Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn stands at a podium draped with multiple news microphones, including those from local stations like 10 Tampa Bay and ABC Action News. He is dressed in a dark suit with a white pocket square and a blue tie, gesturing with one hand as he speaks. In the blurred background, a sign for the "County Center" at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard is visible.

Bob Buckhorn officially enters 2027 Tampa mayoral race, says he expects council members to ‘stay in their lanes’

Buckhorn, a two-time mayor who served consecutive terms as mayor from 2011-2019, says every neighborhood must ‘succeed together.’

by Ray Roa April 13, 2026April 13, 2026

A group of six diverse women pose for a selfie in a sunny outdoor patio area. The woman taking the photo has curly dark hair and extensive arm and chest tattoos, wearing a black bikini top and sunglasses. Behind her, friends smile and pose—one sticking her tongue out playfully and another in a blue ruffled top. In the background, stacks of pink and black trucker hats with "LUV HER" and "LICK" branding are visible on a table.

News & Views

St. Pete Pride has acquired Sapphic St. Pete event series

The next Sapphic St. Pete will likely take place in early November of this year.

by Valerie Smith and The Sapphic Sun April 10, 2026April 12, 2026

An expansive two-story white Mediterranean-style mansion at 416 Brightwaters Boulevard NE in St. Petersburg. The home features a red-tile roof, arched windows, and multiple balconies. Two tall royal palm trees frame the front entrance, which is fronted by a manicured lawn, lush tropical landscaping, and a wide paved driveway under a clear blue sky.

News & Views

St. Pete’s historic Mefford Mansion is now on the market in Snell Isle

The Mefford’s recruited the Kiehnel and Elliott architectural firm, the same builders behind the nearby Snell Arcade and the Rolyat Hotel.

by Colin Wolf April 10, 2026April 14, 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

Music

A quick guide to the 2026 Gasparilla Music Festival, happening this weekend in downtown Tampa

Get caught up on the backstory, bands, and, yes, where to park.

by Ray Roa April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

A stylish portrait of Cuban artist Cimafunk posing against a textured white wall. He is wearing an unbuttoned, patterned silk shirt and multiple gold necklaces, looking directly at the camera with a confident, charismatic expression. His signature high-top fade hairstyle is prominent, and the lighting is soft and warm.

Music

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening April 9-16

Including Gasparilla Music Festival, John Prine tribute concerts, Tampa Bay Blues Festival, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley April 9, 2026April 9, 2026

Music

Interview: Before St. Petersburg show, Lukas Nelson says going solo was more about ‘showing myself what I can do’

Nelson spoke about his refinement of process, of perspective, and of what he actually wants his music to do.

By J.C. Roddy/Cigar City SoundsApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026

A wide fisheye-lens photograph of the Tampa Pro 2025 podium celebration. In the center, first-place winner Yuto Horigome stands on the "1ST" block in a black t-shirt and pants, holding a large trophy overhead. To his right, second-place finisher Sora Shirai stands on the "2ND" block, and to the left, Angelo Caro stands on the "3RD" block in a white shirt. Sprays of water or champagne fill the air as the crowd cheers in the background.

Arts & Entertainment

Skateboarding’s infamous Tampa Pro tournament is this weekend

Entertainment for the festivities is punctuated by the Saturday concrete jam and BLP Kosher concert.

by Ray Roa 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

A live performance by The Applebutter Express on an outdoor festival stage. On the left, Kyle Biss wears glasses and a black t-shirt while playing an acoustic-electric ukulele. To his right, Shannon Biss stands with long blonde hair and sunglasses, smiling as she sings into a microphone. The metal scaffolding of the stage and a clear sky are visible in the background.

Music

Hernando’s Fox Fam Jam music festival kicks off Friday

The lineup is a mix of the state’s most revered jam, bluegrass, funk, electro and psych-rock bands.

by Ray Roa 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

An oval-shaped mixed media artwork featuring a landscape scene of a lake and trees, created by weaving together strips of painted material.

Arts & Entertainment

Morean Arts Center celebrates a decade of ‘Fresh Squeezed’ local art

The program’s newest crop of Florida artists display works starting this weekend.

by Laura Troyer April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

TV personality Guy Fieri, with his signature bleached hair and sunglasses, sits at a yellow outdoor table outside Supernatural Food & Wine in Tampa. He is surrounded by a film crew and several onlookers under a bright yellow awning. A neon "Coffee & Donuts" sign is visible in the window of the small, industrial-style building.

Food & Drink

Guy Fieri, Mayor of Flavortown, has been spotted outside Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine

His Camaro SS and spiky hair were spotted by a Redditor.

by Annalise Mabe April 8, 2026April 8, 2026

A musician playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone at an outdoor festival, with bright pink and orange floral arrangements in the foreground.

Arts & Entertainment

The best things to do in Tampa Bay this week, including flowers, books and vintage festivals [April 9-16]

by CL Staff April 8, 2026April 10, 2026

A bartender reaching for a bottle of liquor from a brightly lit, retro-style bar shelf glowing with warm orange light at Easy Tiger in St. Petersburg.

Food & Drink

St. Pete’s hot new listening bar, Alessi’s bigger bakery and more Tampa Bay food news

Plus, South Tampa steakhouse Renzo is on the move, Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival is underway, and more.

by CL Staff April 7, 2026April 10, 2026

Bill Nelson giving a presentation on a brightly lit stage in front of a large screen displaying Earth from space.

Arts & Entertainment

Florida Studies Book Festival brings acclaimed authors to St. Pete this weekend

Pulitzer Prize-winner Gilbert King closes the festival with a discussion of his 2025 book, “Bone Valley.”

by Jasmin Parrado April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Tampa Bay locals play a role in Paul Rudd’s movie set at the Don Cesar

Paul Rudd and Paul Giamatti are in town shooting “The Statement.”

by Selene San Felice April 7, 2026April 8, 2026

Shoppers browsing a vendor booth filled with colorful vintage sports and college pennants at a Vintage Market Days event

Arts & Entertainment

Vintage Market Day comes to Plant City this weekend

Everything old will be new again at the Florida Strawberry Festival Fairgrounds.

by Laura Troyer April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

Easy Tiger's stylized retro bar with warm orange backlighting, displaying shelves of liquor bottles next to a large built-in speaker.

Food & Drink

Easy Tiger listening bar opens in St. Pete next week

It’s the latest spot from the folks behind The Bends, Wild Child and Slim Charmer.

by Laura Troyer and Kailey Aiken April 7, 2026April 7, 2026

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

Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Bob Buckhorn officially enters 2027 Tampa mayoral race, says he expects council members to ‘stay in their lanes’

St. Pete Pride has acquired Sapphic St. Pete event series

St. Pete’s historic Mefford Mansion is now on the market in Snell Isle

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

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay joins ‘Local News Day’

A quick guide to the 2026 Gasparilla Music Festival, happening this weekend in downtown Tampa

Tampa Bay’s best live music happening April 9-16

Interview: Before St. Petersburg show, Lukas Nelson says going solo was more about ‘showing myself what I can do’

Skateboarding’s infamous Tampa Pro tournament is this weekend

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

Hernando’s Fox Fam Jam music festival kicks off Friday

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

Morean Arts Center celebrates a decade of ‘Fresh Squeezed’ local art

Guy Fieri, Mayor of Flavortown, has been spotted outside Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine

The best things to do in Tampa Bay this week, including flowers, books and vintage festivals [April 9-16]

St. Pete’s hot new listening bar, Alessi’s bigger bakery and more Tampa Bay food news

Florida Studies Book Festival brings acclaimed authors to St. Pete this weekend

Tampa Bay locals play a role in Paul Rudd’s movie set at the Don Cesar

Vintage Market Day comes to Plant City this weekend

Easy Tiger listening bar opens in St. Pete next week