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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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Publix is expanding its popular deli sub lineup with a new brisket-focused menu available now at stores across the Southeast. The Lakeland-based grocer announced three new brisket subs and one new brisket sandwich, all featuring smoked brisket sourced from a Texas supplier. The three new subs are: the Spicy Brisket Sub, made with Boar’s Head…
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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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Five years after one of Florida’s worst environmental disasters, the site responsible — a former phosphate processing facility in Manatee County known as Piney Point — is on course to be permanently closed by the end of 2026. For decades, crews processed phosphate at Piney Point to produce fertilizer, generating large amounts of wastewater that…
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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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A major new entertainment venue is coming to downtown Clearwater, with Texas-based EVO Entertainment announcing plans for an 83,000-square-foot family entertainment center at the corner of Cleveland Street and Myrtle Avenue. The development represents an approximately $50 million private investment and will serve as EVO Entertainment’s flagship location. At the heart of the project is…
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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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The St. Petersburg City Council has approved $1.4 million to demolish the Jungle Prada Pier, which has been closed since Hurricane Helene severely damaged it in September 2024. The vote, taken Thursday as part of a consent agenda, moves the city toward tearing down the waterfront structure — but leaves its future uncertain, to the…
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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 roughly three million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients are waking up to new limits on what they can buy with their benefits, as restrictions on certain foods and drinks took effect today. Beginning April 20, soda, energy drinks, candy, and ultra-processed shelf-stable prepared desserts can no longer be purchased using SNAP benefits in Florida.…
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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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As Florida’s rainy season approaches, Pinellas County officials are calling on residents to take steps now to reduce mosquito breeding around their homes. County Mosquito Control officials warn that mosquitoes can breed in surprisingly small amounts of standing water — as little as a quarter of an inch, roughly the volume of a bottle cap,…
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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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Downtown St. Petersburg’s 400 Central — the tallest residential building on Florida’s Gulf Coast — has announced its first retail tenant: Volta Wine + Market, a wine shop, specialty food market, and wine bar lounge set to open this summer. Volta founder Rachelle Tomushev announced the venture at a press conference Wednesday, crediting the small…
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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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St. Pete Beach city officials are moving toward ending their nearly 7-year relationship with Freebee, the electric shuttle service that replaced PSTA buses and trolleys serving the Pass-a-Grille area, amid mounting cost and ridership concerns. City commissioners directed staff Tuesday to begin exploring alternative transit vendors, as the Freebee contract could expire at the end…
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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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A grocery store may be coming to Sulphur Springs, a Tampa neighborhood that has gone without one for more than 15 years, but officials caution that no agreement is finalized. Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal publicly named Aldi for the first time on Wednesday as a potential grocer for the community, which has long been…
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Fort Meade city commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a developer agreement for what would be Florida’s first hyperscale data center, advancing a project that drew strong opposition from residents at the meeting. The proposed facility would span 4.4 million square feet on a 1,300-acre former phosphate mine just west of U.S. 98 in…
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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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A University of South Florida researcher is heading up a statewide initiative to integrate electric air taxis into Florida’s transportation network, with the Tampa Bay area among the first regions targeted for potential service. Dr. Yu April Zhang, who leads USF’s Advanced Air Mobility program, is working to incorporate electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft…
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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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The Hillsborough County Planning Commission has found a proposed development in Lithia to be inconsistent with the criteria governing the county’s Urban Service Area, raising questions about whether the project aligns with the county’s long-term growth policies. The decision came during a recent commission meeting, where members voted against a county staff recommendation that supported…
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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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The Florida Lottery has surpassed $50 billion in contributions to the Florida Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) as of January, marking a significant milestone for the program since its launch in 1988. The funding supports public schools, higher education, and vocational training programs across the state, including the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which helps…
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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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Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 246 into law last Friday, authorizing five new specialty license plates for Florida drivers. The new plates are themed around the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, an “Outsider” design benefiting a public spaces nonprofit, St. Petersburg College, and first responder mental health. Proceeds from each…
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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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Nearly two years after hurricanes Helene and Milton battered Sarasota County’s barrier islands, residents and business owners on Siesta Key are forming a new organization to accelerate recovery and prepare the island for future storms. The Siesta Key Beautification Alliance received unanimous approval Monday from the Sarasota County Commission to pursue grant funding for rebuilding…
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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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Tampa city leaders are urging caution on a proposed $2.3 billion stadium deal for the Tampa Bay Rays, saying major financial and legal questions must be answered before any commitment is made. A working draft memorandum of understanding outlines a plan to build a new stadium on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus, with a…
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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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Tampa International Airport is planning a complete redesign of its second-floor ticketing level — the first such overhaul since it opened in 1971. The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority recently approved a $25.44 million design-build contract with Austin Commercial LP to carry out the renovation. The project will add more ticket counters to serve all 22…
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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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Higher parking rates took effect in St. Pete Beach on Wednesday, following a decision city commissioners made two weeks prior. On March 24, commissioners voted 4-to-1 to increase parking fees by 50 cents per hour. The new rates bring the weekday cost to $5 per hour and the weekend rate — which now includes Fridays…
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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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A major live music venue is coming to Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood, with developers announcing plans for a 4,300-capacity concert hall as part of the growing Gasworx District. Washington, D.C.-based real estate firm KETTLER announced the project, which will be operated by Live Nation and is scheduled to open in late 2028 on North 15th…
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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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The cost of raising a child in the United States has crossed the $300,000 threshold for the first time, according to a new analysis from financial services company LendingTree. The study puts the total at $303,418 for 2026, or roughly $16,857 per year — a roughly 2% increase from the previous year and the first…
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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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St. Pete Beach’s city manager has directed TradeWinds Island Resort to relocate its planned Country Thunder music festival off the beach, citing missing environmental permits and potential harm to nesting sea turtles and shorebirds — just weeks before the event is scheduled to begin. In a letter dated March 31 to TradeWinds and Country Thunder…
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With the April 15 tax deadline one week away, IRS data shows the average refund this filing season is running significantly higher than last year — though not quite as large as the White House had predicted. As of March 27, the average tax refund stood at $3,521, up from $3,170 at the same point…
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Pinellas County Schools this week began testing AI-powered weapons detection systems at two high schools as part of a pilot program that could eventually expand district-wide. The systems were launched on Tuesday at Gibbs High School and Palm Harbor University High School. The technology, similar to what is used at stadiums and some retail stores,…
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