Under the Sun is a public radio series on WLRN 91.3 FM and WKWM 91.5 (in the Keys) that focuses on life in South Florida. The program reflects the many perspectives, passions, and accents throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. Our mission is to offer a platform for uniquely South Floridian voices. We want to tell the extraordinary stories of everyday people, visit unsung places, and spark debate over under-reported issues. Under the Sun is a co-production of WLRN and ZG Public Media.


June 9. 2011: Bullying

June 4, 2011: Under the Sun Live: Miami Stories, with Lip Service

June 16, 2011: 3-Cent Coffee

June 23, 2011: American fare at “La Vaquita”

The real estate crash has ruined lives and bankrupted cities across Florida. And it's led to something totally unexpected: more international fugitives. Under the Sun explores the surprising connection between decimated property values and accused criminals on the lam.

June 30, 2011: Bondsmen on the hunt

It’s mango season in South Florida. Thanks to our humid climate and poor soil, this region excels at mango growing – only rivaled by Hawaii. The man who knows most about mangoes in Miami is Dr. Richard Campbell, the senior curator of tropical fruit at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables.

July 7, 2011: A man and his mangoes

The radio show State of the Re:Union was recently in Miami recording an episode about the city. As the show travels around the country, producers invite locals to write letters to their city. Haitian-born author Edwidge Danticat was selected to pen an ode to the Magic City. 

July 14, 2011: Edwidge Danticat's Letter to Miami

Our latest 'All in a day's work' segment features Chris Brennan, who lives and works on the water. He is the first mate on the Water Taxi that runs along the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. When his workday is done, he goes home to a 36-foot houseboat.

July 21, 2011: Fort Lauderdale's First Mate

Algae is a natural part of our coastal ecosystems, but blooms of algae such as red tide are harmful to sea life and humans. Red tide is a growing problem along Florida’s Gulf Coast. But the harmful algal blooms can travel to other areas of Florida, even reaching the Florida Keys.
Gary and Barbara Kirkpatrick are scientists at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota. (Photo courtesy of Lance Robson)

If you’ve ever smelled red tide, you know how assaulting it is to the olfactory sense. Not only is it unpleasant to see and smell, but it can cause harm to living creatures. Freelance radio producer Ari Daniel Shapiro ticks off some of the negatives: “It kills marine animals, contaminates shellfish and aggravates asthma.”

Some of the blame for the increase in algal blooms can be attributed to humans. Rising water temperatures caused by climate change create more blooms. Increasing nutrient levels in the water due to human activities such as factories, farming and pollution are also to blame.

Scientists Barbara and Gary Kirkpatrick research red tide at the Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota. Before joining the marine lab, Barbara was a licensed respiratory therapist. She now works in conjunction with her husband to research the effects of red tide on the human respiratory system.

July 28, 2011: Red Tide: Of Bonds and Blooms

When you stop and listen to your surroundings, what do you hear? We take sound for granted because it’s around us all the time. But when you are forced to listen in a different way, you hear a different story.

Alicia took what she learned and decided to apply it to the sounds of South Florida. Armed with a microphone, she headed to Flamingo Park and South Pointe Park in South Beach to capture everyday sounds. Everything you hear is the typical noise of a day at the park – except its been reversed, reverbed or delayed.

Can you identify what you hear? What sounds tell a story about the South Florida you know? We’d love to hear them. Upload your sounds using the form below.


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