StreetSmart: Gainesville
News & Politics
About
A weekly, local news podcast for Gainesville, FL and Alachua County, covering business, government, education and events. StreetSmart is produced by Mainstreet Daily News, the source for local news that matters to you.
Episodes
- Gainesville charter amendment, High Springs fire and police workshop
Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson discuss local news in Alachua County, including a Gainesville charter amendment and a High Springs fire and police workshop. They also cover stories on High Springs' efforts to save fire and police services.
- UF 36-hole golf course, ACPS focuses on Alachua
StreetSmart: Gainesville co-hosts Nick Anschultz and Seth Johnson cover the University of Florida's proposed 36-hole golf course and the School Board of Alachua County's decisions regarding Alachua schools. The episode also touches on loca…
- Bonus—Dooley and Dame talk Gator Bites
Mike Ridaught interviews sports contributors Pat Dooley and Mike Dame about their new free Gator Bites newsletter covering UF sports. They also discuss local news and the upcoming 2026-27 Gator football coaching staff.
- Alachua school closings, Forgotten Front
StreetSmart: Gainesville co-hosts discuss Alachua County news, covering school system changes, a wildfire update, a fugitive arrest, new local restaurants, shelter priorities, electric bills, and election results for Alachua, Newberry, and…
- Gainesville's church subsidy, Dooley returns to print
Gainesville's fire assessment exemption, a church subsidy, and Mainstreet's new Gator sports coverage are discussed. The episode also notes Dooley's return to print and mentions local news stories.
- Newberry spat, Gainesville city manager search
This episode of StreetSmart: Gainesville covers Alachua County headlines, including charges against a Newberry City Commission candidate and the search for a Gainesville city manager. The hosts also discuss funding for Heartwood Soundstage…
- Downtown Gainesville deep-dive
In this episode of StreetSmart: Gainesville, hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman cover the closure of the St. Francis House shelter, downtown vacancy reduction efforts, and the opening of a new restaurant.
- Education roundup: rezoning, UF chapter disbanded, state bills
Lillian Hamman and Nick Anschultz discuss local education news, including school board zoning changes, the deactivation of the UF College Republicans chapter, and recent state education legislation.
- Bonus — Florida drought and wildfires rage
Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman discuss Florida's ongoing drought and increasing wildfires with Kevin Mangan from the High Springs Fire Department and Ludie Bond from the Florida Forest Service.
- Alachua County whistleblower investigation, Archer audit
Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson cover the Alachua County whistleblower investigation into the animal shelter and the Archer city managers' forensic audit and new budget.
- ADA lawsuits against Gainesville business owners
StreetSmart: Gainesville covers the history of ADA lawsuits targeting local businesses, referencing Mainstreet's 2025 top story and subsequent developments like the lawsuit against Satchel's Pizza.
- Florida reenters GRU tug-of-war, Newberry elections
Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman discuss the upcoming elections in Alachua and Newberry, and recap recent developments concerning Gainesville Regional Utilities and the Florida Legislature.
- Growth in Gainesville, Archer Road and Newberry
Hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson cover housing and infrastructure expansion in Gainesville and Newberry, with specific attention to Archer Road developments. They also touch on Alachua County's project reviews and Newberry's State of…
- Elementary school rezoning, WildFlowers music festival, WIN tickets
Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Nick Anschultz cover elementary school rezoning, the new WildFlowers music festival in Melrose, and state of the city events in Gainesville and Newberry. The episode also touches on gun violence plans and offers a…
- GRU oral arguments, Melrose festival, ticket winner
Co-hosts Lillian Hamman and Seth Johnson cover the upcoming oral arguments regarding Gainesville Regional Utilities' control and the Melrose festival. They also touch on GRU authority and a local sports newsletter.
- Bonus — Mainstreet's origin, mission and podcast
Co-hosts Seth Johnson and Lillian Hamman interview publisher J.C. Derrick about the creation and goals of the StreetSmart podcast. The episode also mentions MainstreetDailyNews.com for local news.
- $15M Gainesville elder fraud, Alachua voting concerns, LEGO store
The first episode of StreetSmart: Gainesville discusses a significant elder fraud case, Alachua's controversial voting location closure, and the upcoming opening of a LEGO store.
- Trailer — Introducing StreetSmart: Gainesville
Mainstreet Daily News launches the StreetSmart: Gainesville podcast, featuring co-hosts Seth Johnson, Lillian Hamman, and Nick Anschultz. The podcast aims to deliver locally-reported news every Monday.