

Florida Gov. DeSantis vows to ‘fight back’ against White House pressure on masks in schools
DeSantis again says parents should get to choose.
Florida health officials say declining vaccination rates among children is ‘alarming’
The statewide vaccination rate for children between 24 and 35 months old who rely on county health departments was 79.3 percent in 2021, a drop from 93.4.
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. returns to Tampa when it opens in Midtown this week
The roaster once had multiple locations in the Bay area.
Tropical Storm Fred expected to reach Tampa Bay this weekend
As of now, forecasters say the storm could make landfall or pass just off the coast of Tampa Bay on Sunday morning as a tropical storm.
‘The state of Florida does not tell us we can’t ask’: Cruise CEO says passengers will be questioned about vaccinations
That means passengers age 12 and older must complete a health questionnaire before boarding, with separate protocols onboard for people who are unvaccinated.
Florida education commissioner threatens to withhold pay from school leaders over masks
Corcoran reiterated DeSantis’ position that parents should be able to decide whether children wear masks.
‘Fucking piece of shit’: Comedian Bill Burr slams Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
“He knows that that’s what his fanbase wants him to do, so that’s what the fuck he’s gonna do.”
Florida reported more than 80,000 new cases of COVID-19 and 332 deaths last weekend
Also, the numbers of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units also are increasing.
Florida school officials could face financial penalties for mask mandates
DeSantis’ spokeswoman Christina Pushaw said that districts requiring a doctor’s note for students to be excused from wearing a mask are not following the governor’s order.
Nikki Fried: Florida Gov. DeSantis’ school mask policy is creating ‘chaos, confusion and panic’
Fried continued a pattern of positioning herself as a foil to DeSantis’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida lawmakers seek ‘endangered’ status for manatees
The proposal would upgrade the status of manatees under the Endangered Species Act from “threatened,” offering more protections.
St. Pete’s Cider Press Cafe closing on Central, but reopening as vegan gastropub two miles away
It’s closing at the end of this year or after the new space’s buildout is complete.
Tampa vegan grocery store Black Radish will open a new location in St. Petersburg
The announcement came during Gulfport’s Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli’s third birthday celebration.
Filipino comedian Jo Koy coming to Tampa’s Yuengling Center next year
The gig’s in March.
New scoop shop Happy’s Ice Cream is now serving up small-batch and boozy creations in St. Pete
Happy’s soft opening happens on Aug. 6. The grand opening event has also been hinted at, but the official date is TBA.
Family of the late Andrew Joseph III will give away school supplies in Riverview this weekend
They’ll be at The Riverview Raiders Athletic Complex on Saturday.
All hail ‘HUM,’ an instant sci-fi classic, which leads an impressive group of new streamable movies
From supernatural slashers to a surprisingly twisty ride share thriller to a restored zombie classic, there’s something for every taste now available.
USF grad Jordan Bertke keeps Tampa Fringe success rolling with Florida’s punniest superhero, ‘The Sack’
You have two more chances to see the one-person play this weekend in Ybor City.
Tampa Fringe’s ‘The Little Merman from the Black Lagoon’ eviscerates toxic masculinity in hilarious fashion
You can catch it twice this weekend in Ybor City.
Florida Medicaid enrollment expected to top 5 million
The total is up from an estimated Medicaid enrollment of 4.524 million people for the recently completed 2020-2021 fiscal year.
Tampa comedians are raising money for Rahn Hortman’s daughter
Side Splitters hosts the ‘Lift Up With Laughter’ benefit on Aug. 22.
Dunedin Vegan Deli set to expand with fifth location in Pinellas Park this fall
Two more locations are set for east Orlando and Winter Garden.
Yeoman’s Cask & Lion downtown Tampa location set to add a virtual-reality golf, plus bar and cafe seating
The Yeoman’s expansion means the end of neighboring Brightside Artisan Comfort Cafe and City Market Eats
Chill Bros. Scoop Shop, Shortwave Coffee opening in downtown Tampa
Missouri’s Shortwave joins Tampa favorite Chill Bros. in Water Street and Sparkman Wharf.
St. Pete Beach’s Spinners has officially reopened after renovations, and the dining room still spins
There’s even lobster ice cream.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio doubles down on ‘mask fetish’ critique, calls COVID-19 ‘a cold’
Rubio said people got infected at backyard BBQs, where masks wouldn’t be worn.
Anti-mask parents may soon be able to use Florida school vouchers meant for bullying
“The distance this state will go to not only defund public education but to fulfill a politically motivated agenda about masks.”
Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer celebrate the return of live music at Jacksonville ‘Hella Mega’ concert
Weezer was good, as was Fall Out Boy. But Green Day wins this round.
Tampa City Council invites public to August workshop on Mayor Castor’s proposed 2022 budget
It starts at 5:01p.m. on August 16th.
St. Pete’s 22 South is back, Bubushka’s coming to South Tampa and more local foodie news
Miami’s Benh Mi is coming to Willa’s Provisions, too.
‘Shark Tank’ famous Yard Milkshake Bar opens first Tampa Bay location this fall
The other two Florida locations are in the Panhandle.
Tampa Bay artist Jennifer Msumba spotlights neurodiversity and empathy in new film
Once completed, she’ll submit ‘Like the Girls Who Wear Pink’ to South by Southwest, Sundance and other festivals.
Tampa Bay man gets whacked, and high as hell, off the many offerings at local dispensaries
‘What the fuck is shatter?’
Tae Bae joins Tampa’s ‘Loud on 7th’ festival in Ybor City next month
Plus more new concerts coming to Tampa Bay.
Punk-rock favorite Off With Their Heads plays Tampa show next week
UPDATE: This show is canceled.
Tampa’s Queen of Pop, Jeremy Gloff releases 23rd album during Sunday concert
There will be coronavirus precautions.
North Carolina stoner metal band Weedeater returns to Tampa for Sunday concert
The Cape Fear-based outfit was last year for a Tampa Bay Beer Week gig in 2019.
University of Tampa student premieres new mental health-centric film ‘Beyond Adversity’ this weekend
Kaneesha ‘Kiki’ Heath’s movie is also on Amazon Prime.
Tampa Jerk Hut and Jah Movement celebrate Jamaican Independence Day with rum fest this weekend
A free concert goes down on Saturday.
You must be vaxxed to go unmasked at St. Pete punk concert with Rough Dreams
It’ll be limited attendance at Lucky You Tattoo.
Freak the Disco helps St. Pete’s Edge District kick off monthly first Friday art and music party
Cover is free until 9 p.m. at Edge Collective Market Place.
There’s a big One Direction and Jonas Brothers dance party in Ybor City this weekend
It’s on Friday at Orpheum.
Dog Bar St. Pete hosts ‘Dogs of the Burg’ book release on Friday
Proceeds benefit Fluff Animal Rescue.
16 live music concerts and events happening in Tampa Bay this weekend
Through next Thursday, anyway.
As COVID-19 cases continue to spike, Florida hospitals brace for staffing shortages
Twelve Florida hospitals reported having a “critical staffing shortage” as of Monday.
With over 840 manatee deaths recorded, Florida experts worry it will only get worse this winter
“We really can’t start planting grasses until water quality is reasonably squared away in certain parts.”
Tampa artist Junkyrd added as opener on Jay Electronica’s Thursday concert
Fary Charles normally turns heads with his visual art.
Savage Love: I just found out my boyfriend had sex with my parents 10 years ago
You’re not the first person whose parents were a little extra.
Tyler, the Creator and Vince Staples are playing Tampa next spring
Tyler was last in town in November 2019.
For the second day in a row, Florida breaks record for COVID-19 hospitalizations
The surge in hospitalizations has come as the overall number of reported infections has risen dramatically in recent weeks.
Nikki Fried wants stronger water protection rules, which haven’t been fully updated since 2008
The rules will include reducing the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste and other pollutants entering state waters.
‘I got the Florida variant’: Matt Gaetz downplays surging cases as state sets new COVID records
At the same time that Gaetz was holding his rally, Florida was sharing record-breaking COVID-19 numbers.
Richard Dreyfuss, NatGeo speakers all headed to Tampa SharkCon next month
It happens at the Florida State Fairgrounds Aug. 7-8.
Next week’s council vote could shift City of Tampa operations to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035
The resolution is non-binding, and ‘more of a North Star for the city than a mandatory policy.’
Disney’s ‘Jungle Cruise’ is a batshit crazy, but watchable, disaster
Hey parents, just FYI, this is not a movie for young children!
Hillsborough County will require all new employees to be fully vaccinated by Aug. 30
Hillsborough County, which has roughly 5,000 employees, is the only Tampa Bay county to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its employees.
Citing rise in coronavirus cases, promoter cancels Tampa concert from Athens rock favorite Five Eight
Florida reported 16,038 new COVID-19 cases to the federal government on Tuesday.
St. Pete’s unarmed responders have answered nearly 3,000 crisis calls that would’ve gone to cops
Riding with the CALL team, which has helped vulnerable residents since February, and now responds to crisis calls without police.
Florida now has an invasive ‘penis snake’ problem
“This was not on my radar… I didn’t think we’d one day find a caecilian in Florida. So, this was a huge surprise.’
‘Blow the money and have fun’: Tampa Police officers spent department money on drinks, strippers and gold teeth
An internal affairs report says the officers were told they could “blow the money and have fun.”






