District 7 Tampa City Council candidates Alan Cohn and Morris Lopez III weigh in on the Rays and Amendment 3

They are among four people seeking appointment to the seat being vacated by Councilman Luis Viera.

by Leif Helland October 28, 2026October 28, 2026

Alan Cohn and Morris Lopez III, both candidates in Tampa’s District 7 City Council race, weigh in on the Tampa Bay Rays and Amendment 3.

A broadcast screenshot showing Brittney Llewellyn at Tampa City Hall on Sept. 24, 2026. Captured in a medium shot during a Tampa City Council meeting broadcast, Brittney Llewellyn sits at a speaker's podium wearing a light pink long-sleeved top with a pink hair bow, holding papers while addressing the council. Other audience members sit behind her in theater-style seating, with broadcast lower-third graphics on screen displaying "TAMPA CITY COUNCIL" and the timestamp "09/24/2026 12:43 PM."

News & Views

Tampa City Council and the mayor chose who reviewed the city charter this year—but residents shaped the debate, too

Brittney Llewellyn pushed for the creation of an independent general inspector for city hall, and the review commission listened.

by Alex English October 14, 2026October 14, 2026

An indoor medium shot photograph by Michael Johnson showing Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera at Tampa City Hall in Tampa, Florida on June 23, 2026. Standing centrally in his office, Viera wears dark-framed glasses, a white long-sleeved dress shirt, a brown belt, and a blue, red, and white diagonally striped tie while holding his right hand over his heart and looking slightly off-camera to the right. The office wall behind him is completely covered with framed historical portraits and political photographs, including prominent framed portraits of John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, alongside a black leather office chair in the background.

News & Views

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera leaves city hall in November—and he has to take all the stuff in his office with him

District 7’s 10-year councilman shares stories behind the items that make his tiny space unique.

by Ray Roa and Michael Johnson September 22, 2026September 22, 2026

An indoor medium shot photograph by Dave Decker showing Tampa City Council member Luis Viera speaking at the C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library in Tampa, Florida on July 9, 2026. Standing in front of indoor window panels and a light wood wall, Viera wears dark-framed glasses, a blue blazer, a pink button-down shirt, and a blue-and-white diagonal striped tie while speaking into a microphone held in his right hand and pointing forward with his left index finger. In the soft-focus background on the left, an audience member in a light green shirt observes the presentation under bright indoor lighting.

News & Views

Here are 10 things I’ve learned during 10 years as a Tampa City Councilman

Luis Viera hopes he has used his City of Tampa experience to acknowledge and enjoy what is happening now.

by Luis Viera September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

News & Views

Dr. Patricia Alonzo enters District 7 Tampa City Council race, seeking to fix the district’s socioeconomic disparities

Retired journalist Alan Cohn and Morris Lopez III are also in the race to replace outgoing Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera.

by Leif Helland September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

Architectural rendering by Populous showing the main center-field entry plaza inside the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Tampa, Florida. Set beneath a massive translucent fixed-dome roof, the wide, multi-level concourse features crowds of fans walking past potted palm trees, escalators, and a glass aquarium-like ray touch tank along the left walkway. Above the concourse, elevated seating decks and concourse signage reading "WELCOME TO RAYS BALLPARK" overlook the field, flanked by American and Florida state flags hanging beneath the vaulted structural frame.

News & Views

Tampa City Council’s 4-3 vote to approve Rays stadium funding is just the first of many steps

The agreement is a framework reliant on many, many steps and processes for all of the elements to be realized.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor August 31, 2026August 31, 2026

A screenshot from a YouTube broadcast showing Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak speaking during a Tampa City Council meeting on August 27, 2026, at 1:25 PM. Captured in a medium shot, Councilwoman Hurtak sits in a black tufted leather chair speaking into a desktop microphone while addressing the council agenda regarding the Tampa Bay Rays Development Agreement. She wears rectangular eyeglasses and a green button-down shirt patterned with white polka dots, with the American flag visible behind her to the left and a live broadcast graphic overlay on the lower right.

News & Views

Tampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak says she has breast cancer

The 49-year-old, who is also running for mayor, said she will start treatment on Monday.

by Ray Roa August 27, 2026August 27, 2026

News & Views

Retired Tampa newscaster Jeff Patterson is running for city council

He’s promising to fix damaged roads, sidewalks, and infrastructure.

by Leif Helland August 13, 2026August 13, 2026

A professional campaign portrait of Tampa City Council District 3 candidate Candice Cowen smiling warmly at the camera. Framed from the chest up, the individual stands slightly turned to the side while looking forward. They have long, dark hair styled in thin micro-braids or locs gathered into a high ponytail that cascades behind them. They are wearing thick-rimmed, black cat-eye glasses, small gold hoop earrings, a purple top under a tailored black blazer, and have their arms crossed. The background features a brightly lit, softly blurred outdoor city street scene with palm tree

News & Views

In Tampa City Council race, Candice Cowen already has endorsements from state reps and school board members

The city employee is focused on affordable housing and running against two other candidates for the District 3 seat.

by Leif Helland July 20, 2026July 20, 2026

A wide, high-angle screengrab depicting the inside of the Tampa City Council chambers. Behind the curved wooden council dais, seven individuals stand in a row in front of a wood-paneled wall featuring the large circular City of Tampa seal. From left to right: Councilmember Guido Maniscalco in a blue blazer; Councilmember Lynn Hurtak in a grey and white patterned shirt; Councilmember Charlie Miranda, with a shaved head and glasses, wearing a black shirt and tie while handing a framed commendation to former Mobility Administrator Jean Duncan, who wears a bright coral dress; Council Chair Alan Clendenin, wearing glasses and a dark suit, clapping; Councilmember Naya Young in a white and vibrant pink patterned dress; and Councilmember Luis Viera in a light blue blazer, also clapping. In the foreground, empty high-back leather chairs and computer monitors face toward the dais.

News & Views

‘A slap in the face’: Tampa city council commends administrator accused in $650,000 discrimination lawsuit

In total, nearly $700K was spent to settle a lawsuit connected to recently-retired mobility director Jean Duncan.

by Valerie Smith June 22, 2026June 22, 2026

A watercolor-style aerial architectural rendering of the proposed Ybor Harbor development. The image showcases a U-shaped waterfront bordered by roughly eight modern high-rise towers of varying heights. The buildings feature gridded facades, stepped terraces, and green rooftop spaces, some with swimming pools. In the center, a sheltered body of water contains multiple floating boat docks, a small landscaped island connected by a pedestrian bridge, and several small boats. Wide, tree-lined promenades separate the buildings from the water's edge, illustrating a dense but walkable urban marina.

News & Views

Tampa City Council’s CRA agenda includes a $50 million request for Ybor Harbor development

Drew Park, West Tampa, and East Tampa’s ‘Gator Building’ are also up for discussion.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor May 13, 2026May 13, 2026

A conceptual architectural rendering of the proposed Tampa Police Department annex on Howard Avenue. The modern white and blue building is surrounded by a manicured green lawn, a winding gray sidewalk, and a white perimeter wall under a bright blue sky with palm trees.

News & Views

Tampa City Council to discuss Rome Yard changes, and $21.7 million to help relocation of police facilities

Also on the agenda this week is the first public hearing for a proposed change to water and wastewater capacity fees which are similar to impact fees.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 31, 2026March 31, 2026

Michael Bishop, founder of the Tampa Monitor, speaking into a studio microphone at WMNF 88.5 FM. The person has grey hair and a beard, wearing headphones and a dark blue jacket. The background features a corkboard with various posters, including one for The Beach Boys and an IMAX film.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor is asking for help to finish building important reporting tools

It’s Sunshine Week, and the website helps all of us keep eyes and ears on Tampa City Council.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 18, 2026March 18, 2026

Group portrait of Tampa City Council members

News & Views

Tampa Councilwoman Hurtak says Mayor Castor is limiting her ability to ride along with city departments

Council unanimously passed a motion asking the administration to rescind policy limiting open access to government.

by Ray Roa March 5, 2026March 10, 2026

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hear update to Land Development Code

There are 73 items on the agenda for Thursday, March 5.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Aerial view of the Downtown Tampa skyline and the Hillsborough River on a clear, sunny day. The image shows high-rise office buildings, the University of Tampa, and a major highway interchange with cars crossing the river into the urban center.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: City Council to hold special call Fiscal Year 27 workshop on Tuesday

The open discussion lets the body discuss budget priorities ahead of the mayor’s presentation.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

ampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak smiling in front of the County Center building in downtown Tampa.

News & Views

Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak files paperwork to join Tampa mayoral race

She’s the first elected official to enter the race.

by Ray Roa February 23, 2026February 23, 2026

Close-up of a RedSpeed speed and red-light enforcement camera mounted on a metal pole against a clear blue sky, showing the high-resolution lens and protective housing used for automated traffic enforcement.

News & Views

Tampa City Council could vote to approve Flock-integrated speed cameras in school zones

Councilmembers say they are confident data wouldn’t be inappropriately shared.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

A medium shot of two people posing closely together in front of a glass-walled building. The person on the left is wearing a blue and white checkered button-down shirt, and the person on the right is wearing a white top and holding a grey folder. Both are smiling warmly at the camera.

News & Views

Tampa City Councilwoman Naya Young files for re-election

The 33-year-old became the youngest woman elected to council in last fall’s special election.

by Ray Roa February 17, 2026February 20, 2026

A wide shot of the Tampa City Council seated at a curved wooden dais during a morning workshop. Seven council members are visible behind the desk, with the City of Tampa seal and American and Florida flags centered on the wall behind them. A digital overlay in the corner identifies the meeting as a "Tampa City Council 9:00 a.m. Workshop" dated January 29, 2026.

News & Views

Tampa Monitor: Council approves additional funding for South Howard Flood Relief project

The project’s future is still in doubt after councilmembers approved moving $21.5 million to the effort.

by Michael Bishop and The Tampa Monitor February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

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