Jessica Meszaros
Reporter/HostI’ve been a voice on public radio stations across Florida since 2012, working for stations in Miami, Fort Myers and now Tampa.
My main role for WUSF is to report on climate change and the environment, while taking part in NPR’s High-Impact Climate Change Team. I’m also a participant of the Florida Climate Change Reporting Network.
I enjoy giving the audience an immersive sensory experience by using active sounds and descriptive writing.
Over the years, my work has been recognized by the Radio Television Digital News Association, Sunshine State Awards, Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists, Public Media Journalists Association, Green Eyeshade Awards, and Climate Adaptation Center.
I’ve also been a recipient of a few fellowships: Natl. Science, Health, Environment Reporting Fellow; RTDNA N.S. Bienstock Fellow; and Kopenhaver Center Fellow.
Some of my hobbies, like camping, hiking and kayaking, have coincided with my beat to continue giving me a fresh take of the human experience within the natural world.
Born and raised in South Florida, I’m a second-generation immigrant. My mom and dad both escaped communist countries — Cuba and what was then known as Czechoslovakia, respectively. I feel that my family’s unique background gives me a deeper understanding of the complexities each person brings to a story.
If you have a story idea about the environment or sustainability, you can contact me at jmmeszaros@wusf.org.
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The "halo law" requires people to stay back 25 feet if a law enforcement officer gives a warning, and local governments have to decide on permit applications within about 30 days to avoid automatic approval. -
A federal grant for $1 million will help Florida researchers gather economic data and create a decision-making tool for nursery growers. -
This will be the band's third Rose Bowl parade appearance. It will perform "Rock Around the Clock" and "Gangnam Style." -
The show at Legoland started in the 1940s, when the theme park was known as Cypress Gardens. The park is ending the show with plans to focus on new projects like the Sea Life Aquarium opening in the spring. -
Because Florida was hit by two hurricanes weeks apart, experts say there is a lot of possible overlap when it comes to invasive plants and animals. -
From radioactive tuna to red tide impacts on the sea floor, we explore the ocean research done by five Eckerd student scientist groups this past year. -
“Our residents need to start looking at future risk… start thinking about what happens when sea level rise starts combining with rainier days and stronger storms,” said Cara Wood Serra of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. -
The Florida Public Service Commission, which oversees Tampa Electric, approved rate increases, higher profits, and a new fracked gas plant for MacDill Air Force Base. -
As sea level rise pushes more water ashore, and as warming temperatures create more rain, we explore the idea of how schools might adapt to the new climate reality. -
One Florida physician says climate change needs to be part of the medical school curriculum in the U.S.
