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Stephanie Hayes - Columnist
Stephanie Hayes

Columnist

Please buckle in for a glamorous journalism biography. I left my job at a mall CD store to work here at 19, distributing faxes and running to Publix to pick up cakes for real reporters. Upon being the last warm body in the office, I got to write actual stories. The rest has been a wonderful journey. I'm now a columnist, writing on the proverbial "lighter side of life" and giving side-eye to Florida. Starting in 2021, my columns will be syndicated worldwide via Creators Syndicate. Before this, I was an editor overseeing arts and culture coverage. As a reporter, I’ve covered local governments, higher education, nightlife, obituaries and performing arts. How's that for variety? I'm a stepmom, fledgling novelist, amateur makeup artist and avid host of parties with too much food. Find me in Dunedin, coolest town in Florida.

  1. Spring break 2023 is over, Tampa Bay. Reality is back.
    Mar. 21• Opinion
    Welcome back! Did you miss them?
  2. Real question: Did millennials and Gen X drink water as children?
    Mar. 14• Opinion
    The Kool-Aid Man, who raised us.
  3. Hey, Tampa Bay. Spring breakers are here to vacation where we live.
    Mar. 10• Life & Culture
    People wait to claim their luggage at Tampa International Airport on Thursday.
  5. Florida is being run by 1980s movie bullies
    Mar. 7• Opinion
    The Florida Legislature getting to work.
  6. Fearful for Florida? Tune into Tampa Bay government meetings
    Mar. 3• Opinion
    The School Board Meeting Agenda notebook on the sign in before the beginning of the Pinellas County School Board meeting, at 301 4th St. SW on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Largo.
  7. Blahs and bad dreams in the pandemic’s fourth year
    Mar. 1• Opinion
  8. Wherefore art thou swimsuits, Tampa Bay?
    Feb. 24• Opinion
    A model walks the runway for Beach Bunny Fashion Show during Miami Swim Week at the Paraiso tent on July 15, 2022, in Miami Beach.
  9. On book bans, Pinellas school leaders need a bravery lesson from students
    Feb. 17• Opinion
    The audience wave their hands in the air in support of the speaker as they make their case to defend banned books during the Pinellas County School Board meeting, at 301 4th St. SW on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023 in Largo. The audience was asked not to cheer but were instead asked to shake their hands in the air to agree with the speakers.
  10. Homicidal clowns, big feels: 4 reasons to catch a Tampa Bay opera in 2023
    Feb. 15• Opinion
    Rochelle Bard as Norma and Matthew Vickers as Pollione, center, in Opera Tampa's 2023 production of "Norma."
  11. Eloise at a luxury Tampa condo
    Feb. 10• Opinion
    A rooftop lounge area at The Tampa Edition hotel on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, in Tampa.
  12. I watched ‘80 for Brady,’ a Tom Brady gushfest that avoids Tampa Bay
    Feb. 7• Opinion
    Lily Tomlin is seen alongside Tom Brady in a scene from "80 for Brady."
  13. A comprehensive list of Florida’s freedoms
    Feb. 3• Opinion
    New College students attend a protest of the appointment of new board of trustees members by Gov. Ron DeSantis at New College on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023, outside the Harry Sudakoff Conference Center on the school in Sarasota.
  14. What readers think of Pinellas schools’ attack on ‘The Bluest Eye’
    Feb. 1• Opinion
    A copy of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" inside a Little Free Library in Crystal Beach on Jan. 26.
  15. ‘The Bluest Eye’ is the latest victim of Florida’s thought police
    Jan. 27• Opinion
    A copy of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" inside a book box in Dunedin on Jan. 26, 2023. Pinellas County school officials have removed the book from all high schools.
  16. Can you complete our 2023 Gasparilla bingo card?
    Jan. 25• Life & Culture
    A pirate gives beads to partiers along Bayshore Boulevard during the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022.
  17. Tom Brady washed up at 45? Welcome to the life of a woman.
    Jan. 20• Opinion
    Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady: Old?
  18. Overwhelmed by the best restaurants in Tampa Bay? Same.
    Jan. 13• Opinion
    A prime 14-oz New York strip, served with garlic green beans, is available at Roam Steakhouse and Bar in St. Petersburg.
  19. No diets, no Dry January, no stress: Gentle January is here
    Jan. 11• Opinion
    New Year's resolution: Nap more.
  20. Unhinged predictions for Tampa Bay in 2023
    Dec. 29, 2022• Opinion
    The new Bucs owner? Let's dream it.
  21. A journey into Hotbins, Tampa’s viral Amazon reseller bin store
    Dec. 23, 2022• Life & Culture
    Customers shop for items at Hotbins on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Tampa.
  22. I am suspicious of Christmas gnomes
    Dec. 20, 2022• Opinion
    A few questions for gnomes.
  23. White Elephant, Dirty Santa, Yankee Swap: A guide to faking it
    Dec. 16, 2022• Opinion
    He stands ready to steal your White Elephant gift.
  24. Meet the Tampa man bound for Olympia, the Super Bowl of bodybuilding
    Dec. 14, 2022• Life & Culture
    Winston Sullivan works in night security at Tampa Improv to keep his days free for workouts.