News & Views

‘These are sanctuaries of dissent’: Before Tampa visit, Amy Goodman talks independent media, hope, and more

Goodman and filmmaker Tia Lessin bring ‘Democracy Now!’ documentary to Sun-Ray Cinema on June 5.

by Ray Roa May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

News & Views

Florida Republicans reject gas tax cut, but lineup breaks on guns, outdoor goods

The Legislature plans to vote on the bill along with the $114.5 billion budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

Architectural rendering of the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Tampa Florida, featuring a modern glass pavilion roof and a vibrant fan plaza.

News & Views

Tampa mayoral candidate says the new Rays stadium should be a publicly-traded company

Taryn Sabia’s proposal would shift the stadium debate from public subsidy to shared ownership, transparency and regional investment.

by Alex English May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

High-angle aerial view of crowded Clearwater Beach in Florida with white sand, blue ocean, palm trees, and Pier 60 winding path.

News & Views

Florida saw a dip in tourism last quarter

Florida’s figures remain bolstered by people traveling from other states, which accounted for 36.54 million.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida May 26, 2026May 26, 2026

Aerial view of the modern Florida State Capitol building plaza and grounds in Tallahassee Why it works: It p

News & Views

Florida lawmakers finally reach budget deal, here’s what’s in it

Legislators plan to approve the budget Friday and send it to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

by Gray Rohrer and News Service of Florida May 25, 2026May 25, 2026

A scenic landscape photograph of Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg under a dramatic sunrise or sunset sky. On the right side of the frame, the dark silhouette of a single palm tree stands prominently in the foreground. The sky is filled with textured, sweeping clouds, with the sun glowing softly near the distant tree-lined horizon, casting warm orange and yellow light. In the foreground, the calm, shallow water perfectly reflects the colorful sky and clouds above. Small, dark patches of grassy land and vegetation break the surface of the water in the lower left.

News & Views

Creeks are vital to Florida’s ecosystem, but Tampa Bay area experts say we’ve largely stalled on measuring their health

They serve as natural nurseries for species like tarpon and snook, conduits of freshwater that balance the salinity of Tampa Bay.

by Noah Bookstein May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium with a sign that reads "RESULTS Job Growth Grant" in front of the American and Florida flags during a press conference.

News & Views

Florida’s jobless rate has grown for 8 months straight

Economists suggested the rise isn’t just about people losing their jobs, but about new entrants to the workforce taking longer to find work.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

News & Views

‘The Guest House,’ a Winter Haven home designed by famed Florida architect Gene Leedy, is now for sale

The Guest House is one of 25 homes in the area designed by Leedy, who opened his practice in Winter Haven in 1954.

by Colin Wolf May 22, 2026May 22, 2026

News & Views

Florida agrees to pay $485K to FWC biologist fired over Charlie Kirk post

“All I wanted was my job back,” Brown said in a news release.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

ntrance Sign at the University of Florida on September 12, 2016 in Gainesville, Florida.

News & Views

Republicans are once again mad about University of Florida’s president pick because of DEI

Gov. Ron DeSantis, though, was quick to support former University of Alabama President Stuart Bell.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

News & Views

Everything we saw at Tampa’s ‘Battle in the Bay’ Special Operations Forces demo

If you’re wondering, Jane was indeed rescued.

by Colin Wolf and Dave Decker May 21, 2026May 22, 2026

Aerial view of extensive debris and destroyed buildings on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, one month after Hurricane Ian.

News & Views

NOAA predicts ‘below-normal’ 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

The federal agency’s outlook anticipates up to 14 named storms for the six-month season that begins June 1.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida May 21, 2026May 21, 2026

Sign for a Bitcoin ATM in a store window next to Visa and ADT security decals.

News & Views

Florida among nation’s worst for crypto ATM fraud

Nationally, there have been over 13,000 complaints over the last year involving crypto ATMs, with losses reaching $388 million dollars.

by Leif Helland May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Former Florida Congressman David Jolly speaking into a microphone at a town hall meeting or political event with an attentive audience in the background.

News & Views

Florida Democrat David Jolly wants an Office of Civil Rights in the Governor’s Office

His comments came as DeSantis has applied a sledgehammer to vestiges of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the state.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

Heavy rush hour traffic congestion on a major highway in Tampa Florida during the evening commute.

News & Views

Florida expected to have record traffic over Memorial Day weekend

The average price for a gallon of gas in Florida jumped to $4.43 on Tuesday from $4.21 on Monday.

by News Service of Florida May 20, 2026May 20, 2026

New Year’s Eve fireworks lighting up the night sky over the Laurel Street Bridge and Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa, Florida.

News & Views

Florida considers cancelling 4th of July fireworks over drought concerns

“You’re talking about … potentially hundreds of thousands of people going out and doing fireworks. You could put the entire state on fire in one evening.”

by News Service of Florida May 19, 2026May 26, 2026

A bright, daytime outdoor photograph of a group of approximately nine protestors standing in a line across the front steps of the St. Petersburg City Hall. The building features classic, light-colored stone architecture with large columns and the words 'MUNICIPAL BUILDING' carved above the main glass entrance doors. The individuals are dressed in casual clothing and are holding up various black-and-white protest signs. On the far right, an individual wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt, khaki pants, a baseball cap, and sunglasses is holding a clear sign that reads 'ICE AGENTS DESERVE PRISON, NOT PROTECTION'. Other visible signs share similar anti-ICE messaging. Dark shadows from nearby trees are cast across the paved, sunlit plaza in the foreground.

News & Views

Outside St. Pete City Hall, protestors continue call for police to end agreement with ICE

For those in attendance, the debate over immigration enforcement is deeply personal and far from over.

by Daria Mironova and WMNF News May 19, 2026May 19, 2026

A daytime outdoor photograph of the front page of The Gabber Newspaper standing upright on a white circular table. The newspaper masthead reads 'GABBER' with a 'FREE' banner next to it. The main headline, 'Writing for Rescues', sits above images of two book covers, including one titled 'Gotcha Day'. The bottom of the front page features two advertisements with QR codes, including one for the Gulfport Night Market. To the left, several other folded newspapers lie flat on the table. The background features lush green palm fronds and the top corner of a gray metal mesh chair on the right.

News & Views

Gulfport’s Gabber newspaper says ‘the paper is done’ if July fundraising goal is not met

Founded in 1968, the paper now faces a $90K shortfall, plus $70K in legal fees.

by Ray Roa May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

Small boat in Palm Beach, Florida flying a large Donald Trump "Make America Great Again" campaign flag on the water.

News & Views

Florida boating accidents saw a significant increase in 2025, says FWC

Alcohol or drugs played a role in 14 percent of the boating fatalities.

by News Service of Florida May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

News & Views

Downtown Tampa’s Wallace building is coming down, bringing with it a century’s worth of history

It’s most recently been known as the GTE building, but was once home to the Tampa Tribune.

by Colin Wolf May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Meet the Chefs Behind Tampa Bay's Restaurant Month

A portion of proceeds benefits Feeding Tampa Bay