

Time off for Christmas is great and all, but Florida state workers would rather have a pay raise
But DeSantis’ proposed budget doesn’t include across-the-board pay raises for state workers.
Tampa Bay musician Paul Johnston was the embodiment of what makes rock and roll great and intoxicating
“Go easy…step lightly…stay free.”
‘Cats’ is easily the worst film of 2019
This movie is so bad that you might swear off pussy for life.
St. Pete’s Community Café hosts a moving party next weekend
One last hoorah before the cafe’s move.
Miguel and Friends to host a Christmas night jam at Ringside Cafe in St. Pete
Finish Christmas dinner early and head to Ringside.
Kimi Tortuga’s Trio to play a Christmas Day show at the merriest place in Tampa Bay
Is there a better place to be on Christmas day?
Late Night Brass provides the tunes for Symphony in Lights event this Monday
The brass jazz group as over ten members.
Trumpeter Jason Charos joins his brother’s band The Venus this Sunday in Tampa
Brotherly love at The Independent.
Tennessee rock band The Black Lillies head to The Attic this Saturday
They’re known for their Americana-rock sound.
EDM producer BUKU stops by Tampa this Saturday on his Cruisin’ USA Tour
With support from Esseks and SFAM.
The Bends hosts its Holiday Extravaganza show this Saturday with bands and Christmas-themed drinks
With holiday-inspired craft cocktails, of course.
New pizza spot Esposito’s opening soon in Palm Harbor
Get ready for fat ‘zas, sandwiches and salads.
Indie-pop pretty boys SWIMM headline Green Bench Brewery this Saturday
This L.A. band is originally from Florida.
The 7th Annual Lighted Holiday Bike Parade is back in St. Pete this weekend
Make sure to sign the waiver before you arrive.
Tampa’s Florida Museum of Photography Arts hosts a writing exhibition pop-up next week
Happening this Sunday, December 22.
Armature Works is showing ‘A Christmas Story’ out on the lawn next week
Time to explain the significance of the leg lamp to your kid.
Dunedin Brewery launches new Liter of Laughs Stand-up Open Mic series for amateur comedians
Get some liquid courage and you could take the stage, too.
New Granada Records will celebrate its 25th-anniversary at Ybor’s Crowbar this Christmas
Wrap up Christmas festivities early and head to this 25th birthday shindig.
Mergeculture debuts latest exhibition ‘Mint Condition’ in Tampa this weekend
All works are red and white, and your outfit should be too.
Ybor’s The Bricks is hosting a holiday bazaar this weekend with drink specials and more
Grab that last-minute gift and a mimosa for the low.
Lonni’s Sandwiches has moved to a new location in St. Petersburg
But not very far.
City of Tampa will ring in New Year’s Eve with a ‘Booty Drop’
A 320-foot-tall treasure chest will be 3-D projected in Curtis Hixon Park for a city-wide New Year’s celebration.
Blind Tiger will celebrate grand opening new Sparkman Wharf location this weekend
Free samples, music and caricatures are happening this Saturday.
Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli is hosting a Dino Doggy Holiday Party this weekend in Gulfport
Looks like someone on your list is getting a succulent for the holidays.
Tampa Rep. Jackie Toledo files bill to reform Florida’s prescription drug industry
As of Tuesday afternoon, a Senate version of Toledo’s bill had not been filed.
Florida Senate President says we need Visit Florida to offset images of hurricanes, Zika, and toxic algae
Lawmakers this fiscal year cut Visit Florida’s funding from $76 million to $50 million.
EATS! American Grill in Tampa is closed for good
It joins a few others that won’t be slinging burgers in 2020.
It really looks like Brightline’s rail line between Tampa and Orlando will have a Disney World stop
Talks between Disney and Brightline are in a “rather advanced state now.”
Lindsey Stirling brings her whimsical Christmas tour to Clearwater this Friday
She’s known for doing splits while playing violin.
Death metal legends Morbid Angel headlines hometown show at the Orpheum this Friday
With support from death-metal bands Watain and Incantation.
The Grateful Dead played Tampa in 1973, and now Uncle John’s Band will recreate the show
They’ll play Grateful Dead’s Tampa set from 1973 in its entirety.
Clearwater’s Pair O’ Dice Brewing hosts ’12 Beers of Christmas’ this Friday
Get a taste of the Deranged Elf Man stout.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay just welcomed two new baby cheetahs
The two brothers were born on October 14.
Lime is now offering Tampa residents a new $5 weekly pass
This is the first type of subscription service in the micro-mobility industry, according to Lime.
Florida Bar tells Clearwater lawyer who filmed himself leaving a raccoon to die 20 miles offshore to pay $750
The Florida Bar suggests he take a $750 “professional workshop” to stay in good standing.
Orlando musician Chuck Magid celebrates his debut LP at Crowbar this Thursday
He’s the former frontman of jam-rock band The Groove Orient
Predictably, Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s response to Pensacola shooting is to add more guns
Every U.S. military base in existence already has law enforcement personnel on site that are allowed to carry weapons.
Celebrity chef-inspired restaurant Chuck Lager America’s Tavern coming to Wesley Chapel
Loaded burgers and brews are on the menu.
You can now go to Publix to renew your vehicle registration in Hillsborough County
Of course, you can still register your vehicle online or at a tax collector branch.
New boat-up restaurant Paloma will open in Tampa’s Westshore Marina District
More waterfront views for hungry locals.
Proposal to legalize recreational pot won’t be on Florida’s 2020 ballot, but not all hope is lost
Meanwhile, supporters of “Make It Legal Florida,” continue racing to beat the deadline to get on the 2020 ballot.
New bills would create a master plan for electric vehicle charging stations on Florida highways
The bills are filed for the 2020 legislative session, which starts Jan. 14.
Florida’s Education Commissioner wants to allow prayer over the loudspeakers before school athletic events
“The state must not censor private religious speech of its students, even where that speech is given at a state-sponsored event or on public property.”
1964 The Tribute will bring Beatles-mania to St. Pete this spring
Playing all the hits and staying in character the entire show.
More protected bike lanes are coming to Tampa thanks to new initiative
But you should still wear a helmet.
Tickets for Plant City’s Strawberry Festival 2020 are on sale now
Live music, food and people watching.
Lyft shares this year’s most popular Tampa destinations
And the Lyftie Award goes to…
Keeping undocumented immigrants from getting jobs in Florida is big for DeSantis, but his own party isn’t on board
“It is something that the Florida Senate — or at least this administration — does not endorse.”
Democratic presidential candidates slam Florida’s handling of Amendment 4
“We must keep fighting efforts to silence their voices.”
As Star Wars land opens in Orlando, Disney will force Legoland to say goodbye to the franchise
Disney is known for being far less friendly than most with licensing deals.
Accrediting organization says FSU’s medical school failed to meet standards
University President John Thrasher was advised of the decision to issue a warning in an Oct. 25 letter.
‘The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston’ is coming to Sarasota next month
Starring Belinda Davids singing all the Houston hits.
New restaurant Naked Farmer is opening early 2020 in St. Petersburg
Promising to serve “unmessed-with deliciousness.”
Buddy Brew Coffee is opening a new location in Tampa
Buddy Brew will be sharing space with Chill Bros. Scoop Shop.
New fast-casual restaurant and market Harvest Bowl is opening in Seminole Heights next month
Florida Ave. is booming with new eats.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Florida’s arguments in ‘water war’ with Georgia
“Georgia does not contest that the oyster fishery suffered significant harm; rather, it argues that the collapse resulted from Florida’s mismanagement…”
Florida officials say there’s no quick fix in closing gun ‘loophole’ used in Pensacola shooting
“I still don’t think that we have a proposed path,” commission Chairman Robert Spottswood said Thursday afternoon.
New report from statewide grand jury slams ‘systemic’ safety issues in Florida school districts
The report also said charter schools appear to have “temporary fixes” in place.
University of Florida announces new breakthrough cancer drug
“These findings support the potential of DT2216 to be developed as a first-in-class BCL-XL-targeting antitumor agent.”
Club 201 owner dishes on what to expect from the forthcoming St. Pete speakeasy
Get ready to sip on some CBD-infused cocktails.
City of Tampa mayor Jane Castor would like you to stop throwing your Gasparilla beads in the ocean
The ocean didn’t work for those beads.
Plant City’s Two Henry’s Brewing is now ‘Keel Farms Agrarian Ale + Cider’
And we’re not quite sure how to even say it correctly.
Plant City’s Keel Farms hosts two U-Pick events for the holidays
Pet some farm animals, go on a hayride, and snag a pic with Santa.
Noise-rock bands Daughters and HEALTH co-headline The Orpheum this Sunday
This highly anticipated show is finally around the corner.
Prince Tanuki leads a night of future-soul at Paper Crane this Saturday
And yes, they have a harp.
St. Pete Beach’s Hotel Zamora is hosting a holiday market next week
Snag your last-minute gifts while avoiding the crowds.
St. Pete’s new gallery Grand Central Fine Art hosts their grand-opening party this weekend
Swing by for art, food and booze.
Dirty Rotten Snake in the Grass brings its punk-country to Paper Crane this weekend
Paper Crane will be chock full of honky-tonk.
Kyshona Armstrong brings her healing songs to The Straz’s Club Jaeb next week
She’s a musical therapist turned touring musician.
‘Drink.More.Wine!’, a new book from Tampa Bay’s longest-running restaurant critic
And you can catch him at his book signing this Friday at Dunedin’s Back in the Day Books.
The Soska Sisters’ new film ‘Rabid’ redefines body horror for the next generation
Excuse me while I pump my fist like a true film geek.
Nitty Gritty band founder John McEuen heads to The Hideaway Cafe this Tuesday
He’s bringing his guitar, banjo, mandolin and violin.
Cirque Musica’s Holiday Wishes show set to dazzle Amalie Arena
Prime gift material for moms.
Haggis Celtic Concerts brings Christmas classics to Dunedin next week
Christmas favorites with a Celtic twist.
CL Tampa Bay’s annual Holiday Auction is back, here’s what’s up for grabs
This year’s proceeds will benefit the Children’s Home Network.
Wesley Chapel’s ‘The Grove’ looks to build a new shipping container food park
What does this mean for King of the Coop’s second location?
Florida authorities want to close ‘loophole’ used in Pensacola shooting
The FWC wants a proposal that would end the ability for foreign citizens to buy handguns if they hold Florida hunting licenses.
Florida is still considering a possible bear hunt to manage growing population
Vice Chairman Michael Sole said “hunting is a tool” that might not be warranted today but could be required in the next decade.
New Sugar Factory location opens this weekend at Hard Rock Tampa
Just in time for Christmas break.
The Blend coffee and wine bar will open its first Tampa Bay location this week
Mother and daughter team, Stacha Madsen and Nichole McVicar, are coming in hot.
Tampa’s Tempus Projects looks back on the last decade before its 10th-anniversary party
A Decade of Tempus Projects is happening Saturday.
Tampa-based electronic band ‘Alien House’ is back from six-year hibernation
After a six-year hiatus, long-time friends Justin Myers and Anthony Tarallo are making a comeback.
Here are a few great books for the music lover on your holiday shopping list
Music books you should tack on to 2020 according to CL Tampa Bay’s music editor.
BarrieHaus opening in Ybor, King of the Coop expands to Wesley Chapel and more local foodie news
Oh, and we say goodbye to Le Boudoir Restaurant in Tampa.
Craig Pittman’s latest book, ‘Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther’, brings our critic to tears
Grab the tissues, Pittman gets real about humanity’s shortcomings.
Tampa-based multimedia arts collective ‘Crab Devil’ is creating an immersive art experience
Cooler than a museum, smarter than a theme park, weirder than a carnival.
Tampa’s annual Hallucination Before Christmas music festival preps a two-day takeover
The country’s biggest and brightest EDM artists will take over The Castle next weekend.
Oldmar’s Shaker & Peel delivers with its taco-driven menu
Taco Tuesday is an ideal time to work your way through the menu.






