Posted inNews & Views
St. Pete City Council approves an additional $136,624 for its unarmed crisis responder program
The CALL program has responded to over 3,000 calls since February of this year.
McKenna Schueler
McKenna Schueler is a freelance journalist based in Tampa, Florida. She regularly writes about labor, politics, policing, and behavioral health. You can find her on Twitter at @SheCarriesOn and send news tips to mkaschueler@gmail.com.
Posted inNews & Views
Here are all the major endorsements in the 2021 St. Petersburg primary election so far
Mail-in ballots are already out, and Voting Day is Aug. 24.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa police set to launch a mental health co-response program for answering crisis calls
The new team of crisis responders will consist of four mental health professionals hired by ACTS, four case managers, and four police officers.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa Bay lawmakers and workers call on Republican senators to expand labor protections
They were outside Marco Rubio and Rick Scott’s Tampa offices last Friday.
Posted inNews & Views
St. Pete City Council’s District 8 race is getting crowded
Richie Floyd now has three opponents ahead of the August primary.
Posted inNews & Views
Money and real political will are the only things that will bring justice to Tampa Bay’s Black and brown communities
Local activists say it’s not just the way that the city responds to crises that needs to change.
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St. Petersburg’s civilian responder program sets police reform example for the entire Bay area
While still in a pilot, with the CALL program’s future question, the Sunshine City has moved faster than neighboring municipalities.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa Bay nurses union plans Wednesday vigil for co-workers who died from COVID-19
The remembrance happens in downtown Tampa’s Channelside neighborhood.
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Federal lawsuit filed against City of Ocala for arresting homeless people that request help
The new suit filed by the ACLU and SLC alleges that Ocala’s ordinances have infringed on plaintiffs’ rights to free speech—specifically, asking for help.
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After voting to support strike, Tampa union and Frontier agree to extend labor negotiations
According to local workers, this is exactly what they’re looking to see, materially, from the telecommunications giant.
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Unionized Tampa Frontier workers could vote to authorize a strike by April 16
The local IBEW is negotiating over the elimination of retiree healthcare and the diminishment of workers’ 401k.
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St. Pete council member and mayoral candidate Darden Rice calls for resolution opposing voter suppression legislation
A proposed city resolution has been added to the council’s April 8 agenda.
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Tampa Bay Black and brown school-aged girls are disproportionally arrested, suspended, and incarcerated, says report
In Pinellas County, 82% of girls arrested under the age of 12 were Black.
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Dane Kuplicki files to run against Richie Floyd in St. Petersburg City Council race
Floyd had run unopposed for months after filing in November.
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‘Squad’ member Ayanna Pressley wants a federal job guarantee—here’s what that could mean for Tampa Bay
Sarasota professor Dr. Mark Paul weighs in.
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Tampa City Council will now wait until May to hear hear yet another revision to police Citizens Review Board
Council heard more than two hours of public comment during the workshop.
Posted inNews & Views
Local ACLU calls for common sense changes to Tampa’s police Citizens Review Board
The board meets again today, and council discusses on Thursday, Feb. 25.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa Bay lawmakers look to expand the vote when state legislature reconvenes in March
Michele K. Rayner-Goolsby and Susan Valdes have each filed legislation to increase access to the ballot box.
Posted inNews & Views
Conditions for workers and prisoners are ‘terrifying,’ says nurse at Tampa Bay prison
The registered nurse says he cares for 27-35 prisoners per shift at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution.
Posted inNews & Views
Tampa’s police budget grew more than any other major U.S. city, says report
Notably, Tampa was also specifically mentioned as an example of a city that has seen “spikes in crime” despite increases in police spending.
