Florida Matters Videos

TV: Facing the Mortgage Crisis - Radio: The Push for Drilling

Meet four sets of homeowners living right here in the Bay Area that have experienced what it's like to go through a foreclosure. They could be your best friend, or co-worker, a family member, or your neighbor. None of them expected to lose their homes. With so many homeowners falling into foreclosure because of lost jobs or reduced hours, we'll also introduce you to an organization around the state that can help the unemployed find work. Last but not least, we tackle the topic of foreclosure scams and teach you the warning signs to look out for so you don't fall victim yourself.

Testing and Education Quality

This week, we take a journey through Florida’s relationship with innovation, from past well-known inventions all the way to cutting-edge research and developments going on today. Host Irene Maher introduces us to Peter Lefferson, an inventor who embodies the saying: “Necessity is the mother of invention”.
We travel to Florida’s High-Tech Corridor to discover what makes Florida such a prime location to do research, and contributing reporter Larry Elliston heads to a well-known area hospital that soon may find a cure for cancer

Facing the Mortgage Crisis

This week we're going through the many levels of civic engagement that you can find in Florida. Carson Cooper introduces us to the up-and-coming political &new-wave," and describes how the use of high-tech social networking is becoming the norm. Irene Mayer talks with members of a Pasco County group, Protectors of Florida’s Legacy, that succeeded in turning down a Class 1 Landfill proposal in Dade City. The group argued that the project would have potentially damaged the natural resources in the area, and created an eyesore for the community. Irene also sits down with a community organizer from the NAACP, and a local activist from Florida Voices for Animals, to see how they use different approaches to achieve their goals. Larry Elliston introduces us to Stefani Busansky. Inspired by her daughter's 2001 diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Busansky turned her dream of a playground where kids of all abilities could play together into a reality.

WUSF 89.7 Fall Membership Campaign - Best of 2009

This week Larry Elliston shares the stories of Floridians who have helped others move to Florida from overseas and "Dr. Bob" who volunteers his time to offer better healthcare. Plus, we'll meet a man who used his experience in prison to turn his life around and help others after he was released.

A New Lakeland Mayor

What does a paintbrush, a park and a bicycle all have in common? Find out this week on Florida Matters as co-host Larry Elliston brings us a collection of Florida Stories that will inspire you to look at things in a new way.

Swine Flu/Cuba Relations

This week we meet up with some of Florida’s Cuban Americans to discuss our state's history with Cuba and our strained relationship, that continues today.

We also talk embargo with some early exiles of the Castro revolution. We hear from Roberto Quiros, a Tampa man who escaped Cuba in 1994 by raft as he shares the drama of his experience.

Technology and Open Government

Join us as we explore the international diversity of the Bay Area. Florida is a melting pot, an international community that represents countries from around the globe. So what do foreigners bring to the table? We'll answer that question, literally, as we take a look at the types of food you can find in Florida thanks to our diverse international culture. We head to Pinellas county and meet some young immigrants in the public school system who are integrating into the American way of life. And Larry Elliston introduces us to a family who are happy to now call America home.

St. Petersburg Mayor's Race

This week we're taking a serious look at the state of crime in our area. We'll ask local law enforcement to weigh in on the trends they're seeing, and discuss ways we can all avoid becoming victims. And we'll take a look at the relationship between education and crime. Then Larry Elliston introduces us to a former convict who turned his life around and hopes to inspire others to do the same.

The Impact of Sept. 11

Going green is red hot these days, but you might not be aware of all the different ways you can be friendlier to the environment while improving your own life. Host Irene Maher introduces us to Jim Kovaleski, of New Port Richey, who combines form and function by turning his entire yard into a garden of "eat'n." Meanwhile, Carson Cooper takes us to Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, a little bit of country right in the heart of the city. Later, Kim Button, from Greenwell Consulting, shows us how to rid your body and home of unnecessary chemicals. Switching gears over to the alternative energy side, you'll also meet a man who's "green" approach to gas-guzzling vehicles caused a seafood company out of Orlando to completely restructure their business. Larry Elliston then introduces us to a teacher in St. Petersburg who turned an energy-saving house project into a valuable learning lesson for her class.

Recession Saving and Investing

Whether you’re a parent pinching pennies, or a policy-maker trying to find the best ways to allocate funds, the economy is probably at the forefront of your mind these days. Host Irene Maher meets with area economic development council directors to see how they’re weathering the storm and gearing up for President Obama’s stimulus package. Meanwhile, Carson Cooper introduces us to Sue Heinz, a married mother of four from Sarasota featured in Parade Magazine and on The Oprah Winfrey Show for her tried-and-true thrifty techniques for living. You’ll also get a chance to peek behind the counter and see what it’s like to work as a job placement counselor during tough economic times, as Larry Elliston heads to the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance.