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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It's the highest number of cases reported on one day since early September and comes just a day after the state reported more than 20,000 new cases. -
Those who smoke it are coming down with a condition that impairs their blood's ability to clot. -
The permit will allow up to 4 million gallons a day of wastewater from the Piney Point facility to be injected nearly 2,000 feet below the surface. -
As of Wednesday afternoon, no health department in Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, or Sarasota counties had received the vaccine. -
While Pinellas (2.1%), Sarasota (2.4%) and Hernando (2.4%) Counties recorded positivity rates below the state average, other counties in the region were higher, with Hillsborough and Pasco at 3.5% each, and Polk at 3.4%.
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More than 450 acres is covered by wetlands, making development permits difficult to obtain, the report commissioned by USF said. -
Organizers of rallies in Tampa encouraged people to register to vote, contact their state and local representatives and vote for pro-choice candidates in upcoming elections. -
Florida now has a total of 3,560,152 cases and 54,067 deaths.
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The water treatment plant in Port Richey couldn't handle high flows from Tropical Storm Elsa. -
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are down to 14,577 after hovering around 17,000 just over a week ago.
