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- Issue #339: USF Tops Without a Station | Red Tide Holds Hidden Viruses | St. Pete Resort’s Costly Comeback | Meat Allergy Traced to Tick
Issue #339: USF Tops Without a Station | Red Tide Holds Hidden Viruses | St. Pete Resort’s Costly Comeback | Meat Allergy Traced to Tick
3/25/2025
Ted Grellner
25 Mar
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Local News
— USF Tops “Best College Radio” List—Without a Station
—USF Breakthrough: Viruses Found in Red Tide Blooms
OMG!
— St. Pete Beach Resort Hit by Hurricane, Then by Internet Fees
Medical News
— CDC Links Red Meat Allergy to Black-Legged Tick Bites
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USF Tops “Best College Radio” List—Without a Station
Each year, the Princeton Review ranks the “Best College Radio Stations” based on student surveys, spotlighting stations considered most popular on campus.
In a curious twist, the University of South Florida (USF) has landed the #1 spot on the 2025 list—despite seemingly not having a student-run radio station anymore. Historically known for Bulls Radio, which launched in 1988, the station was once broadcast via AM, HD, and online streams. However, it was rebranded as Bulls Media in 2019, shifting focus to podcasting and media production, with little public-facing radio presence today. USF’s association with public radio outlet WUSF may explain the continued perception of a vibrant campus radio scene.
Surprisingly, this is not the first time USF has topped the list, with previous #1 rankings in 2024, 2021, and a strong showing since 2019—even as its traditional station faded.
This raises questions about how students interpret and value media presence on campus today.
USF Breakthrough: Viruses Found in Red Tide Blooms
In a major scientific breakthrough, University of South Florida researchers have identified viruses present in red tide blooms for the first time.
Led by Dr. Jean Lim, the USF team analyzed samples of Karenia brevis, the algae responsible for red tide, and discovered previously unclassified viruses that may influence bloom behavior. Understanding these viral interactions could significantly improve red tide forecasting, helping researchers predict when and where blooms will intensify or dissipate.
Currently, red tide detection relies on satellite imagery and field samples measuring chlorophyll levels. With the new viral data, Lim and her team aim to enhance predictive models and eventually determine what environmental factors cause blooms to subside.
The next step involves isolating the viruses in lab cultures to study their effects on Karenia brevis and other microorganisms. This discovery marks a promising advance in protecting Florida’s marine ecosystems and coastal communities from the recurring threat of red tide.
St. Pete Beach Resort Hit by Hurricane, Then by Internet Fees
The historic Island’s End Resort in St. Pete Beach, severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, was shocked to receive a $34,000 cable and internet bill from Spectrum—despite being closed and without power. The bulk of the charge, $30,000, stemmed from early termination fees tied to a multi-year fiber installation contract.
Manager Melanie Vandegrift explained that the resort simply wanted to pause service until it could reopen and generate revenue. “We’re not asking to break the contract,” she said, “just to pay for service when we can actually use it.”
Initially, Spectrum told her there was no way to suspend service during the closure. But after WFLA’s 8 On Your Side contacted the company, Spectrum quickly reversed course—agreeing to wipe out early termination fees and reduce the remaining balance. The resolution highlights how disaster-hit small businesses can face bureaucratic hurdles—and how public pressure can drive change.
CDC Links Red Meat Allergy to Black-Legged
Tick Bites
Editor’s Note: I had never heard of an allergy to red meat until reading this article:
For the first time, the CDC has confirmed that black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) can trigger Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS)—a severe allergy to red meat once thought to be caused solely by the lone star tick.
A recent case in Maine involved a woman developing AGS after a black-legged tick bite, with lab tests showing elevated α-gal–specific IgE levels. Her symptoms, including severe gastrointestinal distress, occurred repeatedly after eating mammalian meat and gradually improved over a year.
In response, the CDC and Maine health officials reviewed 10 years of surveillance data, confirming 23 AGS cases possibly linked to non-lone star ticks. This discovery suggests AGS may be more geographically widespread than previously assumed. The CDC now advises clinicians to screen tick bite patients for α-gal allergies, regardless of tick species.
The study marks a significant shift in understanding tick-borne allergies and broadens the scope of AGS risk in the U.S.
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