WMNF
WMNF is a listener-supported, non-commercial community radio station serving Tampa Bay from Tampa, Florida.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
WMNF is a non-commercial community radio station broadcasting at 88.5 FM from Tampa, Florida. Established by the Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, a nonprofit organization created specifically to launch the station, WMNF went on the air on September 14, 1979, after an initial door-to-door fundraising campaign. Its ownership and governance model distinguish it from commercial radio: the station is supported primarily by listeners, with programmers, volunteers, staff members, and community representatives participating in its board structure and operations. The station’s identity is built around community access, volunteer programming, independent music discovery, public affairs, and coverage of perspectives that may receive limited attention in commercial media. WMNF has historically presented a broad range of music, including blues, folk, bluegrass, jazz, reggae, soul, rhythm and blues, gospel, Celtic music, alternative rock, rockabilly, salsa, experimental music, and adult album alternative. Its public-affairs output has included progressive news and talk programming, coverage of LGBTQ issues, environmental and animal-protection concerns, civil rights, feminism, international affairs, and issues affecting Muslim communities. Much of the schedule is produced or hosted by volunteers, although the station has maintained paid operational and editorial staff. WMNF’s early schedule combined folk and acoustic music, big band and nostalgia programming, jazz, blues, reggae, bluegrass, gospel, soul, Jewish programming, Celtic music, new wave, and other specialist formats. During the 1990s, the station reduced its big-band and nostalgia programming and expanded news, public affairs, and talk content. Democracy Now! became part of the schedule, while locally produced programs such as RadioActivity developed a regular audience. Long-running programs have included The Sixties Show, Gospel Classic Hour, The Soul Party, The Freak Show, Art in Your Ear, Talking Animals, True Talk, and The Sunday Simcha, a Jewish music and public-affairs program. WMNF has also played a significant role in Tampa Bay’s music culture. In 1986 it introduced what was described as the area’s first hip-hop radio program, The Kenny K Wax Attack. The program’s reported audience performance among listeners under 25 helped establish Saturday late-night hip-hop as a continuing part of the station’s identity. In 2014, WMNF added The Rhythm Revival, a blues, country, and gospel program hosted by recording artist and music historian Reverend Billy C. Wirtz. Marvelous Marvin joined as co-host in 2021. After WUSF ended its evening and overnight jazz programming in 2022, WMNF recruited former WUSF jazz director Bob Seymour for Jazz in the Night, strengthening its role as an outlet for local jazz listeners. The station has expanded both its physical facilities and its transmission reach. It moved from an early studio in a South Tampa house to a former church on Nebraska Avenue in 1981. In 2005, listener donations financed a new studio and production complex of more than 12,000 square feet, including broadcast studios, production rooms, a live-performance studio, and a substantial music library. In 2007, WMNF moved to a much taller antenna structure. Its transmitter power was reduced from the original level, but the increased antenna height improved practical coverage across much of the Tampa Bay region. Listener contributions account for approximately 70 percent of the station’s funding, and WMNF conducts three principal pledge drives each year in addition to other fundraising efforts. The station also depends on volunteer hosts and volunteers during fundraising campaigns. Its digital service includes online streams, a mobile application, and four HD Radio channels: the main WMNF service, The Urban Cafe, The Source, and Classic Live. Through these services, WMNF combines terrestrial broadcasting with online access while retaining its nonprofit, community-radio orientation.
History
WMNF was created in Tampa by the Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, a nonprofit organization established for the purpose of operating a community radio station. Before its launch, organizers conducted a door-to-door campaign to collect startup donations. WMNF began broadcasting on September 14, 1979, positioning itself as a non-commercial station with a strong role for volunteers and community members. The station initially operated from an old house in South Tampa. In 1981 it moved into a vacated church on Nebraska Avenue, where it developed a broader programming operation. Its early schedule combined acoustic and folk music in the morning, big band and nostalgia at midday, jazz, blues, and reggae in the afternoon, and bluegrass during afternoon drive time. Gospel, soul, Jewish, sixties, Celtic, and new wave programs appeared during evenings and weekends. This range established WMNF as a specialist and community-oriented alternative to commercial radio. During the 1980s and 1990s, WMNF expanded its cultural and public-affairs role. In 1986, The Kenny K Wax Attack became an early Tampa Bay hip-hop program, with reported audience research indicating particularly strong listening among people under 25. By the 1990s, the station had reduced big-band and nostalgia programming and devoted more midday capacity to public affairs and talk. National programming such as Democracy Now! was carried alongside locally produced programs, including RadioActivity, hosted by News Director Rob Lorei until 2021. Other public-affairs programs addressed feminist issues, LGBTQ concerns, environmental and animal protection, civil rights, religion, and international affairs. WMNF’s dependence on listener support became especially visible in 1997. Florida State Senator John Grant removed $104,000 in state funding from the annual budget after objecting to the lyrics of a song broadcast by the station. WMNF responded with an emergency fundraising appeal that reportedly generated $122,000 within approximately a day and a half. The episode reinforced both the station’s vulnerability to political pressure and the strength of its listener-supported model. The station improved its physical infrastructure through another major listener-funded project. In 2005 it moved into a new studio and production complex adjacent to its former premises. The facility measured more than 12,000 square feet and included three broadcast studios, two production studios, and a live-performance studio named for Mike Eisenstadt, a longtime host of The Sunday Simcha. Its library was described as holding about 100,000 CDs and 8,000 albums. In 2007, WMNF moved its transmission facilities to a tower with a height of approximately 469 meters above average terrain. Although effective power was reduced from the original configuration, the higher antenna improved coverage across the Tampa Bay area, including communities extending from Clearwater and Bradenton toward Lakeland and Fort Meade. Programming continued to evolve in the 2010s and 2020s. The station added The Rhythm Revival in 2014, a blues, country, and gospel program hosted by Reverend Billy C. Wirtz. Marvelous Marvin joined the program in 2021. After WUSF ended its evening and overnight jazz service in 2022, former WUSF jazz director Bob Seymour joined WMNF with Jazz in the Night. WMNF also developed four HD Radio services and corresponding online streams: the main WMNF signal, The Urban Cafe, The Source, and Classic Live. Personnel disputes have periodically tested the station’s governance and public identity. In February 2019, WMNF announced the end of its relationship with Rob Lorei, a prominent news and public-affairs figure. The decision produced strong reactions from listeners and supporters, including reported donation cancellations and criticism of management. In March, the board announced that Lorei would be reinstated. General Manager Craig Kopp resigned the following month, citing the community response to the firing and rehiring as well as hostile or toxic commentary surrounding the dispute. Lorei was terminated again in 2021. More than three months later, the station said the decision related to an ethnic slur allegedly used in a response from a station email account. Lorei denied using an antisemitic slur and described the disputed language as a political term. The controversy generated differing views about intent and harm, including debate within the local Jewish community. The episode became one of the most prominent personnel and reputational disputes in WMNF’s history. Today, WMNF remains a nonprofit, listener-supported community broadcaster. Approximately 70 percent of its funding is attributed to supporters, and the station conducts three principal pledge drives each year. Paid staff operate the station, but volunteers continue to provide much of the programming and fundraising labor. Its FM signal, HD channels, website, streams, and mobile access extend a Tampa-based community-radio model to a wider audience.
- 2022
Jazz in the Night launches
[1]Former WUSF jazz director Bob Seymour begins a Monday evening jazz program on WMNF.
- 2021
Lorei is terminated again
[1]WMNF dismisses the longtime public-affairs director amid a dispute over language used in a station email.
- 2019
Rob Lorei is reinstated after community backlash
[1]The board reverses an earlier decision to end Lorei’s relationship with the station.
- 2014
The Rhythm Revival joins the schedule
[1]WMNF adds a blues, country, and gospel drive-time program hosted by Reverend Billy C. Wirtz.
- 2007
Higher transmission tower improves coverage
[1]The station moves to a taller antenna structure, extending its practical signal reach across the region.
- 2005
New listener-funded facility opens
[1]WMNF moves into a modern studio and production complex of more than 12,000 square feet.
- 1997
Emergency fundraiser offsets state funding loss
[1]After $104,000 in state funding was removed, WMNF reportedly raised $122,000 in an emergency appeal.
- 1986
Early local hip-hop show launches
[1]The Kenny K Wax Attack becomes an important early Tampa Bay hip-hop broadcast.
- 1981
Station moves to Nebraska Avenue
[1]The station relocates from its first South Tampa house studio to a vacated church on Nebraska Avenue.
- 1979
WMNF signs on
[1]WMNF begins broadcasting on September 14 after a grassroots campaign raised startup funding.
Products and positioning
Listener-supported, progressive community radio emphasizing volunteer access, independent and specialist music, local public affairs, cultural diversity, and underrepresented viewpoints.
FM radio service · 1979
WMNF 88.5 FM
The primary terrestrial service broadcasts community radio from Tampa across the Tampa Bay region. Its schedule combines music discovery, specialist genres, local news, public affairs, cultural programming, and nationally distributed progressive programming. The service is non-commercial and funded primarily through listener contributions.
HD Radio and online stream
The Urban Cafe
WMNF’s HD-2 service focuses on classic soul, rhythm and blues, blues, reggae, and rap. It extends the station’s music-centered programming through HD Radio, online streaming, and digital listening platforms.
HD Radio and online stream
The Source
The HD-3 service is oriented toward news, public affairs, and arts programming. It provides an additional digital channel for spoken-word and cultural content that complements the main WMNF schedule.
HD Radio and online stream
Classic Live
The HD-4 service presents newer independent music and programs featuring recent releases, giving emerging and alternative artists a dedicated digital outlet.
Music program · 2014
The Rhythm Revival
A Friday drive-time program centered on high-energy presentations of post-World War II blues, country, and gospel. Reverend Billy C. Wirtz launched the program at WMNF, and Marvelous Marvin joined as co-host in 2021.
Music program · 2022
Jazz in the Night
A Monday evening jazz program hosted by former WUSF jazz director Bob Seymour. WMNF introduced it after WUSF discontinued its evening and overnight jazz programming, responding to continued demand from area jazz listeners.
Controversies
2021
Dispute over alleged antisemitic language
WMNF terminated Rob Lorei after a dispute concerning language allegedly used in a response from a station email account. The station described the wording as an antisemitic ethnic slur; Lorei denied that characterization and said he had used a political term. The controversy produced differing assessments of intent and offensiveness.
2019
Rob Lorei firing and reinstatement controversy
WMNF’s decision to end its relationship with longtime news director Rob Lorei led to public criticism, reported donation cancellations, and internal governance pressure. The board reinstated Lorei about a month later, while General Manager Craig Kopp resigned soon afterward.
1997
State funding dispute over broadcast lyrics
Florida State Senator John Grant removed $104,000 from the state budget after objecting to lyrics in a song broadcast by WMNF. The incident was connected in station commentary to broader political disagreements and prompted an emergency listener fundraiser.
Marketing campaigns
- 1997Emergency fundraiser after state funding cut
Florida
WMNF launched an emergency on-air fundraising appeal after state funding was removed in response to a dispute over lyrics broadcast by the station.
Outcome. The appeal reportedly raised $122,000 in approximately a day and a half, exceeding the amount of funding that had been removed.
- 1979Startup door-to-door fundraising campaign
Tampa, Florida
Before going on the air, WMNF organizers solicited startup support directly from residents through a door-to-door campaign.
Outcome. The campaign helped provide the funds needed for the station to begin broadcasting.
- Recurring listener pledge drives
Tampa Bay · Online audience
WMNF conducts three principal pledge drives each year and uses its broadcasts and website to seek donations and volunteers.
Outcome. Listener support remains the station’s principal financial foundation, accounting for approximately 70 percent of funding according to the referenced material.
Brand decisions
2022
Launch Jazz in the NightProduct launchBackground
WUSF discontinued evening and overnight jazz programming, leaving local jazz listeners with fewer broadcast options.
Action taken
WMNF recruited former WUSF jazz director Bob Seymour to host a Monday evening jazz program.
Aftermath
The new show was embraced by jazz fans and reinforced WMNF’s role as a home for specialist music programming.
2019
Reinstate Rob LoreiOtherBackground
The station faced substantial criticism after announcing that it had ended its relationship with longtime news director Rob Lorei.
Action taken
WMNF’s board announced that Lorei would return to his role as News and Public Affairs Director.
Aftermath
The reversal intensified scrutiny of station management and was followed by General Manager Craig Kopp’s resignation.
2007
Move to a taller antenna towerStrategyBackground
WMNF sought to improve regional signal reach through a major transmission-facility change.
Action taken
The station moved to a tower approximately 469 meters above average terrain and reduced transmitter power from its original configuration.
Aftermath
The higher antenna improved practical coverage across the Tampa Bay region, extending from the central Gulf Coast toward inland communities.
1990
Shift midday scheduling toward public affairsStrategyBackground
During the 1990s, WMNF reduced its earlier emphasis on big band and nostalgia programming.
Action taken
The station expanded midday news, talk, and public-affairs programming, including Democracy Now! and locally produced shows.
Aftermath
The change strengthened WMNF’s identity as a progressive community-news and public-affairs outlet alongside its music programming.
Recent events
- 2022
Bob Seymour begins Jazz in the Night[1]
Product launch
After WUSF discontinued evening and overnight jazz programming, WMNF brought in former WUSF jazz director Bob Seymour for a Monday evening jazz program.
- 2021
Marvelous Marvin joins The Rhythm Revival[1]
Leadership change · Product launch
Longtime Tampa Bay commercial-radio personality Marvelous Marvin became a co-host of The Rhythm Revival.
- 2014
WMNF adds The Rhythm Revival[1]
Product launch
The station added a Friday drive-time program hosted by Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, focusing on postwar blues, country, and gospel.
- 2007
WMNF upgrades its antenna tower[1]
Other
A much taller antenna structure expanded the station’s effective regional coverage even though transmitter power was reduced from its original level.
- 2005
WMNF opens listener-funded studio complex[1]
Other
The station moved into a new production and broadcast facility financed through listener donations.
- 1986
WMNF introduces an early Tampa Bay hip-hop program[1]
Product launch
The Kenny K Wax Attack became an early local hip-hop outlet and helped establish Saturday late-night hip-hop programming on the station.
- 1979
WMNF begins broadcasting[1]
Other
The Tampa community radio station signed on after a grassroots door-to-door campaign raised startup funds.
Sources2 sources
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