Environment Archives - WMNF 88.5 FM

WMNF’s Julia Ferrara reports on a new poll conducted by Change Research and No Kid Hungry Florida that addresses where this trend started.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports he praised the Trump administration’s crackdowns, but still says there’s more the federal government could do to make hiring foreign workers easier.     

WMNF’s Sarah Goebel reports in June the USPS is organizing a National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign to reduce the number of letter carriers that are bitten by dogs.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Mon. June 23, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports supporters of the fund packed the meeting and expressed disappointment after the vote.

WMNF’s Zoe Sax reports that renderings for a new waterfront stadium have been released following the Tampa Bay Sun’s USL Super League championship.

The state university system’s Board of Governors signed off on controversial new leaders at two universities and approved hiring a former lieutenant governor as president of a third.

After boosting his profile during an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. House, Democrat Josh Weil announced that he will try to unseat Republican U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, in 2026.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Fri. June 20, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

A federal judge found Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in civil contempt because of a letter he sent in April to police after she ordered a halt to enforcement of a new state immigration law.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports that hundreds gathered for the celebration of life for Tampa City Council member Gwendolyn Henderson in Ybor. This comes a week after Henderson unexpectedly died at 60.

WMNF’s Leah Burdick reports the Florida Policy Institute held a press conference yesterday about the One Big Beautiful Bill” in Congress and why they feel it will be harmful to Florida.

WMNF’s Madison Overmier reports Audubon Florida is asking people to think about birds and be cautious with fireworks, especially at the beach.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Wed. June 18, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports the Tampa Theatre is highlighting Black filmmakers at its third annual Juneteenth Film Celebration this Thursday.

Democratic State Representative Ana Eskamani said that responding to concerns about deportations and providing relief is one of her top priorities.

WMNF’s Julia Ferrara reports on how the identity of Pinellas County John Doe 1993 was found.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Tue. June 17, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Demonstrators came out in cities across the U.S. and the Tampa Bay area on Saturday to protest President Donald Trump. WMNF’s Leah Burdick reports that emotions were high at the No Kings protest that lined the streets of St. Petersburg near the Tyrone Mall.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports activists rallied outside the Pinellas County Jail Saturday to protest the detention of Rosa Patishtan-Gomez. This rally comes as many rallied against deportations and the Trump administration this weekend.     

Florida has a budget for next year and lawmakers will vote on it this evening. It arrives more than a month after the official end of the legislative session and comes in at just above 115 billion dollars.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Mon. June 16, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Ahead of nationwide protests tomorrow against Trump’s policies, civil rights advocates are assuring protesters that they have a right to safety. 

WMNF’s Chris Young reports ex-NOAA scientists are sounding the alarm on what these and other proposed cuts mean as Florida kicks off a predicted busy hurricane season.

WMNF’s Sarah Goebel reports that the Hillsborough Affordable Energy Coalition is hosting a town hall this Saturday, to get feedback on how to spend the money.

Florida Legislative leaders hope to finish a budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year today so it can go before the House and Senate early next week.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Fri. June 13, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

The House is expected to vote today on the White House rescission package, its formal request to claw back funding for NPR, PBS and international aid that lawmakers had previously approved.

WMNF’s Zoe Sax reports the protest will be part of the over 1,800 planned protests across the country to mobilize against what organizers say is the Trump administration’s attacks on human rights and democracy.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports the letter, sent to an Orlando Sentinel journalist reporting on HOPE Florida, is raising eyebrows of First Amendment and ethics advocates.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Thur. June 12, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Only about 1500 ghost orchids remain in the world, but fewer than 1000 are in Florida. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now moving to protect the rare flower under the Endangered Species Act. 

Melissa Abdo is the regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association. She says that ghost orchids are already protected in some Florida parks.

“There are hundreds of national park sites around the country, but only one that protects Ghost Orchids, and that is Big Cypress National Preserve. The species also be found in Fakahatchee State Preserve and other protected areas,” Abdo said.

Many people are familiar with ghost orchids from the book The Orchid Thief and its movie adaptation.

Elise Bennett, the Florida and Caribbean Director at the Center for Biological Diversity, is thrilled that the federal government is considering stronger protections.

“Getting this federal listing means that we are starting to take the steps to ensure this flower has a future,” Bennett said. 

The endangered listing is in a 60-day public comment period in the Federal Register.

The post Florida ghost orchids could get stronger protections appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is investigating a deputy-involved shooting that resulted in the death of 25-year-old Cristian Javier.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports Tampa’s Mayor and their City Council Chair confirmed the sudden death.

WMNF’s Leah Burdick reports after violent clashes between law enforcement and residents of Los Angeles, activists called a rapid response protest in front of Tampa City Hall.

Governor DeSantis reappointed the two trustee members after the University of Florida failed to find a new president.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Wed. June 11, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

In solidarity with recent protests against ICE, a demonstration in Tampa happened in front of City Hall. The demonstration was focused on the mass deportation that has been occurring across the country.

WMNF’s Chris Young reports on how rivers may affect the rapid intensification of hurricanes. Researchers hope this information can improve future hurricane forecasts.

House and Senate budget leaders rushed to finalize a new state spending plan, while Gov. Ron DeSantis continued to call for property tax rebates. 

Doechii made her presence felt early during the ceremony, using her acceptance speech to draw attention to the immigration raids and protest crackdowns taking place just miles from the venue.

The Scoop producer Zoe Sax

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Maddie Overmier, Sarah Goebel, Julia Ferrara.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /

The post The Scoop: Tue. June 10, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.