Ben and Jerry's ice cream recently announced it would stop marketing its product in the West Bank - which it described as the "Occupied Territories," to show sympathy toward Palestinians. It could be interpreted as support for the Boycott, Divestiture and Sanctions movement. But does it actually violate a Florida law against BDS? We spoke with one of its authors, Rep. Randy Fine of the Melbourne area. Plus a bonus as he relates his experience being hospitalized for COVID and

Beyond the News WFLA Interviews

Rep Randy Fine - Ben and Jerrys vs Israel

Two Florida cities make the top ten in the 2021-22 edition of US News and World Report's Best Places to Live. We speak with US News real estate editor Devon Thorsby.

Devon Thorsby - US News Best Cities Report

North Port and nearby areas received as much as a foot of rain during Hurricane Elsa, and that water is flowing back toward the city through rivers, creeks and canals, Flooding is expected in some low-lying areas this weekend., Gordon Byrd speaks with city public information officer Josh Taylor.

Josh Taylor - Elsa Triggers Flooding in North Port

Hillsborough County Emergency Management Director Timothy Dudley speaks about preparations before and after Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Elsa reaches the Tampa Bay area.

Elsa - Hillsborough Emergency Mgmt Dir Timothy Dudley

Many people who worked from home during the pandemic did double duty as caregivers for aging relatives. But now with work returning to the office, they may need to make new plans, even as caregivers are in short supply . Gordon Byrd gets some insight from Dale Dalbey, who runs a Northwest Florida office of the caregiving services firm Synergy Home Care.

Dale Dalbey - Caregiving and Work after the Pandemic

Therapists and others have been booked solid as people try to deal with pandemic-related anxiety. Other providers are stepping in to fill the gap. Gordon Byrd speaks with Clearwater-based health care consultant Sharon Fekete.

Sharon Fekete - FInding Mental Health Services After the Pandemic

Police found a swastika and other antisemitic graffiti spray painted on a wall at the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg Thursday morning. Gordon Byrd speaks with St. Petersburg police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez.

Yolanda Fernandez - Hate Grafitti at Florida Holocaust Museum

Florida's commercial stone crab fishery has declined by 30 percent since the turn of the century. Researchers at Florida Southern College in Lakeland are trying to determine whether eggs that hatch in waters with variable pH - such as seagrasses - do better than others. We speak with Dr. Phil Gravinese, assistant professor of biology, and students Abigail Smith and Gretchen Faraci,, who are taking part in the field work.

Florida Southern College - Studying Stone Crabs and Water Acidity

Gordon Byrd speaks with the co-owner of a local (Tampa and St Petersburg) restaurant duo "The Mill" that's hiring for the serving area and the kitchen

Chef Ted Dorsey - The Mill Restaurant

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tampa is holding a job fair to fill some 300 positions Tuesday, May 25th. We speak with SHR's recruitment manager, Brandi Kines.

Brandi Kines - Seminole Hard Rock Job Fair

The Colonial pipeline is working again, but now a driver shortage could keep fuel from getting to gas stations. We speak with Brad Ball, president of Roadmaster, whose driving schools are racing the clock to get new tanker drivers on the road.

Brad Ball - Roadmaster - Fuel Driver Shortage

Michele Routh with St Petersburg - Clearwater Airport talks about a job fair Allegiant is holding for customer service and ground ctews Monday, May 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Michele Routh - Allegiant is Hiring at St Pete Clearwater Airport

Tampa International Airport was the first in the nation to offer both PCR and quick testing for the COVID-19 virus last October. It got a lot of attention as a step toward getting air travel going again. More than 20,000 tests were administered but now the site is shutting down, effective May 7th. We speak with the airport's Emily Nipps.

Emily Nipps - Tampa Airport Ending COVID-19 Testing

Better late than never -- it's the 2021 Florida State Fair! Opening April 22nd instead of its usual February run. Gordon Byrd speaks with the fair's Executive Director, Cheryl Flood, about COVID protocols, rides, entertainment and , of course, fair food including this year's viral choice: Pickle Pizza.

Cheryl Flood - Florida State Fair

Tampa City Councilman Guido Maniscalco updates the council on efforts to name a street for WFLA radio legend Tedd Webb. Also comments by Councilman John Dingfelder.

Special: Tampa City Council on Tedd Webb Street Naming

Interviews conducted by the WFLA Radio newsroom in Tampa Florida, with local and national newsmakers.

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Beyond the News WFLA Interviews

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