The Ybor City Stogie

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Ron DeSantis slates return trip to Israel

For the second time during his tenure as Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis is headed to the Holy Land.

Per the Jerusalem Post, “DeSantis will travel to Israel in April to attend the Jerusalem Post and Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem ‘Celebrate the Faces of Israel‘ event on April 27.”

More HERE

After objections, 'This Book is Gay' goes before school board

After a request to remove a book from the library at Pierce Middle School in Tampa was denied twice, the Hillsborough County School Board is holding a special meeting Tuesday morning to review the text.....MORE

Board suspends HART CEO after report exposes low morale, high turnover

Lack of effective leadership, poor organizational morale, and significant turnover.

That’s what attorney David Adams said he discovered in his months-long investigation of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) and its CEO, Adalee Le Grand when he presented his findings Monday.

More HERE

Tampa Riverfest returns this summer. Here’s what to expect

This summer, downtown Tampa will be transformed into a family-friendly event that’ll span across the entire length of the Tampa Riverwalk for the seventh year in a row.

The festival, which is free to guests, will be packed with activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a RiverFiesta.

The fun-filled Tampa Riverfest 2023 will kick off on Friday, May 5, and continue on Saturday, May 6.

More HERE

Monday, March 27, 2023

What’s new at Sun ‘n Fun ahead of its kickoff Tuesday?

A new leader has brought along changes to one of the nation’s largest aerospace expos kicking off this week.....MORE

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Senate Democrats hammer school choice expansion

The signing of landmark legislation representing the biggest expansion of school vouchers in the country moved the Governor to say that “phony narratives” were all his critics have.....MORE

What's Up This Week on Tampa Bay Gay

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Tacos ith Beans and Rice

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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Tampa

Congresswoman demands healthcare expansion before millions are unenrolled

On April 1st, many people may lose healthcare as states review eligibility for Medicaid. Tampa Congress member Kathy Castor is calling for Medicaid to be extended.....MORE

Ron DeSantis Reaps What He Sowed

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gets hit with the bad news as a new report shows most of the extreme policies he has been forcing on the people of Florida do not fly with the rest of the country leaving him at a loss if he announces a Presidential bid. John Iadarola and Jessica Burbank break it down on The Damage Report.

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JULY 22, 2023 AT 7 PM

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Artporium "Soul Saturday" - Ybor

Disney’s mass layoffs begin this week

The Walt Disney Company is starting mass layoffs this week as the entertainment giant looks to reduce its employee headcount by 7,000 positions as it goes into cost-saving mode.....MORE

Push for partisan School Board elections advances

A bill that would have voters decide in the 2024 election whether School Board candidates should declare a party affiliation is taking a step toward becoming law.

Legislation (SJR 94) that Republican Sen. Joe Gruters filed received a nod from the Senate Education PreK-12 Committee, with Democratic dissent at its second committee stop.

More HERE

Tossing of Florida's so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ lawsuit is appealed

Photo via Dave Decker

A challenge to a 2022 law restricting classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has gone to a federal appeals court, as state lawmakers and education officials look to expand the restrictions.

Attorneys for students, parents and teachers filed a notice of appeal at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal after U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor last month dismissed — for the second time — a lawsuit arguing the law is unconstitutional. Winsor on Feb. 15 ruled that the plaintiffs had not “alleged sufficient facts” to show they had legal standing to challenge the law.

More HERE

Nikki Fried files ethics complaint against Ron DeSantis

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried has filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics against the Florida Governor. At issue: purported “gifts” from DeSantis’ state-level Friends of Ron DeSantis political committee that violated a statutory ban, particularly in light of the Governor being termed out of office in 2026.....MORE

Gov. DeSantis signs sweeping new education law allowing universal school choice

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation making private school vouchers available to all, regardless of income.....MORE

Efforts to add open carry to a permitless carry bill in Florida fail

The Florida House has passed a bill that would allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit, but it wouldn't allow them to openly carry firearms.....MORE

Ken Welch will not be swayed by lawmakers’ ‘threats and attempts to intimidate’ on abortion issue

Responding to a letter from Reps. Mike Beltran and Berny Jacques, neither of whom represent the city of St. Petersburg, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch tweeted last week that his administration would “embrace our responsibilities to our great community.”.....MORE