Janelle Irwin - page 177

Echoing sentiments from other Republicans, Governor Rick Scott and Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera issued statements condemning President Barack Obama for striking a deal with Cuba that lessens sanctions on the communist nation. In addition to creating more navigable travel regulations and eased banking restrictions, Obama’s deal also brokered the release of Alan Gross, an American contractor jailed in Cuba for the last five years, in exchange for the release of three of the Cuban Five. The Cuban Five consists of…

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As the nation ponders whether or not it’s a good idea for the United States to normalize relations with Cuba, 18 students from Eckerd College in St. Pete are packing their bags for a two-week trip to the island nation. The trip is part of a study-abroad course led by economics Professor Peter Hammerschmidt. Students will learn about the history and development of Cuba’s economic system and look at the nation’s efficiency, income distribution, resource ownership and government involvement. The…

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President Barack Obama gave what some may consider one of the most impactful speeches of his presidency Wednesday. In a deal reached between the Obama administration and Cuba, the United States could be taking its first steps toward lifting the long-standing embargo with the island nation to our south. The deal will loosen travel and trade restrictions between the United States and Cuba. While the embargo will still be in place and tourism is still a no-go, it will be easier for Americans…

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St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman is hoping to set an example for the rest of the area when it comes to paid family leave. The United States ranks dead last among 37 other developed nations in family leave policies. That’s according to a study by the Pew Research Center that analyzes the amount of paid time off families get for the birth or adoption of a child. The United States does not provide any paid leave. Kriseman announced a change in city…

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Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinick unveiled artist renderings of his vision for downtown Tampa during a Hillsborough County Commission meeting Wednesday. It’s a $1 billion project that would create office space, entertainment and living space across 3 million square feet. Sorry Rays, there’s no baseball stadium in any of the pictures. What the pictures do show is a robust landscape of walkable entertainment centers around the existing Amalie Arena where the Lighting play, casual outdoor dining, new office towers…

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The future of baseball in Tampa Bay hangs in the balance as the Rays inch closer to being able to look outside of St. Pete for a new place to play ball. What happens to the Major League Baseball team has more impact than many people realize. Even though turnout is lackluster compared to other teams, on game day, hoards of fans pile into Tropicana Field. These fans pay to park in various privately-owned lots. They dine in locally owned…

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In another GOP facepalm moment, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn has blocked a bill aimed at reducing veteran suicides. Coburn, in the classyist of all classy floor speeches last night, rambled on and on about why he thinks the bill is a no-go. He’s retiring after this Congress ends, so he probably doesn’t care that he made himself look like a total tool. Paul Rieckhoff, CEO and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, told the Huffington Post, “this is…

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