Environment Archives - WMNF 88.5 FM

The Center for Biological Diversity filled the suit on Wednesday against the National Marine Fisheries Service over protections for the Queen Conch.

The lawsuit is a step towards getting the Queen Conch’s home recognized as a critical protection habitat.

That recognition usually happens simultaneously or within a year of a species getting labeled as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

“But to date we still don’t have a critical habitat designation for the Queen Conch,” said Alex Muir, an associate attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity’s Florida and Caribbean program. “Because of that, we’re missing out on important protection for the Conch as a result of projects like the dredging that is going on for the Sand by Bypass projects off of Broward County’s coast.”

The project she’s referring to in Broward County involves offshore construction to create a sand pit that will be later dredged up and reused to replenish beaches.

Usually for that type of project, the Army Corps of Engineers would be required to check for critical protection habitats and make sure no threatened species would be affected. 

“And so that that failure of the of the Army Corps to designate critical habitat for the Queen Conch is just one example where their failure to meet these deadlines are jeopardizing the continued existence of species that are in need and really entitled to that protection under the act,” said Muir.

Especially since these large snails need high population numbers in order to keep healthy reproductive rates.

It also faces other challenges like recreational harvest, illegal fishing and habitat destruction due to hurricanes or construction.

In the U.S., the Queen Conch is mostly found off the coast of Florida, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, but its territory extends throughout the Caribbean.

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TAMPA ( WMNF ) – Panamanian Golden Frogs were critically endangered before eventually becoming extinct in the wild around 2009 due to habitat loss and the deadly chytrid fungus.

This waterborne fungus greatly impacts amphibians by causing a deadly skin disease.

According to the National Zoo, the fungus disrupts its electrolyte balance, leading to death. The fungal spores can swim through water and hitch a ride on other wildlife and even on people’s shoes.

After suffering catastrophic declines, ZooTampa hatched these amphibians to help save the species from extinction. They utilized the Species Survival Plan. This program ensures that a species population does not become functionally extinct in its natural habitat.

“The species survival plan, which is basically like a dating app for endangered species to make sure that we’re preserving those genetics and we’re breeding individuals with purpose, not just to do it to do it, and as long as we’re doing it under the species survival plan, we’re gonna continue to give back to their populations and keep them here on Earth,” said Jasmin Pierola, animal care professional on the reptile and amphibian team.

ZooTampa plans to utilize the process to support other endangered species.

“Here in Florida, we have a lot of amphibians that are struggling and a few invasive amphibians as well, but they are going through a large extinction event that not a lot of people know about. So just learn about your local amphibians, your local reptiles, and that can really change the way that you see these animals and help you want to protect them,” said Pierola.

Helping to save some of our local endangered species can help to sustain and enhance our ecosystem.

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It is the latest city in Tampa Bay to consider a one-year moratorium on any type of data center development.

WMNF’s Hannah Lau Gleciano reports on what the upgrades are and some concerns regarding the use of AI in policing.

The city emailed her regarding purchases made with city funds, to which she replied claiming city leadership has discriminated against older employees in the past, illegally tracked them and rejected disability accommodations.

The county is still waiting for reimbursement from the state.

Seven of those are from Tampa Bay alone and, according to Tampa Bay Times, these are likely underreported numbers.

The Scoop, produced by Maeleigh Fricke

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

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Summer is almost here and so is intense heat.

Last Saturday, eight local organizations held an event to educate Tampa residents on how to stay safe amid rising temperatures.

The day began with a presentation looking at heat over the last six decades in Tampa.

It showed that during the 2020s, the number of days with temperatures feeling above a hundred degrees were four times more than during the 1960s. 

Karen Liller is the chair for the University of South Florida’s College of Public Health and she warned about the potential risks of underestimating the heat.

“The evidence is there. We are getting warmer, the earth is getting warmer, the states are getting warmer,” Liller said. “Florida is definitely getting warmer.”

Heat exhaustion comes with symptoms like excessive sweating, dizziness, cool pale skin, and risk of fainting.

In worse scenarios, a heat stroke can be deadly.

It starts as a rapid strong pulse, no sweating and soon after the person might lose their consciousness. 

“Whom I really worry about is not so much people who can get to air conditioning or can get to fluids, but for people where that’s hard, that’s hard to have air conditioning or that is hard because they work outside,” Liller said. 

Florida still doesn’t have a heat ordinance requiring shading or water breaks and workload adjustments for outdoor workers. 

Construction and agricultural workers, gardeners and roofers are at higher risks.

In the same presentation, a meteorologist showed that in Tampa during the 2020s the number of 90 degree days per year were a hundred and twenty.

Double the number of 90 degree days per year during the 1970s. 

In order to hold back the heat, panelists suggested things like switching to solar energy, using electric vehicles and getting involved with local governments.

However, all of those things take funding and resources.

Liller said those things are not realistic for everybody. 

“I’m a big believer in making it affordable for everyone, making it a mandate so everyone can get this, not just people who are in positions of power or have a higher income,” Liller said.

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Google’s Debug team requested federal approval to release 32 million sterilized male mosquitos in Florida and California.

The project aims to decrease the number of Aedes aegypti mosquitos, which transmits multiple diseases like dengue, zika and yellow fever.

Debug uses the Sterile Insect Technique which consists of releasing sterile male mosquitoes to mate with females.

The sterilized male mosquitoes carry a bacteria called Wolbachia, which prevents the female eggs from hatching.

Wolbachia is a common bacterium that half of insect species carry, and is not harmful to the environment or to humans, according to the World Mosquito Program.

Chris Meindl, an associate professor of geography at USF, said the project has some benefits.

“I think the good news is it’s not like we’re spraying chemicals that kills not just the target species, but that ends up killing lots of other things,” Meindl said.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are an invasive species.

Meindl said he is “suspicious” of the project risks of decreasing the amount of mosquitoes.

“I’m not sure how long they’ve been here, but I think they’ve been here a long time,” Meindl said. “I think our native animals have probably grown to depend on eating them.”

Even with this risk, Google is not the only one working on pest control methods.

Mendil said this initiative is not new and is already happening in several counties in Florida.

“At the end of the day, this technology has been around for a long time and there are ongoing efforts to make use of it even here in Florida, irrespective of Google,” Mindl said. 

They have been preparing to launch a similar trial project, but they might face setbacks next year.

There is a new property tax measure proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis that may lead to the district losing one fifth of its budget.

The measure will be voted at the ballot box in November.

For Google, the project is still pending approval from the Environmental Protection Agency who is reviewing the application.

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Developers behind a proposed data center in Lakeland have canceled a key meeting, placing the project’s future on hold. City leaders and residents are now waiting for updates on whether the plans will forward.

Residents gathered to learn more about the latest proposal for the future of St. Peterburg’s Historic Gas Plant District. The project could bring significant changes to the area while preserving its historical significance.

Hillsborough County officials are asking residents to share their thoughts on a long-term study focused on Riverview’s growth and development. Community feedback will help shape future planning decisions that could impact transportation, housing, and local services.

The Scoop, produced by Demaria Green

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
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The post The Scoop: Thurs. June 4, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

After a “teen takeover” at Clearwater beach ended in a shooting, the police department arrested a 16-year-old. WMNF’s Megan Fair reports they believe he fired seven times before injuring a 17-year-old.

As hurricane season starts, one organization is preparing to travel statewide, sounding the alarm on proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

Council member Mike Mannino called for a meeting at the Main Library to address resident concerns about who owns key properties on Cleveland Street, and what businesses might move in.

The Florida Legislature approved a new property tax cut plan in a special session yesterday. The proposal will be on the November ballot, and would need to be approved by 60% of voters.

The Scoop, produced by Maeleigh Fricke

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Wed. June 3, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Police have identified the suspected shooter involved in a weekend “teen takeover” event in clearwater. Investigators say no arrests have been made as the search for suspect continues.

Pasco County leaders unveil a major land preservation initiative aimed at protecting thousands of acres from future development. Officials say the project is the largest conservation effort in country history

New state education data shows Pasco County students achieved their strongest academic results in decades. District leaders credit improved student achievement, graduation rates, and testing performances.

A former federal prosecutor is facing charges after allegedly sending confidential Justice Department documents to her personal email account.

The Scoop, produced by Demaria Green

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Tues. June 2, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

The agreement will make it easier for the county to access federal dollars to nourish its coastline.

The shooting was just off Colorado Drive near Pier 60. Clearwater Deputy Police Chief Michael Walek said a planned “teen takeover” ended in violence. A 17-year old was injured and taken to the hospital; his injuries are not life threatening.

Congress member Vern Buchanan has represented Florida’s 16th Congressional District since 2013. Daria Miranova reports on the candidates hoping to replace him.

The Scoop, produced by Maeleigh Fricke.

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Mon. June 1, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Pinellas County and the Army Corps of Engineers signed off on an updated agreement, making it easier for the county to access federal dollars to nourish its coastline. 

Local, state, and federal leaders gathered in North Redington Beach to celebrate the agreement years in the making.   

Pinellas County must replace beach sand in active zones every six years due to natural erosion and on an emergency basis following major storms like the 2024 hurricanes.

The agreement signed Friday with the Army Corps reinstates federally supported beach renourishment projects.

Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works, says the deal is about more than allowing people to enjoy suntans and beach volleyball. 

“This is the protection for not just the areas close to the beach, but for large swaths of the entire county to prevent that storm surge, like we saw in Ian and Helene and Milton, from invading residents throughout this area,” Telle said.

County leaders say those federal funds historically covered two-thirds of beach nourishment costs. 

Previously, the Army Corps had strict rules requiring beachfront homeowners to sign easements to allow beach renourishment, but county leaders complained that getting signatures from homeowners was tough, which delayed projects. 

The new agreement provides more flexibility in that process, among other things.

Pinellas County Commissioner Brian Scott says this will allow the county to use tourist dollars for other things now. 

“Federal cost sharing is essential to preserving these beaches, while also allowing us to direct tourist development tax dollars towards other investments that strengthen the visitor experience and support economic growth,” Scott said.

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