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Monique Welch - Engagement Producer
Monique Welch

Engagement Producer

Since I joined the Tampa Bay Times in 2017, it has been my passion to bring unique stories about diverse people and communities that typically get overlooked to the limelight. That passion extends to the world of sports where I incorporate my previous experience as a college athlete to tell stories about the culture and experience of our Tampa Bay area sports teams. These stories come alive online and on the Times’ Instagram and Facebook accounts. You may also be familiar with my alter-ego, “Dr. Delay” who makes sense of some of your biggest traffic pet peeves and addresses your complaints about Tampa Bay’s roadways. If that’s not enough, you can hear me deliver a weekly local news segment, “Times on the Beat” on iheartradio’s 95.7 The Beat station. Like many here, I’m not a native Floridian, but a Baltimorean who would proudly put Old Bay seasoning on everything if you let me.

  1. St. Petersburg’s African-American Heritage Trail to launch digital history tours
    May 11• St. Petersburg
    St. Petersburg's African-American Heritage Trail suspended trolley tours as a safety precaution during the pandemic. Now, the trail will soon be available digitally.
  2. Cheer on the Bucs with us on social media
    Jan. 23• Sports
    Show the Bucs show love on social media with one of our cheer cards as they battle for the NFC Championship Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
  3. The St. Petersburg NAACP is getting a new president. Meet Esther Eugene
    Dec. 24, 2020• St. Petersburg
    In the latest edition of Regarding Race, Tampa Bay Times engagement producer Monique Welch chats with incoming St. Petersburg NAACP president Esther Eugene about her mission for reviving the chapter, gun violence in St. Pete and community solutions.
  5. Costume ideas perfect for Tampa Bay Halloween 2020
    Oct. 7, 2020• Life & Culture
    Halloween costumes, clockwise from left: Stephanie Hayes as a murder hornet, Christopher Spata as Rays fans and Gabrielle Calise as "Bending Arc."
  6. After years, St. Pete Pier opens to a crowd of thousands Monday
    Jul. 7, 2020• St. Petersburg
    Visitors walk along the 26 acre, $92 million St. Petersburg Pier District, Monday, July 6, 2020 s the pier opened to he public.
  7. What happens once major marches over police brutality end? We asked. You answered.
    Jul. 1, 2020• News
    About 100 people march in downtown Tampa as part of the "Black Lives Matter Pride Protest" in downtown Tampa on Sunday, June 28, 2020.
  8. As protests continue in Tampa and St. Pete, voting becomes a focus
    Jun. 14, 2020• News
    Jayla El-Amin, 7, joins protest in St. Petersburg Sunday, June 14, 2020. "We wanted them to see what it means to come together and solve problems and speak out against racial injustice, and to learn lessons early so they will be less likely to become victims," said her mother, Kyandra Darling, 27.
  9. St. Pete protesters dance on Sunday; in Clearwater, vigil calls for action
    Jun. 14, 2020• News
    Jayla El-Amin, 7, joins protest in St. Petersburg Sunday, June 14, 2020. "We wanted them to see what it means to come together and solve problems and speak out against racial injustice, and to learn lessons early so they will be less likely to become victims," said her mother, Kyandra Darling, 27.
  10. Voices from a Tampa protest: the message is peace
    Jun. 4, 2020• Video
    People show their support for a Black Lives Matter march as it passes Sunday, May 31, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. For a second day in a row protesters took to the streets of Tampa to protest the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after he was pinned at the neck by a Minneapolis police officer. (Martha Ascencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
  11. Photos: Protests continue Sunday in Tampa and St. Petersburg
    May 31, 2020• Photos
    Protesters gather outside of the St. Petersburg Police Department, Sunday, May 31, 2020 to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
    42 Images | View Slideshow
  12. Tampa enacts curfew, uses tear gas on protesters; National Guard activated
    May 31, 2020• Breaking News
    Protesters gather outside of the St. Petersburg Police Department, Sunday, May 31, 2020 to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
  13. After canceled season, St. Pete’s Second Time Arounders turn to the virtual world to perform
    May 21, 2020• Music
    St. Petersburg's Second Time Arounders marching band performed virtually after having their entire spring season canceled.
  14. Safer-at-home orders showed our readers what they most appreciate
    May 9, 2020• Entertainment
    Aaron Murray, 45, from St Petersburg, relaxes in his hammock as he watches the sunrise over the water at North Shore Park on Monday, March 16, 2020 in St. Petersburg. "I try to chase as many as I can, Murray said about watching the sunrise. "It really helps set the tone for the day."
  15. Severe thunderstorm heading to Tampa Bay
    Apr. 18, 2020• Local Weather
    Forecasters are expecting a high-impact thunderstorm with lightning and strong winds in Tampa Bay until 6 p.m. Saturday.
  16. Rain pours in and cools off Tampa Bay. But how long will it last?
    Apr. 16, 2020• Local Weather
    A puddle of rainwater forms on Gulf Way at Pass-a-Grille beach Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to remain cool through Thursday, then start warming Friday before another cold front comes next week.
  17. Is the pedestrian signal at this Dunedin intersection too quick? Or am I walking too slowly?
    Mar. 30, 2020• Transportation
    A Dunedin reader tells Dr. Delay that the Bass Boulevard and Main Street intersection has a "potentially deadly crosswalk." He and his wife were nearly run over, he said.
  18. Signs read 'Signals set for 30 mph’ in downtown Tampa. But it doesn’t feel like it.
    Mar. 23, 2020• Transportation
    Speed limit signs set for 30 miles per hour are posted along Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa.
  19. Has coronavirus slowed down traffic in Tampa Bay? It sure seems like it.
    Mar. 16, 2020• Transportation
    Traffic is seen along U.S. 19 in Pinellas Park Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in Tampa.
  20. Tarpon Springs apartment complex taking shape along Alt. 19. Residents are not happy about it.
    Mar. 9, 2020• Transportation
    A rendering shows the new 236-unit, luxury apartment complex, The Icaria on Pinellas, going up on the property adjacent to the Winn Dixie at the Meres Boulevard and Pinellas Avenue (Alt. 19) intersection. Construction began in the fall of 2019 and is expected to complete this summer, but residents aren't excited about the additional traffic it will bring.
  21. St. Petersburg’s 40th Avenue N Bridge has not been touched in a while. Is it still on schedule?
    Mar. 3, 2020• Transportation
    The deteriorated 40th Avenue Northeast Bridge, St. Petersburg, will be rebuilt and raised by the city. Boaters will be able to navigate under the bridge at high tides after the work is completed. The view is looking south on Placido Bayou.
  22. After South Tampa traffic jams, officials say the city needs a better bullhorn
    Feb. 27, 2020• Transportation
    Workers are seen at West Platt Street and South Dakota Avenue along the railroad tracks in Tampa Thursday. This week, CSX Transportation has been working on railroad crossings in South Tampa, frustrating local drivers.
  23. Why was South Tampa traffic such a mess? The city blames railroad owner CSX.
    Feb. 27, 2020• Transportation
    Road closure and detour signs posted on S Howard Avenue at W De Leon Street, one of many South Tampa rail road crossings city officials said CSX Transportation closed without warning on Wednesday to perform routine maintenance.
  24. Clearwater’s Old Coachman Road lives up to its name. At least the ‘old’ part
    Feb. 24, 2020• Transportation
    The Old Coachman Road and NE Coachman Road intersection will be widened to accommodate traffic and ease congestion by this June.