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Tag: hillsborough county

  • Latest airport delays and cancellations due to winter weather

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The winter storm that swept across the nation is causing delays and cancellations at our local airports.

    Check below to see the status of all the flights at Tampa International Airport as well as St. Pete / Clearwater airport.

    **Be sure to double check your flight status on the airport websites as information could be delayed**

    Tampa International Arrivals

    Tampa International Departures

    St. Pete Clearwater Arrivals

    St. Pete Clearwater Departures

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  • Winter storm flight disruptions reaching Tampa International

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    The winter storm sweeping across the nation made for difficult travel conditions this weekend, canceling and delaying flights across the country.

    Tampa International Airport is seeing its share of disruptions, with dozens of delays and cancellations Sunday into Monday morning.


    The numbers are expected to climb today in Tampa and across the nation.

    More than 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.

    Early Monday, Tampa had 69 canceled flights and 22 delays.

    Airline officials are advising anyone flying out of Tampa today to check with their airline before leaving for the airport.

    Even those flying to an area not impacted by the weather could still run into flight issues.

    Operations are expected to return to normal conditions likely by mid-week.

    What you do if your flight is canceled

    If you’re already at the airport, get in line to speak to a customer service representative. If you’re still at home or at your hotel, call or go online to connect to your airline’s reservations staff. Either way, it helps to also research alternate flights while you wait to talk to an agent.

    Most airlines will rebook you on a later flight for no additional charge, but it depends on the availability of open seats.

    Other carriers’ flights aren’t always an option

    You can, but airlines aren’t required to put you on another carrier’s flight. Some airlines, including most of the biggest carriers, say they can put you on a partner airline, but even then, it can be a hit or miss.

    You are owed a refund for a cancellation

    If your flight was canceled and you no longer want to take the trip, or you’ve found another way to get to your destination, the airline is legally required to refund your money — even if you bought a non-refundable ticket. It doesn’t matter why the flight was canceled.

    The airline might offer you a travel credit, but you are entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn’t get to use. 

    Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. 

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Tampa housing advocates call for return of landlord registry amid rising rents

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A local housing justice advocacy group is calling on the city of Tampa to bring back a landlord registry, arguing it would give renters more transparency and protection in an increasingly competitive housing market.

    Florida Rising said the tool would allow tenants to identify property owners, track repeat code violations and avoid unsafe living conditions — information, they said, is especially critical as rents rise and affordable housing becomes harder to find.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Rising is calling on the city of Tampa to bring back a landlord registry, arguing it would give renters more transparency and protection in an increasingly competitive housing market

    • For years, Tampa required landlords to register rental properties through a rental certificate program. That policy was repealed on May 4, 2023. City officials confirm property owners are no longer required to formally register each rental unit, though landlords must still obtain a city business tax receipt to legally operate

    • According to a 2025 statewide rental market study from the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, demand for housing has outpaced supply

    • Florida Rising argues a landlord registry would not solve the housing crisis on its own, but could give renters more confidence when choosing where to live and who to rent from


    “Renters need to know who they are renting from because they are signing a contract,” said Robin Lockett, regional director of Florida Rising Tampa Bay.

    Lockett, who also serves on the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, said a registry could help renters evaluate landlords the same way they research other major financial decisions.

    “How do they treat the the clients or the customers? What eviction rate do they have? Where do you know everything? How clean do they keep the apartment complex? Are there complaints about it? Have those complaints been verified?” she said.

    Registry repealed in 2023

    For years, Tampa required landlords to register rental properties through a rental certificate program. That policy was repealed on May 4, 2023.

    City officials confirm property owners are no longer required to formally register each rental unit, though landlords must still obtain a city business tax receipt to legally operate.

    Lockett said removing the registry weakened accountability.

    “They used to have a business registry, but there is no way to enforce it,” she said.

    Rental market pressure growing statewide

    Florida Rising’s push comes as housing pressures continue to mount across the state.

    According to a 2025 statewide rental market study from the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, Florida added more than one million households between 2019 and 2023, including nearly 200,000 new renter households. During that same period, the state gained more than 240,000 multifamily units.

    But demand has outpaced supply, driving median rent from $1,238 to $1,719, a 39% increase.

    Lockett said the consequences are visible on the streets.

    “To be honest, because of the housing market and the foreclosures and so forth, I see a lot more people homeless,” she said.

    Advocates say registry would empower renters

    Florida Rising argues a landlord registry would not solve the housing crisis on its own, but could give renters more confidence when choosing where to live and who to rent from.

    “I think with the people that are able to rent. The first step is for them to find out who they’re renting from and for them to make a decision as to whether they fit in regards to that business transaction,” Lockett said.

    The group said it plans to raise the issue with city leaders as Tampa continues to grapple with growth, affordability and housing stability.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Tampa protesters decry ICE shooting of Minneapolis man

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The shooting of a protester by a federal immigration officer in Minnesota has sparked protests across the country, including one in Tampa.

    What You Need To Know

    • Alex Pretti was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis

    • Demonstrators in Tampa gathered to show solidarity

    • Organizers demand accountability from ICE


    Dozens met outside Tampa City Hall on Saturday evening in response to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

    Demonstrator Mauricio Vasquez said ICE needs to take responsibility.

    “This country has always been based on the respect of human rights, so that’s what we want. Respect for us,” Vasquez said.

    Saturday’s protest was not something that had been planned weeks ahead of time.

    Organizer Joe Nohava said this is a direct response to Saturday morning’s shooting.

    “We’re going to continue to fight no matter what,” Nohava said. “We’re not, you know, gonna leave Minneapolis to fight this fight alone.”

    Nohava said he was at home making breakfast when he found out what happened.

    He said the emotions of another person shot by ICE is what led to the protest, and they want to stand in solidarity with demonstrators in Minneapolis.

    Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that federal officers were conducting an operation and fired “defensive shots” after a man with a handgun approached them and “violently resisted” when officers tried to disarm him.

    In bystander videos of the shooting that emerged soon after, Pretti is seen with a phone in his hand but none appears to show him with a visible weapon.

    DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said during a news conference later Saturday that Pretti had shown up to “impede a law enforcement operation.” She questioned why he was armed but did not offer detail about whether Pretti drew the weapon or brandished it at officers.

    The officer who shot the man is an eight-year Border Patrol veteran, federal officials said.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • New report may shape solutions for Tampa Bay’s housing crisis

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Housing affordability issues in the Tampa Bay area are nothing new, but the Tampa Bay Partnership is hoping its recently released regional housing affordability report will help bring about solutions now and in the future for residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Tampa Bay Partnership recently released the regional housing affordability report and is hoping it will help bring about solutions now and in the future for residents

    • According to the report, median rent surged nearly 50% in five years, while wages rose nearly 30%

    • Tampa Bay is projected to add 564,000 residents and 211,000 households by 2035, a surge that will reshape housing needs

    • Yet, recent production hasn’t kept pace, according to the research


    The 137-page report is called The Housing Equation, Supply, Demand & Affordability in the Tampa Bay Region. The report focused on Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties.

    Sarah Burgoyne is a senior director with the Tampa Bay Partnership. She said leaders had been asking for the data that examines past, present and future housing prices.

    “This report was made possible with funding from J.P Morgan and Chase, and it allowed the partnership to hire a team of researchers to provide data that our leaders in the community had been asking for,” Burgoyne said.

    According to the report, median rent surged nearly 50% in five years, while wages rose nearly 30%.

    Homes under $200K made up 30% of sales in 2019 and dropped to just 5% in 2022. Tampa Bay is projected to add 564,000 residents and 211,000 households by 2035, a surge that will reshape housing needs.

    Yet, recent production hasn’t kept pace. The research shows that between 2018 and 2023, the region added nearly 100,000 households but built only 82,000 units, fueling rising costs and widening affordability gaps.

    When looking to the future, the report details that by 2035, the region needs to add approximately 254,700 new housing units, an average of 21,225 units per year, to keep pace with projected growth. That includes 10,685 single-family units and 10,540 multifamily units annually.

    One of the possible solutions is a regional action plan and a regional action plan committee. Community input is also needed. The Tampa Bay Partnership is hosting a webinar Feb. 5, from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. Click here and scroll down the page to register.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Local businesses find success following SPC ‘Grow Your Business’ program

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Jennifer Hill is not bashful about talking shop.  

    “My rent in downtown cost me more than five years here,” said Hill.

    She runs Peterbrooke Chocolatier Tampa Carrollwood, a franchise she and her daughter have owned for five years. 

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg College (SPC) just launched another Grow Your Business program. It is designed to provide entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies and confidence to scale their businesses and achieve measurable growth

    • Jennifer Hill and her daughter run Peterbrooke Chocolatier in Tampa Carrollwood. They said the course has brought them increased revenue and helped them with tough business choices

    • SPC says the last cohort of entrepreneurs gained an average of eight to 17 new clients and achieved revenue growth ranging from 20 to 40%, with some businesses experiencing peak increases of up to 86%

    • For more information about upcoming entrepreneurial programs at SPC, visit Entrepreneurship Certificate || St. Petersburg College


    They are experts in all things chocolate. 

    “Like water and chocolate do not get along at all, so you need to make sure they are extremely dry before you dip them,” said Sydney Morton. 

    The pair knows how to make the perfect chocolate covered strawberry, but when it came to running the business, they admit recently they were at a crossroads. 

    “We needed a little guidance, a little nudge,” said Hill. 

    That is where St. Pete College came in. They currently offer a sponsored Grow Your Business Course for small business owners. 

    “Lifelong learners are the ones who succeed. So any time that you can take a skill set and upskill, it’s going to it’s going to lead to success,” said Shawn Partin, St. Petersburg College. 

    He runs the course and said they program can help business owners in four key areas: growth, operational improvements, skill development and expansion. 

    It can also connect owners who may feel alone. 

    “Not only we helped them increase and improve their operations and their finances, which is always great, but also that sense of belonging and a sense of belonging to the community and to the college,” said Emmanuel Hernandez, Ph.D., Dean, SPC College of Business. 

    SPC says on average owners who took the course gained eight to 17 new clients and had a revenue growth range of 20 to 40%.

    For Hill and Morton, the class helped them with a key decision to relocate from downtown Tampa to Carrollwood. 

    “We saw the dollars per customer go up. We saw the clientele in six months repeating and repeating and repeating. We heard zero complaints about parking Is downtown parking was it was awful,” said Hill. 

    A choice that has paid off in many ways, thanks to that eight week course. 

    As a small business owner, you have to be able to do many things well and they will help you sort out what your weaknesses are and help you figure out if can you get stronger or can you delegate, which they did for me,” said Hill.

    Now her shop talk is back to all things sweet. 

    The class is for small business owners. 

    The next course starts the week of January 19th, 2026 on SPC”s Clearwater Campus. 

    To sign up, contact: Hernandez.Emmanuel@SPCollege.edu

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    Erin Murray

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  • Hillsborough County leaders OK up to $358.5 million for arena renovations

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    TAMPA — Hillsborough County commissioners have unanimously approved a plan for long-term renovations at Benchmark International Arena.

    The county will invest as much as $358.5 million into the project at the venue, formerly known as Amalie Arena.

    “Our community wants to keep the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa,” said Commissioner Christine Miller, who represents District 4. “They’ve invested heavily in our area, the surrounding area and the people of this community and the continuation of this investment.”

    The deal will see the Lightning’s lease extend to 2043. It was originally set to expire in 2037.

    According to our newsgathering partner, the Tampa Bay Times, the team is required to spend an additional $75 million on arena renovations to fully unlock the county’s commitment.

    If the team leaves Tampa, it would have to pay millions in penalties, the Times reported.

    The Tampa Sports Authority, the arena’s landlord, approved the deal earlier this month.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Business tour immerses high school seniors in careers

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — The Future Career Academy is kicking off its annual business tours to give high school seniors the opportunity to learn about careers outside of college.

    What You Need To Know

    • The business tours take high school seniors in Hillsborough County and immerse them in careers across the county
    • Simmons Career Center was the first school to kick off the tours in Plant City


    For some high school seniors, the future is full of unknowns.

    “I started off with not knowing what I’m going to do,” says Luis Canul, who will graduate in May 2025 from Simmons Career Center in Plant City.

    To help find answers to some of his unknowns, he’s going on a business tour with the Future Career Academy. It gives him an inside look at what a warehouse career could be.

    The tours are immersing students in careers that don’t require a college degree.

    For Canul, the tour has been educational, but it’s also got him thinking about what’s next. “They open my eyes to things that out of my family and culture, I would never see, I wouldn’t know that at the hospital they did this or at the warehouse they did this, so now it opens me to more opportunities that I could get.”

    The business tours are open to high school students across Hillsborough County.

    Simmons Career Center school counselor Jeanne Knotts says most of their students don’t go to a four-year university, and the tours have become another avenue to help their graduates find employment.

    “We’ve had numerous students find careers and just interests through learning more about jobs in the community,“ said Knotts.

    And while most might think working in a hospital requires first going to college, there are other options the students are learning about too.

    “We have quite a few entry-level roles that are good for the students, whether it be clinical or non-clinical,” said BayCare Talent Acquisition Advisor Haley Rohr.

    BayCare says it has had students come back after tours with more questions and a desire to apply.

    For Canul, it’s about finding the right fit.

    “I look at benefits, how the work area is, because I want to work in a place that is friendly,” he said.

    The tours will be taking place through the end of February.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • The long and winding road of the Rays stadium pursuit

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The winding road that has been the Tampa Bay Rays pursuit of a new stadium in the Bay area, specifically St. Petersburg, reached one conclusion when Stuart Sternberg announced he “cannot move forward” with the previously agreed upon deal. 

    A team sale followed before Jacksonville-based businessman Patrick Zalupski and his group purchased the team for a $1.7 billion sale.

    After spending the 2025 season playing outdorrs in Tampa, the Rays will be back at the repaired Tropicana Field for the 2026. 2027 and 2028 seasons. 

    Beyond that, the team’s future remains to be seen but news of serious talks of a move to Tampa’s HCC site continues to progress. 

    So…how did we reach this point? A quick look:

    January 2026 

    The Tampa Bay Rays’ quest for a new ballpark took a step forward when the Hillsborough College board of trustees voted Tuesday to unanimously approve a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the team for a redevelopment of the school’s Dale Mabry campus that would include a baseball stadium.

    A non-binding memorandum of understanding lays out some of the terms as the Tampa Bay Rays consider the Hillsborough College site as a spot for a new baseball stadium.

    The school’s six-member board of trustees held a meeting Tuesday to hear from the Rays and gave its unanimous support to the plan.

    A parking lot on the southwest corner of the property, which faces North Lois Avenue, is where Hillsborough College will build a new tower.

    On the southeast corner – directly across the street from Raymond James Stadium – is where college buildings will be demolished to make room for the new baseball stadium.

    December 2025 

    The last ofthe new Tropicana Field roof panels was installed in December. 

    The last roof panels were replaced late last month, and now some finishing touches are taking place on the field, in the stands and around other areas of the venue.

    Crews are working on drywall and painting the seats, and the air conditioning and lights are working.

    A new stadium sound system will be installed this month and tested in January. 

    Flooring on the Viva deck will also be installed this month, along with backstop netting.

    Officials said there was mold and mildew to contend with as part of repairs. The city is working with Greenfield Environmental, and the Rays also have an industrial hygienist.

    A remediation company has also been on site.

    November 2025 

    Crews with the city have completed the installation of the final roof panel on Tropicana Field Stadium, with city leaders saying the work was done ahead of schedule. 

    The roof was damaged by Hurricane Milton last October. 

    All stadium repairs, including inside, are currently scheduled to be complete by April 2026.

    “This project was a massive undertaking, but we have an outstanding team working on it and making sure we’re prepared for opening day. We look forward to completing the remaining repairs and welcoming fans back for the 2026 season,” said Mayor Ken Welch.

    Internal repairs will include projects like turf installation, audio visual repairs and replacement, sports lighting and more.

    City Council has approved a total of about $60 million for Tropicana Field remediation and repair expenses.

    April 2025 

     St. Petersburg City Council has approved funding to fix the hurricane-damaged roof at Tropicana Field.

    The council voted 7-1 to approve $22.5 million in funding to repair the stadium’s torn-off roof. Councilman Richie Floyd was the lone no vote.

    The city was contractually obligated to make repairs to the facility.

    The council will still have to vote on additional repairs to walls, panels, tiles and electronics inside the stadium.

    March 2025 

    Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Rays officials had not been clear about their intentions. City and officials had encouraged the team to follow through on the previous stadium deal and Historic Gas Plant redevelopment.

    The St. Petersburg branch of the NAACP called on the city to honor and move forward with the Gas Plant District redevelopment plan.

    This latest news on the years-long Rays stadium saga comes as multiple groups have come forward in recent days saying they are prepared to purchase the team and pursue a local stadium deal.

    The latest group is being led by Dex Imaging CEO Dan Doyle Jr., who reportedly pulled out of a previous process to buy the Rays in 2023. Attorney Carter McCain is representing another group of investors mostly outside of Florida and former New York Yankees minority owner Joe Molloy is leading a Tampa-based group, according to our partners at the Tampa Bay Times.

    Gas Plant District rendering from Hines-Rays team. Plans are for a new domed stadium to open in time for the 2028 season. (Hines-Rays)

    February 2025

    Mayor Ken Welch spoke about the deal during his State of the City address in February, blaming the holdup entirely on the Rays.

    “The only thing we need to move forward … is for the Rays to honor the agreement that we signed just six months ago,” Welch said. “I remain hopeful that that will happen. I also believe in transparency, so to the citizens of St. Pete, let me be clear: As I’ve stated throughout this process, this plan can only be successful with partnership.”

    December 2024

    Tampa Bay Rays officials say they would like a repaired Tropicana Field being their home for the 2026 season.

    In a Dec. 30 letter to St. Petersburg City Administrator Rob Gerdes, Rays president Matt Silverman said that the team had been open to considering a settlement that would buy the city out of its obligation to repair the ballpark.

    In mid-December, Pinellas commissioners approved bonds to finance a new stadium for the Rays.

    The 5-2 vote unlocks $312 million in funding the county had pledged for the new ballpark. This was the third time the Rays bond vote has gone before the commission since October.

    Dec. 12: St. Pete OKs pre-construction costs for damaged Tropicana Field; County commissioners hold workshop on deal

    Early December:  Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred met Monday with Pinellas County Chairwoman Kathleen Peters and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch to express his desire to resolve recent disputes and keep the team in Tampa Bay.

    the team released a statement in the wake of that meeting.

    “We anticipate that the Pinellas County Commission will authorize the bonds at their next meeting. As we stated in our letter three weeks ago, we remain ready to work with all key stakeholders to fill the funding gap their delay has created,” Rays president Matt Silverman said.

    A look at the Trop damage from Hurricane Milton from inside the stadium. (Courtesy Hennessy Construction Services)

    November 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays, without Tropicana Field available next season because of Hurricane Milton damage, will play their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

    A damage report released this week indicates repairs would run past $55 million and not be completed before the 2026 season.

    Nov. 25: ‘Categorically false’: County pushes back against the Rays’ claims and demands a decision

    Nov. 22: ‘This deal doesn’t work anymore:’ Rays future in St. Pete takes more hits with city council votes

    Nov. 21: Rays president says new park deal is dead; St. Pete Council then reverses course on Trop repairs

    Nov.18: PHOTOS: Rays release post-Milton photos of inside Trop

    October 2024

    Oct. 31: City approves $6.5M to clean up and protect Rays stadium after Hurricane Milton

    Oct. 9: Tropicana Field roof damaged by Hurricane Milton

    Aug. 2024

    Citing ‘unintended response,’ St. Pete mayor rescinds bonuses given after Rays deal

    July 2024

    Pinellas County commissioners agree, by 5-2 vote, to help fund new Rays stadium

    2023

    Sept. 19, 2023: ‘Major League Baseball is here to stay’: Rays announce new stadium

    A decade-long odyssey involving the Tampa Bay Rays, the City of St. Petersburg, Hillsborough County, Major League Baseball and even Montreal, among other parties, appears to be nearing an end. The Rays, joined by officials with the city of St. Pete and Pinellas County, announced on Tuesday plans for a new stadium to be built near the current Tropicana Field. 

    St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch speaks during a Sept. 2023 stadium announcement. (Angie Angers/Spectrum Bay News 9)

    Early 2023

    Former St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman said that he previously allowed the Rays to search for sites in Hillsborough County because he was confident St. Pete was the best place for a new ballpark and he wanted Sternberg to come to that conclusion too.

    “I felt like a deal couldn’t have gotten done until the Rays believed it too,” he said. “It has been a long road but we’re at the point now because we had to go through that with (Rick) Baker, Foster and me.”

    Former Mayor Bill Foster was the mayor in 2010 when the Rays were pushing for a new waterfront stadium at the Al Lang Field site along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg. The former mayor said they never had a term sheet because Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg would not commit to a dollar amount.

    “Mr. Sternberg was non-committal when it came to how much he would pay for a stadium in St. Pete,” he said. “This whole idea with the redevelopment of Al Lang trying to fit this Major League Baseball stadium in five acres where there’s no transportation, no parking, no infrastructure, that was a disaster.”

    2022

    The Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed plan to split the season between Florida and Montreal has been rejected by Major League Baseball.

    Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg announced the news on Thursday.

    “Today’s news is flat-out deflating,” Sternberg said.

    The idea of playing in both the Tampa Bay area and Montreal has been discussed over the past several years after attempts to build a new full-time ballpark locally failed.

    2021

    St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman announced that Midtown Development has been selected to redevelop the 86-acre Tropicana Field site.

    This came after years of talk, rumors and speculation about stadium sites at a variety of locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco counties and even some mentioning Orlando.

    July 2019

    The Tampa Bay Rays have been given permission by Major League Baseball to explore splitting future seasons between Tampa Bay and Montreal.

    2018

    July: The Rays announced they would vacate Tropicana Field and relocate to the Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa, between 15th Street and Channelside Drive from east to west, and between Fourth Avenue and Adamo Drive from north to south.

    By December, the project was called off.

    2009

    May: The idea of a waterfront stadium at the Al Lang site quickly came and went.

    The sail-designed stadium targeted for the Bayshore Drive/1st Street South area was supposed to have a sail style design with an open air  vista down left field to center field. 

    2005

    Since Stuart Sternberg took control of the Rays in October 2005, the once-struggling franchise has been a success on the field but not at the box office.

    Despite reaching the World Series in 2008 and 2020, the Rays have ranked annually near the bottom in attendance. The Rays averaged about 9,500 for home games last season, 28th in the majors and ahead of only Miami and Oakland.

    Sternberg purchased controlling interest in the Rays in May 2004 from original owner Vince Naimoli. He became managing general partner in October 2005.

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    Rod Gipson

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  • Rays CEO: St. Pete mayor made aware of HCC plans

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rays CEO Ken Babby says he’s kept St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch up to date regarding the possibility of moving to Hillsborough County, so talks of leaving town shouldn’t come as a surprise.

    On Tuesday, Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to approve a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rays that could pave the way for a new ballpark site at the current HCC Dale Mabry Campus.

    As the plans to cross the bay and leave Pinellas County move forward, the city of St. Pete has put forward roughly $60 million to repair the hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field and get it ready for opening day on April 6.

    What You Need To Know

    • Rays last season at Tropicana Field expected to be 2028

    • Hillsborough College’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of Rays plan

    • City of Tampa, Hillsborough County still need to approve plans 

    • MORE: Hillsborough College OKs Rays stadium plans


    “Our organization is, in many ways, ambidextrous,” Babby said. “We’re working as hard as we can to get ready for April, to bring our team back home to Tropicana Field, while at the same time working to find that forever home that is so important in terms of our success.”

    If plans move forward, the new ballpark would be on the southeast corner of the site, directly across the street from Raymond James Stadium. College buildings would need to be demolished to make room for the new ballpark, and a new tower for the college would be built on the southwest corner of the property facing North Lois Avenue.

    Babby says he’s been in communication with Welch throughout the process.

    “I’ve talked frequently with the mayor, several times over the weekend,” Babby said. “We’ve kept him abreast of these conversations. We’ve had various conversations with city council members and county commissioners across the bay. This is the community’s team.”

    Welch has yet to publicly comment on the Hillsborough College proposal.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Feeding Tampa Bay holds volunteer event for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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    TAMPA, Fla. — More than 1,000 volunteers converged across Feeding Tampa Bay sites Monday to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service, packing and preparing meals for people facing food insecurity across the region.

    What You Need To Know

    • Up to 1,000 volunteers helped at Feeding Tampa Bay for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    • Feeding Tampa Bay helped to serve more than 87 million meals last year

    • The Dr. MLK Jr. Day holiday is considered a day of service


    Volunteers worked in warehouses, supermarket-style pantries and bistros, repackaging meals, packing produce and assembling boxes for distribution across the organization’s 10-county service area. Organizers said participation this year surpassed last year’s event, which drew about 700 volunteers, and they expect the effort to continue growing.

    “People reflect on what we should be doing and how we can help out — spread love,” volunteer Mike McNulty said. He volunteers with Feeding Tampa Bay regularly, and says it’s rewarding to see the immediate results of helping neighbors in need.

    Feeding Tampa Bay officials say the need for food assistance is growing: the organization provided some 87 million meals last year. Event leaders said service is a meaningful way to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of justice and community involvement.

    “One of the ways we think we can honor Dr. King’s legacy best is by service,” said Feeding Tampa Bay CEO Thomas Mantz.

    View information about volunteering and learn more about Feeding Tampa Bay.

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    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Ms. Wheelchair Florida and her mom inspire children with their books

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The reigning Ms. Wheelchair Florida and her mother are taking a message of joy and hope to kids through their books and public appearances.

    Schuyler Arakawa and mom, Meridith Alexander, have published a series of children’s books about overcoming obstacles.

    In 2016, Arakawa was on a fellowship from Yale to South America, working to expand opportunities for women, when she took a trip to Colombia. She went rafting with a group and then not long after that while exploring a grotto, a boulder fell on her. It caused injuries in many parts of her body, including a traumatic brain injury.

    She was taken to a hospital in Columbia for treatment and later flown to a hospital in Miami, where she underwent multiple brain surgeries. She also underwent rehab. It has been a long road to recovery.

    On a recent morning, Arakawa and Alexander appeared together at the Southshore Montessori School in Apollo Beach to read to a group of children.

    “So, we are going to read our newest book, which is all about fear and doubt and doing hard things even if you are not sure you can do them,” said Alexander.

    A few minutes later, about two dozen children came into the room, where the mom and daughter greeted them enthusiastically. “We are so glad to see you,” said Alexander.

    “Welcome in, guys,” said Arakawa.

    Then Alexander started reading from one of their books that includes Arakawa in a wheelchair. She is called “Princess Happiness.” The books feature children overcoming obstacles like a boulder.

    The life-changing event of being struck by the boulder in Columbia resulted in limits to Arakawa’s speech and mobility, but she turned those limits into a purpose for her life.

    “It is hard. But the way I see it, some people say I’m positive in my recovery,” said Arakawa. “But I really think there is no other way to be, because if you were upset you would just hurt yourself. I have learned that you can not control the outcome. So, I might as well make the best of it.”

    Alexander said she and Arakawa try to stay focused on looking for the positive and life. That is what they hope people get from their appearances.

    “Joy is all around us the same way the oxygen is around us. You don’t always see it,” Alexander said. “But you have access to it.”

    Would you like to nominate an Everyday Hero? Click here and fill out the submission form.

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    Rick Elmhorst

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  • 2026 events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day around Tampa Bay

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    BY

    Spectrum News Staff

    Tampa


    PUBLISHED 12:33 PM ET Jan. 14, 2026
    PUBLISHED 12:33 PM EST Jan. 14, 2026

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • SB Howard Frankland Bridge lanes to close Tuesday night

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    TAMPA, Fla. – The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed Tuesday  night for construction work.

    According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the lanes from Tampa into St. Petersburg will close Monday at 11 p.m. and should reopen by 5 a.m. Wednesday.


    The closure will allow crews to install signs above the roadway.

    Message boards and temporary signage will assist southbound I-275 motorists traveling around the closure via the posted detour route of Memorial Highway (SR 60), Courtney Campbell Causeway (SR 60), Bayside Bridge (CR 611), and Roosevelt Boulevard SR 686).

    Other roadways (Kennedy Boulevard, Dale Mabry Highway, and Gandy Boulevard) will be accessible and may provide an alternate route.   

    Northbound traffic into Tampa won’t be impacted.

     For more information on this project, please visit FDOTTampaBay.com.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Georgia man killed in Howard Frankland Bridge crash

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    TAMPA, Fla. – One man was killed Monday night in a multi-vehicle crash in a construction zone on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

    According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 37-year-old man from Musella, Ga. was driving a Chevy Silverado truck southbound on the bridge just before 10 p.m. when he traveled into a marked construction zone and crashed into a Ford F550 work vehicle.

    That man, whose name has not been released, was killed, troopers said.

    The driver of the Ford and two other construction workers suffered minor injuries and were taken to an area hospital.

    Debris from the crash struck a third vehicle being driven by an 18-year-old man from Largo. He was not injured.

    The crash remains under investigation.  

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tampa health fair helps uninsured people get medical and social services

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    TAMPA, Fla — A free health care event in Tampa on Saturday helped hundreds of people in need.

    Pioneer Medical Foundation, a nonprofit, hosted its sixth annual community health fair.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pioneer Medical Foundation hosted its sixth annual community health fair

    • The event aimed to help people who were uninsured and under insured get access to medical services

    • The fair also helped provide social services

    • There were about 40 booths and 400 people in attendance


    There were about 40 booths and about 400 people in attendance, according to organizers.

    “They’re going out of their way to help the homeless and they help people in need,” said David Poole, who attended.

    The goal of the fair was to help people who are uninsured or under insured get access to health care.

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023 over 13% of Florida residents were uninsured.

    “Access is not there. A lot of people can’t access health care, so this is why we’re bringing the health care to the people and bridging that gap,” said Ano Kashuma, Executive Director, Pioneer Medical Foundation.

    At least 50 nurse practitioners, physicians and dentists volunteered their time and expertise to help hundreds of people.

    Vision and mammogram screenings and teeth extractions were some of the medical services offered.

    “A lot of the times we’re seeing that when people are coming to the E.R., they have chronic conditions that could have been prevented by a visit to your primary care doctor,” Kashuma said.

    Along with medical services there were social services. There was access to showers, free clothing and bus passes. There were also giveaways.

    Poole was there to try and win a free bike

    “I hope they keep up the gratitude, the love, they’re showing for the homeless and keep doing what they’re doing,” Poole said.

    Organizers said the health fair continues to grow year after year.

    The foundation is also serving several counties on weekdays with a mobile medical unit van.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Tampa honors its first Black, female firefighter

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The city of Tampa honored a trailblazer on Thursday.

    City officials recognized retired fire inspector Betty Coleman, who was the first hired, Black female with the Tampa fire department.  She joined the department in 1981, started at Station 1 on Zack Street and went on to serve the city for more than 30 years.

    During Thursday’s city council meeting, Councilman Luis Viera presented Coleman with a plaque as she was surrounded by her family, current Fire Chief Barbara Tripp and fellow retirees.

    Coleman was presented a plaque thanking her for her “dedication, professionalism and heart.”

    “I was glad they chose me to represent the department,” Coleman said. “And they gave me an opportunity to showcase my skills. I am also glad I was able to help pave the way for so many other women to come on the department.”

     

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tampa Bay advocate reacts to potential state case against Maduro

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Since the opioid epidemic began, Florida has been hit hard by drug trafficking, with fentanyl and other narcotics continuing to claim lives across the state.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida may pursue state charges against Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro 

    • Ellen Snelling of Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance believes that families affected might finally achieve justice.

    • Local advocates highlight the human toll of opioids

    • The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance recently received a $650,000 grant to expand education and prevention programs targeting youth and families throughout Tampa Bay.


    Now, Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida is exploring whether it can pursue a state criminal case against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, building on existing federal charges that accuse him of conspiring with international drug traffickers.

    State leaders argue that such action could strengthen efforts to disrupt the flow of lethal drugs into Florida.

    Local advocacy groups say the move could be a critical step in saving lives.

    Ellen Snelling, board chair of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, has seen the devastation firsthand. She lost her younger brother during the early days of the opioid epidemic — a loss that ultimately led her to advocacy.

    “Drug abuse and addiction can happen in any family,” Snelling said. “Anyone who thinks that it can’t happen to them that is a huge fallacy.”

    She recalls how her brother’s addiction began with prescription opioids before escalating.

    “He worked for the airlines, hurt his back and got on OxyContin, and that was the beginning of the end for him,” Snelling said. “He was able to successfully have treatment several times, but eventually went back to heroin. And unfortunately, it was laced with fentanyl. He had no idea, I’m sure, and they just could not save him.”

    The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance works to educate the community on the dangers of opioids and other narcotics while connecting people to recovery resources. Snelling says the possibility of state-level charges against Maduro sends an important message.

    “If we can really go after the flow of meth, fentanyl and cocaine into this country — and go after these international drug traffickers — I think we will save so many lives,” she said.

    According to the Florida Department of Health, Hillsborough County recorded approximately 538 drug overdose deaths in 2023, with about 432 involving opioids, accounting for the majority of fatalities. While Snelling notes overdose deaths in the Tampa Bay area have decreased in recent years, she says the crisis remains far from over.

    “So we are very excited about it,” she said of the recent decline.

    Snelling stresses that addiction does not discriminate.

    “Every demographic, every type of person, every socioeconomic group, it doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “I see my brother Andrew in a lot of other people. It’s really sad because it’s a life with so much potential. It was my youngest brother. I never thought he would pass away before me.”

    She adds that many overdose deaths are preventable.

    “I know people who lose their children to drugs, and it is just a preventable death. We have to do everything we can to stop drugs from coming into our families and destroying our children’s lives,” Snelling said.

    The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance recently received a $650,000 grant to expand education and prevention programs targeting youth and families throughout Tampa Bay. Snelling says the funding is vital, but sustained efforts at every level — local, state and international — are necessary to truly address the crisis.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • Upper Tampa Bay Trail Closure: Major culvert repair underway

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    TAMPA, Fla. — A popular stretch of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail in Hillsborough County has been closed as crews begin a major, long-term repair to a damaged culvert. 

    The culvert failed during hurricanes Helene and Milton, and while the county made temporary repairs to keep the trail safe, officials say permanent work is now underway and it won’t be a quick fix.

    What You Need To Know

    • Upper Tampa Bay Trail is closed for major culvert work between West Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road

    • Channel Park Trailhead remains open, however it is recommended you use alternate trailheads if you are walking or biking more than one-mile

    • Work on the culvert damage during Hurricanes Helene and Milton is expected to be complete by mid-February

    • For more information on trailhead locations and construction updates, visit the project’s website

    The trail is closed between West Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road, a heavily used section where thousands of cyclists and pedestrians pass through each month.

    County officials expect the closure to last until mid-February.

    The construction site is located about 1 mile from the Channel Park Trailhead. Crews have brought in heavy equipment and are excavating a 14-foot embankment along Channel A.

    The failing culvert beneath that embankment will be removed and replaced. 

    Complicating the project is a 30-inch water main that runs through the area, which must remain pressurized and operational throughout construction.

    Upper Tampa Bay Trail Park Supervisor Paul Cook said the work zone is dangerous and urges people to avoid the area until construction is complete.

    “I know people are very motivated to do what they want to do, but I would recommend people use some of our other trailheads or even access our northern section of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail at 7020 Lutz Lake Fern Road,” he said. “That’s 4.5 miles and connects to the Suncoast Trail — you could ride all the way to Citrus County if you wanted to.”

    The Channel Park Trailhead remains open for shorter trips, about 1.5 miles toward Hillsborough Avenue or one mile toward the construction site, where access stops.

    Public Works will still need to address a washout along the embankment of Channel A caused by the hurricanes. 

    There is no timeline yet for that project, and officials say it is not expected to begin immediately.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Tampa Oyster Fest set for Saturday, benefits local group

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    The 7th-annual Tampa Oyster Festival happens Saturday, Jan. 10. 

    Organizers are promising an afternoon of fresh oysters, slow-cooked barbeque and traditional low-country boils. 

    A Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band will headline the live music entertainment. 

    The festival will benefit Frameworks of Tampa Bay, a local nonprofit focused on helping children with their emotional intelligence.

    What: Tampa Oyster Festival 

    When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 1-5 p.m. 

    Where: Tabellas at Delaney Creek 

    Tickets: Click here

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    Jeff Butera

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