"Florida Matters: Live & Local" host Matthew Peddie jumps into an ethics controversy that has shaken the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Then, millions of Americans are caught in the political standoff affecting food assistance. SNAP benefits for families remain stalled despite court orders, leaving households scrambling to put groceries on the table.
Finally, the show turns from the headlines into the world of history and literature with author Fiona Davis. She discusses her new novel, "The Stolen Queen," and how it fits into her Big Apple adventures.
Stuck in the cheat sheets
(0:00) Multiple top Hillsborough County deputies relied on someone else to complete academic and work assignments and got caught. Now, they’re off the force. The scandal has shaken trust in the sheriff’s office and raised questions about leadership and oversight. A reporter explains how the story came to light and who was involved.
GUEST:
- Dan Sullivan, Tampa Bay Times reporter
SNAP chat on missing benefits
(11:57) Millions of Americans, including 3 million Floridians, are waiting on nutrition assistance that never arrived this weekend. Courts ordered the federal government to keep the program running during the shutdown, but payments are delayed. What happens next?
GUESTS:
- Gabriella Paul, WUSF reporter
- Kelli Casto, owner of Your Neighborhood Produce in St. Petersburg
Bringing the Met to life
(35:58) Bestselling author Fiona Davis sets her stories inside iconic New York landmarks. Her newest book, “The Stolen Queen,” unfolds between the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the streets of Cairo. She joins the program to talk about art, mystery and the real history behind her fictional worlds.
GUEST:
- Fiona Davis, author
