Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

WUSF @wusf.org · 4h

At 19 years old, Arjun Malaviya has five completely full passports and a slew of remarkable life experiences under his belt.

From remote islands to the DMZ, an intrepid teen hits 118 countries before turning 20

Arjun Malaviya set out to travel the world on his 17th birthday in July 2023. Over 13 months, the California teenager traveled through some of the world's most populated cities and most remote village...

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WUSF @wusf.org · 5h

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the 69-year-old man wrote a letter in which he threatened to kill conservative activist Benny Johnson.

In Tampa, Bondi announces arrest of California man for making threat

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the 69-year-old man wrote a letter in which he threatened to kill conservative activist Benny Johnson.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 10h

SNAP recipients should receive their benefits in October. The White House also pledged to keep WIC operational using tariff revenues.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 13h

After a sometimes tense meeting that included a standoff between Mayor Ken Welch and council member Brandi Gabbard, the St. Petersburg City Council delayed a vote to approve LGBTQ+ and Black history variations of the city flag for two weeks.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

This week on "The Zest Podcast," meet Vivian Aronson - better known to her millions of social media followers as "Cooking Bomb."

Eat like a wok star: Vivian Aronson brings Chinese wellness to the Florida table

Vivian Aronson isn’t a regular mom. She’s a cool mom. As in, millions-of-social-media-followers cool.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

Craig Clark from Sarasota calls himself the "Tech Fairy." He spends his time refurbishing old laptops and giving them away for free to people who need them.

Need a laptop? This retiree refurbishes laptops, gives them away to those in need

Craig Clark, 79, calls himself the "Tech Fairy." Clark spends his time refurbishing old laptops and giving them away for free to people who need them.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

A proposal filed in the Florida legislature Tuesday would rename a roadway on all 40 of the state's public university and college campuses after conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk.

Florida bill proposes renaming campus roads after Charlie Kirk, sparking backlash

Democratic lawmakers and others say it politicizes higher education and distracts from more pressing statewide issues.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

The Rays' new owners are talking about a "public-private partnership" being the only way a new stadium could be built in the Tampa Bay area. There are a few ways that could take shape.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

Secretary of State Cord Byrd said more changes to election laws will be proposed next year. He did not provide details but indicated potential changes could involve issues such as audits of election results and ensuring citizenship of voters.

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd touts election safeguards, teases proposed changes

Florida has steadily made changes since its disputed 2000 presidential election. Among other things, Byrd said the state has sought to have uniform standards and quick results.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

The Florida Department of Transportation is considering plans to expand the Courtney Campbell Causeway, and it could unexpectedly benefit marine habitats in Old Tampa Bay.

Read more: www.wusf.org/environment/...

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WUSF @wusf.org · 1d

Mater Academy Inc., a Miami-based charter school operator, has submitted notices to occupy three Sarasota County public school campuses, marking a sharp local escalation of the state’s newly expanded “Schools of Hope” law, which allows charters to take over public school facilities.

‘Hostile takeover’: Charter operator files to occupy 3 Sarasota schools

Sarasota Schools officials said the filings are premature – pointing to the fact that the Department of Education’s rule has not yet gone into effect.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 2d

Dozens of Bob Ross paintings — many of them created live on the PBS series that made him a household name — will be auctioned off in the coming months to support public television.

Dozens of Bob Ross paintings will be auctioned to help public TV after funding cuts

Thirty of Ross' trademark landscapes will be sold at a series of auctions starting in November. He painted many of them live on The Joy of Painting, which started airing on PBS in the 1980s.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 2d

Will the Rays consider an open-field stadium or a retractable roof? And will the new owners increase player payroll? They addressed these and other issues during their introductory news conference.

Here are 5 key questions the new Rays owners addressed for fans

Will the Rays consider an open-field stadium or a retractable roof? And will the new owners increase player payroll? They addressed these, and other issues, during their introductory news conference.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 2d

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," the Rev. Kenny Irby and Executive Pastor Christopher Harris discuss the heightened safety concerns in places of worship while attending services.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 2d

Mote Marine Aquarium has a new home — and an updated name.

The 146,000 square foot facility is now called Mote SEA, which is an acronym for Mote Science Education Aquarium. It is twice the size of the former aquarium.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 2d

Two men last weekend were wrongly charged under a Florida immigration law that’s currently suspended by a judicial order, according to a Monday report from the state attorney general’s office.

Judge halted a Florida immigration law months ago. Some officers are still enforcing it

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has been filing reports twice a month since being found in civil contempt for telling officers they could ignore the judge's order.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 2d

Two men last weekend were wrongly charged under a far-reaching Florida immigration law that’s currently suspended by a judicial order, according to a Monday report from the state attorney general’s office.

Judge halted a Florida immigration law months ago. Some officers are still enforcing it

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has been filing reports twice a month since being found in civil contempt for telling officers they could ignore the judge's order.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

Women have an evolutionary advantage when it comes to living longer. They outlive men by about five years. This gender gap is true for many mammals, but a new study shows how human males could narrow it.

Why do women live longer than men? A study offers clues to close the gap

Women have an evolutionary advantage when it comes to living longer. They outlive men by about five years. This gender gap is true for many mammals, but a new study shows how human males could narrow ...

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

Florida Southern College is bringing nationally renowned speakers to Lakeland to talk about the history of Florida, from Cuban heritage in Key West to Elvis Presley and his influence on the state.

Read more: www.wusf.org/arts-culture...

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

Patrick Zalupski and top executives Ken Babby and Bill Cosgrove said they intend to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area during an introductory news conference. Here's what else to know.

New Rays owners begin search for new ballpark site, promise Tropicana Field repairs

Patrick Zalupski and top executives Ken Babby and Bill Cosgrove said they intend to keep the team in the Tampa Bay area during an introductory news conference.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

Jerry is forecast to become a hurricane by Wednesday, which will place us one week ahead of schedule for the fifth hurricane of the season.

Tropical Storm Jerry forms: It will turn north

Jerry is forecast to become the next hurricane of the season; luckily, it will stay over the open Atlantic waters. Why are the storms turning?

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the top pediatric hospital in Florida for the fifth time in the past six years.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s named Florida’s best pediatric hospital by U.S. News

Despite strong regional showings in the annual Best Children's Hospital's rankings, no Florida hospital has yet to crack the top 10 nationally in any of 11 pediatric specialties or the national Honor ...

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

The DOGE committee is awaiting the results of a full state audit of the county's finances before taking any action. They say much of the spending was necessary to keep up with rapid population growth.

Hillsborough County DOGE committee addresses state concerns about spending

The DOGE committee is awaiting the results of a full state audit of the county's finances before taking any action. They say much of the spending was necessary to keep up with rapid population growth.

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WUSF @wusf.org · 3d

Florida Democrats and Republicans are both raising concerns that the current federal government shutdown will harm state residents. But the two groups have very different answers for who is responsible.

Florida Democrats and Republicans are exchanging blame as federal government shutdown continues

Florida Democrats and Republicans are both raising concerns that the current federal government shutdown will harm state residents. But the two groups have very different answers for who is responsibl...

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WUSF @wusf.org · 4d

Viewers first watched young mom Lorelai Gilmore and her teenage daughter Rory walk into a diner and beg for their coffee fix in October 2000.

25 years after its premiere, 'Gilmore Girls' still draws fans to small town Connecticut

Lorelai and Rory Gilmore's fictional hometown of Stars Hollow was born after Gilmore Girls creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, stayed in northwestern Connecticut. The show premiered in the fall of 2000.

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