Rob Lorei, a co-founder of WMNF Community Radio in Tampa and a prominent media figure in the Tampa Bay area, passed away Saturday, at the age of 70, following a battle with cancer.
Lorei announced his cancer diagnosis in March 2025, around the time he stepped down from hosting WEDU’s Florida This Week, a public affairs program he had moderated for nearly 24 years.
Lorei was instrumental in establishing WMNF in 1977, helping to raise funds by collecting donations in coffee cans on the streets of Tampa Bay. He served as the station’s News and Public Affairs Director for 43 years, becoming a trusted voice through his program Radioactivity, which was known for its substantive political discourse and commitment to amplifying diverse perspectives, including those of labor leaders, academics, activists, and community members. His work embodied the ideals of community journalism, focusing on underrepresented stories and holding local politicians accountable.
Lorei’s career was not without challenges. He was fired from WMNF in 2019 due to programming disputes but was reinstated after public outcry. He faced a second dismissal in 2021 over an alleged email exchange involving a political term, which he disputed as being misrepresented as an ethnic slur. Despite these controversies, his dedication to independent journalism and community engagement left a lasting impact.
Tributes from colleagues, listeners, and community members highlight Lorei’s integrity, curiosity, and commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless. WMNF programmer Jeannie Holton described him as “the voice and conscience of WMNF,” while NPR’s Eric Deggans called him a “beacon of smarts and compassion.” His legacy endures through the institution he helped build and the countless lives he touched in Tampa Bay.