News & Public Affairs
Dealing with the coyote influx in Sarasota County listen
03/25/13 Lauren MisaWMNF Drive-Time News Monday Listen to this entire show:
Coyote sightings are being reported in neighborhoods throughout Florida. There’s a free informational workshop Monday night in Sarasota to inform the public on how to coexist with coyotes. Carrie Nelson is a wildlife specialist in Sarasota County.
Be the first to comment"Coyotes are found throughout the state of Florida and we also have a presence of them in Sarasota County. People have been reporting coyotes in their neighborhoods a little bit more commonly lately and so we wanted to hold a workshop to educate...
Proposed Sarasota bicycle and pedestrian plan listen
02/25/13 Olivia KabatWMNF Drive-Time News Monday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: biking, pedestrians, safety, traffic, Sarasota, bicycle
This month Sarasota County is holding several meetings to present a draft plan for bicycle and pedestrian routes. People who attend can comment on the new draft plan.
It’s part of an initiative for Sarasota to have a safer, more effective transportation system. Beth Rozansky, Sarasota County transportation planner says community safety is the number one topic on everyone's mind.
Be the first to comment“Similar to what a lot of other communities identified when they went out for outreach on plans, the number...
Some transit officials want lawmakers to support gas tax hike listen
02/22/13 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: gas tax, tax, TBARTA, transportation, transit, Sarasota
Some transit officials want the Florida legislature to let localities increase their local gas tax as much as ten cents per gallon. A Sarasota planning official suggested several possible ways to boost revenue during the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority meeting Friday in Tampa.
Michael Howe, executive director for the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is pushing for a 2-cent increase to local gas taxes every year for the next five ...
Be the first to commentSome residents fighting proposed Walmart in Sarasota listen
01/08/13 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Tuesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: WalMart, Sarasota, development
Some residents in Sarasota are fighting against a proposed Walmart; they got a boost in their efforts Monday night when the City Commission agreed to hold a new hearing, even though the planning board approved the site plan in November. Jerry Sparkman is a local architect who opposes the Walmart.
1 comments"Walmart has proposed a new super center on ...
Debbie Terry talks about Sarasota's upcoming Fabulous Independent Film Festival
08/16/12 Debbie Terry/Mary GlenneyFrom A Woman's Point of View Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Fabulous Independent Film Festival, Sarasota, LGBT
Debbie Terry talked about Sarasota's LGBT themed Fabulous Independent Film Festival coming to Burns Court Cinema on August 18 & 19. The festival, which includes 12 films and 3 parties, is a Broken Rules Production in association with and benefiting the Harvey Milk Festival, a Sarasota non-profit.
Be the first to commentSarasota Schools get hefty health insurance refund compliments of the Affordable Care Act listen
08/09/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, Sarasota County School Board, Sarasota
Sarasota County Schools are getting $800,000 back from their health insurance provider because of the new federal healthcare law. The rebate from Blue Cross and Blue Shield could have an impact on the district’s overall budget by mitigating potential tax increases. Al Weidner, deputy chief financial officer for Sarasota schools, said there’s no way to know for sure, but he’s hopeful the Affordable Care Act will continue to drive healthcare costs down for employees and the district.
Be the first to comment“I p...
Kelly Kirschner talks about immigration
03/15/12 Mitch PerryLast Call Thursday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Kely Kirschner, Unidos Now, immigration, Sarasota
Kelly Kirschner is director of Unidos Now, a Latino advocacy group based in Sarasota.
A former Mayor and City Commissioner in Sarasota, the 37-year-old Kirschner talked about how it's vital that Latinos, who will continue to gain in population in the U.S., be treated as an important demographic, vs. being demonized when it comes to discussing illegal immigration.
Be the first to commentSaving Sarasota Watershed from sea level rise and stormwater; preserving economy listen
02/17/12 Janelle IrwinWMNF Drive-Time News Friday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Sarasota, Sarasota watershed, Sarasota Bay, environmental lands, environment
Sarasota’s rapidly changing population makes it difficult to keep up with preserving its watershed. At a three-day symposium that concluded today, professionals in different fields reviewed ways to pick up the pace for the county’s biggest attractor.
The threat of sea level rise has environmentalists worried about damage to homes, roadways, and anything else along coastal areas. Sarasota’s fresh water habitats could also be contaminated by encroaching...
Be the first to commentSarasota protesters greet Romney, in town for a fundraiser listen
11/15/11 Doug DriscollWMNF Drive-Time News Tuesday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Mitt Romney, GOP, Womens issues, Awake the State, Sarasota
Monday night Mitt Romney attended his second fundraising dinner in Sarasota since announcing his bid for the Republican Presidential nomination. Some protesters hoped Romney would also get a glimpse of those who oppose his conservative agenda.
A sedate group of about a dozen protesters stood on the corner in a small affluent community on the way to Longboat Key. They pumped signs with one hand, the other greeting passing motorists with a friendly wave. Most returned the wave with a smile...
Be the first to commentFarmworkers protest at new Publix in Sarasota listen
11/14/11 Doug DriscollWMNF Drive-Time News Monday Listen to this entire show:
Tags: fair food, Publix, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Sarasota
Yesterday, about 250 protestors packed the sidewalks in front of Sarasota’s newest Publix. They are asking the food giant to sign the Fair Food Agreement in support of tomato harvesters across Florida. For over two years, Publix has refused to support their request for what amounts to one penny more per pound, along with reasonable working conditions in the field.
The sidewalks were filled with protestors, chanting and marching around the edifice of the corporation’s newest retail store. ...
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