Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium labeled "Establishing Florida's AI Bill of Rights" with American Flags behind him and a tv camera and audience members in the foreground.

News & Views

DeSantis’ ‘AI Bill of Rights’ stalls in House

The bill’s House version has been assigned to four committees—a historic sign of leadership opposition.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

A view from behind a crowd of people gathered outdoors for an event at a white, single-story building. In the center, a person stands on a porch next to a black sign that reads "BLACK HISTORY MATTERS." Attendees in the foreground wear colorful summer clothing, including a bright patterned dress and a purple t-shirt, while one person on the right holds up a smartphone to record the scene. The setting is lush with large oak trees and palm trees under a clear, sunny sky.

News & Views

‘You can’t erase truth’: Black History Month events around Tampa Bay

by Ray Roa February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

News & Views

There’s a lot to love about Jupiter, Florida Aquarium’s goliath grouper

Goliath grouper gather for summertime orgies. Adult females flip gender, as needed. The schools find a way, as community, to survive.

by Thomas Hallock February 9, 2026February 9, 2026

A person with a long, bushy white beard and wide eyes speaks into a megaphone. They are wearing a large black rubber boot on their head like a tall hat. The megaphone has a sticker that reads "VERMIN SUPREME" and another pink sticker that says "MAKE OUT NOT WAR." The individual has one hand raised, and the background shows a crowd of people in front of a tall, multi-story building.

News & Views

Interview: Before two Tampa shows, Vermin Supreme talks origins, fighting fascism, and more

The political prankster and activist ran his first campaign in 1987.

by Kelly Benjamin February 9, 2026February 10, 2026

people fishing and swimming by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge

News & Views

Potentially dangerous levels of ‘forever chemicals’ found across Tampa Bay region

Researchers documented levels of PFAS that far exceed the EPA recommendations in Tampa Bay’s water, fish and sediments.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings February 6, 2026February 6, 2026

A low-angle, wide-lens shot of two people at a party. The person in the center wears a black cap, white earmuffs, and a black sleeveless shirt with the white text 'WHO ATE ALL THE PUSSY?'. A second person leans in from the right, playfully sticking their tongue out toward the shirt. The background is filled with other dancers and blurred warm lighting.

News & Views

Ask a Dyke: How do I meet other lesbians IRL?

You don’t have to resort to giving yourself a fucked up haircut and browsing the flower section at Trader Joe’s.

by Jane Dyke and The Sapphic Sun February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

A dynamic, close-up live performance shot of a musician playing a white electric guitar under intense green stage lighting. The person wears a striped t-shirt and a black headband with white text, their face partially obscured by bright, starburst-like light flares. The background is dark with a warm orange glow visible on the left, capturing the high-energy atmosphere of a concert.

News & Views

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening Feb. 5-12

Including Emo Night Tampa’s Rock the Park takeover, a J Dilla memorial, Digable Planets, and more.

by Ray Roa, Selene San Felice and Josh Bradley February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

Four people stand together framed within a stone archway of an overgrown, ivy-covered ruin. On the left, a person in a tan jacket and yellow shirt leans against the stone. In the center, two people stand close together—one in a dark blue jacket and the other partially obscured behind them. On the right, a person in a bright blue-and-purple jacket and a camouflage cap looks toward the camera. A weathered wooden fence is visible on the far right against the mossy stone walls.

News & Views

Theremin-wielding Ohio punk band Dana plays no-cover St. Pete show on Wednesday

Permanent Makeup is among the openers at The Bends.

by Ray Roa February 5, 2026February 5, 2026

A person with long brown hair stands at a street corner, speaking into a handheld microphone while wearing sunglasses and a tan cardigan. They are surrounded by several other people holding protest signs that read "RATE HIKES AREN'T INEVITABLE," "TAKE BACK THE GRID," and "PUBLIC POWER CAN'T BE BEAT." The background shows a sunny city street with palm trees and a red emergency vehicle in the distance.

News & Views

Dump Duke says public power is cheaper, more reliable, than what St. Pete is getting now

The group held a Jan. 28 press conference alongside other community action groups.

by Valerie Smith February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

News & Views

In Pinellas, a dark money-funded ‘Energy Alliance’ is working against the push for publicly-owned electricity

Incorporation paperwork for Pinellas Energy Alliance says the group is organized to represent the interests of electric utility companies

by Valerie Smith February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

A wide-angle selfie of a person in a charcoal grey polo shirt and a brown "Vet Voice Foundation" baseball cap. They are wearing sunglasses and smiling in front of a stone wall labeled "MARCH OF FREEDOM," where several other people are sitting. The background features a brick-paved plaza with palm trees, a blue event tent, and tall city buildings under a bright, partly cloudy sky.

News & Views

Army vet who blew the whistle on Trump joins race to run against Tampa’s Sen. Ashley Moody

Retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman joins Jacksonville state Rep. Angie Nixon and former Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins in the race for the Democratic nomination.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

A close-up, low-angle shot from behind a police cruiser, focusing on the illuminated red and amber emergency light bar on the roof. The numbers "303" are visible on the trunk in the foreground. In the blurred background, another police vehicle's lights are visible on a tree-lined street under a bright, overcast sky.

News & Views

Proposed Florida law would require corroboration to make anonymous complaints against cops

Law enforcement remains split on the proposal.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix February 3, 2026February 3, 2026

A woman with her head covered speaks at a podium with a group of people behind her.

News & Views

On ‘Muslim Day,’ CAIR Florida fights terrorist label in Tallahassee

Tampa-based CAIR Florida is speaking out against several bills filed this legislative session, including one designating it a terrorist organization.

by Mitch Perry February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A wide shot of the Tampa City Council seated at a curved wooden dais during a morning workshop. Seven council members are visible behind the desk, with the City of Tampa seal and American and Florida flags centered on the wall behind them. A digital overlay in the corner identifies the meeting as a "Tampa City Council 9:00 a.m. Workshop" dated January 29, 2026.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Council approves additional funding for South Howard Flood Relief project

The project’s future is still in doubt after councilmembers approved moving $21.5 million to the effort.

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

A group of thirteen people stand together in a breakroom or meeting space, all raising one fist in a gesture of solidarity. They are dressed in casual and work attire, including t-shirts and polo shirts, smiling toward the camera. The room has grey walls with blue wainscoting, several rows of blue plastic chairs in the foreground, and long white tables along the side.

News & Views

Union push at Tampa International Airport sees restaurant workers asking contractor for fair process to organize

Employees of SPP America want the same benefits as their unionized counterparts in Orlando.

by McKenna Schueler February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A daytime street-level view of Rey Park in Tampa. The scene features a corner intersection with a yellow pedestrian crossing sign and a street sign for Howard and Cherry. Large, mature oak trees with hanging Spanish moss shade the park, which is enclosed by a black chain-link fence. In the background, park benches and a small white sign for the park are visible under a clear blue sky.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council could approve up to $5 million for parks in West Tampa and Gandy

Gandy & Palonis Park, and West Tampa’s Rey Park are up for discussion

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

Two people in professional attire stand in conversation indoors. The individual on the left is wearing a grey textured blazer, a silver pendant necklace, and long earrings while holding a plastic water bottle and gesturing with their hand. The individual on the right is wearing a dark olive suit jacket and a blue patterned tie, standing with their arms crossed. In the background, a large landscape painting of a sunset over a body of water is partially visible.

News & Views

Gulfport hears from Jennifer Webb, others running for city council

Two seats are up for grabs, with the election set for March 10.

By Leah Budrick / WMNF NewsFebruary 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A person with curly brown hair and glasses sits in a blue chair, speaking into a black handheld microphone. They are wearing a dark navy blazer over a white patterned button-down shirt, captured in a candid moment during a panel or presentation with a white wall and a blue television screen in the background.

News & Views

Public defender to bring services directly to Tampa residents with ‘PD13 Street Legal’

Lisa McLean, will bring her office and more to the University Community Resource Center from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 21.

by Valerie Smith January 31, 2026January 31, 2026

News & Views

Florida weighs state university visa hiring freeze at DeSantis’ request

University of South Florida had 107 H-1B visa recipients in FY2025.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

An individual in a red leotard performs a graceful leap in mid-air along a waterfront promenade at dusk. Their reflection is visible in the calm water, with a city skyline, palm trees, and sailboats in a marina under a soft, cloudy sky in the background.

News & Views

Mackenzie Mclean is a dancer, a teacher—and executive director of the Pinellas Dance Collective

Graduating from PCCA in 2023, the now-20-year-old won a scholarship to her dream school in California but decided to stay in St. Pete.

by David Warner January 29, 2026January 29, 2026