Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Chris Cano for DNC Delegate


Matt Gaetz Dodges Interview During Cancelled Trump Rally


NO MORE EXCUSES: Immunity claims won’t stop Trump hush money trial, judge rules


Donald Trump was successful last month in obtaining a 30-day delay in his hush money case, but his bid for a longer delay has been denied. Barring any further changes, the trial will begin on April 15th.....Read More

Elections law caused ‘dramatic decrease’ in voter registrations by community groups, official says


A Florida elections supervisor testified Wednesday that new restrictions on voter-registration organizations, including vastly increased fines for violations of the law, has produced a “dramatic” decrease in their efforts to sign up new voters.....Read More

2024 Local Candidates (Updated 4/3/2024)

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 4/3/2024.

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.

What you need to know about six issues on Florida’s November 2024 ballot


With the state Supreme Court this week signing off on ballot initiatives about abortion rights and the recreational use of marijuana, Floridians in November will vote on six proposed constitutional amendments. Passage of each proposal would require support from at least 60 percent of voters. Here are brief descriptions of the six issues.....Read More

Democrats argue against criminalization of unhoused people in Supreme Court brief


A host of Democratic legislators have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in opposition to subjecting unhoused people to criminal penalties. 

Led by Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), 18 Democrats argue that arresting or fining people who have no other choice than sleeping outside is unconstitutional and will trap unhoused people in a cycle of poverty.

Read More

Tampa Riverfest 2024


Riverfest is a public, two-day, FREE event that is held the first weekend in May each year.  The festival spans the entire length of the Riverwalk including several parks and features family-friendly activities and events showcasing Tampa's cultural institutions, local musicians and restaurants.

Story and Schedule HERE

MAJORING IN SOLIDARITY


Join us on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET for a livestream discussion with graduate workers who are taking on greed and winning.

Biden administration asks Republicans to extend popular broadband discount program


President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday called on Republicans in Congress to extend funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program, a consumer broadband rebate program used by more than 23 million households.

Members of Congress in January introduced bipartisan legislation that would add a $7 billion extension to the Affordable Connectivity Program. Without an extension, it’s expected to run out of funding this month.


Explosive Atlantic hurricane season predicted for 2024, AccuWeather experts warn


A super-charged hurricane season could spawn a near-record number of storms in the Atlantic this year, and forecasters may even run out of names for storms amid a frenzy of tropical systems.....Read More


Law enforcement seeing alarming trend of criminals packing more bullets


After an officer-involved shooting in St. Petersburg law enforcement agencies are calling attention to an alarming trend of criminals packing more bullets.

Hillsborough County School Board votes to place property tax increase on November ballot


Hillsborough County School Board votes to place property tax increase on November ballot

ACLU against Lakeland facial recognition cameras


The facial recognition system in downtown Lakeland is meant to deter crime, but the ACLU argues it violates people's privacy.

Monday, April 1, 2024

Migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can sue charter flight company


Lawyers representing migrants flown to Martha’s Vineyard nearly two years ago by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can sue the charter flight company that transported them to the island off the Massachusetts coast, according to a ruling Monday by a federal judge in Boston.....Read More

US considers major new weapons sale to Israel


The Biden administration is mulling a major new arms sale to Israel amid calls to stop sending weapons to the ally as civilian casualties in Gaza mount, The Hill confirmed Monday. 

The U.S. government is considering selling Israel up to 50 new F-15 fighter jets, 30 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, as well as Joint Direct Attack Munition kits, equipment that can alter dumb bombs into precision-guided weapons, Politico first reported.


Florida Supreme Court upholds state’s 15-week ban on most abortions, paving way for 6-week ban


The Florida Supreme Court on Monday upheld the state’s ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, which means a subsequently passed six-week ban can soon take effect.....Read More

Supreme Court allows voters to weigh in on marijuana legalization


The 5-2 decision on Monday could open up a recreational marijuana market.

Eight years after Florida voters approved medical marijuana, they will have a chance to weigh in on recreational adult use.

The Florida Supreme Court gave its approval Monday to the Adult Personal Use of Marijuana citizen initiative, which could expand the current retail model beyond medical necessity, allowing visitors to the state and residents without qualifying conditions access to the product.


Florida politicos react to Supreme Court ruling putting abortion on 2024 ballot


The Florida Supreme Court’s major ruling Monday will allow voters to weigh in on whether to amend the state’s constitution to protect abortion rights until the point of viability.....Read More

AT&T says a data breach leaked millions of customers' information online. Were you affected?


The theft of sensitive information belonging to millions of AT&T's current and former customers has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said over the weekend.

In a Saturday announcement addressing the data breach, AT&T said that a dataset found on the “dark web” contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders.


Pat Kemp to seek Democratic nomination in CD 15, hopes to challenge Laurel Lee


Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp has filed to run for Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee’s seat in Florida’s 15th Congressional District.....Read More

Sunday, March 31, 2024

Columbia Restaurant recognized as best Cuban Sandwich in Florida


Southern Living has recognized Columbia Restaurant as the best Cuban Sandwich in Florida in a recent article. 

The magazine released its South's Best awards, asking readers to rate their favorite eateries. The winner for the best Cuban Sandwich was Ybor City's own, Columbia Restaurant.


Ybor City residents, workers weigh in on important issues as neighborhood looks to the future


Those answers, compiled in the new 2023 report, show some of the neighbor’s top concerns including cleanliness, affordable housing, and safety.

Safety is top of mind for many after last fall’s deadly mass shooting.

Video and Article HERE

AccuWeather: Texas, Florida, And The Carolinas At Elevated Risk For ‘Explosive’ 2024 Hurricane Season


The Atlantic hurricane season of 2024 is predicted to be one of the most active and intense in history, according to experts at AccuWeather.

With warmer-than-average sea-surface temperatures and a transition from El Niño to La Niña conditions, all signs point to a hyperactive season with a higher risk of direct impacts on the United States.


Saturday, March 30, 2024

PRESIDENT FOR LIFE? Biden warns of attempts to amend Constitution for Trump


On January 20th, 2025, barring unpredictable circumstances, either President Joe Biden will be sworn in for a second term, or Donald Trump will return to the White House. What happens, though, in the latter case on January 6th, 2029?

President Biden is warning the nation that if Trump is sworn in again, he won’t leave willingly, and he’s bringing receipts to prove the point — as if Trump’s attempt to stay in office after losing in 2020 isn’t sufficient. He’s pointing to open plans by the Trump-supporting right, and what they’re promising if they take control again.


Tampa to enforce new electric scooter and bike rules


Electric scooter and bike riders must park their shared vehicles in docking stations or they will face fees.

Users won't be able to park anywhere anymore starting April 1, according to an X post by the City of Tampa.


Israeli soldiers shoot and kill two unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza then try to bury the evidence


Israeli soldiers shot dead two unarmed Palestinian men in Gaza, their bodies buried in sand and rubbish by an army bulldozer, exclusive broadcast footage obtained by Al Jazeera has shown.

Video and story HERE