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Rev. Charles McKenzie spends his time at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota helping bring Dr. King's teachings to life through speech reenactments.
Read more: www.wusf.org/arts-culture...
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January 19, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Rev. Charles McKenzie spends his time at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe in Sarasota helping bring Dr. King's teachings to life through speech reenactments.
Read more: www.wusf.org/arts-culture...
Read more: www.wusf.org/arts-culture...
"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 the enduring words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
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 the enduring words of the Rev. Martin Luthe...
www.wusf.org
January 19, 2026 at 8:07 PM
"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 the enduring words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
There is a trend of con artists posing as attorneys claiming they can help undocumented people secure work permits and bilking them of thousands of dollars.
Sarasota woman defrauded as immigration scams rise nationwide
There is a trend of con artists posing as attorneys claiming they can help undocumented people secure work permits and bilking them of thousands of dollars.
www.wusf.org
January 19, 2026 at 5:03 PM
There is a trend of con artists posing as attorneys claiming they can help undocumented people secure work permits and bilking them of thousands of dollars.
Some of the 2025 policies that have been implemented include cracking down on immigration and dismantling the Department of Education.
Trump has rolled out many of the Project 2025 policies he once claimed ignorance about
Some of the 2025 policies that have been implemented include cracking down on immigration and dismantling the Department of Education.
www.wusf.org
January 19, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Some of the 2025 policies that have been implemented include cracking down on immigration and dismantling the Department of Education.
Cold weather shelters are opening across Tampa Bay through the weekend as temperatures drop. Here's what to know, and where they are.
Cold weather shelters opening across Tampa Bay through the weekend.
Shelters open when the National Weather Service expects "feels like" temperatures to hit 40 degrees or below. Here's what to know.
www.wusf.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Cold weather shelters are opening across Tampa Bay through the weekend as temperatures drop. Here's what to know, and where they are.
Polk County Schools saw the worst teacher shortages in the state with about 412 vacancies, according to the Florida Education Association's latest count.
Read more: www.wusf.org/education/20...
Read more: www.wusf.org/education/20...
January 16, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Polk County Schools saw the worst teacher shortages in the state with about 412 vacancies, according to the Florida Education Association's latest count.
Read more: www.wusf.org/education/20...
Read more: www.wusf.org/education/20...
Mayor Ken Welch’s reelection campaign has recently taken two significant hits, but he insists he is not down for the count. He expressed confidence in his ability to overcome challenges and pride in his community-based support.
'Not concerned': Welch breaks silence on campaign turmoil
“You can’t let that deter you from doing the job,” St. Petersburg's mayor said after his former treasurer stands accused of stealing more than $207,000 in campaign money.
www.wusf.org
January 16, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Mayor Ken Welch’s reelection campaign has recently taken two significant hits, but he insists he is not down for the count. He expressed confidence in his ability to overcome challenges and pride in his community-based support.
The state wants to further restrict illegal immigration in Florida. A new bill introduced Thursday could hit undocumented workers in their wallets.
Florida continues to push new laws penalizing illegal immigration
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has written a bill introduced in the legislature that would increase penalties for undocumented workers.
www.wusf.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:03 PM
The state wants to further restrict illegal immigration in Florida. A new bill introduced Thursday could hit undocumented workers in their wallets.
The Howard Frankland Bridge expansion project remains on schedule – but it’s going to cost more than $100 million more than originally projected.
Howard Frankland Bridge project rises more than $100 million over budget
Florida Department of Transportation officials say the price tag is now set at $973.4 million.
www.wusf.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:41 PM
The Howard Frankland Bridge expansion project remains on schedule – but it’s going to cost more than $100 million more than originally projected.
The Tampa Bay Rays appear interested in a deal that could place a new indoor baseball stadium on Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus.
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
January 16, 2026 at 2:39 PM
The Tampa Bay Rays appear interested in a deal that could place a new indoor baseball stadium on Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus.
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
For most of the year, Abby Cheshire teaches culinary arts for Florida Virtual School. And when school lets out, she works her summer job: A chef on a private yacht.
TikTok star, cookbook author and yacht chef Abby Cheshire: 'It’s like Below Deck, without the drama'
The kitchen always finds her.
www.wusf.org
January 15, 2026 at 11:36 PM
For most of the year, Abby Cheshire teaches culinary arts for Florida Virtual School. And when school lets out, she works her summer job: A chef on a private yacht.
The Rays may be closer than ever to a new stadium in Tampa as Hillsborough College explores renovating its North Dale Mabry Campus into a mixed-use development. We catch you up on "Florida Matters Live & Local."
The Rays and Tampa, Plant City's No. 1 advocate, fair sharing, celebrating MLK
The Rays may be closer than ever to a new stadium in Tampa as Hillsborough College explores renovating its North Dale Mabry Campus into a mixed-use development. We catch you up.
www.wusf.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM
The Rays may be closer than ever to a new stadium in Tampa as Hillsborough College explores renovating its North Dale Mabry Campus into a mixed-use development. We catch you up on "Florida Matters Live & Local."
There is a major detail that changes the league's approach ahead of the construction of the rink: Raymond James Stadium is a fully outdoor stadium exposed to Florida's temperature and humidity.
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
January 15, 2026 at 9:51 PM
There is a major detail that changes the league's approach ahead of the construction of the rink: Raymond James Stadium is a fully outdoor stadium exposed to Florida's temperature and humidity.
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...
The partnership will add physicians, accelerate research and expand local access to clinical trials.
Lakeland Regional and Tampa General partner to bring more specialized care to Lakeland
The partnership will add physicians, accelerate research and expand local access to clinical trials.
www.wusf.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:37 PM
The partnership will add physicians, accelerate research and expand local access to clinical trials.
The Florida Senate voted on Wednesday to overhaul Florida’s school voucher system, which diverts billions of public education dollars every year to students’ private schooling and homeschooling.
Florida Senate passes overhaul of private school vouchers
The voucher legislation passed unanimously on Wednesday, a couple of months after an audit found a "myriad of accountability challenges that left a statewide funding shortfall and a system where fundi...
www.wusf.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:27 PM
The Florida Senate voted on Wednesday to overhaul Florida’s school voucher system, which diverts billions of public education dollars every year to students’ private schooling and homeschooling.
During Tuesday's State of the State address, Gov. DeSantis connected the progress to the state's emphasis on school choice, parental rights, the end of accountability testing and a classroom ban on cellphones.
www.wusf.org/education/20...
www.wusf.org/education/20...
Florida's high school grad rates surge to historic highs. DeSantis credits education policies
According to the state, 92.2% of students earned a diploma in 2024-25 – 2.5 points over the previous year and 4.9 points over 2021-22. The progress was celebrated at the district level, including the ...
www.wusf.org
January 15, 2026 at 10:52 AM
During Tuesday's State of the State address, Gov. DeSantis connected the progress to the state's emphasis on school choice, parental rights, the end of accountability testing and a classroom ban on cellphones.
www.wusf.org/education/20...
www.wusf.org/education/20...
Walmart is America's most popular retailer and the world's largest, which gives it the power to negotiate with suppliers for some of the lowest and most stable prices.
How have prices changed in a year? NPR checked 114 items at Walmart
We found the effects of tariffs and extreme weather, relief (finally!) in the egg cooler, plus one case of shrinkflation.
www.wusf.org
January 14, 2026 at 11:42 PM
Walmart is America's most popular retailer and the world's largest, which gives it the power to negotiate with suppliers for some of the lowest and most stable prices.
Sarasota has the money to improve coastal flooding protection. However, the funding comes with questions about what improvements can be made and whether they solve the problem as sea levels rise.
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 solve the problem as sea levels rise.
www.wusf.org
January 14, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Sarasota has the money to improve coastal flooding protection. However, the funding comes with questions about what improvements can be made and whether they solve the problem as sea levels rise.
At least a dozen federal datasets have been axed or altered under the Trump administration. They track issues such as climate change, food security and health outcomes.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
January 14, 2026 at 9:29 PM
At least a dozen federal datasets have been axed or altered under the Trump administration. They track issues such as climate change, food security and health outcomes.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
DeSantis marked his final State of the State address kicking off Florida's 2026 legislative session talking about illegal immigration, election integrity and more.
PolitiFact FL: Fact-checking DeSantis' final State of the State speech
DeSantis marked his final State of the State address kicking off Florida's 2026 legislative session talking about illegal immigration, election integrity and more.
www.wusf.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:36 PM
DeSantis marked his final State of the State address kicking off Florida's 2026 legislative session talking about illegal immigration, election integrity and more.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Governor Ron DeSantis have been feuding since the beginning of 2025. Their fractured relationship took center stage during the governor’s annual State of the State address Tuesday.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
January 14, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Governor Ron DeSantis have been feuding since the beginning of 2025. Their fractured relationship took center stage during the governor’s annual State of the State address Tuesday.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Much-welcomed rain continues to fall across South Florida, but we await a stronger cold front that will sweep over the state on Thursday and could possibly bring the coldest air mass of the season so far.
Rain lingers across South Florida, another cold front is on the way for the state
Much-welcomed rain continues to fall across South Florida, but we await a stronger cold front that will sweep over the state on Thursday and could possibly bring the coldest air mass of the season so ...
www.wusf.org
January 14, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Much-welcomed rain continues to fall across South Florida, but we await a stronger cold front that will sweep over the state on Thursday and could possibly bring the coldest air mass of the season so far.
As Customs and Border Protection held a hiring event to recruit potential officers, people gathered outside of the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park in protest.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
January 14, 2026 at 2:46 PM
As Customs and Border Protection held a hiring event to recruit potential officers, people gathered outside of the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park in protest.
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
Sixteen U.S. figure skaters are competing in all four Olympic disciplines: men's, women's, pairs and ice dance. The team includes a mix of seasoned vets, world champions and rising stars.
Who are the figure skaters representing Team USA? Key names and backstories to know
Sixteen U.S. figure skaters are competing in all four Olympic disciplines: men's, women's, pairs and ice dance. The team includes a mix of seasoned vets, world champions and rising stars.
www.wusf.org
January 14, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Sixteen U.S. figure skaters are competing in all four Olympic disciplines: men's, women's, pairs and ice dance. The team includes a mix of seasoned vets, world champions and rising stars.
Did you happen to catch Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address? We did, and on “Florida Matters Live & Local,” we break it down.
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 politics/environment reporter Steve Newborn.
www.wusf.org
January 13, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Did you happen to catch Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address? We did, and on “Florida Matters Live & Local,” we break it down.