08.27.2025

From our friends at

91º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:06 a.m. | Sunset 7:55 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 6:32 p.m. | Low: 12:12 p.m. + 11:58 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 2:45 p.m. | Low: 8:35 a.m. + 8:32 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

The Cigar City’s skyline is changing... again

The 13-story tower will feature both AC Hotels and Moxy rooms. | Rendering via McKibbon.

What’s rising up in the Channel District — beyond, uh, the plethora of skyscrapers already hugging the Hillsborough River?

McKibbon Equities just announced plans for a new 13-story AC Hotels + Moxy by Marriott hotel, the Tampa Bay Business Journal first reported. The 310-room hotel will be parked just a short jaunt away from Port Tampa Bay — and easily accessible for those Margaritaville at Sea cruisers.

A block of buildings are surrounded by green trees in downtown Tampa. — Imagine rolling out of bed and heading straight to the Riverwalk.

Construction on the hotel project is expected to start early next year with the projected opening set for 2028, according to a release. Plans also include:

A rooftop restaurant and bar
A ground floor cafe and wine bar
A bodega
A pool
12,000 sqft of retail
A 230-space parking deck
5,000 sqft of meeting and event space

3 more new hotels

Asked

Which of these have you noticed most in the past year?

According to new data from PODS, our region is currently one of the fastest-growing in the US.

So whether you’ve clocked new jobs hitting the market, more cranes popping up around town, or fresh “sold” signs up and down your street, tell us what you’re noticing in this quick survey.

A. 🏡 More homes being built or sold
B. 💼 New jobs or companies moving in
C. 🚙 Increased traffic or commute times
D. 🛍️ More restaurants, stores, or services
E. 💸 Rising rents or home prices
F. Other

Let us know

Events

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Job News Tampa Job Fair | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field | Free | Print that resume out and make a good impression with employers like Chapters Health System, Coca-Cola Florida, Kelly Education, New York Life, and AmeriCorps.

The Library Lunchtime Book Club: “Atmosphere” | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Library St. Petersburg | $40 | Need someone to debrief Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest with? Look no further, join for light bites and a convo on the novel set in the 1980s Space Shuttle program.

Thursday, Aug. 28

South Florida Bulls vs. Boise State Broncos | 5:30 p.m. | Raymond James Stadium | $37+ | The Bulls will likely start next season in their own stadium. So don’t miss this season’s kickoff against the No. 25 team at RayJay.

Sourdough Cookies & Starter | 6-8 p.m. | Armature Works | $89 | Loaves aren’t the only thing you can make with that bubbly sourdough starter. Bake brown butter chocolate chunk cookies + take your own sourdough starter home.

Dominic Walker Trio: “Hurricane Summer” Album Release Party | 7:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater | $25+ | This collision of jazz, rock and blues makes for a summer storm you’ll actually want to remember.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” | Thursday, Aug. 28-Sunday, Sept. 14 | 7:30-10 p.m. | TheatreFor, Clearwater | $27+ | Venture back to 1980s London to watch Dorian, a man obsessed with beauty and pleasure, as he lives out a double life.

Friday, Aug. 29

Blink-182: “Missionary Impossible 2025 Tour” | 7 p.m. | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre | $68+ | The pop-punk kings are back to crank out “I Miss You,” “What’s My Age Again?,” and “All the Small Things.”

Saturday, Aug. 30

Composting Workshop | 10-11 a.m. | Frank Pierce Recreation Center | Free | You don’t need a backyard pig to make use of those dinner scraps. Learn how to compost your kitchen and yard waste into usable, nutrient-rich fertilizer and score a bin.

Skyway Bridge Sunset Light Show Cruise | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Pelican St. Pete | $78 | Spend part of your Labor Day Weekend on the water looking out for dolphins + taking in the lights.

Sunday, Aug. 31

Disco Brunch | 12-4 p.m. | Meat Market Tampa | Price of purchase | Delight in a light three-course brunch and boogie down to disco beats at the prime people watchin’ spot — add on all-day drinks for $100.

100+ better ideas

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

Someone alert the Jetsons: The future is here. Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority just broke ground on a new transportation center in Clearwater. More than 2,300 daily riders will head to the new Clearwater Station every day to catch electric buses and grab Ubers and Lyfts. (Mass Transit)

Community

Pinellas County might ditch Duke Energy. Well, maybe. Mayor Ken Welch approved city council’s formal request to look at potentially ending the city’s relationship with the utility. But, Welch also proposed a 10-year extension with Duke. We’ll keep you posted. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Civic

Florida voters that have renewed or replaced their driver’s license in the last year need to update their registration due to a new policy, advised one All Voting is Legal leader. The issue could impact Hillsborough voters during the special election on Tuesday, Sept. 9. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Outdoors

The Pinellas County beach renourishment project is hitting some snags. The county still needs 100+ homeowners to sign temporary easements to beef up the sand protecting their properties. Workers will begin installing pipelines in Indian Shores in the next couple of days, followed by dredging. (WUSF News)

Edu

Teachers get free coffee through Friday, Aug. 29 at Buddy Brew’s Bay to Bay cafe — just bring your school ID. Plus, the local java hotspot just added the Spiced Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Cinnamon Roll Latte, and Salted Maple Flat White to its menu.

Try This

Relax your body with free sauna, yoga, and cold plunge sessions at Kodawari Studios’ Homecoming Monarch Event Saturday, Sept. 6, from 4-8 p.m. RSVP in advance for the wellness event also featuring live DJ beats and local food trucks. (That’s So Tampa)

Sports

Kyle Trask is out. The Bucs’ plan to release the backup quarterback after his lackluster performance in the preseason thus far. Teddy Bridgewater is getting the No. 2 job instead. (Tampa Bay Times)

Listen

Since we’re talkin’ contracts, who is going to make the Bucs’ 53-man roster? Get the inside scoop on all things Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Asked

Should “hurricane cakes” with lighthearted storm messages return to Publix? More than 34,000 shoppers have signed a petition to bring them back since they were removed from bakeries following Hurricane Ian.

Active

If you didn’t win our recently-closed ultimate wellness giveaway, don’t worry. Tickets are still available to attend the Hack Your Health Conference, happening Nov. 14-16.*

Home

Have a project you’ve been itching to work on? Think: bathroom renovation, upgrading your HVAC system, or maybe a backyard makeover. Wondering how to pay for it? Hint: A HELOC isn’t the only way to access your home’s equity. Enter: Unison.*

Featured Deal

Experience full-body fitness from the comfort of your home with Hydrow. This Labor Day, save $575 on the Hydrow Pro or $275 on the Hydrow Wave with code NOTES. Dive into immersive workouts that engage 86% of your muscles. Stronger starts here — explore more stunning waterways today.*

The Buy

Self-care isn’t all spa days and forest bathing — although we do love a nice hot stone massage. More often than not, it’s the simple things like prioritizing rest, practicing good hygiene, and practicing mindfulness. Elevate your self-care rituals with these five products:

🫧 Treat your skin to a little TLC with a Moroccan exfoliating glove that gently removes dead skin + cleans pores.
💧Elevate your favorite reading or journaling space with an aroma diffuser and lavender essential oils.
🛏️ Look forward to snuggling into bed every night when you score this jersey knit sheet set at up to 75% off.
💤 Pair your new sheets with the Nodpod gentle weighted sleep mask that’s described as “a hug for your head.”
🧥 When you’re craving comfort + relaxation, don this ultra-soft Barefoot Dreams cardigan that’s over 50% off.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “You can only choose one TSITP-esque date... which will it be?”

Boxes of strawberries — Bring on the romance this strawberry season.

And our readers couldn’t decide. It is a three-way tie between brunch at Daily Eats, strawberry picking (and eating) at Keel Farms, and pomegranate seltzers on St. Pete Beach.

The Fisher brothers could consider these local date night ideas too.

Don't miss the vote

The Wrap

As your resident Francophile, let me be among the first to alert you Gulfport is getting a French restaurant.

Mademoiselle Paris is opening up on the ground floor of the sunshine yellow historic Peninsula Bed & Cocktails. Soon, you’ll be able to munch on pastries or sit back for a classic French dinner with a view of the hippie city’s downtown.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

† Disclaimers and Legal | * Advertising Policy

The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602