Bobbie O'Brien
WUSF 89.7 News Reporter
Bobbie O'Brien is an Ohio native who has lived in Florida since 1978. She attended Kent State University and graduated from the University of South Florida. She came to WUSF 89.7 in 1990 after more than a decade as a journalist in newspapers and television in the Tampa Bay area.
Latest stories by Bobbie O'Brien
TAMPA (2009-11-18)Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will be sworn in this week for another five year term. Meanwhile, Senior Master Sergeant Rex Temple came across one of Karzsai's predecessors. The Tampa airman was out on a routine mission with his Afghan army counterpart when they came across the gravesite of a former president of Afghanistan.
CLEARWATER (2009-11-18)If you happened to see a fire engine parked outside a school Wednesday most likely the crew was not on an emergency call. It was the Great American Teach-In where professionals, craftsmen and business people tell kids about their jobs. At Belcher Elementary in Clearwater, there was a fire engine and a horse of a different color.
TAMPA (2009-11-17)Law enforcement officers, prosecutors and mental health experts are calling on Florida legislators to spend more money on drug treatment, re-entry programs and diversion strategies instead of expanding state prisons. That’s a bottom line message from a two day “Smart Justice Summit” in Tampa.
TAMPA (2009-11-12)The hand-selected board members who lead Florida’s university system, state colleges and public schools met together for the first time Thursday at Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter. Their goal is to create a unified system for students from pre-kindergarten through post graduate and to toughen standards.
TAMPA (2009-11-11) The troubles that can lead to homelessness such as mental health problems and job loss are not lost on Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki who said, “We know that veterans lead the nation in homelessness and depression and substance abuse and suicides.”
TAMPA (2009-11-10) Near the site of Tampa’s first military post, Fort Brooke, a covenant was signed cementing the partnership between the City of Tampa and military leaders from the various commands at MacDill Air Force Base and the Coast Guard.
TAMPA (2009-11-09) Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Rex Temple has been talking to WUSF every week for about a half year, ever since the Tampa airman deployed to Afghanistan. The "My Last Tour" project is meant to give WUSF listeners an understanding of what it's like on the front-lines. In addition, Temple has offered to field listener questions.
TAMPA (2009-11-06) The new, Post 9-11 GI Bill is being called the most significant education benefit for veterans since the first GI Bill was passed in 1944. But obligations come with those benefits. That’s what the Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs told a gathering of educators and veterans today at the University of South Florida. You can hear his entire speech here.
TAMPA (2009-11-06) Improving a soldier’s transition from the combat field to the college classroom is the aim of hundreds of Florida educators and Veterans Affairs officials. They gathered at the University of South Florida to share ideas and hear from the VA secretary.
TAMPA (2009-11-05) Thirty people in the Tampa area were charged Tuesday with mortgage fraud. It's part of a larger, federal investigation that included many of Florida’s major cities like Orlando and Jacksonville. Mortgage brokers, realtors and even some bank officials were arrested and could end up behind bars for up to 30 years if convicted.
TAMPA (2009-11-05) A one day trip turned into a four day adventure at Bagram Air Field (BAF) for Senior Master Sgt. Rex Temple and his team. Their mission was to exchange five older Humvees for six refurbished mine-resistant vehicles or MRAPs. The Tampa airman talks with WUSF’s Bobbie O’Brien about that mission and the big news of the week.
TAMPA (2009-10-30) Law officials say gangs are present in many of Hillsborough County schools in one form or another. That’s why the Leto High principal scheduled an “awareness” meeting to teach parents how to spot it if their child is in a gang. And, there also are other prevention initiatives.
