The Pinellas County Commission will discuss plans to contribute $312.5 million in tourist development tax dollars to a new $1.37 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark at a July 25 work session. The meeting follows the St. Petersburg City Council’s approval July 18. Commissioners will vote on the generational project July 30.
Filmed entirely in Pinellas County, Outdoor Eats: St. Pete-Clearwater airs on the Bally Sports/South network Thursday (July 25) at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Chef Corso, renowned outdoor explorer, culinary guide and TV host, visits Brick Street Farms, Wild Child, the Tarpon Springs Farmers Market, Anclote Key, Frenchy’s Seafood Market, the Vinoy and other locations.
The run of The Rocky Horror Show, now the biggest box office success in Jobsite Theater history, has been extended. The final performances will be Aug. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Jobsite is the resident theater company of Tampa's David A. Straz Center for the Arts.
Pinellas County residents must register to vote or change their political party affiliation for the Aug. 20 primary elections by Monday, July 22. Voters can update their addresses online by calling (727) 464-VOTE or emailing Election@VotePinellas.gov and including their birthdate and identification information. Registered residents can vote in the universal primary contest for Supervisor of Elections, nonpartisan school board and judge races and the county referendum questions, regardless of party affiliation.
The McMullen Fish House Food Trolley is now open at 1700 4th St. S. in St. Petersburg. While hours vary, it typically serves smoked mullet, Cajun catfish po-boys, seared grouper tacos and citrus salmon burgers from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Sundays. The former trolley sits adjacent to the fish house, which offers live bait, tackle and fresh seafood.
Coral Gables-based Amerant Bank is now the official banking partner of the Tampa Bay Rays. In addition to the “official bank” designation, Amerant will now have an extensive branding presence throughout Tropicana Field and the gameday radio broadcast, hospitality opportunities and use of the team’s logos. The community bank previously partnered with the Florida Panthers, Miami Heat and the Miami Marlins.
Beginning 10 p.m. today, the southbound I-75 entrance ramp from westbound SR 574 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) will close for construction. It's expected to reopen by 12 p.m.Sa turday, weather permitting. During this closure, the Florida Department of Transportation recommends motorists continue west on SR 574 (Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd.), turn north onto US 301, enter the interstate using the eastbound I-4 entrance ramp, proceed toward Exit 9, and continue toward the southbound I-75 entrance ramp.
St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial's $102.7 billion investment management division plans to launch an exchange-traded fund (ETF) platform in 2025. In preparation, the conglomerate hired Mo Sparks, the New York Stock Exchange’s former director of exchange-traded products. Sparks also headed product management for The Vanguard Group, a leading investment firm.
St. Petersburg-based Beachside Hospitality, which owns several Crabby’s restaurants throughout the state, is under contract to buy four Anna Maria Island concepts. The group plans to acquire Sandbar Seafood and Spirits, Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub and Anna Maria Bake House from Chiles Hospitality. While Beachside operates 13 establishments in eight Florida cities, the acquisition of Chiles marks its first foray into Manatee County.
An extensive Microsoft systems outage disrupted airports, banks, media outlets and companies early Friday morning. Tampa International Airport officials said they safely reestablished operations at 5 a.m. A platform provided to media shows 22 cancellations and 92 delays among the facility’s 505 total flights.
The St. Petersburg City Council approved several development agreements Thursday afternoon that will keep the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg. Councilmembers advanced plans for a new ballpark to anchor the Historic Gas Plant’s redevelopment in a widely expected 5-3 vote. The Pinellas County Commission must now approve dedicating $312.5 million to the $6.5 billion project at a July 30 meeting.
The University of South Florida’s College of Business has partnered with the College of Marine Science to offer a blue economy-focused MBA degree this fall. School officials tailored the online program for maritime trade, coastal tourism and fisheries management professionals. The marine economy generated $777 billion in sales and supported 2.4 million jobs nationwide in 2022.
