WSLR News

July 9th: Omar Guerrero covers the controversial education bills signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Becca Hadwen covers an initiative by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, and Bernadette Nwokeji speaks to a community engagement officer at the Bishop Museum about their attempts to gain solid ground after the pandemic.

July 2nd: Sarasota City Governments new online launches comment platform.  Alaina Martinez from the Leaders Rights Organization talks about the recent protest against police brutality in Newtown. Becca Hadwen covers the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition's upcoming research presentation to the Sarasota City Commission.

June 30th: Omar Guerrero covers the County Sheriff's Office budget and a recent conference regarding Body-Worn Cameras in Sarasota County and City. Omar also talks to Joyce Fitzpatrick about her initiative to launch the first Community Mediation Center in the area.

We have a packed show for you this week. First, Becca Hadwen discusses the coronavirus outbreak among Manatee County employees. Omar Guerrero learns about plans for a community mediation center. Becca speaks about pride and LGBTQ liberation with a local organizer, and Omar has details on the Sarasota County budget process.

Becca Hadwen takes you to a discussion of how Governor DeSantis’s protest law will affect Sarasota. Omar Guerrero learns how Newtown will celebrate Juneteenth, and why it matters. He also brings you the latest from the City of North Port’s budget process. Finally, Becca went to the Bishop Museum to learn about their new manatee rehabilitation habitat.

In this week's episode, Becca Hadwen reports on a new rule passed by the Florida Board of Education that restricts how teachers talk about race. Omar Guerrero discusses Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody’s proposal to regulate sitting or lying on sidewalks. Then, Becca takes a look at the controversy surrounding Sarasota County code enforcement officer Harvey Ayers. Omar wraps up the show with information on Juneteenth and how the local Bar Associations will honor the holiday.

This week's show covers a variety of topics: Climate change activist's 800 mile walk to Tallahassee, Olmeca's community lecture and concert at the Van Wezel, and the City Commission's discussion of budget plans in light of Biden's American Rescue Plan.

On Thursday, DeSantis signed Senate Bill 90, which introduces several regulations related to Florida elections. Some organizations are already denouncing the bill as unconstitutional. Omar Guerrero details the controversies surrounding SB90 and speaks to the president of the League of Women Voters in Florida, about a recent lawsuit against the bill.

The disaster at Piney Point brought concerns about water quality to the center of our headlines. Similar concerns are common throughout Florida, and people in Orange County sought a solution. A lawsuit filed last week could change the nature of environmental protections throughout the United States.

On Wednesday, April 21st, activists, organizers, and community members gathered to celebrate the guilty verdict on Derek Chauvin, and to mourn the lives lost to police violence. Becca Hadwen spoke with one of the organizers about the event.