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WMNF Pulse: Keeping You Updated

House Reps propose bill sidestepping DeSantis’s $350 million federal funds veto

In June, Governor Ron DeSantis rejected around $350 million in energy efficiency incentives. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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How a tiny non-profit startup broke the year’s biggest Florida politics story

Barbara Petersen, executive director of the Florida Center for Government Accountability, appeared on WMNF WaveMakers.
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Barbara Petersen

The Pinellas Legislative Delegation supports a revamp of PSTA; what would it mean for local transit?

A Republican Florida representative has proposed a bill that would change how Pinellas County’s transit organization is governed.
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bus rapid transit BRT St. Petersburg, Florida

Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler, husband of Moms For Liberty cofounder, accused of sexual battery by alleged menage a trois lover

Christian Ziegler, Florida’s GOP chairman and husband of Sarasota County School Board member and Moms of Liberty co-founder Bridget Ziegler, is under criminal investigation after...
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Christian Ziegler

A decade after Rick Scott refused $1.25 billion from feds, a Florida lawmaker proposes $50 million for private passenger rail between Tampa and Orlando

Florida lawmakers are championing hundreds of projects including $50 million for Brightline to extend rail from Orlando to Tampa.
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railroad tracks train

Here comes the Sun: Talking pro women’s soccer in Tampa Bay

The new professional women’s soccer team has a name - Tampa Bay Sun FC-will kick off its inaugural season in August 2024.
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A yellow and blue soccer team logo unveiling ceremony

Responding to Food Insecurity in Florida with Gulf Coast JFCS

It’s Thanksgiving time and our thoughts turn to food and those who may not have it. Our friends from Gulf Coast JFCS joined us to...
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Get answers about open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance marketplace

Information how navigators can help you choose the Obamacare plan that’s best for you and if you are eligible for financial assistance.
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Obamacare ACA

Backers say the Florida Supreme Court should OK an abortion rights initiative

Supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment fired back at Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody who wants the measure blocked from the 2024 ballot.
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Women's March

Riverview call center workers stage picket, demanding $25/hour, better healthcare, and more

Listen: On Thursday, call center workers at Maximus, the federal government’s largest call center contractor, picketed to demand higher wages. Call center workers want the...
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Non-binary Florida teacher falls victim to “Don’t Say Gay” expansion law, fired for using ‘Mx.’ title

A physics teacher at Florida Virtual School was fired last month for using a gender-neutral title in class.
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lgbt lgbtq

NPR’s Aya Batrawy on what she has seen and heard in the Israel-Hamas war

NPR international correspondent Aya Batrawy reported from Israel on the aftermath of the Hamas attacks and on Israel's deadly response.
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Aya Batrawy reports during Israel-Hamas war

Controversial Florida judicial circuit merger faces committee resistance

A committee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court unanimously recommended against shrinking the number of judicial circuits in the state.
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Anna Paulina Luna talks Israel, impeachment and Pinellas beach restoration

St. Pete’s representative in the U.S. House, Anna Paulina Luna, was a last-minute guest on this week’s episode of WMNF's The Skinny.
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U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, in a white suit, with a microphone in her right hand.

A surprising statistic sparks concern for the endangered Florida panther

The Florida Panther is our state’s official animal and one of the most endangered mammals in the country. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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New survey reveals most Americans support military aid to Israel, humanitarian aid to Palestinians

Most Americans support providing military aid to Israel but oppose committing American troops to fight directly against Hamas.
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Palestine Israel flags

What we know about the latest possible tear in a Mosaic gypstack liner at its New Wales plant in Florida

There’s a possible leak of water at a Polk County phosphogypsum stack owned by the giant fertilizer company Mosaic.
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Mosaic sinkhole

Florida leads nation in number of cost-burdened renters

A new study shows Florida has one the highest rates of cost-burdened renters in the country. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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For rent sign / renters / rental vouchers housing vouchers housing

Sarasota residents get a chance to speak to their legislators ahead of legislative session

The legislative session starts in 2024, and concerned Sarasota citizens and community leaders had a chance to speak to their representatives.
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New initiative sends free banned books to Floridians

Florida is one of the top states in the nation for book bans in schools. One organization is sending banned books to Floridians for free.
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banned books, First Amendment

Florida Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) calls the special legislative session on Iran “performance”

On WMNF’s Tuesday Café, State Representative Anna Eskamani called the Florida special session more politics and performance by the governor.
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Anna Eskamani on WMNF's Tuesday Cafe

New College of Florida trustees approve $1.3 million/year contract for controversial president Richard Corcoran

New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran is set to earn up to $1.3 million per year in salary and benefits in a five-year contract.
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Richard Corcoran

Tampa woman hopes the U.S. will do more to find out if her kids in Gaza are safe

A Tampa non-profit is demanding the government do more to ensure the safety of all American citizens in Gaza.
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Pinellas County emergency beach restoration projected to cost over $20 million

The county’s new emergency beach restoration project is projected to cost upwards of $20 million dollars. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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A law professor & scientist ask for a halt to a dredging project that could harm Puerto Rico coral reefs

Coral reefs in Puerto Rico may be threatened by a proposed dredging project. On Tuesday Cafe a scientist and a law professor say why.
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Healthy coral / WMNF News

Andrew Warren calls judicial consolidation “a naked power grab by Tallahassee and the Republican leadership”

Andrew Warren calls a plan to merge court circuits "a naked power grab by Tallahassee and the Republican leadership" in Florida.
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Hillsborough County's suspended State Attorney Andrew Warren

East Tampa doctor transforms former nightclub into wellness center

On Monday, a new wellness hub opened in the site of a former nightclub. It will offer a pharmacy, family health services, and more.
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Myakka Ranch in Manatee County one step closer to state protection

Myakka Ranch in Manatee County is one step closer to getting state protection. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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Sarasota woman’s stepson missing after Hamas attack on Israel

One Sarasota woman is searching for her stepson, who is among the missing Israelis after Hamas's deadly attack.
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Florida Department of Children & Families addresses turbulent Medicaid redetermination process, excessive call wait times

A state Senate committee met to discuss Florida' s Medicaid redetermination process. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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State legislators sound alarm on Floridians losing Medicaid coverage

Half of Floridians losing Medicaid coverage are 20 years or younger, and Democratic state legislators are calling for more to be done.
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stethoscope on money

Both sides speak out after viral arrest of Jacksonville man

On Friday, a black man was brutally beaten by officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. WMNF's Chris Young reports.
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Florida Supreme Court hears arguments on protest law amid allegations of targeting Black activists

The Florida Supreme Court heard arguments in a challenge to a law that enhanced penalties during protests that turn violent.
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Florida Supreme Court will decide the future of abortion access in the state

Amy Weintraub with Progress Florida talks about the Florida Supreme Court pondering a law that could lead to abortions essentially being banned in Florida.
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abortion access

New College of Florida’s business plan is “not financially viable” according to a UF business school professor

UF business faculty: A business plan outlining sweeping changes at New College of Florida is “not financially viable” in its current state.
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New College of Florida
dyslexia

A company is using Artificial Intelligence to help people with dyslexia

Dyslexia affects 1 out of every 5 people, there’s a company using AI to help people with dyslexia. The program is called Dysolve.
Randi M. Zimmerman, WMNF General Manager

December 2023 WMNF News & Notes

While Florida is home, I will always be a product of my upbringing in New York. For New Yorkers, the holiday season begins when Santa enters Herald Square. If you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day...
voting sign

Plaintiffs fire back in felons’ voting case in Florida

Plaintiffs want to continue a lawsuit challenging how Florida is carrying out a constitutional amendment to restore felons’ voting rights.

Court sides with homeowner on insurance law

By: Jim Saunders ©2023 The News Service of Florida. All rights reserved TALLAHASSEE — In an issue that might ultimately have to be sorted out by the Florida Supreme Court, an appeals court has sided...

Tampa Bay shorebirds dealt with record heat this summer

Summer this year was one of the hottest on record in the Tampa Bay Area, and shorebirds in Tampa Bay dealt with the heat.
band instruments and middle school students

Music program proposed for Florida middle schools

A Florida bill would supplement middle school science, technology, engineering and math education with “music-based” learning materials.
homeowner's insurance

Homeowner policies continue to shift from Citizens to private insurers in Florida

For the second month in a row, private insurers have taken more than 90,000 policies from Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
The Scoop: WMNF Daily News Digest

The Scoop: Tues., November 28, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF

LGBTQ+ inclusion Tampa and St. Petersburg recently scored perfect scores on the National Human Rights Campaign’s nationwide LGBTQ inclusion assessment. However, this comes as the HRC still deems Florida to be in a ‘state of...
padlock and chains

A proposal in the Florida Legislature would prevent reparations to descendants of slaves

A Senate Republican filed a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent Florida from paying reparations to descendants of slaves.

Episode 20: Interview with Tarneisha Peters, Director of BBIF small business loan institution

Episode 20: Interview with Tarneisha Peters, Director of BBIF small business loan institution
St. Pete cityscape

Tampa, St. Petersburg achieve perfect LGBTQ+ inclusion scores amidst statewide ’emergency’

Listen: Tampa and St. Petersburg recently scored perfect scores on the National Human Rights Campaign’s nationwide LGBTQ inclusion assessment. However,  this comes as the HRC still deems Florida in a ‘state of emergency’ for its...

Resurgence Of Fascism, Cronyism In Florida

The fascist outbreak between WWI and WWII informs where fascism is re-surging today. Fascism is a far-right ideology that is leading to political violence and lies to blame “the Left” are rampant. Today the show...

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