On Monday, Tampa City Council Member Luis Viera met with a local right-wing organization known for supporting violence and attending the Jan. 6 Trump rally in Washington. Viera said he hoped meeting with the Community Patriots would “foster dialogue” and bridge too-wide political gaps. Listen: Viera represents District 7 in Tampa. And while his position… Read more »
DeSantis blindsides with order ending local COVID restrictions, counties and cities don’t know what that means for them
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HRK warned of disaster at Piney Point for months and asked for help, now DEP says they’re on the hook
Read MoreDeath threats and rule changes cause some to fear for the First Amendment in New Port Richey
Read MoreHillsborough 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
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District 64 candidates Harrington and Koster face voter questions in Tiger Bay forum
The candidates for Florida House District 64 met in a virtual candidate forum Friday. They fielded questions ranging from Medicaid expansion to budget priorities in what is one of the more unique races for the state legislature. Listen: District 64 covers part of northwest Hillsborough County and northeast Pinellas. Each candidate hoping to fill the… Read more »
Activists call for $13 million Tampa police increase to instead be put into social programs
Tampa and Hillsborough County are both set to adopt new budgets this week. Both are also set to increase law enforcement spending as activists in the area call for some of that money to be diverted to social programs. Listen: City and county governments are preparing to finalize their first budgets since widespread calls have… Read more »
Hillsborough Commission District 3 Candidates meet in virtual forum
The two candidates running for the heavily Democratic Hillsborough County Commission District 3 race met in a virtual candidate forum hosted by the Tampa Tiger Bay Club this afternoon. Democrat Gwen Myers and Republican Maura Cruz Lanz outlined their visions for the eastern Hillsborough district, especially the future of the county’s contested transportation sales tax…. Read more »
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 »
