The South Florida Roundup

Latest Episodes:

DeSantis' anti-DEI crusade, the investigation of Miami-Dade Schools' former Supt. and Cuba's latest crisis Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ newest campaign to eradicate Diversity Equity and Inclusion: a bill to let him remove local officials who dare to engage DEI [01:07]. We also looked at why the FBI this week searched the Los Angeles home of former Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho — and a home here [19:17]. And we tried to figure out the truth behind the alleged shootout between Cuban officials and Cuban expats off the Cuban coast [35:31].

Florida voting access, a Miami Beach fitness spring break and diversity at SOBE Wine & Food Fest Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we examined legislative efforts to rein in systems like Palm Beach County’s that make early voting easier [01:07]. Is it part of a larger campaign to make voting harder in upcoming elections? We also checked out Miami Beach’s Spring Break reform campaign to replace beer chugging with beach jogging — and toga parties with yoga parties [19:52]. And we looked at the 25th anniversary of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival: the increasing presence of Afro-Caribbean chefs and the ever-important role of FIU students [35:32].

The Epstein Case, Miami's signature bridge and Bad Bunny's half-time show Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we talked to Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald journalist who’s done the most to keep the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case alive. How does she assess the massive new release of files [1:09]? We also looked at disturbing complaints of alleged design errors and defective materials as Miami’s once celebrated Fountain bridge project faces even more delays and costs [19:33]. And we discussed the trials and triumphs of Puerto Rico that Bad Bunny was singing about at the Super Bowl [35:41].

English-only driver license tests, Broward cities break up with Sheriff's Office and what's next for TPS Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we went back to the future to discuss Florida’s new English-only drivers license test, which in Miami is a historically sore subject — and the subject of a new play that just opened here [1:09]. We also examined what’s feeling like a trend: cities in Broward County opting out of law enforcement contracts with the Broward Sheriff’s Office [19:22]. And we looked at what’s next after a federal judge blocked cancellation of Haitian TPS — and where TPS stands after 35 years [33:12].

Live from Little Haiti: The uncertain future of TPS for Haitians Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida, our show came to you live from the Little Haiti Cultural Complex in Miami, where we devoted the program to the immigration crisis facing our large and important Haitian community. Tuesday, Feb. 3, may see the cancellation of the Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, that has shielded more than 350,000 Haitians from deportation to Haiti — that is, back to a country that’s been rendered dystopian by the chaos of violent gang rule. Does Trump have a case? Or will the U.S courts block him?

Palm Beach County leads with AI, Calle Ocho's revitalization and UM football Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we looked at a citizen revolt brewing in Palm Beach County against those massive A.I., or artificial intelligence, data centers. Water waste. Noise. And big power bills (01:09). We also examined why a decade-old plan to create less driving and more walking along Miami’s iconic Calle Ocho in Little Havana is still in limbo (18:04). And after the Hurricane’s championship bid here Monday, we asked: Is there really such a thing as college football anymore? Or just money (34:39)?

The aftermath of Maduro's ouster and the Miami Hurricanes' return to national prominence Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we unpacked what has happened in Venezuela since that stunning U.S. special forces operation that captured dictator Nicolás Maduro early Saturday. What is the Trump administration’s plan now for restoring democracy — as Venezuela’s regime holdovers order new repression? What about María Corina Machado — or is this just about oil? (01:09) And we also looked at the return of University of Miami football to national prominence (40:00).

Encore: 'History We Call Home: 100 Years of South Florida' Jan 02, 2026

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In a re-broadcast of The South Florida Roundup, we revisited the stories WLRN reporters followed in 2025 on the South Florida cities that turned 100 years. It's WLRN’s fascinating series “History We Call Home: 100 Years of South Florida.” The reports take us back to the epic real estate boom of the 1920s, which spawned city charters up and down our coast. Was Al Capone a founding father of Deerfield Beach? Why did all those pink flamingos stay in Hialeah? And how did Boca Raton become a reverse, North-to-South Black migration magnet?

Encore: An immigration mystery, bilingual odes to Miami and a post-literate world Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

In a re-broadcast of The South Florida Roundup, we revisited conversations we aired last month with Miami Book Fair authors. Award-winning Miami journalist Mirta Ojito talks about her debut novel Deeper Than the Ocean — and the immigration mysteries it solves [01:09]. Honduran-American Oscar Fuentes — the Biscayne Poet — shares his odes to Miami in English and Spanish… with a little music [18:56]. And Miami Book Fair co-founder Mitchell Kaplan discusses why reading, against all odds, still has a future [36:37].

Miami-Dade's charter schools debate, sexual violence in Haiti and interfaith efforts in the holidays Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we looked at an unusual, if not unconstitutional, move by the state to authorize charter schools in Miami-Dade County — without the authorization of Miami-Dade public schools [01:09]. We also discussed an important new Miami Herald series, “Haiti’s Lost Generation,” on the growing horror of women and girls raped by violent gangs [13:05]. And we tried to understand the uneasy place that our faiths — and our inter-faith efforts — are at in this year’s holiday season [29:58].

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