Strict restrictions on hemp products now moves to floor of the Florida Senate

Citing safety concerns and a lack of scientific data, a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation that places strict regulations on the amount of THC used in hemp products that could significantly damage the burgeoning hemp industry in Florida.....Read More

Biden opens up lead on Trump amid growing gender gap: Quinnipiac poll

President Biden has opened up a 6 point lead in a hypothetical head-to-head match-up with former President Trump, new polling shows, amid signs of a growing gender gap in support for the two party front-runners. 

A new Quinnipiac University national poll found Biden with 50 percent support among registered voters, ahead of Trump’s 44 percent.

Biden also scored majority support among independents in the latest findings, with 52 percent support to Trump’s 40 percent.

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No brakes on ‘movable tiny homes’ bill in House committees

A novel solution to some affordable housing issues continues to roll through House panels, with the Transportation & Modals Subcommittee unanimously on board with a measure the sponsor likened to a “duck-billed platypus looking for a place to fit.”

Rep. Cyndi Stevenson’s legislation (HB 557) would establish parameters and a statutory definition for so-called “movable tiny homes,” specifying which “park trailers” would qualify.

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One-on-one with Sheriff Chronister to discuss his work in mental health

Each year millions of Americans are affected by mental health issues. But there is help out there for people.....Read More

Tampa Heights announces huge Lunar New Year Food Festival

Lunar New Year Celebration

Armature Works AW Courtyard

1910 N Ola Avenue, Tampa

Saturday, February 24

Starting at Noon

Admission is FREE

This community-oriented celebration will include dragon and lion dances, in addition to Taiko Drum performances on the South Lawn. These festivities will kick off at noon.

One of the more tantalizing poritons of this event is the food. Zukku Sushi, and the recently announced Ling’s Dumplings, and Han Hand Roll Bar will be providing good eats for the entire afternoon. Ling’s Dumplings and Han Hand Roll Bar are a part of the most antiicpated new restaurants opening in Tampa in 2024.

Read more HERE

Hillsborough looks to hire hundreds of teachers, address shortage

Yes, you can file your taxes for free

The 2024 tax filing season officially began on Monday, Jan. 29, with returns due on April 15. 

Many tax preparation companies say they offer free filing, but some people on social media have claimed that services advertised as free don’t always turn out that way by the time people submit their returns. 

Now that the 2024 tax season is underway, people online are looking for ways to file their taxes for free.

Use Free File or IRS Direct File HERE

New state policy denies gender-affirming driver licenses to transgender people

Transgender people can no longer obtain a driver’s license that reflects their gender identity under a new policy that treats “misrepresenting one’s gender, understood as sex, on a driver license” as fraud punishable by civil and criminal penalties plus cancellation, suspension, or revocation of the license.....Read More

Does the Florida Legislature want to give Gov. Ron DeSantis his own army?

The most worrisome legislation related to DeSantis involves the Florida Guard. Legislation would give DeSantis the power to run the guard as he wishes, including the possibility of sending its members to the Texas border.

Listen to the podcast HERE

Flag restrictions stall in Senate

A proposed Florida Senate bill aiming to ban flags symbolizing political or ideological viewpoints at government facilities, including public schools, faced a delay in the Senate committee amid objections, particularly from LGBTQ advocates.....Read More

Beetlejuice will officiate weddings, vow renewals in Ybor on Valentine’s Day

There are few spots boasting more personality than the SpookEasy Lounge (1909 N 15th St) in Historic Ybor City; and there may be no greater spiritual successor to the world’s crafted by Tim Burton in the 90s than this hub free of inhibitions. While spooky is in the name, love will most certainly be in the air on February 14. SpookyEasy Lounge will host a Wedding Mass(acre) featuring the ghost with the most BeetleJuice.....Read More

If Trump is disqualified, will mayhem ensue?

If by chaos people mean social unrest caused by Trump’s supporters, this is the worst possible reason for refusing to enforce a provision in the Constitution whose sole purpose is to prevent people bent on destroying our democracy from using governmental powers to achieve that goal.....Read More

Netanyahu and Sinwar’s forever war in Gaza

As the Gaza War extends beyond 100 days with no end in sight, a potential months-long respite from fighting has arisen. A ceasefire will allow the release of another set of Israeli hostages and another set of Palestinian prisoners.

But beyond this ongoing series of exchanges, no end to the war is in sight. The bombing, the raids, and the exchanges will go on for months and months. This perpetual state of conflict is exactly what the two men leading both sides seek.

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UPDATE in Matt Gaetz investigation involving minor

Ybor Paparazzi

Jose

Tampa Bay-area waterfront business owners concerned over abandoned boats

Tampa Hoods: Ybor City

7th Ave

Weekend Update: Trump Ordered to Pay $83 Million, DeSantis Endorses Trump - SNL

U.S. Arms Sales To Foreign Governments Reach Record High

 

The value of U.S. military equipment sold to foreign governments reached a record high in the 2023 fiscal year, according to the State Department.

Total military equipment transfers amounted to $238.4 billion in 2023, including equipment purchased by the U.S. government on behalf of other countries and goods sold directly to foreign governments by American defense companies, according to the State Department.

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Harvard students file civil rights complaint claiming harassment for supporting Palestinian rights

Harvard students filed a civil rights complaint against the university on Monday, alleging the school has not supported or protected students who have been harassed for being Palestinian, Arab, Muslim or supporters of Palestinian rights.....Read More

Supreme Court to hear abortion pill arguments in March

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on March 26 in a case that could limit the availability of the common abortion pill mifepristone. 

The justices will hear an appeal from the Biden administration and the maker of the branded version of mifepristone asking the high court to reverse a ruling from a federal appeals court that significantly curtailed access to the pill, even in states where abortion remains fully legal.

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Hillsborough TPO preparing to vote on big changes

The Hillsborough Transportation Planning Board is preparing to vote on some big changes. These changes aim to increase safety and ensure reliable transportation is available for people in the county. As Hillsborough County continues to grow, with more people moving here every day. The county is working to expand public transportation to keep up with demand.....Read More

IRS launches new, free tax filing program in Florida, 11 other states

Monday marks the start of tax season. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is launching a new pilot program in several states.

The IRS is rolling out Direct File in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington State and Wyoming.

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Florida House to discuss bill that would ban sleeping on public property

The Florida House of Representatives will meet Monday afternoon to continue discussing several proposed bills for this session, including Senate Bill 1530, that aims to target unauthorized public camping and sleeping on public property, which has some homeless advocates upset.....Read More

Tax season is here: Here are local resources to help you file your returns

Tax season 2024 is now here. Jan. 29 is the day when all Americans can start filing those taxes, as long as you have the necessary documents on hand from your 2023 income. 

To help you get your taxes filed correctly and on time, local resources are stepping up to give back to their community by doing so.

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Illinois Hearing Officer, Ex-G.O.P. Judge, Says Trump Engaged in Insurrection

A former Republican judge appointed to hear arguments on whether to disqualify former President Donald J. Trump from the Illinois primary ballot said on Sunday that he believed Mr. Trump engaged in insurrection by attempting to remain in office after the 2020 election.

But the former judge, Clark Erickson, whose nonbinding opinion will be considered by the State Board of Elections on Tuesday, added that he believed the board did not have the authority to disqualify Mr. Trump on those grounds and that the question should instead be left to the courts.

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Ocasio-Cortez says genocide accusations demonstrate ‘mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that accusations that President Biden is enabling genocide in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war demonstrate the “mass inhumanity that Gazans are facing.”....Read More

Joe Biden is trying to balance Gaza protests and free speech rights as demonstrators disrupt his events

It was President Joe Biden’s first big campaign rally of the year, a chance to spotlight the issue of protecting abortion rights. Instead, at least a dozen times during Biden’s 22-minute speech, demonstrators scattered throughout the audience rose to shout out demands for a cease-fire in Gaza.....Read More

Federal Judge Weighs Florida Officials’ Efforts To Disband Pro-Palestinian Student Groups

As the death toll continues to rise in the war between Israel and Hamas, a federal judge heard arguments Friday in a challenge to Florida officials’ efforts to disband pro-Palestinian student groups at two universities.

Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker spent more than two hours grilling lawyers representing the groups Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Florida and Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of South Florida, which allege that Gov. Ron DeSantis and state university leaders are violating their First Amendment rights.

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