Jasmin Parrado

Jasmin Parrado is a spring 2026 intern and News Editor at the Crow's Nest with an interest in local and state politics as well as arts and life. When she isn’t digging into government topics, she indulges in reading, a whole lot of creative writing and occasionally graphic design. She loves the beach, but a piece of her is still in love with the mountains after some travelling.

jasmincparrado@gmail.com

A bright, eye-level photograph of Kenya and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch smiling together at St. Pete Pride 2024. On the left, Kenya is wearing a dark, team-style baseball jersey with 'TEAM PRIDE' printed in yellow across the chest. They have warm, auburn-tinted locs and are waving to the crowd with their right hand. On the right, Mayor Welch is wearing a bright purple t-shirt with the text 'WE ARE St. Pete' printed in white, a matching purple-and-white St. Petersburg city baseball cap, and a gold-toned beaded necklace. Mayor Welch is holding a long string of colorful Mardi Gras-style beads in their hands. Both are captured against a clear, sunny sky, with the blurred faces of parade attendees visible in the foreground.

Ken Welch, and his opponents in St. Pete mayoral race, weigh in on Florida’s anti-DEI law

‘They can’t tell you what celebration to go to.’

by Jasmin Parrado June 1, 2026June 1, 2026

This month, St. Petersburg Pride kicks off its annual festivities. This year will already look different thanks to an exodus of corporate sponsors, but there’s also a big question mark over Pride in general after the passage of a Florida bill that means less funding and less visible public officials in 2027. On April 22, […]

A daytime photograph taken through a chain-link fence showing a fire truck with its ladder fully extended over a two-story tan building. The building, identified as the University of South Florida's marine science lab, features multiple large, dark-tinted gridded windows. In the foreground, a bright yellow mooring bollard sits on a concrete ledge just before a body of water. The sky above is overcast, casting a grey, muted light over the emergency scene.

Fire officials say USF St. Pete’s marine science lab is likely a ‘total loss’ after weekend fire

The State Fire Marshal’s Office has taken over the investigation of the fire, but observers claim a lightning strike is to blame.

by Jasmin Parrado May 4, 2026May 5, 2026

A close-up studio portrait of St. Petersburg community leader Maria Scruggs smiling warmly against a plain, light-grey background. Scruggs, a Black individual with dark, curly shoulder-length hair, is positioned with their arms crossed. They are wearing a bright red top featuring a tied bow at the neckline and floral lace sleeves. The bright, even lighting highlights their joyful expression and the vivid red texture of their clothing.

Maria Scruggs, first to file in St. Pete’s mayoral race, is also the only one to qualify by petition

She says Ken Welch’s leadership ‘doesn’t match St. Pete’s tagline,’ and is saddened by Charlie Crist’s entrance into the race.

by Jasmin Parrado May 4, 2026May 4, 2026

A photograph of Ken Welch and Charlie Crist smiling during an outdoor event. Ken Welch is on the left wearing sunglasses and a dark button-down shirt; Charlie Crist is on the right in a blue striped polo shirt.

Charlie Crist enters St. Pete mayoral race, says he would’ve taken state to court over mural removals

The former governor of Florida is one of five candidates hoping to unseat Mayor Ken Welch.

by Jasmin Parrado April 30, 2026April 30, 2026

St. Pete-based Girl Reports elevates underserved women globally through journalism

Girl Reports teaches journalism skills to girls in global communities that traditionally discourage them from finishing their education.

by Jasmin Parrado April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Hillsborough Tax Collector will bring services on the road with ‘MILES’ bus

Nancy Millan said the program is ‘committed to ensuring no community is left behind.’

by Jasmin Parrado April 27, 2026April 27, 2026

To provide the most effective SEO-friendly alt-text for this image, it is important to capture the names of the individuals and the context of the photo, as these are likely the primary search terms associated with it. Option 1: Descriptive & News-Focused (Best for SEO) A side-by-side portrait of University of South Florida (USF) students Zamil Ahamed Limon and Nahida Bristy, who were reported missing. Limon is shown on the left in a black tunic, and Bristy is on the right in a pink saree taking a selfie against a sunflower background.

Missing USF graduate students know each other and aren’t in ICE custody, authorities say

It’s been more than a week since Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy disappeared.

by Jasmin Parrado April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Music

Looking to dig in the crates? Here are all the record stores in Tampa Bay

Last updated April 2026.

by Jasmin Parrado April 16, 2026April 16, 2026

Two actors posed as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. for a portrait

Arts & Entertainment

Malcolm X and MLK Jr. debate in Stageworks ‘The Meeting’

The play opens Friday in Tampa and runs through May 3.

by Jasmin Parrado April 14, 2026April 15, 2026

exterior of Grandaddy Records & Vintage with white panel and a neon "open" sign in the window

Music

Grandaddy Records & Vintage debuts in Brooksville

And every Tampa Bay vinyl shop to check out for Record Store Day.

by Jasmin Parrado April 14, 2026April 16, 2026

A professional outdoor portrait of Hoyt Prindle III. He is smiling and standing with his arms crossed, wearing a navy blue blazer over a light-colored button-down shirt. He has dark hair and a groomed beard. The background is a soft-focus view of a wooden bridge and green trees under natural daylight.

Tampa City Council election 2027: Hoyt Prindle will challenge Charlie Miranda in District 6

Prindle lost by only 135 votes in 2023.

by Jasmin Parrado April 13, 2026April 17, 2026

Bill Nelson giving a presentation on a brightly lit stage in front of a large screen displaying Earth from space.

Arts & Entertainment

Florida Studies Book Festival brings acclaimed authors to St. Pete this weekend

Pulitzer Prize-winner Gilbert King closes the festival with a discussion of his 2025 book, “Bone Valley.”

by Jasmin Parrado April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

A professional portrait of Gary Hartfield sitting on white concrete bleacher-style steps in an urban park. He is smiling and wearing a grey plaid suit with a navy blue tie and a white dress shirt. The Tampa city skyline and a metal railing are visible in the blurred background under bright daylight.

Entrepreneur Gary Hartfield enters race to be Tampa’s next mayor

Hartfield says his campaign will focus on improving infrastructure and affordability.

by Jasmin Parrado April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

A farm worker in South Florida harvesting a large bundle of fresh water spinach against a blue cloudy sky

Arts & Entertainment

‘Without Shade, Without Rest’: New documentary highlighting fight for outdoor worker heat protections screens in Tampa

The film will screen on Thursday, April 23, at the Tampa Community Church.

by Jasmin Parrado April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

A horizontal four-panel composite featuring St. Petersburg mayoral candidates: Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard at a dais, Mayor Ken Welch in a suit and yellow tie, Kevin Batdorf in a red tie, and former Fire Chief Jim Large in a dress uniform. Each panel shows the candidate smiling in a professional or official setting.

Meet three candidates running to unseat St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch

Welch and his opponents claim St. Pete’s infrastructure is top-priority after the 2024 storms.

by Jasmin Parrado April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Mayoral candidate Kevin Batdorf says Ken Welch didn’t give St. Pete ‘true leadership’ during hurricane recovery

by Jasmin Parrado April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

Former St. Petersburg Fire Chief Jim Large smiling at a podium during the Heroes of St. Pete Fire Memorial groundbreaking ceremony. He is in his full dark blue dress uniform with gold captain's bars on the sleeves, standing beside a colorful City of St. Petersburg flag with the waterfront in the background.

In pitch to become mayor, former fire chief Jim Large says St. Pete’s infrastructure has to catch up with the growth

Large told CL he would also immediately revamp the permitting process and make changes to storm prevention and recovery plans.

by Jasmin Parrado April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

St. Petersburg City Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard sitting at the dais during a Committee of the Whole meeting. She is wearing a blue cardigan over a navy and white patterned blouse, with a wooden nameplate reading "Brandi Gabbard" in the foreground.

In mayoral race, Councilwoman Brandi Gabbard said she’ll bring ‘proactive decision-making leadership’ to get St. Pete back on track

Gabbard and Mayor Welch do find common ground on their support for diversity, equity and inclusion.

by Jasmin Parrado April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch smiling and wearing glasses and a yellow tie while seated at a committee table. The "We Are St. Pete" branding is partially visible in the blurred foreground, with a professional city hall setting in the background.

Facing reelection, Mayor Ken Welch believes his administration did well to help St. Pete recover after hurricanes

Welch told CL he’ll also continue his five-pillar plan for the city, known as ‘Pillars for Progress.’

by Jasmin Parrado April 1, 2026April 1, 2026

A woman with long locs wearing a purple patterned sundress sits and smiles next to a lush floral archway at the BLOOM festival in Bonnet Springs Park. The arch is densely packed with pink, red, and orange roses and green foliage.

Arts & Entertainment

‘Bloom’ flower festival returns to Lakeland’s Bonnet Springs Park this month

The family-friendly, no-cover event runs April 11-12.

by Jasmin Parrado March 31, 2026March 31, 2026