Tampa Bay News Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A wide, high-angle screengrab depicting the inside of the Tampa City Council chambers. Behind the curved wooden council dais, seven individuals stand in a row in front of a wood-paneled wall featuring the large circular City of Tampa seal. From left to right: Councilmember Guido Maniscalco in a blue blazer; Councilmember Lynn Hurtak in a grey and white patterned shirt; Councilmember Charlie Miranda, with a shaved head and glasses, wearing a black shirt and tie while handing a framed commendation to former Mobility Administrator Jean Duncan, who wears a bright coral dress; Council Chair Alan Clendenin, wearing glasses and a dark suit, clapping; Councilmember Naya Young in a white and vibrant pink patterned dress; and Councilmember Luis Viera in a light blue blazer, also clapping. In the foreground, empty high-back leather chairs and computer monitors face toward the dais.

‘A slap in the face’: Tampa city council commends administrator accused in $650,000 discrimination lawsuit

In total, nearly $700K was spent to settle a lawsuit connected to recently-retired mobility director Jean Duncan.

by Valerie Smith June 22, 2026June 22, 2026

Last February, Tampa City Council voted to pay a $350,000 settlement to Scarlett Lopez for pregnancy and disability-related discrimination and retaliation claims against her former boss. Lopez’ lawsuit accused Jean Duncan, administrator of the city’s troubled mobility department. This month, the same council voted to award Duncan with a commendation upon her retirement. Duncan gave […]

Tampa spent $8.6 million on OnlyFans last year, says report

In total, Tampa ranked 15th in the nation for OnlyFans spending.

by Colin Wolf June 22, 2026June 22, 2026

A daytime, eye-level, traffic-perspective photograph taken from inside a vehicle traveling southbound on Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida. The view shows multiple lanes of moderate traffic under a bright, partly cloudy sky. In the foreground, a white SUV and a black sedan are visible. Overhead highway signs in green indicate upcoming exits and route directions. In the distance, the Tampa skyline is visible against the horizon, with several high-rise buildings punctuating the view. Lush green trees line the highway shoulders, contrasting with the gray asphalt and the congested flow of vehicles.

Hillsborough officials vote to remove an I-275 widening project from planning program

The expansion would’ve run between Hillsborough and Bearss Avenues.

by Leif Helland June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

A medium-shot, indoor group photograph of four people posing together at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Chicago. From left to right: Barbara Toepke, wearing a dark gray t-shirt over a light-colored long-sleeve top; Norwood Orrick, wearing a black t-shirt and dark-rimmed glasses; Ruddy Pimentel, wearing a red t-shirt with Norwood's left arm raised in a solidarity fist; and Adam Shils, wearing a light blue and white plaid button-down shirt. All four individuals are wearing conference lanyards with name tags around their necks. They are smiling and standing close together, with the lobby's warm interior, comfortable lounge furniture, and a television screen playing a sports match visible in the background.

Union members from Tampa Bay among workers from across the globe at Labor Notes conference

The enthusiasm for a bigger, stronger organized labor movement was reflected last weekend in Chicago..

by McKenna Schueler June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Six political candidates sitting in a panel lineup on a stage with a white curtain backdrop during a debate or forum.

Hillsborough GOP congressional candidates say they will not accept donations from AIPAC

They also stated we should cut off Ukraine funding.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

A wide, eye-level, indoor photograph of a political campaign rally at The Woman’s Club in South Tampa. In the foreground, from behind, gubernatorial candidate David Jolly (in a dark suit) and Lieutenant Governor candidate Rep. Gwen Graham (in a vibrant pink blazer) stand side-by-side on a stage, facing a crowd of supporters. Graham has their right hand placed affectionately on Jolly’s back. The crowd in front of them is cheering, with many supporters holding up blue and white campaign signs that read 'JOLLY GRAHAM FOR FLORIDA.' The venue is decorated with warm overhead lighting and chandeliers, creating a festive, energized atmosphere.

Photos: David Jolly supporters pack Tampa Women’s Center

The former Republican leads Democrats in fundraising with $6 million.

by Ray Roa June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Ashley Moody joins Rick Scott in push to cancel Tampa’s Kanye West concerts

“We should never allow antisemitism anywhere, and we have to stand up against it,” Scott said.

by Ana Goñi-Lessan and News Service of Florida June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

Temple Terrace’s award-winning Hartley House is now for sale

“With each change of season, the interior of the house experiences a change.”

by Colin Wolf June 15, 2026June 19, 2026

A medium-shot, eye-level portrait of St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway. From left to right: Mayor Welch is wearing a dark-gray suit, a light-blue dress shirt, a patterned blue-and-white necktie, and dark-rimmed glasses. Chief Holloway stands to the right, wearing a dark police uniform with a patch on the sleeve and a badge pinned to the chest. Both are looking toward the camera with composed, professional expressions. The background is a clean, neutral-toned interior space with soft greenery visible to the left and right, framing the subjects.

In debate, Mayor Ken Welch says St. Pete Police agreement with ICE is mandatory. It’s not

St. Petersburg’s mayor incorrectly stated that the 287(g) agreement was ‘an order from the governor, a misconception shared by several local police chiefs following ambiguous warnings from Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri last year.

by Valerie Smith June 12, 2026June 14, 2026

Tampa Bay’s ‘House of Hennessy,’ which comes with a massive pirate ship, is back on the market for $6 million

The home was built in 2007, and for years was a well-known party house, attracting celebrities like DJ Khaled, Cuba Gooding J, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

by Colin Wolf June 12, 2026June 12, 2026

A medium-shot, indoor photograph of Bob Henriquez appearing on a radio program at WMNF in Tampa, Florida. Henriquez is positioned in front of a professional studio microphone, wearing a maroon polo shirt with a government seal embroidered on the left chest. They are wearing over-ear headphones and are speaking into the microphone, captured in a candid, focused expression. The background shows the dimly lit, wood-paneled interior of the radio studio, with an observation window visible behind them.

Hillsborough property appraiser will discuss the ‘State of the Market’ on Wednesday

Bob Henriquez brings experts to Ybor City’s Cuban Club for the fast-paced event.

by Ray Roa June 12, 2026June 12, 2026

A white and green Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicle parked on a paved lot next to a roadway, with other cars and trees visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office named in lawsuit after department used AI to make false arrest

“Robert’s case illustrates the stakes when police deploy AI-assisted identification tools without adequate safeguards.”

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

Grant from TJ Maxx parent company could buy confidential ‘tactical equipment’ for St. Pete police

Parent company TJX ‘does not want any publicity or media coverage’ for the grant, which is currently buried in St. Petersburg City Council’s Thursday consent agenda.

by Valerie Smith June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo speaking at a podium with a sign that reads "Supporting Floridians" in front of American and Florida state flags.

Tampa Bay Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson will not run for the Florida House this year

The veteran legislator said he had ‘heard the calls in recent months’ from community members to continue serving in Tallahassee, but ultimately opted not to for the HD 62 seat.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 9, 2026June 10, 2026

A wide-angle, eye-level photograph of a press conference at Tampa Police Headquarters in Tampa, Florida. From left to right: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Police Chief Lee Bercaw, and Assistant Police Chief Brett Owen. Mayor Castor is wearing a dark blazer over a light-colored top. Chief Bercaw stands at the center podium, wearing a dark police uniform, and is speaking into a microphone. Assistant Chief Owen stands to the right, also in a dark police uniform. Behind the subjects, a large, ornate Tampa Police Department seal is mounted on the wall, flanked by an American flag on the left and the Florida state flag on the right.

Tampa Police chief Lee Bercaw to retire, Mayor Jane Castor says her successor will pick his

Asst. Chief Brett Owen will serve as acting chief, and Bercaw’s last day is Aug. 6.

by Ray Roa June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Kanye West speaking during a meeting with US President Donald J. Trump and NFL legend Jim Brown in the White House Oval Office on October 11, 2018.

Tampa Jewish Federation blasts local leaders over decision to book Kanye West concerts

Today’s statement comes just a few days after U.S. Sen. Rick Scott also called on the TSA to ‘carefully review this decision.’

by Colin Wolf June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

A photo of Brandt Robinson next to a photo of Jeff Kinney with his Wimpy Kid character in the background

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ author campaigns for Pinellas Democrat in St. Pete this month

Kinney endorsed Robinson in the congressional primary happening Aug. 18.

by Liam Oliver June 4, 2026June 4, 2026

Florida State Representative Lindsay Cross smiling in a green blazer, standing in front of a WMNF 88.5 FM radio station backdrop.

St. Pete Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross says she will not run for re-election

Cross’ announcement comes late in the 2026 election cycle. The qualifying deadline for legislative seats is Friday, June 12.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix June 4, 2026June 5, 2026

People holding rainbow Pride fans and flags at the gates of St. Pete Pride

St. Pete Pride vows to keep fighting in its hardest year yet

The nonprofit needs to make up $300,000 in lost sponsorships for next year’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

by Selene San Felice June 2, 2026June 2, 2026

An activist raises her fist in the air among signs saying "Pride was a riot" at the People's Pride Coalltion Ybor City march.

Community organizers say St. Pete Pride ignored them this year, too

The Sapphic Sun spoke with organizers who said St. Pete Pride’s partnerships conflict with Pride’s rebellious roots.

by Valerie Smith and The Sapphic Sun June 2, 2026June 2, 2026