian convoy for Cuba and Venezuela's world baseball win Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed the racist, sexist, homophobic and antisemitic online images and chat groups that have cast Florida’s young Republicans in a hate-mongering spotlight [01:21]. We also heard from a group that’s responding to the humanitarian crisis in Cuba by ferrying tons of aid to the island this weekend [14:19]. And we looked at how Venezuela’s first-ever World Baseball Classic championship has lifted up Venezuelans worldwide — when they needed it most [24:00].

FBI investigation on Carvalho, a former TV anchor runs for Congress and Black Spring Break Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed new WLRN reporting that shows larger Miami-Dade County ties to a firm at the center of an investigation involving former schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho [01:09]. We also spoke with former CBS4 news anchorman Eliott Rodriguez about his decision to run for the Miami congressional seat held by Maria Elvira Salazar [13:16]. And we looked at a new effort to make Spring Break more relevant — and enjoyable — for young Black people [27:20].

Miami's $170-million house, remembering a gun violence survivor and South Florida's Iranians Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we looked at why Miami is now the “Billionaire Bunkers” capital [01:09]. More ultraluxury homes are sold here than any place in America — but where does that leave the rest of us? We also remembered Miami gunshot survivor Aaron Willis, who died by suicide last month — a reminder of the lasting pain young gun violence victims face [18:52]. And we talked with a local Iranian activist — and a local man stranded in the Middle East — about the hopes and risks of our new war [35:49].

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected