Author: Owen E. Richason IV
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Florida’s affordability challenges are drawing renewed attention from both parties ahead of the November midterm elections, though Republicans and Democrats differ on the best approach. New labor data shows Florida’s unemployment rate has risen to 4.7 percent, up one percentage point from the same period last year, representing approximately 523,000 unemployed residents. Polling from Florida…
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With the 2026 hurricane season less than a month away, Florida’s chief financial officer is taking a new approach to storm readiness — going directly to residents before a storm is in the forecast. Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia announced the initiative on Tuesday, saying his team will visit neighborhoods and communities across the state to…
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Duke Energy Florida customers will see lower electric bills this summer after state regulators approved a $90.5 million refund stemming from hurricane recovery overcharges. The Florida Public Service Commission approved the refund Tuesday after a review of final storm restoration expenses. The commission had authorized an interim storm restoration charge in February 2025 to allow…
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Pinellas County has completed its first home repair project under the People First Hurricane Recovery Program, a federally funded initiative aimed at helping residents still rebuilding from the 2024 hurricane season. The program is backed by $813 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, targeting residents affected by Hurricanes Idalia,…
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Hillsborough County has updated its hurricane evacuation zone maps for the upcoming season, and some residents who were previously outside any evacuation zone may now find themselves in one. Officials said the adjustments were made based on lessons learned from the 2024 hurricane season. Zone A and Zone E saw the most significant changes. “Evacuation…
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Florida drivers are paying significantly more at the pump after gas prices surged sharply over the past week, reaching their highest level in nearly four years. The statewide average climbed 40 cents per gallon — from $3.94 on Monday to $4.34 on Sunday — marking the highest daily average price recorded in Florida since July…
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With National Hurricane Preparedness Week underway, insurance experts and consumer safety organizations are urging Floridians to review their coverage now, warning that a significant portion of residents remain dangerously underprepared. According to a survey by AAA, roughly one in four Florida residents lacks adequate preparation for hurricane season, which officially begins June 1. Nearly one…
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More than 18 months after Hurricane Helene battered the Seventh Avenue Pass-a-Grille Pier in St. Pete Beach, the beloved landmark remains closed — and residents are losing patience. The pier was damaged by Helene’s storm surge in September 2024, which buckled and dislodged several planks. Since then, it has sat idle, frustrating locals who say…
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With hurricane season less than a month away, local emergency managers and landscaping professionals are urging Tampa Bay area homeowners to trim trees now to reduce the risk of property damage when storms arrive. Overgrown or unhealthy trees pose a significant threat during high winds, which can snap limbs or uproot trees entirely, turning them…
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Pinellas County commissioners heard public feedback Wednesday night on plans to vacate and redevelop nearly 25 acres of county-owned property in downtown Clearwater. The county is consolidating 17 properties in downtown Clearwater into a single facility near US 19 and Ulmerton Road, citing the existing buildings as old and oversized. Officials estimate the move will…
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Hillsborough County Public Schools held an “Apprenticeship Night” at Riverview High School, giving students the opportunity to network with managers and representatives from skilled trades across the Tampa Bay area. The event aimed to highlight careers in fields like ironworking that offer free training, immediate pay, and strong long-term job security — with organizers emphasizing…
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Pinellas County government is preparing to leave nearly 25 acres of downtown Clearwater real estate, consolidating 17 properties into a new government center at US-19 and Ulmerton Road. County officials say the move is driven by aging buildings and operational inefficiencies, and they project the consolidation will save approximately $150 million in upkeep costs over…
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Florida has landed at the bottom of national teacher pay rankings for the third year in a row, according to newly released data from the National Education Association. The average teacher salary in Florida rose to $56,663 in the 2025–26 school year, a 3.3% increase from the prior year. However, adjusted for inflation, average teacher…
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A prolonged drought has pushed a stretch of the Upper Peace River in Polk County to the brink of complete drying, prompting water managers to shut down a key water supply structure. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) has closed the Lake Hancock water control structure, a move expected to cause roughly 15 miles…
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A newly formed community group is pushing Pasco County residents to support renewing a school property tax referendum that voters will consider this November. The group, called “People for Pasco,” has organized to advocate for the renewal of the Pasco County Schools tax referendum. The current referendum is set to expire in June 2027. Revenue…
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Tampa city officials are reviewing recommendations from the University of South Florida on how to rebuild and better protect Tampa’s urban tree canopy after recent hurricanes caused significant losses. A USF study, presented at a recent city council workshop, found that hurricanes Helene and Milton reduced Tampa’s tree canopy by roughly 5% — a loss…
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More than 13,000 Florida families have enrolled in a new state program that links preschool registration with college savings accounts, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week. The partnership between Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program and Florida Prepaid allows families to open a 529 college savings account when they enroll their child in the state’s free…
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Five Pinellas County beach community mayors gathered Thursday evening for the fourth annual “State of the Beaches” panel, tackling two issues dominating local government across the Tampa Bay area: proposed elimination of property taxes and ongoing hurricane recovery. The event was organized by St. Petersburg College’s Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions and the Pinellas Beaches…
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Pinellas County Schools is signaling that more school closures are on the horizon, driven by falling enrollment and ongoing budget pressures. The school board voted in February to shut down or repurpose several schools in order to save the district more than $7 million in recurring annual expenses. Two schools are already set to close…
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Plant City homeowners who sustained damage during the 2024 hurricane season may soon have access to financial assistance through a county-administered recovery program, with applications opening May 1. Hillsborough County’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program is drawing on $709 million to support long-term recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The program targets low-…
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Florida’s housing affordability crisis took center stage Thursday at the Florida Policy Project’s third annual summit in St. Petersburg, where Realtors, builders, business owners, and elected officials gathered to examine the pressures squeezing buyers and renters across the state. According to Zillow, the average home price in Florida currently stands around $375,000 — well above…
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Hillsborough County commissioners have approved a package of 10 stormwater infrastructure projects totaling $95 million, funded through the same federal Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery tied to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The projects are designed to reduce flooding risks and improve the county’s resilience during severe weather, with work targeting localized stormwater systems,…
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Hillsborough County homeowners still dealing with damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton have a new avenue for financial relief. The county launched a call center this week as part of its Rebuilding for Tomorrow program, which has set aside $211 million specifically for homeowner repair and reconstruction. The funding comes from a $709 million Community…
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Florida drivers looking for relief at the pump will have a new option starting tomorrow, but experts say it may not be right for every vehicle. The state has issued an emergency order allowing gas stations statewide to sell E-15 fuel — commonly known as winter-blend gasoline — for 90 days beginning May 1. The…
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Residents in Sarasota and Manatee counties are now subject to immediate fines for outdoor watering violations — no warning required. Under current Phase III restrictions mandated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, homeowners may irrigate only on their assigned day and only during two windows: midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight.…
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Tampa Bay Rays CEO Ken Babby has put Hillsborough County on notice, warning in an email to commissioners that the team would be forced to “evaluate alternatives” if it cannot reach a financial agreement for a proposed $2.3 billion stadium in Tampa. The Rays have proposed building the ballpark on land currently occupied by Hillsborough…
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The city of Indian Rocks Beach has significantly stepped up enforcement of its short-term rental ordinance, generating more than $246,000 in combined registration fees and fines in the current fiscal year. So far in fiscal year 2026, the city has collected over $176,000 in short-term rental registration fees and an additional nearly $70,000 through fines…
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U.S. businesses that paid tariffs later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court can begin applying for refunds today through a new federal online portal — but most everyday consumers are unlikely to see direct reimbursements. The refund system, administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, opened at 8 a.m. Monday, allowing importers and their customs…
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Florida’s top insurance regulator is encouraging homeowners to comparison shop for coverage, saying the market has improved significantly following years of turmoil — though consumer advocates and independent analysts say many policyholders have yet to feel meaningful savings. Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky opened the state’s first Office of Insurance Regulation Insurance Summit since 2019…
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Music fans in the Tampa Bay area have a packed week ahead, with major concerts scheduled across multiple venues from April 22 through April 28. The weekend’s biggest draw is BTS. The Grammy-nominated South Korean group will perform Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The shows mark the…
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A weapon detection pilot program at two Pinellas County high schools is being shut down today, just 10 days after it launched, following operational problems and concerns about upcoming standardized testing. The pass-through detectors were installed at school entrances on April 7, with administrators initially saying they would remain in place through May 29. Instead,…
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Residents of Tierra Verde turned out Tuesday for a community town hall to voice continued opposition to a revised redevelopment proposal for the Tierra Verde Marina, making clear that scaled-back plans from developer Greenleaf Capital have not satisfied their concerns. Tampa-based Greenleaf Capital, the real estate division of HCI Group Inc., is seeking approval from…
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The city of Clearwater is underway with a major stormwater infrastructure upgrade at North Beach, replacing a system that officials say is no longer adequate for today’s tidal conditions and storm events. The project centers on installing six new pump stations to address flooding from heavy rain, rising sea levels, and high tides in low-lying…
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The Pinellas County School Board voted Tuesday evening on a proposal to shift start times earlier at three high schools and one middle school, with the most dramatic change affecting Largo Middle School. Under the proposal, St. Pete High School and Dunedin High School would both begin the school day at 7:45 a.m., while Largo…
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More Florida homeowners are switching to solar power as rising energy prices prompt residents to seek long-term relief from high utility costs. Dave Henegar, a Seminole homeowner, says installing solar panels five years ago cut his annual electric bill from roughly $4,500 to between $500 and $900. For Henegar, the decision was also motivated by…
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A Republican state representative is pushing to eliminate Florida’s entire property tax system and replace it with alternative revenue sources, positioning the effort as a backup plan after the Legislature failed to advance a constitutional amendment during its regular session. Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, says he wants to launch a petition campaign to place a…
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Beachgoers visiting St. Pete Beach are now paying more to park, as the rate increases that city commissioners approved in late March took effect last week. The new rates bring the weekday cost to $5 per hour and the weekend rate, which now includes Friday, to $6 per hour. During peak tourist season, from February…
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Florida homeowners hoping a quieter 2026 hurricane season will bring relief on their property insurance bills may be in for a mixed message: experts say the storm forecast itself won’t move the needle on premiums, but rates are falling anyway. Colorado State University forecasters last week projected a slightly below-average hurricane season for 2026, though…
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Despite recent rainfall, Florida remains dangerously dry, with nearly 80% of the state under extreme drought conditions as of April 2026. The Tampa Bay area has been hit particularly hard. National Weather Service data shows that St. Petersburg has received less than half its normal rainfall since September 1, 2025, and several other cities in…
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Dozens of drivers cited for speeding in Hillsborough County school zones appeared Thursday at the Brandon Services Center to appeal their violations, as a dramatic rise in automated enforcement continues to draw attention across the county. Since August 2025, more than 100,000 school zone speeding tickets have been issued by speed cameras, an increase of…
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The Hillsborough County School Board voted Wednesday to close three schools and restructure a fourth, citing low enrollment and a need for greater operational efficiency across the district. Graham Elementary, Madison Middle, and Pizzo K-8 will be shut down entirely. Pizzo K-8 is located on the University of South Florida campus, where its lease is…
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Two South Florida cities are now sending property tax refund checks to qualifying senior residents, moving ahead of state lawmakers who have yet to act on broader property tax relief. Hialeah and Miami, both in Miami-Dade County, have created programs to refund a portion of property taxes to eligible senior citizens. In Hialeah, checks began…
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A bill that would allow certain employees at Florida’s public colleges and universities to carry firearms on campus is now awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, after both chambers of the Legislature approved it last month. The measure has drawn pushback from faculty, students, and school safety researchers. House Bill 757 would take a school safety…
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