To The Point Already: Florida People and Politics Head-On
Spectrum Bay News 9
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Bay News 9’s beloved anchor Rick Elmhorst sits down with the people that represent you, the people fighting for change, and the people with fascinating stories to ask the hard questions. Covering people, politics, and issues from a Tampa Bay perspective every Wednesday.
Available episodes
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6 days ago
Back to school: School safety still improving
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri talk about school safety as students return to the classroom this year, on this episode of To The Point Already with Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus.
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Aug 3, 2022
School bus driver shortage: One neighborhood’s story
Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with school transportation officials, parents and bus drivers about driver shortages and the resulting impacts.
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Jul 27, 2022
988: A new lifeline for mental health issues
Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus, discuss the new 988 mental health crisis hotline with specialists from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and why people need to reach out.
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Jul 20, 2022
Stacking the deck to help solve Florida’s cold cases
On this edition of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus take a closer look at a cold case about an 18-year-old-woman who disappeared in Tampa in 2004. Her photo, along with photos of victims from other cold cases, was placed on some playing cards to distribute throughout prisons and jails, in order to help find some answers.
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Jul 13, 2022
A Huge Challenge: Hunting Florida's pythons
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus break down the origin of the python challenge with McKayla Spencer with the FWC and find out what it takes to catch the deadly snakes from python hunter Kevin Reich.
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Jul 6, 2022
Netflix, passwords and behind the paywall
On this edition of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk online content and sharing passwords with a media professional and some Bay area consumers.
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Jun 29, 2022
Microplastics: Known components, unknown consequences
On this edition of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Eckerd College Marine Science professor Shannon Gowans and reporter Cait McVey about microplastics and what’s being done to limit their environmental impact.
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Jun 22, 2022
A path to bi-partisan gun reform?
Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk gun laws with Florida State professor Gary Kleck and Bartow attorney David Carmichael and if there is any political atmosphere for change.
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Jun 15, 2022
Reaction to the January 6th Committee Hearings
Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk about the events of Jan. 6 and the current hearings with Spectrum Networrks Reporter Taylor Popielarz, Prof. Jeffrey Swartz and Kathryn Gates-Skipper and Amilee Stuckey, who both were in DC on Jan. 6.
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Jun 8, 2022
Many think getting cancer just happens. New research suggests otherwise.
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Moffitt Cancer Center’s Dr. Colin Moore with the GeneHome Clinic and Everet Simmons, Director of Design And Construction about the latest in cancer research.
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Jun 1, 2022
Calm in the Storm: What to expect during the 2022 hurricane season
Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay about storm season, hurricane preparedness and what to be aware for the next several months.
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May 25, 2022
Rampant inflation impacting Bay area residents
On this edition of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Bay area residents about how inflation is impacting them and what they are doing to combat behavior-changing prices.
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May 18, 2022
Florida's Property Insurance Crisis
On this edition of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with insurance and roofing pros about the state’s ongoing property insurance crisis and the upcoming special session on the topic.
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May 11, 2022
Hollywood Beach? Why the film industry is booming in Pinellas County
On this episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with movers and shakers in the Pinellas County film industry.
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May 4, 2022
Leaked Opinion: Roe v. Wade Limbo
On the latest episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Stetson Law Professor Louis Virell and University of South Florida professor of Public Health Dr. Jay Wolfson about the Roe v. Wade fallout.
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Apr 27, 2022
UFOs are real, so let's talk about them
Spectrum Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Nick Pope, a former British civil servant and Tampa Bay Times reporter Paul Guzzo about UFOs, the possibilities of extraterrestrial life and what the government is finally telling us, as well as not telling.
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Apr 20, 2022
COVID long haulers: Some impacts are still with us
On this episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Bay area residents still dealing with COVID symptoms, some minor and others not, months after recovering from the virus.
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Apr 13, 2022
What's the hold up? A look into airline travel delays
Spectrum Bay News 9 anchors Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk airline travel delays with travelers, airport officials and an economic professor.
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Apr 6, 2022
Packing Heat: Will Florida be the next constitutional carry state?
On a new episode of To The Point Already, Bay News 9 anchor Rick Elmhorst talks with lawmakers about concealed weapon permits.
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Mar 30, 2022
Running of the Bulls: Can an on-campus stadium take USF to the next level?
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with USF Athletic Director Michael Kelly, Spectrum Sports 360's Chris Torello and Tampa Bay Business Journal Reporter Lauren Coffey about a USF on-campus stadium.
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Mar 23, 2022
Still Missing: The Search for Cieha Taylor
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Bay News 9 Reporter Jorja Roman and Canitha Taylor about the mysterious disappearance of Taylor's daughter Cieha in February 2020.
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Mar 16, 2022
The struggles facing Hillsborough County schools
March 16, 2022: Teachers across the country are quitting their jobs and changing careers, which is being known as “The Great Teacher Resignation.”
The National Education Association, the country’s largest teacher’s union, recently conducted a survey that shows 55 percent of its members are thinking about leaving the profession earlier than they had originally planned.
Among some reasons cited were staff shortages, pandemic-related stress and low pay.
When teachers who took part in the survey were asked about what school districts can do to keep teachers, they pointed to reasons including higher salaries, hiring more teachers and support staff, and less paperwork.
On this episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Marlene Sokol, an educational writer for the Tampa Bay Times, Spectrum Bay News 9's Fallon Silcox and Leah Sarsfield, a former teacher, about the big issues facing teachers, schools and families today.
ABOUT THE…
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Mar 9, 2022
Getting out of Ukraine
On this episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Project Dynamo founder Bryan Stern, people he helped rescue and Bay News 9 Reporter Gabby Arzola about the Ukrainian situation and getting people safely out of harm's way.
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Mar 2, 2022
Romance Scams: The risk of finding love
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with a online romance scam victim and a Tampa Bay Times reporter that chronicled other women's online ordeal.
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Feb 23, 2022
Voices of the Affordable Housing Crisis
On this week's To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk housing affordability in the Bay area with a local renter and real estate professionals.
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Feb 16, 2022
Inside the crypto craze
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk all things crypto with technology expert Gabe Higgins, financial analyst Zachary Brown and Tampa Bay Business Journal reporter Lauren Coffey.
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Feb 9, 2022
The future of the Rays amid a lockout
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin and Spectrum Sports 360's Chris Torello about the Tampa Bay Rays, their stadium search and the current state of MLB.
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Feb 2, 2022
Celebrating Black History Month in historic South St. Pete
For Black History Month, Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk with Bay News 9 reporter Saundra Weathers and Gwendolyn Reese about South St. Pete's memorable Gas Plant neighborhood.
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Jan 26, 2022
Arrgh You Ready for The Return of Gasparilla?
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk about Tampa’s signature party and how much people are looking forward to it in 2022.
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Jan 19, 2022
Fentanyl overdoses: The overlooked epidemic
On this episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk about the growing fentanyl crisis with the Manatee County medical examiner, a mental health counselor and a woman whose family was forever changed by drugs.
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Jan 12, 2022
No new voting rights laws, no MLK celebrations
In this episode of To The Point Already, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk voting rights, if there is a need for reform and those on both sides of the issue.
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Jan 5, 2022
Epiphany: Stories of Retrieving the Cross
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk all things Epiphany with Tarpon Springs mayor Chris Alahouzos and three residents who retrieved the cross when they were younger.
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Dec 29, 2021
Charity beyond the holiday
On this episode of To The Point Already, Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus talk about the organizations helping Bay area residents in need and what needs to be done to keep the giving going all year round.
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Dec 22, 2021
Santa Claus is coming to Zoom
On this week’s podcast, Santa phoned in from the North Pole to let Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus know how preparations were going, what the elves have been up to and he even took time to chat with a few Bay area children – all via Zoom.
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Dec 15, 2021
The future of online gambling in Florida
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus discuss online gambling in Florida with Grant Christensen, a Stetson University law professor and Adam Anderson, who had been using the new sports betting app.
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Dec 8, 2021
Worker shortages during the season of hiring
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus discuss the current worker shortage, its causes and how some employers are addressing it.
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Dec 1, 2021
Staying afloat with rising flood insurance costs
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus discuss this year’s hurricane season and what home owners may be facing insurance-wise in the future.
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Nov 24, 2021
The impact of the supply chain crisis
Rick Elmhorst and Roy De Jesus break down the supply chain problems with multiple people in the know, including a supply chain expert and president of the Florida Ports Council.
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Nov 17, 2021
Florida: A driving force behind Puerto Rico's statehood push
Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus discuss the idea of Puerto Rico statehood with Congressman Darren Soto, a Democrat who represents Florida's 9th District and Edil A. Sepúlveda, an attorney and scientist who backs the Self-Determination Act for Puerto Ricans.
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Nov 10, 2021
Veterans Day: War stories with the Horse Soldier
Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus celebrate Veterans Day by talking with veteran Scott Neil about his amazing story of sacrifice and service.
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Nov 3, 2021
Is social media spying on you?
Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Data Analyst Shawn Monroe who says yes, emphatically, that our devices are always listening to us.
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Oct 27, 2021
Halloween: The legend of Florida's Bigfoot
On the latest episode of Spectrum Bay News 9's To The Point Already podcast, Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with David Sidoti and Robert Robinson, who have spent years pursuing the legend of Bigfoot.
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Oct 20, 2021
What’s next for the Tampa Bay Rays?
Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Spectrum Sports 360’s Chris Torello, former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Montreal Gazette columnist Scott Stinson about the future of the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Oct 6, 2021
Still Missing: The Search for Christina Voltaire
Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus spoke to the Winter Haven police chief and former Lakeland Ledger reporter Rick Rousos about a Polk County missing woman case and the investigation that followed.
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Sep 29, 2021
Hispanic Heritage: A story of perseverance and service
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Tampa Hispanic Heritage Man and Woman of the Year, Monica Rodriguez and Romy Carmago.
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Sep 22, 2021
Eviction Moratorium: How it's hurting renters and landlords
On this week's episode of our To The Point Already podcast, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Pinellas County Community Development Manager Bruce Bussey and property owner attorney Michael Singer.
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Sep 15, 2021
Adam Putnam recalls 9/11 aboard Air Force One with the president
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Adam Putnam about that day and what it has meant to him since.
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Sep 8, 2021
DECISION 2021: Getting to know the St. Pete mayoral candidates
Spectrum Bay News 9’s Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Welch and Blackmon about the election and their visions for the city.
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Sep 1, 2021
The fall of Afghanistan: What went wrong and what comes next
Spectrum Bay News 9’s Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk about the fall of Afghanistan with former military members that served in the country.
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Aug 25, 2021
Florida's Trans Athlete Ban: The Fight For and Against It
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland and Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith about the transgender athlete ban.
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Aug 18, 2021
Peak hurricane season and how technology advances tracking
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus discuss hurricane season with Bay News 9 Meteorologists Josh Linker and Nick Merianos.
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Aug 11, 2021
How Name, Image & Likeness is already changing college sports
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk NIL pros and cons with Spectrum Sports’ Chris Torello and USF Atheltic Director Michael Kelly.
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Aug 4, 2021
Back to school and COVID: A perspective from parents
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with parents about their Covid concerns as the school year returns.
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Jul 28, 2021
Unvaccinated? Your wallet and vacation may be cruising for a bruising
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus discuss the cruise industry status with a travel professional and a public health specialist.
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Jul 21, 2021
RED TIDE RISES: Tracking the cause along our coast
One year after a July that saw many of us forced to stay home and inside because of the pandemic, residents along our coast are having another Florida July that's less than ideal.
This time, of course, it's red tide and dead fish. The stinky and costly, dirty and unattractive images that are the opposite of the St. Pete Beach that's pictured on postcards.
Several hundred tons of dead sea life have been collected from Pinellas waterways. But there appears to be no end in sight, yet plenty of blame to go around.
On the latest episode of our To The Point Already podcast, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus discuss the status of red tide and the effect it's having on residents and the environment.
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Jul 14, 2021
Is it time for a new approach to US-Cuba relations?
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus discuss the status of the U.S. approach toward Cuba and if sanctions are still needed.
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Jun 30, 2021
Ever wonder about your ancestry? One woman's story
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Andrea Lyon, whose ancestry adventure led to her finding the father she never knew.
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Jun 23, 2021
What is Critical Race Theory and why is everyone talking about it?
Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus discuss critical race theory with USF professor Dr. Vonzell Agosto and Political Analyst Berny Jacques.
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Jun 16, 2021
Tampa's Jane Castor: Her rise as a key LGBTQ+ voice
Mayor Jane Castor has been serving her beloved city of Tampa for 37 years now, and it hasn't always been easy.
On the latest episode of our To The Point Already podcast, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Mayor Castor talk Tampa sports, police reform, and her experience serving the community as the first female, openly gay police chief.
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Jun 9, 2021
Real Estate Boom: Why is everybody moving to Florida?
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with a realtor, a builder and two people who just moved to the state.
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Jun 2, 2021
Storm Season 2021: What "Above-Normal" Predictions Mean for Tampa Bay
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay and Meteorologist Nick Merianos about the upcoming hurricane season.
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May 26, 2021
A serious conversation about Florida's Anti-Riot law
Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with State Sen. Danny Burgess and Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren about the "anti-riot" bill.
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May 19, 2021
Hemp: The rise of a persecuted plant
Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk about how hemp became an outcast, its rebound and its potential growth as a Florida industry.
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May 12, 2021
Should Florida legalize recreational marijuana?
On the latest episode of our To The Point Already podcast, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk about the push for legalization in Florida, who’s for it, who's against it and why some other industries statewide may be in no rush to back it.
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May 5, 2021
Charlie Crist: Man of the People or Political Opportunist?
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk to U.S. Rep Charlie Crist about his amazing run in Florida politics.
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Apr 28, 2021
Child Abuse: How Parenting Programs Help with Prevention
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with law enforcement, a family support specialist and a parent about preventing child abuse.
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Apr 21, 2021
Vouchers vs. Scholarships: Debate over expanding school choice
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk with BN9 Tallahassee reporter Troy Kinsey, Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar and parent Katie Swingle about the voucher system, its past, how it may be changing in the future and why it’s so controversial.
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Apr 14, 2021
Oldsmar Water Hack: What Happened And Why It Could Happen Again
Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk to a cyber security specialist and water information expert on the Oldsmar Water hack attempt and if can something like this happen again with potentially worse results?
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Apr 7, 2021
Drew McIntyre: From Ringside to Wrestlemania’s Main Stage
Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus talk wrestling, Wrestlemania and Tampa's wrestling history with WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre.
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Mar 31, 2021
Why Police Think Mentors Can Curb Gun Violence in South St. Pete
On the latest episode of our To The Point Already podcast, Spectrum Bay News 9's Rick Elmhorst and Roy DeJesus have a wide-ranging conversation with Police Chief Anthony Holloway and South St. Pete community leaders about gun violence in that area.
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Mar 24, 2021
Jennifer Carroll: The Trailblazing Career of the First Woman Elected to Statewide Office in Florida
For Women's History Month, Bay News 9 Anchor Rick Elmhorst and Reporter Roy DeJesus speak with former Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll about her groundbreaking past, Florida politics and how she navigated that world.
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Mar 17, 2021
Rick Scott: Getting To Know The Man, Not The Senator
Rick Scott is a U.S. Senator, a former governor, a Navy veteran, a well-connected Floridian and a multi-millionaire businessman.
Bay News 9 Anchor Rick Elmhorst explores all that and more in a personal in-depth interview with Scott for this episode of To The Point Already.
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Mar 10, 2021
A Year of COVID: Explore the Impact on Communities, Families, and Local Businesses
The year of COVID. It has impacted people from all walks of life. Special-guest host Ybeth Bruzual of Spectrum News 13’s Beyond the Soundbite joins Rick Elmhorst in this touching show that looks at how it has impacted Floridians.
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Mar 3, 2021
Should There Be Minimum Wage Exceptions?
A Florida Senator is proposing to amend the state Constitution to allow the Legislature to exempt convicted Felons and those under age 21 from receiving the $15 minimum wage requirements.
Rick Elmhorst looks deeper into the proposal and how it would affect these types of workers.
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Feb 24, 2021
Why It's Important We Go Back To The Moon
NASA's Artemis program aims to send astronauts, men, and women, to the moon for the first time in some 50 years. A deadline of 2024 has been established. NASA Drs. Casey Honniball and Noah Petro discuss their roles in making this happen and Spectrum News Reporter Greg Pallone talks about why this effort is monumental.
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Feb 17, 2021
Will WallStreetBets and GameStop Change Investing?
Confused about the GameStop Wall Street showdown? Listen as a financial planner and a Reddit enthusiast break down the impact on investing and the financial markets. Big bets the financial elite made that GameStop’s stock would fall went wrong and smaller investors on forums like WallStreetBets hyped the effort.
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Feb 10, 2021
Vaccine Opposition: Why It Exists And How To Overcome It
As part of this Vaccine Education Week, this special episode of To The Point Already will be examining where we are with the vaccine rollout, what’s being done right and what’s being done wrong and why some people, even health care workers, are hesitant about getting the vaccine.
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Feb 3, 2021
What It's Like To Win the Super Bowl With Bucs Legend Mike Alstott
Super Bowl LV is kicking off Sunday in Tampa and you’re not dreaming – the Buccaneers are back in the big game and hosting it in their own stadium. To highlight the event, we're taking a look back at the Super Bowl 37 crown with Bucs legend Mike Alstott. Also, Spectrum Sports 360's Katherine Smith and Chris Torello share Super Bowl memories and break down Bucs vs. Chiefs.
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Jan 27, 2021
Grady Judd: What It’s Like Being One of America’s Most Outspoken Sheriffs
Grady Judd is one of the most famous law enforcement officials in the nation. But there's more to Judd than just quips and soundbites. In the first episode of the To the Point Already podcast, Judd sat down to give his thoughts on law enforcement, his rise to prominence and just how long he may stick around as sheriff in Polk County.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Spectrum Bay News 9 Anchor Rick Elmhorst sits down with the people that represent you, the people fighting for change and the people with fascinating stories to ask the hard questions. To The Point Already will cover people, politics and issues from a Tampa Bay perspective every Wednesday.
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Jan 14, 2021
Florida People and Politics — Introducing "To The Point Already"
Bay News 9’s beloved anchor Rick Elmhorst sits down with the people that represent you, the people fighting for change, and the people with fascinating stories to ask the hard questions. Covering people, politics, and issues from a Tampa Bay perspective every Wednesday.
Join us and listen starting January 27th.
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