WUSF

Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free In just a week, gas prices have shot up to almost $4 for a gallon for regular unleaded. "Live & Local" takes a closer look at what’s driving up the cost and how you are dealing with it.

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," we discuss gas prices increasing and what it means for daily commutes. Plus, we spoke with Florida-based author Eliza Knight about her latest historical fiction book and more.

Nearly every state pays elected representatives and senators an annual salary to pass a budget, laws, and represent their constituents. But each state compensates people differently.

Here's what to know about Florida lawmaker salaries.

Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," we discuss why Hillsborough County schools are adding vape detectors in high schools and how it works.

Read more: www.wusf.org/education/20...

HART will hold workshops to determine the future of its mass transit service If you take the bus, rideshare or plan to use public transportation in Hillsborough County in the future, the county's transit service wants to hear from you. A series of workshops begins Tuesday nigh...

If you take the bus, rideshare or plan to use public transportation in Hillsborough County in the future, the county's transit service wants to hear from you.

A series of workshops begins tonight (Tuesday, March 10) night to give riders a voice.

After spending the past 12 years solidifying a Hall of Fame resume in Tampa Bay, receiver Mike Evans is headed to San Francisco on a reported three-year, $60.4 million contract.

Read more: www.wusf.org/sports/2026-...

This New Port Richey school takes a hands-on, nature-based approach to education School choice expansions in recent years have given parents more options for their children. This has led to an increase in "micro schools" in Florida. One such school in New Port Richey bases many of...

My latest for @wusf.org takes you to West Pasco County, where one educator has expanded on the benefits of a homeschool co-op to provide neurodiverse students with two and four-day schooling options.

Come with me as learn about bees, take a nature walk, work in the garden, bake muffins and more!

Today on "Florida Matters Live & Local," gas prices have started creeping up. A gallon of regular gas can now cost you almost $4.

How does this impact your budget?⁠ Are you changing things like how you commute to work?

Call or email to share your thoughts.

Chimps' taste for fermented fruit hints at the origins of humans' love of alcohol Scientists analyzed the urine of wild chimpanzees who'd feasted on fallen fruit to see how much alcohol they consumed from the fermented sugars.

Chimpanzees appear to consume a fair amount of alcohol when eating ripe, fermenting fruit.

Trump set to hold a press conference as U.S.-Israel-led Iran war enters second week It comes as oil and gas prices soar, throwing the global economy into turmoil.

You can watch President Donald Trump's press conference live in the story below.

School choice expansions in recent years have given parents more options for their children. This has led to an increase in "micro schools" in Florida. One such school in New Port Richey bases many of its classes around nature.

Read more: www.wusf.org/education/20...

On "The Florida Roundup," Eve Samples with Friends of the Everglades discussed the organization's lawsuit against the state for "Alligator Alcatraz" and more.

Read more: www.wusf.org/the-florida-...

Clearwater police participating in first-responder drone program An aerial system is being used to assist with service calls on Clearwater Beach this month.

CPD is utilizing a drone to help first responders address calls on Clearwater Beach through a pilot program this month.

Florida's House Speaker says some Senate priority bills won't be heard in his chamber Florida's regular legislative session is scheduled to end Friday. We've seen some priority bills pass the Senate while getting no discussion in the House.

Florida's regular legislative session is scheduled to end in one week, but official budget negotiations haven't even started.

The ongoing drought isn't getting any better. Tampa Bay Water is issuing what it calls a "Stage 3 Extreme Regional Supply Shortage."

Read more: www.wusf.org/environment/...

After securing American title, Bulls turn focus to postseason tourney, NCAA bid Top-seeded South Florida enters the American Conference tournament on a nine-game winning streak, needing two wins in Birmingham to secure a spot in March Madness.

Top-seeded South Florida enters the American Conference tournament on a nine-game winning streak, needing two wins in Birmingham to secure a spot in March Madness.

Olympian Alysa Liu has also inspired fans off the ice — in the hair salon The gold medal-winning figure skater came to the Milano Cortina winter games with a distinctive "raccoon" hairstyle — alternating rings of dark and light hair. Now, fans are following her lead.

The gold medal-winning figure skater came to the Milano Cortina winter games with a distinctive "raccoon" hairstyle — alternating rings of dark and light hair. Now, fans are following her lead.

Florida Senate bill requires candidate stock disclosures, clears path for redistricting and more Florida senators approved a bill that would require stock trading disclosures for federal candidates, dual citizen disclosure for all candidates and adjust election timelines ahead of possible redistr...

Florida senators approved a bill that would require stock trading disclosures for federal candidates, dual citizen disclosure for all candidates and adjust election timelines ahead of possible redistricting.

Tampa International Airport is rolling out new upgrades to help alleviate congestion ahead of spring break.

Read more: www.wusf.org/transportati...

As the Tampa Theatre nears 100, it’s getting a facelift The main auditorium will be closed starting March 10 through September, though programming will continue next door in the micro-cinema.

The main auditorium will be closed starting March 10 through September, though programming will continue next door in the micro-cinema.

Hillsborough County commissioners voted unanimously to provide $24 million toward the Fletcher District, a mixed-use destination for students, faculty and staff.

Read more: www.wusf.org/university-b...

In Tampa, Hegseth gets update on Iran war at CENTCOM, says 'we set the tempo' Sec. Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is solely controlling the timeline of activities in Iran and will do so “as long as it takes to ensure the United States of America achieves” its objectives.

Sec. Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is solely controlling the timeline of activities in Iran and will do so “as long as it takes to ensure the United States of America achieves” its objectives.

In Tampa, Hegseth gets update on Iran war at CENTCOM, says 'we set the tempo' Sec. Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is solely controlling the timeline of activities in Iran and will do so “as long as it takes to ensure the United States of America achieves” its objectives.

Said Hegseth: “We set the tempo. We set the timeline led by the commander on the ground.”

Hot takes before breakfast: Morning radio’s Miguel and Holly on food, Florida and friendship Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor are the real-life best friends behind "The Miguel and Holly Show" on Tampa Bay’s Mix 1007. FM. Now they’re back in the Tampa Bay, with a renewed love of all things Flo...

This week on "The Zest Podcast," they've got a popular morning radio show and a lot of hot takes about food. Miguel Fuller and Holly O'Connor of The Miguel and Holly Show weigh in on everything from Cuban sandwiches to air fryers.

Jolt for Lakeland residents, bill deletion, response to Welch, risky med cuts, women take field Lakeland residents face higher electric bills, while a Senate bill transferring USF Sarasota-Manatee land to New College vanishes — leaving both energy costs and campus plans in uncertainty.

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," we talk about why Lakeland residents' electric bills are increasing starting April 1 and more.

I had so much fun going out with Gabby on this story. Click through for my photos, and her fabulous interview. And if you think the interview is funny, wait until my reel posts Sunday!

Gabby goes full on weed-eating DoorDash reviewer!

In Florida, Robin Greenfield says he's been living off preserved car-killed deer, salt from the ocean and citrus picked from public parks as part of his pledge to only eat foraged food for a year.

Read more: www.wusf.org/environment/...

Dalí Museum announces a $65 million expansion The approximately 35,000-square-foot expansion will be on the south side of the current museum building on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront.

The Dalí Museum has announced plans for a $65 million expansion, with a proposed opening date of 2028.

A Tampa mental health provider says anti-LGBTQ+ bill proposals - even when they don't pass - impact the mental health of queer and transgender Floridians.

Read more: www.wusf.org/health-news-...

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch took listeners' calls and addressed several topics, including the redevelopment of the historic Gas Plant District.

Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...

Federal judge blocks DeSantis' foreign terrorist label of Muslim groups The governor’s order targeted the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood. CAIR and other civil rights groups sued DeSantis in December, shortly after the executive ord...

A federal judge temporarily blocked the enforcement on Wednesday of an executive order issued last year by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that designates two Muslim groups as foreign terrorist organizations.