News & Public Affairs

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Medium

U.S. Senate moves immigration bill as Florida leaders bash Gov. Scott for licenses veto

By a vote of 82 to 15 Tuesday, the U.S. Senate cleared the way for debate on bi-partisan legislation that creates a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants. Even though the procedural vote cleared the Senate by a wide margin, many Republicans have said they won’t support the bill as it is.

It remains likely the legislation will see some changes to border patrol provisions. Before the Senate vote, President Barack Obama appealed to conservatives who are hesitant to gi...

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Medical cannabis advocates gather at Tampa film premier

Despite a federal prohibition, several states allow medical marijuana, though it’s outlawed in Florida. The film American Drug War 2 focuses on a two-year-old boy's struggle with cancer during and after he was treated cannabis. The premier was held last Thursday at Westshore Movie Theater in Tampa

Cathy Jordan is president of the Florida Cannabis Action Network. Jordan has ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease and understands firs...

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Medium

In Tampa dozens rally in solidarity with Gezi Park movement in Turkey

On Saturday more than 50 protesters waved Turkish flags in downtown Tampa’s Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in support of the widespread popular uprising in Turkey.

Monday Turkey's opposition party leader accused the prime minister of escalating tensions and dragging the country into the fire as anti-government protests that have led to three deaths.

In Tampa solidarity protesters recited a speech by the country's first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, chanted and sang songs.

Serhat Ta...

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Backyard drilling may be coming soon to a Naples neighborhood; residents fear fracking

A Texas-based company has filed an application with the state to drill just outside a residential neighborhood in Naples. People who live in the Golden Gate Estates neighborhood in Collier County want the project moved out of their backyard. Jaime Duran owns the closest home to the proposed oil and natural gas well. He said he and his wife knew nothing of the proposal until they received a letter asking them for household information.

“She told us that they were putting together a conting...

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Medium

Some of Hillsborough's 2,225 homeless receive assistance at annual veterans outreach event

Volunteers from all over the state joined forces today to help struggling Hillsborough County residents get off the streets. As many as 400 homeless veterans and civilians had access to services from more than 30 agencies during an annual outreach event in Tampa today.

Edi Erb is the development manager for the Hillsborough Homeless Coalition. Erb was one of the lead organizers of the annual Stand Down and Health Fair at the Hyde Park United Methodist Church.

“This is our annual Stand ...

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Medium

Poynter Institute hosts Tedx event on the future of journalism

The future of journalism was the theme of a version of the popular online Ted Talks series Friday at the Poynter Institute in downtown St. Petersburg. A crowd of mostly media insiders listened to topics ranging from copyright issues and viral media to fact checking and the role of new media.

Poynter is borrowing a style of engagement from the popular Ted Talks that focus on new ideas in varied industries including technology. The Poynter Inst...

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Medium

Red light cameras in St. Pete will stay, for now

St. Pete City Council scheduled a public hearing about whether or not to implement a controversial new rule on red light camera tickets. It would give drivers the chance to challenge a citation sooner, but resident Matt Florell who has long been critical of the program says it could also make it harder for drivers to win an appeal because there are very few checks on who can oversee the hearing.

“It could be a lower-level city employee, an electrical engineer from a code enforcement board...

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Medium

As Andrea bares down, St. Pete officials boast hurricane preparedness

As parts of Florida continue to take a pounding from Tropical Storm Andrea, St. Petersburg City Council members unanimously voted to make this June hurricane awareness month. The measure was brought forward by council member Wengay Newton and referenced superstorm Sandy that devastated parts of the Northeast last year.

“Drove a catastrophic storm surge into New Jersey and New York coastline – preliminary U.S. damages estimated at nearly $50 billion, making Sandy the second largest cyclone...

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Medium

Referendum to kill the Lens needs a name

The new St. Pete Pier design known as the Lens will have its fate decided by voters in August. But first, city council members will have to decide how the measure will appear on the ballot. A question proposed by the group Stop the Lens asking whether the city should cancel its contract with Michael Maltzan Architects was not challenged during a meeting Thursday, but the title was. Critics of the Lens are proposing a 30-word title that includes the name of the design. The city is proposing a ...

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