Columns Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Electing David Jolly is 100 times better than living through more DeSantis-flavored government

From attorney general, to CFO and ag commish, it’s time to turn the governor’s Cabinet inside out.

by Ray Roa October 26, 2026October 26, 2026

Progressive Democrats might all be holding their noses voting for David Jolly (who didn’t quit the Republican Party until 2018 and waited until last year to put another capital D on his name), but the fact is that the stench coming from the governor’s Cabinet is putrid. Up and down the ticket, Florida deserves new […]

A stock photograph by Anna Mente showing the Four of Wands tarot card. Captured in a top-down flat-lay perspective on a dark rustic wooden table, a single face-up Rider-Waite Four of Wands tarot card rests next to a stacked deck with white-and-gold geometric backs. The card depicts four wooden wands wrapped in flower garlands with two figures in celebratory robes holding bouquets in front of a castle under warm, top-lit illumination.

Columns, News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: I keep getting my heart broken by these dudes, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me

The dusty fuck boys are back.

by Caroline DeBruhl October 26, 2026

A stock photograph by DimaBerlin. Captured in a eye-level medium shot inside a modern, brightly lit bedroom, a bald man with a dark trimmed beard sits on the edge of a bed holding a white smartphone with both hands, gazing down intently at the screen. He wears a white crew-neck t-shirt, dark shorts, and a black smartwatch on his left wrist, set against a minimal white wall background featuring a split-system air conditioner unit and a teal-accented bedspread.

Columns, News & Views

Tell me about how your big belly is affecting your performance in bed

‘I’ve seen advertisements for special pillows to help make the act easier, but I’m afraid that’s just too damn unsexy.’

By Claire S. & Carly T. October 26, 2026

An event portrait photograph showing Sen. Brian Nathan at Westshore Grand Hotel in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 8, 2026. Captured in a centered medium shot inside a banquet hall, Florida State Senator Brian Nathan stands smiling directly at the camera. He wears rectangular eyeglass frames, a full beard, a dark navy suit, a white dress shirt, and a plaid tie in shades of blue, red, and silver with a gold lapel pin attached to his suit jacket, set against a hotel ballroom filled with seated event guests under warm overhead chandelier lighting.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Tampa Bay’s Florida State Senators

To Republicans, every Democrat is a pawn in the spooky socialist agenda.

by Ray Roa October 23, 2026October 26, 2026

A professional portrait photograph showing Lindsey Grove. Captured in a centered medium close-up shot against a smooth studio gradient backdrop, public health leader and political candidate Lindsey Grove smiles directly at the camera. She wears dark hair pulled back into a low ponytail, dark red lipstick, a light blue open-collar dress shirt, and a dark blue blazer under soft studio lighting.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: St. Petersburg City Council, mayor, referendums and charter amendments

Linsey Grove, Ken Welch, and Gabriel Hament among candidates that should be sent to city hall.

by CL Staff October 23, 2026October 26, 2026

A campaign portrait photo showing Democratic candidate May Thach. Captured in a centered medium shot outdoors, non-profit professional and Florida House District 61 candidate May Thach smiles warmly off-camera. She wears long dark hair with soft waves, drop earrings, a white ruffle-trimmed sheer blouse, and a dark blue pinstriped vest, standing in front of a softly blurred garden courtyard with tropical foliage under warm natural sunlight.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Pinellas state representatives, county commission, and school board

May Thach and Lindsay Polega-Quigley deserve to go to Tallahassee.

by CL Staff October 23, 2026October 26, 2026

A news press photograph showing Neil Manimala at C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library in Tampa, Florida on July 9, 2026. Captured in a centered medium shot, candidate Neil Manimala speaks into a hand-held black microphone while addressing an audience. He is bald with a trimmed beard and dark-rimmed glasses, wearing a textured navy blue blazer over an open-collar white dress shirt with a blue name tag pinned to his lapel, set against a plain light wall background under soft indoor lighting.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough County Commission, School Board and referendums

Voters have a unique opportunity to shape their county government for generations.

by CL Staff October 23, 2026October 26, 2026

A news press photograph showing Kimberly Overman at August 8, 2026, at the Westshore Grand Hotel in Tampa, Florida. Captured in a centered medium shot against a white backdrop printed with repeating red-and-blue political "D" logos, former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kimberly Overman poses with hands on her hips, smiling directly at the camera. She wears round optical glasses, a statement silver necklace, and a black-and-white patterned dress paired with a matching open-front jacket with three-quarter sleeves under bright event lighting.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Hillsborough and Pinellas congressional seats

Overman, People, Castor, and Kirschner lead the way.

by Ray Roa and Colin Wolf October 22, 2026October 26, 2026

A graphic illustration showing A crop from the Oct. 22, 2026 cover of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Set against a bold red background, the image features a vintage-style three-sided voting booth. The left panel is textured light blue with bold red block lettering reading "VOTING GUIDE," while the white front panel displays an American flag icon above bold dark navy text reading "VOTE." A large white letter "CL" appears in the upper left corner, with issue details in small white text along the top right.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: How to vote in Tampa Bay, and who we’re voting for

Early voting runs now through Nov. 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

by Ray Roa and Colin Wolf October 22, 2026October 26, 2026

An aerial top-down photo shows a suburban residential neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, featuring single-family homes with private swimming pools, landscaped backyards, green lawns, and clean paved streets lined with palm trees.

Creative Loafing voting guide 2026: Florida’s Constitutional Amendments

Vote ‘No’ on all three.

by Ray Roa October 22, 2026October 26, 2026

A stock photograph by Prostock-studio/Shutterstock showing A stock image of two humans just working on their gains in the gym. Captured in a medium shot inside a modern fitness center, two athletic individuals pause to talk by a barbell bench press station. On the left, a blonde man wearing a black tank top and shorts sits on the workout bench holding a water bottle with a white towel draped around his neck; on the right, a man in a gray sleeveless hoodie and sweatpants leans against the loaded barbell while smiling, illuminated by warm overhead gym lights against a concrete pillar.

Tell me about the new gym buddy you feel like coming out to

Let’s take this one step at a time.

By Claire S. & Carly T.October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

An elevated drone photo showing Halloween On Central in St. Petersburg, Florida on Oct. 27, 2024. Captured looking down Central Avenue in the Grand Central District, thousands of attendees fill the pedestrian-only street lined with vendor tents, colorful murals, and trees. The city skyline and surrounding buildings extend into the distance under a partly cloudy sky illuminated by soft daylighting.

Column: The Trop doesn’t suck. Our transit does

The Rays may be getting closer to a new stadium but the core problem remains: how will people get there?

by Thomas Hallock October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

A outdoor political rally photograph by Dave Decker showing Sen. Bernie Sanders (L) and Florida Rep. Angie Nixon at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, Florida on Oct. 16, 2026. Captured in a full-length shot under a canopy tent on a wet, reflective stage, Sen. Bernie Sanders (left) wears a light blue button-down shirt, dark trousers, brown shoes, and glasses, holding hands with Florida Rep. Angie Nixon (right), who wears a black graphic t-shirt reading "ANGIE", blue jeans, and bright pink shoes. Both wave and walk forward together as a crowd of supporters applauds behind metal barricades in the background under overcast daylighting.

In Ybor City, Angie Nixon and Bernie Sanders rally against ‘lying, cheating, scheming, thieving Ashley Moody’ (w/photos)

Sanders, an Independent, rallied for the progressive Democrat, saying, ‘They got the money. We got the people.’

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

A news photo showing Mayor Ken Welch at The Hub Innovation District in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 27, 2024. Captured in a medium shot over the shoulders of attendees seated around a conference table, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch sits at the head of the meeting wearing a light pink button-down dress shirt, a red tie, and glasses with a gray beard, looking forward as a colleague in a black blazer seated beside him listens intently under bright indoor office lighting near a window.

St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch deserves another term

Charlie Crist is likeable, but I don’t trust his reasons for running.

by David Warner and CL Staff October 19, 2026October 19, 2026

An official judicial portrait photograph showing Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz. Captured in a medium close-up, Justice Carlos Muñiz faces forward with a slight smile, short brown hair, and clean-shaven face. He wears black judicial robes over a white collared dress shirt and a blue pattern necktie, set against a background featuring wood-paneled law library bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes, flanked by the United States flag on the left and the Florida state flag on the right.

Op-ed: Vote ‘No’ on retaining Florida Supreme Court Justice Carlos Muñiz

The DeSantis appointee overruled precedent in arguments that opened the door for Florida’s six-week abortion ban.

by Ray Roa October 13, 2026October 13, 2026

Oracle of Ybor: I’m about to be a mom and need help figuring out what new parts of life to embrace

Get ready to do a lot of pivoting.

by Caroline DeBruhl October 12, 2026October 12, 2026

Columns, News & Views

Op-ed: No matter what happens with Amendment 3, Florida needs to turn its attention to fixing property insurance

Bob Henriquez is the Property Appraiser for Hillsborough County, Florida, first elected in 2012.

By Bob HenriquezOctober 9, 2026October 9, 2026

A candid outdoor photograph showing Brian Pepal and Penny. Captured in a medium shot along a waterfront park path during late afternoon daylight, Brian Pepal kneels next to a wooden park bench while smiling and holding a tan dog wearing a pink harness. He wears sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a black graphic t-shirt, set against a calm body of water and a distant shoreline under a clear sky.

Column: Stepmother of Brian Pepal remembers her stepson, who was killed by St. Pete police

Lanette Cruz said Pepal loved and was loved by his family and dog.

Op-ed by Lanette CruzOctober 8, 2026October 8, 2026

A night photograph of the bronze sculpture 'Princess Ulele' by Vala Ola at Ulele in Tampa, Florida. Captured in a low-angle shot against a deep twilight sky, the bronze statue depicts a young Native American woman standing above a lit fire feature surrounded by rocks, with her left arm raised upward toward the sky. In the dark background, silhouettes of oak and palm trees are lit by subtle outdoor landscape lighting.

Seven things Tampa residents should probably know about ‘Princess Ulele’

The woman we know as ‘Ulele’ is mentioned in only two of the five firsthand (or partially so) accounts of the expedition of Hernando de Soto, which landed in Tampa Bay in 1539.

Op-ed by Tom PluckhahnOctober 8, 2026October 8, 2026

A radio studio interview photograph by Ray Roa showing Amaris Castillo at WMNF in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 18, 2026. Captured in a close-up shot inside a broadcast booth, Amaris Castillo gestures with her left hand while holding over-ear studio headphones to her right ear and speaking. She features long dark curly hair, red manicured nails, and a dark blue patterned top, set against a studio microphone, wooden wall paneling, and a glass control room window under bright indoor studio lighting.

Tampa Bay area author Amaris Castillo grew up in her parents’ bodega, and that’s probably why she was so nice to me

Her Oct. 10 book talk in Tampa is among the best literary events happening locally from Oct. 8-15.

by Gabe Echazabal October 7, 2026October 7, 2026