The stage is set! Join us for a special Live Music Showcase featuring British blues powerhouse Will Johns & Band, performing live from the WMNF studios.

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Florida Republican candidates launched their statewide “Top of the Ticket” tour in Tampa on Thursday, rallying supporters around affordability, education, and conservative leadership ahead of the November general election

The event featured gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds, U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. They thanked voters and praised Florida’s Republican leadership. They also said the general election is a pivotal moment for Florida’s future.

Voters weigh candidates and priorities

Attendees came for different reasons. Jaron Hicks described himself as an independent. He wanted to learn more about the candidates and Florida politics before choosing a side. Hicks said he wants “more effective leadership” and stronger public schools.

Chad Courson wore a red Team USA soccer outfit to the rally. He said it represented his support for the country and the Republican Party. Courson wanted to encourage more friends to vote. He was especially interested in hearing Moody. He praised Florida’s lack of a state individual income tax.

Sayra Rodriguez moved to Tampa from Puerto Rico with her parents. She said her family attended the rally because it supports Byron Donalds.

“We expect a lot of rules and laws to support Florida state,” Rodriguez said. “This is the reason we support Byron.”

She urged people to stay confident in their values and avoid political negativity.

Republican Sen. Ashley Moody highlighted that her husband works in law enforcement. She also recalled legal battles over pandemic restrictions on churches, schools, and businesses. Moody presented her race against Democratic nominee Angie Nixon as a choice over Florida’s conservative direction.

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Florida Rep. Angie Nixon might be the most-Googled politician on Earth this week, after she earned a double-digit win in her Democratic U.S. Senate Primary last Tuesday.

Outfundraised 16-to-1 by retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Nixon earned 56% of the vote and immediately set her sights on Republican incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody who earned 80% of the vote in her primary, according to Florida’s Division of Elections.

Nixon, who hails from Duval County, was back on WMNF public affairs program The Skinny this Friday to talk about the fight she’s bringing to the November election, address Moody’s criticisms, and more.

“Ashley Moody is ridiculous, she’s a liar, she protects pedophiles, and likes to steal our money,” Nixon told the radio station. “She is the reason this country is broken.”

Also on the show, Florida Democratic nominee for Attorney General, Jose Javier Rodriguez, who is a South Florida lawyer that vows to enforce the state’s minimum wage law, among other promises.

The post ‘She is the reason this country is broken’: Rep. Angie Nixon tells WMNF Tampa why she’s a better candidate than Sen. Ashley Moody appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Repubicans rally in Tampa ahead of November’s general election

Republican leaders gathered in Tampa yesterday for what they called a victory rally. WMNF’s Daria Mironova reports, it focused on the November election and the future of Florida.

State taxpayers are propping up college athetic programs more and more

T move comes as major college sports programs now are paying millions of dollars to athletes. The financial battle for the best athletes has strained many athletic departments, which are now running deficits. Florida is not directly providing new state money. But last year the governing board for Florida’s universities authorized institutions to transfer up to $2.5 million dollars to athletics. Florida State University did so almost immediately, and other schools have since followed.

Huckabee criticizes Israeli settlers

U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, again criticizes Israeli settlers. This time on religious grounds.

Extreme heat can cause extra problems for people with MS

Extreme heat across Tampa Bay can temporarily worsen symptoms for people living with multiple sclerosis. WMNF’s Daria Mironova reports, heat can cause fatigue, blurry vision, balance problems, and muscle weakness.

The Scoop, produced by Seán Kinane

WMNF anchors Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli, Hannah Lau Gleciano, Megan Fair.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hannah Lau Gleciano, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

• Information from the News Service of Florida, the Associated Press, and Florida Public Media was used in this report

The post The Scoop: Fri. Aug. 21, 2026, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

The WMNF Song of the Day for August 21, 2026 is “Cumbia Beckania” by The Mexican Institute of Sound and Meridian Brothers.

From the American listener’s perspective, cumbia is one of the most irresistible gateway genres to Latin music. Originating as a traditional folk dance born from Afro-Colombian, Indigenous, and European cultural roots, cumbia is immediately recognized by its warm, swinging rhythm—a distinctive, rhythmic “chug-chug” pulse anchored by guacos, hand drums, and accordions. As the genre traveled across borders, Mexican cumbia took on a life of its own, transforming into a vibrant, urban soundtrack that permeates street corners, sonidero sound systems, and block parties from Mexico City to East Los Angeles.

At the forefront of bringing this traditional sound into the modern global consciousness is the Mexican Institute of Sound (M.I.S.), the brainchild of Mexico City DJ and producer Camilo Lara. Since founding M.I.S. in 2004, Lara has made a career out of taking classic Mexican folk samples and fusing them with cutting-edge electronics, hip-hop, dub, and punk energy. For many Americans, Lara’s work served as their implicit entry point into modern Latin culture—whether through his music being featured in games like Grand Theft Auto V and FIFA, his work as a music consultant and featured artist on Pixar’s Coco or his contributions to major film soundtracks like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

This track “Cumbia Beckiana”, a stellar collaboration featuring Colombia’s experimental legends Meridian Brothers and American rock icon Beck, is a masterclass in how boundary-pushing Latin electronica can bridge cultural divides. The song takes the hypnotic, swinging backbone of traditional cumbia and runs it through a psych-pop kaleidoscope. Blending Beck’s signature genre-blurring coolness with the quirky, avant-garde arrangements of the Meridian Brothers and Camilo Lara’s sharp production, the track highlights the dance floor as a universal, democratic space where vintage roots and modern innovation collide seamlessly. Collaboration at it’s finest.

For more info: https://institutomexicanodelsonido.tv/

The post SOTD 8/21/26: Cumbia Beckiana by The Mexican Institute of Sound and Meridian Brothers appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Dean Johanesen, solo artist, is a blast from the past. A modern day guitar-slinger, he’s right up our alley here at WMNF. His music features notes of Jazz, Americana, and soulful singing.

Listen to the Live Music Showcase

It seems his work has shaped him. A preschool music teacher, he and his music have a happy-go-lucky, carefree energy at times. You can hear the great impact it’s made when he say “I hope you never lose the child within the man”. This childlike joy he has is riveting, in another song discussing how we should all “pick up a hobby” in protest to the modern screen addiction most of us face. Sometimes though, maybe too carefree – saying “if you make me pull over, you’re gonna’ regret it”. His attitude in his music is a staunch differentiation from common political correctness.

Some of his music “straight out” the 30’s, and I swear you can clearly imagine your great-grandmother swing dancing and having a ball as Johanesen entertains. His smooth sounding voice surely ushers you along to another era, an era less bothered by the woes of technology.

Playing acoustic, his authentic swing jazz sound is very convincing. The music accompanied by his love of history creates a soundscape of years yonder. His music ranges from hot club “gypsy” jazz to folk music. The sounds coalesce to a deeper sense of nostalgia in the larger Americana category. He started playing guitar young, his skill is a wonderful tribute to and is inspired by the legendary Django Reinhardt.

Johasesen has three studio albums. He recently recorded “Semi Tennessee” in Nashville – which evolved from a single in to a greater EP. Despite the fact it draws from more western swing than that of his other genres, his voice and guitar playing on “Semi Tennessee” seem to tie it all together cohesively. He also has live performances recorded available. If you’re hoping to see him live in person, he is more busy than most top 40s artists with touring. He has upcoming gigs touring all throughout the south east. He also has music videos online for the full experience. 

Every week at 2:06PM EST on 88.5FM WMNF, we bring you live music directly on air. We also livestream to Facebook, YouTube and Twitch with footage of the performance. If you missed the Live Music Showcase or would like to listen back, the performances are available for your further enjoyment on Facebook, YouTube and here on the site. Thank you to Dean Johanesen for his performance, and thank you to those of us at WMNF who make the show possible.

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The post Childlike Wonder meets 1930s Swing: Dean Johanesen Live on WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

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August 20–23, 2026

Whether you’re looking for live music, comedy, sporting events, immersive art, or a weekend market to explore, there’s plenty happening around the Tampa Bay area this weekend. Legendary musicians, exciting preseason football, local festivals, and community events offer something for every interest. Here’s a look at some of the highlights happening from Thursday through Sunday.

Thursday

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas & John Waite

Ruth Eckerd Hall

Classic rock fans can kick off the weekend with an evening of timeless hits as Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, joins forces with John Waite for a night of unforgettable music. Audiences can expect favorites spanning multiple decades, making this a great opportunity to experience two legendary performers sharing one stage.

Details

The Art of Banksy

Straz Center

One of the world’s most talked-about immersive art exhibitions continues this weekend at the Straz Center. Featuring full-scale reproductions and installations inspired by the elusive street artist, The Art of Banksy offers visitors an up-close look at works that have challenged politics, culture, and society while captivating audiences around the globe.

Details

Friday

Supertramp – Breakfast in America

Nancy & David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre • 8:00 PM

Relive one of rock’s most celebrated albums as this acclaimed tribute show recreates Supertramp’s iconic Breakfast in America tour. Fans can enjoy faithful performances of beloved classics while celebrating the music that helped define an era.

Details

Manson x Zombie 2026

MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

Rock fans can experience one of the biggest tours of the summer as Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie return to Tampa for a high-energy co-headlining performance. Expect elaborate stage productions, heavy music, and an unforgettable evening for fans of hard rock and metal.

Details

Ron Taylor

Friday & Saturday • Tampa Funny Bone

Fresh off winning Kevin Hart’s Netflix comedy competition Funny AF, comedian Ron Taylor brings his sharp storytelling and quick wit to Ybor City’s Tampa Funny Bone. Personally selected by Bill Burr for Comedy Central’s The Ringers and now a regular at some of the country’s most respected comedy clubs, Taylor headlines four performances throughout the weekend. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Details

The Art of Banksy

Straz Center

Continue exploring one of the world’s most recognizable collections of street art through immersive exhibits and large-scale reproductions celebrating Banksy’s influential work.

Details

Saturday

Sunshine Market at Midtown Tampa

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Spend Saturday morning shopping local while enjoying live music, fresh produce, handcrafted goods, baked treats, and artisan products from dozens of local vendors. With free garage parking and a welcoming community atmosphere, Sunshine Market is an enjoyable way to support small businesses while exploring Midtown Tampa.

Details

Bull Fest

Porter Family Indoor Practice Facility • 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

USF Athletics officially kicks off football season with Bull Fest, a free celebration introducing the 2026 Bulls football team while bringing together coaches and student-athletes from across the university’s athletic programs. Families can enjoy inflatables, games, food trucks, giveaways, and live entertainment before the Bulls begin their season.

Details

The Bay Social – Day Party Downtown

3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Spend your Saturday afternoon overlooking Downtown Tampa while enjoying live DJs spinning Miami Bass, House, Latin, Afro, and baile funk. With food, drinks, rooftop views, and an energetic atmosphere, this day party offers one of the city’s liveliest weekend experiences.

Details

Cyborg vs. Viera

Benchmark International Arena • 6:00 PM

Combat sports fans can catch an exciting night inside Benchmark International Arena as Cris Cyborg returns to competition against Precious Viera. The evening promises championship-level action featuring one of mixed martial arts’ most accomplished competitors.

Details

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Preseason)

Raymond James Stadium • 7:30 PM

Football returns to Raymond James Stadium as the Buccaneers host the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason action. While the games don’t count in the standings, they provide fans an early glimpse of new players, position battles, and what to expect before the regular season kicks off.

Details

Ron Taylor

Tampa Funny Bone

If you missed Friday’s performances, Ron Taylor returns for another night of stand-up comedy with two additional shows in Ybor City. His blend of observational humor and engaging storytelling has quickly made him one of comedy’s rising stars.

Details

The Art of Banksy

Straz Center

The immersive exhibition remains open throughout the weekend, giving visitors another opportunity to experience Banksy’s provocative artwork and creative installations.

Details

Sunday

Sunday Morning Market

Westshore Marina District • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Ease into Sunday by strolling through the waterfront market featuring more than 70 local vendors offering handmade crafts, fresh food, artisan products, and unique gifts. Live music and food trucks create a relaxed atmosphere perfect for spending a few hours outdoors with family, friends, and even four-legged companions.

Details

Buddy Guy

Ruth Eckerd Hall • 7:30 PM

Blues legend Buddy Guy brings his extraordinary guitar skills and decades of musical influence to Ruth Eckerd Hall for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. As one of the most celebrated blues musicians of all time, Guy continues to inspire generations of artists while delivering powerful live performances.

Details

The Art of Banksy

Straz Center

Wrap up the weekend by exploring this immersive exhibition celebrating one of contemporary art’s most mysterious and influential figures.

Details

The post From Buddy Guy to the Bucs: Your Tampa Bay weekend guide appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

FPREN | By Andrew Wulfeck

Recent sporadic rainfall around the state has created breeding grounds for one of the deadliest insects on Earth, and as a result, counties are reporting an uptick in activity.

Mosquito-borne health alerts are in effect for Alachua, Leon, Palm Beach, Pasco, Hillsborough and Miami-Dade counties, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Alerts and advisories are largely based on surveillance data from sentinel chickens, which are used to help detect mosquito-borne viruses in an area.

Surveillance programs can provide early warnings that a mosquito-borne virus is present, allowing local officials to take measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

Two of the more prevalent mosquito-borne diseases being reported right now are the West Nile virus and dengue, which has infected several people along Florida’s west coast.

According to health officials, seven cases of locally acquired dengue have been reported so far in 2026, with five cases in Hillsborough County and one each in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Most people who become infected with dengue have either mild symptoms or no effects at all, but some infections can be more severe and require hospitalization.

According to health experts at the University of Florida, symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, and rashes, which generally last upwards of around a week.

Dengue does not spread directly from one person to another but can spread when a mosquito bites a person who has the virus in their blood and then transmits the illness when it bites another person.

While much of the Sunshine State remains unusually dry, mosquitoes can still can remain a health concern into the winter months.

“In drought conditions, birds and mosquitoes can be concentrated around the same water sources,” Dr. Eva Buckner, an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Medical Entomology Laboratory, previously stated. “That close proximity can actually increase virus transmission, which can then spill over to humans.”

Health officials suggest using insect repellent, wearing long clothing and keeping doors and windows closed to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.

Homeowners should also work to eliminate standing water around their property, especially after a rainstorm.

Items such as flowerpot or even a child’s toy, can collect enough water to produce a mosquito breeding site.

In addition to the West Nile virus and dengue, health officials also monitor for Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), chikungunya fever, Oropouche fever and Zika, but as of the latest statewide report, minimal activity has been detected.

The post Mosquito health alerts are in effect in Hillsborough, Pasco and other Florida counties appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

The Florida Policy Institute released a report looking at the impact of proposed cuts to disaster recovery funding across the state

WMNF’s Julia Saad reports those cuts would come from proposed FEMA budget changes – and the property tax measure on the November ballot.

A vote to build a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays could happen as early as next week

Spectrum News is reporting that Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan that meetings to discuss the deal could be scheduled with the city and county in the coming days. Earlier this week, the team picked AECOM Hunt to develop the new $2.3-billion stadium at the Hillsborough College site.

Freedom of speech advocates say Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tracked sensitive information on their critics following social media comments

WMNF’s Julia Saad has details.

The Scoop, produced by Lisa Reuter

WMNF anchors Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli, Hannah Lau Gleciano, Megan Fair.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hannah Lau Gleciano, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

• Information from the News Service of Florida, the Associated Press, and Florida Public Media was used in this report

The post The Scoop: Thur. Aug. 20, 2026, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.