The Supreme Court granted Trump amnesty it has no power to give

The Supreme Court has decided to grant former President Donald Trump and all other insurrectionists running for federal office amnesty, allowing Trump to become president despite being disqualified by lower courts for engaging in an insurrection on Jan. 6. But Section 3 of the 14th Amendment only authorizes Congress with a two-thirds vote, not the Supreme Court, to grant such an amnesty.....Read More

BarrieHaus Beer Co. crowned best small brewery in Florida

In the historic Ybor City, BarrieHaus Beer Co. has proudly announced its recent triumph at the Best Florida Beer Championship, earning the esteemed title of Best Small Brewery in Florida. This accolade comes alongside a collection of awards celebrating their finely crafted lagers and European-style beers.....Read More

Sparkman Wharf announces waterfront Spring Break movie series

Sparkman Wharf isn’t just a playground for foodies. This waterfront gem replete with mural-covered shipping containers is also a major events destination that continues to transform itself for specific holidays and seasons. This March, the area will host several “Movies on the Lawn” events that are totally free to attend, and family-friendly.

The first three in the lineup are action-packed blockbuster sensations. Movies begin at noon each day:

• March 13: The Hunger Games
• March 14: Wonka
• March 15: Marvel’s The Avengers

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NAACP warns athletes against Florida colleges

Photo by Bryan McDonald

Florida’s ongoing battle with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is seen as a war against Black athletes according to one civil rights group.

And now, the NAACP is issuing a warning to those athletes who may be participating in college sports in the state, or considering doing so, to look at other places to study and play.

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Legislature locks out bills to cap rent increases, require AC in apartments

Twin bills aimed at giving renters a leg up in an increasingly landlord-friendly environment got locked out of the legislative process this year.

As written, the measures (SB 64, HB 31) would have restricted rent hikes to once a year and capped the annual increase at 30% of the existing rate.

The bills would also have added air conditioning units to the list of things landlords must provide to tenants.

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Tampa relaunching popular eBike Voucher Program

Everybody get your roll on! As we celebrate Florida Bike Month, gear up and join the City of Tampa on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, for the exciting re-launch of the popular eBike Voucher Program!  The kick-off event will include a hands-on eBike-Rodeo where community members can take an eBike for a free test-ride.

The first application window went live Friday, March 1, at 8am and runs through 5pm Friday, March 15.  Sign-ups can be done online at tampa.gov/ebike.  Sign-ups will also take place in person at one of four eBike Rodeo events or at the City's Parking offices located in the Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N Franklin St.

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Florida settles lawsuit over "Don't Say Gay"

Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys agreed to a settlement Monday, ending a yearslong legal battle over the controversial state law critics dubbed "Don't Say Gay."....Read More

Trump Superfan Tells TYT A "Secret" About Matt Gaetz

Reggae Rise Up Florida Festival

Click on Picture to enlarge

 

Reggae Rise Up Florida Festival

Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg

March 14th-17th

Gates Open 4PM - Thursday

12PM - Friday / Saturday / Sunday 

Tickets HERE

Tampa Hoods: Ybor City

7th Ave

'There's no silver bullet to reach young voters' -Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost

Trump Scheme CALLED OUT In Bombshell Presidential Prediction

Donald Trump's undeniable plot to contest election results if they do not go in his favor get called out by President Biden and experts presidential predictions. John Iadarola and David Cay Johnston breaks it down on The Damage Report.

Florida Democrat: Marginalized communities won’t ‘survive’ a second Trump term

Greg Nash

Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) argued that communities of color are “incredibly critical” in helping reelect President Biden in November and said he thinks marginalized communities “won’t survive” another term with former President Trump.....Read More

Climate change’s impacts on coastal cities could be heightened as those cities sink: Study

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

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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!

Jessica Rose Powell Live at Stirling Wine in Downtown Dunedin

3.6-24 6PM-9PM INFO

Photo Credit Sleeping Studios