Welcome to Florida

This week's episode, unfortunately, begins with bad news as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided to begin water releases from Lake Okeechobee. Why does this happen and what makes this decision so environmentally ruinous? Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott explain. Gary Fineout from Politico.com is this week's guest. He has covered government and politics in Florida for almost 30 years...

Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott begin this week's episode talking about a strange obsenity case from Florida's past which is back in the news. They also help you make sense of the proposed amendments to the state constitution on this year's ballot. They're guests this episode are Sandra Friend and John Keatley. Sandra has written numerous guide books to hiking throughout Florida,...

In 2007, astronaut Lisa Nowak drove 900 miles to confront her lover's new lover in the parking lot of the Orlando airport. Then things really got weird, especially with the discovery of used diapers in her car. This episode of "Welcome to Florida" features Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott discussing the NASA love triangle which fed the tabloids and legitimate media for weeks, cast a ha...

One of the many histories explored in Craig Pittman's great book on the state of Florida, "Oh, Florida!," is Florida's checkered history of religion. Billy Graham found his calling here. Martin Luther King was arrested here. Jim Bakker visited Florida for illicit sexual affairs. Craig and Chadd Scott discuss these events on their way to being joined by this episode's guest...

Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott begin this week's episode discussing the latest environmental nightmare Floridians, and Florida Panthers, have to worry about. This week's guest is Scott Deitche, author of "Cigar City Mafia" and numerous other books about the mob. He shares details and stories about the Mafia's involvement in Florida politics and gambling. The Mob was big in...

This episode of "Welcome to Florida" was recorded hours after the attempted murder of Jacob Blake by police officers in Chadd Scott's home state of Wisconsin. Chadd and Craig Pittman discussed the shooting and their reactions to it, how Trayvon Martin's murder was the catalyst for Craig's book "Oh, Florida!" and why the Florida Department of Environmental Protect...

The Floridan Aquifer is one of the most amazing natural resources in the world, producing eight billion gallons of fresh water daily! Julie Hauserman joins Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott to discuss her book, "Drawn to the Deep: The Remarkable Underwater Explorations of Wes Skiles," which examines the aquifer, one of it's greatest champions - Wes Skiles - and the threats it faces.

Multi-time best-selling author, Florida native and resident, Carl Hiaasen , joins us to discuss his latest book, Squeeze Me, a satire not-so-loosely based on Donald Trump. We also shout out another of our favorite Florida-focused podcasts, "Wait Five Minutes," great work being done to restore coral reefs by the Mote Marine Laboratory & Acquarium and Craig shares exciting news on his...

This week, Craig and Chadd discuss Florida's state symbols with Mark Lane, Daytona Beach News Journal columnist and author of "Roaring Reptiles, Bountiful Citrus & Neon Pies."  Did you know Florida has a state song and a state anthem? A state reptile, state mammal, marine mammal, saltwater fish, freshwater fish, tree (which is actually a grass) and a remarkably unremarkable stat...

Craig and Chadd begin this week's episode discussing a recent list of Florida's "secret" tourist destinations. This week's interview is with Colette Bancroft, editor and contributor to Tampa Bay Noir , a collection of fictionalized crime short-stories set in the Tampa Bay area.

This week's episode begins with a conversation surrounding the loss of a great fall tradition in Florida before transitioning into a recent story Craig wrote in the Florida Phoenix about Governor Ron DeSantis' failure to fill vacant positions on the state's five water management districts . What are water management districts? Why are they critically important to life in Florida? We...

Craig and Chadd begin this episode looking at Florida's checkered history of hosting political conventions. Craig wrote about the topic for Politico.com earlier in the summer as the Republicans were supposed to nominate Donald Trump in Jacksonville in late August before the event was cancelled due to COVID-19 health concerns. This episode's guest is author Sarah Gerard who penned a serie...

Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott recall the story of former Florida governor "Walkin'" Lawton Chiles and how he helped inspire author Kent Russell to similarly walk across Florida. Russell shares the story of his journey in the new book, "In the Land of Good Living: A Journey to the Heart of Florida."  This episode also features Craig explaining old-time Florida lingo such as...

Craig and Chadd begin this week's episode discussing the collapse of the Apalachicola Bay oyster fishery which is likely to prevent the harvesting of any oysters there for the next five years. This week's featured guest is Cathy Salustri , author of "Backroads of Paradise," a book detailing her 5,000 mile road trip across Florida highlighting the strange, kitschy and wonderful...

Craig and Chadd begin this week's episode with follow ups to Episode 3 on invasive species and Episode 2 regarding American Beach and Evan's Rendezvous. Also discussed was Craig's recent story from the Florida Phoenix about the Stillwright Point neighborhood in Key Largo and how Florida continues pushing for more development in areas especially prone to flooding. This week's gu...

This week's episode begins with Craig discussing his recent Florida Pheonix column about an experimental program releasing genetically modified mosquitos in the Keys. Also from the Florida Phoenix, Craig has a story about the longest running environmental battle in the state, the fight over the Kirkpatrick Dam . Most of the episode, however, is spent with Burmese python hunter Donna Kalil who...

Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott begin this episode discussing a personal experience with white supremacy as Black Lives Matter protests and the nation's history of racial inequality fill our consciousness. Craig shares stories of Florida's Civil Rights past including details about the arrest of Martin Luther King Jr. in St. Augustine. The episode concludes with a conversation with Marsha D...

J.R. Greene enjoys taking "Sweetie," the blind, 6-foot rescue alligator he cares for at Jungle Adventures wildlife park in Christmas, Florida to the Florida Key Lime Pie Store in Cocoa Beach. Despite her name, Sweetie does not eat pie. A photo of Sweetie and J.R. at the Pie Store went viral recently as a classic, "only in Florida" sighting.  Craig Pittman and Chadd Scott talk t...

Meet best selling author, award winning reporter and Florida native Craig Pittman who is joined by radio personality Chadd Scott for the preview episode of "Welcome to Florida." In this series, Craig and Chadd will explore Florida's history, people, politics, environment, animals, current events and weirdness. Meet Craig and Chadd as they discuss what they love most about Florida an...