Episode 340: WSLR News Fri., Apr 18 2025: FSU shooting witness; New College arrest; New College firing; bank tellers unionize

04/18/25 • 31 min

The shooting inside the student union of the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee Thursday impacted hundreds of students, teachers and staffers. We interviewed a witness.

Next: New College let go its marketing director, after he was arrested by Manatee County deputies Tuesday for exposure of sexual organs. The Suncoast Searchlight and Florida Trident investigated, and we have their report.

Then: New College fired a Chinese professor, citing a new Florida law, and that is making ripples. The Suncoast Searchlight has that report.

Finally: It’s unprecedented - bankers in Florida are joining unions. Five bank tellers in Bradenton are now bargaining with Wells Fargo, and Sera Deniz talked to a union organizer.

The shooting inside the student union of the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee Thursday impacted hundreds of students, teachers and staffers. We interviewed a witness.

Then: New College fired a Chinese professor, citing a new Florida law, and that is making ripples. The Suncoast Searchlight has that report.

Finally: It’s unprecedented - bankers in Florida are joining unions. Five bank tellers in Bradenton are now bargaining with Wells Fargo, and Sera Deniz talked to a union organizer.

Previous Episode

undefined - Episode 339: WSLR News Wed., Apr. 16, 2025: Venice City Council resignation's ripples; Fauci in Sarasota; tumbling real estate prices; local economic ripples of Trump measures; Canadian snowbirds

Episode 339: WSLR News Wed., Apr. 16, 2025: Venice City Council resignation's ripples; Fauci in Sarasota; tumbling real estate prices; local economic ripples of Trump measures; Canadian snowbirds

A Venice City Council member made ripples last week when she resigned in protest against peers seemingly favoring developer Pat Neal. WSLR’s Ramon Lopez interviewed Joan Farrell and Ron Smith, who was elected by landslide after he said Neal had asked him to drop out.

Next: The culture wars flared up again on Monday when Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke to more than 3,000 people in Sarasota.

Then: Real estate prices in Southwest Florida are tumbling. We have a report from the Suncoast Searchlight.

Next: Trump’s executive measures will translate to hard times for our local economy and the finances of cities and counties on the Suncoast. That’s according to one of the leading bond experts in the country who happens to live in Sarasota.

Finally: Canadian snowbirds are upset - to the point where they stay away and sell their Florida homes. WSLR’s Jennifer Johnston talked to two of them.

Next Episode

undefined - Episode 341: WSLR News Wed., Apr. 23, 2025: Sarasota strips builders of funding; troubles in Gran Paradiso; how New College hired Piccolo; Ringling Museum town hall; Venice vacancy; Obsidian delayed

Episode 341: WSLR News Wed., Apr. 23, 2025: Sarasota strips builders of funding; troubles in Gran Paradiso; how New College hired Piccolo; Ringling Museum town hall; Venice vacancy; Obsidian delayed

This ain’t the Moran commission anymore: The Sarasota County commissioners yesterday voted to strip builders of funding for an education program.

Next: Homeowners in a posh subdivision near North Port are learning the hard way that developers wield a lot of power - even after they sold you the home they built. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story.

Then: How did New College hire a politically connected figure after he appeared in three local police reports? Suncoast Searchlight is trying to find out.

Next: Four hundred people crowded into a town hall organized by opponents of a takeover of the Ringling Museum of Art by New College. Farah Vallecillo was there.

Next: It took Venice city councilmembers barely five minutes to decide how to fill the seat abandoned by Joan Farrell two weeks ago. Ramon Lopez reports.

Finally: A decision on a controversial skyscraper project has been delayed - because of a missing green-yellow sign. Gretchen Cochran explains.