Tampa Bay’s community radio station WMNF 88.5 FM is keeping listeners informed on some of the most consequential stories heading into the 2026 midterm elections — from how Big Tech may be shaping the political conversation around LGBTQ issues, to local leaders pushing back on state legislation affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
Here is a look at what WMNF is covering in the Tampa Bay area and across Florida this week.
Meta’s Payments to Anti-LGBTQ Accounts Raise Pre-Election Concerns
One of the most significant stories making the rounds this week involves Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — and its relationship with content creators who spread anti-LGBTQ material. According to reporting highlighted by WMNF, Meta has paid at least 29 accounts that promote anti-LGBTQ content through the company’s invite-only creator payment program, and this is happening in the weeks directly leading up to the midterm elections.
The timing has raised questions about the role social media platforms play in shaping public opinion on LGBTQ issues during an already charged election cycle. Critics argue that financially rewarding accounts that spread misinformation about LGBTQ people — through an exclusive, hand-selected program — amounts to more than passive hosting of harmful content.
Florida Lawmaker Pushes Back on “Big B.S. Bill” With AAPI Community
In St. Petersburg, Florida state Representative Angie Nixon has been meeting with local Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders to build opposition to legislation her community has dubbed the “Big B.S. Bill.” WMNF’s coverage of Nixon’s meeting took place at St. Petersburg’s Queer Asian space, where AAPI leaders gathered to discuss their concerns and coordinate a response.
The meeting reflects growing grassroots organizing among Florida’s AAPI communities in response to state-level legislation they view as harmful. Nixon’s outreach underscores how intersecting communities — LGBTQ and AAPI alike — are increasingly finding common ground in their political advocacy ahead of November.
Local Music and Community Radio
Beyond politics, WMNF continues its mission of music discovery and cultural programming. The station’s Song of the Day on October 20 features One Crisis at a Time by John Allen James, and the station has also published its Top 10 Spins list for the week, offering a window into the eclectic mix of music that makes community radio distinct from commercial alternatives.
WMNF, a listener-supported station based in Tampa, does not carry traditional commercial advertising and operates independently of university ownership. The station can be reached at its air studio at 813-239-9663, by text at 813-433-0885, or through its main office at 813-238-8001. Listeners can tune in at 88.5 FM or stream online, and can subscribe to WMNF’s newsletter to receive daily headlines directly in their inbox.
Those interested in supporting independent community journalism and radio can explore options including making a donation, volunteering, planned giving, employer gift matching, donating a vehicle, or starting a fundraiser. The station also offers studio rental and maintains a donor privacy policy for contributors. WMNF is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and is part of Project Galileo, a Cloudflare initiative protecting vulnerable organizations online. Its full public file is available online through the FCC.
You can find WMNF across social media platforms including TikTok, Bluesky, YouTube, and LinkedIn. The full broadcast schedule, upcoming events, and ways to discover new programming are all available on the WMNF website. Station membership information and the station’s endowment fund are also accessible online, along with the full privacy policy and support options.