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Janelle Irwin - page 141

Janelle Irwin has 1517 articles published.

Janelle Irwin has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in the Tampa Bay area since 2003. She also hosts a weekly political talk show on WMNF Community radio. Janelle formerly served as the sole staff reporter for WMNF News and previously covered news for Patch.com and various local neighborhood newsletters. Her work has been featured in the New York Daily News, Free Speech Radio News and Florida Public Radio and she's been interviewed by radio stations across the nation for her coverage of the 2012 Republican National Convention. Janelle is a diehard news junkie who isn't afraid to take on big names in local politics including Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, the dirty business of trash and recycling in St. Pete and the ongoing Pier debacle. Her work as a reporter and radio host has earned her two WMNF awards including News Volunteer of the Year and Public Affairs Volunteer of the Year. Janelle is also the devoted mother to three brilliant and beautiful daughters who are a constant source of inspiration and occasional blogging fodder. To contact, email [email protected].

Alex Sink gets behind Steve Kornell for re-election

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Steve Kornell is getting key support in his bid for re-election to the St. Pete City Council. Former state chief financial officer and former gubernatorial and congressional candidate Alex Sink is co-hosting a reception supporting his campaign. Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner and activist Larry Biddle join Sink in her support. The event is hosted by Pinellas Democratic Party chair Susan McGrath, political organizer Nick Janovsky, political scientist and former State Senate candidate Judithanne McLaughlan and her husband, Ramsay, former…

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Most organic mosquito spray doesn’t cut it

in Apolitical by

It’s that time of year. You know, that time where you can’t walk outside for three seconds without getting swarmed by blood- thirsty mosquitoes and your kids’ legs start to resemble chicken pox permanence. With the plague of biting insects among us in muggy Florida, it brings up an important question. Do I cover myself and my family with harsh chemicals or do I risk getting a) bit to all hell and b) contracting some pretty nasty viruses that are now…

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St. Pete may be diverse, but data show its neighborhoods are still segregated

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

St. Pete is a diverse city. City leaders love to tout that. But a new data analysis shows that St. Pete is also still highly segregated. FiveThirtyEight.com founder and statistician Nate Silver looked at U.S. Census data to determine which of the nation’s most populous cities had segregated neighborhoods. A look at those cities in Southern states showed St. Pete topping the list in terms of segregation. While the Sunshine City has a diversity rating of 54 percent, it’s neighborhood…

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Love it or hate it, the Pier has been quite the muse

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Saintpetersblog reported earlier this month on two oddly familiar pieces of artwork. One, drawn more than 30 years ago, showed the Pier first with a tornado touching down on its rooftop and then, in another, with an alien space craft above it. More recently, pro-Destination St. Pete Pier groups and supporters have been posting a graphic depicting the Pier as some sort of robotic creature with long legs shooting lasers at visitors. As this reporter pointed out in previous reports, that…

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St. Pete gets nod from U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez for its paid leave policy

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez made a stop in St. Pete Wednesday afternoon to give Mayor Rick Kriseman a pat on the back for his leadership in expanding the city’s paid leave policy for employees. Perez told city employees they won the “boss” lottery. “But you shouldn’t have to win the boss lottery to take care of a sick kid,” Perez said, adding that leave policies should also include provisions for the care of a sick parent. The…

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St. Pete Entrepreneurial Academy churns out latest batch of 15 grads

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

More than two dozen local aspiring entrepreneurs graduated from a 10-week program sponsored by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the St. Pete Greenhouse. “We’re proud of our Entrepreneurial Academy graduates,” said Sean Kennedy, Greenhouse manager. “The rigorous curriculum is a challenge, but they come out of the program with a wealth of knowledge, resources, and connections to help them succeed.” The program is taught by legal professionals and experts in accounting and marketing in order to help…

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Pinellas County Commission poised to restore funding for the arts

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Pinellas County commissioners indicated they’d be amenable to granting Creative Pinellas $300,000 for increasing programs supporting the arts. During a budget meeting Tuesday, board members heard a presentation from the arts advocacy group in which they requested additional funding for two targeted efforts — marketing and brand growth and project funding and community engagement. “The arts industries are a sound investment,” said Mitzi Gordon, director of Creative Pinellas. According to Gordon, investment in the arts contributes to many key social…

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