Creative Loafing’s 2023 endorsements for Tampa City Council, mayor and charter amendments
Early voting is happening now and wraps on Sunday, March 5. Election day is 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7.
Pete’s Ybor, from the minds behind Pete’s Bagels, soft opens in Tampa next week
Once the team really settles in, Pete’s will start to do charcuterie boards, plus beer and wine.
Annual Food & Wine Festival returns to Busch Gardens Tampa this month
Its concerts and exclusive food offerings will run until Sunday, May 21.
20 Tampa Bay Beer Week events, parties, and special releases
It runs from Friday, March 3 to Sunday, March 12.
Tampa natives open new organic and plant-based dessert shop Tru Vegan Creamery
Milkshakes, vegan ice cream, sundaes and slushies are on its menu.
Tampa Bay Republican files law expanding Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
Anderson’s bill would go beyond the instruction issues to address personal pronouns.
Jane Goodall’s Tampa Theatre talk sold out quickly, but select students can earn free tickets to get in
There’s also a separate Florida Aquarium event the night before.
10 big issues to watch during Florida’s 2023 legislative session
Session begins next week.
Bern’s Steak House launches a new reservation policy, no-show fees will now benefit Feeding Tampa Bay
All reservations will be secured with a credit card, too.
Tampa neighborhood association threatens defamation lawsuit over mailer attacking Lynn Hurtak
Lawyers say that false and malicious claims were made against councilwoman Lynn Hurtak and Harbour Island residents
Tampa Bay beaches ranked among Tripadvisor’s ‘Best Beaches’ of 2023
Siesta Beach grabbed the No. 2 spot.
Goodbye, Lenny
Some dark days could lie ahead for the Bucs in the form of some difficult decisions.
Food From the Soul, a festival that highlights cuisine from people of color, happens in Tampa next month
It features samples, a cooking competition and family-friendly activities.
Wu-Tang Clan and Nas are playing a Tampa pool party this fall
Tickets go on sale March 1
Florida Avenue Brewing Co.’s new Seminole Heights taproom soft opens next month
CEO Anthony Derby talks expansion, merging brands and grand opening details.
Tampa Bay restaurants and hotels shut out of AAA’s ‘5 Diamond’ ratings
The Bay area is home to 17 ‘4-Diamond’ properties.
New College of Florida’s board looks to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion ‘bureaucracies’
As part of the proposed changes, the board will decide whether to eliminate the school’s Office of Outreach & Inclusive Excellence.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay is hiring a staff writer
And yes, Justin Garcia is leaving.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is a shoo-in for re-election, so write someone else in
Symbolically, of course.
In Tampa City Council District 1, Alan Clendenin is the best fit to replace incumbent Joe Citro
Tampa’s District 1 City Council race includes Chase Harrison, a former Tampa cop who was unapologetic about the 10 sustained violations he earned while on the force. Dr. Sonja Brookins has been open to rent stabilization measures, sided with council on its recent move to send city charter changes to voters, and joined a chorus…
Now more than ever in District 2, Tampa City Council needs Robin Lockett
She just edges out Guido Maniscalco.
In Tampa City Council District 3, incumbent Lynn Hurtak is a much better choice than Janet Cruz
Cruz saw her 12-year run in the Florida Legislature come to an end last fall.
For Tampa City Council, Bill Carlson is an easy choice over Blake Casper in District 4
Casper has ideas about what needs to change in Tampa but has offered few specifics about how he’ll get it done.
Creative Loafing reluctantly endorses Orlando Gudes for Tampa City Council District 5
This is perhaps the most difficult choice voters face (albeit just those in District 5).
It’s close, but Hoyt Prindle is the best candidate for Tampa City Council District 6
Eight terms is enough for Charlie Miranda.
Vote ‘yes’ on amendment regarding City of Tampa Charter Review Advisory Commission
Power and the way it’s allocated is meant to be checked.
Vote ‘yes’ on the charter amendment about appointment of City of Tampa department heads
There’s nothing wrong with making the mayor work a little harder.
Vote ‘Yes’ on all Tampa city charter change amendments
Elected officials have thought the process out in a healthy manner.
Vote ‘yes’ on Tampa city charter amendment about council creating standing boards
There’s always more room for checks and balances.
Vote ‘yes’ on the Tampa charter amendment on term limits for city council
Go find something else to do guys, like being a lobbyist or something.
Donald Trump says Fox News is covering Florida Gov. ‘Ron DeSanctus so hard’
The former President is having flashbacks to 2016.
Florida Gov. DeSantis officially takes over Disney district, and stacks board with conservative pals
“If DeSantis actually wants to end the corporate kingdom then he should support policies like HB 769/SB 1144…”
The Guinness-certified ‘world’s largest bounce house’ returns to Tampa
This isn’t the first time Tampa parents have had to chase their kids through this thing.
Early voting for Tampa’s municipal elections starts today
Early voting runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. at seven locations through March 5.
Serengeti Flyer opens today at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Yesterday, the City of Tampa lit up City Hall with green and purple lights to celebrate the new attraction.
Florida House speaker supports Gov. DeSantis’ efforts to weaken news media protections
“I think the governor’s right. It’s time to test that law, you know the New York Times v. Sullivan.”
As new Florida Democratic Party chair, Nikki Fried says she wants to end ’30 years of losses’
The Republican Party of Florida responded to Fried’s victory in a press release calling the Democrat a “serial grifter.”
St. Pete approves possible $50k for increased abortion access
A reproductive rights resolution and Tampa Bay Abortion Fund allocation now head to a full council vote
More than half of Janet Cruz’s campaign donations aren’t from Tampa residents
Meanwhile, 70 percent of Lynn Hurtak’s donations originate from within Tampa’s borders.
Florida Republican wants to limit use of electric vehicles during hurricane evacuations
Sen. Jonathan Martin raised a concern that electric vehicles could become roadblocks if they run out of power.
Davis Islands’ Latin-Creole restaurant Bayou Bodega is closing
Its last day dishing out its fusion fare might be tomorrow, Feb. 25.
Florida House says school voucher plan would cost $209 million next year, but critics say it could cost upwards of $4 billion
The revamped measure would allow 20,000 home-schooled students to receive vouchers next school year.
‘This is the opposite of common-sense gun safety’: White House rips Florida’s new gun proposals following Orlando shooting
Spectrum News 13 television reporter Dylan Lyons, 24, was fatally shot in the Pine Hills area of Orange County.
King State heads to St. Pete, The Pearl has an opening date, and more Tampa Bay foodie news
And there are food festivals happening on both sides of the bay this weekend.
Florida Gov. DeSantis criticizes immigration law he previously signed, calls for new changes
“DeSantis’ xenophobic policies place Florida residents — regardless of immigration status — in danger…”
Tampa Bay Democrats condemn Bob Buckhorn’s support of right-wing city council candidate Blake Casper
Tampa’s former mayor said, ‘I don’t really care what they think.’
Popular foodie festival Taste of South Tampa returns in March
The event takes over South Tampa for the 17th year in a row.
‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ creator Phil Rosenthal brings cookbook tour to Tampa
All hail the real king of queens.
Tampa Bay author Tyler Gillespie didn’t want to write another political poem
But then the state banned books.
Trump says Florida was ‘GREAT’ before DeSantis ‘got there’
‘Rick Scott did great, and even Charlie Crist had very good numbers.’
Florida House and Senate leaders say the goal is to get DeSantis’ anti-woke agenda ‘across the finish line’
“The bills that he is asking us to send through the Legislature are the things that we’ve been talking about for years…”
Florida circuit judge dismisses migrant flight lawsuit after state legislature passed changes
After DeSantis signed the bill last week, administration attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case because of mootness.
