Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
@cltampabay.bsky.social
Tampa Bay's alternative newsweekly. Local news, reviews, music, movies, food, drinks, sex, local events & more. Find us at cltampa.com
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Thank you for following Creative Loafing Tampa Bay - here’s a starter pack of local journalists, friends, sister publications, and contributors. We’ll continue to update this list, as the platform grows
Meet Jesi Cason, St. Petersburg Month of Photography’s Photo Laureate www.cltampa.com/arts/meet-je...
Meet Jesi Cason, St. Petersburg Month of Photography’s Photo Laureate
Jesi Cason at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. Jesi Cason emerged from personal branding photography to act as St.
www.cltampa.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Meet Jesi Cason, St. Petersburg Month of Photography’s Photo Laureate www.cltampa.com/arts/meet-je...
Zack Wittman's latest project documents Tampa's last cigar factories www.cltampa.com/arts/zack-wi...
Zack Wittman's latest project documents Tampa's last cigar factories
Zack Wittman at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. By the time Zack Wittman had the opportunity to photograph Tampa’s cigar
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January 30, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Zack Wittman's latest project documents Tampa's last cigar factories www.cltampa.com/arts/zack-wi...
Tampa artist Clancy Riehm has a busy year ahead of her www.cltampa.com/arts/tampa-a...
Tampa artist Clancy Riehm has a busy year ahead of her
Clancy Riehm at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. If you shop the popular St. Pete art markets, then you may have already
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January 30, 2026 at 3:47 AM
Tampa artist Clancy Riehm has a busy year ahead of her www.cltampa.com/arts/tampa-a...
Here are seven Tampa Bay actors and dancers to know in 2026 www.cltampa.com/arts/here-ar...
Here are seven Tampa Bay actors and dancers to know in 2026
Jai Shanae A simple but profound Sondheim lyric comes to mind when thinking about the seven actors and dancers interviewed for this issue: “No one is
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January 30, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Here are seven Tampa Bay actors and dancers to know in 2026 www.cltampa.com/arts/here-ar...
Polk County's Justin Brock is a powerful mover who’s developing a choreographic style all his own www.cltampa.com/arts/polk-co...
Polk County's Justin Brock is a powerful mover who’s developing a choreographic style all his own
Justin Brock Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s spring arts issue features more than a dozen artists to watch this year and beyond. Meet Justin Brock. His
www.cltampa.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:58 AM
Polk County's Justin Brock is a powerful mover who’s developing a choreographic style all his own www.cltampa.com/arts/polk-co...
Tampa actor Max Carley turned his life around and rediscovered theater www.cltampa.com/arts/tampa-a...
Tampa actor Max Carley turned his life around and rediscovered theater
Max Carley at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s spring arts issue features more than a dozen
www.cltampa.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Tampa actor Max Carley turned his life around and rediscovered theater www.cltampa.com/arts/tampa-a...
Tampa actor Lance Markeith Felton is incapable of making a false move—on stage, at the mic, or in the classroom www.cltampa.com/arts/tampa-a...
Tampa actor Lance Markeith Felton incapable of making a false move—on stage, at the mic, or in the classroom
Lance Markeith Felton at Dave Decker Photography in Ybor City, Florida on Jan. 12, 2026. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s spring arts issue features more than
www.cltampa.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Tampa actor Lance Markeith Felton is incapable of making a false move—on stage, at the mic, or in the classroom www.cltampa.com/arts/tampa-a...
University of South Florida had 107 H-1B visa recipients in FY2025.
Florida weighs state university visa hiring freeze at DeSantis’ request
During a meeting at Florida State University, the overseers of the State University System started discussion on the matter, prompted by President Donald Trump and DeSantis.
www.cltampa.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:12 PM
University of South Florida had 107 H-1B visa recipients in FY2025.
So far, the crepes don't fall flat.
Point Chaud opens second cafe in St. Pete Beach
Known for sweet and savory crepes in dozens of variations, Lavazza coffee and lunch bites, the St. Pete cafe opened last September at 1101 4th St S
www.cltampa.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:12 PM
So far, the crepes don't fall flat.
Mackenzie Mclean is a dancer, a teacher—and executive director of the Pinellas Dance Collective www.cltampa.com/news/mackenz...
Mackenzie Mclean is a dancer, a teacher—and executive director of the Pinellas Dance Collective
Mackenzie Mclean Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s spring arts issue features more than a dozen artists to watch this year and beyond. Meet Mackenzie Mclean.
www.cltampa.com
January 29, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Mackenzie Mclean is a dancer, a teacher—and executive director of the Pinellas Dance Collective www.cltampa.com/news/mackenz...
From local stages to TV ads to Tammi Terrell, Tampa Bay actor Jai Shanae can do it all www.cltampa.com/arts/from-lo...
From local stages to TV ads to Tammi Terrell, Tampa Bay actor Jai Shanae can do it all
Jai Shanae Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's spring arts issue features more than a dozen artists to watch this year and beyond. Meet Jai Shanae. She grew up
www.cltampa.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:56 PM
From local stages to TV ads to Tammi Terrell, Tampa Bay actor Jai Shanae can do it all www.cltampa.com/arts/from-lo...
Business alliance posts legal challenge over meeting discussing South Tampa’s Howard Avenue flood relief project www.cltampa.com/news/busines...
Business alliance posts legal challenge over meeting discussing South Tampa’s Howard Avenue flood relief project
Tampa City Council on Jan. 29, 2026. The City of Tampa is presenting an update to the South Howard Flood Relief Project right now at Thursday morning’s
www.cltampa.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Business alliance posts legal challenge over meeting discussing South Tampa’s Howard Avenue flood relief project www.cltampa.com/news/busines...
Gasparilla Music Festival 2026 lineup: Mt. Joy, Two Friends, Gov’t Mule coming to Tampa in April www.cltampa.com/music-2/gasp...
Gasparilla Music Festival 2026 lineup: Mt. Joy, Two Friends, Gov’t Mule coming to Tampa in April
Mt. Joy Gasparilla Music Festival’s return has a soundtrack. Indie-rock band Mt. Joy, college party guys Two Friends, and jam-rock icon Gov’t Mule are
www.cltampa.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Gasparilla Music Festival 2026 lineup: Mt. Joy, Two Friends, Gov’t Mule coming to Tampa in April www.cltampa.com/music-2/gasp...
Curiosity Club of Seminole Heights brings knowledge to the coffee table www.cltampa.com/arts/curiosi...
Curiosity Club of Seminole Heights brings knowledge to the coffee table
Every month, the club shines an eclectic spotlight on a variety of topics and lessons at Corner Club Tampa, a dive-bar-turned cafe that welcomes all to its casual venue.
www.cltampa.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Curiosity Club of Seminole Heights brings knowledge to the coffee table www.cltampa.com/arts/curiosi...
Letters: Hillsborough College is ready to play ball with the Rays, but are students getting shut out of the deal? www.cltampa.com/news/letters...
Letters: Hillsborough College is ready to play ball with the Rays, but are students getting shut out of the deal?
Hillsborough College in Tampa, Florida on November 2025. Spring brings the same optimism to newly minted Hillsborough College as it does for the Tampa Bay
www.cltampa.com
January 28, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Letters: Hillsborough College is ready to play ball with the Rays, but are students getting shut out of the deal? www.cltampa.com/news/letters...
The bill proposed after a shooting at FSU no longer lets professors and TAs open carry on state campuses.
Campus carry bill shifts to other security measures
HB 757 addresses classroom door lock requirements, expands a statewide program of arming trained K-12 school staff into colleges and universities, and formulates active-shooter plans and threat-assess...
www.cltampa.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:46 PM
The bill proposed after a shooting at FSU no longer lets professors and TAs open carry on state campuses.
An independent senator called the legislation “crap,” a Democrat deemed it “unjust,” and a Republican voted “no.”
Bill eliminating insanity defense scrapes through first committee stop
SB 1326 would require Florida judges to sentence offenders found guilty who intended to commit their crimes to prison, even if the accused couldn’t tell whether their actions were right or wrong. It w...
www.cltampa.com
January 27, 2026 at 8:11 PM
An independent senator called the legislation “crap,” a Democrat deemed it “unjust,” and a Republican voted “no.”
Trump endorsed him for re-election in November.
Sarasota U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan leaving Congress after 20 years
Buchanan, who has represented the Sarasota area and other parts of Southwest Florida for nearly 20 years, announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in November.
www.cltampa.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Trump endorsed him for re-election in November.
Tampa firefighters are trading “stop, drop, and roll” for the 5Ds: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.
Cinco de Dodgeball tradition honors late Tampa firefighter this spring
The event raises funds for the Matthew T. Bunch Foundation, which the museum established in 2017, two years after 27-year-old Bunch died following his eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
www.cltampa.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Tampa firefighters are trading “stop, drop, and roll” for the 5Ds: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge.
Democratic socialist Richie Floyd, St. Pete’s youngest councilperson, officially launches re-election campaign www.cltampa.com/news/democra...
Democratic socialist Richie Floyd, St. Pete’s youngest councilperson, officially launches re-election campaign
Richie (L) and Miranda Floyd at Bananas Records in St. Petersburg, Florida on Jan. 24, 2025. A sizzling socialist campaign in the ruby-red Sunshine State
www.cltampa.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Democratic socialist Richie Floyd, St. Pete’s youngest councilperson, officially launches re-election campaign www.cltampa.com/news/democra...
Smart & Safe Florida must submit at least 880,062 valid signatures statewide and meet congressional district signature thresholds by Feb. 1 to put the issue on the ballot.
Recreational pot advocates lose court battle a week ahead of petition deadline
An appeals court has rejected a challenge to directives by Secretary of State Cord Byrd to invalidate more than 70,000 petition signatures.
www.cltampa.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Smart & Safe Florida must submit at least 880,062 valid signatures statewide and meet congressional district signature thresholds by Feb. 1 to put the issue on the ballot.
“The Reproductive Freedom Act would ensure all Floridians can access the full range of reproductive health care options, without the government looking over their shoulders in the exam room,” House Democratic Leader and HB 1151 sponsor Fentrice Driskell said.
Tampa Rep. Fentrice Driskell sponsors bill to revive abortion access
Called the Reproductive Freedom Act, the bills were filed on the 53rd anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal in the United States. It wa...
www.cltampa.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:49 PM
“The Reproductive Freedom Act would ensure all Floridians can access the full range of reproductive health care options, without the government looking over their shoulders in the exam room,” House Democratic Leader and HB 1151 sponsor Fentrice Driskell said.
BeatsNChill producer series brings Oakland rapper MG to Ybor City www.cltampa.com/music-2/beat...
BeatsNChill producer series brings Oakland rapper MG to Ybor City
MG Tampa’s BeatsNChill, basically the place where any producer wants to be, gets the clique back together at its unofficial clubhouse for a set with
www.cltampa.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
BeatsNChill producer series brings Oakland rapper MG to Ybor City www.cltampa.com/music-2/beat...
St. Pete bands stage Thursday benefit for photographer recovering from cancer www.cltampa.com/music-2/st-p...
St. Pete bands stage Thursday benefit for photographer recovering from cancer
Pleasures plays The Bends in St. Petersburg, Florida on Oct. 31, 2020. The 600 Block’s rock and roll heyday might’ve never been captured on film if it
www.cltampa.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:31 AM
St. Pete bands stage Thursday benefit for photographer recovering from cancer www.cltampa.com/music-2/st-p...
Alligator Records' Southern Avenue plays Tampa on Wednesday www.cltampa.com/music-2/alli...
Alligator Records' Southern Avenue plays Tampa on Wednesday
Southern Avenue Blues imprint Alligator Records was well represented on last week’s live music offering (Brother John Kattke played St. Pete last Sunday),
www.cltampa.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Alligator Records' Southern Avenue plays Tampa on Wednesday www.cltampa.com/music-2/alli...