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.

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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

Bernie Sanders has highest favorability among possible 2024 contenders

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) clocked in with the highest favorability rating among a list of 23 potential 2024 presidential contenders, according to a new USA Today-Ipsos poll.....MORE

Twitter flames Matt "MAGA" Gaetz for comments on Nikki Haley’s age

Accused sex trafficking rapist MAGAt Matt Gaetz has literally gotten away with a whole lot of illegal things because he’s got a rich corrupt Florida Man Daddy who throws money at the constant problems his son causes.

Spawned in a swamp full of alligators and cocaine, Gaetz is still on the House Judiciary Committee despite all of his awful.

Ethics, shmethics, his daddy bought his freedom and his seat in our actual real Congress where he gets to make decisions that impact other people.

More HERE

Civil rights activists protest DeSantis' anti-woke agenda

In DeSantis' Florida, Black Lives Don't Much Matter

State Sen. Bobby Powell, a West Palm Beach Democrat and former chair of the state's Black Legislative Caucus, said the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis is more interested in scoring political points at Black people's expense than working to improve their lives.

"Right now, we're under a regime that works to attack the idea of diversity and inclusion," Powell said. "People are jumping on that bandwagon. We've got gaps now that I think will grow even larger."

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Ron DeSantis’ use of government power to implement agenda worries some conservatives

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made freedom his calling card, but some conservatives have become skeptical of how liberally the Republican leader is using government power to impose his will.

Among GOP donors, leading conservative voices and even some supporters, there is a growing concern that DeSantis has overstepped in his fight against “wokeness” as he seeks to shore up conservative support ahead of a highly anticipated 2024 campaign for president. Several potential rivals for the GOP nomination have seized on DeSantis’ brash approach and top-heavy governing style to draw sharp contrasts with the popular Republican.

More HERE

The Stogie RSS Feed URL

For those who use an RSS Feed reader, widget or website to display RSS Feeds, below is the RSS Feed URL you can use to display the latest Ybor City Stogie articles:

https://yborcitystogie.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Tampa city council candidate Blake Casper gave over $200K to DeSantis, and helped reopen Florida at onset of pandemic

A candidate for Tampa City Council is also a major donor to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who he collaborated with to open up the state as COVID-19 first arrived and took thousands of lives in the beginning of the pandemic.....MORE

Before recent interest in train safety, Marco Rubio wanted DOT to loosen rail inspection rules

Before U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio demanded Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s resignation for a train derailment, he joined calls for looser regulations.

The Miami Republican was among 22 Senators who signed onto a letter requesting the Federal Railroad Administration to waive testing and allow more automation. Indeed, the October 2021 letter appears to be the last communication Rubio appears to have sent to the Department of Transportation about rail safety before a major train derailment on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio.

More HERE

New College of Florida Rally For Freedom

Click on image to enlarge

Tampa Pride Grand Marshal’s Gala

TIX

Kari Lake Turns On DeSantis After Praising His "BDE"

The State of Black Tampa Bay: An Exclusive Town Hall

To honor and celebrate Black History Month, News Channel 8 is hosting an exclusive town hall to discuss the current state of Black Tampa Bay.

News Channel 8’s Deanne King brought together community leaders, government officials and people in the community to discuss topics like learning Black history in schools, the mistrust between law enforcement and the Black community, the racial wealth gap and more.

The town hall airs Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. on WFLA News Channel 8 and Sunday, Feb. 19 on WTTA Great 38 at 9 p.m.

Deb Ruby at Hooch and Hive

FEBRUARY 23, 2023 AT 8 PM

Hooch and Hive - Tampa

MAGA Republicans Don't Realize That They Caused This Tragedy