Local News
Community news from our local sources
You're viewing news for Tampa Bay only.276 stories here.
Weekly Challenger
Published October 10The Colonel: Committed patriot and public servant
Don McRae’s quiet, calming style, unselfish commitment, loyalty, and devotion served him well as he was appointed to higher levels of service as human rights director, deputy city manager, assistant city manager, deputy city administrator, chief of staff and eventually city…
Weekly Challenger
Published September 18Competent leader or figurehead
“Some posit Chief Watts is either not as committed to diversity as he travels the community asserting, or he is not ready or capable of making the courageous decisions required for the job as Chief of St. Pete Fire Rescue,” Dr. Goliath Davis.” Goliath J. Davis, III, Ph.D. |…
Weekly Challenger
Published July 10Loud and right! My response to the mayor’s ‘Plan for progress at St. Petersburg Fire Rescue’
‘My review of the mayor’s plan leaves me wondering why he is assuming so much responsibility for what Watts didn’t do,’ questions Dr. Goliath Davis. BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — I read Mayor Welch’s plan with great interest and take this…
Weekly Challenger
Published July 09The plan for progress at St. Petersburg Fire Rescue
‘The people of St. Petersburg elected me to move our city forward, and that is my focus,’ expressed Mayor Ken Welch. The mayor and Fire Chief Keith Watts at Fire Station 9 in Lake Pasadena. BY KENNETH T. WELCH | Mayor of St. Petersburg ST. PETERSBURG — I’ve been blessed to serve…
Weekly Challenger
Published July 02The ‘more qualified’ card
‘Where is the “Watts Plan?” Where is your written, codified approach to correcting the ills you witnessed and the implementation of the management study recommendations?’ BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — In my previous commentaries regarding the lack…
Weekly Challenger
Published June 28Fire department promotional update
Fire Chief Keith Watts held a promotional ceremony on June 20, during which 12 firefighters were promoted; however, not a single one was Black. BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, Ph.D. | Contributor ST. PETERSBURG — As you might imagine, stories are swirling fast and furious regarding the…
Weekly Challenger
Published June 25Community members ask: Why?
“St. Petersburg’s Black Community is all too familiar with the struggle for justice in all aspects of life, including the garbage strike, school integration, the achievement gap, baseball, restrictive covenants, segregated swimming facilities, and other segregationist policies…
Weekly Challenger
Published May 28Black Voters Are Not Pawns: Why the Fight Over Florida’s District 16 Matters to Us All
Black Voters Are Not Pawns: Why the Fight Over Florida’s District 16 Matters to Us All (Op-Ed) By Geveryl Robinson, Contributor Let’s be clear: what’s happening with Florida Senate District 16 is not just about geography; it’s about power. And once again, Black voters are the…
Weekly Challenger
Published March 31St. Petersburg Water Treatment Facilities to Host Open Houses
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (March 26, 2025) – The City of St. Petersburg is inviting residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at the City’s water treatment facilities during a series of open houses this spring. During the open houses, attendees can gain more insight into how wastewater…
Weekly Challenger
Published March 24City of St. Petersburg Makes $2.2 Million Available for Hurricane Recovery
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (March 11, 2025) – The City of St. Petersburg is making multiple disaster recovery assistance programs – totaling $2.2 million – available to residents, small businesses, and City employees recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The assistance programs…
Weekly Challenger
Published March 24First City Hall on Tour of 2025 to Feature Sunrise St. Pete Initiative
First City Hall on Tour of 2025 to Feature Sunrise St. Pete Initiative ST. PETERSBURG, FL (March 17, 2025) – St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch is kicking off the 2025 City Hall on Tour series with an engaging, open-house-style community event on Wednesday, March 26, from…
Weekly Challenger
Published March 23Get Involved: Available Seats on City of St. Petersburg Boards & Committees
ST. PETERSBURG (March 20, 2025) – The City of St. Petersburg is seeking residents to serve on multiple boards and committees. See below for vacancies. Advisory Commission on Aging – three vacancies The 15 members of the Advisory Commission on Aging support, leverage and advocate…