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Janelle Irwin - page 167

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].

Must-read: Vocational rehab program could be on the state’s chopping block

in Top Headlines by

There’s a bill floating through both the House and the Senate that has raised nary an eyebrow, but could have some very real implications for people with disabilities in Florida. The agency that runs the program isn’t speaking out about it. And organizations that support persons with disabilities have been lukewarm on the issue. But one Tampa woman is trying to shine a light on a bill she sees as a potential dismantling of crucial disability benefits. Faith Olivia Babis was…

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Suncoast Tiger Bay’s annual ‘Night with the Tigers’ was kind of a bust

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Suncoast Tiger Bay is known for its politically raucous meetings in which the nonpartisan political club’s motto, “carving a politician up for lunch,” really comes to life. Whether the politically novice crew is grilling the mayor, police chief or candidates for state office, members and their guests (and often the press) are usually in for a treat. Non-answers don’t fly. Talking points are checked at the door. It’s a relentless bunch on a mission for juicy new info in tired…

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Family behind Charlotte’s Web in Florida responds to the law’s latest challenge

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Another challenge has cropped up in the attempt to bring a non-euphoric strain of medical marijuana to people suffering from chronic seizures. The state approved Charlotte’s Web for use in epileptic patients, including children, last year, but the medicine is still not available as a committee grapples with rules regulating its cultivations, distribution and use. The family behind the law is outraged the drug is still not available to their daughter who suffers from chronic seizures. Holley and Peyton Moseley…

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Universal curbside recycling in St. Pete is right around the corner

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Curbside recycling is finally kicking off in St. Pete this summer. Leading up to the July launch of the long-anticipated program, St. Pete City Council members got an update on plans for a seamless rollout during a meeting Thursday. The city will start delivering bins to homes as soon as May, but don’t get too excited. Filling those bins up with recycling before July will mean a smelly can waiting through several hot summer months before being picked up. Because…

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St. Pete City Council awards Eckerd College for its role in finding Phoebe Jonchuck’s tiny body

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

St. Pete City Council awarded the Eckerd College Search and Rescue team during its meeting Thursday for its involvement in recovering the body of 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck. The little girl was tragically thrown from the Dick Misener Bridge of the Sunshine Skyway early in the morning of January 8. Her father stopped at the top of the bridge and threw her over before an officer could approach his car for a traffic stop. The St. Pete Police Department immediately contacted…

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The end for SaintPetersBlog

Ever since I acquired the rights to the perfect domain for my efforts — FloridaPolitics.com — I knew that one

Email insights: Uber partners with UN Women to create one million jobs

in Apolitical/Top Headlines by

While Republicans in Congress seem to be really, really turned off by laws that would mandate equal pay for equal work and local governments seem too enamored with taxi companies to really work with ride share companies, Uber and UN Women are joining forces to help each other out. On one hand, Uber is committing to creating 1,000,000 jobs for women across the world, on the other, UN Women is standing behind them, making them pretty hard not to like.…

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What the low turnout on voting for a new St. Pete Pier really tells us…

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Tampa Bay Times ran a column about the St. Pete Pier yesterday by John Romano. He starts it off by saying, “the people have spoken. Or maybe they’ve just cleared their throats.” It’s a great start to a good column and he makes some very solid points. Turnout for the non-binding vote where St. Pete residents 18 and older had the chance to pick their three favorite pier designs was abysmal. There’s no other way to put it. Of…

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