Republican governors should end racial preferences at the state level

GOP governors like Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Alabama’s Kay Ivey have been making splashy headlines for attacking diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards at companies like BlackRock and Disney. But the laws of their own states allow racial preferences in education, employment and public contracting. Before telling private companies how to do business, governors should get their own houses in order by working with their respective legislatures to end racial preferences and ensure equal treatment for all citizens.

In Florida, DeSantis’s home state, any county, municipality, community college or district school board can legally set aside up to 10 percent or more of its budget for goods and services only for minority-owned businesses. Other companies are forbidden from even bidding on those contracts — simply because of the business owner’s race.

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Trial Starts In Battle Over Transgender Treatments In Florida

With the mother of a transgender girl testifying that it would be “devastating” if the child could not get treatment, a federal judge Wednesday began a trial in a constitutional challenge to Florida restrictions on such things as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender people.....Read More

Ten Rooms Ybor will be the new shopping and dining destination in the heart of the city

Located at 1536 E 7th Ave, Ten Rooms is described as a creative food/retail hub offering a thoughtful mix of art, dining experiences, shopping, small bites, and private event spaces, attentively bridging elements from Centro Ybor’s past, present, and future. Their Google listing currently indicates a December 28 opening; however nothing has been fully confirmed. Owners confirmed they were close to opening in a Facebook response back in November.....Read More

Tampa's new water tech removes "forever chemicals"

Tampa will be the first U.S. city to use new technology to eliminate dangerous chemicals in its water filtration process, officials announced Monday.....Read More

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Bacalao

Yellow Rice and Yuca

Huracan Supermarket

Sligh and Central, Tampa

Matt Gaetz Accepts Humiliating 'Surprise Award' From Republican

Ybor Paparazzi

Wayne

Driver arrested for 'intentionally' ramming into couple in Ybor City

United Nations General Assembly passes resolution calling for Gaza cease-fire

The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel is waging a war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas that has left more than 10,000 dead.....Read More

Netanyahu vows to block Palestinian Authority from Gaza rule

The Israeli prime minister has shot down ideas backed by the U.S. to install the Palestinian Authority in Gaza once the war with Hamas is over, but his Tuesday comments are the most forceful to date.

Netanyahu has also promised to exert security control over Gaza after the war, another point of contention with the U.S., which has warned against occupying the territory.

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Be wary before scanning QR codes

As more people begin using QR codes, thieves looking to steal your money and other information are creating harmful links embedded into the code.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), people are reporting that fraudsters are covering up legitimate QR codes with their own or sending texts and emails with fake QR codes.

The fake QR code could take you to a spoofed site that looks real. After you log in, your information could be stolen or malware could be installed.

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In BDS win, PUMA forced to drop sponsorship of Israel Football Association

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), a founding part of the BDS movement, welcomes the news that PUMA won’t be renewing its contract with the Israel Football Association (IFA).....Read More

Santana: SOUL SACRIFICE: Woodstock Music Festival, August, 1969

Freewheeling Whinge! Festival ready to launch in Ybor

Around the globe, fringe festivals have a reputation as freewheeling, anything-goes events where acts get the freedom to perform without a net. The annual Tampa International Fringe Festival is no different. The newly launched Whinge! Festival takes that unconstrained vibe to another level.

The new festival from the co-founders of the Tampa Fringe hits the Fringe Theatre and other venues inside the historic Ybor Kress Building on December 16th and 17th. There are only two rules. First, the acts have to be from the area. Roughly half are from Hillsborough. The rest are from Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota and Orange counties.

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Tickets and more info HERE

There’s Good in Ybor: Monday night gathering tries to grow unity in Ybor City after deadly shooting

When Jay Coachman grabbed his sticks of charcoal to start sketching out his latest painting Monday night, he had just four words in mind: Love is the answer.

And in just hours, he delivered a vibrant acrylic painting that personified that message. He painted the face of a woman — superimposed above the Tampa skyline — announcing those four words for all below to hear.

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Hundreds gather in downtown Tampa to support immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Hundreds of people attended a rally Monday at City Hall in Tampa to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“We have over 20,000 eulogies to write, we have over 20,000 lives to grieve, but we also have over 2 million lives that we need to save,” community organizer Leali Shalabi said.

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Ziegler investigation stirs resignation calls

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Jerk Chicken

Rice and Cabbage

$6.49 Lunch Special 

Hines Caribbean Cuisine

3313 N. Nebraska Ave, Ybor Heights

Tampa's Best Jamaican Food!

DeSantis seeks dismissal of Disney’s 1st Amendment lawsuit over former Reedy Creek district

Ybor Life

7th Ave

Elevation ceremony of Novice Sister Sharron Sunshine - Twist-Mess at The Catacombs, Ybor City

LGBTQ advocates sound alarm on expanding so-called ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation into workplace

The latest proposed restriction on where sexuality can be discussed has LGBTQ advocates worried.

At a press conference on Orlando, LGBTQ business leaders and political advocates condemned a bill threatening state funding for certain organizations. They noted a broad reading of the bill (HB 599) would make it virtually impossible for transgender Floridians to live in the state.

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'There's Good in Ybor' rally to bring positivity following deadly shooting

A team of community leaders and business owners in Ybor City say it’s time to start shining a positive light on their neighborhood.

Some of the areas artists, hosts, and venue owners are coming together to host the ‘There’s Good in Ybor’ fundraiser show and community rally. The purpose of the event is to unite positive people in the community and help keep the neighborhood safe.

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Tampa 5 Charges Dropped: Lessons From the Struggle

Last week, the Tampa 5 won a huge victory for the student movement when ALL of their charges were dropped! Join Laura Rodriguez and Lauren Pineiro of the Tampa 5 and Frank Chapman of the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression TOMORROW at 8 PM EST to celebrate and summate their win!

Register for the webinar: tinyurl.com/tampa5win

Read the statement on their win

Gov. Ron DeSantis seeking $2.2 million for election police force

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants another $2.2 million for a controversial election police force. But there’s no guarantee the Legislature will provide the funding.

This week, DeSantis released his “Focus on Florida’s Future” budget and requested funding for 16 full-time positions in the Office of Election Crimes and Security.

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Beware of iPhone ‘one twelve’ social media trend

Social media posts telling iPhone users to say “one twelve” to Siri are causing a frenzy online. What happens is the user says “one twelve,” triggering Siri to initiate a 911 call, with the AI assistant saying, “Calling emergency services on speaker.”....Read More

Pasco County Animal Services Waives Adoption Fees

Giving animals the opportunity to find a family for the holidays! Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS) is waiving adoption fees for all available dogs and cats as part of the Mega Merry Adoption event Saturday, December 16, 2023.....Read More

BAN: Here’s how Trump plans to keep Muslim immigrants out of the USA

Today, Trump announced that he intends to limit immigration to people who believe in “our” religion. Trump says that he’ll implement a religious test for immigrants if he is elected:  “If you don’t like our religion…then we don’t want you in our country.”....Read More

Palestinians in Gaza at risk of starvation, aid groups warn

Palestinians are at a severe risk of starvation in Gaza due to lack of access to food, fuel and price gouging as Israel continues to bombard the territory, multiple aid groups warn.....Read More