Beyond the News WFLA Interviews

A Florida climate change group and the foundation that supports it are putting up wax sculptures to send a message about climate change. As they melt in the Florida sun, they're supposed to communicate that nothing will remain the same after climate change, for animals or people. Gordon Byrd speaks with Thais Lopez Vogel, co-founder of the VOLO Foundation.

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Governor DeSantis has vetoed a bill that would have banned flavored E-cigarettes until they received FDA approval and raised the state's tobacco age to 21. We speak with Tampa Republican State Representative Jackie Toledo, who says she's "disappointed" by the news.

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Every year, September 7th is Save the Manatee Day. Gordon Byrd interviews Ally Greco of the Save the Manatee Club.

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Once again, a survey ranking the states for manufacturing gives Florida a D, even as the state touts its low taxes to get businesses to relocate. Florida's only "A" is for taxes. We speak with Dr. Michael Hicks PhD of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana,

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For the first time since the pandemic began in March, Florida electric utilties are starting to cut off customers. We ask Ana Gibbs of Duke Energy how to avoid getting power disconnected if you're having trouble paying bills.

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August 24th is the first day of school in Pinellas. Samantha Young, a third-grade teacher at Ponce De Leon Elementary School in Clearwater talks about the challenges of welcoming students back to classrooms during the pandemic.

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Part 2 of a new USF survey on COVID-19 finds people are less willing to evacuate or go to shelters because of the pandemic. BTN speaks with Dr Christa Remington of the USF School of Public Affairs.

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USF's College of Public Affairs surveyed 600 Floridians on various COVID-19 related issues. We speak with Associate Professor Stephen Neely.

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In Pinellas County, mosquito control officials say the population is at or below average... but complaints have skyrocketed. Maybe it's because COVID-19 has kept more people homebound and doing back yard barbecues or gardening. We speak with Alissa Berro of the county's mosquito control agency.

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Early voting begins Saturday in Pinellas County. Expect lines, social distancing, and you might want to wear a mask. We speak with Dustin Chase, Deputy Supervisor of Elections in Pinellas.

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