New federal criminal charges against Alexandr Ionov, a fugitive Russian national, allege a malign foreign influence operation in St. Petersburg, FL elections. Noted national security journalist Marcy Wheeler, aka @emptywheel, and Prof. Golfo Alexopoulos, Dir. of the Russia Institute at the University of South Florida discuss the larger geopolitical implications of these criminal charges and their historical precedents.
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Florida considers seasonal protections for manatees
The unemployment rate in Florida increased last week
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Florida asks U.S. Supreme Court to decide social media law fight
MidPoint: Legal issues in the news
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At vigil for George Floyd guilty verdict is far cry from justice
One day after Derek Chauvin was found guilty of George Floyd’s murder, mourners gathered in Tampa to honor Floyd’s memory. But the solemn moment was undercut by the feeling that the guilty verdict was a far cry from justice. LISTEN: More than a moment Standing in a circle at the center of Tampa’s Gaslight Park,… Read more »
DeSantis wants corporations out of Florida politics, but civic groups say ramp up the pressure on voting, protest bills
Gov. Ron DeSantis is lambasting the growing number of major corporations pushing back on Republican-backed legislation. But civic groups want those corporations and more to ramp up the pressure and fight bills targeting voting rights and protests. LISTEN: Will Smith is not filming his $100 million movie, Emancipation, in Georgia. The MLB will not hold… Read more »
East Tampa pharmacy gets 5 times anticipated COVID vaccine doses
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources An East Tampa Pharmacy is getting 1,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Monday, five-times the amount they were originally slated for. The doses are giving hope to a predominantly Black community struggling to vaccinate its residents. LISTEN: Representative Diane Hart got the call early Friday… Read more »
Florida’s GOP-backed voting bills could disenfranchise millions of elderly and disabled Floridians, especially in minority communities
Supervisors of Elections and advocates for voting access said changes to existing laws could disenfranchise millions of elderly and disabled persons in Florida. Some of the greatest impacts would be felt in minority communities. LISTEN: Republican Rep. Blaise Ingoglia presented a House version of the election bill during a Monday meeting of the Public Integrity… Read more »
Civic and faith leaders gather to denounce ‘anti-protest’ bill, HB1, ahead of judiciary committee hearing
A group of mostly Black civic and faith leaders gathered in Tallahassee’s Captiol Courtyard Wednesday to denounce the controversial HB1 bill. Many fear the Republican-backed bill being fast-tracked through the legislative process would silence minority voices while attacking home rule and the First Amendment. LISTEN: State Representative Kevin Chambliss, a Democrat who represents parts of… Read more »
- African American
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- Local Government
- News and Public Affairs
Death threats and rule changes cause some to fear for the First Amendment in New Port Richey
Racial strife has brought national attention to the Tampa Bay suburb of New Port Richey and now activists fear their voices are being silenced. Proposed rule changes to city meetings and a rash of death threats have some feeling the First Amendment is under fire in Pasco County. LISTEN: Before the cameras and recording equipment… Read more »
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Hillsborough legislators talk protest bill, budget priorities with Tiger Bay
Members of Hillsborough County’s legislative delegation seem to agree on a lot when it comes to what to tackle in Tallahassee this year, but not always on how to execute it. Republican and Democratic senators and house representatives met with Tampa’s Tiger Bay today and few priorities were as divisive as the HB1 protest bill…. Read more »
Radioactivity Wednesday: Sarasota artist challenges white supremacy symbols
February 17, 2021 Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Coming up we’ll talk with a local artist who is using his art to confront symbols of racism and turning some of those symbols on their heads. And later we’ll discuss the latest vaccine controversy and efforts to change Florida’s voting laws to make… Read more »
- African American
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Black Lives Matter Activist attacked by ‘community patriot’ at New Port Richey council meeting
A New Port Richey City Council meeting turned violent Tuesday when a Black Lives Matter activist was attacked outside of City Hall. One arrest was made after tensions between activists and a group called “community patriots” went from the council chambers to the parking lot. LISTEN: The confrontation at Tuesday’s meeting boiled over from an… Read more »
