Blue Sky Communities has proposed a 12-story 'JR Tower' in St. Petersburg with 150 affordable units that would replace the Playhouse Theatre and a closed nightclub. The plan targets a range of lower-income AMI tiers and relies on layered public financing.

Hardee County named Michael Earnest Collier Wednesday as wanted on an aggravated-assault-with-a-deadly-weapon warrant. Tips to Heartland Crime Stoppers may carry a reward.

An industry executive told the Tampa Bay Business Journal the state’s $9.6B catastrophe fund needs recalibration as trustees prepare to weigh new 2026 rates.

The City of Tampa approved a $350,000 settlement in a federal lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation and favoritism in the Mobility Department. The payment closes the case but leaves questions about personnel practices.

DISH Wireless will pay $17.28M to settle DOJ allegations it enrolled ineligible customers in pandemic-era broadband subsidy programs. The case centers on Boost Mobile signups tied to school-lunch claims.

Pasco County officials told parents incoming kindergartners should be toilet-trained before class and discussed brief home time for children who aren’t; some families worry about special-needs impacts.

A St. Petersburg man was arrested after an ICAC tip led detectives to alleged child sexual abuse material and videos involving animals; he faces 20 felony counts.

A dump‑truck fire spread into a wood line near MM 295, forcing closure of all southbound I‑75 lanes at Church Road in Brooksville; crews report about one acre burned.

Hundreds of residents turned out at a St. Petersburg hearing to oppose Greenleaf Capital’s revised Tierra Verde Marina plan, saying tall storage towers would alter the island gateway.

White Castle opened a new Kissimmee Castle and has Daytona and St. Augustine plans — but the chain hasn’t announced a Tampa Bay site yet.

A Hernando County man was arrested April 30 after deputies say he missed a required 30‑day transient check‑in tied to his sex‑offender registration. Authorities say he’s being held without bond.

A 13‑point federal bill from Sens. Kaine and Warner would export Virginia's new gun rules nationwide; its path through the Senate looks uphill.

Port Tampa Bay held its annual hurricane tabletop, rehearsing fuel logistics and electrical upgrades to reduce outage risk ahead of storm season.