News & Views Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

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

No recount after Hillsborough Democrat flips Florida Senate seat, says division of elections

Brian Nathan beat Republican Josie Tomkow by 405 votes.

by Ray Roa March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

Even Brian Nathan thought his race against Republican Josie Tomkow was going to a recount. The union leader and Democrat flipped Florida’s District 14 Senate seat blue last Tuesday night, but was not quite within the 0.5% margin of victory to avoid a recount. Still, most credible news sources called the race for Nathan after […]

Florida universities remove sociology from general education courses

It’s part of the state’s push against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Florida’s public university system.

by News Service of Florida March 27, 2026March 27, 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

Investigative journalist Amy Goodman crouches in the street to interview a protester during a rally in Milwaukee. Goodman, wearing a navy blue long-sleeve shirt and a black baseball cap, holds a microphone up toward a person in a black t-shirt and jeans who is shouting through a blue megaphone. In the background, a diverse crowd of protesters holds signs, including one that reads 'No Justice, No Peace.' Other members of the media, including a camera operator in a lime green shirt, are visible in the busy urban setting.

Amy Goodman is bringing ‘Democracy Now!’ documentary to Tampa this summer

The new, approximately 100-minute, film explores the life and career of Goodman, her countless stints on the frontlines of history, and a tenacious pursuit of truth-telling still unrivaled in mainstream journalism.

by Ray Roa March 26, 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

St. Pete home of Florence Robinson, owner of historic Floronton Hotel, is now for sale

The Floronton Hotel was a big deal for St. Petersburg.

by Colin Wolf 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

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned blue tie and a white shirt. An American flag pin is on his lapel. He has short, dark brown hair and is gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. In the blurred background, there's a golf cart and what appears to be a large, taxidermied animal. The image is credited to Dave Decker.

DeSantis says if Cuba falls, he hopes exiles will want to leave Florida and rebuild the island

“Kids and grandkids will be going to spring break there,” DeSantis continued.

by News Service of Florida March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

The South Tampa home of award-winning architect Rick Rados is now for sale

Some of Rados’ schools include Jefferson High School and Plant City High School.

by Colin Wolf March 26, 2026March 26, 2026

Trump’s unpopularity, high gas prices and more, helped Florida Dems flip two seats, says analysts

“President Trump’s unpopularity cast a long, dark shadow over these Republican candidates in these races.”

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida March 25, 2026March 25, 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

A portrait of Brian Nathan, candidate for Florida State Senate District 14. They are a bald person with a salt-and-pepper beard and glasses, smiling warmly at the camera. They are wearing a light blue button-down shirt and standing in a room with blue walls. In the background, there is a wooden door, a window looking into another room, and a bulletin board with various papers pinned to it.

Democrat Brian Nathan wins special election for Hillsborough Senate seat

He beat Republican Josie Tomkow by just over 400 votes, but is not safe from a recount.

by Ray Roa March 24, 2026March 25, 2026

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor wearing a rainbow "mayor" sash at Tampa Pride 2024

This could be the last LGBTQ+ Pride season for Florida’s government officials

A bill banning DEI in government awaits DeSantis’ signature.

by Selene San Felice March 24, 2026March 24, 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

A protester holds a large rectangular sign in Downtown Tampa during a 'No Kings' demonstration. The sign features a stylized, four-color illustration of Donald Trump in the iconic blue and red 'HOPE' poster style, but with a black toothbrush mustache added. The word 'NOPE' is written in bold blue letters at the bottom. In the background, a crowd of people, palm trees, and city buildings are visible under a bright, sunny sky.

No Kings protests are scheduled across Tampa Bay on Saturday

Based on past turnout, thousands are expected to attend.

by Ray Roa March 23, 2026March 24, 2026

Creative Loafing readers respond to Grady Judd going woke, a Paramore cover concert, and more

‘CL Tampa is MAGA now.’

by Ray Roa March 23, 2026March 23, 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

Boston Dynamics Spot robot B69 with mounted sensors standing on a concrete path outside a modern industrial building

Tampa Police Department wants taxpayers to pay $2 million for new guns and a robot dog

St. Petersburg police purchased its robot dog with a private donation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

Some candidates for Hillsborough School Board agree superintendent should not be an elected position

District 2 candidate Brittany Lyssy was not in attendance at Tampa Tiger Bay last Friday.

by Chris Young and WMNF News 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