The South Florida Roundup

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Miami politics, FIU's Turning Point chapter and West Palm Beach's new high-tech coup Oct 03, 2025

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On the latest episode of The South Florida Roundup, we reviewed Tuesday night’s nasty Miami mayoral debate — and asked whether this crowded and cacophonous race can improve before the Nov. 4 election. (We’re not counting on it.) (1:09) We also spoke to a Florida International University alum about the late activist Charlie Kirk and how his Turning Point USA has galvanized campus conservatives (18:37). And we looked at West Palm Beach’s latest win in its campaign to become Wall Street South (34:37).

Making ends meet in South Florida, Trump's presidential library and South Miami's lawsuit on ICE agreements Sep 26, 2025

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On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed United Way’s discouraging new revelation that half or most residents in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are living paycheck to paycheck [01:11]. We also looked at the vote Miami Dade College's Board made this week to transfer a downtown lot to the state, which Gov. Ron DeSantis says it will be the space for the future Trump Presidential Library [24:47]. And South Miami Mayor Javier Fernandez discussed the less-than-clear end to his city’s suit challenging immigration enforcement cooperation [34:41].

Aftermath of Charlie Kirk's death in Palmetto Bay, Miami-Dade's budget and the stand-your-ground statue Sep 19, 2025

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On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup, we looked at the free-speech debate raging after Charlie Kirk’s death — specifically in Palmetto Bay, whose mayor, Karyn Cunningham, talked about ousting Councilman Steve Cody after a social media post he made on the matter (01:20). We also talked with Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava about how a county budget that looked wrecked got repaired, and approved (14:15). And we discussed why a Broward County judge just let a police officer off in a deadly shooting case (26:59).

The Epstein Files, Freedom Tower and Miami's punk scene Sep 12, 2025

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On this episode of The South Florida Roundup — whether or not that really is Donald Trump’s signature — we examined all the still unanswered questions in the Epstein sex-trafficking atrocity that still traumatizes South Florida [01:20]. We also looked at next week’s centennial re-opening of Miami’s Freedom Tower — but also at why Miami’s Cubans may be feeling more ambivalent than exultant at the ribbon-cutting [14:15]. And we said farewell to one popular hip music venue — but welcomed back another [27:08].

Out-of-network in Broward, Conch Republic controversies and U.S military strike on a Venezuela drug boat Sep 05, 2025

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On this episode of The South Florida Roundup, we examined the standoff between Broward County’s major hospital systems, Memorial Healthcare and Broward Health, and its largest healthcare insurer, Florida Blue — which has stranded some 50,000 patients (01:09). We also looked at more Conch Republic controversy after Key West’s planning director resigned this week, adding to the ugly city hall optics there (21:31). And we discussed this week’s U.S. military strike on a Venezuelan drug boat — and what it portends (33:36).

Is mass deportation the answer to Florida's labor situation? Aug 29, 2025

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On the latest episode of the South Florida Roundup, we devoted the whole show to the realities — and myths — of our undocumented migrant workers. President Trump is out to demonize them and expel them for good. It’s not likely he can do that — but even if he could, what then? Especially in Florida, a state where today there are only 53 available workers for every 100 available jobs, and a state where undocumented migrants pay some $2 billion in taxes. Should we evict these folks, or embrace them?

Alligator Alcatraz ordered to shut down, Florida's gay pride crosswalks and Trump's fight against Latin America's drug cartels Aug 22, 2025

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On this week's episode of The South Florida Roundup, we discussed why a federal judge Thursday night gave the controversial migrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz 60 days to close down and allow no new detainees (01:10). We also asked why Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis seem obsessed with eradicating any public tribute to the LGBTQ community (20:56). And we examined President Trump’s urge to send the U.S. military into Latin America to battle the region’s drug cartels (35:40).

Tri-Rail funding crisis, pill mill resurgence and the Gen Z-driven salsa revival Aug 15, 2025

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On the latest episode of the South Florida Roundup, we discuss why the state legislature yanked two-thirds of funding from one of South Florida’s most popular transit services, Tri-Rail (0:10). We also looked at a new federal investigation into a possible pill mill resurgence in Florida and questions surrounding the state laws that were supposed to prevent it (19:05). And we listened to why even reggaeton superstars like Bad Bunny are hopping into the salsa music revival (33:05).

Back to School in South Florida: School choice, AI, budget cuts and more Aug 08, 2025

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On the latest episode of The South Florida, we devoted the whole hour to pick the brains of the superintendents of South Florida’s three largest schools systems: Miami-Dade County Public Schools (1:09), Broward County Public Schools (21:12) and Palm Beach County School District (39:09). And while they’re all feeling pretty good about receiving A-grades, they’ve got challenges ahead in the new school year that starts next week. Among them: stiff competition from private and charter schools, budget cuts and this new thing called A.I.

South Florida's latest boating tragedy, a controversial immigration arrest and the 'Golden Age' of media Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

On The South Florida Roundup, we examined Monday’s traumatic collision between a barge and a sailboat in Biscayne Bay that left two children dead — and again reminded us how chaotic our local waters seem to be (01:08). We also looked at a controversial immigration arrest in Palm Beach County that mistakenly collared a young U.S. citizen — who was told he “had no rights” (19:24). And we talked with former CBS chairman and Palm Beach resident Gene Jankowski about his new media memoir (36:09).

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