Your trusted source for local Tampa Bay, FL news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The City of Tampa will observe Veterans Day by closing its offices on November 11, 2024, while maintaining residential and commercial solid waste collection services. Residential customers can continue to use the Tampa Trash and Recycling tool for collection schedules and reminders. For any inquiries, residents are encouraged to contact the City of Tampa Utilities Call Center.
Over 460,000 children in Florida have lost their Medicaid health benefits following the COVID-19 pandemic, with many affected by administrative errors or failures to deliver replacement coverage. This significant loss has raised concerns about the healthcare system's ability to support vulnerable populations during crises. The article sheds light on the ramifications of these changes and the impact on affected families.
Lakeland's city commission has approved the establishment of its sixth and largest solar energy farm, covering 450 acres near Florida Polytechnic University. This significant investment in renewable energy aims to bolster the city's sustainability efforts while providing economic benefits to the region.
The article explores the growing trend among Generation Z to pursue careers in skilled trades as an alternative to four-year college degrees, driven by concerns over student debt. In Florida, enrollment in career and technical education has risen significantly, indicating a shift in societal attitudes toward vocational training. This development is welcomed by employers who have long sought skilled workers in various trades.
Hillsborough County voters face a significant decision on Election Day regarding a proposed property tax increase aimed at boosting teacher salaries. School district leaders have actively campaigned to persuade the community to support this referendum, emphasizing its importance for local education.
Body cam footage has been released by police to shed light on two separate incidents that occurred during the highly watched Florida-Georgia football game. This release aims to provide more context to the viral altercations that took place at the event, reflecting on issues of public safety and law enforcement responses in high-stakes situations.
Parkland shooting survivor Anthony Borges has agreed to share the rights to the name of the gunman, Nikolas Cruz, with other victims' families, concluding a legal dispute stemming from the 2018 tragedy. This agreement allows the families to collectively decide when Cruz can grant interviews, ensuring that his narrative does not exploit the tragedy for sympathetic storytelling.
A growing system in the Caribbean is expected to develop into Tropical Storm Rafael and could intensify into a hurricane as it moves towards the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center indicates that this system may bring significant rainfall and wind to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and parts of Cuba before potentially impacting the U.S. Gulf Coast later in the week.
Students and staff at Anna Maria Elementary School have returned home after being displaced for two months due to Hurricane Helene. The school community was welcomed back with open arms, emphasizing the resilience and recovery efforts following the natural disaster.
A proposal to grant wilderness designation to large portions of Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida has ignited a passionate debate among tribal members, sportsmen, and local officials. This designation, stemming from the Wilderness Act of 1964, could significantly impact the area's traditional land use and conservation efforts.