Local News
Community news from our local sources
Manatee County’s burn ban remains in effect amid ongoing drought conditions
The Manatee County burn ban continues as wildfire risks rise. Discover what activities are prohibited during this period.
Rouson drops Ken Welch endorsement, gives full support to Charlie Crist in St. Pete mayor’s race
Less than a month after making headlines for endorsing both leading candidates in St. Petersburg’s mayoral race, outgoing state Senator Darryl Rouson has changed course. Rouson announced Thursday that he is rescinding his endorsement of incumbent Mayor Ken Welch and is now…
The Scoop: Thurs. July 9, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF
New water treatment will help Tampa target PFAS chemicals as the city works to improve the safety and quality of drinking water..
July seminar to discuss who controls access to St. Pete Beach
Who controls access to St. Pete Beach: the public or beachfront property owners? That question will be the focus of a City of St. Pete Beach seminar Thursday, July 23, on Florida’s customary use doctrine and how it applies to the shoreline. The free seminar will be held from 5…
Tampa advances new water treatment technology to reduce PFAS
Explore how Tampa water treatment technology will improve drinking water quality and decrease PFAS with innovative solutions.
K-Bar Ranch Getting 3,500 New Trees
K-Bar Ranch Getting 3,500 New Trees Tony D. Thu, 07/09/2026 - 08:39 am Pines were the dominant tree in the December planting, but the July 9 planting will be all oaks. Major Tree Planting Effort in New Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's goal of 30,000 trees planted by 2030 in the City of…
Garrett Greco, grandson of a four-time mayor, files to run for Tampa City Council
Tampa voters will see a very familiar name on next year’s city council ballot. Yesterday, Garrett Greco filed paperwork to be the next District 3 councilman. The 34-year-old joins Candice Cowen, who filed in May, and Quinton F. Robinson, who filed this month, in a race to fill a…
Bi-partisan group of former Florida politicians file lawsuit against property tax amendment
Florida’s bid to dramatically change its property tax system is being hit with another legal challenge, this one from a bipartisan duo of former elected officials who maintain a proposed constitutional amendment is full of “political platitudes” and not factual statements…
Federal appeals court rejects DeSantis’ suit against ‘woke’ college accreditation process, again
A federal appeals court affirmed Monday dismissal of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2023 challenge to the college accrediting process, which he believes enforces diversity and related interests he considers “woke.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit rejected the state’s…
Tampa Bay cops say their ICE agreements are a formality. Pinellas’ sheriff says that’s not enough
Police chiefs around Tampa Bay signed voluntary agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in February of last year, and have since been reassuring concerned community members that their involvement with ICE is limited. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri wants to…
Civil rights groups sue Florida officials after DeSantis designated CAIR a terrorist organization
Hours after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that the state would soon designate the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) a domestic terrorist organization, the Muslim civil rights advocacy group filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging that designation as…
DeSantis labels antifa, CAIR Florida as a domestic terrorist groups under new law
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that he has received a recommendation to designate the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Florida, the Muslim Brotherhood, and antifa as domestic terrorist organizations. He cited authority given to state officials through…