An aerial view 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 developer has plans to put an observation wheel in Channelside, but some residents aren’t along for the ride

The proposal is set to go before Tampa City Council on Oct. 9 and again on Oct. 23.

by Alisha Durosier October 6, 2025October 7, 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 middle-aged man with a gray goatee and mustache, wearing a light gray suit and blue striped tie, speaks animatedly, gesturing with his right hand toward a group of news microphones. The backdrop features an ornate dark wood and metal staircase.

News & Views

Florida DOGE leader quietly seeks $600K to spend on staff

Blaise Ingoglia wants to establish a new ‘Florida Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Office.’

by Michelle DeMarco and The Florida Trident October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A man in a red hat stands between two young men with curly hair. They are holding a large white sign with the phrase "WE ARE CHARLIE KIRK" written on it in bold, red paint. They are standing near a body of water under a partly cloudy sky.

News & Views

Florida education commissioner names state’s top debate trophy after Charlie Kirk

The Florida civics and debate initiative was launched while New College President Richard Corcoran was serving as the state education commissioner.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

Five friends sit on a blanket on the grass at an outdoor Pride event. Two individuals in the center are wearing rainbow-themed shirts and smiling broadly, surrounded by others wearing casual summer attire. A stage and a large crowd are visible in the background.

News & Views

Equality Florida responds after DeSantis’ DOGE says Pinellas and St. Pete are wasting money on Pride events

‘A pathetic effort to distract from his corruption, inside dealing, and scandals.’

by Mitch E. Perry and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

News & Views

Gainesville teacher fights state over ‘dictator’ certificate allegation

Watts’ attorneys disputed the state’s allegations, which also included that the teacher’s ‘conduct embarrassed and disparaged’ the student.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

A man with dark hair and a suit A man in a dark suit jacket and tie is seated in a dark, studio-like setting, wearing a pair of black over-ear headphones. He is looking off to the side with a serious expression. A microphone on an arm stand is positioned in front of him, and another person in a beanie is blurred in the background.

News & Views

FWC biologist sues after she was fired a over Charlie Kirk post

The lawsuit said Brown was fired after reposting on her Instagram account a post from an account called ‘@whalefact.’

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

News & Views

Sen. Ashley Moody commits salary during government shutdown to Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Pasco Rep. Gus Bilirakis requested not to be paid.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 2, 2025October 3, 2025

Side-by-side photo of two speakers at an event. On the left, a man in a dark suit and tie speaks into a microphone. On the right, a woman in an orange dress also speaks into a microphone while seated. Both appear engaged in discussion against a dark backdrop.

Things to Do

October 9 Tampa City Council runoff forum promises ‘late-night style fun’

Early voting starts on Oct. 23.

by Ray Roa October 2, 2025October 6, 2025

Cemetery scene with scattered gravestones and flat markers across a grassy field. Large oak trees draped in Spanish moss and a tall evergreen tree provide shade, with sunlight highlighting the open green space under a clear blue sky.

News & Views

There’s an opportunity to help tidy up Tampa’s historic Memorial Park Cemetery

A cleanup happens Saturday, Oct. 4.

by Ray Roa October 2, 2025October 2, 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

A large aerial view of St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront with tall buildings and blue skies in the background. On the sandy beach in the foreground, hundreds of people are arranged to spell out the phrase “UNITE + RISE” in large block letters.

Things to Do

St. Pete voting group wants citizens to come sip and strategize about DeSantis’ latest redistricting plan

‘Come ready to learn and take action immediately.’

by Ray Roa October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

News & Views

Florida’s minimum wage rises to $14 an hour

Florida now has the highest minimum wage in the geographic South, thanks to a historic vote by Floridians in 2020.

by McKenna Schueler October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

A sign reading "banned books" in a bookshop window display

News & Views

PEN report: Florida accounts for 30% of nation’s book bans as trend slows

PEN America reported 600 titles in Hillsborough County that are “banned pending investigation.” The Florida Department of Education reported none in Hillsborough.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

News & Views

USF nabs University of North Florida’s president

LImayem, USF’s former business college dean, is the sole finalist in its presidential search.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

A bald man in a gray suit and a red patterned tie is speaking at a wooden podium. He is in a large room with rows of dark blue seats, some of which are occupied by an audience in the background.

News & Views

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

More than two dozen local governments have filed suit seeking to block SB 180, which restricts local them from regulating development.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

A portrait of Jose Javier Rodriguez, a man with a receding hairline, standing with his arms crossed. He is smiling warmly at the camera and wearing a blue pinstripe suit, a light blue shirt, and a tie. The background is a blurred, lush green park with a body of water behind him.

News & Views

If elected as attorney general, José Rodriguez vows to actually enforce Florida minimum wage law

The AG has the power to fine employers found to have willfully violated minimum wage requirements—there is no evidence that the office has ever done this in the 20 years they’ve had the authority.

by McKenna Schueler September 29, 2025September 29, 2025