Sea level rise caused by the changing climate is expected to wreak havoc on the nation’s coastal cities, impacts that could be heightened in the years ahead as the cities themselves are sinking, according to a study published this week.....Read More
Friday, March 8, 2024
Florida exempts some social media sites from new limits on teens; no one knows which ones
The proposed law also doesn't describe exactly how those companies would verify a user's age.
The new ban on social media in Florida for young teens the Legislature rewrote and passed this week is so narrowly crafted that it’s not clear which popular online platforms might be covered — if any of them.....Read More
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Lawmakers OK volunteer chaplains in public schools; civil rights groups say it’s unconstitutional
Despite backlash from dozens of civil rights organizations, the Florida Legislature on Thursday passed a bill to allow volunteer chaplains with limited qualifications to go into public schools and provide unspecified support and services to students.
The Senate approved the bill on Thursday along party lines and the House passed it earlier. The legislation now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his consideration.
9 veterans accused a shelter owner of racist comments. They were fired before they could resign.
Tonight, Tampa Bay's largest veterans shelter and service center— New Beginnings of Tampa— is facing turmoil.
Its owner and CEO allegedly fired nine veterans who worked for him, including all of the senior management. Meanwhile, he's facing accusations of racism.
Back the blue: Legislature declaws civilian review boards for police
The measure shields law enforcement from external complaints.
The House has agreed to Senate language on a bill that will bring an end to civilian review boards probing allegations of misconduct in Florida once Gov. Ron DeSantis signs off.
On party lines, the House voted up the Senate amended version of GOP Rep. Wyman Duggan’s measure (HB 601) which stipulates that while a Sheriff has a right to establish and appoint their own advisory board to counsel on policies and procedure, those boards have limited authority.
Controversial Teacher Prep Bill Heads To Florida Gov. DeSantis
The Florida Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to a measure designed to keep “identity politics” out of teacher preparation programs that lead to educators getting their professional certificates, readying the bill to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 28-12 along party lines to approve the bill (HB 1291) nearly a week after the House passed the measure.
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Florida set to ban homeless from sleeping on public property
Florida will ban thousands of homeless people from setting up camp or sleeping on public property under a bill lawmakers sent to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supports the idea.
Counties, with approval from the state Department of Children and Families, would be able to designate areas for the homeless to camp for up to a year under the bill the Senate passed 27-12 late Tuesday. Anyone using those encampments would be prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs.
Patriotic organization legislation headed back to House after Senate changes
K-12 students are one step closer to getting some lessons from designated “patriotic” groups after the Senate passed legislation to that end already approved by the House.
But the House will have to vote on a modified version of their bill.
Rep. Wyman Duggan’s bill (HB 1317), which Senate sponsor Tom Wright substituted for his own legislation, would allow representatives of so-called “patriotic organizations” time to meet with students and distribute recruitment materials, with schools providing designated time for these groups to pitch their attendees.
DEI takes center stage during debate Wednesday at USF
A debate concerning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs on college campuses is taking place Wednesday night at the University of South Florida.
The debate comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law last year prohibiting public colleges and universities from spending money on DEI on college campuses.
Details HERE
2024 Local Candidates (Updated 3/6/2024)
Gathered here is a list of all the 2024 local candidates who have currently filed with the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office as of 3/6/2024.
Candidate names link to that candidate's campaign website. Where a campaign website doesn't exist, the link is to the candidate's Facebook page.
Candidate names for Judicial seats link to their campaign website or to their official Hillsborough County Judicial website.
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Brightline is coming to another Florida city, but when will it finally come to Tampa?
Brightline announced it will be opening a station on Florida's Treasure Coast in downtown Stuart, with service expected to start in late 2026. In Tampa, leaders have been hyping up their efforts to bring the high-speed rail service to the city for years, but what do we know about those plans?
Video and Article HERE
Free Life Jacket Give-A-Way In St. Petersburg
To kick off Pinellas County Schools Spring Break, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue is partnering with St. Petersburg Parks and Recreation, the Suncoast Safe Kids Coalition, and Treasure Island Fire Rescue for a life jacket giveaway event to help kids stay safe in and around water.....Details HERE
Hunting the ghosts of Ybor City's oldest cigar factory
JC Newman's historic cigar factory was built in 1910. Since that time, thousands of cigar rollers and visitors have stopped by. Perhaps some never left.
Home of the Chicken | Greater Ybor City
Ybor Chickens have long been iconic staples of Ybor, beloved by locals and tourists, thanks to the Ybor Chicken Society. Learn about the chickens' ties to Ybor's immigrant past and what they mean to the community's present.
Why Is Ybor City So Special?
Let's explore some of the history of Ybor City and see why it is so important to the Tampa Florida area!
Monday, March 4, 2024
Federal Court Rejects Florida Gov. DeSantis’ “Stop WOKE” Restrictions
A federal appeals court Monday rejected restrictions that Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican lawmakers placed on addressing race-related issues in workplace training — part of a controversial 2022 law that DeSantis dubbed the “Stop WOKE Act” (HB7).
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the restrictions violated First Amendment rights.
Senate prepares homeless camping ban backed by Ron DeSantis for final vote
The House has passed legislation banning the unhoused from sleeping in public, and the Senate has now positioned the bill for a vote, setting the stage for a Gov. Ron DeSantis priority becoming law.
The measure (HB 1365) would ban counties and municipalities from permitting public sleeping or public camping on public property without explicit permission, creating an unfunded mandate for these localities to round up the homeless and put them somewhere.
The Florida Senate backs “duplicative” communism history lessons in grades as low as kindergarten
The Florida Senate on Friday passed a measure that could lead to the history of communism being taught in grades as low as kindergarten.
The proposal (SB 1264) was approved in a 25-7 vote, and would need approval from the House before it could go to the desk of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Supreme Court restores Donald Trump to ballot, rejecting state attempts to ban him over Capitol attack
Trump had been kicked off the ballots in Colorado, Maine and Illinois, but all three rulings were on hold awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
The Supreme Court on Monday restored Donald Trump to 2024 Presidential Primary ballots, rejecting state attempts to hold the Republican former President accountable for the Capitol riot.
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Protestors march in solidarity with Palestine
Dozens of protestors in Downtown Tampa stood in solidarity with Palestine as the war continues in Gaza. Tampa is just one of several cities in the U.S. participating in the "Millions March for Palestine.”....Read More
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Gaza — A defining moment in our moral history
The sheer magnitude of the destruction from more than four months of what President Biden has called “indiscriminate bombing” is unmatched in this century. One in 100 residents of Gaza has been killed. Thousands of children have died, thousands more have lost one or both parents. More than 60 percent of homes are gone, along with schools, universities, hospitals and businesses.....Read More
Friday, March 1, 2024
Education Department launching an investigation into death of Nex Benedict
The Department of Education said Friday that it is opening an investigation into the death of Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old Oklahoma high school student who died one day after getting into a fight in the girls bathroom at school, where they were allegedly bullied for months over their gender identity.....Read More
2024 Local Candidates
Gathered here is a list of all the 2024 local candidates who have currently filed with the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office as of 3/4/2024.
Candidate names link to that candidate's campaign website. Where a campaign website doesn't exist, the link is to the candidate's Facebook page.
Candidate names for Judicial seats link to their campaign website or to their official Hillsborough County Judicial website.
Advocates fight for Tampa-area homeless kids, offer lifelines
While groups across the Tampa Bay area are working to combat homelessness, some are making sure that a specific group doesn’t get overlooked: homeless children.....Read More
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