Tampa

WellCare Gives $10,000 to the American Red Cross to Support Flood Relief Efforts in Louisiana

Published

10 years ago

August 19, 2016

TAMPA, Fla., (FNN NEWS) – By WellCare Health Plans — WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) today announced that the WellCare Community Foundation is donating $10,000 to the American Red Cross to support flood relief efforts inLouisiana. WellCare will also match employee contributions to the Red Cross up to $5,000.

In addition, WellCare has extended the hours of its Community Assistance Line (CAL) to help connect those impacted with needed social services. WellCare has a referral database with more than 4,500 Louisiana-based community organizations and 50 community-based programs that are available to help with needs including food, transportation, shelter, and other support services. The new extended CAL hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday.

“WellCare is committed to supporting organizations like the Red Cross that can mobilize quickly and get people the support and services they require,” said Kelly Munson, president of the WellCare Community Foundation and WellCare’s senior vice president, division president and Medicaid product. “There is a great need to help those in Louisiana, both in terms of assisting with recovery efforts now and in continued support to help communities rebuild.”

“Like so many, WellCare’s Baton Rouge employees were impacted by the flooding, including 11 employees who were displaced from their homes,” said Anthony Valdés, WellCare’s vice president of market performance. “WellCare is dedicated to providing support during this devastating time for our members, employees and the broader communities we serve as part of our overall mission to help people live better, healthier lives.”

This is the second time in five months that torrential rains have hit Louisiana, causing record flooding and prompting a federal disaster declaration in 20 parishes. An estimated 40,000 homes were damaged, affecting at least 75,000 people, according to the Red Cross. Continued flooding and closed roads have made it challenging to get relief supplies to people in need.

The Red Cross has more than 1,000 disaster volunteers on the ground and 36 shelters. The Red Cross is also mobilizing over 50 disaster response vehicles, nearly 40,000 ready-to-eat meals and dozens of trailers filled with shelter and kitchen supplies.

“We are so grateful for this gift from WellCare,” said Linda Jorge Carbone, regional chief executive officer for Red Cross of Central Florida. “It is only because of the great support from corporate partners like WellCare and gifts from the American people that we can provide our important services to those impacted by devastating disasters.”

For more information about relief efforts or to make a donation to the Red Cross, visit redcross.org.

To contact WellCare’s CAL for social services assistance, call 866-775-2192 (main line) or 855-628-7552 (video relay).

As of June 30, 2016, WellCare serves approximately 10,000 Medicare Advantage members and 25,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in Louisiana.

Central Florida News

USF Comes Up Short at UTSA as Late Touchdown Seals 31-24 Loss

Published

2 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — USF running back D.J. Crowther (5) crosses the goal line on a 15-yard touchdown run to open the scoring against UTSA Thursday night at the Alamodome. Photo by Stephen Galvin / University of South Florida Athletics.

South Florida held an early advantage and reclaimed the lead late, but UTSA’s second-half execution proved to be the difference Thursday night at the Alamodome.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida gave itself a chance to steal a road win Thursday night, but UTSA answered when it mattered most, defeating the Bulls 31-24 at the Alamodome.

USF struck first behind D.J. Crowther, who broke through for a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Bulls an early advantage. Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. helped keep South Florida’s offense moving throughout the night as the Bulls continued to respond whenever UTSA threatened to take control.

USF stayed within reach from start to finish, but the second half belonged to a UTSA offense that consistently found a way to finish drives.

UTSA Finds Its Rhythm

Running back A’Marion Peterson became the difference-maker for the Roadrunners, finishing with 92 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

UTSA scored on every second-half possession, gradually shifting momentum away from a USF team that continued to battle offensively. The Roadrunners leaned heavily on their ground game while keeping the Bulls from building any sustained separation.

(more…)

Basketball

UPSHOT Announces Professional Women’s Basketball Franchise for Tampa Bay

Published

3 weeks ago

October 7, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

Jacksonville Waves battle at the rim against the Charlotte Crown during UPSHOT League action in Jacksonville. Photo by Nisey Spruill/FNN Sports.

New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.

UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.

Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.

FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.

UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.

Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.

Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.

INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.

The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com

Central Florida News

Temple Hands USF First Loss, 17-13

Published

3 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

Cameron Seldon races toward the sideline as Temple defenders force him out of bounds. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

Bulls move to 4-1 as Hartline turns attention toward corrections and the week ahead

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida’s unbeaten start ended Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium as Temple defeated the Bulls 17-13. USF struck first behind a Nico Gramatica field goal but went into halftime trailing 10-3 before finding momentum after the break.

USF responded in the third quarter as D.J. Crowther’s one-yard touchdown tied the game at 10.

USF and Temple battle at the line of scrimmage. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

The Bulls’ defense added a key stop when No. 1 C.J. Hicks recovered a Temple fumble in the end zone. Gramatica later connected from 49 yards to give USF a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead. Temple answered with the defining possession of the night, driving 96 yards before quarterback No. 13 Ajani Sheppard scored on a 34-yard run to put the Owls ahead for good.

Temple’s 96-yard fourth-quarter drive became the turning point in the 17-13 finish.

Joshua Porter sprints for catch with Adrian Laing closing in for Temple. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News

USF was unable to answer late, dropping to 4-1. Following the game, head coach Brian Hartline focused on returning to the film, correcting the mistakes that surfaced and making sure the Bulls use the loss to improve heading into the next week.

FINAL: Temple 17, USF 13

Up Next: USF travels to San Antonio to face UTSA on Thursday night.