Weekly conversations with people making a difference in the Tampa Bay region, hosted by Janet and Tom Scherberger.
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Joe Redner is best known for fighting the government over his world-famous Mons Venus strip club, but he garnered headlines a few years ago fighting for the right to grow his own medical marijuana. He won the first round of that lawsuit but lost his appeal. He still wants to grow his own and insists … Continue reading Joe Redner supports Florida recreational weed amendment despite its shortcomings
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One of the biggest culprits in Florida’s ongoing housing affordability crisis is zoning, said three experts who will gather at USF St. Petersburg Wednesday to discuss ways to increase housing stock and lower costs. Former state Sen. Jeff Brandes organized the Florida Housing Summit through a think tank he started called The Florida Policy Project. … Continue reading Housing summit experts: zoning must change to ease Florida housing crisis
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Four student producers discuss their 20-minute documentary, "Addressing Broken Promises," which explores the past and future of the historically Black Gas Plant neighborhood that was razed in the 1980s to make way for a Major League Baseball stadium.
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The Michelin Guide is poised this week to bestow more of its coveted stars to a handful of Florida restaurants, something that never would have happened without tourism tax dollars. That’s because local tourism agencies in Tampa, Miami and Orlando, along with the state’s tourism agency, spent $1.5 million to lure the guide’s reviewers to … Continue reading Maryann Ferenc on spending tourism tax dollars on Tampa’s growing dining scene
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State Sen. Darryl Rouson, the longest-serving Democrat in the Florida Legislature, supported legalizing medical marijuana but “I’m not there yet when it comes to full legalization of marijuana.” Rouson, who appeared Tuesday (4/9) on WMNF WaveMakers with Janet and Tom, said he wants to play a leadership role in shaping implementing legislation if Florida voters … Continue reading State Sen. Darryl Rouson wants ‘guardrails’ if voters legalize weed
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The use of Kratom, an herb grown in Southeast Asia for centuries for its mood-altering effects, has exploded in popularity in the United States in the past fews years, particularly in Florida. Kratom enthusiasts say it helps ease anxiety and depression and even helps with opioid addiction. But critics say it can be habit-forming and even … Continue reading Global Kratom Coalition pushes for regulation of the mood-alerting herb
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Once a quiet corner of moderate Republicans who supported the arts and planned parenthood, Sarasota has morphed into a politically polarized hotbed of right wing extremism. What happened to Sarasota? Joe Gruters. The state senator and former chairman of the Florida Republican Party was an early supporter of Donald Trump and one of the first … Continue reading What happened to Sarasota?
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Sharon Streater has led a fascinating life. She met Mother Teresa, marched with Cesar Chavez and even dressed as a soup can to call attention to farmworker issues. But perhaps her greatest, sustained impact has been in Tampa as chief organizer for the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality, or HOPE. For more than 30 … Continue reading Sharon Streater reflects on a lifetime of community organizing