WMFE is Central Florida's primary provider of NPR programming on 90.7 FM and Classical Music on 90.7 HD2. Part of the community since 1965, WMFE focuses on providing quality national and local news and programming. We inspire and empower all Central Floridians to discover, grow and engage within and beyond their world.
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Joe Byrnes

Joe Byrnes

Reporter

Joe Byrnes came to WMFE/WMFV from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.



Recent Stories from Joe Byrnes



UF experts are teaming up with others to design a ventilator people can build in case the machines are needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In these images from video, components are demonstrated in the lab. Photo: UF

UF experts collaborate to design a DIY ventilator for COVID-19 crisis



Imagine teams of volunteers building ventilators, with each team member assigned a job. One does the pipes. One does the electronics. One loads the software. Then they put it all together and, voila, a ventilator. This is possible, thanks to anesthesiology professor Sem Lampotang  and his team of open source collaborators at UF and around the world. Lampotang is an inventor with numerous medical patents. He designed a commercial ventilator years ago.  He says the engineering for this project is rigorous. The difference is anyone can get the parts, including PVC pipes and sprinkler valves. “The concept is a proven design,” Lampotang said. “What is not proven is using — I’m laughing a bit — is using Home Depot parts.” …










In this image from Facebook video, Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

COVID-19: State developing contingency plan for The Villages



Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says state emergency managers are working on a contingency plan for The Villages. Positive tests for coronavirus have popped up in Lake and Sumter counties, and the large retirement community is at particular risk because of its aging population. DeSantis says the state, The Villages and the University of Florida are teaming up on a program to expand available testing. He imagines drive-thru testing there will look a little different than in Broward County. “With the Broward thing,” he said at a Wednesday evening press conference, “people kind of drive up their car, you do it. The Villages they’re going to be driving up in their golf carts and they’re going to be getting swabbed.” A …



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