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Safety Harbor city leaders say they hope to reopen the city’s pier this summer after it was destroyed during the 2024 hurricane season. Mayor Joe Ayoub said construction is progressing well, with electrical and structural work among the remaining tasks. The marina next to the Safety Harbor pier, also damaged during the 2024 storms, is…
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The Florida House approved a wide-ranging tax relief bill on Thursday by a vote of 105-2, and the state Senate unanimously passed the measure the following day with minor amendments. The legislation, HB 7031, now heads back to the House for concurrence before being sent to the governor’s desk. If signed into law, it would…
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Florida legislators are moving forward with two bills aimed at reducing child drowning deaths as the state enters spring break season. Florida recorded 119 fatal child drownings in 2025 — the highest number ever reported in the state and the highest rate in the nation. One of the bills, which passed unanimously in the Florida…
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Crystal River is moving forward with a long-term effort to upgrade its stormwater infrastructure following severe flooding during the 2024 hurricane season. The city has received a $2 million state grant to improve stormwater drainage throughout Crystal River, marking the first step in a broader initiative to reduce flooding after major weather events. The push…
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Thieves stealing copper wire from Manatee County’s streetlight system have left roads darkened and racked up more than $200,000 in losses, prompting the county and sheriff’s office to take action. The thefts have been reported across multiple locations, including Moccasin Wallow Road and 44th Avenue East, where thieves have cut copper wire from the county’s…
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St. Pete city officials and residents of the Shore Acres neighborhood gathered Wednesday to discuss a $32 million flood mitigation project aimed at reducing chronic flooding in the low-lying St. Petersburg community. The plan calls for building a new pump station and replacing part of a culvert on Connecticut Avenue, with construction expected to begin…
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Citrus County commissioners are preparing to hear a proposal for a large artificial intelligence data center, but say they want local guidelines established before any project moves forward. The proposal involves the development of an AI data center on roughly 800 acres near County Road 491 and Tram Road in the Lecanto area. Commissioners are…
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A debate over the future of Tom and Kitty Stuart Park in Madeira Beach has emerged as the city works to rebuild the beachfront property nearly 18 months after Hurricane Helene devastated it. The city’s Public Works department says it plans to restore the park to its pre-Helene condition, including an upgraded restroom. The proposed…
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As tens of thousands of visitors descend on Clearwater Beach for spring break, the Clearwater Police Department has launched a new “drone as a first responder” pilot program aimed at improving emergency response in heavy traffic conditions. Spring break congestion regularly clogs roads and stretches emergency response times across the beach area. The new program…
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The Florida House passed a housing bill Tuesday that would restrict how local governments regulate residential development, setting up a potential debate with the Senate over competing versions of the legislation. House Bill 399, sponsored by Rep. David Borrero (R-Hialeah), would limit what local governments can charge for development permits, require them to approve minor…
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A Washington County wolf sanctuary is asking a judge to pause its court-ordered eviction while it pursues an appeal, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 5. Seacrest Wolf Preserve, which has housed wolves and other animals for 25 years, with a focus on education and conservation, lost a legal battle against the property owner…
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Beach-area businesses in Pinellas County are preparing for a strong spring break season following the completion of a $125 million beach renourishment project that was finished last month. Restaurant owners on Treasure Island reported increased customer traffic in recent weeks and expect even larger crowds around St. Patrick’s Day and during spring break. The widened…
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Homeowners in Pinellas County accepted into Florida’s Elevate Florida program say they remain without clear timelines or visible progress on flood-mitigation funding nearly a year after last hurricane season, prompting calls for greater transparency from local and state officials. Elevate Florida is a statewide initiative intended to help owners of flood-prone homes elevate their houses…
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City officials in Tampa detailed plans this week to improve pedestrian safety in the Ybor City entertainment district, focusing on changes along 7th Avenue and nearby streets following a deadly crash in the area late last year. The measures — discussed by city leaders and transportation officials — are aimed at slowing vehicle speeds and…
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Approximately 14,000 gallons of raw wastewater spilled into Sarasota Bay on Sunday after a valve shifted on a pipe near the Ringling Causeway, according to Florida environmental officials. Just before 11:30 a.m., Sarasota city officials received a report of water coming up out of the ground at West John Ringling Causeway Park. City staff found…
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Florida auto insurance policyholders are beginning to see real financial relief, with Progressive issuing nearly $1 billion in credits to customers and regulators pressing other major carriers — including GEICO — to follow suit. Progressive Leads the Way Progressive, one of the nation’s top auto insurance companies, has already returned nearly $1 billion to Florida…
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A St. Petersburg woman who has lived next to a Pinellas Trail crossing for more than 30 years is calling for greater safety measures after years of witnessing close calls and crashes at the intersection. The Pinellas Trail is a multi-use path running from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, crossing several busy roads along the…
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“Blood Moon” to Grace Tampa Bay Skies Tuesday Morning A total lunar eclipse will be visible over Tampa Bay in the early hours of Tuesday, March 3, giving local sky-watchers a chance to see the moon turn a deep red — a phenomenon commonly called a “Blood Moon.” The moon will begin to visibly darken…
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The Tampa Bay Rays have announced the first in a series of public community engagement sessions to discuss plans for a proposed new ballpark and surrounding mixed-use district in Tampa. The meetings are scheduled to begin March 3 at Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus, with additional sessions planned for March 10 at Jefferson High…
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Enrollment in virtual schooling is rising in Sarasota County, with the school district reporting a roughly 15% to 20% increase compared with the previous year. Experts and educators say the growth reflects a broader trend of students and families seeking more flexible and individualized learning options. Students in online programs can work at their own…
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The Tampa Bay region is preparing for an influx of visitors as the spring break travel season begins this week and is expected to last through mid-April. Although local school districts in the area have not yet started their breaks, officials anticipate that travelers will begin arriving immediately and continue over the next six weeks.…
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The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 5.98% this week, the first time rates have dipped below 6% since September 2022, according to Freddie Mac. The decline comes after the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate three times last year, pulling mortgage rates down from a recent peak of around 7.8% in October 2023.…
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More than a year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated Pinellas County’s Gulf Coast communities, four barrier-island cities — St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Treasure Island, and Madeira Beach — are each being led by city managers who weren’t in place when the storms hit. In each case, leadership turnover followed public outcry, staff…
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Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez unveiled an online calculator this week that allows homeowners and business owners to estimate how proposed state property tax reductions could affect their tax bills. The tool comes as Florida lawmakers debate a series of proposals that, if approved by the Legislature and voters, could significantly reduce or eliminate…
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Two budget air carriers are adding new routes to the Tampa Bay area this year, giving travelers more low-cost options out of two regional airports. Breeze Airways announced three new nonstop routes from Tampa International Airport (TPA) beginning this summer. Starting July 1, the airline will offer service to Fort Lauderdale 13 times weekly, as…
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The Florida Senate voted 37–0 on Wednesday to approve new regulations on electric bicycles and other micromobility devices, sending the bill to the House for further consideration. Under the legislation (CS/SB 382), e-bike riders on sidewalks or pedestrian areas would be required to slow to no more than 10 mph whenever a pedestrian is within…
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The typical first-time homebuyer in the U.S. was 35 years old in 2025, down slightly from 36 the year before, according to a new report from real estate brokerage Redfin released Wednesday. The median age of first-time buyers dipped from 36 in 2024 to 35 in 2025, and is down from a peak of 38…
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A St. Petersburg community leader has proposed constructing a large retractable wall across the entrance to Tampa Bay to help reduce flooding from hurricane-driven storm surge. The idea, outlined to state lawmakers this week, has drawn interest but also skepticism from elected officials focusing on more immediate resilience measures. Kevin Batdorf, the immediate past president…
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Manatee County commissioners have approved a grant of up to $2 million toward rebuilding the Anna Maria City Pier, which was significantly damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The total reconstruction project is estimated to cost between $7 and $8 million, with additional funding expected from FEMA and the state. Anna Maria City…
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A Florida wolf sanctuary faces permanent closure after a judge ruled against the wildlife preserve in an eviction dispute with its landlord. On February 23, 2026, a court ruled in favor of the property owner, ordering Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Washington County to vacate the land within 20 days — by March 15. The preserve,…
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St. Petersburg city leaders are laying the groundwork to accommodate electric air taxis — known as eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft — at Albert Whitted Airport, following the release of a roadmap from the city’s Advanced Air Mobility Task Force. The task force, led by chair Ed Montanari, presented its recommendations to…
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The Pinellas County School Board voted on February 24, 2026, to approve a set of changes that will close two schools and reconfigure several others. These decisions mark the first phase of the district’s multi-year “Planning for Progress” initiative. The adjustments take effect at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. Declining enrollment stands at…
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The Florida Cabinet voted Tuesday to grant a 22-acre parcel of state land to Hillsborough Community College (HC), clearing a key hurdle for a proposed Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium on the college’s Dale Mabry Highway campus in Tampa. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who presided over the vote, cited the potential economic benefits for both the…
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Treasure Island city commissioners unanimously approved a significant increase in summer camp fees at their Feb. 17 meeting, raising the cost of the 10-week program from $700 to $1,000 for residents — a 42.5% jump. Nonresidents will see fees climb from $900 to $1,200, a 33% increase. The decision came after Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke…
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NASA is rolling back its Artemis II moon rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building after engineers discovered a helium flow interruption in the Space Launch System’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage, canceling a planned March launch attempt from Kennedy Space Center. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the issue on February 21, stating that teams were unable…
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Pinellas County officials are urging residents to apply for hurricane recovery assistance, as a significant portion of an $813 million federal grant remains unspent. The funding, distributed through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development community block grant, is intended to help homeowners and renters recover from Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricanes Helene…
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Florida legislators in at least eight states have introduced bills this year to restrict or ban wage garnishment as a tool for collecting unpaid medical bills, a practice that is currently legal in most of the country. The push follows a KFF Health News investigation that found courts approved wage garnishment in an estimated 14,000…
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Indian Rocks Beach visitors will soon pay to park at the city’s public beach access spots, ending the community’s distinction as the last beachfront municipality in Pinellas County to offer free parking. The City Commission voted 5-0 on Feb. 10 to approve a six-month pilot program charging $4.50 an hour at more than 180 beach…
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The Florida Senate unanimously passed SB 302 last week, which includes an amendment prohibiting dredging in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve near Rattlesnake Key in Manatee County. The measure, championed by Republican Sen. Jim Boyd of Bradenton, is aimed at blocking a proposed cruise terminal south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. However, the bill’s path…
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Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, Pinellas County Schools will require student athletes to pay $50 per sport to participate in middle and high school athletics. A $200 per-family cap will limit the maximum annual cost for households with multiple student athletes. Athletic director Marc Allison cited rising costs for officials, transportation, uniforms, and equipment…
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A bill that passed unanimously through the Florida Senate last week could allow churches, temples, mosques, and other houses of worship to use armed volunteers for security instead of licensed, paid guards. Senate Bill 52, sponsored by Republican Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville, would exempt certain members of congregations from the state’s security licensing requirements.…
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The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday voted 80–30 along party lines to advance a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at eliminating most non-school property taxes on homesteaded homes, sending the measure toward a potential ballot question for voters in November 2026. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the change would go into effect…
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