Florida Phoenix, Author at Creative Loafing Tampa

A man with brown hair and sunglasses, circled in red, amidst a crowd of individuals clashing with police and using riot shields at a stone archway during the January 6 Capitol riot.

Tampa Jan. 6 rioter files $18 million lawsuit, alleging police assaulted members of ‘peaceful’ crowd

Fischer was indicted on seven criminal charges for his Jan. 6 actions, including several violent felonies.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

Dozens of people who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, have filed a federal class action in Florida against the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police, alleging actions by officers that day caused them physical and emotional injuries. Three Florida residents filed the lawsuit in the Ocala division […]

Protesters gather outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida, holding signs including one that reads "Taco 'Bout Lies" next to a large American flag draped between courthouse columns.

Florida’s reddest counties saw massive crowds at last weekend’s ‘No Kings’ protests

Even deep-red Polk County, where Trump won by 21 points in the 2024 presidential election, saw an enthusiastic crowd of at least 2,000 people.

by Florida Phoenix March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

Aerial view of St. Pete Beach, Florida, showing turquoise Gulf waters, white sand coastline, and luxury beachfront resorts under a clear blue sky.

New Census data shows Pinellas County witnessed second largest population decline in country

The third biggest loss in the country was Miami-Dade.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

DeSantis Administration claims NFL’s ‘Rooney Rule’ violates state’s anti-DEI law

The rule requires NFL teams to interview at least two minority candidates for vacant head coach, GM, and coordinator position.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

Candidate Brian Nathan wearing a campaign t-shirt and talking to a voter in a grocery store parking lot next to a cart return sign

Florida Democrats won big Tuesday night. Was it a big deal or not?

‘If that kind of movement is happening now, it raises real questions about what the electorate could look like in a higher-turnout environment,’ says one Democratic official.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

Brian Nathan, a U.S. Navy veteran from Tampa, walks in a parade.

In Tampa and Mar-a-Lago, Florida Democrats come up big on election night

Brian Nathan, a Navy veteran, union organizer, and first-time candidate, shocked Republican state Rep. Josie Tomkow in Hillsborough County.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

Florida adds more measles cases

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to make it easier for parents to opt out of mandatory school vaccines.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

DeSantis for President" vest, smiling and talking with a group of supporters during a campaign event.

‘We’ll see’: DeSantis won’t rule out another run for president

His comment comes after he spent $160 million on his 2024 campaign for president before dropping out after the Iowa caucus.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

James Uthmeier, Chief of Staff to Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking at a microphone during the Annual National Day of Prayer event in front of the Florida State Capitol steps.

Gun lobby praises Florida AG over push for ‘nondangerous’ felon gun ownership

“Attorney General Pam Bondi needs to sit up and take notes! This is what a REAL pro-gun attorney general looks like.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd speaking at a wooden lectern during a press conference in Winter Haven. The Sheriff is in a green uniform, gesturing while speaking. Professional news cameras and monitors frame the foreground, set against a backdrop of a blue curtain and various law enforcement flags.

‘Incoherent’: DeSantis slams Florida sheriffs’ demand for citizenship path for illegal migrants

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Governor Ron DeSantis signing SB 302 and HB 1417 in Bradenton to protect Florida’s coastlines and the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.

DeSantis signs bill clearing path to block proposed Manatee County cruise port

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

Florida Senate candidate Brian Nathan smiling in a professional indoor setting. The person has a short-cropped beard and glasses, wearing a dark grey suit jacket with a light yellow tie. Other individuals in business attire are visible in the soft-focus background of the office or event space.

Special election voting is underway for the Hillsborough County Senate Seat vacated by Jay Collins

As of noon Tuesday, 41,613 people had voted in the SD14 race between Republican Josie Tomkow and Democrat Brian Nathan.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

Close-up of a person's hands inspecting a black semi-automatic pistol on a display stand in a weapon shop.

Florida AG says ‘nondangerous’ felons should be allowed to own guns

That opinion — never previously offered by a Florida attorney general — is being lavishly praised by Second Amendment advocates.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor speaking at a podium during a Hillsborough County, Florida press conference, flanked by local officials and first responders.

Tampa Police Dept. revises its immigration policies following Florida AG’s warning

James Uthmeier had accused officials last week of implementing ‘sanctuary policies.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a Speech and Debate event podium flanked by American and Florida flags, with a seated man in a blue suit and red tie in the background.

Florida bill authored by DeSantis allowing state to label groups as ‘domestic terrorist organizations’ now heads to DeSantis

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Aerial panorama of Caladesi Island State Park in Florida featuring white sand beaches, turquoise Gulf of Mexico waters, and coastal mangroves under a blue sky.

Florida bill banning local governments from ‘net-zero’ policies heads to DeSantis

If signed into law by DeSantis, it would go into effect on July 1.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Florida bill banning local governments from enacting DEI initiatives heads to DeSantis

The Senate approved the bill last week, and it will now be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis for consideration.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Interior view of the Florida State Capitol 4th floor rotunda in Tallahassee, featuring the Great Seal of Florida, state and U.S. flags, and a commemorative Florida 250 banner hanging from the circular balcony.

Florida Senate clears bill allowing ‘gang-related language’ in social media posts as evidence

The bill passed, 29 to 9 — largely along party lines — and now heads to DeSantis.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez wearing a blue suit and tie, speaking to reporters after a legislative floor session on January 15, 2026. He stands in front of a dark wood door and a wall-mounted light fixture.

Florida’s 2026 legislative session ends Friday—and lawmakers don’t have the budget ready

The budget is the one bill lawmakers must pass each year.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Florida Senate approves antisemitism task force that ‘does not include criticism of Israel’

The amendment drew plaudits from Senate Democrats.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix March 9, 2026March 9, 2026