Officials with Duke Energy recently announced a $50,000 donation to St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) Promise Scholarship program that provides graduates from eight Pinellas County high schools with free tuition and books. SPC launched the pilot program in 2023 for graduates of five local schools with the highest poverty rates. Over 460 students received the scholarship last year. For more information, visit the website here.
YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg has announced its expanding early childhood education services at area YMCA Preschool Academies, including a 5,000 sq. ft. expansion at Speer YMCA Preschool Academy to create multiple new infant and toddler classrooms. Funding will be allocated from the sale of Harbordale YMCA.
The Detroit Lions advanced to their first NFC Championship Game since 1991 with a 31-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday. Wide receiver Mike Evans, who caught eight passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Baker Mayfield, who completed 26 of 41 passes for 349 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, helped keep the game close for the Bucs. The Lions will now face the San Francisco 49ers with a Super Bowl berth on the line, while Tampa Bay will begin contract negotiations with Evans, Mayfield and other impending free agents.
Personal finance platform WalletHub recently released its 2024 rankings of the “Best & Worst Metro Areas for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Professionals,” and Tampa Bay placed 16th. However, the region’s quality of life outranked its STEM-Friendliness and Professional Opportunities scores. Austin placed first, and Tampa Bay finished just ahead of Washington, D.C.
The governor’s office recently announced it will provide a $35 million Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant to bolster Florida’s semiconductor manufacturing industry. Pinellas County Schools is among six regional districts that will share the funding. While the specific allocations remain unannounced, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Highlands Counties will also split the grant dollars.
The Florida Aquarium has partnered with Junior Achievement Tampa Bay to teach fifth-grade students how to run a business, manage a simulated economy and allow them to explore professional roles. Aquarium officials will open its JA BizTown storefront with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Tuesday, Jan. 23. Students will serve as CEO for a day, act as veterinarians, participate in environmental services, manage the gift shop and perform marketing and outreach activities.
The Pinellas County Homeless Leadership Alliance announced area cold night shelters will open Saturday night as “feel like” temperatures will drop below 40 degrees between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. All facilities proved a warm and safe place to sleep, and many offer a meal. The Northwest Presbyterian Church, WestCare Turning Point, the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Salvation Army will open their doors in St. Petersburg. For more information, visit the website here.
A Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority trolley driver who struck a 15-year-old girl exiting a SunRunner Bus on 1st Ave S. in downtown St. Petersburg Nov. 19 was arrested and charged with reckless driving with serious bodily injury Thursday. According to police officials, the driver was also cited for a red-light violation, providing false information and speeding through an intersection. The girl is still recovering from the crash.
Diamond Sports Group, which includes Tampa Bay Rays and Lightning broadcasters Bally Sports Florida and Bally Sports Sun, has sold a reported $100 million company stake to Amazon. The Rays included streaming rights in their latest deal with Bally, and Amazon officials hope to provide more live professional sports on its Prime streaming service. While many details remain unannounced, and a bankruptcy court must approve any agreements, Prime will likely start airing Rays games before negotiating a deal with the NHL and Lightning.
The number of active registered voters in Florida decreased by nearly one million from 2022 to 2023, according to a new report using data gathered from the Florida Department of State. Voters can check their status on the Department of State's online Voter Information Lookup service.
Starting Jan. 19, Florida Arbor Day, St. Petersburg-based Duke Energy will give away 900 sweetbay magnolia, bald cypress and crape myrtle trees to customers. Program officials will ship the one-gallon trees directly to homes with planting and care instructions in time for National Arbor Day on April 26. The company depleted its supply within days in 2023 and has distributed nearly 12,000 free trees since 2017. For more information, visit the website here.
Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum, recently received the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Community Hero Award. Igel received recognition during a game and $50,000 on behalf of the museum. The donation will help fund events and new programming designed to engage “learners of all ages" at the St. Petersburg institution.
