Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned blue tie and a white shirt. An American flag pin is on his lapel. He has short, dark brown hair and is gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. In the blurred background, there's a golf cart and what appears to be a large, taxidermied animal. The image is credited to Dave Decker.

Voters urge Pinellas legislative delegation to oppose DeSantis’ ‘partisan gerrymandering’ plan for redistricting

An amendments passed in 2010 says, ‘no apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 26, 2025

A bald, white man in a dark blue suit and a light blue collared shirt is standing and speaking into a microphone. He is on a stage or at a public event. Other people are seated in the foreground and background, including a Black woman with glasses and a man in a navy suit and yellow patterned tie. A black curtain serves as the backdrop.

News & Views

In Tampa, city councilman Alan Clendenin pushes back hard against proposal to eliminate property taxes

According to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, every dollar of Tampa’s $380 million in property tax revenue is allocated to police and fire services.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 25, 2025

Two people wearing masks stand at a colorful outdoor table display with harm reduction supplies, books, and Narcan boxes, one flashing a peace sign and the other holding reading material.

News & Views

Clearwater-based street medics reject nonprofit model to reduce harm for neighbors

The Transformers-themed team can be spotted on the streets of Pinellas county, caring for residents who don’t have permanent housing and might otherwise not receive medical attention.

by Valerie Smith September 24, 2025September 24, 2025

News & Views

New College of Florida plans bronze statue in honor of Charlie Kirk

Pinellas County Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, requested a Kirk statue for the U.S. Capitol.

by Sophia Lowrie September 23, 2025September 23, 2025

News & Views

At Port Tampa Bay, activists rally in solidarity with Gaza flotilla [Photos]

by Dave Decker and Selene San Felice September 23, 2025September 23, 2025

News & Views

Tampa General Hospital joins organ transplant rule challenge

The challenges come after years of debate and disputes about approving transplant programs.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

News & Views

78% of first-time applicants pass the Florida Bar exam in Tampa

Hopefully, they come up with more creative billboard ads.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 22, 2025September 24, 2025

News & Views

In Tampa, Byron Donalds changes charter school stance

He also said he’d keep DOGEing to fix property taxes.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 22, 2025September 22, 2025

News & Views

A troubled Tampa Pride shuts down for a year, blames anti-DEI politics

President Carrie West is out, for now.

by Selene San Felice September 19, 2025September 19, 2025

News & Views

Pro-Palestine veterans arrested outside Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base [PHOTOS]

‘It’s never too late to turn away, it is never too late to give up your arms and fight for the people.’

by Dave Decker and Selene San Felice September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

A high-angle, close-up shot of the "Seven of Cups" tarot card lying upright on a scattered pile of other tarot cards. The central card depicts the silhouette of a person facing seven golden cups floating in clouds, each holding a different object or illusion.

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: ‘Numb, dumb and confused’ after a breakup

This is the first time a question-writer has sent in their own tarot pull.

by Caroline DeBruhl September 18, 2025November 4, 2025

Two people stand side by side at an art event with tape over their mouths that reads “DON’T SILENCE ART.” The person on the left has short gray hair, glasses, and a black shirt with bold green text that says “Ditch The Default.” The person on the right wears bright yellow tassel earrings, glasses, and a black shirt with a patch design and a sticker that reads “COMMUNITY BEFORE VISITORS.” Blurred attendees and colorful artwork are visible in the background.

News & Views

New documents suggest VSPC might work with Creative Pinellas on new competitive arts tourism grants

The arts nonprofit just laid off four staffers after a September vote to defund its efforts.

by Jennifer Ring September 18, 2025September 18, 2025

News & Views

St. Pete Beach bar wins First Amendment music fight

It’s another victory for local businesses and artists fighting city restrictions on live music.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida September 17, 2025September 19, 2025

Low-angle shot of a woman wearing a blue "USA" hat holding a large, vertical, framed photo of Charlie Kirk and an American flag. She stands on a grassy area beside a paved road lined with small American flags. In the background, someone holds an American flag umbrella and there is a woman in a black dress.

News & Views

Pinellas teachers among those targeted for Charlie Kirk social media comments

Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) requested the Pinellas County Superintendent fire teachers who have conducted ‘abhorrent’ behavior on their social media accounts since Kirk’s death.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 17, 2025September 18, 2025

A black-and-white historical photo shows the construction of a block building at the Industrial School for Boys in Okeechobee, Florida, dated August 21, 1958. Scaffolding surrounds the partially built structure, and a two-tone 1950s car is parked in front on the sandy construction site. Handwritten notes on the image describe the location and date.

News & Views

Florida apologized to Victor Jones for the abuse he endured at reform school. Now the state wants him executed.

He would be the third former student at the notorious reform schools to be executed in little more than a year.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay cover dated September 18–24, 2025, with the headline "PARK IT" in large yellow letters across a downtown Tampa street scene. A road sign in the center shows a red circle with a car crossed out, highlighting the story “World Car-Free Day lands in Tampa.” Skyscrapers and construction frame the background.

News & Views

World Car-Free Day 2025 takes over Tampa this weekend

Events happens across the city from Midtown to Altamonte Heights.

by Ray Roa September 17, 2025September 17, 2025

News & Views

New survey shows majority of Florida GOP voters back clean energy initiatives

Jake Hoffman, president of the Tampa Bay Young Republicans, said the government should accelerate solar energy.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

News & Views

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s pharmacy board will discuss vaccines this month

For the most part Board of Pharmacy members haven’t contributed heavily to politicians or political committees.

by Christine Sexton and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

News & Views

The Rusty Pelican just reopened, but it’s closing for redevelopment in 2027

The high rise is likely to be approved by Tampa City Council this week.

by Alisha Durosier September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

A close-up of a person wearing a plaid shirt and khaki pants with a black nylon holster on their belt holding a handgun. The individual is standing outdoors, and blurred greenery is visible in the background.

News & Views

Florida AG says open carry is the law, drawing warnings from Second Amendment Groups

Groups that have been advocating for the Legislature to repeal Florida’s ban on open carry are cheering last week’s ruling—and warning state legislators not to add any new regulations in legislation they offer next year.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 16, 2025September 16, 2025