Steve Newborn
ReporterI cover Florida’s unending series of issues with the environment and politics in the Tampa Bay area.
I love to go camping, ride bikes and go for long paddles on scenic, winding rivers, so I can think about that while covering meetings that go on for hours.
I've been around Florida so long that I have covered events that most people can’t remember anymore. I've covered President George W. Bush’s speech in Sarasota as the Sept. 11 attacks unfolded; the ongoing drama over whether the feeding tube should be removed from Terri Schiavo; the arrest and terrorism trial of USF professor Sami Al-Arian; how the BP Deepwater Horizon spill affected Florida; and followed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition as they walked and paddled through the state — twice.
I also got the privilege of tagging along with a Sarasota-based group investigating how manatees are faring in Cuba.
Before joining WUSF, I covered environmental and Polk County news for the late, great Tampa Tribune and worked for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center during the early days of the space shuttle.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis and Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred each gave their backing to building a new home for the Tampa Bay Rays at Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus. But few details emerged on who's going to pay for it. -
The meeting could include presentations on what the ballpark planned on Hillsborough College land could look like and how it would be financed. Also, county commissioners are scheduled to discuss the stadium. -
This was the third reported death of a panther in January alone. There are only about 200 cats estimated to live in Florida. -
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia made the claim during his tour in support a constitutional amendment to limit local property taxes. -
The few drops of rain we received from the cold front this week didn't put a dent in our ongoing drought. The Southwest Florida Water Management District responded Tuesday by tightening rules on outdoor watering. -
The proposed terminal has aroused opposition from fishers, boaters and environmental advocates who want to protect the ecologically sensitive area. Around 12,000 people have signed a petition against it so far. -
SWFWMD is expected to go into Phase 2 restrictions, reducing lawn watering to once a week for properties of less than 1 acre. -
The NHL is hoping for a cool, rain-free day with low humidity on Feb. 1. That's when Raymond James Stadium, home of the Bucs, will host the Tampa Bay Lightning for an outdoor game. -
Hillsborough County Commissioners agreed to add six years to the hockey team's lease in exchange for major renovations to Benchmark International Arena. -
The team wants to build a stadium-anchored development on what is now the college's North Dale Mabry campus. The school's board of trustees voted unanimously to start negotiations with the team.
