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Janelle Irwin - page 98

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].

Jeff Brandes wants transparency in National Flood Insurance Program rates

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Florida state Sen. Jeff Brandes wants FEMA to release data from flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program to determine whether or not the premiums assessed for policies are excessive or arbitrarily assigned. In a letter to Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation Commissioner Kevin McCarty Wednesday, Brandes argued there were 100,000 fewer flood insurance policies in effect this June compared to last May. Homeowners face as much as 25 percent rate increases each year for non-primary residences and…

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Rick Kriseman wants to use new revenue for rec center, more police

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Shore Acres Recreation Center could finally be replaced with a better, state-of-the-art facility under a plan emailed to City Council members last week by St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman. In a memo, Kriseman proposed setting aside $6.149 million for a new facility. “We are still developing the plans for this new facility and the final amount that will be needed is yet to be determined, but assigning $6.149 million to this important project is a very good start,” Kriseman…

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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

Direct mail round-up: Will Newton mailer plays on brother Wengay’s support

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

St. Pete City Council candidate Will Newton is playing up his relationship with his brother, City Council member Wengay Newton, in a mailer that hit mailboxes in District 7 this week. The “Beyond Brotherly Love” mailer, the Newton campaign trumpets the differences between the two candidates. “I take an issue and run right at you with it. My brother is more quiet and methodical,” a quote from Wengay Newton reads on one side of the flyer. “He’s all about bargaining…

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The St. Pete Pier is coming down this week

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

To a mixed chorus of “hallelujahs” and sobs the St. Petersburg Pier is finally going to come down. According to St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman’s spokesperson, Ben Kirby, the city has secured the necessary permitting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin demolition. He said they are giving contractor Sonny Glasbrenner notice to proceed this week. The process is expected to take 60 days to topple the inverted pyramid and another four months for the rest of the…

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Will Newton continues to surge with campaign cash

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

St. Pete City Council candidate Will Newton continues to close the gap between fundraising numbers in his matchup against Lisa Wheeler-Brown in a five-way race for the District 7 seat. Newton has raised about $8,000 less than Wheeler-Brown to date with $21,565 in total contributions. Wheeler-Brown has brought in $29,411. But Newton’s past two reports, including the most recent, show he is surging in fundraising efforts while hers has tapered off. Newton raised $8,395 during the latest reporting period running…

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Voting underway for Chamber’s ‘Good ‘Burger’ awards

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

Residents have until August 21 to vote for their favorite businesses, leaders, hangouts and restaurants. The 2015 Good ‘Burger awards are currently underway. Categories this year include Arts and Culture, Eats and Treats, Hot Spots and Hangouts, Community Conscious, Cool companies – small, medium and large – and the “Most Valuable ‘Burger.’” Among those nominated for the Chamber-hosted contest’s top honor are St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman, entrepreneur Bill Edwards and Chief of Police Anthony Holloway. Studio@620’s Bob Devin Jones,…

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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

St. Pete vote-by-mail numbers are looking good

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

More than 1,000 residents have already voted in the St. Pete Primary. Of the 6,223 ballots mailed to voters in District 7, 1,107 of them have been returned. Ballots went out to 26 overseas and military voters on July 10. Another 6,100 ballots were mailed on July 21 to voters who had already requested them. The Pinellas County Supervisor of Elections Office has sent out a couple here and there since the initial mailing as voters request them. With 15…

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