St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch emphasized the need for more research, which requires digging, and pledged to “do the right thing.” Photo by Mark Parker. ​Confirming if human remains are still buried underneath a parking lot at Tropicana Field requires digging. City Councilmember Corey Givens Jr. believes community stakeholders should decide the best path forward. […]

Current students, Black alumni, faculty, and staff gather during Stetson Law’s 2026 Black Alumni Gala, where the chapter celebrated its history and the relationships helping guide the next generation of Black legal professionals.Photo courtesy of Mason At Stetson University College of Law, the Black Law Students Association has long served as a source of support, […]

The fifth Epsilon Class of the Beautillion Militaire. Image Courtesy of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter. The St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (SPAC) is celebrating the Beautillion Militaire Experience this Sunday, April 26, 6 pm, at The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The […]

From left: Cynthia Glover, Tamisha Darling-Roberson, and Keiran Madgwick during Realtist Week 2026. Darling-Roberson organized the events as founder and president of the Pinellas County Association of Realtists (PCAR). Photo courtesy of PCAR. ​The strain of organizing seven events in as many days – while running a business -couldn’t stifle Tamisha Darling-Roberson’s enthusiasm as she […]

South St. Petersburg neighborhoods have the highest Transportation Disadvantaged Program utilization rates in all of Pinellas County. Photo by Mark Parker. Mayor Ken Welch’s administration has increased funding for a popular program that ensures low-income St. Petersburg residents can afford transportation. The state-funded Transportation Disadvantaged Program, which launched in 2016, provides reduced-cost fares for qualified […]

The Deuces Live District has a state-designated Main Street, one of four in St. Petersburg. Photos by Mark Parker. St. Petersburg is home to four state-designated Main Streets that foster economic development and historic preservation in traditional business districts. A lack of funding is hindering growth and expansion. ​On April 16, city officials explored avenues […]

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins held an impromptu press conference on Monday at the Urban Stillhouse in St. Petersburg. Image: Screengrab. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins has doubled down on his bid to become Florida’s next governor. The former Green Beret also took aim at “pay-to-play media” and his top opponent, a fellow Republican. ​Collins, speaking at […]

Café Ora’s co-founder, Meiko Seymour, poses with his daughter, Portlynn, and his wife, Simone Seymour. Image Courtesy of Uncommon City. Residents in South St. Petersburg can look forward to a new cafe opening later this year, thanks to St. Petersburg’s community leader and advocate, Meiko Seymour, co-founder of Café Ora. Seymour is no stranger to […]

St. Petersburg is now accepting proposals for a company to replace aging analog water meters with more accurate digital versions that are compatible with advanced reporting software. Photos by Mark Parker. ​A company’s unsolicited proposal to help St. Petersburg replace its outdated water metering infrastructure with a technologically advanced system has intrigued city officials, despite […]

From left: Jeff Baker, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy; former Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin; former Mayor Rick Kriseman; Rob Kapusta, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership board member; and Jeff Hearn, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership board member, at the St. Petersburg Innovation District’s 10th anniversary celebration. All photos by Brian James unless otherwise noted. […]

Deputy County Administrator Greg Horwedel (standing) called the Tampa Bay Rays’ timeline “very aggressive” when there is still “a lot of work that needs to be done.” Image: Screengrab. Hillsborough County officials have roughly six weeks to approve a $2.3 billion stadium with the Tampa Bay Rays, despite a lack of information, assumption-based financial projections, […]

The 20th African American Health Forum is Saturday at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity. Photo: St. Petersburg Innovation District. ​Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts, one of many stunning statistics that highlight persistent health disparities. ​Dr. Kenneth Bryant, founder […]

Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, president of the Pinellas County Urban League, said she has never seen such a demand for emergency services in her three years of leading the organization. All images: Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s office. ​Federal policies and the war in Iran have exacerbated affordability issues, which are now a top-of-mind concern for people from all […]

Gary Hartfield hopes to become the first Black mayor in the City of Tampa’s 139-year history. Photo by Octavio Jones. Gary Hartfield is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, community leader, and author. What he is not – a career politician – may serve him best in what he hopes is his next role: Mayor of Tampa. […]

Ongoing youth programming in St. Petersburg, including the Mayor’s Future Ready Academy (pictured), will receive funding in the fiscal year 2027 budget. Photo: City of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch kicked off a Budget Open House event on Monday by pledging to prioritize projects that strengthen infrastructure and support long-term environmental resiliency in […]

The long-vacant Commerce Park property, valued at $4.525 million, sits directly across 22nd Street South from the Manhattan Casino. All images: City documents. Mayor Ken Welch’s administration has revived nearly 20-year-old plans to activate several parcels along the historic Deuces corridor in South St. Petersburg. ​The city issued a request for proposals (RFP) on April […]

Bianca Lanoue, a University of South Florida graduate and technology architecture analyst at Accenture, built early momentum in tech through internships, mentorship, and community involvement while still in college. As AI and emerging technology continue to reshape the industry, her journey reflects how hands-on experience, strong guidance, and intentional preparation can help new graduates move […]

Artist and educator Debbie Garrett poses in front of her artwork. Image courtesy of Debbie Garrett. Among community leaders who are making a change in the St. Petersburg area, artist, educator, and mentor Debbie Garrett advocates for creatives and youth while rallying support for environmental progress in the St. Pete area. “My inspiration comes from […]

Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, now eligible for a third term, hopes to regain his title. Photo courtesy of Hannah Webster, Omnicom. Bob Buckhorn, a long-rumored candidate to run for mayor of Tampa in 2027, has made it official. ​The former mayor, who led the city from 2011 to 2019, filed paperwork and launched his […]

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (left) and Raul Alfonso, executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Port Tampa Bay, celebrate the facility receiving $10 million in federal funding on Thursday. Photos: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s office. Florida’s largest port now has $10 million in federal funding to launch an ambitious project that enhances navigational safety, […]