A long, symmetrical aisle lined with black server racks inside a modern data center facility.

Florida Senate unanimously approves bill to regulate AI data centers

Exact details of the plans, however, such as the exact footprint or technical aspects, could remain under wraps for up to a year.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 27, 2026February 27, 2026

Close-up of Axon police body cameras in a charging dock as a person places one unit into the station, highlighting law enforcement video and audio recording equipment.

News & Views

Hillsborough sheriff deputies can now use controversial Axon AI for some reports

Electronic Frontier Foundation says ‘Axon’s Draft One Is Designed to Defy Transparency.’

by Valerie Smith February 26, 2026February 27, 2026

News & Views

Trump administration won’t pay for Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction costs

Florida has long waited for these federal dollars to come in.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Electric cargo bikes, including a red Tern GSD folding e-bike, on display at City Bike Tampa. The shop interior shows cycling gear and accessories in the background, highlighting urban commuting options in downtown Tampa.

News & Views

It’s your last chance to sign up for the City of Tampa’s e-bike voucher program

Residents can receive up to $3,000 towards a new ride.

by Kailey Aiken February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

A man speaks at an outdoor event from a podium decorated with the U.S. Constitution and American flag designs, with multiple flags displayed around the stage and trees in the background.

News & Views

Florida Department of Health moves to cut thousands from AIDS drug program

In January, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said the drop in coverage was because of a shortfall of $120 million in federal money, but HIV advocates say that isn’t the case.

by News Service of Florida February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

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

Charlie Kirk Day approved by Florida House

The measure also designates a portion of S.W. 107th Avenue in Miami-Dade County as “Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue.”

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

News & Views

Ron DeSantis isn’t quite full

“I will tell you,” said Ron, “Those nachos… I would give ten out of ten.”

by Colin Wolf February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Tampa Bay area blues guitarist Power Jimi performing live on stage with a white electric guitar under dramatic blue and yellow stage lights.

News & Views

Clearwater’s no-cover Sea-Blues festival returns this weekend

Milovan Dudic reps for the hometown alongside headliners like North Mississippi Allstars.

by Ray Roa February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Jasmine Burney-Clark, founder of Equal Ground, speaking at a podium during a press conference. She is surrounded by supporters and holding a sign that reads "Protect Black Representation."

News & Views

Op-ed: the The ‘Parents Over Platforms Act’ sounds good until you read what it actually does

‘Black and brown communities are already dealing with over-surveillance and data collection that gets weaponized against us.’

By Jasmine Burney-ClarkFebruary 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Milo Aukerman of the punk band Descendents performing live on stage in a red knitted bunny ear hat, singing into a microphone with one hand raised against a dark background.

News & Views

Photos: Descendents, Frank Turner and Nobro rock St. Pete

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

News & Views

The Tampa Bay Times is now publishing AI-generated stories

The Tampa Bay Times quietly debuted the Times AI News Engine last September.

by Colin Wolf February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

A silver car rests heavily damaged after crashing into the storefront of a business named 'Bradley's' in Ybor City. Police and State Troopers are gathered at the scene, with a patrol car visible in the foreground.

News & Views

Following fatal Ybor City police chase, Tampa proposes lowering speed limit on 7th Avenue

City officials plan to reduce the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph, install traffic barriers, and introduce additional street parking and bus stop lanes to narrow the street approaching Ybor.

by Chris Young and WMNF News February 24, 2026February 24, 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

DeSantis, Florida Cabinet vote to give away 22-acres of HCC campus for new Rays stadium

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

Florida State Representative Michael Owen speaking during a legislative committee meeting at the Florida House of Representatives.

News & Views

Hillsborough Republican sponsors bill critics call a ‘death knell’ for rural lands

‘This needs to be brought to the public, to the surrounding community, down in the little Manatee area, Wimauma, the Sundance area.’

by Chris Young and WMNF News February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

A dirt nature trail winding through a lush swamp environment surrounded by trees draped in Spanish moss.

News & Views

Florida Legislature poised to defund land conservation program

‘You can’t just park on the side of the road, sneak under a barbed wire fence, and take your family for a hike on a cattle ranch.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

News & Views

Paralegal Tres Rodmon wants to be Tampa’s first openly-trans mayor

Rodmon wants to empower marginalized communities across the rest of the city.

by Jasmin Parrado February 23, 2026February 24, 2026

News & Views

Recent freezes cause more than $3 billion in Florida agriculture losses

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

ampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak smiling in front of the County Center building in downtown Tampa.

News & Views

Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak files paperwork to join Tampa mayoral race

She’s the first elected official to enter the race.

by Ray Roa February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

A person in an inflatable pink axolotl costume and a woman in red scrubs standing by a road holding signs that say "Nurses say abolish ICE" and "ICE not welcome here"

News & Views

Union nurses protest ICE in Largo [Photos]

They’re calling on Congress to stop health threats from federal immigration agencies.

by Dave Decker February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

News & Views

Bob Buckhorn’s mayoral PAC has more than $1.4 million—and most of it comes from development and investment interests

The two-time mayor defended his big money connections and use of CRA funds to subsidize development, saying ‘I would do it again 10 times over every day of the week.’

by Jasmin Parrado February 19, 2026February 20, 2026