To brine or not to brine? Chef Justin Timineri, Culinary Ambassador for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, returns to Deeper Dive this week to help divas prep for the holidays. Chef Justin dishes up some seasonal recipes, gives Dara some tips for the perfect turkey (or chicken!) and serves up some Sunshine State-style cocktails & mocktails as we head into fall!

Whew! We finally made it through Nov. 5!

Republicans made gains up and down the ballot in Florida and throughout the nation, handily returning President-elect Donald Trump to the White House. A majority of Florida voters approved measures that would have allowed recreational marijuana and enshrined abortion rights in the state Constitution -- but the proposals failed to reach the 60 percent threshold required to pass. University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith joins Dara this week for an early analysis of voter turnout, the future of ballot initiatives and the path forward for Dems.

Investigative journalist Jim DeFede has been covering Florida politics from the #305 for more than three decades. The host of CBS News Miami's "Facing South Florida" joins Dara on this week's episode to discuss the upcoming elections, reminisce about the campaign trail ("We're all a little nuts!"), and give a peek into the bare-knuckle politics in Miami-Dade. Also, hear how Jim won a $25 bet with former Gov. Jeb Bush. Spoiler alert: It involves the catwalk.

In this week's Reporter Roundtable, state capital reporters Jason Delgado of Spectrum News and Forrest Saunders of EW Scripps join Dara in the Speakeasy for a fresh take on journalism, politics and so much more. How does social media affect broadcast news? Do TV reporters get more access to state leaders than print journos? What are real voters talking about on the campaign trail? Listen and find out! Plus, someone feels VERY strongly about Crocs ...

Can Democrats bust the GOP's supermajority in the state House? Longtime Democratic political consultant Beth Matuga digs into House seats Dems are fighting to hang onto and dishes on districts they're aiming to flip. Beth, general consultant for state House Democratic campaigns, christens Deeper Dive's new recording space with Dara this week as they get in some quality H&H time (listen and find out). The pair also discuss the potential impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton on the upcoming election. And, we kick off Deeper Dive's naming game!

Remember the shark swimming down the street after Hurricane Ian? Didn't happen! But fake memes and dangerous rumors continue to swirl on social media as Florida grapples with the one-two punch of Hurricanes Helene and Milton AND as voting in the presidential election is already underway. Janet Coats, the managing director for the Consortium on Trust in Media and Technology at the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications, joins Dara on Deeper Dive this week to share tips on boosting confidence in the news and combatting misinformation.

Deadly Hurricane Helene slammed into storm-torn Taylor County and caused widespread damage in Tampa Bay and inland. In today's episode of Deeper Dive, Florida Municipal Electric Association Executive Director Amy Zubaly gives Dara the inside scoop on how city-owned utilities prep for and respond to storms. Amy also gives Dara a redecorating tip for when the lights go out!

In Part 2 of Deeper Dive's pre-election series, Dara speaks with Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Julie Marcus. Supervisor Marcus, whose career in the elections office spans more than two decades, discusses how she and her colleagues plan for Election Day and shares what gives her "heartburn" about changes to voting laws. Dara and her guest dig into all-things-elections in the run-up to Nov. 5!