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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Citrus greening disease has weakened trees, which is why recent hurricanes have been able to cause so much more damage. A Florida citrus grower says a new therapy might have saved groves from a worse fate during Milton. -
They have successfully killed the insect behind the greening disease in the lab, but the real test will come over the next three years to see if they survive in citrus groves. -
Out of 10 cities analyzed in Florida, Tampa's winter is warming the fastest. -
Homes, cars and streets were flooded with rainwater for days — and even weeks — after Hurricane Milton, which overwhelmed stormwater systems. -
Friday is Florida Arbor Day, and the utility is giving away 1,000 trees to highlight "planting the right tree in the right place to keep the power flowing." -
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.
