WaveMakers

Locally owned independent bookstores, once considered an endangered species, are thriving, and they’re elevating local authors. The rise of shopping mall stores like WaldenBooks and B. Dalton’s followed by the 1990s double-whammy of big box bookstores like Barnes and Noble and Borders, and  Amazon (which started as an online bookseller), seemed to spell the end … Continue reading Once endangered, Florida independent bookstores are growing by building community

While violent crime is down nationally, a recent spate of fatal shootings in Tampa has people on edge and wondering what can be done. Fatal shootings in neighborhoods like Hyde Park  and New Tampa, where such crime is rare, have added fuel to the fire.  Brucie Klay Boonstoppel, whose son Harrison was shot dead from … Continue reading With Tampa gun violence on the rise, survivors sound alarm, officials seek solutions

Robert DuBoise, a Tampa man who spent 37 years in prison for crimes he didn’t commit, has a message for anyone who wants to help him. “If people want to do something….the most important thing is not to focus on the president right now but to focus on local officials,” DuBoise, 59, told WMNF WaveMakers … Continue reading Innocent man wrongly convicted of murder urges voters to focus on local elections

Emma Clough and Bianca Raises talked about earning their Gold Awards, the highest honor in Girl Scouts and Mary Pat King, CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida shared how the organization supports women and creates future leaders.

With the start of Hurricane season just 10 days away, WMNF WaveMakers with Janet & Tom on Tuesday (5/21) discussed the forecast and the impact climate change is having on severe weather with Jeff Berardelli, chief meteorologist for WFLA TV. Berardelli is the rare TV meteorologist willing to speak out directly and often about the … Continue reading WFLA’s Jeff Berardelli is one TV weatherman who doesn’t shy away from climate change

Deborah Dorbert of Lakeland was a few months pregnant when her doctor delivered disturbing news: Her unborn child had Potter’s Syndrome, which meant he did not have kidneys and his lungs were not developing normally. He likely would not survive outside the womb. Despite that, her doctor, who worked at Lakeland Regional Health, said he … Continue reading Lakeland woman describes agony of forced birth under Florida’s strict abortion law

Joe Redner is best known for fighting the government over his world-famous Mons Venus strip club, but he garnered headlines a few years ago fighting for the right to grow his own medical marijuana. He won the first round of that lawsuit but lost his appeal. He still wants to grow his own and insists … Continue reading Joe Redner supports Florida recreational weed amendment despite its shortcomings

One of the biggest culprits in Florida’s ongoing housing affordability crisis is zoning, said three experts who will gather at USF St. Petersburg Wednesday to discuss ways to increase housing stock and lower costs. Former state Sen. Jeff Brandes organized the Florida Housing Summit through a think tank he started called The Florida Policy Project. … Continue reading Housing summit experts: zoning must change to ease Florida housing crisis