News & Public Affairs
Will longleaf pines help economy and environment in warmer future? listen
01/22/10 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: forests, global warming
A new report from the National Wildlife Federation finds that a common Florida tree holds ecological and economic promise in a warmer future. The report is called Standing Tall: How Restoring the Longleaf Pine Can Help Prepare the Southeast for Global Warming.
WMNF spoke with Eric Palola, Senior Director of Forests for Wildlife at the National Wildlife Federation.
Be the first to commentMayor Pam Iorio is optimistic about Obama's Thursday visit listen
01/22/10 Arielle StevensonWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: high speed rail, Pam Iorio, obama, Transportation, transit
Next Thursday President Obama and Vice President Biden are coming to Tampa for the first time since the election. Proponents of high speed rail are hoping he will announce that Florida received the $2.5 billion for the project.
This morning WMNF asked Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio if she thought Obama was coming to Tampa to announce if Florida had won the bid.
Iorio: Well all indications that I have received, there is a very positive vibe I'll say in the direction of us getting high speed ...
1 commentsArt and Africa create social change listen
01/21/10 Joshua Lee HoltonWMNF Drive-Time News Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Africana Studies, Congo, Art, Eckerd College
While many may enjoy artistic expression simply for its own sake, others use art for the greater good. This spring Eckerd College is hosting a series of forums as part of its initiative called “The Plight and Promise of Africa.”
The college has set up a photography exhibit at the Poynter institute in St. Petersburg about the problems that women face in the Congo. Last night a group of teachers and community leaders accompanied the exhibit with a panel discussion called “The role of Art in...
Be the first to commentJuvenile justice system ready for an overhaul listen
01/21/10 Joshua Lee HoltonWMNF Drive-Time News Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: juvenile violent crime, justice system, Kevin Beckner, hillsborough board of county commissioners
Hillsborough County has one of the highest juvenile arrest rates in the country, and transferred more juveniles to the adult system than any other county from 2007 to 2008. County Commissioner Kevin Beckner plans to change that with a new task force to overhaul the juvenile justice system.
Juvenile offenders of all levels are costing Hillsborough County $8.3 million annually. Cities like Miami have greatly improved their juvenile justice systems in recent years, leading Hillsborough County...
Be the first to commentUS Supreme Court opens the doors to more corporate donations to influence political campaigns
01/21/10 Robert LoreiRadioactivity: Live Call-In (Thursday) Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Campaign contributions, corporate power
Businesses will now be able to spend millions of dollars to support or oppose candidates for president and for Congress.
Today's ruling from the Supreme Court tosses out parts of a law that has been on the books for more than 60 years. The justices say the restrictions amounted to censorship.
President Barack Obama is denouncing the ruling as a victory for powerful interests like Wall Street firms oil and health insurance companies.
Obama declared that his administration will work ...
Be the first to commentHillsborough commission to transfer Cone Ranch to ELAPP for book value listen
01/21/10 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Cone Ranch, ELAPP, Hillsborough County Commission
This afternoon, the Hillsborough County Commission took another step in protecting Cone Ranch. In a six to one vote, the Commissioners, including Kevin Beckner, agreed the twelve thousand acre property north of Plant City should be transferred to the county’s land preservation program.
In 2008, county residents voted to increase funding for its Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program, [ELAPP](http://www.hillsboroughcoun...
Be the first to commentHaitian community in Manatee County responds to earthquake tragedy
01/21/10 Robert LoreiRadioactivity: Live Call-In (Thursday) Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Haitian relief, Bradenton Police, radioactivity, wmnf, Rob Lorei
Good afternoon, welcome to WMNF's Radioactivity. I'm Rob Lorei. Coming up we'll discuss today's Supreme Court decision giving more power to corporations to influence elections. We'll also talk with some local activists who are addressing the needs of Haiti after last week's disastrous earthquake. But first some listener comments about yesterday's program, including comments about moving money out of big banks and the controversy over gay marriage.
Our first guests today are Mesack Dieudonn...
1 commentsHillsborough County V. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White listen
01/21/10 Joshua HoltonWMNF Drive-Time News Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Kevin White, hillsborough board of county commissioners, lawsuit
For the first time in history the Hillsborough County Board of County is suing one of their own board members. Today Commissioner Rose Ferlita moved to file suit against Commissioner Kevin White, so that he can be financially accountable for his shared guilt in a sexual harassment suit. White maintains his innocence, and says that if the County takes action against him, he may initiate a countersuit.
Hillsborough County is responsible for almost half a million dollars in legal fees since ...
Be the first to commentHillsborough County Schools issued $100 million grant listen
01/21/10 Jamie KidderWMNF Drive-Time News Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County School Board, Hillsborough County School District, education funding
The Hillsborough County School Board has been issued a $100 million grant by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Earlier today, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia spoke to the Hillsborough County Planning Commission about how they plan to use the money.
The $100 million grant given to Hillsborough schools by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations nationwide, was one of four such grants issued nationwide.
Part of the grant money would go to c...
Be the first to commentEnvironmentalists tout benefits of "Plug-In" cars listen
01/20/10 Kate BradshawWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: electric cars, Environment Florida, green jobs, climate change, Smog
Electric cars are reportedly a major draw at this year’s North American International Auto Show, which is currently happening in Detroit. With air quality, dependence on foreign oil, and gas prices weighing on the minds of many consumers, it’s no wonder.
Closer to home, Environment Florida held an event in downtown Tampa to showcase the technology and its benefits.
Ben Graves brought a converted vehicle that’s a far cry from the golf-cart-sized car...
1 commentsPinellas County adopts fertilizer ordinance listen
01/20/10 Andrea LypkaWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: fertilizer ordinance, fertilizer ban, pinellas county
Pinellas County Commission adopted a fertilizer ordinance on January 19. Fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus are being regulated because they affect water quality.
The ban on summertime use of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers passed 6-1 with only Commissioner Nancy Bostock opposed. The ordinance forbids the sale of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers beginning May 1, 2011, the application of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers during the rainy season from June 1 to Septemb...
Be the first to commentHaitians in US can seek Temporary Protected Status beginning tomorrow listen
01/20/10 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Wednesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Haiti Earthquake, Haiti, immigration, TPS
Beginning tomorrow Haitian nationals in the U.S. will be able to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Any Haitian who was in the U.S. before the earthquake devastated their home country is eligible for 18 months amnesty from deportation.
Stuart Dresser, director of the Tampa Field Office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, announced in a press conference this afternoon that the application window opens tomorrow. “During the de...
Be the first to commentNew campaign to reduce the power of giant banks
01/20/10 Robert LoreiRadioactivity: Live Call-In (Wednesday) Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Move Your Money, It's A Wonderful Life, bank bailouts, alternatives to big banks, Eugene Jarecki
Is there anything citizens can do to fight the power of big banks?
There’s a new movement to do something about those big bank bailouts and hefty bonuses for Wall Street executives. The initiative is called "Move Your Money", and it’s encouraging Americans to take their money out of big banks, and move it into locally-owned banks and credit unions.
We’re joined now by filmmaker Eugene Jarecki, who may be better known to this community for his pro-peace fi...
Be the first to commentLocal Charity Delivering Shelter, Blankets and Cooking Supplies To Haiti
01/19/10 Robert LoreiRadioactivity: Live Call-In (Tuesday) Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Haitian Earthquake, shelterbox, disaster aid
We're joined now by Veronica Miller, who is executive director of the local office of an international charity called Shelterbox. They have begun sending humanitarian supplies to Haiti in the wake of the disaster there. The group describes itself as:
Be the first to commentSince its inception in 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter and dignity following over 100 disasters in more than 60 countries, bringing the organization to the forefront of international disaster relief. Sh...
Tampa Bay Partnership Scorecard listen
01/19/10 Alicia Horn and Mark AndersonWMNF Drive-Time News Tuesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Development, Growth, Tampa Bay Partnership
Today, the Tampa Bay Partnership released their Fall 2009 scorecard, which compares the economic health of the Bay area with 5 other comparable metro areas in the Southeastern U.S. The overall economic health of all 6 areas remains in decline, but the Bay area may be pulling out of the recession faster than the others.
The Tampa Bay Partnership has been working to help drive economic growth among 7 Bay area counties since 1994. They coordinate efforts among various local economic develop...
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