Your trusted source for local Tampa Bay, FL news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Caribbean Invest 99L is anticipated to strengthen into Tropical Storm Sara, posing a potential threat to Florida as the 2024 Hurricane Season approaches its final weeks. The article emphasizes the ongoing activity in the tropics, highlighting the need for vigilance among residents and local authorities.
The board of Tampa International Airport has selected Michael Stephens as the next CEO, succeeding current CEO Joe Lopano, who plans to retire in April 2025. The decision came after a competitive evaluation of finalists, including John Tiliacos, both of whom are current airport executives with significant experience.
After enduring two hurricanes, Tampa Bay residents face ongoing challenges in recovery, including significant home damage and the emotional toll of lost pets. Christine Geyer searches for her missing cat, Champy, while grappling with the destruction of her family's home. The article highlights the broader struggles of the community in the aftermath of an unprecedented hurricane season.
The FAA has announced a 30-day ban on American flights to Haiti following an incident where gangs shot at a Spirit Airlines flight, raising serious concerns about safety in the region. This decision comes as the United Nations plans to suspend flights, further restricting humanitarian aid and personnel access to Haiti. The situation highlights escalating violence and instability in the country.
New College of Florida is set to offer a course on the 'Woke' movement in January 2025, marking a significant shift in its curriculum. The course, described as addressing the movement as "a kind of cult," comes after recent changes to the school's leadership aimed at steering it in a conservative direction. Led by comedian Andrew Doyle, the class is part of a broader statewide trend pushing back against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in education.
In the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, Tampa is facing a massive debris collection effort, with estimates of over a million cubic yards of waste remaining on city streets. City crews and contractors are working tirelessly to clear the debris within a 90-day window to ensure full reimbursement from FEMA, while challenges remain in coordinating the collection across various neighborhoods.
New College of Florida is introducing a course on the 'Woke' movement for the first time in its history, set to commence in January 2025. The course, taught by conservative commentator Andrew Doyle, critiques the movement as “a kind of cult” and aligns with recent changes in the college's leadership towards a more conservative agenda.
The Pinellas School Board has honored former superintendent Mike Grego by naming a new leadership center after him, recognizing his decade-long contributions to the district. Additionally, the board named a new early learning and child care center after retired educator Bette Ra Ivey. These actions highlight the board's commitment to honoring impactful leadership within the community.
Florida's education officials are reminding students and parents of the severe consequences of making threats against schools, following a series of incidents this fall. The Orange County school district has rolled out an online training course to ensure understanding of the state's zero-tolerance policies regarding such threats. Education Commissioner Manny Diaz emphasized that all threats will be taken seriously and may lead to arrest, restitution, or expulsion.
Pinellas County experienced severe flooding during Hurricane Milton, primarily due to malfunctioning water pumps, significantly impacting local neighborhoods, especially the Spanish Oaks area in Palm Harbor. The unprecedented flooding raises concerns about infrastructure reliability and community safety in the Bay Area.