Could 2026 be the year Florida gets a new state bird? There’s been some chirping about it, and you’ll hear the latest in just a couple minutes. Plus, some events to check out in the Tampa Bay area as we get back into our normal routines and out of the holiday season. But first, the news you might've missed this weekend. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

We're not saying Happy New Years again. That’s old news. Instead, today we’re talking about a new photography exhibit you can check out at a museum in Bradenton from one of the most prolific photographers of our time – Clyde Butcher. You’ll get a bit of a preview on his work. And then, some stuff to check out this weekend. Let’s get into it. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

It’s 2026! Wild, right? Feels like it was just last year yesterday. But yeah - Happy New Year! One more day skipping the news, and then tomorrow we’ll get back to a more normal schedule. By Monday we’ll be fully back into the swing of things, but for now, let's get you in and out of here in a jiffy. Let’s go over what’s going on in the Tampa Bay region today, if you’re still looking for something to do. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

It’s the last day of 2025, New Year’s Eve, and on today’s Bay Blend, we’re hitting you with some events in the Tampa Bay Region you can check out if you don’t have any plans and are still looking for something to do.  No news today, so let’s just hop into today’s Blend! The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Should pregnant women get to park in handicap parking spaces? That’s a proposal from one Florida lawmaker, but people with disabilities are saying that’s going to give them the short end of the stick. We’ll talk about that, along with an early event roundup with Malaika Hollist of Arts Axis Florida. Let’s just jump right into it! The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Today, we’re talking about potential changes to federal protections that help endangered and threatened animals in Florida, and what it could mean for animals like the Manatee, the Florida Panther, and others. Plus, we have an early edition of the Music Roundup this week with Warren Buccholz, and of course some events in the Tampa Bay area you can check out this week as we prep for 2026. Let’s get started! The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Christmas is over, but the events keep on keeping on in the Tampa Bay area. No time for rest, Malaika Hollist from Arts Axis Florida and Sky will tell you about what’s going on this weekend. It’s a fun episode, let’s get into it! The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Welcome to a special Christmas episode of the Bay Blend. We’re skipping the news, just like yesterday, so it’s a shorter episode. We're just going to hit you with some events you can check out in the area. You’ve opened your gifts, drank some egg nog, lounged around the house, now what can you do? Let’s find that out now. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate! Thanks for spending part of it with the Bay Blend. Seriously, it means a lot. We have a shorter episode for you today. We’re skipping the news and just talking about a little of what’s going on in the Tampa Bay Region today, if you have some time to kill by yourself or with your friends and family. Let’s just jump right in, shall we? The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

We have an early holiday music roundup for you with Warren Buccholz from Jazz at WUSF. And if not music, we have some more events you can go to this week in the Tampa Bay area for the Christmas-y feels. First, let’s hit the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Interested in checking out some wild acrobatic action? Today you’ll hear from the King of the High Wire, and how you can watch him perform in the Tampa Bay area over the next couple weeks. Plus, some other events to catch this week before Christmas! But first - the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Join Malaika Hollist and guest host Meghan Bowman as they discuss some events around the Tampa area this weekend. Like a market with last-minute shopping ideas for all the festive procrastinators out there. Plus, Meghan makes a sports prediction that you probably shouldn't place any bets on. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

Warren Buchholz joins guest host Meghan Bowman to talk about some music events you can check out this weekend. And since it's the last one before Santa comes to town, he's even got a festive option for you. Plus some events to check out around town. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

You'll join guest host Gabriella Paul on a tour of the last operational cigar factory in the country. Plus, a couple events to spice up your week.  The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

You'll hear about Moez Limayem, a Tunisian-American man, who says his upbringing will shape how he leads the University of South Florida. Plus, some events to get you in the holiday spirit tonight! The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

You'll learn what the heck sargassum is -- and why there's less of it off the Atlantic coast. Plus, a couple events for your Monday evening. All that and more, after your morning headlines. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

We’re talking some holiday shows you can head to for the cheap in our weekend event roundup, plus combining science and Santa! But before that fun – here’s the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

We have another Thursday music roundup for you today with Warren Buchholz, so you can put off getting gifts and enjoy some tunes instead. That sounds responsible. Plus, some events in the Tampa Bay region to check out to round out your week. But before we get to that, here’s the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

There’s a magical place in the city of Largo. It’s called the Book Rescuers, and it does exactly that – rescues books that were about to be thrown out and gives them new homes. We’re going there together today, plus, we have some events to check out this week in the Tampa Bay Region that can get you in the holiday mood. But first, here’s the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg

A play in Sarasota highlights the Christmas Truce of 1914, where soldiers on different sides dropped their weapons during the holidays and hung out with people they would most likely fight and kill just a couple days later. We’re talking about that, plus some events you can check out for the cheap in the Tampa Bay region. But first - the news. The Bay Blend is sponsored by Seitenbacher. Website: https://www.wusf.org Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.wusf.org/wakeupcall-newsletter Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WUSF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wusfpublicmedia/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsN1ZItTKcJ4AGsBIni35gg