2nd Certified Rape Crisis Center opens in Hillsborough County

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has now opened a second Certified Rape Crisis Center in Hillsborough County.

Mayra Espinosa, a sexual assault nurse examiner with the center, says they looked at records to see where a potential new site should be. She says about 15% of people who came for an exam last year were from the SouthShore Tampa Bay area, including places like Ruskin, Riverview and Wimauma.

More HERE

Black Californians could receive up to $1.2 million in reparations payments, task force says

The State of California is one step closer to paying reparations to Black residents whose ancestry goes back to the American slave trade.

The California Reparations Task Force released estimates, as well as breakdowns of the methodology used to determine the amounts, on Monday ahead of a critical vote that will take place later this week.

As outlined by the San Francisco Chronicle, an eligible resident who lived in California their whole life and was 71 or older could, in theory, receive as much as $1.2 million.

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Florida Republicans pass anti-immigration bill, giving DeSantis $12 million for migrant flights

“Immigrants are not the enemy,” Rep. Dotie Joseph, D-North Miami, said. “Hate is.”....MORE

Crisis in Corrections | Part 7

The I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

DUMBING DOWN: Trump vows to escalate GOP attack on higher education

Donald Trump has rolled out a new campaign promise: to go after colleges that implement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, and “radically transform” higher education by forcing schools to defend “American tradition and western civilization.”

Trump appears to be taking a page from the Ron DeSantis playbook after the Florida governor announced similar measures in his state. Trump’s announcement falls short of clear policy directives but sounds much like those DeSantis has already attempted or announced.

More HERE

Crisis in Corrections | Part 6

The I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Immigration reform bill headed to DeSantis’ desk

An immigration reform package is headed to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

Republican lawmakers gave SB 1718 final approval Tuesday. The bill would crack down on illegal immigration in the Sunshine State.

This was another one of those bills that had lawmakers fiercely divided. Republicans say it protects Floridians while Democrats call it inhumane.

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Hundreds of thousands of Floridians at risk of losing Medicaid

According to the Associated Press, as states begin checking everyone’s eligibility for the first time in three years, up to 14 million of the 84 million people currently on Medicaid could lose their coverage.

Local healthcare leaders estimate 900,000 Floridans are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage. They say those who have been covered through the pandemic are now being notified of renewal in waves, which started April 1st.

At True Health, a local healthcare nonprofit that, they help people with their Medicaid paperwork while also providing medical services. Their regional director of operations, Jafet Rios, has worked in insurance enrollment for the last 10 years. He shared that many on Medicaid are now getting renewal notices in the mail with yellow stripes. He says that is a sign you could be at risk, and you need to file out paperwork to renew. He explained there are many reasons why someone may lose their eligibility.

More HERE

Crisis in Corrections | Part 5

The I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

DeSantis signs measure expanding Florida death penalty law

Under the new legislation, child rapists get a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole and are eligible for capital punishment. 

The legislation goes against a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision in which the court found it unconstitutional for states to use the death penalty as punishment for the rape of a child if the victim had not died.

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'Feeding Tampa Bay' building new, larger warehouse to help more in need

Feeding Tampa Bay is making a big change that will allow it to help more people in need.

Breaking ground this summer, the non-profit is building a new, larger warehouse that will allow it to assist more people across Tampa Bay who are dealing with food insecurity.

More HERE

Tampa Bike Month Celebration

MAY 11, 2023 AT 5:30 PM

Coppertail Brewing Co

Rideshare drivers protest across Tampa Bay

Tampa Hoods: Ybor City

The Ritz - 7th Ave

Republicans Are Freaking Out That Ron DeSantis Is Getting His Butt Kicked By Disney

Some Florida voters re-thinking support for DeSantis amid his feud with Disney

Support The Merchants Of Ybor

7th Ave

The BEST Cuban Sandwich in the Tampa Suburbs!

Legal war begins: DeSantis’ board countersues Disney

For decades, Disney exerted its influence to gain total control over its private government and received special treatment no other Florida businesses got, the state-run Central Florida Tourism Board argues in a lawsuit seeking to regain control of Disney World’s special government district.

The state-run board countersued Disney in Orange Circuit Court following Disney’s decision to file a federal lawsuit against them and Gov. Ron DeSantis last week.

More HERE

Crisis in Corrections | Part 4

The I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Captain Hooter is in the Rotation

Dude smoked a lot of weed in Amsterdam and he took some great shots!

Crisis in Corrections | Part 3

The I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

Crisis in Corrections | Part 2

The I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

JenZ Report: Talking Trans Justice

GenZ discussion about the variety of transgender issues in the news

Crisis in Corrections | Part 1

The ABC Action News I-Team reveals the factors building to what some state leaders call a breaking point in the Florida Department of Corrections.

House passes bill lowering long gun purchase age from 21 to 18

The House passed legislation that would lower the legal age to buy a rifle or long gun from 21 to 18, resurrecting emotional debate over gun laws. Democrats scolded Republicans for rolling back part of the gun control measures passed into law after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland in 2018.....MORE

Legislature approves elections bill with resign-to-run fix for Gov. DeSantis

An elections bill that hikes fines on third-party voter registration groups, shortens the window to return mail ballots and ensures Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn’t need to resign to run for President passed the House and is on its way to DeSantis’ desk.

Democrats say the bill is 'designed to keep communities down and apathetic and hopeless.'

More HERE

DeSantis FINALLY Gets What He Deserves, Crushed By Disney Surprise

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis finally gets payback for all of the insane power play attacks DeSantis attempted against Disney. John Iadarola and Farron Cousins break it down on The Damage Report.

Just Life in Ybor City

Gasparilla Music Festival to kick off this weekend

Although we are still a few days away from the first day of the Gasparilla Music Festival, preparations have already begun in Downtown Tampa.

The two-day event will take place at Curtis Hixon Park on Saturday and Sunday.

More HERE

State Senate passes controversial Florida elections changes

The Florida Senate on Wednesday approved a sweeping elections bill aimed at continuing Republican leaders’ efforts to crack down on voter-registration groups and ensuring Gov. Ron DeSantis doesn’t have to resign from office to run for president.....MORE

Florida Legislature passes restrictions on unions – the bill now heads to Ron DeSantis

The Florida House on Wednesday gave final approval to a controversial plan that would place additional restrictions on public-employee unions, teeing up the issue for Gov. Ron DeSantis.....MORE

BLOCKED: Alvin Bragg just asked the judge to do this to Trump and it’s about damn time!

Proactive Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg has asked a judge for an order to prevent evidence given to Trump’s legal team from appearing on phones around the world.....MORE