St Petersburg Breaking News
BREAKING NEWS
Flori de Leon Marks 98 Years as St. Petersburg’s Iconic Community
News Summary This year, the Flori de Leon, the first cooperative apartment community on Florida’s West Coast, proudly celebrates its 98th anniversary. Located in downtown St. Petersburg, its rich history...
Florida Launches Human Trafficking Data Repository
News Summary Florida has unveiled a new data repository called TIPSTR, launched by the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Lab at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. This initiative aims...
New Leadership Aims to Tackle Homelessness Challenges in Pinellas County
News Summary The Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) in Pinellas County has appointed Cheri Holzbacher as interim CEO, replacing Aaron Swift. Holzbacher aims to enhance the organization’s stability and efficiency amid...
Coast Guard Searches for Missing 69-Year-Old Boater Near Piney Point
News Summary The Coast Guard is engaged in a search operation for Russell Trudeau, a 69-year-old boater missing since Sunday. His 17-foot boat was found adrift near Piney Point, prompting...
Tampa Bay Rays Relocate to Steinbrenner Field for 2025 Season
News Summary In a significant development, the Tampa Bay Rays will play their entire 2025 MLB season at Steinbrenner Field after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field. The team is undergoing...
Bridge Construction Resumes in St. Petersburg
News Summary In St. Petersburg, the long-awaited bridge replacement project in Tanglewood is back on track after years of delays. Following the default of the previous contractor, Denson Construction has...
St. Pete Beach Commission Approves $3 Million Spending Plan
News Summary The St. Pete Beach Commission approved over $3 million in spending during a meeting on March 25, addressing key funding for city projects and acknowledging recent election results....
New Connected Community Bus Network Launched in St. Petersburg
News Summary St. Petersburg is making strides in public transit with the introduction of the Connected Community Bus Network by PSTA. This initiative is aimed at improving bus route efficiency...
St. Petersburg Wins Its First Envision Award for Sustainability
News Summary St. Petersburg has been awarded its first Envision Award, recognizing the city’s commitment to sustainability through significant improvements to its wastewater facility. The $48 million investment in the...
St. Petersburg Secures $159.8 Million for Hurricane Recovery
News Summary St. Petersburg has received $159.8 million in disaster recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding will support long-term recovery efforts, enhance housing,...
POLITICS
New Leadership Aims to Tackle Homelessness Challenges in Pinellas County
News Summary The Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) in Pinellas County has appointed Cheri Holzbacher as interim CEO, replacing Aaron Swift. Holzbacher aims to enhance the organization’s stability and efficiency amid...
St. Pete Beach Commission Approves $3 Million Spending Plan
News Summary The St. Pete Beach Commission approved over $3 million in spending during a meeting on March 25, addressing key funding for city projects and acknowledging recent election results....
New Connected Community Bus Network Launched in St. Petersburg
News Summary St. Petersburg is making strides in public transit with the introduction of the Connected Community Bus Network by PSTA. This initiative is aimed at improving bus route efficiency...
St. Petersburg Secures $159.8 Million for Hurricane Recovery
News Summary St. Petersburg has received $159.8 million in disaster recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding will support long-term recovery efforts, enhance housing,...
St. Petersburg’s Art Community Mourns Pat Jennings
News Summary Pat Jennings, the beloved owner of Central Art Supply, has passed away at 70 after battling esophageal cancer. His legacy lives on in St. Petersburg’s vibrant art scene...
St. Petersburg Postal Workers Rally Against USPS Privatization
News Summary Over 100 postal workers and supporters rallied in St. Petersburg, Florida, expressing concerns about the potential privatization of the USPS. They fear job cuts and service decline, emphasizing...
St. Petersburg Proposes Bold Transformation of Interstate 175
News Summary St. Petersburg is exploring a significant proposal by the Florida Department of Transportation to convert the underutilized Interstate 175 into a vibrant boulevard. With community input and mixed...
St. Petersburg Celebrates First Ever Envision Award
News Summary St. Petersburg has received its inaugural Envision Award, recognizing its commitment to sustainable infrastructure and resiliency. This prestigious award by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure highlights the city’s...
St. Petersburg Cuts Insurance for Tropicana Field
News Summary St. Petersburg has reduced its insurance coverage for the aging Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, from $100 million to $25 million. This decision has resulted...
St. Petersburg Ranks No. 7 on Southern Living’s Best Cities List
News Summary St. Petersburg has made a significant impact by earning the No. 7 spot on Southern Living’s Best Cities in the South for 2025. The city has outperformed nearby...
CRIME
Florida Launches Human Trafficking Data Repository
News Summary Florida has unveiled a new data repository called TIPSTR, launched by the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Lab at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. This initiative aims...
Tampa Faces Tragedy and Resilience in Recent Events
News Summary This past week in Tampa, Florida, has been marked by stark contrasts of tragedy and resilience. From alarming criminal activities to heart-wrenching incidents, and the introduction of new...
St. Petersburg Stunned by High-Profile Burglaries
News Summary St. Petersburg, Florida, is reeling from a wave of high-profile burglaries, including the theft of rare books and tortoises. With significant investigative work revealing multiple connections among the...
Tragic Murder of a Teen in St. Petersburg Shakes the Community
News Summary The St. Petersburg community mourns the tragic murder of 16-year-old Miranda Corsette, whose disappearance ended in horror after interacting with strangers on social media. Arrests have been made,...
Officer-Involved Shooting in St. Petersburg Shakes Community
News Summary An officer-involved shooting early Saturday morning left one man in critical condition in St. Petersburg. The incident involved police responding to gunshots, resulting in a confrontation with a...
Tragic Accident in St. Petersburg: DUI Manslaughter Charges Filed
News Summary A 33-year-old man, Kyle Hill, has been charged with DUI manslaughter in a devastating accident that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Arislenne Blanco in St. Petersburg. The...
ECONOMY
Flori de Leon Marks 98 Years as St. Petersburg’s Iconic Community
News Summary This year, the Flori de Leon, the first cooperative apartment community on Florida’s West Coast, proudly celebrates its 98th anniversary. Located in downtown St. Petersburg, its rich history...
New Leadership Aims to Tackle Homelessness Challenges in Pinellas County
News Summary The Homeless Leadership Alliance (HLA) in Pinellas County has appointed Cheri Holzbacher as interim CEO, replacing Aaron Swift. Holzbacher aims to enhance the organization’s stability and efficiency amid...
Bridge Construction Resumes in St. Petersburg
News Summary In St. Petersburg, the long-awaited bridge replacement project in Tanglewood is back on track after years of delays. Following the default of the previous contractor, Denson Construction has...
New Connected Community Bus Network Launched in St. Petersburg
News Summary St. Petersburg is making strides in public transit with the introduction of the Connected Community Bus Network by PSTA. This initiative is aimed at improving bus route efficiency...
St. Petersburg Secures $159.8 Million for Hurricane Recovery
News Summary St. Petersburg has received $159.8 million in disaster recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding will support long-term recovery efforts, enhance housing,...
St. Petersburg Postal Workers Rally Against USPS Privatization
News Summary Over 100 postal workers and supporters rallied in St. Petersburg, Florida, expressing concerns about the potential privatization of the USPS. They fear job cuts and service decline, emphasizing...
St. Petersburg Faces Insurance Challenges Amid Hurricane Damage
News Summary St. Petersburg is grappling with potential insured losses of $28 billion to $47 billion due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As the renewal deadline for property insurance approaches,...
St. Petersburg Cuts Insurance for Tropicana Field
News Summary St. Petersburg has reduced its insurance coverage for the aging Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, from $100 million to $25 million. This decision has resulted...
St. Petersburg Set to Receive $160 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding
News Summary St. Petersburg is poised to receive $160 million in disaster recovery funding from the HUD’s CDBG-DR program to address storm recovery needs and enhancements. Approximately $139 million will...
St. Petersburg Ranks No. 7 on Southern Living’s Best Cities List
News Summary St. Petersburg has made a significant impact by earning the No. 7 spot on Southern Living’s Best Cities in the South for 2025. The city has outperformed nearby...
SPORT
Tampa Bay Rays Relocate to Steinbrenner Field for 2025 Season
News Summary In a significant development, the Tampa Bay Rays will play their entire 2025 MLB season at Steinbrenner Field after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field. The team is undergoing...
Tampa Bay Rays Stadium Deal Collapses Amidst Hurricane Damage
News Summary The Tampa Bay Rays have decided to halt plans for a $1.3 billion stadium deal in St. Petersburg, complicated by unforeseen circumstances, including damage from Hurricane Milton. The...
Tampa Bay Rays Abandon Stadium Plans After Hurricane Damage
News Summary The Tampa Bay Rays have officially abandoned plans for a new downtown stadium following significant hurricane damage to Tropicana Field. Rays owner Stu Sternberg announced the cancellation, shifting...
Rare Bonefish Caught at Skyway Fishing Pier
News Summary In a remarkable fishing adventure, Angel Cruz caught a rare bonefish at the Skyway Fishing Pier in Pinellas County. During a chilly January morning, Cruz’s catch measured approximately...
Tampa Bay Spreads Holiday Cheer at Local Children’s Hospital
News Summary On December 10, 2024, rookie players from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, bringing joy to young patients with smiles, gifts, and games. The...
DISASTERS
Coast Guard Searches for Missing 69-Year-Old Boater Near Piney Point
News Summary The Coast Guard is engaged in a search operation for Russell Trudeau, a 69-year-old boater missing since Sunday. His 17-foot boat was found adrift near Piney Point, prompting...
St. Petersburg Secures $159.8 Million for Hurricane Recovery
News Summary St. Petersburg has received $159.8 million in disaster recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This funding will support long-term recovery efforts, enhance housing,...
St. Petersburg Faces Insurance Challenges Amid Hurricane Damage
News Summary St. Petersburg is grappling with potential insured losses of $28 billion to $47 billion due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As the renewal deadline for property insurance approaches,...
Four Lucky Souls Rescued After Boat Sinks Near Bayboro Harbor
News Summary On a sunny weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescued four passengers from an 18-foot boat that sank near Bayboro Harbor. The incident, which...
St. Petersburg Set to Receive $160 Million in Disaster Recovery Funding
News Summary St. Petersburg is poised to receive $160 million in disaster recovery funding from the HUD’s CDBG-DR program to address storm recovery needs and enhancements. Approximately $139 million will...
Tampa Faces Tragedy and Resilience in Recent Events
News Summary This past week in Tampa, Florida, has been marked by stark contrasts of tragedy and resilience. From alarming criminal activities to heart-wrenching incidents, and the introduction of new...
St. Petersburg Takes Steps to Support Residents Amid SNAP Funding Concerns
News Summary Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg has joined over 100 mayors in urging Congress to protect SNAP funding amid proposed cuts that could severely impact families facing economic...
Tampa Bay Rays Abandon Stadium Plans After Hurricane Damage
News Summary The Tampa Bay Rays have officially abandoned plans for a new downtown stadium following significant hurricane damage to Tropicana Field. Rays owner Stu Sternberg announced the cancellation, shifting...
Officer-Involved Shooting in St. Petersburg Shakes Community
News Summary An officer-involved shooting early Saturday morning left one man in critical condition in St. Petersburg. The incident involved police responding to gunshots, resulting in a confrontation with a...
Tragic Accident in St. Petersburg: DUI Manslaughter Charges Filed
News Summary A 33-year-old man, Kyle Hill, has been charged with DUI manslaughter in a devastating accident that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Arislenne Blanco in St. Petersburg. The...
HEALTH
St. Petersburg Wins Its First Envision Award for Sustainability
News Summary St. Petersburg has been awarded its first Envision Award, recognizing the city’s commitment to sustainability through significant improvements to its wastewater facility. The $48 million investment in the...
St. Petersburg Celebrates First Ever Envision Award
News Summary St. Petersburg has received its inaugural Envision Award, recognizing its commitment to sustainable infrastructure and resiliency. This prestigious award by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure highlights the city’s...
Weekly Florida Crime Roundup: From Murder to Mayhem
News Summary This week’s crime roundup in Florida highlights a series of alarming incidents, including a murder in St. Petersburg, alarming teacher arrests, and tragic accidents. A missing girl was...
Pope Francis Hospitalized with Double Pneumonia
News Summary Pope Francis has been hospitalized since February 14, 2025, due to a serious case of double pneumonia. While receiving treatment, he continues to demonstrate resilience in his faith,...
St. Petersburg Launches Community Support Hub for Mental Health
News Summary St. Petersburg has inaugurated its first Community Support Hub on 22nd Street South to enhance mental health services. Initially operated by The Well, it resumed services under Gulf...
Setback in Revitalization of St. Petersburg’s Euclid Methodist Church
News Summary Efforts to restore St. Petersburg’s Euclid Methodist Church, purchased for $1.1 million, faced a significant setback when the Community Planning and Preservation Commission denied the proposal for a...
Tragic Collision in St. Petersburg Claims One Life
News Summary On February 6, 2025, a severe traffic accident in St. Petersburg, Florida left one dead and several injured, including two children. The crash happened at the intersection of...
Baby Manatee Enzo Receives Tender Care at ZooTampa
News Summary A baby manatee named Enzo is recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa after being rescued in a precarious condition from the chilly waters near St. Petersburg. Weighing just...
St. Petersburg Welcomes New Manatee Resident Enzo
News Summary St. Petersburg, Florida, proudly introduces Enzo, a manatee recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa. Rescued from the frigid waters, he receives expert care and compassionate support. With the...
Heartwarming Manatee Rescue in St. Petersburg
News Summary A manatee suffering from cold stress was rescued near the USF St. Pete campus, showcasing community involvement in wildlife conservation. Thanks to a swift response from a marine...
SHOWBIZ
St. Petersburg’s ‘Razed’ Documentary Highlights Community Displacement
News Summary The upcoming documentary ‘Razed’ delves into the heartfelt stories of the Gas Plant district, a vibrant African American community displaced by urban renewal efforts in the 1980s. Through...
TECH UPDATES
St. Petersburg Startup Launches World’s First Lunar Data Center
News Summary Lonestar Data Holdings from St. Petersburg is set to launch the first-ever physical data center on the Moon with their ‘Freedom’ payload. Scheduled for liftoff on Wednesday at...
St. Petersburg Initiates Advanced Air Mobility Task Force
News Summary St. Petersburg has launched its first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Task Force aimed at integrating electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) into urban travel. Over nine months,...
St. Petersburg Secures Nearly $7 Million for Digital Equity
News Summary St. Petersburg will receive a grant of $6,925,163 from the U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance digital equity in underserved communities. This grant, part of the Digital Equity...
St. Petersburg Awarded $6.9 Million Grant for Digital Equity
News Summary St. Petersburg has been awarded a $6.9 million grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance digital equity efforts in the city. As the only city in...
Pinellas County Schools to Launch Advanced Panic Alert System by 2025
Pinellas County Schools to Implement New Panic Alert System by 2025 Pinellas County, FL – In a move aimed at bolstering emergency responses across its campuses, Pinellas County Schools announced...
SCIENCE
St. Petersburg Wins Its First Envision Award for Sustainability
News Summary St. Petersburg has been awarded its first Envision Award, recognizing the city’s commitment to sustainability through significant improvements to its wastewater facility. The $48 million investment in the...
St. Petersburg Startup Launches World’s First Lunar Data Center
News Summary Lonestar Data Holdings from St. Petersburg is set to launch the first-ever physical data center on the Moon with their ‘Freedom’ payload. Scheduled for liftoff on Wednesday at...
Baby Manatee Enzo Receives Tender Care at ZooTampa
News Summary A baby manatee named Enzo is recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa after being rescued in a precarious condition from the chilly waters near St. Petersburg. Weighing just...
St. Petersburg Welcomes New Manatee Resident Enzo
News Summary St. Petersburg, Florida, proudly introduces Enzo, a manatee recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa. Rescued from the frigid waters, he receives expert care and compassionate support. With the...
