News and Public Affairs Archives

Climate Friday, September 15th 2023

The Scoop: Fri., September 15, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF

COVID-19 on the rise Florida has the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the nation. This comes as hospitalization rates rise across the country. Nonprofit’s...

COVID19 Friday, September 15th 2023

COVID-19 death toll continues to climb in Florida to nearly 91,000

The number of Florida residents who have died of COVID-19 since early 2020 is nearing 91,000, even as governor slams boosters.

COVID19 Thursday, September 14th 2023

Florida has highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the nation, CDC says

Listen: Florida currently has the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rate in the nation. This comes as hospitalization rates rise across the country. As of Monday, 43...

COVID19 Thursday, September 14th 2023

Florida’s divide on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters: Backroom Briefing

Don’t expect federal approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines to reshape political views about “jabs,” as Gov. Ron DeSantis likes to call them.

COVID19 Wednesday, September 13th 2023

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo take aim at the new COVID-19 booster, which health experts say will save lives

Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration recommended that people under age 65 not receive newly approved COVID-19 booster shots.

COVID19 Friday, August 25th 2023

Court rejects UCF COVID-19 shutdown lawsuits

An appeals court rejected lawsuits alleging the University of Central Florida should refund money to students because of a COVID-19 campus shutdown.

COVID19 Friday, September 18th 2020

Sweden tried “Herd Immunity” to deal with Coronavirus; it resulted in a death rate many times larger than its neighbors.

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources There has been discussion about the success of Sweden’s “herd immunity” approach to the Coronavirus pandemic on WMNF/Radioactivity this week. Some listeners have claimed that the Swedish...

Elections Thursday, September 17th 2020

Ivanka Trump stops by two Ybor City institutions to sing president’s praises as Trump and Biden vie for Florida’s Latino vote

First Daughter and presidential advisor Ivanka Trump visited Tampa’s Ybor City today. She stopped at La Segunda Bakery before joining former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for a fireside chat at the Columbia Restaurant. Listen:...

coronavirus masks Pinellas County vote COVID-19

COVID19 Thursday, September 17th 2020

After hours of public comment, Pinellas County extends its local emergency, leaving mask mandate in place

Here is a link to many coronavirus resources After hours of public comment Tuesday, the Pinellas County Commission voted unanimously to extend the county’s local coronavirus emergency. The county’s rule requiring face coverings in public...

Education Thursday, September 17th 2020

If Hillsborough Schools are overspending, union says cut tech, not teachers

Hillsborough County School District Superintendent Addison Davis says some schools are living beyond their means and staffing cuts have to be made. But Davis is getting pushback as some say teachers should take precedence over...

Elections Tuesday, September 15th 2020

Joe Biden makes first Florida stop to talk vets in Tampa as Democrat and GOP supporters clash outside

Democratic presidential nominee and former vice-president Joe Biden Tuesday made his first stop in Florida since accepting his party’s nomination. Biden gave a speech and held a roundtable about issues facing veterans inside Tampa’s Hillsborough...

City of Tampa 2019 election. Candidate for Mayor

Law Enforcement Monday, September 14th 2020

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...

Economy Monday, September 14th 2020

Racial inequality in Tampa Bay is focus of forum

The Tampa Bay Partnership Regional Equity Report revealed startling economic gaps among the region’s white and minority residents. Black residents are 30% less likely to own a home than their white neighbors and twice as...

Mental Health Monday, September 14th 2020

Radioactivity Thursday: Suicide Prevention Awareness

September 10, 2020 Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and today – September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. NPR reported this morning that: Teen and youth...

Blog Saturday, September 12th 2020

Martha Graham, The Dancing Diplomat. A Tribute To Toots

Martha Graham’s Cold War frames the story of Martha Graham and her particular brand of dance modernism as pro-Western Cold War propaganda used by the United States government to promote American democracy. Representing every seated president...

African American Friday, September 11th 2020

Pasco Black Lives Matter leader to plead not guilty on police battery charge, activists say he’s being targeted

A Black Lives Matter activist in Pasco was arraigned Friday on charges he battered a New Port Richey police officer in July and obstructed the officer without violence. Marlowe Jones will plead not guilty to...

Law Enforcement Friday, September 11th 2020

Hillsborough Sheriff announces expansion of Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program

Leaders in Hillsborough County say that a program to keep kids out of jail and give them citations instead is working. So they’re making changes to expand and improve the Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program. Hillsborough...

News and Public Affairs Friday, September 11th 2020

New Pedestrian and Bike paths in Tampa funded by $24 Million in Federal Grants

Tampa will add 12 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths thanks to a $24 million BUILD grant. According to a press release from the office of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor (D), the grant will enable...

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