Tampa Bay

Staff ReportsJuly 20, 2018

A Tampa cop beat the rap for allegedly misusing police resources, but the city still won’t help pay his bills. A federal lawsuit alleged that Tampa Police Officer Richard Mercado improperly accessed the personal information of Dunnellon man Jorge Torres using DAVID, the state driver and information database. Torres claimed Mercado was dating Torres’ wife, […]

Jacob OglesJuly 20, 2018

A former youth pastor at a Tampa church says allegations of sexual abuse were covered up, and he was fired after telling higher-ups at the Riverhills Church of God. John Lancer worked as a youth pastor at the church in 2016 when janitor Luis Lugo was fired for allegedly exposing himself to an elementary school student, […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

A deep-dive into the financial disclosure filed by David Shapiro found some possibly hypocritical investments, particularly for a candidate saying he’ll push for “a full ban on weapons of war.” Shapiro is a leading Democrat in the race for Florida’s 16th Congressional District, challenging incumbent Congressman Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican. According to Shapiro’s official personal finance report filed with the […]

Drew WilsonJuly 20, 2018

Dover Republican Rep. Ross Spano is hosting a different kind of campaign event this weekend. The candidate for Florida’s 15th Congressional District is teaming up with the Plant City Republican Women Federated to host a free concealed carry weapons permit training class State law requires CCW applicants to “submit proof of competency with a firearm.” […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

Philanthropist David Straz is rolling out the first digital and TV ads supporting his Tampa Mayor bid starting today, eight months out from the March 5 election. “I want to introduce myself to the people of Tampa and demonstrate the impact I have had on our community as a private citizen,” Straz said Thursday. “Much […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 19, 2018

Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott is in Oklahoma City today, putting the touch on energy industry executives to fund his U.S. Senate bid. Florida Democrats are alarmed, and a press call Thursday afternoon featuring St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and environmental activists conveyed their pique. Kriseman expressed “great consternation and concern” regarding Scott, whose words about […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

State Sen. Dana Young is looking for supporters to turn out this weekend to help spread the word about her reelection campaign in Senate District 18. To give the campaign a spark heading into the final three months before Election Day, the Tampa Republican has planned a “Super Weekend” of canvassing events in the Hillsborough […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

Auburndale Republican Neil Combee started hitting the airwaves in Florida’s 15th Congressional District with a new ad touting his presidential appointment and his support for Donald Trump’s border wall. The 30-second ad features Combee, a former state Representative, on a ranch with his family and neighbors pitches him as the most conservative candidate in the […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

It has been a month since Bill Carlson announced his bid for the District 4 seat on the Tampa City Council, and his first finance report puts him atop the three-person field. Carlson, president of Tampa-based public relations firm Tucker Hall, raised $31,446 during his first 30 days in the race and ended the month with […]

Drew WilsonJuly 19, 2018

Ruth’s List Florida announced Thursday that it’s backing Tampa lawyer Karen Skyers in the four-way Democratic primary for House District 61, an open seat now held by Attorney General candidate Sean Shaw. “Karen is an attorney, former assistant public defender, children rights advocate and champion of criminal justice reform. She has served District 61 as a […]

Tampa Bay
Image via AP.

Tampa cop beats harassment rap, but city won’t foot bill

Youth pastor says Tampa church covered up sex abuse

David Shapiro seeks ‘full ban’ on weapons of war, but invests in ammo makers

Ross Spano’s CD 15 campaign footing the bill for concealed weapons course

David Straz releases first ads for Tampa Mayor campaign

Rick Kriseman, activists decry Rick Scott fundraiser with oil, gas interests

Dana Young holding ‘super weekend’ canvassing events

Neil Combee touts Donald Trump connection in first TV ad

Bill Carlson makes a splash in first finance report

Ruth’s List recommends Karen Skyers for HD 61