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The Florida Roundup is a live, weekly call-in show with a distinct focus on the issues affecting Floridians. Each Friday at noon, listeners can engage in the conversation with journalists, newsmakers and other Floridians about change, policy and the future of our lives in the sunshine state.Join our host, WLRN’s Tom Hudson, broadcasting from Miami.

1 year after Hurricane Ian, state minimum wage increase and fact-checking Florida claims from GOP

Aerial footage shows a partially submerged home on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Matlacha, Florida. Hurricane Ian washed away part of a bridge in Matlacha, making the road to Pine Island impassable.
MATIAS J. OCNER mocner@miamiherald.com
/
The Miami Herald
Aerial footage shows a partially submerged home on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Matlacha, Florida. Hurricane Ian washed away part of a bridge in Matlacha, making the road to Pine Island impassable.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we look back at Hurricane Ian one year later with reporting from Florida Public Radio member stations. Plus, we look at the state’s minimum wage increase with FIU’s Dr. Maria Ilcheva and WUSF’s Gabriella Paul. And later, fact-checking Florida claims in the latest GOP Debate with PolitiFact’s Samantha Putterman.

One year after Hurricane Ian 

It’s been one year since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida as one of the most powerful storms in U.S. history.

When the winds finally died down and the storm surge ebbed, Ian’s destruction stretched from barrier islands to miles inland around Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Venice, into the Orlando area. It is the third costliest hurricane on record with damage of $115 billion.

To this day, the region continues to recover and rebuild. Investigative Reporter Eileen Kelley at WGCU in Fort Myers checks in with those efforts on the barrier islands.

When it comes to storm surge, natural barriers are part of shoring up our shorelines. WGCU’s environmental reporter Tom Bayles tells us about those efforts.

Growing mangroves can take years. Replenishing beaches scrubbed by Hurricane Ian with sand takes tens of millions of dollars. WGCU’s Sandra Viktorova takes a look at rebuilding Lee County’s beaches.

These stories are a part of the WGCU-TV documentary, After Ian. You can find out more about the special here.

The one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian this week may bring back painful memories for some Floridians, especially those hit hard by the storm. Health News Florida's Stephanie Colombini has more.

Lillian Hernández Caraballo from our partner station WMFE tells us the story of how one woman has been able to stay in her home, keeping her family together, thanks to the kindness of community.

State minimum wage to increase 

On Saturday, Florida’s lowest wage earners get a raise. The minimum wage will increase to $12 an hour thanks to a constitutional amendment approved by voters a couple of years ago. By 2026, the minimum wage will increase to $15 an hour.

But will the hike in minimum pay be enough to keep up with the rising costs of living in the state?

Guests:

  • Dr. Maria Ilcheva, Assistant Director of Planning and Operations for the Metropolitan Center. 
  • Gabriella Paul, reporter for WUSF News and corps member of Report For America.  

Fact-checking Florida claims from GOP Debate 

Seven Republican presidential candidates met this week for their second debate. Notably absent was former President Donald Trump.

Through plenty of interruptions, talking over one another and efforts to score rhetorical punches, the candidates were asked about the economy, China, and immigration among other issues, including Florida.

We fact-check some of the Florida talking points with PolitiFact.

Guest:

Samantha Putterman, fact-checker for PolitiFact based in Florida.

Copyright 2023 WLRN 91.3 FM. To see more, visit WLRN 91.3 FM.

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