05.22.2025

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92º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:36 a.m. | Sunset 8:16 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 12:07 p.m. | Low: 6:25 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 8:36 a.m. + 8:59 p.m. | Low: 2:54 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

What’s in Tampa and St. Pete’s future?

An aerial shot of St. Petersburg after Hurricane Helene. Water lines the streets and the water level is high. Smoke rises from a house on the left and grey skies linger overhead with the ocean visible in the distance.

A fraction of Helene’s wrath. | Photo via the City of St. Petersburg

Yes, we always have a bevy of a restaurant, sports, and live music news — but sometimes we need to take a moment to focus on what we in the news business call the hard news. You know, what’s going on with our plethora of local governments, business community, and the like.

Here’s a snippet of what’s going on across Tampa Bay:

2025 State of Tampa’s Downtown Forum

Earlier this week, local titans gathered for the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s idea-sharing event. The main takeaways? Tampa needs more affordable housing + better transportation — with many residents spending 57% of their take-home pay on housing and transportation.

Strong mayor system

Pinellas County isn’t switching to a countywide mayoral system — yet. Instead, Pinellas leaders plan to enhance the board chairperson’s role. Commissioners floated ideas like hosting an annual “State of the County” event and giving the board chairperson a seat on an executive committee during emergencies.

What's next for St. Pete's development?

Asked

What do you think is TBAY’s biggest need?

A. Public transportation
B. Affordable housing
C. More hurricane recovery programs
D. More jobs

Share your take

Events

Thursday, May 22

Spice Up Your Social Media: A TikTok & Instagram Workshop | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | J.C. Newman Cigar Company | $75+ | Attorney Cristen Martinez — who has 200,000+ TikTok followers — shares the secrets behind creating standout short-form content.

Crafted History Lunch Cruise | 12-2 p.m. | CRAFT, Tampa | $90 | Local historian Rodney Kite-Powell shares tales of Henry Plant’s railroad, the evolution of Hillsborough County, and the history of Gasparilla as you cruise along Tampa Bay’s waterways.

Friday, May 23

Saturday, May 24

Pilates & Brunch | 9-11 a.m. | Timpano Hyde Park, Tampa | $29 | Get movin’ with a Pilates fusion session to live DJ beats, then treat yourself to Timpano’s mouth-watering brunch.

Decades by the Dock | 6-10 p.m. | Northeast Coachman Park, Clearwater | Free | Don threads from your favorite decade, then head to the waterfront for a tribute to legendary bands — plus, a costume contest, video-game truck, glow-in-the-dark activities, and giant twister.

Halsey: “For My Last Trick” | 7 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | $40+ | The pop superstar takes the outdoor stage for their latest tour with Alvvays and The Warning.

WWE | Saturday, May 24-Monday, May 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $295+ | Pack the North Tampa venue to watch the smackdown unfold — and John Cena’s gonna be there.

Even more holiday weekend ideas

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Good news for our beloved sea cows. Eckerd College is getting a new marine mammal pathobiology lab. What’s that mean? The $11.7 million lab will allow researchers to better evaluate manatee and dolphin injuries and deaths. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Open

Elliot Aster, the Vinoy’s new restaurant is now open. Perch on the outdoor patio with its prime marina view, or grab a Citrus Kiss Spritz and chow down in the chandelier-decked lounge + dining room. Michelin-star lauded Chef Lee Wolen’s menu boasts steaks cooked on a wood-fire grill + pastas.

Biz

Last year’s hurricane season hero AquaFence is opening a Cigar City office. The Norway-based company’s flood barrier system went viral for protecting Tampa General Hospital from seven feet of storm surge last fall — and now the company is opening a space in Water Street Tampa. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Sports

The Tampa Bay Sun are one of four teams to clinch a playoff spot in their inaugural season. Catch the final regular season game — and the post-game fireworks — against DC Power FC this Saturday, May 24. The Sun need to win to score home field advantage in the playoffs. Get tickets. (That’s So Tampa)

Community

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is looking for photos that show how Floridians are recovering from recent hurricanes. We know you have them. Researchers plan to use the results from the Images of Recovery study to “identify needs and barriers and facilitate long-term recovery.”

Try This

Frozen espresso martinis? Uhh yeah, we’ll take some — and so will everyone else. Right now, throwback martinis, food-inspired cocktails, tequila + vodka-infused drinks, and mocktails are holding court on the TBAY bar scene. Read more about the trendiest local drinks. (Tampa Bay Times)

Plan Ahead

Mark your and Fido’s calendar for Dunedin’s Puppy Pride Party. Head to Dunedin Pet Supply on Saturday, May 31 to meet adoptable pups from Friends of Strays, get treats from Rita’s Italian Ice, and check out local craft + pet vendors. Part of the proceeds go to The Trevor Project. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Listen

What will Rachaad White’s role and production be in 2025? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Number

$4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over. Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.†*

The Buy

A great deal from Amazon’s Memorial Day sale. Note: Prices subject to change.

⭐ Get 45% off a Ring Battery Doorbell that has head-to-toe visibility.
⭐ Treat yourself with 44% off a deluxe meat thermometer that will see you through grill season.
⭐ Take 40% off arch support Cushionare sandals, your new go-to summer shoe.

Shop all Memorial Day deals

The Wrap

As we approach hurricane season (there’s a little more than a week left), WUSF’s Florida Matters is digging into what local governments are doing to prepare + how folks are rebuilding.

Listen to insight from reporters Kerry Sheridan, Jessica Meszaros, and Steve Newborn — and get some reading material to stay in-the-know. Thanks for all you do, team.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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