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Florida bills limiting transgender participation in sports look a lot like an Idaho bill already struck down in federal court

Bills limiting the participation of transgender girls in school sports are being criticized for lacking scientific basis. And they look a lot like model legislation that’s already been struck down by federal courts in other states. LISTEN: Two of the bills being pushed through the legislature are, for all intents and purposes, bans on transgender… Read more »

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Radioactivity Thursday: Local Medical Doctor Trained in Cuba Calls for Lifting Trade Embargo

March 25, 2021 Good morning, I’m Rob Lorei and this is WMNF’s Radioactivity program. Our guest today is Dr. Graham Sowa, MD, 35,  who practices internal medicine here in Hillsborough County. He has an unusual story. Born in Texas he decided to go to medical school and found that Cuba was offering free training to… Read more »

‘Anti-educator’ bill clears Senate committee as hundreds of Florida teachers and school faculty testify against it

Hundreds of Florida teachers, some representing thousands of union faculty members, headed to Tallahassee Wednesday to protest a bill they call “anti-educator.” The bill cleared Wednesday’s Senate committee meeting anyway, but teachers are not giving up the fight. Listen: As far as Senator Victor Torres is concerned, the message was loud and clear. “There’s no… Read more »

Hillsborough reviews memorial plans for forgotten African American cemetery beneath King High School

The Hillsborough County School District Monday unveiled proposed designs for a memorial to people buried in unmarked graves on Tampa’s King High School campus. The walkable memorial is to honor indigent or unknown people buried at Ridgewood Cemetery as early as 1942. LISTEN: Tampa architect Jerel McCants wants to help restore the spiritual connection and… Read more »

St. Leo U. moves forward with disbanding union amid faculty, Catholic pushback

Pasco County’s Catholic St. Leo University is moving full-speed ahead with plans to replace its 44-year-old faculty union and senate with a new “shared governance system.” Faculty members, state unions and even Catholic organizations are asking the school to pull back before it’s too late. LISTEN: Valerie Wright has been president of the United Faculty… Read more »

Hillsborough legislative delegation meeting highlights COVID-19 concerns, education, mental health and prison reform

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation Friday met virtually with members of the public to discuss local bills and issues ahead of the 2021 session. COVID-19 concerns were the underlying theme as topics including clean energy, mental health and prison reform were discussed. LISTEN: Acting chair Sen. Janet… Read more »

With Thanksgiving approaching, Florida Education Association wants Board of Governors to take stricter measures against COVID-19

As Florida Coronavirus cases continue to rise by the thousands every day and test positivity rates nearly double the daily recommendation for phase 3 openings, the Florida Education Association is asking the Board of Governors to enact stricter regulations throughout Florida’s university system. Some schools are taking steps beyond the Board of Governor’s recommendations. LISTEN:… Read more »

Following end of federal oversight, a Catholic University in Florida said it will no longer recognize faculty union, leaving teachers vulnerable

Faculty at Saint Leo University in Pasco County are worried about job security and other protections after a surprise decision from the school’s board of trustees stripped them of union protection. The university’s announcement came after the National Labor Relations Board ended oversight of faith-based universities. LISTEN: The news came as a shock to Valerie… Read more »

Pinellas School Board votes to continue mask mandate prompting backlash, arrest

The Pinellas County School Board Tuesday voted to continue its COVID-19 mandatory mask policy. The decision came after hours of discussion and opposing public comments from parents and students. One parent was arrested during the meeting. LISTEN: For more than an hour, speakers — mostly parents — railed against the school district’s mandatory mask policy…. Read more »

USF suspends ‘Students for a Democratic Society’, organization says it’s being suppressed

The University of South Florida has suspended activist organization Students for a Democratic Society for violating its policy on face-to-face events amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But the group’s members are saying this is the university attempting to suppress their voices. LISTEN: For Taylor Cook, a member of USF’s Students for a Democratic Society, or SDS,… Read more »

Janet Cruz arming teachers

As schools open in Hillsborough, leaders say COVID-19 poses heightened threat to Hispanic community

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources As students in Hillsborough County return to classrooms Monday, some local leaders fear it might be more than books they bring home with them. Listen: Sen. Janet Cruz, Rep. Susan Valdes and Hillsborough School Board member Karen Perez held a news conference over Zoom Monday morning to… Read more »

Hillsborough, Pinellas schools move forward with reopening plans after judge says order to open schools was unconstitutional

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Hillsborough and Pinellas County school boards met Tuesday, one day after a judge said education commissioner Richard Corcoran’s order to reopen schools in August was unconstitutional. The ruling was discussed at the meetings but no action was taken. On Monday a Leon County judge ruled in… Read more »

coronavirus schools reopening

Why a Pinellas science teacher took a leave of absence rather than teach in person during the pandemic

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Many Florida students, teachers and school staff are attending in-person classes during a deadly pandemic. Some students went back to in-person classes Monday morning in Pinellas and Pasco Counties. This week Hillsborough students and teachers start the year online. Manatee County students have been back for a… Read more »