Beyond the News WFLA Interviews
Interviews conducted by the WFLA Radio newsroom in Tampa Florida, with local and national newsmakers. Be sure to follow us!
Episodes
May 23, 2025 • 8 mins
As another hurricane season approaches, residents of one part of Tampa are still dealing with damage in the aftermath of flooding during Hurricane Milton. They live in the section of the city that's actually farthest away from the water, and many didn't have flood insurance. We speak with Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera about what led to the unexpcted floodwaters, and how residents are moving forward.
Mark as Played
May 15, 2025 • 5 mins
Lionfish are an invasive species in Florida. They arrived in our waters as early as the 1980s and efforts to control the population are ongoing. Lionfish eat just about every creature they see in the sea, and can devastate ecosystems. Destin is holding a Lionfish Festival this weekend (17-18) to encourage people to catch the weird-looking fish and make a meal out of it. We speak with Tony Hart, Lionfish Outreach Coordinator for the...
Mark as Played
May 8, 2025 • 8 mins
In a move that caught most off-guard, Roman Catholic cardinals have chosen the first American-born pope. But while he was born and raised in Chicago, the new Pope Leo XIV has spent more of his life outside the U.S. than in it. We speak with St. Leo University associate professor of theology and religion, Dr. Stephen Okey, about the new pontiff. (Photo: Getty Images and Canva)
Mark as Played
May 1, 2025 • 6 mins
Pasco County is trying to deal with a spike in its mosquito population by stifling reproduction. We speak with the mosquito control district's executive director, Adriane Rogers, about a pilot program to use sterile male mosquitoes to prevent females from breeding the next generation of bloodsuckers.
Mark as Played
April 24, 2025 • 13 mins
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor presents her State of the City address Monday (28th). St. Leo University professor Gianna Russo, who has formerly served as the city's official Wordsmith, will read a poem she composed for the occasion. She'll preview the themes in this year's message.
Mark as Played
April 21, 2025 • 12 mins
Pope Francis died early Monday. After nine days of mourning, the process of choosing a new pontiff to lead the Roman Catholic Church will begin. We speak with Dr. Stephen Okey, head of the Doctor of Theology program at St. Leo University near Tampa, to explain what's ahead.
Mark as Played
March 28, 2025 • 9 mins
Pinellas County is holding in-person and virtual meetings to get public input on how to spend an $813-million grant from HUD to support recovery from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton. Gordon Byrd speaks with Deputy County Administrator Matthew Spoor.
Mark as Played
March 27, 2025 • 5 mins
Bradenton police are looking for a man in connection with an incident in which three Teslas were vandalized in the parking lot of the Pinebrook Commons shopping center. Detectives think he was driving a dark Chevy crossover or SUV. We get more information from police spokesperson Meredith Censullo.
Mark as Played
March 11, 2025 • 4 mins
Tampa celebrates St. Patrick's Day by dyeing the Hillsborough River green. It's the centerpiece of a daylong festival Saturday (15th). We speak with Ivy Lupco of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, which stages the event.
Mark as Played
March 7, 2025 • 6 mins
Several Pinellas County towns are holding city elections March 11th (Tuesday) for the first time since Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We focus in on the Gulfport mayor's election as that city was particularly hard-hit by the storms. This isn't just about an election but about a city's recovery from last year's history-making storms. In this podcast we interview candidate Sam Henderson, the incumbent Mayor,
Mark as Played
March 7, 2025 • 6 mins
Several Pinellas County towns are holding city elections March 11th (Tuesday) for the first time since Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We focus in on the Gulfport mayor's election as that city was particularly hard-hit by the storms. This isn't just about an election but about a city's recovery from last year's history-making storms. In this podcast we interview candidate Karen Love.
Mark as Played
March 7, 2025 • 11 mins
Several Pinellas County towns are holding city elections March 11th (Tuesday) for the first time since Hurricanes Helene and Milton. We focus in on the Gulfport mayor's election as that city was particularly hard-hit by the storms. This isn't just about an election but about a city's recovery from last year's history-making storms. In this podcast we interview candidate John Liccione.
Mark as Played
March 5, 2025 • 4 mins
The Pinellas beach city of Treasure Island is celebrating its ongoing recovery from last year's hurricanes with a "Back to the Beach" event Saturday and Sunday, inviting people from all over to join in. We speak with the city's Jason Beisel about the event and ongoing recovery.
Mark as Played
February 27, 2025 • 4 mins
Your old documents, your old computers, your old phones, and even your old gaming consoles could leave you vulnerable to identity theft. Hillsborough County is giving residents the chance to destroy that information Saturday morning. Listen to Consumer and Veterans Services director Eric Olsen to find out more about Shred Fest.
Mark as Played
February 26, 2025 • 5 mins
Hillsborough County holds its annual Neighborhoods Expo Saturday morning (March 1st). It gives county residents the chance to meet with county departments and services. We speak with county neighborhood liaison Stephanie Agliano.
Mark as Played
February 25, 2025 • 16 mins
City of Tampa and Hillsborough County officials will be on hand Wednesday morning as a historic marker is dedicated to Zion Cemetery. The first cemetery for Tampa's Black residents during the segregation era was sold and erased from maps and public knowledge, even though bodies were found at the site decades later. Part of the graveyard was incorporated into the Robles Park Village public housing complex. Its rediscovery in 2019 le...
Mark as Played
February 20, 2025 • 4 mins
The Grapefruit League plays its first game Friday, and major league baseball teams that spend spring training in Florida are starting games over this weekend. Teams on Florida's west coast include the Yankees, Pirates, Orioles, Braves, Rays and Red Sox. We speak with Jennifer Grondahl, VP of Communications with the Baltimore Orioles, about spring at Ed Smith Stadium and how the O's bring year-round economic impact to Sarasota.
Mark as Played
February 17, 2025 • 9 mins
The SS United States, formerly the world's fastest transatlantic passenger liner, is about to become the world's biggest artificial reef. Later this week, the liner will be towed on its last voyage from Philadelphia to Mobile, Alabama, where it'll be stripped of fuel and other biohazards. Then it will be towed to waters off Okaloosa County, which bought the ship to give both sea creatures and divers a refuge. The county also plans ...
Mark as Played
February 13, 2025 • 9 mins
February 14th is a day for the heart, Valentine's Day, but it's also a day for other organs as well. It's National Organ Donor Day. We talk with Tampa General Hospital nephrologist Dr. Pranjal Jain about becoming a living organ donor. You may be eligible even if you think you aren't.
Mark as Played
February 12, 2025 • 10 mins
Last year many seasonal residents of Manatee County watched helplessly from their summer homes as Tropical Storm Debby, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton did a number on their properties. Many snowbirds aren't sure how much hurricane prep they're allowed to do before heading north. Manatee County is holding a Q-and-A sessionFriday (2-14) aimed at those folks. We speak with Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske.
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Introducing… Aubrey O’Day Diddy’s former protege, television personality, platinum selling music artist, Danity Kane alum Aubrey O’Day joins veteran journalists Amy Robach and TJ Holmes to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation. Join them throughout the trial as they discuss, debate, and dissect every detail, every aspect of the proceedings. Aubrey will offer her opinions and expertise, as only she is qualified to do given her first-hand knowledge. From her days on Making the Band, as she emerged as the breakout star, the truth of the situation would be the opposite of the glitz and glamour. Listen throughout every minute of the trial, for this exclusive coverage. Amy Robach and TJ Holmes present Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial, an iHeartRadio podcast.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6 a.m. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.