Busch Gardens is building Lion & Hyena Ridge — a nearly 35,000‑sq‑ft Edge of Africa expansion that will house five brother lions and two hyenas with panoramic viewing. Construction is underway and the exhibit is due to open later in 2026.

A Harbor Acres waterfront estate at 1204 Hillview Drive closed for $17 million, one of the largest mainland Sarasota transactions this year.

Heat index near 103°F today with scattered afternoon storms. City cooling stations are open this week.

A fisherman found a missing scuba diver off Treasure Island Beach on July 5, ending a weekend search; the Pinellas medical examiner will perform an autopsy.

Muggy start and a hot Sunday: highs near 93°F with a heat index up to 103°F and scattered afternoon storms.

Capogna's Dugout, a family-run Gulf-to-Bay staple in Clearwater, closed on June 26 after 53 years following storm damage and a brief 2025 reopening. The announcement drew an outpouring of memories from locals.

Hot and muggy in Tampa with showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon.

Hillsborough County has authorized contract talks for a $70M, multi‑court fieldhouse at the MOSI campus — a keystone of a planned $2B redevelopment with construction eyed for late 2026 and a 2028 opening.

South Tampa’s Big Ray’s Fish Camp earned a repeat MICHELIN nod on the America’s Best Seafood Shack list, with inspectors praising smoked fish dip, fried grouper and its neighborhood vibe.

Amanda Roark was found dead inside her Palm River home. Prosecutors played chilling 911 audio as her boyfriend was charged with premeditated murder.

A pro‑AI committee ran roughly 1,700 TV spots in Tampa Bay and Tallahassee this spring through a Reno‑mailbox vendor, renewing questions about disclosure in Florida’s governor’s race.

Hot, humid with scattered afternoon storms and a 100+ heat index. Expect quick downpours and possible commute delays this afternoon.

Shonnika Denise opened Synergy Sweets on West Hillsborough Avenue, serving made-to-order cheesecakes, cupcakes and a weekly rotating menu that’s become a local draw.