Free July 4 trolleys for Liberty by the Bay
Tampa rolls out free Fourth of July shuttles, plus food trucks downtown, a riverfront event, and a Lions player held without bond.
Tampa's Independence Day celebration, Liberty by the Bay, returns July 4 at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, and the city has announced free Jolley Trolley shuttle service for people heading to the festivities. The free rides are set up for visitors making their way to the riverfront park for the holiday event, offering downtown crowds a way to reach the celebration without driving all the way in. The city shared the shuttle plan as part of its Liberty by the Bay announcements, posted about three weeks ahead of the Fourth. For anyone planning to spend Independence Day along the river, the free trolleys are worth factoring into how you get there, especially if you're trying to avoid the hassle of finding a spot near the park. (City of Tampa)
DeSantis signs 15 bills, issues first 2026 vetoes
Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed three bills late Thursday — his first rejections of legislation this year — and signed 15 others into law in the same round of action. Among the measures he approved is a bill renaming a set of Florida roads and an airport after Trump and Charlie Kirk. The vetoes marked his first time turning down bills passed this year, even as the bulk of the legislation in front of him moved ahead with his signature. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
A first home through the city's DARE program
Tampa resident Adrianne Harden recently moved into her first home after taking part in the city's DARE to Own the Dream homeownership program. The city is spotlighting her story to highlight the program, which it credits with helping Tampanians work toward buying a home of their own. Officials framed her move-in as an example of the kind of life-changing impact the DARE program is meant to have for first-time buyers in the city. For residents curious about a path to homeownership, it's a reminder that the city runs a program aimed at exactly that. (City of Tampa)
Lions' Terrion Arnold held without bond in Tampa case
Detroit Lions player Terrion Arnold will be held in jail without bond in a Tampa kidnapping case after a Hillsborough County judge's order. The judge directed that Arnold stay behind bars without the option to post bond until his next court date, which was set for June 29. The case is being handled in Hillsborough County, where Arnold was ordered held following his arrest. (WTSP)
Turnstile brings 'Never Enough' tour to Pinellas Park
Grammy-winning hardcore band Turnstile is bringing its 'Never Enough' tour back out this fall, and the new leg includes a stop in Pinellas Park. The band announced the additional dates, with two of them landing in Florida. For Tampa Bay music fans, that puts one of the genre's biggest current acts within driving distance this fall, with the Pinellas Park show among the freshly added stops on the run. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Tampa officer arrested in child-crimes case
Tampa Police announced the arrest of one of its officers following an internet crimes against children investigation. On June 15, detectives arrested 32-year-old Jonathan Darling on charges that include unlawful sexual activity with a minor and use of a two-way communications device, along with additional counts cited by the department. The arrest was announced by the Tampa Police Department in connection with the investigation. (City of Tampa)
Mayor's Food Truck Fiesta — Wed, July 1
The Mayor's Food Truck Fiesta rolls back into Lykes Gaslight Square Park on Wednesday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gathering brings local food trucks downtown on the first Wednesday of each month. (Tampa Downtown Partnership)
Rock the Park — Thu, July 2
Rock the Park returns to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa on Thursday, July 2. The waterfront gathering is part of Tampa Downtown Partnership's summer events lineup, one of several happenings the group is promoting downtown this season. (Tampa Downtown Partnership)
'The Little Mermaid' at Tampa Theatre, July 26
Tampa Theatre screens 'The Little Mermaid' on Sunday, July 26, as part of its summer film calendar. The title is one of several weekend movie screenings the theatre has on its schedule heading through the summer. (Tampa Theatre)
'Wicked' at Tampa Theatre, Aug. 23
Tampa Theatre has a screening of 'Wicked' set for Sunday, August 23, on its film calendar. The movie is listed among the theatre's later-summer weekend screenings for moviegoers planning ahead into August. (Tampa Theatre)
Meet the Candidates forum set for July
The Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus is holding a 'Meet the Candidates' forum in July, as early voting approaches in the 2026 primary election. The forum gives voters a chance to hear from candidates ahead of the primary. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)