Steve Newborn
Steve Newborn is WUSF's assistant news director as well as a reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay area.
He’s been with WUSF since 2001, and has covered events such as 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 he followed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition through the state - twice.
Before joining WUSF, he covered environmental and Polk County news for the Tampa Tribune and worked for NASA at the Kennedy Space Center during the early days of the space shuttle.
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Low concentrations of the toxin were found this past week around downtown and the Sunshine Skyway. Also, respiratory irritation was reported along the Sarasota County beaches. -
Concentrations of red tide are being found in large quantities, especially off Sarasota and Manatee county beaches. -
Heavier concentrations were found this past week at several beaches in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Respiratory irritation was also reported over the past week in Sarasota County. -
Low concentrations of the toxin were detected this past week at New Pass Dock in Sarasota Bay, on the north end of Lido Key. -
This is the first confirmed report of red tide since last year. A plume had been spotted by satellite photo during the past week. -
Scientists are researching toxins, including what are known as PFAS, in the bay and could create warnings based on what they find. -
Only Republican races are on the slate next week, with an eye on "medical freedom" candidates. If they gain a majority after the November general election, some hospital policies could change. -
Supporters of an amendment that would enshrine a right to clean water in the state constitution are once again ramping up their efforts to get it on the ballot. This time, they're eyeing the 2026 election. -
On "Florida Matters," reporter Stephanie Colombini talks about reporting her Growing Up With Guns series. Joining the conversation is Freddy Barton, an advocate working to end youth gun violence. -
"Florida Matters" looks at how to navigate open enrollment for Medicare. And we explore what Medicaid 'unwinding' means for hundreds of thousands of Floridians.
