WMNF NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Teacher-led rally Tuesday: return to schools only when it’s safe
Too Fantastic To Be True
Radioactivity Thursday: Meet Democratic candidate Alan Cohn
St. Petersburg takes a step to defund the police; instead of 25 officers, city will hire social workers
Radioactivity Wednesday: Trump campaign surrogate says consumer choice and Health Savings Accounts will fix the US healthcare problem
Tampa activists pressure City Council on police reform
Read MoreMayors of Tampa and St. Petersburg have concerns about reopening Florida during the coronavirus pandemic
Read MoreHillsborough wants residents to complete coronavirus info survey
Read MoreHillsborough rescinds its curfew; won't require face coverings
Read MoreMayor unveils One Tampa fund for residents and businesses struggling due to coronavirus
Read MoreThird Hillsborough resident with COVID-19 dies
Read MoreHillsborough has first COVID-19 death; "safer at home" order starts Friday
Read MoreHillsborough and Pinellas will implement "safer at home" orders this week due to coronavirus
Read MoreMayors of St. Petersburg and Tampa weigh in on Rays and other issues
Read MoreTampa City Council will workshop CRAs
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Investigative report finds some Florida election systems are hooked up to the internet, despite official denials
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Jane Castor takes oath of office as new Tampa Mayor
Tampa’s new mayor, Jane Castor, took the oath of office Wednesday morning. About 900 people were packed into the main room at Armature Works. Others spilled into an overflow room to hear Castor’s speech in which she promised to blaze new trails. Castor also spoke about things like growth and development. “Our neighborhoods are the… 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 »
Hear from Jane Castor at Tampa Tiger Bay forum; David Straz was a no-show
On Friday, Tampa Tiger Bay Club hosted a forum and invited both candidates in the runoff for Tampa Mayor; But former banker David Straz said he was not available. So, WMNF aired questions from Tiger Bay members and the responses from the other candidate, former police chief Jane Castor. Listen here. WMNF reached out to… 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 »
What do you think of these St. Pete Pier art renderings?
The design of the St. Petersburg Pier District public art installation has been released. The artist is Janet Echelman and the piece will be known as Bending Arc and should be completed by December, 2019. According to information included in the release, it will cost $1.3 million “which is being covered by private funds. (Infrastructure… Read more »
Nearly 2 million voters have cast ballots in Florida’s primary
Early voting numbers rival those of a presidential election year, and has far surpassed typical midterm primary voting. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Nearly 2 million people have already cast ballots in Florida’s primary election, surpassing totals from previous years. The Florida Division of Elections website reports nearly 1.86 million people voted so far. That includes… Read more »
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- Sustainable Living
Top Environmentalist Warns Florida Springs and Freshwater Aquifer Are at Risk
Florida springs and aquifer at risk warns top environmentalist This year the environment is emerging as a top issue in both the primary and the general election. The Democrats have been debating who is closer to Big Sugar and a mall to be built by a Graham family company near the Everglades. Candidates are attacking… Read more »
Besides on sea-level rise prep, 3 GOP Pinellas Commission candidates mostly agree
The three Republicans running for Pinellas County Commission District 6 faced off Thursday afternoon at the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club in St. Petersburg; the three are State Representative Kathleen Peters, Pinellas Tea Party founder Barb Haselden and State Representative Larry Ahern. They agreed on many issues, like their support for a Florida constitutional amendment that would… Read more »
St. Pete City Council committee favors voluntary plastic straw reduction over ban
Next month, St. Pete City Council will consider an ordinance to comprehensively look at how the city deals with all kinds of disposable plastics: from straws, to bags and polystyrene containers. In a committee today the focus was entirely on plastic straws: should there be a ban – as requested by environmentalists – or a… Read more »
Polk County School Board Member Decries Power of Tallahassee Over Education
Radioactivity 6 14 18 Thursday When it comes to public schools in Florida—where does the real power lie? Our guest today says the real power is not at the local level—but it’s in Tallahassee. Why does Tallahassee have so much power and not local school boards, or parents or teachers or students? We’ll talk with… Read more »
MidPoint for Thursday, May 24 – Barry Edwards and what to do about making making Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa safer
The city of Tampa has announced that beginning as early as Friday, it will begin posting signs indicating that the speed limit has been reduced on Bayshore Blvd. from 40 mph to 35 mph for the entire 4.5-mile stretch from Gandy to Platt Street, in both directions. In addition, they will begin installing rectangular Rapid… Read more »
Less than a month into his candidacy, David Straz shakes up campaign staff
Less than three weeks after philanthropist and former banker David Straz announced his candidacy for mayor of Tampa, he is already shaking up his campaign staff, naming Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee executive director Mark Hanisee to replace Susan Clary as his campaign manager. “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the campaign,” Straz said in… Read more »
Businessman Starts Petition Drive to Ban Assault Style Weapons in Florida; And David Straz Runs for Mayor of Tampa
There are two efforts to let Florida voters decide whether or not to ban assault style weapons. One campaign is being led by South Florida Congressman Ted Deutch. He wants to get a measure on the 2020 ballot that would restrict the sale of AR-15 style rifles. Getting a referendum on the 2020 ballot to… Read more »
