The Tampa Bay Innovation Center will host Chris Paradies, a senior attorney with the United Services Automobile Association (USAA), to discuss how to safeguard artificial intelligence (AI) creations with patents and copyrights. The Tech Talk is Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at 1101 4th St. S. in St. Petersburg. For more information, visit the website here.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has received the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) nationwide Excellence in Inclusion Award for the SunRunner, Tampa Bay’s first bus rapid transit service. The APTA credited PSTA for collaborating with Jones Worley, an African American woman-owned business, and H.W. Lochner, the project’s lead engineering firm. The award also recognized the SunRunner’s design, branding and marketing strategy.
Dr. Karalynne Brubaker, founder of Positive Impact Ministries, a St. Petersburg-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that addresses food insecurity, inequality and the root causes of hunger, was presented Saturday with a Global Humanities Award from The Sravasti Foundation. The San Francisco-based foundation recognizes and honors those who care about the fate of humanity and the dignity of life by making meaningful contributions.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded All-Star infielder Isaac Paredes and key relief pitcher Jason Adam to the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres, respectively, over the weekend. The Rays received five minor league prospects and power-hitting utility player Christopher Morel from the two deals. The moves followed Friday’s trade of fan-favorite outfielder Randy Arozarena and Opening Day pitcher Zack Eflin. The Rays have now dealt six veterans, acquired 12 prospects and Morel and will save $55 million through the 2025 season.
According to realtor.com data from June, Florida’s 71% year-over-year increase in home listings paces the nation. The state’s housing inventory for sale is now at pre-pandemic levels. A recent report cited Hurricane Ian, increased supply and strained demand caused by soaring prices, mortgage rates, and insurance premiums for the market softening.
Pinellas County administrators ranked Tampa-based Manhattan Construction Co. as their top choice to build a $110 million terminal expansion at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Commissioners approved a $14.33 million contract with New York-based C&S Companies to design the project in May. The expansion will add seven passenger bridges, enhance the baggage area, add a gate and passenger waiting area and consolidate two safety checkpoints.
The Tampa Bay Rays confirmed they traded right-handed starting pitcher Zach Eflin to the division rival Baltimore Orioles for three prospects late Friday afternoon. Eflin was 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 19 starts in his second season with the Rays. The team signed Eflin to a three-year, $40 million contract before the 2023 season - the largest free agent deal in Rays history. Team officials traded fan-favorite Randy Arozarena early Friday morning.
The American Heart Association has named HCA Florida St. Petersburg Hospital a Get with the Guidelines-Stroke GoldPlus award winner. The distinction recognizes healthcare facilities that ensure stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatments according to research-based guidelines, ultimately saving lives and reducing disabilities. According to the AHA, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.
A hotel in St. Petersburg was struck by lightning twice during a storm Wednesday. According to a social media post from the Mari Jean Hotel, the nearly 100-year-old building sustained damage to the facade facing Central Avenue, sending bricks toppling down onto the sidewalk. The post said no one was harmed by the lightning strikes and a restoration project will now begin to repair the damage.
Four teenagers were injured by a lightning strike Thursday evening as they sheltered under a banyan tree in downtown St. Petersburg. In a news release, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue said they were called to Beach Drive and Third Avenue at roughly 5:45 p.m. and “immediately began life-saving measures.” The teens, aged 16 and 17, were transported to area hospitals and are now in stable condition.
he Tampa Bay Rays announced they traded fan-favorite outfielder Randy Arozarena, 29, to the Seattle Mariners for three minor-league prospects at 1:21 a.m. Friday morning. Arozarena led the Rays to the 2020 World Series, won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and started his first All-Star game in 2023. However, his production decreased precipitously to start the season. The Rays received minor-league outfielder Aidan Smith, pitcher Brody Hopkins and a player to be named later for the massively popular player.
Despite the ongoing affordable housing crisis, St. Petersburg placed 16th among midsize cities on WalletHub’s annual list of the “best cities for first-time home buyers.” The personal finance platform analyzed 300 cities across 22 "key indicators" of market attractiveness, affordability and quality of life to determine its rankings. Tampa placed first among large cities.
