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 town's pier and park were flooded following Hurricane Idalia. -
We speak with a AAA Auto Club spokesperson about current gas prices and potential fuel hoarding ahead of a storm. Plus, Florida's ag and consumer services commissioner gives an update on the contaminated gas which came out of Port Tampa this weekend. -
"Communities just need to... integrate these hazards into their existing plans... that opens up then a wider stream of funding for them to build longer term results," said Christopher Uejio of FSU. -
Florida researchers are developing a new app in Pinellas County to determine localized climate risks"To solve the problem of flooding and climate-related disasters, and make community resilient, we need to figure it out how to connect the people with the decision maker," said USF's Barnali Dixon. -
In Florida, the latest drinking water results show an “alarming level” of PFAS compounds at the Orangewood Water System in Holiday and in the city of Pembroke Pines. -
"Seagrass die-off has happened before in Florida in various estuaries at various times. Seagrass recovers. But this is the first time it's really been simultaneous in all five major estuaries in Florida," said Bill Kearney of the Sun Sentinel. -
"He would be out of town for a week and be fine where he was staying for work, and come home and literally spend the weekend in the hospital," said Kendra Elliott about her fiancé who suffered from mold poisoning. -
"Texas was one of the first states to pass a restriction on ESG investing... we saw that municipal governments across the state were paying almost half a billion dollars more to service bonds in their communities— that's money that's being diverted away from schools, from roads," said Kelly Mitchell of Documented. -
"I like to say this is my church ... you can see the water just emerald green, beautiful, birds everywhere, fish everywhere, stingrays. There's not a day I haven't been out here I haven't seen something different," Chris Powell said describing Three Rooker Island. -
Florida's wild places are transforming and sometimes disappearing.
