Gov. DeSantis targets 5 Tampa Bay area School Board members, including Jessica Vaughn

Gov. Ron DeSantis, along with House Speaker Paul Renner and the conservative group Moms for Liberty, rolled out a list of 14 School Board members they will target in the 2024 election cycle.

The list includes Hillsborough County School Board members Nadia Combs and Jessica Vaughn; Pinellas County School Board members Laura Hine and Eileen Long; and Sarasota County School Board member Tom Edwards.

More HERE

As feds soften on pot, Tina Polsky sees traction for bill protecting medical marijuana users

Sen. Tina Polsky is hoping the third time will be the charm for legislation protecting medical marijuana users from facing job discrimination, as President Joe Biden is now on her side — in a way.

The Boca Raton Democrat’s bill (SB 972) aims to prevent public employees from suffering career setbacks because of a positive marijuana test if they are qualified to use medical marijuana. Polsky said she took up the cause after hearing from a medical marijuana user who was not hired after a urine test came back positive.

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Congressman Maxwell Frost Interview

Lawmakers give DeSantis $10 million more to move migrants

Fewer than five months after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration flew about 50 migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard, Mass. – a move that ended up costing the state around $1.5 million and is the subject of legal challenges – the Republican supermajority in the legislature has granted the administration another $10 million to transport migrants from other states.....MORE

Florida high school athletes won't have to report their periods after emergency vote BUT...

The Florida High School Athletic Association's board of directors has voted 14-2 to remove questions about high school athletes' menstrual history from a required health form for participation in high school athletics.

Thursday's emergency meeting focused on the debate around menstrual cycle information. But in a less-discussed change to the requirements for Florida athletes, the newly adopted form asks students to list their "sex assigned at birth." The previous version asked only for "sex."

More HERE

Ron DeSantis’s war on “woke” in Florida schools, explained

This article explains a number of the topics associated with Ron DeSantis' attack on the educational system here in Florida.

The topics explained are:

• The ongoing book banning campaign
• Rejecting AP African American studies with the Stop WOKE Act
• Eliminating DEI programs and initiatives
• Cracking down on coursework
• Dismantling tenure and tamping down on hiring
• Targeting trans health care
• The Hostile takeover of the progressive New College of Florida

Read the article HERE

Florida classroom bookshelves left empty as education reform law goes into effect

Jacksonville teacher Andrea Phillips spent Literacy Week packing up her classroom library. 

Phillips, who specializes in helping students who have trouble reading, was told that until all books could be vetted and verified to be in compliance with Florida's education laws, they would need to be put away.

More HERE

Florida student activists, Democrats speak against permitless carry bill

"How many more lives have to be lost for the Florida legislature to finally get the message?" Alexis Dorman, volunteer with Students Deman Action, said......more HERE

Dreadlock Dave in Tampa

The Pesky Pelican Brew Pub

Protesters greet Ron DeSantis on visit to speak with Chicago police officers

DPCTB Recommended Tampa City Council Candidates

These are the Tampa City Council candidates recommended by the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Tampa Bay (DPCTB).

UNF students plan rally to support DEI programs in face of DeSantis’ pledge to block them

Gov. Ron DeSantis is moving to block public funding for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs at state colleges and universities. He argues that these initiatives are purely ideological and need to be dismantled.

In response, students at several institutions, including the University of North Florida, are planning to push back.

More HERE

Tampa Greyhound bus station relocates to parking lot, concerning bus riders

There are no benches or restrooms. People waiting rested their legs and feet on overturned shopping carts and the curb while our cameras were there......MORE

Tampa Bay LGBTQ activists prepare for fight over drag as bans spread

GOP attempts to restrict drag shows could reignite in Florida as other states move to ban the performances.

Florida's Legislature convenes next month, and local LGBTQ activists expect state lawmakers to revisit the issue after a legislator's attempt to restrict drag flopped last year.

More HERE

Brody Buster Florida Tour in Tampa

APRIL 2, 2023 AT 3 PM

Ella's - Seminole Heights

Tampa Bay veteran runs ‘Uber Eats for homeless

Magic Giant in Ybor City

Crowbar - Ybor City

Politicians Report HUGE Increase In Super PAC Thefts

Stop the Permitless Gun Bill before it is too late

Just a reminder that the horrible DeSantis brainchild of carry a gun without a permit or education is already being discussed in Tallahassee. If you are against this reckless bill, join me and asking our friends and neighbors to contact their State Representative and Senator to vote against HB 543/ SB 150, especially if their Representative sits on the House Judiciary Committee.

The Permitless Gun Carry Bill that even law enforcement is against because of the horrific circumstances that can happen with concealed firearms in the hands of someone with evil intentions.The Judiciary Committee is the final step in the State House and will be meeting on Tuesday, February 21st at 8 am. Let your voices be heard in Tallahassee.

Democrats brace as GOP preps to move bills on guns, school vouchers

Florida’s Democratic lawmakers are girding for a tough week as Republicans in charge of the Legislature are set to advance bills loathed by Democrats: one measure legalizing concealed carry without a permit and another allowing every family to receive a voucher for private K-12 schooling.

More HERE

Final curtain on Dems’ disastrous Midterms set for Saturday, as party picks new Chair

Saturday afternoon will officially start a new chapter for the Florida Democratic Party and drop the curtain on one of its most disastrous elections in recent memory.

The Florida Democratic Party will be meeting for a special election, with the public portion of the event beginning at 1:30 p.m. and concluding with the new Chair being gaveled in.

More HERE

Ron DeSantis Gets Skewered By Florida Paper For Ignoring The State's REAL Problems

VINTAGE ROOST MARKET in Ybor

Ron DeSantis’ Yearbook Reveals He Didn’t Always Hate AP

When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis floated the possibility of eliminating Advanced Placement classes from his state’s curriculum, he conveniently left out an important fact. DeSantis was once the “AP US History student of the year,” according to his high school yearbook.

More HERE

PSA: Don't Drink The Frappuccinos

Starbucks is recalling 25,200 cases of bottled coffee drinks over concerns they could contain glass.

According to the recall notice, the affected Starbucks drinks are 13.7-ounce frappuccinos that were distributed across the country.

The recalled coffees have 2023 expiration dates of March 8, May 29, June 4, and June 10.

Anyone with questions or comments about this recall can call 1-800-211-8307.

Tiny College Hijacked by Woke-Obsessed DeSantis Saddles Up to Fight Back

New College has become a pawn in DeSantis’ war on education in the Sunshine State. But alumni tell The Daily Beast: “The political pawns are going to fight back.”........MORE

Help New College in it's fight for freedom HERE