About Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State. Join us each week as we journey across the state to explore the issues important to Floridians and cover the important challenges facing our community and our state.

 

Broadcast Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.72
 

This Week on Radio

"I Voted" Sticker

The Democratic primary for Florida attorney general has two veteran state lawmakers pitted against one another in a race that has been somewhat overshadowed by contentious contests for governor and U.S. Senate. In the first of our two-part series on the attorney general’s race, we’ll hear from both Democrats who want to be the top law enforcer in Florida. We’ll also meet the race’s lone independent candidate.

Photo Credit: Dunechaser’s Flickr Album

 

Recent Florida Matters episodes

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Podcast
Oil Spill Claims (July 20, 2010)
 
Busy beach

Oil giant BP has promised to pay for the damage caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. For many fishermen and beachside hotels and restaurants, the company’s money may be all that keeps them from losing their businesses. And now, some local...

 
Tampa Police Shooting: A Community Conversation (July 13, 2010)
 
Police badge with black band

It’s been a little more than a week since the memorial service for Tampa Police Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab, and while life is starting to return to normal, there is still a feeling of rawness throughout the community. The officers’...

 
The Oil Spill's Psychology (July 6, 2010)
 
Psychologist's Couch

Social scientists will tell you that every disaster -- natural or man-made -- takes a mental toll on those living through it. More than two months into the Gulf oil spill, we look at the psychological impact of this catastrophe, including how it’...

 
The Economic Impacts of the Oil Spill (June 29, 2010)
 
Clearwater Beach

Pools of oil are washing ashore along Florida’s coast, coating the sand with tar balls and sludge. And though it’s only panhandle beaches that have oil on them so far, hoteliers and tourism officials in the Bay area say visitors think all the...

 
Panhandling and Roadside Commerce (June 22, 2010)
 
Homeless Panhandler with Sign

If you’re asking for donations for charity, selling a Sunday newspaper or just looking for a few bucks for yourself, you can’t do it anymore along the major roads in St. Petersburg. The city has enacted a ban on all kinds of transactions along...

 
Drug Court:Treatment, Not Jail (June 14, 2010)
 
Gavel

People arrested for drug crimes often face jail time and perhaps court-ordered rehabilitation or treatment. In drug court, that’s flipped around: outpatient or residential treatment, regular check-ins with a judge, and jail time as a last resort...

 
 

Hosted By

Carson Cooper, Host

Carson Cooper is a familiar voice. He has become a favorite of WUSF listeners as the host of "Morning Edition" on WUSF 89.7 since he took the job in 2000. Carson has worked in Tampa Bay radio for more than two decades. He has...

 

Produced By

Joshua Stewart, Producer

Joshua Stewart came to the Tampa Bay area to join the WUSF news team in 2008. Previously, he worked at the University of North Florida, and WJCT Public Broadcasting in Jacksonville, as a reporter and regular on-air host. Josh...

 

Contact Info

Florida Matters isn’t just one-way communication. We want you to get involved in the conversation each week and tell us what you think about the topics we’re discussing. All you have to do is sign up for a free account on our Web site -- it’s free, easy, and we promise we won’t share your information! We welcome your input as we continue to find new stories to share in the Bay area.

And if you have an idea for a show or want to contact the producers, send an e-mail to floridamatters@wusfmail.org.

 

Florida Talks

Florida Talks
“Florida Talks” is a statewide blog for all the talk shows produced by Florida’s public radio stations. See what’s up for discussion — and weigh in — at floridatalks.wordpress.com.
 
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