A man in a navy blue suit jacket and white shirt speaks into a handheld microphone on stage. He gestures with one hand while addressing an audience, standing in front of a dark curtain backdrop with blurred banners behind him.

News & Views

Former Tampa City Council candidate flashes gun at forum, stealing attention from otherwise successful debate

Elvis Piggott told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay he is ‘always with a concealed firearm.’

by Ray Roa October 13, 2025October 16, 2025

Side-by-side photo of two speakers at an event. On the left, a man in a dark suit and tie speaks into a microphone. On the right, a woman in an orange dress also speaks into a microphone while seated. Both appear engaged in discussion against a dark backdrop.

News & Views

Here’s what the money says in the special election for Tampa City Council District 5

Thomas Scott raised more than twice as much, with most of the difference coming from Realtors and developers.

by Valerie Smith October 13, 2025October 16, 2025

A rendering of the Tampa Channelside District, showing a large white Ferris wheel structure, the abstract "Exploding Chicken" sculpture in a roundabout, and cruise ships docked at Port Tampa Bay.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City council to discuss Channelside observation wheel, officially dissolve city’s Racial Reconciliation Committee, and more

Future land use updates, regulating pickleball, the ‘Tree Trust Fund,’ and more are also on the agenda.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor October 9, 2025October 9, 2025

A bald man in a gray suit and a red patterned tie is speaking at a wooden podium. He is in a large room with rows of dark blue seats, some of which are occupied by an audience in the background.

News & Views

Second lawsuit filed to overturn Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie’s development regulation law

The law meant for hurricane recovery aid is also being sued by more than two dozen local governments.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister at Tampa Pride in Ybor City, Florida on March 25, 2023.

News & Views

Former detective calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis to investigate Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister

Chronister said that James Stahlschmidt’s letter reads more like the rantings of a disgruntled former employee than a credible complaint.

by Alisha Durosier October 7, 2025October 7, 2025

An aerial view of the Tampa Channelside District, showing a large white Ferris wheel structure, the abstract "Exploding Chicken" sculpture in a roundabout, and cruise ships docked at Port Tampa Bay.

News & Views

Tampa developer has plans to put an observation wheel in Channelside, but some residents aren’t along for the ride

The proposal is set to go before Tampa City Council on Oct. 9 and again on Oct. 23.

by Alisha Durosier October 6, 2025October 7, 2025

Five friends sit on a blanket on the grass at an outdoor Pride event. Two individuals in the center are wearing rainbow-themed shirts and smiling broadly, surrounded by others wearing casual summer attire. A stage and a large crowd are visible in the background.

News & Views

Equality Florida responds after DeSantis’ DOGE says Pinellas and St. Pete are wasting money on Pride events

‘A pathetic effort to distract from his corruption, inside dealing, and scandals.’

by Mitch E. Perry and Florida Phoenix October 6, 2025October 6, 2025

News & Views

Sen. Ashley Moody commits salary during government shutdown to Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

Pasco Rep. Gus Bilirakis requested not to be paid.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix October 2, 2025October 3, 2025

Things to Do

October 9 Tampa City Council runoff forum promises ‘late-night style fun’

Early voting starts on Oct. 23.

by Ray Roa October 2, 2025October 6, 2025

A large aerial view of St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront with tall buildings and blue skies in the background. On the sandy beach in the foreground, hundreds of people are arranged to spell out the phrase “UNITE + RISE” in large block letters.

Things to Do

St. Pete voting group wants citizens to come sip and strategize about DeSantis’ latest redistricting plan

‘Come ready to learn and take action immediately.’

by Ray Roa October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

A sign reading "banned books" in a bookshop window display

News & Views

PEN report: Florida accounts for 30% of nation’s book bans as trend slows

PEN America reported 600 titles in Hillsborough County that are “banned pending investigation.” The Florida Department of Education reported none in Hillsborough.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

News & Views

USF nabs University of North Florida’s president

LImayem, USF’s former business college dean, is the sole finalist in its presidential search.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

News & Views

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

More than two dozen local governments have filed suit seeking to block SB 180, which restricts local them from regulating development.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

An aerial view of an urban landscape. In the foreground are lower-rise brick and stucco buildings with parking lots, while a major highway overpass separates this area from a dense city skyline with skyscrapers in the distance.

News & Views

Citing extraordinary circumstances, Tampa City Council takes step towards raising mobility impact fees

The city of Tampa hasn’t increased the fees since they were put in place in 1989.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor September 29, 2025September 29, 2025

An aerial view of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. A multi-lane highway and a parallel pedestrian path stretch across a wide body of water, with a city skyline visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

News & Views

Courtney Campbell Causeway Expansion could offer a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to restore Old Tampa Bay

The opportunity has broad backing from local governments as well as grassroots support.

by Vicki Parsons and Bay Soundings September 29, 2025December 19, 2025

Two men are picketing outdoors in front of a gray metal building. A man on the left, wearing a blue shirt and a striped tie, holds a sign that says "10 ROADS TEAMSTERS ULP STRIKE." A second man, whose back is to the camera, holds a similar sign.

Columns, News & Views, Tampa Bay News

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera loves being Latino—here’s 10 reasons why

‘Do not let the bigots fool you: Latinos come here to work.’

by Luis Viera September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

News & Views

Photos: Charlie Kirk mourned at vigils across Tampa Bay

Attendees include Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, a Jan. 6 insurrectionist and a Jesus cosplayer.

by Dave Decker and Selene San Felice September 25, 2025September 25, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned blue tie and a white shirt. An American flag pin is on his lapel. He has short, dark brown hair and is gesturing with his right hand as he speaks into a microphone. In the blurred background, there's a golf cart and what appears to be a large, taxidermied animal. The image is credited to Dave Decker.

News & Views

Voters urge Pinellas legislative delegation to oppose DeSantis’ ‘partisan gerrymandering’ plan for redistricting

An amendments passed in 2010 says, ‘no apportionment plan or individual district shall be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 26, 2025

A bald, white man in a dark blue suit and a light blue collared shirt is standing and speaking into a microphone. He is on a stage or at a public event. Other people are seated in the foreground and background, including a Black woman with glasses and a man in a navy suit and yellow patterned tie. A black curtain serves as the backdrop.

News & Views

In Tampa, city councilman Alan Clendenin pushes back hard against proposal to eliminate property taxes

According to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, every dollar of Tampa’s $380 million in property tax revenue is allocated to police and fire services.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 25, 2025September 25, 2025

Two people wearing masks stand at a colorful outdoor table display with harm reduction supplies, books, and Narcan boxes, one flashing a peace sign and the other holding reading material.

News & Views

Clearwater-based street medics reject nonprofit model to reduce harm for neighbors

The Transformers-themed team can be spotted on the streets of Pinellas county, caring for residents who don’t have permanent housing and might otherwise not receive medical attention.

by Valerie Smith September 24, 2025September 24, 2025

Meet The Chefs - Now in St. Pete & Tampa - Save & Get Your Tickets Now!

Tampa Bay News

Former Tampa City Council candidate flashes gun at forum, stealing attention from otherwise successful debate

Here’s what the money says in the special election for Tampa City Council District 5

Tampa Monitor: City council to discuss Channelside observation wheel, officially dissolve city’s Racial Reconciliation Committee, and more

Second lawsuit filed to overturn Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie’s development regulation law

Former detective calls for Gov. Ron DeSantis to investigate Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister

Tampa developer has plans to put an observation wheel in Channelside, but some residents aren’t along for the ride

Equality Florida responds after DeSantis’ DOGE says Pinellas and St. Pete are wasting money on Pride events

Sen. Ashley Moody commits salary during government shutdown to Crisis Center of Tampa Bay

October 9 Tampa City Council runoff forum promises ‘late-night style fun’

St. Pete voting group wants citizens to come sip and strategize about DeSantis’ latest redistricting plan

PEN report: Florida accounts for 30% of nation’s book bans as trend slows

USF nabs University of North Florida’s president

As his bill faces home rule lawsuits, Pinellas Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie says he may ‘have to make some adjustments’

Citing extraordinary circumstances, Tampa City Council takes step towards raising mobility impact fees

Courtney Campbell Causeway Expansion could offer a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ to restore Old Tampa Bay

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera loves being Latino—here’s 10 reasons why

Photos: Charlie Kirk mourned at vigils across Tampa Bay

Voters urge Pinellas legislative delegation to oppose DeSantis’ ‘partisan gerrymandering’ plan for redistricting

In Tampa, city councilman Alan Clendenin pushes back hard against proposal to eliminate property taxes

Clearwater-based street medics reject nonprofit model to reduce harm for neighbors

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

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

Bucs Super Bowl champ Devin White is selling his massive Tampa area compound

Everything we saw at the 2026 Tampa Pro [Photos]