Lawmakers fail to reach deal with partial shutdown looming

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday blasted Republicans over the threat of what he called “a harmful and unnecessary government shutdown” as Congress struggles to strike a bipartisan deal days out from a key funding deadline. 

“We are mere days away from a partial government shutdown on March 1. Unless Republicans get serious, the extreme Republican shutdown will endanger our economy, raise costs, lower safety, and exact untold pain on the American people,” Schumer wrote in a letter to lawmakers on Sunday.

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Death of beloved New York City owl, Flaco, in apparent building collision devastates legions of fans

Tributes poured in Saturday for Flaco, the beloved Eurasian eagle-owl that became a feel-good New York story after escaping its Central Park Zoo enclosure and flying free around Manhattan.

Flaco was found dead on a New York City sidewalk Friday night after apparently flying into a building. It was a heartbreaking end for the birders who documented the owl’s daily movements and the legions of admirers who eagerly followed along.

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What is popcorn brain? How being chronically online is killing focus

Struggling to focus on a single thought or task? Finding yourself constantly distracted by social media? You may have what is known as “popcorn brain.”

Coined by researcher David Levy in 2011, the term popcorn brain refers to a person’s attention quickly jumping from thought to thought like the kernels popping in popcorn.

A 2003 study by the University of California Irvine found the average attention span was two minutes and 30 seconds. In 2012, the average attention span dropped to 75 seconds. Now, the attention span for most people is about 47 seconds, according to UC Irvine.

Video and Article HERE

Hulu, Disney+ cracking down on password sharing after Netflix success: Will more streaming services follow?

Late last summer, Disney+ announced plans to crack down on password sharing at the start of 2024, with CEO Bob Iger calling it a move to “drive monetization.” That announcement came after Disney+ saw a second consecutive quarter of subscriber drop-off.

Disney followed through on that promise, warning subscribers of its platforms — Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ — last month that it was updating the subscriber agreement and imposing “limitations on sharing your account outside of your household.” Those changes were effective as of January 25 for new subscribers and will kick in for current subscribers come March 14.

Video and Article HERE

A look at the career of Hillsborough County's first Black elected School Board member

One of Hillsborough County’s most impactful educators and history makers is honored every time children enter the school named after her.

And with all the changes she’s made for the Black community, her family wants to make sure everyone knows about her contributions and sacrifices.

Video and Article HERE

Who are the two Florida senators 2023?

Ybor Paparazzi

Charlotte

“Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin (Sarah Diamond Cover)

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3 puppies thrown out of car in Tampa; $10,000 reward offered for tips leading to arrest

La Setima,, Ybor City

Tampa's Famous Avenue

Florida Banana Republican Matt Gaetz boasts about turning Congress into a ‘living hell’ for "swamp rat" Republicans

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Jeff at Reservoir Bar

NRA, former CEO Wayne LaPierre found liable in civil corruption trial | full coverage

A Manhattan jury found the National Rifle Association and its former leader Wayne LaPierre liable in a civil case. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit against NRA, LaPierre and other leaders of the organization in 2020.

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Former DOJ Star DROPS THE HAMMER on GOP Leaders

Support The Merchants Of Ybor

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Are Expectations Too High For Progressive Politicians?

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DeSantis Blasts 'Special Treatment' Once Given To Disney While Touting New Tourism District

Bill targeting Floridians experiencing homelessness advances in House

A bill that restricts people experiencing homelessness from sleeping on public property moved forward in the State House Thursday. The bill faced support and pushback for various reasons.

The bill is sponsored by Republican Representative Sam Garrison. It bans public sleeping and camping. It also allows for counties to turn certain public areas into homeless encampments.

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New development will bring 188 affordable housing units to West Tampa

In an exciting collaboration, the Tampa Housing Authority and Related Urban Development Group (Related Urban), the affordable and workforce housing division of Related Group, marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for Canopy at West River Tower 3 and Tower 4. This event heralds the commencement of the second phase of the Canopy at West River housing community. The two new structures will collectively offer 188 units, ensuring 100% affordable housing options for the residents of West Tampa.....Read More

Legislature approves ban on social media until age 16

The Legislature has approved a social media ban barring anyone under age 16 from opening or maintaining an account.....Read More

Swim lesson voucher program would help low income families with children in Florida

A proposal that would provide kids with free swimming lessons cleared the Senate last week, and another version is moving through the House.

If passed, the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program would set up a system to cover the cost of swimming lessons for children in low income families who are four years old and younger.

Video and Article HERE

A bill LGBTQ advocates say is anti-trans passes House committee

Despite more than two hours of opposition lobbying against the legislation, a House panel approved a bill Thursday mandating insurance companies that provide transgender care to also be required to cover de-transition treatments. The bill also requires a driver license or identification card to include a person’s sex at birth, instead of gender.....Read More

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Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo denied new trial

Banks backpedal on climate amid federal scrutiny, anti-ESG pressure

Many of the largest U.S. banks and asset managers are retreating from their climate commitments amid rising federal scrutiny and an assault on environmentally conscious investing in state legislatures.

As more stringent federal oversight looms and bills to blacklist and in some cases criminalize banks that refuse to invest in fossil fuels are proposed in statehouses across the country, many banks have in different ways backpedaled — at least rhetorically — on steps they have taken since the 2015 Paris Climate Accords toward slowing the warming of the planet by financing a gradual transition away from fossil fuels.

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Debbie Mucarsel-Powell announces Seniors coalition

Democratic Senate candidate Debbie Mucarsel-Powell launched a new seniors’ coalition. And she timed it to the launch of incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Scott’s most controversial policy moves.....Read More

Rubio Still A Spineless Coward