Julio Ochoa
Editorial DirectorNewspapers were my first love, but public radio stole my heart from the moment I tuned in during college.
We made it official in 2016 when WUSF came calling for a Health News Florida editor. Since then, I’ve worked hard to figure out what makes some radio stories sound so great — and how to produce stories about complicated health care subjects that sound that good.
It isn’t always easy but we know to do it right, we need to talk to real people, like you. For years, you’ve been telling us you want the system to work well for everyone but also not cost an arm and a leg. We’ve tried to focus our coverage on topics that matter most to you.
Before joining WUSF, I worked at the Tampa Tribune where I started as a web producer and held several editing roles, including my final stint as Deputy Metro Editor. I made the switch to radio just one week before the paper was sold and permanently shut down.
I’ve also reported and edited at papers in Naples and Greeley, Colorado.
Other than the seven years that I spent in Colorado after my undergrad — first as a ski bum and then earning my master’s degree from the University of Colorado — I’ve lived in Florida. I was born and raised in south St. Petersburg and received a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.
As a native, I know a thing or two about the natural spaces that make this state great, and you can usually find me there when I’m not working. I love the salt water and spend lots of time on it with my wife and three kids, usually holding a paddle, a fishing pole or a cold beer in my hand.
If you have a story idea, give me a call at 813-974-8633, email me at julioochoa@wusf.org or find me on Twitter @julioochoa.
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The Florida Department of Health reported on its website Thursday that the county has four cases of the rare disease. -
About 40 inmates have tested positive for the virus, a spokeswoman says. -
Since 2007, Publix has provided more than 100 million free prescription drugs to customers at its 1,200 pharmacies. -
The American College of Surgeons has awarded the status to only two other hospitals in Florida and fewer than 50 around the nation. -
The two men and six others were accused of deceiving pharmacy benefit managers into approving tens of thousands of prescriptions that were fraudulently obtained. -
How is Florida’s 15-week ban on abortions affecting you? We want to hear your story. -
Eleven journalists from WUSF were honored for their work during 2021. -
Dozens of protesters attended a rally in St. Petersburg on Tuesday as others were held in Sarasota and Lakeland. -
The company will shut down its facility in Tampa on June 30. -
The Department of Justice accused BayCare of making donations to a Pinellas County organization in order to increase its share of federal Medicaid funds.
