Tampa Bay

Picture of the Tampa Bay skyline with TPA written across it.

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Tampa Bay with Kathryn Varn and Yacob Reyes.

Axios Tampa Bay

Standard

Axios Tampa Bay Partners

Axios Tampa Bay Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

Axios Tampa Bay Weekender

Weekender

Tampa Members

Membership

Axios Tampa Bay Deep Dive

Deep Dive

The University of South Florida will urge off-campus housing providers to adopt stricter safeguards after two of its students were murdered in April.

Why it matters: USF cannot control conditions at private properties, so it is using access to its Off-Campus Housing Network as leverage to encourage landlords to improve security and communication. 

Driving the news: Students launched an online petition months ago calling on the university to set "basic eligibility standards" for off-campus housing properties listed on USF-facing student housing resources. 

USF president Moez Limayem announced last week that the university had contacted nearly 50 off-campus housing providers, offering them access to its Off-Campus Housing Network if they adopt its standards.

The university's invitation includes police-developed resources outlining safety practices for building access, lighting, surveillance and emergency communication, according to a news release. 

USF also launched an off-campus housing resources website for students, providing them with a list of questions to ask landlords, including whether there is security in the building and whether the exterior lights work.

The website also links to a roommate contract to help students set expectations and avoid conflicts.

USF calls for better security at off-campus housing

The announcement comes after two of its students were murdered in April.

A USF sign on a brick pillar outside the University of South Florida campus.

Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The University of South Florida will urge off-campus housing providers to adopt stricter safeguards after two of its students were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="murdered" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/08/slain-usf-students-honored-doctorate-commencement" data-vars-content-id="37de4599-0210-4e98-af70-110876ec8ab0" data-vars-headline="USF calls for better security at off-campus housing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/08/slain-usf-students-honored-doctorate-commencement" target="_self">murdered</a> in April.Why it matters: USF cannot control conditions at private properties, so it is using access to its Off-Campus Housing Network as leverage to encourage landlords to improve security and communication.

News

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the last state budget of his tenure Monday, but not without more than $800 million in line-item vetoes.

Why it matters: Left on the cutting-room floor was nearly $5 million to harden buildings against hurricanes and make roadways more resilient to flooding in unincorporated Pinellas County, Tampa and Clearwater.

Here's a look at what didn't make the cut.

🌀 Hardening the Lealman Exchange: Pinellas County sought $2 million from the state to transform the 77,000-square-foot community center into a hurricane-risk and step-down shelter equipped with backup generation. 

Inspired in part by hurricanes Helene and Milton, the request would have helped create a shelter in one of the county's poorest areas and reduce the number of days public schools are used as shelters.

🌧️ The South Howard Flood Relief Project: This project, which has drawn opposition from local businesses, would involve constructing a major stormwater drainage system in one of Tampa's busiest corridors.

The City of Tampa asked the state for $1.5 million to support the project, but although it survived the state Legislature, it did not survive the governor's veto pen.

🚗 Elevating Bayshore Boulevard: State Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) requested $1 million for the City of Clearwater to elevate Bayshore Boulevard to minimize flooding and road closures during high storm surges. 

🌊 Living shorelines: DeSantis nixed $750,000 earmarked for Tampa Bay Watch's efforts to protect the region's low-lying coastal communities from storm surges and rising sea levels by addressing shoreline erosion.

The funds would have also helped the nonprofit create a habitat for the eastern oyster, which provides a cost-effective, nature-based solution by "filtering and improving waters."

DeSantis nixes Tampa Bay's storm hardening funds

Here's what the governor vetoed from the state budget.

A flooded street is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton in Tampa on Oct. 11, 2024. 

A flooded street in Tampa after Hurricane Milton. Photo: Giorgio Viera/AFP via Getty Images

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the last state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/27/florida-budget-tampa-bay-rays-stadium-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="45ac579d-44fd-4f27-908c-a747a4b32c0b" data-vars-headline="DeSantis nixes Tampa Bay&#x27;s storm hardening funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/27/florida-budget-tampa-bay-rays-stadium-hillsborough-college" target="_self">budget</a> of his tenure Monday, but not without more than $800 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="line-item vetoes" data-vars-click-url="https://flgov.com/eog/sites/default/files/shared/2026/06/2026%20Veto%20List.pdf" data-vars-content-id="45ac579d-44fd-4f27-908c-a747a4b32c0b" data-vars-headline="DeSantis nixes Tampa Bay&#x27;s storm hardening funds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flgov.com/eog/sites/default/files/shared/2026/06/2026%20Veto%20List.pdf" target="_blank">line-item vetoes</a>.Why it matters: Left on the cutting-room floor was nearly $5 million to harden buildings against hurricanes and make roadways more resilient to flooding in unincorporated Pinellas County, Tampa and Clearwater.

This Fourth of July, Floridians are looking for pool parties, patriotic bikinis and tips on decorating golf carts.

Here's a look at our top Google searches. 

🏖️ We're all in need of a break: Tampa Bay is leading the state in searches for "Independence Day" and "beach," and no U.S. metro has searched "July 4th pool party" more over the past month. 

Sarasota County's Siesta Beach is the state's top-trending beach search tied to Independence Day. So, if that's where you're headed, brace for traffic. 

💁‍♀️ Serving looks: The Sunshine State is searching for Independence Day "outfits" and "decorations" over four times as often as "recipes." 

"How to decorate a golf cart for 4th of July Parade" is the top trending Independence Day "how to" over the past month in Florida. 

And this isn't a phase: Since 2004, the Ft. Myers-Naples metro area has led the nation in searches for "golf cart decorations." 

👙 Poolside patriotism: Our top "red, white and blue" search is for... bikinis. 

Florida's top Fourth of July searches are extremely on-brand

Floridians are looking for pool parties, patriotic bikinis and tips on decorating golf carts.

Illustration of the Axios A wearing an Uncle Sam American flag hat. 

This Fourth of July, Floridians are looking for pool parties, patriotic bikinis and tips on decorating golf carts.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s a look at our top Google searches. </li></ul>

Atlanta

Axios Atlanta

Tampa Bay won't face the worst of the heat dome building over the Southeast, but the region is still in for a familiar (and dangerous) summer swelter.

Why it matters: The heat could complicate Fourth of July celebrations, with crowds expected to gather outdoors to mark America's 250th birthday.

Driving the news: NOAA forecasters predict "widespread... record-breaking" temperatures up to the low 100s, with feels-like temps peaking at 105-110 "in many places."

They also say overnight lows will be "quite warm," and there could be record-breaking low temperatures that won't bring relief from the heat.

Zoom in: A National Weather Service Heat Risk Map showed much of the region under a Level 2 "moderate risk," with St. Petersburg and Tampa under a Level 3 "major risk," as of Tuesday.

"We're not expecting too much of a change when it comes to heat," said Stephen Shiveley, a meteorologist for Tampa Bay's weather service. "We're still going to have heat indices around 105 every afternoon."

Yes, but: Shiveley tells Axios that "heat is sneaky."

"You hear lightning, you know to go indoors," he said. "You know to escape hurricanes and tornadoes. But heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer. It's not tornadoes, not hurricanes, it's heat."

How to stay cool: First, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid going outside in the afternoon if you can.

If you must be outside, wear light-colored, lightweight clothes, drink water, wear a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade and take plenty of breaks.

To stay cool outside, place cold cloths on your skin or spray your clothing with water, according to TIME.

Also: Watch out for signs of heat-related illnesses.

Check on your neighbors and family members, particularly older adults.

For the pet parents: It's best to walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day. This can help prevent overheating and keep hot pavement from damaging your dog's paws.

Not-so-fun fact: The heat wave baking Europe last week wouldn't be possible without climate change, a World Weather Attribution rapid study found.

Heat will hang over Tampa Bay for the Fourth of July

We won't face the worst of the heat dome, but the region is still in for a familiar summer swelter.

Illustration of a seven-day forecast with sunny icons and temperatures of 100 degrees each day, with flames and burning effect along the bottom.

Tampa Bay won&#x27;t face the worst of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat dome " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" data-vars-content-id="6d1792b1-d686-4899-ab6d-ded9177aabf0" data-vars-headline="Heat will hang over Tampa Bay for the Fourth of July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/26/heat-wave-dome-july" target="_self">heat dome </a>building over the Southeast, but the region is still in for a familiar (and dangerous) summer swelter.Why it matters: The heat could complicate Fourth of July celebrations, with crowds expected to gather outdoors to mark <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" data-vars-content-id="6d1792b1-d686-4899-ab6d-ded9177aabf0" data-vars-headline="Heat will hang over Tampa Bay for the Fourth of July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/america-250-birthday-polling" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th birthday</a>.

Climate

More than a hundred laws passed during this year's legislative session will take effect when the calendar flips to July 1.

Why it matters: The laws reach into wallets, classrooms and neighborhoods — shielding ratepayers from data center utility costs, changing graduation requirements and preempting local power over gas-powered leaf blowers. 

House Bill 1471 allows the state to label certain groups "domestic terrorists organizations," opening the door to criminal penalties for members and expulsion for college students who promote them.

The bill has drawn criticism from free speech advocates, who warned it could have a "chilling effect" on student protesters.

🚜 No limits on leaf blowers: Senate Bill 290 will prevent counties and cities from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that restricts the use of gasoline-powered farm or landscape equipment.

Naples and Miami Beach had introduced such policies, citing concerns about noise and pollution, but they faced pushback from lawn care agencies that complained about the cost of switching to electric equipment.

🐾 Pet buyer protections: Senate Bill 1004 requires pet sellers to provide veterinary records and lets buyers cancel financing and return a dog or cat if the animal is found unfit for purchase because of illness.

🥁 No more P.E. for Band kids: House Bill 453 allows high school students to use two years of marching band to satisfy physical education and performing arts requirements for graduation. 

⚡ Data center costs: Senate Bill 484 directs state utility regulators to create rules aimed at keeping data centers' electric and water costs from being passed on to other consumers.

🚢 Cruise ship limits: Senate Bill 302 blocks plans for cruise ship operations near the southern end of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Manatee County.

Laws taking effect in Florida on July 1

More than a hundred laws passed during this year's legislative session will take effect.

Illustration of the Florida State Capitol building with lines radiating from it. 

More than a hundred laws passed during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this year&#x27;s legislative session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/17/floridas-legislative-session-ends-with-little-to-show-for-it" data-vars-content-id="9bde5d1c-6e30-4430-a8c4-6da8c885c382" data-vars-headline="Laws taking effect in Florida on July 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/17/floridas-legislative-session-ends-with-little-to-show-for-it" target="_self">this year&#x27;s legislative session</a> will take effect when the calendar flips to July 1.Why it matters: The laws reach into wallets, classrooms and neighborhoods — shielding ratepayers from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" data-vars-content-id="9bde5d1c-6e30-4430-a8c4-6da8c885c382" data-vars-headline="Laws taking effect in Florida on July 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/22/ai-data-center-backlash-poll" target="_self">data center</a> utility costs, changing graduation requirements and preempting local power over gas-powered leaf blowers.

Yacob Reyes

Featured stories

Florida's top Fourth of July searches are extremely on-brand

USF calls for better security at off-campus housing

Heat will hang over Tampa Bay for the Fourth of July

DeSantis nixes Tampa Bay's storm hardening funds

Laws taking effect in Florida on July 1