Beyond the News WFLA Interviews

Tampa General Hospital is participating in several studies on COVID-19 including the use of hydroxychloroquine. Gordon Byrd interviews Dr. Jason Wilson, an emergency physician who is director of research for emergency medicine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interview with Troy Daland, CEO of Durisan, a Sarasota company that makes alcohol-free hand sanitizers. COVID-19 transmission on shoes and other surfaces is the topic. NOTE: After the interview we learned that his name is pronounced DAY-land not like DeLand, Florida. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Sobush, director of policy and research for the Tampa Bay Partnership, on how our COVID-19 curve compares to other parts of Florida. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Rick Homans, CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, which is studying public attitudes and our overall vulnerability to COVID-19 effects in the Tampa Bay area. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One problem slowing down coronavirus testing is that it uses swabs manufactured in Italy and China... ironically two of the worst-hit nations with COVID-19. USF Health in Tampa and its partners have developed a way to manufacture thousands of medical-grade swabs using 3D printers. Gordon Byrd speaks with Summer Decker, PhD, at USF Health's radiology department about how this works. See omnystudio....

Problems with COVID-19 testing at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Dozens showed up for the test without getting prescreened by doctors. That is causing problems. WFLA's Felix Vega speaks with Jon Paul Lavendara of Hillsborough code enforcement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Dr. Chad Dodd, DVM, a consulting veterinarian based in St. Pete Beach, about ways to keep your dog healthy and get then exercise during the coronavirus pandemic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Governor DeSantis' decision to order all bars in Florida to close for 30 days to fight coronavirus has a big impact on bartenders, musicians and others who work in those places. Gordon Byrd spoke with longtime Bay area musician Kelly Mettling, who lost all of his gigs because of the bar ban and other coronavirus-related crackdowns on public entertainment. We spoke to him on St. Patrick's Day, trad...

As of Thursday afternoon, Olympic Rowing Time Trials due to start March 17th and ITU-sanctioned USA Triathlon events are still set to go at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota... one of the few local sports events not canceled due to coronavirus. Gordon Byrd speaks with Steven Rodriguez, CEO of SANCA, which operates the park. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Well timed for all those Wrestlemania visitors! Gordon Byrd speaks with Dr. Brad Massey of the Tampa Bay History Center, about "Sunshine State Showdown," which showcases the history of pro wrestling in Florida and the Tampa Bay area See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with associate director Rhett Rollyson of the Florida Strawberry Festival about the 2020 event in Plant City, Feb. 27 - Mar. 8. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Laura Koivula, deputy manager of animal crimes for the Humane Society of the United States. She's on the scene of a five acre property near Old Town in north Florida, where her agency and the Dixie County Sheriff are removing 140 dogs from neglect. Some of the dogs have sores and skin conditions, some didn't have access to food or water. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Gordon Byrd speaks with Brian Rick, with the Florida Department of Transportation, about a new series of pedestrian crossings with a new light system going up along Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apartment rents are rising in Florida, and Tampa and St. Petersburg are seeing some of the biggest increases in the nation. Gordon Byrd speaks with Brian Carberry of Apartment Guide to go over the numbers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felix Vega speaks with Lakeland State Senator Kelli Stargel about her bill which would require parental consent for minors seeking abortions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Craig Latimer, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, about the upcoming Florida presidential primary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Mike Rogalski, COO of the Florida State Fair, which opens Thursday and runs through Feb. 17th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzalez, about their new survey that ranks Orlando as the best place in the nation to get married, ahead of Las Vegas. Miami ranks 5th and Tampa 6th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd spoke with Rich Briggs, research geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey, about the 7.7 quake between Jamaica and Cuba that was felt in Miami and as far north as Tallahassee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Super Bowl silly season and humans and non-humans alike are making their picks. Mote Marine Lab had three of its otters pick between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs... or at least their logos. Gordon Byrd speaks with Mote PR manager Stephannie Kettle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Felix Vega interviews Largo mayor Woody Brown, who's in Washington for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. They talked about climate change, recycling, elder care and dealing with special needs residents during hurricanes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with state Rep. Mike Beltran (R-Tampa) about his bill to improve transit driver safety. It follows the fatal stabbing of HART driver Thomas Dunn last May and a November stabbing that wounded another Hillsborough bus driver. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Whitney Blair Wyckoff of US News about their Best Jobs and Best Paying Cities report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gordon Byrd speaks with Johanna Kossifidis about the upcoming Epiphany Day events in Tarpn Springs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are people giving up on New Year's resolutions? A survey of 1000 Americans by St. Leo University near Tampa says 54% don't plan to make any for 2020. Gordon Byrd speaks with Dr. Christopher Wolfe, asst. professor of psychology at St. Leo, who also suggests an alternative that could make those pledges to work on money or lose weight more effective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informatio...