Do "Gun Free Zones" Invite Gun Deaths? And A Leading Muslim American Human Rights Activist Speaks Out

Good morning,

Welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Coming up we’ll look at those proposals from the NRA for school safety. We’ll talk with a journalist from Mother Jones Magazine who has been covering the gun safety issue closely since the Newtown massacre.

Later we’ll talk with a leading Muslim American civil rights activist……

But first: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is blaming the National Rifle Association and gun manufacturers for the reluctance among many of her colleagues...

St. Pete City Council schedules Pier workshop to appease anti-Lens group

Debate over the future of St. Pete’s iconic pier is heating up as it enters its final days. Critics of the proposed replacement are celebrating a small victory Thursday. City council members approved holding a workshop later this month to discuss some possible problems with the Lens.

St. Petersburg is being sued by critics of the Lens. That’s because the city won’t put the issue on a ballot even though critics got more than the 16,000 certified signatures required to force a referendum....

Montelione says Tampa's Bro Bowl skateboard park may be rebuilt, not preserved

There’s a fight to save a historic skateboard bowl in downtown Tampa from encroaching development.

During public comment at this morning’s Tampa City Council meeting, Shannon Bruffett, a representative from the Skateboarding Heritage Foundation asked council to protect what’s known as the Bro Bowl in Perry Harvey Park.

Bruffett had a receptive audience in council member Lisa Montelione.

"I know that it is sacred ground to those who've use it and it's been...

Synthetic drug bans move in Tampa and St. Pete

St. Petersburg City Council members unanimously passed an ordinance Thursday that would ban the sale, use or possession of synthetic drugs. The ordinance builds on loose state regulations that make it easy for manufacturers to find loopholes in Florida law.

The ordinance includes synthetic cannabinoids or fake pot. It also includes what is commonly referred to as bath salts. St. Pete City Council member Steve Kornell is a social worker who helps h...

Creating a new district for a Latino commisioner in Hillsborough County, and Kathy Castor in Cuba

Victor DiMaio is with the Hillsborough County Hispanic Caucus. They're supporting a plan that Commissioner Les Miller is proposing - it would move one of the at-large districts in Hillsborough into a 5th single member district, which he thinks could be one that elects a Latino member. Latinos make up over a quarter of the county (26%), but aren't represented on the board.

DiMaio also discussed Congresswoman [Kathy Castor's trip](http://www.wmnf.org/news_stories/us-rep-kathy-castor-is-in-cu...

New Film Looks at Issue of Corporate Tax Avoidance

The April 15th tax deadline is looming in 12 days---as Americans do their duty and settle up their tax bill with the US Government…..

Even though most citizens dutifully pay their taxes—it’s not enough. For the past several years governments at all levels have been cutting budgets—laying off workers and reducing services and pay.

At the same time we are told that the federal government’s debt has reached crisis proportions—and even more needs to be done.

Meantime- multibillion-dol...

Hillsborough County to host 48-hour long Hack-A-Thon for computer programmers

Hillsborough County will host what they’re calling a Hack-A-Thon next weekend for local students and professionals to showcase their computer coding skills. Commissioner Mark Sharpe thought up the idea after attending a similar event in Tampa last year. At a meeting Wednesday, Sharpe said he hopes the weekend-long competition will lead to more tech jobs in the area.

“It really, truly is about getting your best and brightest together, your creative- the creative genius of a community and...

Pam Iorio awarded for service, says she isn't planning a gubernatorial bid

Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio was recognized for her service to the community during a Hillsborough County Commission meeting Wednesday; after receiving the Ellsworth Good Government Award, Iorio said she was honored, but humble.

"It should never be about the next election. It should never be about the group that’s in the room at the time either. It really should be about taking a look at your community long-term and thinking about what is the best way to solve a problem."

[Iorio](ht...

Executives and politicians propose solutions to reduce the federal debt

A group hoping to engage citizens to take action to reduce the national debt met this morning in Ybor City with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay. At the Columbia Restaurant the group Fix the Debt and The Concord Coalition called for gradual spending reductions and modifications to the national budget. WMNF‘s Lenka Davis spoke with Paul Stebbins. He is CEO of World Fuel Services and part of the Fix the Debt coalition.

US Senator Mel Martinez also presented to the Hispanic Cham...

Hillsborough County Commission aims to curb sex trafficking

Hillsborough County Commissioners unanimously approved a measure aimed at reducing sex trafficking. During a meeting Wednesday, Commissioner Sandra Murman got the ball rolling on an educational process that would inform the public about what to look for and eventually expand programs that help victims of human trafficking.

“Children’s Services is conducting trainings right now – special trainings for staff on human trafficking and we have really started this – I’ve been working on this a...