Columns Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A hand holds "The Hierophant" tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck against a soft pink background. The card depicts a religious figure in red robes and a triple crown, seated between two pillars and holding a scepter. A small stack of face-down tarot cards with a gold-and-white sun pattern is visible behind the held card.

Oracle of Ybor: I need to pull cards for my own troubles

Sometimes, I feel lost or overwhelmed with the world or frightened about the future.

by Caroline DeBruhl April 17, 2026April 17, 2026

Dear Reader, Over the past six years, I’ve written quite a few “very special columns” where I’ve pulled cards for the collective about ICE, about the loss of Roe V. Wade, about school shootings, the insurrection, and the second Trump election. Those types of columns were written as a call to action, a hope that […]

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaking at a White House press conference

8 incredible Tampa Bay spots to lay low if you’re trying to not testify about Jeffrey Epstein

From high-end restaurants to sunny beaches, what follows are the best local spots to lay low.

by Colin Wolf April 15, 2026April 15, 2026

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay joins ‘Local News Day’

We’re joining more than 1,300 newsrooms and 200 partners across the U.S.

by Ray Roa April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Close crop of the King of Wands tarot card

Oracle of Ybor: Should I bother leaving my toxic tech job?

And how to stay grounded with medical anxiety.

by Caroline DeBruhl April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers respond to Bondi getting fired, ‘Hunky Jesus’ party, and more

‘Well i guess the new owners of cl are same as the old owners. No hope for it being a decent rag anymore.’

by Ray Roa April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

President Donald J. Trump standing at a podium and smiling during a speech at Verst Logistics Manufacturing in Hebron, Kentucky, on March 11, 2026. He wears a dark suit and a purple tie, with an industrial warehouse setting visible in the background.

Op-ed: When it comes to concerns about their safety, our soldiers deserve better than ‘shit happens’

The president could learn a lot from the military commanders working tirelessly to prevent casualties.

by Mike Trentalange April 1, 2026April 3, 2026

A painting of the Public Universal Friend with a yellow and purple tint

Ask a Dyke: lessons in nonbinary love from a Quaker

‘You’re telling me you can’t do some femme-for-femme tonguing just because you wear a tie to dinner?’

by Jane Dyke and The Sapphic Sun March 31, 2026April 2, 2026

A conceptual architectural rendering of the proposed Tampa Police Department annex on Howard Avenue. The modern white and blue building is surrounded by a manicured green lawn, a winding gray sidewalk, and a white perimeter wall under a bright blue sky with palm trees.

Tampa City Council to discuss Rome Yard changes, and $21.7 million to help relocation of police facilities

Also on the agenda this week is the first public hearing for a proposed change to water and wastewater capacity fees which are similar to impact fees.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 31, 2026March 31, 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, 2026April 7, 2026

Grady Judd is woke now

Polk County’s favorite lawman is feeling the heat after asking for ‘common sense’ immigration policies.

by Colin Wolf March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

An aerial view of the Florida State Capitol complex in Tallahassee. The historic 1845 Capitol building with its grey dome and candy-striped awnings sits in the foreground, directly in front of the modern 22-story Executive Office Building tower. The surrounding plaza, legislative wings, and downtown Tallahassee skyline are visible under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

More and more, officials are simply ignoring Florida’s public records laws

Requests for public documents can go unanswered for weeks, months, even years.

by Martin Dyckman and The Florida Trident March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

Michael Bishop, founder of the Tampa Monitor, speaking into a studio microphone at WMNF 88.5 FM. The person has grey hair and a beard, wearing headphones and a dark blue jacket. The background features a corkboard with various posters, including one for The Beach Boys and an IMAX film.

Tampa Monitor is asking for help to finish building important reporting tools

It’s Sunshine Week, and the website helps all of us keep eyes and ears on Tampa City Council.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

A close-up illustration of the King of Swords from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck. A figure with a stern expression wears a yellow crown and a red hood under a blue tunic and purple cape. They hold a large silver sword upright in their right hand against a pale blue sky with a single cloud and soaring birds.

Columns, News & Views, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Oracle of Ybor: Your friend is a fucking asshole

I cannot imagine what it felt like to receive such an atom bomb of a letter.

by Caroline DeBruhl March 17, 2026March 17, 2026

A person wearing purple horns with a purple dyed long mohawk and piercings at a Pride celebration.

Ask a Dyke: How do I stop ghosting and keep connections?

You can’t navigate romance without platonic interactions.

by Jane Dyke and The Sapphic Sun March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

Three Tampa Bay organizations building networks to support immigrants

As ICE presence grows, long-time Tampa organizers are protecting local immigrants by building networks of support and resistance.

By Sea Harder/The Sapphic Sun March 6, 2026March 6, 2026

CityofTampa

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hear update to Land Development Code

There are 73 items on the agenda for Thursday, March 5.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Aerial view of the Downtown Tampa skyline and the Hillsborough River on a clear, sunny day. The image shows high-rise office buildings, the University of Tampa, and a major highway interchange with cars crossing the river into the urban center.

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hold special call Fiscal Year 27 workshop on Tuesday

The open discussion lets the body discuss budget priorities ahead of the mayor’s presentation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, speaking at a podium during a press conference. She is surrounded by supporters and holding a sign that reads "Protect Black Representation."

Op-ed: the The ‘Parents Over Platforms Act’ sounds good until you read what it actually does

‘Black and brown communities are already dealing with over-surveillance and data collection that gets weaponized against us.’

By Jasmine Burney-ClarkFebruary 26, 2026February 26, 2026

A close-up illustration of "The World" tarot card. A central figure with long blonde hair is depicted partially draped in a purple sash, holding two white wands while floating within a large oval wreath made of green leaves. The background is a solid light green, and white clouds are visible in the upper corners. The image has a classic, textured printing aesthetic with visible Ben-Day dots.

Oracle Of Ybor: I’m about to start a family with a longtime partner, but I keep thinking about my exes

I don’t think I still want them…but I do think I still want them to want ME.

by Caroline DeBruhl February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

Tampa Bay writers and AI pros weigh in using Chat GPT this Valentine’s Day

If love is blind, Claude writing your love story has to be worse than catfishing.

by Madison Dudley February 13, 2026February 13, 2026