This week's topics: Duel to lower property and sales taxes Storm repair funds cancelled in D.C. Florida most at risk in Climate Central Report With guests: Roberto Torres, Business owner, NPA Kathryn Varn, Reporter, Axios Tampa Bay Travis Horn, Founder & CEO, Bullhorn Communications, Republican Janelle Irwin Taylor, Journalist, Publisher, Southeast Politics
Apr 04, 2025•27 min•Ep. 199
This week's topics: Tropicana Field Roof Repair up in the air Lawmakers work to reconcile condo safety laws New Bill would rollback child labor laws With guests: Darryl Paulson, Professor Emeritus of Govt. & Politics, USF- St. Petersburg Victor Dimaio, Political Consultant, Dimaio and Associates, Democrat Deborah Tamargo, Past President, Florida Federation of Republican Women Dr. Susan MacManus, Distinguished Professor Emerita USF-Tampa/ABC Action News Political Analyst...
Mar 28, 2025•26 min•Ep. 198
This week's topics: Rays pullout of stadium deal in St. Petersburg Push to make failed insurance company records public 5 year anniversary of the Coronavirus Pandemic shutdown With guests: Yacob Reyes, Tampa Bay Reporter, Axios Bob Buckhorn, Former Tampa Mayor, Democrat April Schiff, Hillsborough Republican State Committeewoman Mark Katches, Vice President and Editor, Tampa Bay Times
Mar 20, 2025•27 min•Ep. 197
This week's topic: A new chapter for "Florida This Week" With: Lissette Campos, New Moderator for Florida This Week Rob Lorei, Outgoing FTW Moderator & WEDU Host
Mar 18, 2025•25 min•Ep. 195
This week's topics: Legislature will investigate homeowner's insurance companies DeSantis proposes eliminating property taxes Democrats want more focus on Economy, not cultural issues Trump criticizes social security in congressional speech With guests: Barry Edwards, Political Commentator and Pollster, Republican Rosemary Goudreau O'Hara, Former Editorial Page Editor, South Florida Sun Sentinel Jennifer Griffith, Immediate Past Chair, Pinellas County Democratic Party Daniel Ruth, Honors College...
Mar 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 196
This week's topics: Battle brewing over 2026 Gubernatorial race Desantis creates Florida version of DOGE Lawmakers consider the elimination of Property Taxes Florida sues Target for LGBTQ Initiatives With guests: Travis Horn, Founder and CEO, Bullhorn Communications, Republican Patrick Manteiga, Editor and Publisher, La Gaceta, Democrat Lissette Campos, Journalist, Communications and Media Strategist Tara Newsom, Attorney, Political Science Professor, St. Petersburg College...
Feb 28, 2025•27 min•Ep. 194
This week's topics: Possible cuts threaten Floridians on Medicaid Peaceful protests against Trump Policies Florida Black History Standards in 2025 State Senator Geraldine Thomas Remembered With guests: State Representative Berny Jacques, District 59, Pinellas, Republican Eric Deggans, Author, TV and Media Analyst, NPR State Representative Michele Rayner, District 62, Hillsborough & Pinellas, Democrat Trimmel Gomes, Journalist, President Gomes Media Strategies Alison Yager, Executive Director...
Feb 21, 2025•26 min•Ep. 193
This week's topics: Second Special Session on Immigration Wealthy Families benefit from School vouchers Fewer people moving to Florida Poll shows support for new restrictions on amendment process With guests: Hunter Branstner, Vice President, Polk County Young Republicans Janelle Irwin Taylor, Journalist, Publisher, Southeast Politics Victor Dimaio, Political Consultant, Dimaio and Associates, Democrat Kimberly Leonard, Politics Reporter, Author “The Florida Playbook”, Politico...
Feb 14, 2025•27 min•Ep. 192
This week's topics: Undocumented Immigrants rounded up in Florida Anti-Trump Protests across Florida Governor releases Proposed education budget Florida's Pam Bondi Sworn in as U.S. Attorney General With guests: Deveron Gibbons, Businessman, Vice-Chair & Trustee, St. Petersburg College and FAMU, Republican Alan Cohn, Journalist, Democrat April Schiff, Political Consultant, Hillsborough Republican State Committeewoman Rochelle Reback, Retired Attorney, Host, WMNF MidPoint Wednesday Show, Demo...
Feb 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 191
This week's topics: The Governor and Legislature spar in a special session With guests: Tom Lee, Former Florida Senate President, Republican Rep. Anna Eskamani, Florida District 42, Orlando, Democrat Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida District 17, Orlando, Democrat Rep. Lawrence McClure, Florida District 68, Hillsborough County, Republican
Jan 31, 2025•26 min•Ep. 190
This week's topics: The second term of President Trump Begins Florida Defendants show little remorse Law enforcement and Prosecutors speak out against pardons Racism as Motive for attack on capitol and some police officers With guests: Ray Arsenault, Author/ Historian, John Hope Franklin Professor of History Emeritus, USF- St. Petersburg Daniel Ruth, Honors College Visiting Professor of Professional Practice, USF- Tampa Rosemary Goudreau O'Hara, Former Editorial Page Editor, South Florida Sun Se...
Jan 24, 2025•27 min•Ep. 189
This week's topics: Floridians prominent in new Trump administration Ashley Moody to take over for Rubio in the Senate DeSantis calls for Special Session on January 27th Governor wants to make it more difficult to put amendments on the ballot With guests: Patrick Manteiga, Editor & Publisher, La Gaceta Newspaper, Democrat Carmen Edmonds, Chair, Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee Mitch Perry, Senior Reporter, Florida Phoenix Trimmel Gomes, Journalist and President, Gomes Media...
Jan 21, 2025•26 min•Ep. 188
This week's topics: Meta drops independent fact checking on Facebook Biden blocks drilling in parts of the Gulf Matt Gaetz considers a run for Governor Rays want to be back in the Trop in 2026 With guests: Katie Sanders, PolitiFact Editor-in-Chief Deborah Tamargo, Past-President, Florida Federation of Republican Women Mike Deeson, Independent Journalist- Author Representative Michele Rayner, District 62, Pinellas & Hillsborough, Democrat Travis Horn, President & CEO, Bullhorn Communicati...
Jan 10, 2025•26 min•Ep. 187
This week's topic: The state of Florida's agriculture industry Guest: Wilton Simpson, Florida Agriculture Commissioner, Republican
Jan 07, 2025•27 min•Ep. 186
This week's topics: Back to back hurricanes strike central Florida Republicans sweep elections in Florida Abortion and Marijuana amendments fail to pass in Florida University of Florida President Ben Sasse Suddenly Resigns Rays Stadium deal stalls after storms With guests: Daniel Ruth, Honors College Visiting Professor of Professional Practice, USF- Tampa Rosemary Goudreau O'Hara, Former Editorial Page Editor, South Florida Sun Sentinel Steve Bousquet, Opinion Page Editor and Columnist, South Fl...
Jan 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 185
This week's topics: Rays stadium plan still up in the air Politifact "Lie of the Year" Who will Replace Marco Rubio in the Senate? Lakeland woman charged for threat on Health care company With guests: Colleen Wright, St. Petersburg Reporter, Tampa Bay Times Danny Kushmer, Real Estate Broker, Businessman, Republican Mark Katches, Editor and Vice President, Tampa Bay Times Andy Oliver, Pastor, Allendale United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg, Democrat...
Jan 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 184
This week's topics: Top agenda items for the 2025 Florida Legislature Rep. Susan Valdes changes Party affiliation to Republican With guests: Rep. Karen Gonzalez Pittman, Florida District 65-Hillsborough County, Republican Rep. Lindsay Cross, Florida District 60-Pinellas County, Democrat Senator Nick Diceglie, District 18, Pinellas County, Republican Senator Darryl Rouson, Florida District 16, Hillsborough & Pinellas, Democrat...
Dec 13, 2024•27 min•Ep. 183
This week's topics: St. Pete Council votes to approve Rays Stadium Bonds Many Floridians in Trump Administration Choices Florida is Ground Zero in high cost of rents TECO gets thumbs up for rate increase Pasco Sheriff settles lawsuit over predictive policing With guests: Eric Deggans, TV & Media Analyst, NPR Janelle Irwin Taylor, Publisher, Southeast Politics Mitch Perry, Senior Reporter, Florida Phoenix Ray Roa, Editor-in-chief, Creative Loafing Tampa...
Dec 06, 2024•27 min•Ep. 182
This week's topic: Historians on a New Era in Florida Politics With guests: Ray Arsenault, Author-John Hope Franklin Professor of History Emeritus-USF-St. Petersburg David Ponton, Author-Associate Professor, Director of Institute on Black Life, USF Tampa Gary Mormino, Author, Professor of History Emeritus, USF- St. Petersburg
Nov 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 181
This week's topics: Rays stadium deal up in the air Trump deportations will affect Florida Immigrants Pam Bondi is new nominee for Attorney General Open-carry laws blocked by incoming Senate President With guests: Dr. Teresita Matos-Post, Executive Director, Beth-El Farmworker Ministries, Inc. John Romano, Sports Columnist, Tampa Bay Times April Schiff, Political Consultant, Hillsborough County Republican State Committee Woman Victor DiMaio, Political Consultant, Democrat...
Nov 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 180
This week's topics: Floridians prominent in Trump Choices Rays cross the Bay for 2025 Season With guests: Barbara Haselden, President, St. Petersburg Republican Club Michael Van Sickler, Managing Editor/ News and Engagement, Tampa Bay Times Ray Arsenault, Author/Historian, John Hope Franklin Professor of History Emeritus, USF- St. Petersburg Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg City Councilman, District 8, Democrat
Nov 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 179
This week's topics: Trump wins in historic election Mixed results in state returns GOP gains strength in Florida Legislature Strong school support across Tampa Bay With guests: Alex Sink, Former Florida Chief Financial Officer, Democrat Daniel Ruth, Honors College Visiting Professor of Professional Practice, USF Carmen Edmonds, Chair, Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee Darryl Paulson, Professor Emeritus of Government & Politics, USF-St. Petersburg...
Nov 08, 2024•27 min•Ep. 178
This week's topics: DeSantis uses office to fight amendments 3 & 4 Outrage over rough campaign insults GOP Voters lead the way in early Florida voting Tampa Bay Times joins other papers in Presidential Non-endorsement With guests: Patrick Manteiga, Editor and Publisher, La Gaceta, Democrat Natalie King, Political Consultant, Republican Barry Edwards, Political commentator and pollster, Republican Alan Cohn, Journalist, Democrat Steve Bousquet, Opinion Editor, South Florida Sun Sentinel...
Nov 01, 2024•27 min•Ep. 177
This week's topics: Slow recovery from 2 hurricanes Regulatory concerns over St.Petersburg crane collapse Tropicana Field Roof collapse leaves Rays Homeless Hurricanes cause widespread pollution in Bay area waters TV stations threatened for airing ad that supports Amendment 4 DeSantis disagrees with Trump on recreational marijuana Early voting begins in Florida With guests: Craig Patrick, Political Editor, Chief Investigative Reporter, Fox 13 News Deveron Gibbons, Businessman, Vice-chair and Tru...
Oct 25, 2024•27 min•Ep. 176
This week's topics: Cleanup and recovery from 2 hurricanes Flooding issues after 2 hurricanes Florida Homeowner's Insurance Woes Pushback on Climate change and hurricanes Taxpayer funded ads against Amendments 3 & 4 With guests: Lawrence Mower, Tallahassee Correspondent, Tampa Bay Times Rebecca Liebson, Real Estate Reporter, Tampa Bay Times Mary Ellen Klas, Policy and Politics Columnist, Bloomberg Opinion Adam Goodman, Edward R. Murrow Sr. Fellow, Tufts University, Political Consultant, Repu...
Oct 18, 2024•56 min•Ep. 175
This week's topics: Hurricane Helene tears a path across the South Vice-Presidential Debate Face-off With guests: Jennifer Griffith, Chair, Pinellas County Democratic Party Jeff Brandes, Former State Senator, President, Florida Policy Project, Republican Trimmel Gomes, Journalist, President, Gomes Media Strategies Kimberly Leonard, Politics Reporter, Author "Florida Playbook", Politico
Oct 04, 2024•26 min•Ep. 174
This week's topic: The issues for younger voters in 2024 With guests: Brittany Jean, President, Tampa Bay Young Republicans Jake Hoffman, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Young Republicans Grace Tabor, President, USF College Republicans Marley Price, Community Activist, Democratic Socialist, Democrat David Moscrip, Chair, Hillsborough County Libertarian Party Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg City Councilman, District 8, Democrat Jonathon Chavez, President, Hillsborough County Young Democrats Bree Walla...
Sep 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 173
This week's topics: Trump-Harris Debate draws huge audience Abortion Amendment signatures checked by state police Florida U.S. Senate race Tightening up With guests: Eric Deggans, NPR TV Critic & Media Analyst Yacob Reyes, Tampa Bay Reporter, Axios Tara Newsom, Attorney and Political Science Professor, St. Petersburg College Carmen Edmonds, Chair, Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee
Sep 13, 2024•27 min•Ep. 172
This week's topics: Florida Parks Whistleblower Fired Ben Sasse to receive $1 million yearly until 2028 Reproductive Freedom Bus tour begins in Florida New law a blow to Unions in Florida With guests: Maya Brown, Political Consultant, Democrat Stanley Gray, Former President, Hillsborough County Urban League, NPA Deveron Gibbons, Businessman, Trustee & Vice Chair, St. Petersburg College & FAMU, Republican Carlos Guillermo Smith, Florida State-Senator Elect for Florida District 17 , Senior...
Sep 11, 2024•27 min•Ep. 171
This week's topic: The State of Labor in Florida With guests: Rich Templin, Director of Politics and Public Policy, Florida AFL-CIO Valerie Chuchman, Secretary-Treasurer, Hillsborough County Classroom Teachers Association Jim Junecko, Union Representative, International Union of Operation Engineers, Local 487, Tampa Lee Bryant, President, Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association Kelly Benjamin, Higher Education Labor Organizer...
Aug 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 170
