Robbie Gaffney
Robbie Gaffney is a recent graduate from Florida State University with degrees in Digital Media Production and Creative Writing. Before working at WFSU, they recorded FSU’s basketball and baseball games for Seminole Productions as well as interned for the PBS Station in Largo, Florida. Robbie loves playing video games such as Shadow of the Colossus, Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. Their other hobbies include sleeping and watching anime.
Person Page
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Reaffirming someone's right to an abortion is what a new pair of bills filed in the Florida legislature would do. One of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach), says even if neither bill gets a hearing, it will be a way to start conversations with Republicans that abortion is healthcare.
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Two gubernatorial candidates, Florida U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist and state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried condemn Gov. Ron DeSantis's newly appointed surgeon general Joseph Ladapo. Both want Florida senators to deny Ladapo's confirmation.
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In 2017, one medical marijuana license was set aside specifically for a Black farmer and has not yet been given out. This month, the Florida Department of Health put out an emergency rule specifying how Black farmers can apply for that license. Florida Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried wants the state to revisit its rule.
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In September, Florida's unemployment rate dropped .1%, making it 4.9% versus 5% in August. Florida's ranking as the 29th lowest state for unemployment by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics remains the same.
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The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) says of the jobs initially lost during the pandemic, nearly 80% have been recovered. In addition, the agency's Deputy Secretary Adrienne Johnston says there are more people in the labor force now than in February of last year. But Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) says issues remain with the state's unemployment assistance system.
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The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was supposed to help U.S. farmers. But Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried says farmers in her state are still hurting. And the agreement isn't stopping Mexico from engaging in what she calls "unfair trade practices."
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Apalachicola Bay's wild oysters are showing signs they could rebound after years of decline. But the oyster's recovery is still fragile.
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$4 billion in loan forgiveness meant to aid minority farmers is tied up in a legal battle. On one side is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trying to remedy its long history of discriminating against farmers of color. On the other is a white farmer from Jennings, Florida. He argues the loan forgiveness program violates his rights.
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Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is creating a new council that will look at the everyday challenges of farmworkers. That includes access to healthcare, living conditions, and more.
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Starting in July, local governments won't be able to limit what fuels utilities use. That's under a new law signed Monday by Governor Ron DeSantis.
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Developmental disability service providers are the latest to join a list of employers who say they're facing a worker shortage. Advocates say direct support professionals who left the industry because of health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic aren't returning now because of low wages.
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Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill requiring moments of silence in K-12 schools. First-period teachers will begin the moment of silence each day and it will last one to two minutes. Teachers won’t be able to tell students what to reflect on during that time.