Microscopic lychee mites are spreading through central and south Florida, threatening backyard and commercial trees. UF/IFAS and FDACS outline scouting, sulfur treatments and reporting steps.

Volta Wine + Market will begin buildout at 400 Central in March, bringing a 2,000‑sq‑ft wine shop, market and tasting bar to downtown St. Pete.

Residents say mailed checks in Lakewood Ranch were stolen and chemically altered; postal inspectors and Manatee deputies are investigating. Banks have flagged suspicious deposits and some money was recovered.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue is staging rescue units across downtown for the Firestone Grand Prix and urging seatbelts, sober rides and caution on race weekend.

Clear and mild today with a high near 78°F. Patchy fog Friday morning and showers with thunderstorms expected Friday night into Saturday.

Hillsborough County will install vape-detection sensors in every high school this spring after a pilot found vaping in restrooms; the board has pressed staff on privacy and discipline.

An emergency rule from the Florida Department of Health would narrow ADAP eligibility and remove key HIV drugs, putting thousands at risk across the state. Legal fights and a public comment window are underway.

A female Florida panther, UCFP500, was found dead on State Road 82 in Collier County; biologists suspect a vehicle strike and urge drivers to slow down in known panther corridors.

The Tampa Bay Times is using a template-driven 'Times AI News Engine' to post short AI-written real-estate notices and weather alerts since September 2025. Editors say staff review most templates while a public AI policy is finalized.

Jason Licht said Mike Evans has "earned the right" to explore options after Combine comments, while the receiver's agent confirmed he will test the market. The coming meetings and cap math will decide whether Evans stays in Tampa Bay.

An internal command review board found a St. Petersburg officer guilty of sharing protected police records with a suspect in the Seminole Hard Rock explosives probe; the officer has resigned. The case remains under criminal and administrative review.

Clearwater is pitching a plan to convert underused Main Library space into an arts destination as a new hotel, tower and parking garage reshape downtown. City staff are pre-marketing the opportunity to museums and cultural partners.

PSTA board discussed using insurance proceeds to hire outside counsel after last year’s deadly Clearwater Ferry crash. The agency floated authorizing up to $500,000 to handle claims and lawsuits.