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Margo Snipe - Metro Reporter
Margo Snipe

Metro Reporter

It is a passion of mine to report on politics, power and how government decisions (local, state and federal) affect everyday life. When I’m not covering breaking news, I love telling deep-dive stories that highlight the complexities of life, particularly in ways that give a voice to under-served and underrepresented communities. I’m not a Florida native. In fact, I’m not really a native anywhere? I’ve lived in a handful of cities across the country and even spent 3.5 years living in Rome. Now that I have my degree from Georgetown University, I believe there’s no better place to have landed to cover politics than the Sunshine state. When I’m not reporting, I’m chugging coffee, listening to music or figuring how to work out now that my days of playing collegiate volleyball are over.

  1. Tampa Bay private schools make changes to deal with coronavirus
    Aug. 11• Education
    Sitting behind plexiglass at Tampa Preparatory School on Tuesday, Melissa Thomason bags masks that will be required when students return to campus soon. Under a new hybrid and block schedule, students will be on campus two days a week. [IVY CEBALLO | Times]
  2. Florida student wins transgender rights case in federal appellate court
    Aug. 9• Florida
    Drew Adams speaks with reporters outside of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2019 in Atlanta. [RON HARRIS | AP]
  3. Gunman shot, killed breaking into Pasco home looking for estranged wife, sheriff says
    Aug. 9• Crime
    Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news and updates. [Times]
  5. Pinellas School Board race clouded by questions of qualifications and Black representation
    Aug. 7• The Buzz
    Caprice Edmond, Corey Givens Jr., Sharon Jackson and Karl Nurse are seeking election to Pinellas School Board District 7. [Courtesy of the candidates]
  6. Mike Pence emphasizes anti-abortion message in Tampa Bay visit
    Aug. 5• The Buzz
    Vice President Mike Pence speaks at Starkey Road Baptist Church on Wednesday Aug. 5, 2020, as part of his 'Faith in America' tour. His visit comes just days after President Donald Trump came to Tampa Bay on Friday for a campaign fundraiser. Pence's speech heralded the Trump Administration's successes and commitment to pro-life issues. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]
  7. Trump lands in Tampa amid a pandemic and finds a way to hold a rally
    Jul. 31• The Buzz
    President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Tampa International Airport Friday, July 31, 2020. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]
  8. 31-year-old claims to lead Florida’s Black Republicans. But his group is ‘a mystery.’
    Jul. 31• The Buzz
    Sean Pierre Jackson poses with President Donald Trump. [Twitter]
  9. Safety Harbor votes to replace Black Lives Matter signs after backlash
    Jul. 28• The Buzz
    Safety Harbor City Commission reevaluates their previous decision to place Black Lives Matter signs on city property during a Zoom meeting on Monday, July 27. [Tampa Bay Times]
  10. Safety Harbor’s placement of a Black Lives Matter sign splits city residents
    Jul. 22• The Buzz
    A mural of Odet Philippe can be seen on the side of the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce on Main Street, Safety Harbor, Friday, July 17, 2020. Philippe was an owner and trader of slaves according to local historian Louis Claudio, Safety Harbor. Today, the mural is a reminder of the city's racial history. [SCOTT KEELER | Times]
  11. St. Petersburg Council member Lisa Wheeler-Bowman tests positive for coronavirus
    Jul. 14• The Buzz
    Lisa Wheeler-Bowman.
  12. Endorsement in Florida House race sparks controversy over LGBTQ issues
    Jul. 14• The Buzz
    Mark Oliver and Michele Rayner are running for the Florida House District 70 seat. [Tampa Bay Times]
  13. St. Petersburg protesters issue demands for reform
    Jul. 4• News
    Protesters in St. Petersburg distributed fliers Friday that include a list of demands for police reforms. [MAR\GO SNIPE]
  14. Fire Tampa’s police chief, protesters demand; St. Pete protest ends after motorcycle incident
    Jul. 4• News
    A Tampa police officer attempts to detain a protester as officers break up a march blocking traffic on N Dale Mabry Highway on Saturday. [IVY CEBALLO | Times]
  15. Live: In St. Petersburg, protesters issue set of demands
    Jul. 3• News
    Tee Wacker, Brey Johnson and Chris Tapper listen to someone speak during as the group discusses racism, voting and policing ahead of a protest at Curtis Hixon Waterfront in Tampa Friday night. [IVY CEBALLO | Times]
  16. Fireworks sales skyrocket after Florida legalizes use for Fourth of July
    Jul. 3• Health
    A TNT fireworks sits in the parking lot of a Sam's Club on Friday, July 3, 2020 in St. Petersburg. Because of increased demand, safety experts are urging using caution when handling fireworks. [JONAH HINEBAUGH | Times]
  17. In midst of national reckoning on race, the American flag embodies cultural divide
    Jul. 3• News
    Jabaar Edmond, during a protest in front of St. Petersburg City Hall June 5. [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times]
  18. Protesters splinter into separate groups in St. Pete
    Jul. 2• News
    Jonathon Mckinney, 25, center foreground, and Phillip Downes, 19, far center, both of St. Pete, sat in front of patrol vehicles in front of St. Pete Police Headquarters to protest the killing of George Floyd on May 31, 2020. “Change doesn’t happen with inaction, it happens with action,” Downes said. [JOSH SOLOMON | Times]
  19. St. Pete protesters return to police headquarters
    Jul. 1• Breaking News
    Kristin Javate, 18, from St. Pete, hold a painting of George Floyd that she made last night as protesters march from City Hall to the Old Northeast on Thursday, June 11, 2020 in St. Petersburg. Also marching with Kristin was her mother, Vanessa Javate, 51. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
  20. Tampa police investigating car vs. protest incident; St. Pete march ends peacefully
    Jun. 27• News
    There was a harrowing altercation between a driver and protesters during Saturday evening's march. One protester was taken into custody and a driver who tried to go through the crowd was allowed to leave by police. [Restorative Justice Coalition]
  21. Local caregivers demand proper protective equipment and hazard pay
    Jun. 26• Health
    A group of healthcare workers gathered on a sidewalk near Northside Hospital to share their stories, display their signs, and voice their demands. [MARGO SNIPE | Tampa Bay Times]
  22. Protests continue in St. Petersburg, despite the heat
    Jun. 25• News
    Protesters take a break from marching at the roundabout on Central Ave. on Friday, June 19, 2020 in St. Petersburg. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]
  23. In Jacksonville, can RNC ‘coexist’ with anniversary of a racist attack?
    Jun. 24• The Buzz
    A framed American flag and phrase is pictured on a building front on the corner of East Union Street and Palmetto Street on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, in Jacksonville. [IVY CEBALLO | Times]
  24. Tampa Bay’s Juneteenth celebrations turn to activism
    Jun. 20• News
    Local artist, Cheryl "Jujmo" Weber of Tampa paints her assigned letter "B" in the new Black Lives Matter street mural in front of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 2240 9th Ave. South in St. Petersburg on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Woodson Museum executive director, Terri Lipsey-Scott contacted St. Petersburg City Council member, Lisa Wheeler-Bowman with the idea who in turn contacted Wayne Atherholt with the city’s Cultural Affairs department who also liked the idea. Atherholt contact John Collins with the St Pete Artist Alliance which runs the Shine Mural project and got his team working to find artists willing to participate. 16 artists are responsible for painting 1 letter each of the phrase. The mural will be ready when the city of St Pete kicks of its Juneteenth celebrations on Friday morning. [BOYZELL HOSEY | Times]