

Citing a ‘COVID information-sharing void,’ Nikki Fried directs her department to publish federal coronavirus data
Fried said she was spurred to action given the recent uptick in Florida’s COVID-19 cases.
Florida fires back in Norwegian Cruise’s challenge to vaccine ‘passport’ ban
The ban, a priority of DeSantis, prevents businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
Ceviche tapas bar officially reopened at its new St. Petersburg location
Ceviche is replacing The Moon Under Water, which closed back in February.
Tampa’s new Water Street Publix Greenwise Market will open next month
Don’t go looking for Pub subs though.
St. Petersburg’s 22 South Food Hall is permanently closed
It was only open for three months.
WMNF and Rob Lorei at odds over alleged ‘slur’ that led to his firing
And members of the Jewish community are mixed regarding the hurtfulness of the word.
Florida argues CDC violated cruise case injunction
But CDC attorneys fired back Sunday, describing as “baseless” the state’s arguments that the federal health agency violated the injunction.
USF Student Senate unanimously votes to permanently protect Tampa forest preserve
But the administration has said that a student resolution, ‘would not require any action by the university.’
Some Florida health care workers are now facing vaccination requirements
Health care providers ranging from Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to small physicians’ offices are beginning to put requirements in place for staff members to get vaccinated.
Florida Gov. DeSantis held a secret meeting to discuss masks at schools
The event was held as hospitals across the state are seeing sharp increases in COVID-19 patients because of the delta variant of the coronavirus and lagging vaccination rates.
Globally-inspired restaurant, Acua Bistro, coming to St. Pete’s EDGE District
Bringing a much needed does of gluten-free and vegan-friendly options.
St. Pete’s new bakery, The Crumb Factory, set to open next month
Owners Pablo Mardones and Felipe Zavala started their venture on Instagram, taking orders through direct messages in April 2020.
Nikki Fried suspends concealed carry permits for Florida’s alleged insurrectionists
The lone Democrat on Florida’s Cabinet oversees licensing.
Moon Under Water’s Michael Crippin brings The Studio Public House to St. Pete
The recording-space-turned-bar quietly opened its doors back in April at 2950 Central Ave, and has quickly become a staple for the Grand Central District.
Five Tampa Bay Buccaneers who might have a breakout season this year
It’s great news for the world champs.
Let me daydream about this scenario where Aaron Rodgers ends up in a Bucs uniform
It’s a stretch, but bear with us.
Sen. Janet Cruz and CareerSource Tampa Bay will host job fair this week
Over 90 employers will offer up to 1,000 jobs.
Attorney Rhea Law recommended as interim president of USF
Law served on search committees that helped select the past two USF presidents.
Tampa Bay lawmakers and workers call on Republican senators to expand labor protections
They were outside Marco Rubio and Rick Scott’s Tampa offices last Friday.
Cat Power is replacing Liz Phair on the Alanis Morrisette tour coming to Tampa this summer
Cat Power last played the area in 2019.
Erykah Badu is coming to Tampa with Goodie Mob and Scarface
The show happens this fall at Amalie Arena.
Could Florida college athletes profit from doing porn?
“This marks the first time that an adult company has looked to partner with NCAA athletes.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints daughter of Senate President to USF board
Her appointment to the university board will require Senate confirmation.
Bad Religion and Alkaline Trio add St. Pete show to co-headlining tour, but it’s already sold-out
The two punk favorites were originally set to play Florida only once—over in Disney Springs.
King Crimson kicks off first post-COVID tour in Clearwater—and it could’ve been the band’s last Bay area show ever
A private show for friends and family only was played at the same venue on Tuesday night.
REO Speedwagon honors Robby Steinhard and revisits ‘Hi Infidelity’ in hit-filled Clearwater set
The band was the last to rock Ruth Eckerd Hall before COVID-19.
Dunedin Brewery’s 25th anniversary arrives after a year of despair
‘We’ve been here for 25 years and look forward to the next 25 years, no matter what battle we face next.’
Tampa’s Yuengling Center returns to live music this fall with Moneybagg Yo
It’s the venue’s first big concert since the onset of the pandemic.
Duckweed Urban Grocery’s massive new Westshore Marina District location is now open
This is the health conscious grocery store’s third location to open around Tampa.
Tampa Bay engineering group hosts Saturday fundraiser to bring WiFi to low income communities
Florida Engineering Leadership Institute is really close to getting its first hotspot.
MFA St. Pete’s ‘Stories We Tell: LGBTQ Art & Activism’ film series happens this weekend
It’s Friday-Sunday on Beach Drive.
Allergy-friendly Sōl Bistro is moving into the old Wepa restaurant in St. Petersburg
Owners of Xtreme Fitness and Cycling Studio are behind the project.
Brooklyn staple Oddfellows Ice Cream Co. opening new location in Hyde Park Village this fall
This is the concept’s seventh location.
Who exactly is allowed to protest in Tampa?
ACLU and activists say there’s a stark difference between Tampa’s response to Cuba demonstrations and the George Floyd uprising.
Tampa’s Hooch and Hive launches ‘Tightrope Improv’ music monthly next week
John Nowicki plays ringmaster
Kevin Siebel’s ‘Deluxe 12’ plays a free concert in Seminole Heights this weekend
Sunday School for Sinners at Indie.
‘Jersey Shore’ star Pauly D plays DJ set in Ybor City on Saturday
Get your gym, tan and laundry in early, folks.
Florida threatens sanctions against Ben & Jerry’s over Israel boycott
Similar action was briefly taken by the State Board of Administration in January 2019 against the home-sharing platform Airbnb.
Hillsborough County could see surge in COVID cases next month, says USF epidemiologist
The expected spike is due, at least in part, to the slowing of vaccinations and the scaling back of mitigation efforts such as social distancing and mask wearing.
Florida doctors rip Gov. DeSantis over state’s pandemic response
“While hospitals in our state were filling up, DeSantis was shouting about ‘Freedom over Faucism,’” said Ashby who leads the group of 405 Florida physicians.
Tampa artist Chris Preston puts macabre spin on the movies in ‘Dead Cinema’ art show
It’s happening in Old Seminole Heights on Saturday.
Nearly half of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ PAC money is from outside of Florida
All fifty states are represented in DeSantis’ 2021 fundraising to date, plus the Virgin Islands.
Despite surging COVID cases, Florida Gov. DeSantis vows to fight public school mask mandates
“We’re not doing that in Florida, OK? We need our kids to breathe.”
Tampa’s Hard Rock Event Center is getting in on the local live music restart, too
Alicia Keys’ rescheduled show anchors a lineup of solid shows.
Tampa Bay fans shouldn’t take the return of live music for granted
Venues are ‘still wounded.’
Gasparilla Music Festival says 2021 lineup is pretty much set, provides details on Friday schedule
GMF is a three-day affair in 2021, and is already planning for 2022.
Tampa Bay Indigenous group heads to Miami’s Canadian Consulate to address children’s graves
FIA is calling on Canada to take responsibility for the killing of Native children and to help with the search for the remaining graves.
After taking 2020 off, Metrocon welcomes fans back to downtown Tampa this weekend
Thousands who missed out last year will be at the convention center starting Friday.
16 live music concerts and events happening in Tampa Bay this weekend
You probably want to bring a mask.
Florida hospitals grapple with recent wave of new coronavirus infections
The number of COVID-19 infections in Florida jumped from 10,459 cases during the week of June 11 to 45,603 cases during the week of July 9, according to state data.
Canopy Road Cafe’s new South Tampa location is now open
This is the company’s second location in Tampa Bay, with the first in Brandon at 10254 Causeway Blvd.
Nikki Fried slammed for photo-op with ‘Trump supporter’ Tom Brady
Brady has acknowledged being a friend and golfing buddy of former President Donald Trump.
The Black Keys are coming to St. Petersburg’s Jannus Live this September
The booking adds to a very busy fall at the outdoor venue.
Savage Love: Not asking your kink partner about their public social media shows tact and self control—so don’t
Plus, my wife did ‘something’ to my best friend, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Yngwie Malmsteen wants to blow minds and melt faces when he plays new album for Clearwater this weekend
‘Parabellum’ is out on Friday.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urges Cuba military to overthrow government
“The best role for the military is the Cuban military to realize that time is up.”
Florida cop charged in Capitol riot was affiliated with Proud Boys while employed by department, chats show
As of now, Florida has more individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack than anywhere else in the nation.
Protesters calling for red tide action will march in St. Pete this weekend
‘Failure to enact policies that protect the environment and long term climate denial have created the current disaster in Tampa Bay.’
John Mayer will play Tampa’s Amalie Arena in 2022
He last played the same room in 2017.
Florida Gov. DeSantis on traffic-blocking demonstrators: ‘We can’t have that’
DeSantis’ condemnation comes two days after the South Florida demonstrations and after DeSantis said protests in Cuba were a “much different situation” than Black Lives Matter protests over the summer.
Out-of-towners are driving up Tampa rental prices, says study
The movers have higher budgets and incomes than existing residents.
Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa’s iconic restaurant and venue, has officially reopened
The venue was closed for nearly a year.
Busch Gardens’ new baby giraffe, Stanley, was born the night Tampa Bay Lightning won
“Happy to share the spotlight with Stanley,” the Tampa Bay Lightning responded.
Florida Board of Education approves new curriculum pushing ‘American exceptionalism’
Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared at the board’s Wednesday meeting to tout the updated standards.
Activists ask Tampa General Hospital to divest from Israeli business accelerator
A protest is planned for Friday.
After cleaning up 500 tons of dead fish, St. Petersburg mayor calls on DeSantis for help
As Kriseman spoke, workers behind the mayor scooped up dead fish with pool skimmers and a fishing net.
Iconic Tampa restaurant and music venue Skipper’s Smokehouse soft opens on July 8
You *absolutely need* a reservation for the ‘extended training exercise.’
The best yacht-rock concerts coming to Tampa Bay in 2021
Also, is Clearwater the yacht-rock capital of Florida?
Snarky Puppy, Kool & the Gang, Gloria Gaynor and more headline Clearwater Jazz Holiday 2021 lineup
With Coachman Park under renovation, Baycare Ballpark hosts from Oct. 14-17.
Bearded Texas duo ZZ Top revives its semi-annual concert in Tampa this fall
The 21 & up show is in November and almost sold-out.
Singer-songwriter Ben Folds will bring his solo tour to Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock
Tickets for the “In Actual Person Live For Real” tour have already gone on sale.
Iconic Tampa music venue and restaurant Skipper’s Smokehouse is reopening this summer
The menu, hours and smoking rules are revamped.






