Close-up of a protest sign made from a brown paper bag, held by a person whose shoulder is visible. The handwritten sign reads: "287(g) Strains Local Resources."

Tampa police gets $430K for additional immigration enforcement

Most of the additional funding goes to overtime for police officers to engage in undefined ‘immigration enforcement efforts.’

by Valerie Smith November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

A woman (Suzy Lopez, left) wearing a dark navy shirt stands at a wooden podium speaking into a microphone, flanked by a man in a suit and a seated police officer to the right.

News & Views

Hillsborough state attorney backs out of criminal justice panel after organizer declined to provide questions in advance

Suzy Lopez’s office called the situation a ‘miscommunication’ and said questions are usually offered to panel participants in advance.

by Valerie Smith November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

Police officers gather near a damaged silver car crashed into a storefront. The scene is marked off by yellow police tape in the foreground.

News & Views

FHP didn’t stop chasing vehicle until seconds before fatal Ybor City crash, video shows

Bradley’s on 7th was about 1,000 feet from where the chase was discontinued by the primary pursuing vehicle.

by Valerie Smith November 9, 2025November 9, 2025

The entrance sign for Williams Park in St. Petersburg, Florida, is visible under large oak trees, with people walking through a market area and a modern skyscraper towering in the sunlit background.

News & Views

Judge says SPLC cannot intervene in lawsuit over homeless people in Williams Park

In an unusual move for a hotly contested suit, the plaintiff and the defense filed a joint motion against SPLC’s intervention.

by Valerie Smith November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

A woman with long brown hair and blue-framed glasses smiles brightly while sitting in front of a broadcast microphone inside a radio studio. A bulletin board is visible to her right, and another person is partially visible next to her.

News & Views

Tampa Ethics Commission change could define neighborhood association representatives as lobbyists

A city spokesperson told CL the change was not intended to obstruct communication between neighborhood associations and the city.

by Valerie Smith October 23, 2025October 24, 2025

Side-by-side photo of two speakers at an event. On the left, a man in a dark suit and tie speaks into a microphone. On the right, a woman in an orange dress also speaks into a microphone while seated. Both appear engaged in discussion against a dark backdrop.

News & Views

Here’s what the money says in the special election for Tampa City Council District 5

Thomas Scott raised more than twice as much, with most of the difference coming from Realtors and developers.

by Valerie Smith October 13, 2025October 16, 2025

Two people wearing masks stand at a colorful outdoor table display with harm reduction supplies, books, and Narcan boxes, one flashing a peace sign and the other holding reading material.

News & Views

Clearwater-based street medics reject nonprofit model to reduce harm for neighbors

The Transformers-themed team can be spotted on the streets of Pinellas county, caring for residents who don’t have permanent housing and might otherwise not receive medical attention.

by Valerie Smith September 24, 2025September 24, 2025

News & Views

SPLC jumps into lawsuit over homeless people in St. Pete’s Williams Park

Progressive People’s Action, with help from the nonprofit civil rights organization, filed a motion to intervene in a restaurant owner’s attempt to compel the city to enforce a statute banning overnight public sleeping.

by Valerie Smith August 29, 2025September 1, 2025