The Florida Holocaust Museum announced Monday in a social media statement that it will offer free admission June 26- 28 as a response to controversial rapper Kanye West's upcoming shows at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Now going by the name Ye, West is scheduled to perform June 26 and 28. In a 2025 X rant, West made anti-semitic comments and praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Museum representatives wrote in the Monday statement that West "does not belong in our community."
Tampa Police Department Chief Lee Bercaw submitted a resignation letter Tuesday and will retire from his position effective Aug. 6. Bercaw, who has served over 30 years on the force, will become an associate professor of instruction at the University of South Florida's College of Behavioral and Community Services (Department of Criminology).
SouthState Bank announced today that it will open its first "full-service" branch in St. Petersburg in the first quarter of 2027. The office will be located at 3701 4th Street N. According to a prepared statement, it will "include a drive-thru and space for consumer, private and commercial banking teams."
The City of Clearwater will host the "Hurricane Preparedness on the Roof" event June 17 at the Main Library, at 100 N. Osceola Avenue, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Attendees will get to interact with members of the Clearwater Emergency Management team. For more information, visit this link.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) St. Petersburg Branch #5130 will host the 2026 Mayoral Debate today at the President Barack Obama Main Library, at 3745 9th Avenue N., starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit this link.
The Pepin Family USF Nursing Pathway Summer Program, which provides high school sophomores and juniors with an opportunity to learn more about the nursing field, begins today. According to a prepared statement, the free weeklong initiative features "hands-on exposure to nursing through clinical simulations, skill labs, CPR training and mentorship from nursing faculty and students." To learn more about the effort, visit this link.
The University of Tampa baseball team Saturday won its third consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II title. This marks the first three-peat in the history of Division II college baseball. The Spartans played against West Chester, achieving a final score of 8 -4.
During Sunday’s 79th annual Tony Awards ceremony, eight awards went to musicals with St. Petersburg connections. St. Pete native Patrick Wilson (himself a Broadway and film star) is a producer of The Lost Boys, which was awarded Tonys for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design, and for Featured Actors Shoshana Bean and Ali Louis Bourzgui. And Ragtime was announced as winner of Best Revival of a Musical and Best Sound Design, along with Best Lead Actor (Joshua Henry) and Actress (Caissie Levy). The musical’s book was written by the late Terrence McNally, another St. Petersburg native.
Two Americans claimed victory at the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series St. Petersburg stop this weekend: Kaylea Arnett and James Lichtenstein. This was a historic first for the international competition. The two-day event was held at the St. Pete Pier. In April, Arnett discussed her career with the Catalyst.
Pinellas County officials are urging residents with medical, functional or transportation needs to register for the Special Needs Evacuation Program before a hurricane threatens the area. The program provides transportation to shelters, generator-powered facilities, onsite health professionals, space for caregivers and immediate family members, and pet care assistance for eligible participants who have no other arrangements. Residents who rely on oxygen, electricity-dependent medical equipment, mobility assistance, routine medical care or evacuation transportation are encouraged to register now through Pinellas County's Special Needs Evacuation Program or by calling 727-464-3800.
Plans to transform the former St. Petersburg Science Center at 7701 22nd Ave. N. into a $25 million Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence cleared a key milestone as the St. Pete Development Review Commission unanimously approved the proposal. The redevelopment will more than double the size of the long-vacant facility and create a hub for artificial intelligence education, workforce development and entrepreneurship, anchored by the AI Village, which will host student field trips, camps and hands-on learning experiences. Additional plans include a planetarium, production studios, conference space, offices and community gathering areas designed to support innovation and lifelong learning.
Clearwater police have closed their investigation into the death of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, ruling that Terry Bollea died of natural causes and finding no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. The case review included medical records, witness interviews and video evidence, while the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner’s Office previously determined that an acute myocardial infarction caused his death, with atrial fibrillation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia listed as contributing conditions. Bollea’s family is continuing to review his medical treatment and has sought additional time to determine whether to pursue a malpractice claim involving care provided before his death at age 71 in Clearwater.
