Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Debate over the legalization of Marijuana in Florida with Suncoast NORML Executive Director Chris Cano
Judge rules against DeSantis' request for minors to undergo 'mental examinations' in transgender coverage lawsuit
Two minors who are plaintiffs in a challenge to a state rule prohibiting Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care for transgender people won’t have to undergo “mental examinations” as requested by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, a federal judge ruled Monday.
Lawyers for the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which largely oversees the Medicaid program, last month asked U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle to allow evaluations of patients identified as “Susan Doe” and “K.F.”
But during a telephone hearing Monday, Hinkle said the state failed to show the need to subject the children to the two-hour evaluations.
More HERE
Publishing company will offer free Black history e-books, especially in Florida
How Is Tampa Improving Transportation?
Hillsborough book challenge grabs attention of lawmaker
A book challenge at a Hillsborough County middle school has caught the attention of the speaker of the Florida House. He is now intervening, sending a letter to Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Speaker Paul Renner said he wants to better understand how decisions are [made] within the school district. He is requesting records relating to books in Hillsborough County schools
“Any fair-minded person reviewing these books would agree, and we will not tolerate continued efforts to bypass Florida law,” he said in a statement.
The statement refers to a challenge to the book “This Book is Gay” (purchase HERE), which is currently sitting on a shelf at Pierce Middle School’s library. The book explores sexuality with chapters on stereotypes, coming out, and the ins and outs of gay sex; saying in chapter five quote “I hope I’ve sold this LGBTQ+ thing pretty well.”
Read More HERE
Florida governor wants refunds issued to eligible Hillsborough taxpayers for failed transportation tax
While it is unclear how refunds may be allocated, who may be eligible, and how many taxpayers could get back, the governor says public requests would be due by Feb. 29, 2024, and refunds would be paid by April 1, 2024.
After that, DeSantis says any remaining funds could then be used by Hillsborough commissioners to pay for things like roads and bridges and their maintenance, but specifically CANNOT BE SPENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS......MORE
Tampa Hoods: Ybor City
Marco Rubio Politely Humiliated By ABC News Anchor
Help Rep. Maxwell Frost
I was the underdog candidate. No one expected a Gen Z, working class community organizer to win – but that was then.
Now that we finally have a seat at the table, all eyes are on our youth-powered movement to see if we can keep up the momentum and wield our power into transformational change.
But the forces working against our movement haven’t changed a bit. In fact, they’ve ramped up now that I’m in Congress.
Our movement’s unprecedented win sounded the alarm for GOP leaders. They don’t want our generation to have a say in our own future. That’s why they’re already plotting to replace me
Congressman Maxwell Frost Speaks on Tyre Nichols
Monday, February 6, 2023
Famous Last Words in Ybor City
Tyler Barret 2022 SECA Winner
Tampa Traveler Jeff Z in NYC
Two centuries-old buildings in downtown Tampa have been demolished
Monument preservationists hoped to save the centuries-old buildings in downtown Tampa at 514 and neighboring 520 N. Tampa Streets but the Florida State Department declared 514 N. Tampa St. not a historic building and ordered it torn down.
The city of Tampa then considered enforcing the historic designation on the other side, but the owners successfully lobbied against it.
The brick buildings were demolished over the weekend. A 42-storey residential tower is to be built on the site.....MORE
Party with Guido in SOHO
Call the "woke busters": Ron DeSantis sends volunteer army to snatch books from students' hands
What is behind Ron DeSantis’s Stop-Woke Act?
Florida governor Ron DeSantis has been grabbing national headlines with his relentless attacks on so-called "woke". In addition to his Stop-Woke (Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees) Act, which prohibits educational institutions and businesses from teaching students and employees anything that would cause anyone to "feel guilt, anguish or any form of psychological distress" due to their race, color, sex or national origin, he has barred University of Florida professors from giving evidence against the state’s voting law, claimed that professors at public [schools] have no right to freedom of speech, and organizing a “hostile takeover” of the New College of Florida, one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country.
Read more HERE
New renderings show baseball stadium in proposed 'GasWorx' District that would link Ybor and Channelside
"The City of Tampa released new renderings of a one-of-a-kind baseball stadium in the middle of the proposed GasWorx District, which would link Ybor and Channelside.
The design shows the stadium just South of Ybor City and the Selmon Expressway, and just east of the Channel that is now home to a shipping hub.
The owner of the site, Darryl Shaw, did not want to comment on this stadium design, which came from a firm in Kansas City. The Rays, which had that design made, did not want to comment either.
More HERE
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Happy Hour Jams with the Noan Partly Duo
Tampa group holds rally demanding change in wake of Tyre Nichols' death
A few dozen people took to the streets in downtown Tampa Saturday to call for justice for 29-year-old Tyre Nichols.
So far, five Memphis police officers have been charged in connection with his death. Community members say they're outraged by what happened and want to see changes in how communities are policed.
"I just couldn't believe the brutality of it," Tampa Bay Community Action Committee member Taylor Cook said.
More HERE