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 seven-county region from Sarasota to Hernando did report nearly 1,000 new cases of the coronavirus, according to the state. -
The National Guard dropped off pumps in an attempt to drain the reservoir before the hole in the earthen dam becomes larger. -
In the greater Tampa Bay region, there were 1,278 new cases and three new deaths reported. -
The emergency order follows the closure of parts of U.S. 41 in Manatee and Hillsborough counties and the evacuation of homes and businesses in the area. -
More than one-fifth of the state's new cases were from the greater Tampa Bay region, officials said. -
In the greater Tampa Bay region, there were 881 new coronavirus cases reported and 23 deaths, including 10 in Polk County and nine in Hillsborough. -
Elijah Seay graduated from Lennard High School in May and started at USF over the past year. -
Many higher education employees in the Tampa Bay area had learned over the past few days that they were permitted to be vaccinated at the federally-run site in Tampa. That changed on Monday. -
Health care workers, including administrative and reception staff, will be the only ones eligible for vaccinations at the Tampa site. -
About 17 percent of the 5,539 cases reported in Florida on Sunday were in the greater Tampa Bay region.
