The Bay Blend

It’s election season. In fact, early voting for the primaries starts in some places across the state on Aug. 3. Today, host Meghan Bowman talks about the explosion of artificial intelligence in political campaigns and how you can guard yourself from misinformation.   -- The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org  Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org...

A recent study found “tire dust” in the Hillsborough River. But don’t let the cute name fool you; it’s not great for manatees like our mascot Mateo and other wildlife. Plus, a judge says Fishback can remain in Florida’s race for governor. All that, sprinkled with some events to brighten your week.  -- The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org  Sign up for our daily...

Clearwater is the international headquarters for the Church of Scientology. The city council recently voted to hand over a full downtown block to the organization. WUSF’s Phoebe Martel joins the Blend to talk about a citizen-led campaign fighting to reverse the decision.  -- The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org  Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wus...

You feel that? The weekend is loading. And with it, so is your weekend event roundup with Malaika Hollist from Arts Axis Florida. On today's Bay Blend, you'll get the lowdown of local events Friday through Sunday. Plus, the headlines and a few new food spots to get reservations for soon.  - The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org  Sign up for our daily newsletter:...

You'll hear about some sick tunes to catch live this weekend, including a Reverend -- yes, a Reverend -- serving up some righteous, boogey-woogey blues in Sarasota. Plus, the news.  - The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUS...

This year’s World Cup was a ton of fun! There was so much action from beginning to end, and two guys were paid to watch every single minute from the opening match to the World Cup Final. One of them is from Florida! You’ll hear from both of them in a bit, along with some fun and even helpful events happening in the Bay area over the next two days. Before that – here’s the news. The Bay Blend is sp...

Some families of immigrants who have been detained and deported have been trying to go through the legal avenues to bring them back home, but doing that can be very, very expensive. You’ll hear from some residents in the Tampa Bay region experiencing those high prices for representation, plus some cool trivia going on in the area tonight. But first - let’s hit the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored...

If you look at the recent school district grades across the Tampa Bay region, it would appear the state's on the up-and-up. But some education experts and parents suggest pumping the brakes before celebrating, because there’s some caveats. We’ll talk about it, plus some fun things to do in the area to start the week. But first - the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https:...

This is it. We made it to the end of the week. But it just gets better from here. Today, Malaika Hollist has a jam-packed lineup of events to check out over the weekend, like a circus spectacular in Sarasota and bronco busting in Dover. Plus, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stops by Tampa General Hospital.  The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign...

WUSF's music wiz-kid Warren Buchholz joins host Meghan Bowman for a lineup of shows this weekend that are all must-listen. You'll hear about a saxophonist who's got a pretty sweet VIP package sliding through the Palladium in St. Pete. Plus, Gulfport welcomes a coastal-country singer/songwriter whose fans call themselves "the steadheads," careful or you may become one too.  The Bay Blend is sponsor...

Today's host, Meghan Bowman, brought Sky Lebron to a tap festival in Tampa and convinced him to learn how to tap dance. The festival director wants to see the Bay become a haven for the art. Plus, Arcadia residents say they saw ICE make arrests on Tuesday.  The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-ne...

The 2026 race for Florida governor is getting heated. WUSF's Douglas Soule joins host Meghan Bowman to talk about a court case challenging one candidate's eligibility. Plus, we have a release date for books 6 and 7 (no pun intended) in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, or ACOTAR for the real fans.  The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our dail...

The controversial 2022 state law restricts how gender and race are taught in higher education. Last week, a court struck down parts of it. WUSF's Kerry Sheridan joins host Meghan Bowman to talk about it. Plus, got some nice events to check out this week.  The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-news...

From a craft arts festival at the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs to Tampa Bay Toy Con at the Florida State Fairgrounds, host Gabriella Paul and Malaika Hollist have you covered with local happenings this weekend. All that, plus your local headlines. - The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newslett...

You know the drill! Your weekly music roundup is in the queue. Plus, some extra events to spruce up the end of your week. And, of course, the latest local headlines to start your Thursday! - The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook....

The job market is no joke for Gen Z between high unemployment, slow hiring and AI transforming the job search. You'll hear from job seekers and industry experts in Florida on the issue. Plus, a federal appeals court struck down a Florida law that restricted race and gender curriculum on college campuses. All that, and more, on today's pod with host Gabriella Paul.  - The Bay Blend is sponsored by...

A Fort Meade resident and businessman is suing the city over plans to build a massive AI data center a half-acre from his home. WUSF's Jessica Meszaros joins the pod with that report. Plus, a reminder on vote-by-mail for Tampa Bay residents. And lots of weeknight activities to sprinkle into your schedule.  - The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our...

A largely overlooked but important change to Florida's transportation law could change your experience at everyone's favorite place: the car dealership. Today, you'll learn why that is with host Gabriella Paul. Plus, Post Malone is coming to Tampa!  The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter...

We have a special 4th of July weekend roundup for you today, talking about all of the red, white and blue events you can check out in the Tampa Bay area to celebrate the country's BIG 250! Before that though, you're getting the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on so...

It’s time for another local music roundup, with America’s big 250th Birthday in mind. We’ll have some spots where you can listen to some tunes and feel that American spirit in your bones. And, of course, some fun events to check out tonight throughout the Tampa Bay area. But first - you're getting the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our d...

Wednesday, July 1st, 2026: Running a marathon as a POTATO? + local reaction to birthright citizenship being upheld

USF’s College of Marine Science is still recovering after a fire caused major damage to the building and some of its experiments. So, can any of that research and equipment be saved? You’ll find out, plus a couple nerdy events to end June in the Tampa Bay area tonight. We’ll tell you about them, but first – the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up...

A new exhibit at the Dali Museum shows off how living in the U.S. influenced Salvador Dali and changed his art and works over the years. Turns out, putting a wild mind in a wild country, makes someone even wilder. More on that, plus some places to enjoy the full moon tonight in the Tampa Bay area. First though – the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Si...

It’s local event roundup time, and with it being the last weekend of Pride Month, there’s a lot going on. Plus, some other events happening too, like a place to learn how to make your own bacon from scratch. You’ll hear about that and plenty more, but first up, let’s hit the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://ww...

On today’s local music roundup, we have an ensemble group that mixes tons of different genres, a reggae-ska band with some upbeat tunes, and even some Death Metal. On top of that, where you can go to watch the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team take on Turkey in the World Cup. We’ll have all of that and more, but first - the news.