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Florida Matters Live & Local

Breaking down what’s new for the school year, and improv takes center stage in Ybor

By Matthew Peddie,

Gracyn Doctor, Amelie Horace, Quincy Walters, Claire Macchiarola

Published August 6, 2026 at 1:54 PM EDT

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A student wipes his face while his mother takes a photo of him with a sign on the first day of school

The school year starts next week. And with it come changes related to school lunches, screen time, teacher shortages and more.

Plus, the moon got a new beauty mark from SpaceX this morning, and have you ever tried to do improv comedy?

Someone’s ringing the bell

(0:00) The school year starts in a few days, meaning the yellow buses will be back on the road (yellow means use caution, drivers). It also means several changes on campuses — from rising lunch prices to fewer screens in classrooms. We look at staffing challenges, learning setbacks, enrollment shifts and new policies across Tampa Bay districts.

GUEST:

Kerry Sheridan, WUSF education reporter

Moonstruck

(21:02) An abandoned SpaceX rocket spent months drifting through space before slamming into the moon early today. We explore what the impact means for lunar science, space debris and the future of commercial exploration. Plus, hear about an astronaut with strong Florida ties.

GUEST:

Brendan Byrne, Central Florida Public Media space reporter and blogger

Impulse acting

(36:04) Ybor City is hosting the 10th Countdown Improv Festival this week, with performers from across the country. Learn about the craft of improv as well as the challenges to keep this event thriving. Then our guests get a quick-thinking test.

GUESTS:

Kelly Buttermore, Countdown Improv Festival founder
Chris George, Countdown Improv Festival co-producer

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Florida Matters Live & Local Florida Matters Live & Local Schools Education space SpaceX Moon acting Arts

Matthew Peddie

I am the host of WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local, where I get to indulge my curiosity in people and explore the endlessly fascinating stories that connect this community.

See stories by Matthew Peddie

Gracyn Doctor

As the executive producer of WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local, I aim to create a show and podcast that makes all Floridians feel seen and heard. That's also my assignment as a producer for The Florida Roundup. In any role, my goal is always to amplify the voices often overlooked.

See stories by Gracyn Doctor

Amelie Horace

As an engagement reporter and producer for WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local and a Report for America Corps member, my goal is to bring Floridians on our show and connect their stories with the greater community. I want our listeners to not just feel like the show is for them, but literally about them, and hope they feel inspired to reach out and tell us about their lives.

See stories by Amelie Horace

Quincy Walters

Quincy Walters is a producer for WUSF's Florida Matters Live & Local,

See stories by Quincy Walters

Claire Macchiarola

Claire Macchiarola is a WUSF Rush Family Florida Matters Live & Local intern for summer of 2026.

See stories by Claire Macchiarola

Meet The Staff

Matthew Peddie, Host — Matthew is originally from New Zealand, but has lived in Florida for more than a decade. Among his first assignments as a radio reporter in the Sunshine State were covering the retirement of the iconic space shuttles and the dawn of the new commercial space race. He's also reported on Central Florida’s booming economy and its flip side: the affordable housing and homelessness crisis, and covered hurricanes and closely watched presidential elections.
> Email Matthew

Gracyn Doctor, Executive Producer — Gracyn graduated with a sports management degree from Johnson C. Smith University in 2019, then studied journalism at the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Her love of public radio led her to Charlotte NPR station, WFAE, after graduating in 2020, where she was the race and equity reporter before joining WUSF in 2024.
> Email Gracyn

Quincy Walters, Producer — Quincy interned at WUSF and graduated from USF in 2016. Before joining "Florida Matters Live & Local" in 2026, Quincy was a reporter at WGCU in Fort Myers and WBUR in Boston, where he also produced podcasts. He also was a speechwriter for the mayor of Boston.

Amelie Horace, Producer/Engagement Reporter and Report For America corps member — Amelie decided to seriously pursue journalism at Mercer University, where she focused on local news, travel journalism, and infrastructure issues in rural communities while studying abroad and reporting for The Macon Newsroom. She also covered economic success, breaking news, arts and culture, while interning at 13WMAZ, Macon’s CBS station, and as intern for Macon Magazine and Macon Arts Alliance before joining WUSF in 2025.
> Email Amelie

Jackson Harpe, Technical Director — Jackson went to college for music at Kennesaw State University before moving to Tampa in 2013 to pursue a Master’s degree at USF in jazz studies. After graduating, he took every gig that he could and every jazz jam that he could find. Eventually, he learned about an open position at WUSF as a host for All Night Jazz, hosting for several years before transitioning into a role that involved more work behind the scenes. He also plays the trumpet as often as he can and has found other ways to stretch his musical abilities here at WUSF as the composer for the theme music on "The Bay Blend" podcast and “Florida Matters: Live and Local."
> Email Jackson

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