![\"Creative](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/cl_box_3-scaled-1.webp\")
Credit: Dave Decker<\/p>\nCredit: Dave Decker<\/p>\n
While some publications are using AI bots<\/a> to adapt to today\u2019s challenging media landscape, Tampa Bay\u2019s free, independent and locally-owned alternative weekly<\/a> Creative Loafing is trying something different.\u00a0<\/p>\n Starting next month, the CL editorial team is launching \u201cTips For Tips,\u201d a new monthly local bar tour where editors and reporters guest bartend at neighborhood pubs to hear from readers about stories, coverage and what matters most to Tampa Bay residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since current events are best discussed over a cold one, Creative Loafing has also launched Breaking Brews, a new journalism-focused tangerine lager made by Channelside Brewing that promises \u201cGreat Taste, More Filing!\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n All proceeds from Breaking Brews and all tips to CL bartenders at Tips For Tips events will go directly to funding locally-based public records requests, which often cost a publication hundreds and even thousands of dollars per month.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPublic records requests have long been at the core of the reporting that this publication has done best,\u201d Editor-In-Chief and CL co-owner Ray Roa said, citing a recent look at the cost of a retaliation lawsuit <\/a>at the City of Tampa and the 2022 story that took down Tampa\u2019s then-police chief<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut filing those requests can get expensive and every little bit helps,\u201d he said. \u201cPlus, we love engaging with our readers who\u2019re sick of journalism operating from within the safety of the ivory tower.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone interested in supporting non-paywalled journalism beyond \u201cTips For Tips\u201d can inquire about the Tampa Bay Journalism Project<\/a>, a nonprofit-driven effort to bring news and information to readers, regardless of their ability to pay for it.<\/p>\n Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us:\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0BlueSky<\/a><\/p>\n This article appears in May 21 \u2013 27, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t\t\t![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/creative_loafing_boxes.webp\")
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