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.
-
Community members are assisting with post-storm cleanup and handing out hot meals while Hillsborough County begins a stormdrain project to alleviate flooding. -
Federal regulators are seeking comment on their plan to approve the test road bed project in Polk County through Nov. 8. -
Hillsborough County has opened six comfort stations to help flooding victims get food, water and cleaning supplies. There are also restrooms, showers, laundry rooms and areas to cool off in air conditioning. -
The architectural designs and building materials typically used in Florida are not appropriate for the amount of moisture we get here, a researcher says. -
We spoke to folks living in Town 'n' Country impacted by storm surge and found out why this area off Tampa Bay was hit so hard. -
A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, and a warmer ocean evaporates more moisture into the air — both contribute to wetter storms. -
Pinellas begins evacuations and beach surveys ahead of Helene's projected 5 to 8 feet of storm surgeOfficials in Pinellas have been working on renourishing and recovering its shoreline after Hurricane Idalia's wrath last year, but it's expected to take another beating by Helene. -
Although Helene could potentially bring up to 8 feet of storm surge for Tampa Bay, the storm's quick pace may actually limit the amount of rainfall. There could be up to 15 feet of storm surge for the Panhandle. -
A digital twin of Clearwater was built to determine climate risk, while inputting commuter data, such as traffic. -
A school partnership began a year ago after the students discovered a shared passion for protecting sea turtles. The Cayman Islands children visited recently to hear Jane Goodall speak and share ideas.
