What’s Going On With REAL ID? Things To Know In FL

The deadline for obtaining a REAL ID is still more than a year away, giving Florida residents time to decide if they actually need one.

Preferred Pronouns In FL Workplaces Target Of New GOP Bill

A new bill filed by Republican Florida State Rep. Chamberlin would prohibit the use of preferred personal pronouns in the workplace.

FL Anti-Drag Law Can’t Be Enforced During Appeal: Supreme Court

FL’s new law targeting drag shows where children are present won’t be enforced while an appeals court case proceeds, reports said.

Planning Council names Wren Krahl as interim executive director

Krahl has worked for Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council since 1998 & has been the organization’s Deputy Executive Director since 2017.

Interim Chief Equity Officer Appointed By St. Pete Mayor Welch: City

Carl Lavender will serve as St. Pete's interim chief equity officer, replacing Lenice C. Emanuel, who quit after weeks on the job.

St. Pete’s 1st Chief Equity Officer Resigns After One Month: Report

Lenice C. Emanuel, who started her role as St. Pete’s first chief equity officer earlier this month, resigned from the job, a report said.

DeSantis Bans Pro-Palestinian Groups From FL College Campuses

FL officials have ordered state university campuses to disband Students for Justice in Palestine groups after the Hamas attack on Israel.

FL State Of Emergency Aims To Clear Residents From Israel-Hamas War

Gov. DeSantis declared a state of emergency to help bring Floridians home from Israel and get supplies to the country as it fights Hamas.

First Chief Equity Officer Joins St. Pete Mayor's Executive Team: City

Social justice champion, nonprofit leader Lenice C. Emanuel joins Mayor Ken Welch’s administration, St. Pete officials said.

$1.3B Stadium Will Be Built By Tampa Bay Rays In St. Pete: Officials

“Major League Baseball was made to stay right here” in St. Pete as stadium agreement is made, Tampa Bay Rays’ owner Stuart Sternberg said.

Rays’ St. Pete Stadium Deal Completed, Details Coming Tuesday: Report

Details on the Tampa Bay Rays’ deal to build a new stadium in the Historic Gas Plant District are expected Tuesday, a report said.

After Complaints Of Homeless Riders, SunRunner Adopts Full Fare Oct. 1

A full fare will be charged for the SunRunner bus, connecting downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach, to deter the homeless from riding it.

Fire Chief Accused Of Bullying, Discrimination Reinstated: St. Pete

After being placed on leave based on the results of an employee survey, St. Pete fire Chief James Large has been reinstated, mayor said.

St. Pete Fire Chief On Paid Leave After Employee Survey: City

Fire Chief James Large has been placed on paid administrative leave following the results of a St. Petersburg city employee survey.

$2.1M Affordable Housing Funding OK’d For South St. Pete Projects

Affordable and workforce housing projects in the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area were awarded $2.1M from the city.

Billions Of Robocalls Prompt FL Attorney General To Sue Avid Telecom

The FL attorney general says Avid Telecom transmitted billions of robocalls in schemes ranging from Social Security to auto warranty scams.

Business Partners Sue Sen. DiCeglie, Say He 'Embezzled' Funds: Records

The cousins and business partners of FL state Sen. Nick DiCeglie say he embezzled company funds to finance his political campaign: lawsuit

New FL Laws Target Drag Shows, Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Kids

FL bills signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis target drag shows, pronoun preferences in schools, access to gender-affirming care, trans bathroom use.

Chief Equity Officer Role Created For City Of St. Petersburg

The city of St. Petersburg is hiring for a new position: chief equity officer. The position will be part of Mayor Ken Welch’s cabinet.

St. Pete City Council Denies $50K Grant To Tampa Bay Abortion Fund

St. Pete City Council rejected a $50,000 grant to the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund for those seeking an abortion outside Florida, reports said.

FL Lawmakers Threaten To Defund St. Pete Over $50K Abortion Grant

2 FL state reps threatened to vote against funding for St. Pete if the city council doesn’t drop a $50K grant for Tampa Bay Abortion Fund.

FL School’s Response To ‘Pornographic’ David Butt Of Jokes, Criticism

Artists, activists and online memes hit back at a FL school that forced its principal to resign over students viewing Michelangelo’s David.

Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Leadership Summit

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s two-day summit brings together experts and decision-makers to discuss regional challenges in the face

Zoning Changes Allow Up To 4 Units On Single-Family Lots: St. Pete

St. Pete City Council OK’d density increases for some residential properties to address housing needs, but not everyone likes the changes.

Midsize Banks Seek 2-Year FDIC Guarantee: What It Means For FL Banks

Many midsize banks across the country, including 5 in Florida, are asking regulators to fully insure deposits for the next 2 years.

St. Pete Mayor Welch Takes City Hall Into the Community

Starting Monday, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch will bring St. Pete City Hall on tour throughout the community.

$50K In Abortion Access Money Moves To St. Pete City Council For Vote

The St. Pete City Council will consider giving $50,000 to the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund for travel expenses for those seeking abortions.

Regional Resiliency Leadership Summit to feature three coastal mayors

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s Regional Resiliency Coalition brings together experts and decision-makers during two-day Summit

County Funding Revoked For Uhuru-Affiliated Radio Station In St. Pete

Pinellas County commissioners revoked grant money approved for Black Power Radio over the St. Pete Uhuru House's FBI raid, Russian ties.

Rays Could Still Move To Tampa After St. Pete Redevelopment Bid

The Tampa Bay Rays may still move to Tampa, even after the team won the bid to redevelop part of St. Pete's Historic Gas Plant District.

Tampa Bay Rays, Hines Chosen To Redevelop Tropicana Field: Mayor Welch

St. Pete's mayor announced the development team chosen to redevelop 86 acres around Tropicana Field in the historic Gas Plant District.

Rep. Kathy Castor Opens New St. Pete District Office

U.S. House Rep. Kathy Castor opened a new office on 4th Street N. in St. Petersburg.

FL Activists Organize Protests For Roe V. Wade 50th Anniversary

Both pro-life and pro-choice activists have planned protests in Florida for the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

2023 officers named for Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council

Regional Planning Council leaders represent the Tampa Bay area

Tropicana Field Redevelopment News Expected At State Of City Address

Learn which developer was chosen for Historic Gas Plant District project during St. Pete Mayor Welch’s Jan. 30 State of the City address.

COVID Whistleblower Reaches Agreement On FL Felony Charge, Eyes Future

Rebekah Jones, a COVID whistleblower, reached an agreement with the state after being accused of illegally accessing FL’s computer system.

Historic Gas Plant District Redevelopment: Public Input Sought By City

St. Pete received four proposals to redevelop 86 acres near Tropicana Field. The city wants you to share your thoughts by Jan. 23.

Changes At City Hall As St. Pete Fires 3 Directors, Managers: Report

The city of St. Petersburg’s longtime marketing director also resigned earlier this month, according to reports.

St. Pete Earns Perfect Score On Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Index

For the ninth year in a row, St. Petersburg earned a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council approves Resiliency Action Plan

The plan will be rolled out to area governments to guide actions on combating flooding, extreme weather and impacts of a changing climate.