State of Florida launches investigation into ChatGPT for role in FSU school shooting

According to the report, ChatGPT told Ikner how to take the safety off of his shotgun just three minutes before the shooting.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Wide-angle view of the Florida House of Representatives chamber in Tallahassee, featuring the iconic white geodesic domed ceiling, a large central chandelier, and rows of dark wooden desks arranged in a semi-circle. The front of the chamber displays digital voting boards, the American and Florida state flags, and portraits of past speakers along the walls.

News & Views

‘This is illegal’: Florida Democrats blast coming congressional redistricting session

“It is against the Constitution to redraw maps in favor of a party.”

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Nikki Fried delivering a speech at a reproductive rights event. She is wearing a signature Nikki for Governor shirt, positioned behind a microphone with "Roe the Vote" signage visible.

News & Views

Florida Dem Chair Nikki Fried says party has more candidates signing up to run for office than ever have before

“People are just flooding our zone.”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 10, 2026April 10, 2026

Sheriff Chad Chronister and Major Troy Morgan (left) during an official promotion ceremony. Both are dressed in white long-sleeved dress shirts with black ties and silver badges. They are standing in front of several flags, including the American flag and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office flag, with gold-fringed edges.

News & Views

Hillsborough sheriff says fired major was ‘under the influence’ while on duty, but won’t say how he got caught

The termination is the latest episode of turbulence under longtime sheriff Chad Chronister.

by Ray Roa April 9, 2026April 10, 2026

News & Views

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay joins ‘Local News Day’

We’re joining more than 1,300 newsrooms and 200 partners across the U.S.

by Ray Roa April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

News & Views

Tampa Police officers wrangle a 9-foot alligator from New Tampa pool [VIDEO]

Always check the pool before you take a dip, folks.

by Colin Wolf April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Official portrait of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Major Tony Morgan. He is smiling and wearing a formal white short-sleeved uniform with a black tie, gold stars on his collar, and a gold six-pointed sheriff’s star badge. A large "Hillsborough Sheriff" patch is visible on his left shoulder, and a colorful row of service ribbons is pinned above his right pocket. An American flag and the HCSO seal are blurred in the background.

News & Views

Hillsborough sheriff restricts high-ranking deputy from its premises, but has not yet explained why

Maj. Troy Morgan has served the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office since 1994.

by Ray Roa April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Aerial drone view of downtown Tampa skyline featuring skyscrapers, the Hillsborough River, and the Selmon Expressway interchange under a blue sky

News & Views

Carmageddon returns to downtown Tampa this weekend

Expect even more traffic in your traffic.

by Colin Wolf April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Close crop of the King of Wands tarot card

News & Views

Oracle of Ybor: Should I bother leaving my toxic tech job?

And how to stay grounded with medical anxiety.

by Caroline DeBruhl April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

News & Views

Is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ under federal control? Answer could decide environmental groups’ case

If the migrant lockup is at the beck and call of federal authorities, then the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit may allow the pro-environment organizations’ case.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

A diverse group of religious and community leaders speaking at a CAIR-Florida press conference in Tampa. A woman in an orange dress and hijab speaks at a podium while others hold signs reading "Faith is a Right, Not a Threat" and "Hate Stops Here" against a backdrop of CAIR logos

News & Views

Advocates fear Florida’s domestic terrorist law could reach beyond Muslim groups

‘Today, bills like this target them. Tomorrow it could be me. But history tells us these measures never stop with just one people.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

A large harvest of live Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus), also known as Vietnamese rice eels, gathered in a container for a local food market.

News & Views

Florida has an Asian swamp eel problem

They can breathe air, survive in low-oxygen conditions, and persist through wet and dry seasons by burrowing into mud.

by News Service of Florida April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

Close-up of a person's hand holding a yellow fuel nozzle while refueling a car at a gas station

News & Views

Florida gas prices spike another 24 cents as war in Iran continues

For electric vehicles, the cost per kilowatt-hour at Florida charging stations rounded to 41 cents this past week.

by News Service of Florida April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

News & Views

Live Nation wants to build a new 4,300-capacity music venue in Ybor City

Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge referred to the announcement of the new Live Nation venue as ‘the ultimate slap in the face.’

by Colin Wolf April 7, 2026April 13, 2026

News & Views

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers respond to Bondi getting fired, ‘Hunky Jesus’ party, and more

‘Well i guess the new owners of cl are same as the old owners. No hope for it being a decent rag anymore.’

by Ray Roa April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

A professional portrait of Gary Hartfield sitting on white concrete bleacher-style steps in an urban park. He is smiling and wearing a grey plaid suit with a navy blue tie and a white dress shirt. The Tampa city skyline and a metal railing are visible in the blurred background under bright daylight.

News & Views

Entrepreneur Gary Hartfield enters race to be Tampa’s next mayor

Hartfield says his campaign will focus on improving infrastructure and affordability.

by Jasmin Parrado April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

A group of contestants poses poolside at the Wet Spot during the Hunky Jesus contest. In the center, a person in "Foxy Mary" drag wears a white lace veil and dress with blue-and-white face makeup, holding their hands in prayer. They are flanked by several "Hunky Jesus" contestants in swimwear, some shirtless and showing tattoos, under a bright blue sky with palm trees in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

He was rizzin’: Photos from the ‘Hunky Jesus & Foxy Mary’ contest at St. Pete’s Wet Spot pool bar

Talk about a res-erection.

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

lorida Governor Ron DeSantis signing a bill into law in Tampa, surrounded by officials and standing next to a sign that reads "No Sharia Law

News & Views

DeSantis signs Florida bill allowing state to label groups as ‘domestic terrorist organizations’

The measure also outlines rules for expelling students at state universities who “promote” support for such groups.

by Jim Turner and News Service of Florida April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Hulk Hogan's beach cottage in Clearwater Beach

News & Views

Hulk Hogan’s second Tampa Bay home hits the market for $4.5 million

The home sits directly next door to the Hulkster’s main house, and was mostly used as a guest house.

by Colin Wolf April 6, 2026April 6, 2026

Marlowe Jones, candidate for Mayor of New Port Richey, smiling in a tan blazer and light blue button-down shirt. He is standing on a walkway in front of a pink Mediterranean-style building with white arches and dark teal doors, surrounded by lush green tropical plants.

News & Views

New Port Richey mayoral candidate Marlowe Jones wants to lead the city that arrested him

The 36-year-old said fights over policing, trash, development, and city hall secrecy pushed him into the mayor’s race.

by Arielle Stevenson April 3, 2026April 4, 2026