Shaded seats at Raymond James Stadium sound great, but how much public money should be spent on renovating the 28-year-old facility? And, how can Tampa and Hillsborough afford that project while helping build the Rays’ “Forever Home.”

That's a show! But there's more.

We hear how the kids feel about the “teen takeovers” that have been creating public disturbances – and in one case, involved a shooting.

Also, critics of the state’s corrections system argue staffing and oversight issues impact inmate healthcare – and accountability when deaths occur.

We close with a nifty sit-down with Destin Conrad, who is making his own kind of music on his second album, “wHIMSY.”

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We were recently visited by Dave, a furry friend, but he wasn’t here to play. He was there to work and give us a personal demonstration on guide dogs. Dave even provided a personal demonstration on how he helps people gain independence.

Plus, we’ve seen gas prices skyrocket, then come down, only to go up again. Is the latest cycle making a difference to your weekly budget?

Also, a conversation over the burnout and how staffing shortages are driving healthcare workers away from the Veterans Affairs system.

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Friday is Juneteenth. It marks the day enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. It became a federal holiday in 2021.

On “Florida Matters Live & Local,” we talk with people from across Tampa Bay’s Black community about the legacy of celebration — and what freedom means to them.

We start with Florida’s emancipation story and how it fits into the broader history of emancipation. You’ll also hear from a local pastor about how Tampa celebrates Juneteenth and how that history is being taught to the next generation.

And later, how one community member is using Juneteenth to shine a light on the talents of local businesses. Then, meet a man who fought for exoneration after he was convicted and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit.

(0:00) Historian Fred Hearns explains how enslaved people in Florida learned of emancipation on May 20, 1865, weeks before Juneteenth in Texas. He details the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee and how news spread across the state. Hearns also discusses early Black settlements, churches, and education in Tampa Bay.

GUEST:

• Fred Hearns, curator of Black history at the Tampa Bay History Center

(12:00) Tampa Bay’s Juneteenth celebrations increasingly focus on education and youth involvement. We talk about the significance of the Juneteenth flag and why connecting students to its creator mattered this year. The discussion also looks at progress and unity in the community.

GUEST:

(21:00) Walter Dunn recounts his wrongful conviction and time spent learning the law behind bars. He explains how inmates often become self-taught legal advocates in a complex post-conviction system. He connects his experience to larger debates about justice, punishment and constitutional freedom.

GUEST:

• Walter Dunn, coordinator for Florida Coalition for Higher Education in Prison

(36:00) Balaji Ajike traces his journey from Nigeria to New Jersey and eventually Tampa, shaping his approach to community building. He explains how his ROC the Block festival emerged from efforts to spotlight Black businesses and address local disparities. It has grown into a full week of events focused on culture, health, and education.

GUEST:

• Bolaji Ajike, president of ROC the Block

The U.S. and Iran are set to formally sign a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But there are questions about details and what comes next.

"Let the oil flow." With that, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. and Iran are set to formally sign a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But there are questions about details and what comes next. Our expert has answers.

Also, Father’s Day is a celebration for lots of families, but it can also be a time of grief for some. We talk about navigating loss during holidays.

Afterward, with World Sickle Cell Day coming up, a doctor discusses awareness and treatment innovations. Finally, meet the lads keeping the spirit of Beatlemania alive in Tampa Bay.

(0:00) The U.S. and Iran are moving toward an agreement after months of conflict. The deal could change the future of the Middle East — if it lasts. We unpack the risks and the road ahead with a USF foreign policy expert.

GUEST:

• Arman Mahmoudian, USF Global and National Security Institute

(12:02) Father’s Day can be a celebration, but like all holidays, it can also bring painful reminders of loss. A grief expert joins the show to talk about navigating complicated emotions. We also learn about a new support resource.

GUEST:

• Jason Cooper, national spiritual services lead for Vitas Healthcare

(20:49) Sickle cell anemia, a genetic hemoglobin disease, affects thousands of families and can bring pain and challenges that aren’t always visible. A specialist helps us explore misconceptions patients face and treatment advances.

GUEST:

• Dr. Ali Sanati-Mehrezi, USF Health pediatric hematologist-oncologist

(35:56) The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is moving from its Dunedin home into a bigger space in downtown St. Petersburg. Exhibits include instruments, clothing and other artifacts tied to the Fab Four. We explore why the Liverpool lads still strike a chord all these years later.

GUESTS:

He was at his Fort Myers home when a fast-food security camera in Jacksonville Beach snapped a picture of a criminal suspect. An artificial intelligence tool used by police agencies somehow identified him as the perpetrator, and he was arrested.

Technology got it wrong, but it wasn't alone.

Afterward, Latino voters are seen as the key to winning elections in Florida, but are candidates really paying attention to their concerns?

Then, how will an important change in driver’s licenses affect you? And a well-known children’s author is helping a local candidate for office.

(0:00) A Fort Myers man was hundreds of miles away from where a crime was committed, but an AI facial recognition match sent him to jail anyway. Now, he’s suing. His ACLU attorney discusses the lawsuit, which challenges a Pinellas County-operated system used by law enforcement statewide.

GUEST:

• Nathan Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy and Technology Project

(11:38) A new Florida law will add citizenship and immigration information to driver’s licenses and state IDs. Lawmakers say the change is about election confidence, but opponents question the necessity and impact. A local tax collector and an immigrant rights advocate discuss what residents might expect.

GUESTS:

(20:40) Latino voters helped reshape Florida politics in 2024, but experts say campaigns still struggle to understand the community’s diversity. We discuss the issues driving Latino voters and how their influence could shape future elections.

GUESTS:

Jeff Kinney
/
Brandt Robinson for Congress

(35:44) The creator of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is stepping into the political arena. (Wait, isn’t this a form of the dreaded “cheese touch”?) Seriously, Jeff Kinney has teamed up with a Pinellas County history teacher running for Congress for an event focused on civic engagement. The goal: get younger voters involved in democracy before it feels like middle school math.

GUESTS:

Recently, a woman sleeping in an alley was struck by a garbage truck and killed. The tragedy has raised the ire of homeless advocates against the state’s ban on public camping. Is the law necessary or simply driving our most vulnerable into dark, dangerous places?

Then, we talk about the role of the arts in commemorating Juneteenth. And, summer mosquito season is near — with our blood on the menu.

(0:00) The recent death of a woman killed by a St. Petersburg garbage truck has renewed the debate over homelessness and Florida’s public camping ban. Advocates for the unhoused say the case underscores concerns that enforcement without enough shelter beds can increase risks for people living outside.

GUESTS:

(12:02) As Juneteenth approaches, the Straz Center is hosting its annual commemoration in Tampa. The Arts Legacy Remix showcases the region’s cultural diversity and preserves musical traditions through performance. We learn the origins and meaning of the celebration and get a preview of the event.

GUEST:

• Frederick Johnson, visual artist, musician and artist in residence at the Straz Center

(21:02) Mosquito control officials say summer rains will accelerate populations, raising concerns about disease transmission and prevention efforts. At the same time, researchers are evaluating a proposal to release sterilized mosquitoes for population control alongside traditional spraying. Experts say management will hinge on balancing innovation, public trust and stable local funding.

GUESTS:

(36:08) New Zealand’s ambassador to the U.S. says diplomats need to get beyond stereotypes and see conditions on the ground. So, he’s been on a fact-finding tour that recently took him to the Tampa Bay area for a clearer view of Florida’s economy and culture. He says maintaining affordability and access for American consumers is key to the countries’ relationship.

GUEST:

• Chris Seed, New Zealand ambassador to the U.S.

Can it possibly be a decade since the horrific Pulse shooting in Orlando? On "Florida Matters Live & Local," hear reflections from a clubgoer who was there the night 49 people were killed and a journalist who covered the aftermath.

Plus, a look at the challenges for some just to feed their families over the summer.

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For the second time “teen takeover” in the Tampa Bay region has ended in arrests. A Polk County teen is facing an attempted murder charge after an incident at Clearwater Beach just over a week ago.

Could social media be the key to keeping teens out of trouble?

We also talk with the local architect undertaking the renovation project for the Jackson House in downtown Tampa.

Also, does Hillsborough County need a new courthouse annex?

And what does your book stack look like this summer?

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We’re still reacting to the shock of a Florida earthquake. And we get into youth camps on Day 2 of our summer prep segments.

Speaking of sun and fun, it’s time for reminders on avoiding flesh-eating bacteria. Then, hear about an epic water survival story that is the subject of a new book.

Also, St. Pete Pride is recognized as the largest Pride celebration in the Southeast, but for how much longer? In January, a new law takes effect that could change the event.

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