Gasparilla Music Festival is moving to Water Street Tampa in April 2026
Tampa’s Gasparilla Music Festival has announced dates and a new venue for 2026.
University Chancellor Ray Rodrigues is the highest-paid Florida employee
Florida’s University Chancellor Ray Rodrigues was already the highest-paid state employee with his more than $441K salary, beating out the No. 2 employee (Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas) by roughly $110K.
New Florida bill would allow professors, TAs to open carry on campus
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Crestview, is sponsoring the legislation, entitled “School Safety,” to address security concerns in higher education. If passed, the bill would remove college campuses as gun-free zones — marking a significant shift in how Florida handles gun issues.
Tampa-based CAIR-Florida sues DeSantis after ‘terrorist’ designation
The nation’s largest Muslim civil-rights organization has filed a federal lawsuit challenging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order issued last week designating the group as a “terrorist organization.”
Charges dropped against Tampa photojournalist arrested covering Miami ICE protest
The 52-year-old photographer was charged with trespassing on property after warning, resisting an officer without violence to his person, unlawful assembly and obstructing a highway, despite wearing visible press credentials and telling officers he was a member of the media.
AJR plays a free concert in Tampa tomorrow
Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met—who headline Feel Good Fest at Ford Thunder Alley outside the recently-renamed Benchmark International Arena—are on the heels of releasing a new, ultra-personal EP called “What No One’s Thinking.”
DeSantis: Florida can beat Trump in a fight over AI
Gov. Ron DeSantis is confident that his proposed “AI Bill of Rights” to crack down on unfettered artificial intelligence would not violate President Donald Trump’s new executive order invalidating certain state-level AI regulations.
Hearings to repeal Florida’s school vaccine mandates begin
Ladapo made the call to get rid of all vaccine mandates contained in both state rule and state law even though many of those mandates have been considered a public health success.
The 15 best New Year’s Eve parties around Tampa Bay
It’s finally time to say goodbye to 2025. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fireworks or a place to black out, we’ve got you.
![‘No contract, no coffee’: Downtown Clearwater Starbucks closed as unionized workers join nationwide strike [PHOTOS]](https://i0.wp.com/www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Clearwater-Starbucks-Workers-United-strike-34-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
‘No contract, no coffee’: Downtown Clearwater Starbucks closed as unionized workers join nationwide strike [PHOTOS]
Starbucks workers in Clearwater, Florida demonstrated on Dec. 14, 2025 as part of a nationwide strike that started Nov. 13, 2025.
Clearwater Starbucks workers join nearly 4,000 baristas on strike
Starbucks workers at the 433 Cleveland St. location joined the strike on Thursday, which has now spread across 180 locations in 34 cities.
Mythos Greek Bistro opens on St. Pete’s Central Ave.
Mythos Greek Bistro opened earlier this month, transforming the casual spot with upscale Mediterranean aesthetics.
Joan Jett, Riley Green, and many more coming to Plant City for 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival
The concert lineup for the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival is out now.
Santoro’s Pizzeria owners open Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits nearby in Hyde Park
Giancarlo’s offers a fast-casual counter, cocktail bar and coffee shop serving Tampa-roasted Wuz Here Coffee, as well as full restaurant service.
The Copper Kettle opens for brunch in St. Pete Beach
The Copper Kettle is owned by Alex Victorero, The Frog Pond’s manager of eleven years.
The Revolution Ice Cream closes in Brandon, Seminole Heights
In a social media post, owners attributed the closure to health issues and economic problems.
‘He does not deserve this honor:’ Tensions erupt over proposed Charlie Kirk Day
Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin would memorialize Kirk’s birthday, Oct. 14, as “Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance.”
Florida AG sues Starbucks over what he says is race-based hiring
The lawsuit came after Uthmeier’s office on Nov. 26 said it was dismissing a case against Starbucks that was filed last year at the state Division of Administrative Hearings.
Nikki Fried: ‘The pendulum is swinging towards Democrats’ after Miami victory
“The message that was delivered last night here in the state of Florida is that the pendulum is swinging towards Democrats and is powered by the people on the ground and our candidates and our electeds every single day”
DeSantis’ proposed state budget includes bans on ‘social justice,’ Net Zero policies
The proposal, which runs roughly $3 billion higher than the current-year budget, would allocate a record $1.56 billion for teacher salary increases, $14.3 billion for infrastructure and transportation projects, and $1.4 billion for Everglades and water quality projects.
Tampa Bay’s best live music happening December 11-18
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s weekly listing of the best live music and concerts happening locally, this time for Dec. 11-18, 2025.
Ybor City’s Flan Factory expands to Armature Works
Flan Factory serves about 30 rotating flavors of flan, including original Cuban style, guava, coquito, pistachio and white chocolate raspberry.
