The 6th Annual Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix will bring offshore powerboat and jet ski racing to St. Petersburg's downtown waterfront March 27-29. The weekend will begin with a free, family-friendly Pit Party at Albert Whitted Park from 6–8 p.m. Friday, March 27. Find all information at this link.
Neptune Flood has launched an app in ChatGPT that lets property owners ask questions about flood coverage and receive preliminary flood insurance quotes in real time. The St. Petersburg-based company said the tool extends its existing digital quoting system into conversational AI, while directing users to its website to complete a purchase.
Pinellas County is now accepting program applications for the federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Countywide (JAG-C). Funding will be provided to initiatives within the county that "offer a high probability of preventing and controlling crime and/or improving the criminal justice system." Applications are due April 8. To learn more, visit this link.
March is Women's History Month, and the City of St. Petersburg is hosting two women-focused events. The first, scheduled for March 25 at Hammock Hall (at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve), is "centered around celebrating, connecting and empowering women entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals." A second event, March 31 at the Sunshine Senior Center, will feature a panel of women who "have made an impact in their respective fields." For more information, visit this link.
City Councilmember Brandi Gabbard officially filed her candidacy for Mayor of St. Petersburg Tuesday. “I am running for Mayor because St. Petersburg is at a critical crossroads," Gabbard wrote in the announcement. "Our residents deserve leadership that doesn’t just react to the challenges of today but proactively plans for the reality of tomorrow.” Gabbard will oppose incumbent mayor Ken Welch, who is seeking re-election. The 2026 St. Petersburg mayoral election will take place Aug. 18.
The University of South Florida increased its research activity to $531 million in fiscal year 2025, according to a statement today from the school. This is a "15% jump over the last two years." Topics that have been part of the effort include dementia preventive care and artificial intelligence advancement.
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum has placed 18 vehicles into a no-reserve online auction hosted by Hagerty. Museum officials said the sale includes cars no longer central to its curatorial focus, allowing the institution to concentrate on engineering history while maintaining a collection of about 74 vehicles. The online-only auction runs through March 19 at 2 p.m., and the vehicles are not available for viewing at the museum.
Wide receiver Mike Evans will be leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization, according to a statement today from his agent Deryk Gilmore. Evans played with the team for 12 seasons and helped the Bucs win Super Bowl LV in 2021. ESPN has reported that the athlete will join the San Francisco 49ers.
The Clearwater City Council approved a Resilient Florida Program agreement March 5, between the City and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, for a $4 million grant to help finance resiliency improvements at the Clearwater Beach Marina.
Publix Super Markets' store No. 2094, at 6605 38th Avenue N. in St. Petersburg, will open Thursday (March 12). The 55,454-square-foot facility was constructed from the ground up, after the 2024 demolition of a previous Publix store on the site.
A Lancair IV-P aircraft experienced a "belly landing," where its landing gear was not deployed, at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Sunday afternoon. A pilot and passenger were on board. According to an airport spokesperson, no injuries occurred.
Eat This Dessert First was named the first winner of the St. Pete Chamber’s Brick Pitch competition, an event focused on helping entrepreneurs move into physical storefronts. The business earned the $7,5000 grand prize after an evening of pitches on the St. Petersburg Opera stage. Brick Pitch is part of the St. Pete Pitch Night program presented by The Greenhouse to connect small business owners with funding, guidance and resources to launch brick-and-mortar locations.
