A wide-angle, slightly hazy daytime photograph looking across Old Tampa Bay toward the distant Downtown Tampa skyline. In the foreground, a multi-lane highway bridge is visible with several cars and a large truck traveling toward the city. Two tall, modern streetlights curve over the road from the left. The skyline is a soft grey silhouette against a pale, overcast sky, reflecting a typical humid afternoon in the Tampa Bay area.

Tampa Bay area ranks No. 100 out of 226 for ground-level ozone pollution, new report says

In Florida, a bill passed this legislative session that prohibits local governments from issuing policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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

"A close-up photograph of a Pale-throated sloth hanging upside down from a tree branch in a lush tropical forest. The sloth has thick, textured brown-and-grey fur and a characteristic rounded face with dark markings around its eyes and a gentle expression. It is holding onto a branch with its long, curved claws while munching on vibrant green leaves. The background is a soft, out-of-focus blur of green foliage and sunlight, highlighting the sloth's slow, deliberate movements.

News & Views

At ‘Sloth World’ in Florida, 31 wild sloths died in a company-owned warehouse

The animals, highly susceptible to illness when removed from their habitat, have been kept in a warehouse. More than 31 have died.

By Katie Surma, Kiley PriceApril 24, 2026April 24, 2026

News & Views

Democratic PAC says it will spend $20 million on Florida congressional races this year

The House Majority PAC is targeting Cory Mills, Anna Paulina Luna, Laurel Lee, María Elvira Salazar, and Carlos Giménez.

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

To provide the most effective SEO-friendly alt-text for this image, it is important to capture the names of the individuals and the context of the photo, as these are likely the primary search terms associated with it. Option 1: Descriptive & News-Focused (Best for SEO) A side-by-side portrait of University of South Florida (USF) students Zamil Ahamed Limon and Nahida Bristy, who were reported missing. Limon is shown on the left in a black tunic, and Bristy is on the right in a pink saree taking a selfie against a sunflower background.

News & Views

Missing USF graduate students know each other and aren’t in ICE custody, authorities say

It’s been more than a week since Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy disappeared.

by Jasmin Parrado April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Hakeem Jeffries speaking at a press conference regarding Epstein files at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

News & Views

Jeffries warns Florida GOP that new map will backfire: ‘Dummymandering their way into the minority’

Florida lawmakers are scheduled to begin a special session Tuesday to consider new congressional districts.

by News Service of Florida April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sits at a draped table in Jacksonville, signing SB 1134 and HB 1217 legislation into law, flanked by five officials and American and Florida state flags in the background.

News & Views

DeSantis signs bills banning Florida cities and counties from supporting DEI programs, net zero carbon policies

“With DEI, the disfavored groups, number one obviously, would be white males, and I think they’ve been discriminated against,” DeSantis said Wednesday.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

News & Views

Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ doesn’t have to comply with federal environmental law, appeals court says

“Until Homeland Security officials decide to fund the facility, no final agency action occurs,” Pryor added.

by Liv Caputo and Florida Phoenix April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

News & Views

Florida’s historic Burgess Island, a massive private estate developed by a 1920s inventor, hits the market for $89 million

Burgess Island is currently owned by multi-level marketing tycoon and founder of ItWorks, Mark Pentecost.

by Colin Wolf April 22, 2026April 24, 2026

A group of environmental activists in Florida holding handmade signs and colorful paintings of marine life to protest offshore drilling. Visible signs read "Don't Let Big Oil Spoil Our Gulf" and "Save the Endangered Species Act," highlighting a rally for Gulf of Mexico conservation.

News & Views

Florida environmental advocates blast Trump’s plan to remove endangered species protections

Last month, U.S. Interior Department’s Endangered Species Committee voted unanimously to exempt oil and gas drilling in the Gulf from environmental standards.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

Florida Chief of Staff James Uthmeier at a press conference in front of the Attorney General seal and American flags, standing at a podium labeled "Investigating OpenAI" with colleagues.

News & Views

Florida opens ‘criminal investigation’ into ChatGPT, fueled by FSU shooting

The move comes two weeks after Uthmeier revealed the state’s initial investigation into OpenAI.

by News Service of Florida April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

Real-time Florida wildfire incident tracking map showing Acorn Boulevard fire containment and resource data.

News & Views

Florida is experiencing one of the worst wildfire seasons in decades

Since the start of the year, 1,797 wildfires on state and federal lands in Florida have consumed 103,211 acres, according to the Forest Service.

by News Service of Florida April 22, 2026April 22, 2026

A close-up photograph of Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister marching in the Tampa Pride 2025 parade. Chronister, with short-cropped dark hair and a smile, is wearing the official white HCSO command staff uniform shirt with a black tie and a gold six-pointed star badge. To the left, another deputy in a white uniform holds purple and gold beads. The background shows the historic streets of Ybor City with crowds of spectators, a 'STOP' sign, and bright, direct sunlight casting sharp shadows.

News & Views

Speed camera company’s $10K donation to Chad Chronister PAC prompts call for independent review

RedSpeed has since made millions in revenue from the government contract.

by Valerie Smith and Colin Wolf April 21, 2026April 22, 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

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers respond to Trump vs. Pope and DeSantis’ flip flop for Rays stadium

‘Somebody tell DeSantis his political career is over and the wife will never have one’

by CL Staff April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

News & Views

Jay Collins insists he isn’t dropping out of Florida governor race, accuses Byron Donalds of selling ‘drugs’ to kids

The Donalds campaign brushed off Collins’ comments Monday.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

News & Views

Florida gas prices dip below $4-a-gallon, but experts say it probably won’t last

In Florida, the average was $3.99 Monday morning.

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

UrbanLink branded Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft flying over the Miami coastline, featuring its signature distributed electric propulsion system and sleek white fuselage

News & Views

Florida Gov. DeSantis signs law allowing tax dollars to fund flying car infrastructure

“You could essentially be looking at something that was envisioned in ‘The Jetsons,’ or maybe ‘The Fifth Element.”

by News Service of Florida April 21, 2026April 21, 2026

A wide-angle aerial panoramic view of Fort De Soto Park and its surrounding islands. The image shows a winding white sand beach bordering crystal-clear, light-green and turquoise waters. Lush green mangroves and coastal vegetation cover the interior islands, which are separated by shallow sandbars and deep blue channels. The perspective looks out toward the horizon under a soft, hazy sky, emphasizing the vast, untouched coastal landscape.

News & Views

After environmentalists push back, ‘A Land Remembered’ will no longer be filmed at Ft. DeSoto Park

St. Petersburg Audubon expressed concern about filming on fragile dunes and beaches, beach driving, and the use of cattle, pigs, and horses in the sensitive lands.

by Chris Young and WMNF News April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

News & Views

Photos: In front of Tampa Tiger Bay Club, Uthmeier draws mix of boos and cheers for comments about LGBTQ community

Florida’s latest appointed Attorney General is up for election for the first time ever this fall, and also tool questions on Hope Florida, UF teaching job and more.

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