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 »
Hillsborough legislators talk protest bill, budget priorities with Tiger Bay
Read MoreM-CORES, sales tax and nude beaches. Pinellas residents give ideas to fix $2 billion budget woe.
Read MoreKen Welch files in St. Pete mayoral bid
Read MoreGo progressive like Georgia or keep center? Florida Dems choose new leader Saturday
Read MoreHillsborough legislative delegation meeting highlights COVID-19 concerns, education, mental health and prison reform
Read MoreRadioactivity Wednesday: A First in Florida as Rights of Nature Amendment Passes in Orange County
Read MoreTampa adds nine new electric vehicles, looks to go ‘100% electric’
Read MoreIndigenous activists call for removal of Tampa Columbus statue, change of holiday name
Read MoreDistrict 64 candidates Harrington and Koster face voter questions in Tiger Bay forum
Read MoreActivists call for $13 million Tampa police increase to instead be put into social programs
Read MoreHillsborough Commission District 3 Candidates meet in virtual forum
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Hillsborough County Commission primary election candidates
Local primary elections are two weeks from Tuesday. In-person early voting began Monday in parts of the state, including Hillsborough and Polk Counties (check with your local supervisor of elections). Vote-by-mail has already started. All votes must be cast by Primary Election Day, which is August 18th. On WMNF’s MidPoint, we looked at two county… Read more »


Tampa activists pressure City Council on police reform
Dozens of speakers turned out at Tampa City Council’s public comment this morning at the Tampa Convention Center, where meetings have been recently moved to accommodate social distancing. The focus of many of the comments was in support of a recent movement to fire Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, called #dumpdugan. Residents poured out their… Read more »

Mayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg have concerns about reopening Florida during the coronavirus pandemic
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The Mayors of the two largest cities in Tampa Bay are cautiously optimistic about parts of the economy re-opening Monday. On MidPoint, our guests were St. Petersburg’s Rick Kriseman and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Listen to the full show here. Here’s WMNF’s interview from Friday with Mayor… Read more »

Hillsborough wants residents to complete coronavirus info survey
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Hillsborough County wants to survey its residents about what kind of information they have and might need about COVID-19. In the anonymous online survey, residents will be asked things like is anything preventing them from getting a coronavirus test and do they need information about accessing social… Read more »

Hillsborough rescinds its curfew; won’t require face coverings
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources On Thursday afternoon the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group unanimously rescinded its order for a nightly curfew passed earlier this week. On Monday, County Commissioner Les Miller made the motion to implement a curfew, but Thursday he said he could count the votes against it. Before he… Read more »

Mayor unveils One Tampa fund for residents and businesses struggling due to coronavirus
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources In Tampa, there may be a small degree of temporary relief in store for some individuals and small businesses. On Tuesday morning, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor announced what she hopes will end up being an $8 million fund to distribute to residents and businesses in need. “It… Read more »

Third Hillsborough resident with COVID-19 dies
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources According to the state’s Department of Health website, there have been 6,338 positive cases of COVID-19 in Florida as of Tuesday morning. Seventy-seven people have died. Here’s the county-by-county breakdown of positive coronavirus tests for the Tampa Bay area: In Hillsborough, there are 291, in Pinellas 144…. Read more »

Hillsborough has first COVID-19 death; “safer at home” order starts Friday
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources Beginning Friday night, Hillsborough County will be under what’s called a “Safer at Home” order. It’s similar to what went into effect Thursday at noon in Pinellas. In a unanimous vote Thursday afternoon, Hillsborough’s Emergency Policy Group voted to implement the policy with two main changes from… Read more »

Hillsborough and Pinellas will implement “safer at home” orders this week due to coronavirus
Here is a link to many coronavirus resources The two largest counties in the Tampa Bay area will institute “safer at home” orders this week. In a meeting Wednesday afternoon, the Hillsborough Emergency Policy Group unanimously agreed to ask county attorneys to draft an order. They will have a final vote on in a meeting… Read more »

Mayors of St. Petersburg and Tampa weigh in on Rays and other issues
The mayors of the region’s two largest cities answered questions Friday from Tampa Tiger Bay Club members. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor spoke about a range of topics like the Tampa Bay Rays, sustainability and climate change and the Florida Legislature infringing upon cities and counties. Kriseman and Castor were asked… 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 »

City of Tampa municipal election results (spoiler-there will be a runoff)
City of Tampa election results March 5, 2019 is the final day of voting for Tampa Mayor, City Council seats, and 17 charter amendments. Early voting sites were open from February 25 to March 3. You can see WMNF’s coverage of City Council candidates here, and Mayoral candidates here. 21,106, or… Read more »