The Tampa Rays announced Tuesday evening that Friday's home opener against the Colorado Rockies at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa has sold out. Tickets are available for the remainder of the homestand at the 11,026-seat minor league stadium. To receive notifications for a limited number of $20 "Rays Rush" standing-room-only tickets, text RAYS to 42086. While the team has sold out 19 consecutive home openers, the previous 18 were at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, which seats over 25,000 people without its upper deck.
Elevate Data recently analyzed the 100 most populated cities across several metrics, like median incomes and childcare expenses, to determine the best places for working families. St. Petersburg ranked first in the state, sixth nationally and received an “A+” grade. The platform credited the city’s “balance of career and leisure.”
Multiple local line workers took home top awards at the 2025 Florida Lineman’s Rodeo, a competition that tests on-the-job skills and awards those who are the fastest, safest and most efficient at various tasks. St. Petersburg’s Alejandro Guillen placed second in the apprentice category, while Chet Braden, Ed Filor and Henry Shupe placed first in the senior division. The four Duke Energy Florida employees earned a spot at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas this fall.
Tampa International Airport (TPA) will host a free presentation Tuesday night for small business owners, vendors and community members interested in learning about commercial opportunities. Officials will provide details on potential business partnerships at the airport and Airside D, which broke ground in December. The presentation is from 6 until 7 p.m. at TPA’s main terminal event space on Level 3. For more information, visit the website here.
David Jezek, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, will retire at the end of 2025, concluding a 42-year career with YMCA organizations across multiple states. A national search for his successor will begin soon.
Pinellas County officials have launched an online survey and will host a series of public meetings to garner feedback on how to help storm victims rebuild their lives. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Pinellas $813.78 million to spend on unmet needs caused by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton. Officials must allocate most of the money to help low-to-moderate-income households. For more information, visit the website here.
The City of St. Petersburg will host “Blooming Business: Accelerating Women Entrepreneurs” at Sunken Gardens from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday. The free event will celebrate, connect and empower women entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals. Attendees will hear a keynote speaker share her business journey and can participate in “table talk roundups.”
Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahn will miss his opening day start and begin the season on the injured list with nerve irritation in his left triceps. The former all-star and University of South Florida pitcher has not played in a regular season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2023. Ryan Pepiot will replace McClanahan as the opening day starter Friday against the Colorado Rockies.
In the absence of a Festival of Reading this year, the University of South Florida St. Petersburg's Florida Studies Book Festival, April 5 at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, will feature authors, book sales and signings and more. Participants include Craig Pittman, Cynthia Barnett, Gary Mormino and others. Admission is free. Find details and schedule at this link.
Rocker Gene Simmons has postponed 17 dates of his spring tour, including an April 25 appearance at Ruth Eckerd Hall. The Kiss bassist's representative gave no reason for the move to "early 2026," but added that Simmons' health was not the cause. Nine dates in May remain on the schedule.
Florida Senator Darryl Rouson will host a free screening of Razed Sunday, March 30 at 3 p.m. at the Palladium Theater. The locally-made documentary explores the history and legacy of St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant District. The event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested (register here).
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo's May 2 concert appearance at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg will go on as scheduled, but her May 3 TFO date at Ruth Eckerd Hall has been postponed. Because of an unforeseen scheduling conflict, the Tony-winning singer and actress will now perform with the orchestra Sept. 3 at the Clearwater venue. Tickets purchased for the original Ruth Eckerd Hall date will be honored in September.
