Some of Tampa Bay’s biggest criminal justice stakeholders Monday said they’d support more access to arrest avoidance programs and would address racial bias issues. They spoke during an annual meeting of the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality, but some stakeholders were noticeably absent. LISTEN: Sheriff Chad Chronister and Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan are… Read more »
Black Lives Matter Activist attacked by ‘community patriot’ at New Port Richey council meeting
Read MoreFlorida Legislative Black Caucus unveils ‘fair and just’ police reforms, cites BLM movement as signal for change
Read MoreFlorida lawmakers call for reform after DOJ report finds ‘systemic’ sexual abuse in women’s prison
Read MoreFWC, 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
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Tampa protestors show support for Jacob Blake, call for police reform
Protesters gathered in Tampa Friday to show support for Jacob Blake, an unarmed Black man killed by police in Kenosha Wisconsin last week. Demonstrators gathered to protest ongoing police killings of Black people and violence against protestors. Listen: Dolores Bartels said before this year she’d never been scared to be alive. But as police killings… Read more »

Seffner man arraigned for illegally detaining Black teen
A Seffner man was arraigned on charges of false imprisonment Wednesday. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office said he detained a Black teenager against his will and falsely reported crimes. Listen: The young man was riding his bicycle to basketball practice before sunrise in early June when Luis Santos decided he’d committed a crime. He had… Read more »

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Black Lives Matter, other activists, respond to beating of Jae Passmore with Rally in Tampa park
Dozens of activists gathered in Tampa’s Lykes Gaslight Park Friday morning in response to the arrest and beating of prominent Black Lives Matter activist Jae Passmore. The smell of burning sage mixed with palpable frustration as Passmore led chants calling for the ousting of Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, who… Read more »

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 »

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What has the Florida Legislature done in the last 2 days?
(Originally published 4/26/2019) A lot. Florida’s legislature has 60 days (though special sessions can be, and are often, 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… 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 »

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 »