Florida lawmakers are calling for sweeping reforms after a Department of Justice investigation alleged a culture of “systemic” sexual abuse and cover-ups at a women’s prison in Ocala. State legislators last week held a Zoom call with former inmates of Lowell Correctional Institution to talk about how to move forward. LISTEN: Laurette Philipsen expected to… Read more »
FWC, Hillsborough State Attorney urge boater safety as charges filed in death of 12-year-old girl on the Alafia River
Read MoreFloridians are showing out for prison reform
Read MoreHillsborough legislative delegation meeting highlights COVID-19 concerns, education, mental health and prison reform
Read MoreSt. Pete residents say ‘Enough is Enough’ violence in the city
Read MoreTampa police review policy pushed to 2021 following citizen pushback
Read MoreMan who pulled gun on St. Pete Black Lives Matter protesters identified, but charges haven’t been filed
Read MoreFlorida State’s Attorneys to combat racial disparity with data, transparency
Read MorePasco Black Lives Matter leader to plead not guilty on police battery charge, activists say he’s being targeted
Read MoreTampa protestors show support for Jacob Blake, call for police reform
Read MoreSeffner man arraigned for illegally detaining Black teen
Read MoreBlack Lives Matter, other activists, respond to beating of Jae Passmore with Rally in Tampa park
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Sunday Black Lives Matter march draws 1,000
Last Sunday marked the end of several days of protests in the Tampa Bay area as Black Lives Matter protests extend internationally in response to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. One of the largest demonstrations was at Cyrus Greene Park on Sunday afternoon. More than 1,000 protesters attended the… Read more »

Mayor Castor makes appearance at George Floyd solidarity protest
Last Saturday afternoon about 1,000 protesters joined with the nationwide Black Lives Matter marches seeking justice for George Floyd. Large sections of Fowler avenue in Temple Terrace were blocked off. Students for a Democratic Society and the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organized the action. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor participated in the march,… Read more »

State Attorney wants to encourage victims of domestic violence to call for help
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office and The Spring of Tampa Bay have teamed up with partners to launch the “We Are Open” campaign on social media; it spreads the message that “Help for victims of domestic violence never closes.” The goal is to reverse disturbing statistics that… Read more »

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New Book by Former White House Ethics Advisor Documents Presidential Abuses of Power
Radioactivity 3 10 20 Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Coming up- a live interview with a former Bush Administration official and a veteran local author who has ten New York Times Best sellers to his credit. They’ve co-authored a new book called American Nero- it’s about Donald Trump. We’ll meet them in… Read more »

Noted Local Trial Lawyer to Play President Trump in Mueller Play
Radioactivity with Rob Lorei Listen Here: Or follow this link and select 12/13/19 from the drop down menu: Radioactivity: Interviews & Live Call-In Intro: This weekend at the Stageworks Theatre in Tampa a reading of parts of the Mueller report will be performed. It’s a staged reading called “The Investigation: A Crime in 10… Read more »

Tampa Bay elected officials weigh in on needed criminal justice reform
Several Tampa Bay area elected officials weighed in on criminal justice reform; they spoke about solutions to problems like disparate sentencing of convicted criminals and restoration of voting rights to felons who have served their sentences. It happened in a forum at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club on Friday July 19. Members asked questions of… Read more »

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Author of “American Prison” Discusses Conditions For Prisoners in the U.S.
Radioactivity with Rob Lorei Listen Here: Select 06/12/19 from the drop down menu Radioactivity: Interviews & Live Call-In Intro: Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. Coming up— Corporations are making a good profit housing prisoners– what’s it like to be a guard in a private, for profit prison? It’s a growing business and… Read more »

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What has the Florida Legislature done in the last 2 days?
A lot. Florida’s legislature has 60 days (though special sessions can, and are often, be called) to make lots of laws. In odd numbered years, like 2019, the session begins the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. This year our legislature is in session from March 5, 2019, through May 3, 2019. Let’s… Read more »

Faith groups ask for affordable housing and criminal justice reform
A coalition of faith-based groups will gather on Monday to ask Hillsborough County leaders to solve problems of affordable housing and criminal justice in the county. The Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality, or HOPE, is hosting what it calls its ‘Nehemiah Action.’ About 1400 participants are expected. To find out more, WMNF spoke with… Read more »

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Chris Wilson’s Unforgettable Story on Life Elsewhere
Chris Wilson – The Master Plan – My Journey From Life In Prison To A Life Of Purpose Chris Wilson grew up in a tough Washington, D.C., neighborhood, he was so afraid for his life, he wouldn’t leave the house without a gun. One night, defending himself, he killed a man. At eighteen, he was… Read more »

Publisher: Florida Department of Corrections bans books based on ideology
A recent investigation by the Florida Phoenix found that the Florida Department of Corrections has banned a number of books from being received by inmates — and there appears to be an ideological difference when it comes to which books get through and which are stopped. WMNF News spoke with Paul Wright – he’s executive… Read more »

Nationwide prisoner strike includes Florida
The national prison strike has reached Florida; according to the Gainesville Chapter of Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee prisoners at five Florida facilities are striking: Dade, Charlotte, Holmes, Franklin and Apalachee. Friday in Sarasota there is a rally in support of an ongoing national strike by prisoners and inmate workers; it starts at 4:00 p.m. and… Read more »

Former inmate describes prisoner abuse inside Lowell in Florida
“One of the things that I did not like about the sexual abuse that is known to happen inside of prisons is that when you have individuals inside that space and then they’re completely cut off from community, cut off from family. “