Leif Helland

Garrett Greco, grandson of a four-time mayor, files to run for Tampa City Council

Greco joins Candice Cowen and Quinton F. Robinson in the District 3 race.

by Ray Roa and Leif Helland July 8, 2026July 9, 2026

Photos: Mayor Ken Welch confirms ‘Burg Bid’ for St. Pete’s Gas Plant proposal, with plans to tear down Tropicana Field

The City of St. Petersburg finally selected a proposal to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant District.

by Leif Helland July 2, 2026July 2, 2026

A black-and-white portrait of a person with short white hair and a warm smile, wearing a patterned tuxedo jacket and a dark bow tie with a white flower pinned to the lapel. They are posed behind a dark surface, likely a piano, with dramatic lighting creating a soft shadow in the background.

Music

St. Pete’s Al Downing Day is on July 19, and local jazz greats are coming together to celebrate

The 2026 Al Downing Honors awards show will also honor Jazz Educator of the Year, Jazz Supporter of the Year, and Jazz Musician of the Year.

by Leif Helland June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

A crowded room of community members gathered during a Tampa City Council forum at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex in Tampa, Florida. In the foreground, attendees sit at round tables listening to a presentation, while in the background, a large banner features an illustration of a facility and the facility's name. A bright red Florida Rising banner stands on the right next to window blinds under bright indoor lighting.

Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus holds ‘Meet The Candidates’ forum in July

Congressional, state house, plus county commission and school board races will be covered.

by Leif Helland June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

The main entrance to Edison Food and Drink Lab in South Tampa

Tampa’s Edison Food + Drink Lab closes temporarily

Jeannie Pierola’s 14-year-old South Tampa restaurant is taking a break for the summer.

by Leif Helland June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

A daytime, eye-level, traffic-perspective photograph taken from inside a vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida. The view shows multiple lanes of moderate traffic under a bright, partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, a white SUV and a black sedan are visible. Overhead highway signs in green indicate upcoming exits and route directions. In the distance, the Tampa skyline is visible against the horizon, with several high-rise buildings punctuating the view. Lush green trees line the highway shoulders, contrasting with the gray asphalt and the congested flow of vehicles.

Hillsborough officials vote to remove an I-275 widening project from planning program

The expansion would’ve run between Hillsborough and Bearss Avenues.

by Leif Helland June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Double Six is Tampa Heights’ new daytime café, and there’s free parking

It’s open inside La Sétima Club Thursday-Sunday.

by Leif Helland June 17, 2026June 18, 2026

Someone holds the Juneteenth flag, featuring a blue upper half, a red lower half, and a downward-curved arc with a centered, white five-pointed star surrounded by a starburst. the bottom of the flag includes the text "June 19, 1865."

How to celebrate Juneteenth in Tampa Bay

The creator of the national Juneteenth flag comes to Tampa tomorrow for the first of 20+ emancipation events

by Leif Helland and Liam Oliver June 11, 2026June 17, 2026

Popular Tampa sandwich spot Cousin Vinny’s will be on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’

“Secrets out. The one and only [Guy Fieri] swung by for some cutlets!” wrote Cousin Vinny’s.

by Leif Helland June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

A rowdies fan waves a rainbow Rowdies scarf on Pride night

Undefeated Rowdies celebrate Pride night in St. Pete next week

Tickets for the June 13 match against Hartford Athletic include a rainbow accordion fan.

by Leif Helland June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

A wide-shot, stage-performance photograph of the touring production of 'Beetlejuice.' From left to right, David Wilson as Adam and Kaitlin Feely as Barbara are seated on the left, looking toward the center. In the center, Leianna Weaver as Lydia stands wearing a black dress, and to their right, Ryan Stajmiger as Beetlejuice stands atop a dining table wearing their iconic striped suit, gesturing with both arms outstretched. The scene is illuminated in high-contrast blue and lime-green theatrical lighting, with atmospheric smoke filling the space of the stylized, dark-toned interior set.

Broadway’s ‘Beetlejuice’ musical returns to Tampa this month

The Eight-time Tony Award nominated musical makes its comeback featuring a unique take of the 1980’s cult classic film.

by Leif Helland June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

An eye-level exterior photograph of a multi-story, modern mixed-use apartment building in downtown Tampa, Florida, located at 105 W Tyler Street. The ground floor features large, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a storefront entrance currently under construction, with dark-framed panes and visible interior framing. The building's exterior is light-colored concrete with industrial-style balconies above. A black trash receptacle stands on the sidewalk in the foreground, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.

New Mexican restaurant La Victoria opening in downtown Tampa this fall

It’s a block away from another forthcoming Mexican restaurant, Matilde.

by Leif Helland June 4, 2026June 9, 2026

An architectural, low-angle shot of the iconic, bright blue sign of the Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach, Florida. The vertical portion of the sign prominently displays the word 'THEATRE' in bold, white, capital letters. Beneath it, a horizontal marquee reads 'BEACH' in similar white, block lettering. The sign is set against a soft, pale, overcast sky, with the top of a palm tree visible in the upper-left corner and a dark, traditional-style street lamp visible on the left side of the frame.

Pulitzer-nominated play about the US Constitution comes to St. Pete Beach this summer

‘What The Constitution Means To Me’ opens just in time for America’s 250th birthday.

by Leif Helland June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

Music

Citing grand oak, Tampa officials delay development of controversial Live Nation venue in Ybor City

The Barrio Latino Commission will return on July 28 to discuss the tree and other issues.

by Leif Helland and Ray Roa May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

St. Pete beer staple Green Bench opens new location in downtown Tampa

The new outpost debuted in the former Pint and Brew spot next to Hotel Bar.

by Leif Helland May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

Sign for a Bitcoin ATM in a store window next to Visa and ADT security decals.