Pope Francis says priests can bless same-sex unions, requests shouldn't be matter of moral analysis

The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.

Moscow gay bars raided by police after Supreme Court decision deeming LGBTQ+ movement 'extremist'

Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow Friday night, less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization.

Chipotle faces federal lawsuit over allegations of religious harassment and retaliation

A federal agency has sued the restaurant chain Chipotle, accusing it of religious harassment and retaliation after a manager at a Kansas location forcibly removed an employee's hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women.

National Black Business Month celebrates Black entrepreneurs

August is National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate Black entrepreneurs and their contributions, and Tampa Bay continues to add Black-owned businesses to the local economy.

Henrietta Lacks' family reaches settlement with medical company that profited from her cells

Henrietta Lacks' cancer cells changed the course of modern medicine after they were taken from her without consent or knowledge. The cells were the first living human cells to ever survive and multiply outside the body.

Tampa's first female firefighter honored by city

This year marks 45 years since Tampa Fire Rescue hired its first female firefighter.

Tampa professors say Supreme Court blocking affirmative action impacts more than education

The U.S. Supreme Court announced race can no longer be used as a factor to determine who gets admitted to colleges and universities across the country, joining states that previously blocked affirmative action including Florida.

Bud Light no longer America's top-selling beer as backlash continues

It's a milestone in Bud Light's months-long sales decline since early April, when critics who were angered by the brewer sending a commemorative can to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney vowed to boycott the brand.

Chick-fil-A gets heat from Twitter users over diversity position

Chick-fil-A is being criticized by conservative Twitter users who say the fast-food chain is "woke." They did so while pointing to the company's diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) page.

Gov. DeSantis signs 3 education bills that include targeting diversity programs at Florida universities

From New College of Florida – where its Board of Trustees was revamped earlier this year – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed several education reform bills that include prohibiting colleges and universities from spending money on diversity programs.

Tampa buys back Memorial Park Cemetery from property flipper: ‘I’m sorry it got to this’

There's a new statewide program on the way to help search, maintain and memorialize Black cemeteries after the Florida senate voted Thursday to approve the bill, which passed the House on April 19. 

Montana GOP bars transgender lawmaker from 2023 session

Transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr was barred from participating on the House floor as Republican leaders voted Wednesday to silence her for the rest of 2023 session after she protested GOP leaders’ decision earlier in the week to silence her.

CVS 'gender transition' guide says employees must use preferred pronouns, can use bathroom reflecting identity

In the guidelines obtained exclusively by FOX Business, employees are told they may be entitled to a medical leave of absence "under the Family and Medical Leave Act, state law, and/or CVS Health policy."

Holocaust survivor flooded with cards, letters after viral 101st birthday post

Holocaust survivor Nat Ross celebrated his 101st birthday back in March with a little help from his friends. He had no idea that when he blew out his candles, a message was about to go viral – asking others to send him well wishes. 

Build-A-Bear’s RuPaul gift set sparks conservative backlash

The stuffed animals have sparked backlash from conservatives who believe drag is connected to child "grooming."

Volunteer group left wondering why Pinellas school district closed local community center

The Pinellas County School District closed the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Community Center, and now the group of volunteers who has been running it for the past 11 years wants to know why.