View of the historic Old City Hall building in Tampa, showing the clock tower and architectural details against a clear blue sky, framed by dark tree branches.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Council to vote on $7 million for private armed security at city facilities, more

Establishment of the Charter Review Commission, grants for TPD and more are among 80 agenda items for Nov. 20.

by Ray Roa November 17, 2025November 21, 2025

The Five of Swords tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck is centered among a pile of scattered cards. The card depicts a man holding three swords and looking over his shoulder while two defeated figures walk away, leaving two swords on the ground.

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: I’m worried about my somewhat controlling daughter who moved from Florida to rural Missouri

Her husband is kind, but can be a bit cocky, too.

by Caroline DeBruhl November 14, 2025November 14, 2025

A Tricolored Heron stands in shallow, watery terrain surrounded by green plants, showing its dark blue-gray feathers, white belly, and long yellow bill.

News & Views

Sarasota Audubon Society saves bird sanctuary from nearby development

Property next to Celery Fields was targeted for development by the nation’s largest homebuilder.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix November 6, 2025November 6, 2025

Close-up of a person wearing a denim jacket, holding a dark-colored iPhone with the triple camera system visible on the back.

News & Views

Ask A Dyke: My summer fling blocked me—do I still have a chance?

She broke things off awkwardly and I could not feel normal about it. I have literally never been loved so passionately.

by Jane Dyke and The Sapphic Sun November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

Close-up illustration of the Three of Cups Tarot card from the Rider-Waite deck, showing three figures celebrating together by raising three golden cups against a blue background.

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: I’m in a ‘What am I doing with my life?’ spiral

The cards suggest spending the next six weeks reflecting.

by Caroline DeBruhl November 4, 2025November 4, 2025

Group photo of six people, including a Black woman in a white blouse (Naya Young, center-right), standing in a city council chamber in front of the official City of Tampa seal and a wood-paneled wall.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Tree trust fund, $350K for the ferry, and a $67 million question in front of city council this week

New Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young will cast her first votes from the dais on Thursday, Nov. 6.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor November 3, 2025November 3, 2025

View of downtown Tampa skyline centered on the historic City Hall building with its clock tower, flanked by much taller, modern glass skyscrapers, including the PNC Bank building.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City attorney apologizes after proposing policy change that would’ve redefined neighborhood leaders as lobbyists

City Attorney Andrea Zelman said it was never her intent to infringe on the public’s ability to speak to their elected officials or the administration.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 27, 2025October 28, 2025

View of a busy cruise terminal with a large white cruise ship docked behind the gray Terminal 2 building. A prominent sign reading "PORT TAMPA BAY" is visible above the building.

News & Views

La Gaceta: Tampa Republican is right in wanting to end Port Tampa Bay property tax

No other port in Florida collects property tax and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority doesn’t either.

by Patrick Manteiga and La Gaceta October 27, 2025October 27, 2025

A portrait of a bald, dark-skinned man with a gray goatee, wearing a checked dress shirt and a navy tie, standing next to a smiling woman with dark hair pulled back. The woman is wearing a white blouse and a bright orange blazer. They are standing indoors next to a wood-paneled wall and a bulletin board.

News & Views

It’s time to elect Naya Young to Tampa City Council

Thomas Scott undoubtedly cares about the district and city at large. But how many times will we ask a new generation of leadership to wait their turn?

by Ray Roa October 22, 2025October 22, 2025

A severe flood scene where a wide residential street is completely submerged under a dark sheet of water mixed with debris and leaves. The water reflects the large trees and palm trees lining the sides of the street under a bright sky.

Columns

$4.1 million for South Tampa Howard Avenue flood relief project goes in front of city council this week

And to remind folks, we’re talking about every day summer afternoon thunderstorms flooding.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

A middle-aged man in a baseball cap, dark t-shirt, and shorts stands on the curb with his fist raised, holding a sign that reads "I Won't Bend the Knee." Other protesters are visible in the background.

News & Views

Column: This boomer went to a St. Pete ‘No Kings’ protest—and no one gave him an Antifa black bloc

We stayed about an hour—and didn’t get clubbed or tear-gassed by National Guardsmen. But I did slip on a curb while walking and snapping pics and almost sprained my ankle.

by Eric Snider October 20, 2025October 20, 2025

A weathered alligator skull lies among green marsh grass and reeds on the muddy shore of Lake Okeechobee under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

News & Views

Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the US, report says

Those in the know, said the bad rating was dead-on.

by Craig Pittman and Florida Phoenix October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

A rendering of the Tampa Channelside District, showing a large white Ferris wheel structure, the abstract "Exploding Chicken" sculpture in a roundabout, and cruise ships docked at Port Tampa Bay.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council to discuss Channelside observation wheel, officially dissolve city’s Racial Reconciliation Committee, and more

Future land use updates, regulating pickleball, the ‘Tree Trust Fund,’ and more are also on the agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

A close-up illustration of the Ace of Pentacles tarot card, showing a pale hand reaching out from a white, spiraling cloud in the top left. The hand is holding a large, bright yellow coin or disc inscribed with a black pentagram (five-pointed star). The background is a bright blue with subtle white rays of light emanating from the coin.

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: What do the cards say about being able to actually buy a house?

I do think you’ll be able to find a house that feels like a lasting love.

by Caroline DeBruhl October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

Governor Ron DeSantis, wearing a dark navy suit and tie, stands with a serious expression at an outdoor or indoor event. The background includes a wood-paneled wall and various items suggesting an outdoor theme, such as a boat seat, what appears to be a gun case or cover, and ammunition boxes.

News & Views

Florida’s lame duck governor has only 15 months left to ride the taxpayer gravy train

What’s next for Ron DeSantis?

by Diane Roberts and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A person with spiky, blue-black hair and sunglasses is smiling slightly at the camera. They are wearing a black t-shirt. The background is blurred, showing other people and what appears to be a crowd.

News & Views

Ask A Dyke: Lea DeLaria has advice for butch dykes with ‘crazy internalized homophobia’

The ‘Orange Is the New Black’ star’s tough love is spot on.

by Jane Dyke and The Sapphic Sun October 2, 2025September 30, 2025

An aerial view of an urban landscape. In the foreground are lower-rise brick and stucco buildings with parking lots, while a major highway overpass separates this area from a dense city skyline with skyscrapers in the distance.

News & Views

Citing extraordinary circumstances, Tampa City Council takes step towards raising mobility impact fees

The city of Tampa hasn’t increased the fees since they were put in place in 1989.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

Two men are picketing outdoors in front of a gray metal building. A man on the left, wearing a blue shirt and a striped tie, holds a sign that says "10 ROADS TEAMSTERS ULP STRIKE." A second man, whose back is to the camera, holds a similar sign.

Columns, News & Views, Tampa Bay News

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera loves being Latino—here’s 10 reasons why

‘Do not let the bigots fool you: Latinos come here to work.’

by Luis Viera September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

A white General Motors police SUV with black trim and emergency lights on display at an auto show, featuring “POLICE” and “Emergency 911” markings on the side, surrounded by attendees in the background.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Council to discuss 14 EV cop cars, budget adoption, more

Development agreements for infill lots owned by the city are also on the Sept. 18 agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Aerial view of downtown Tampa at sunset, with glowing streaks of highway traffic winding through the foreground and tall skyscrapers lit against a colorful sky of orange, pink, and blue clouds.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City says portions of its Women & Minority Business Enterprise program have been suspended

The news came to light at the latest CRA meeting.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 15, 2025September 15, 2025

Meet The Chefs - Now in St. Pete & Tampa - Save & Get Your Tickets Now!

Columns

Tampa Monitor: Council to vote on $7 million for private armed security at city facilities, more

Oracle of Ybor: I’m worried about my somewhat controlling daughter who moved from Florida to rural Missouri

Sarasota Audubon Society saves bird sanctuary from nearby development

Ask A Dyke: My summer fling blocked me—do I still have a chance?

Oracle of Ybor: I’m in a ‘What am I doing with my life?’ spiral

Tampa Monitor: Tree trust fund, $350K for the ferry, and a $67 million question in front of city council this week

Tampa Monitor: City attorney apologizes after proposing policy change that would’ve redefined neighborhood leaders as lobbyists

La Gaceta: Tampa Republican is right in wanting to end Port Tampa Bay property tax

It’s time to elect Naya Young to Tampa City Council

$4.1 million for South Tampa Howard Avenue flood relief project goes in front of city council this week

Column: This boomer went to a St. Pete ‘No Kings’ protest—and no one gave him an Antifa black bloc

Lake Okeechobee is the dirtiest lake in the US, report says

Tampa Monitor: City council to discuss Channelside observation wheel, officially dissolve city’s Racial Reconciliation Committee, and more

Oracle of Ybor: What do the cards say about being able to actually buy a house?

Florida’s lame duck governor has only 15 months left to ride the taxpayer gravy train

Ask A Dyke: Lea DeLaria has advice for butch dykes with ‘crazy internalized homophobia’

Citing extraordinary circumstances, Tampa City Council takes step towards raising mobility impact fees

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera loves being Latino—here’s 10 reasons why

Tampa Monitor: Council to discuss 14 EV cop cars, budget adoption, more

Tampa Monitor: City says portions of its Women & Minority Business Enterprise program have been suspended

Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. is selling his Florida mega-mansion for $27 million

The Clearwater home of late jazz legend Chick Corea is now for sale

Photos: East Tampa celebrates Fair Oaks rec center opening with Mayor Jane Castor

Tampa’s historic Arthur Milam mansion on Davis Islands is now on the market