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Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU

Tampa could follow tomorrow, bringing this side of the Bay closer than ever to a stadium deal.

News

The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 on Wednesday to enter into a non-binding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="memorandum of understanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" data-vars-content-id="264232da-d3ef-4269-ac44-eba647818300" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" target="_self">memorandum of understanding</a> with the Rays to build a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="264232da-d3ef-4269-ac44-eba647818300" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">new stadium</a> for the team at Hillsborough College.Why it matters: The Tampa City Council could follow tomorrow, bringing this side of the Bay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer than ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/20/tampas-40-year-quest-for-baseball-comes-to-a-vote" data-vars-content-id="264232da-d3ef-4269-ac44-eba647818300" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/20/tampas-40-year-quest-for-baseball-comes-to-a-vote" target="_self">closer than ever</a> before to a stadium deal with the Rays.

City to discuss Scientology's role in Clearwater's "urban renaissance"

It's hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater.

For the first time in recent memory, it&#x27;s hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater. Why it matters: City officials have dubbed this moment an &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban renaissance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" target="_blank">urban renaissance</a>,&quot; but questions about the Church of Scientology&#x27;s role in the momentum prompted City Council members to schedule a special meeting next week, according to recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" target="_blank">news</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" target="_blank">reports</a>.

NOAA forecasts quieter hurricane season but warns: Prepare now

Officials expect fewer Atlantic storms in 2026 but stress even one hurricane can be devastating.

Energy & Climate

This year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlantic hurricane season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/05/20/national-hurricane-center-updates-cone-of-uncertainty" data-vars-content-id="4e960f27-3540-4289-86b1-f9c435955f39" data-vars-headline="NOAA forecasts quieter hurricane season but warns: Prepare now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/05/20/national-hurricane-center-updates-cone-of-uncertainty" target="_self">Atlantic hurricane season</a> is expected to be below average in storm activity for the first time in more than a decade, NOAA meteorologists said Thursday in their annual forecast.Why it matters: Residents should still take the season seriously and prepare now, officials stressed.<ul><li>&quot;It&#x27;s very important to understand that it only takes one,&quot; NOAA administrator Neil Jacobs told reporters.</li></ul>

Tampa's 40-year quest for baseball comes to a vote

The city's quest for a professional baseball team looked all but dead 28 years ago.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Rays&#x27; search" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="e0d24758-6c34-4201-80fe-a57af5f99a4b" data-vars-headline="Tampa&#x27;s 40-year quest for baseball comes to a vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">The Rays&#x27; search</a> for a new home may end where Tampa leaders first tried to bring Major League Baseball four decades ago. Why it matters: The city&#x27;s quest for a professional baseball team looked all but dead 28 years ago, when the Rays debuted in St. Petersburg. This week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two votes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" data-vars-content-id="e0d24758-6c34-4201-80fe-a57af5f99a4b" data-vars-headline="Tampa&#x27;s 40-year quest for baseball comes to a vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" target="_self">two votes</a> could bring this side of the Bay closer than ever to that goal.

How to prep for hurricane season 2026

Scouting for supplies now can save you headaches later.

Climate

It&#x27;s National Hurricane Preparedness Week — which unfortunately means <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this year&#x27;s storm season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/13/2026-hurricane-season-somewhat-below-normal-storm-activity" data-vars-content-id="c29986b0-2685-44d4-be9b-ee26061cc9e9" data-vars-headline="How to prep for hurricane season 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/13/2026-hurricane-season-somewhat-below-normal-storm-activity" target="_self">this year&#x27;s storm season</a> is not far behind.Why it matters: Scouting for supplies now can save you headaches later.

2026 hurricane season may see "somewhat below-normal" storm activity

Researchers say the return of El Niño will be the dominant factor for the season.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlantic hurricane season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding" data-vars-content-id="2a91be8b-57a6-43ed-964e-b9e61ad9bf41" data-vars-headline="2026 hurricane season may see &quot;somewhat below-normal&quot; storm activity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding" target="_self">Atlantic hurricane season</a> is expected to have &quot;somewhat below-normal&quot; activity, with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes, according to a prominent forecast group.Why it matters: That would make this season similar to last year&#x27;s — which saw 13 named storms and five hurricanes — and it could be even quieter, with fewer major hurricanes expected.

Tampa Bay among worst regions for pollen sufferers

The Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa metro areas are among the nation's allergy capitals.

Pollen season is in full swing in Tampa Bay.Why it matters: We live in a tough region for people with pollen allergies, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/aafa-2026-allergy-capitals-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="28a1950b-54cb-46db-8ee9-3e8e89ef3169" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay among worst regions for pollen sufferers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/aafa-2026-allergy-capitals-report.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Cold-stunned Florida sea turtles recovering in Tampa Bay

Aquariums in Clearwater, Tampa and Sarasota are treating dozens of cold-stunned turtles rescued statewide.

The recent cold snap didn&#x27;t just challenge human Floridians.Why it matters: Wildlife officials, rescue groups and good Samaritans have rescued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/FWCResearch/posts/over-500-sea-turtles-rescued-statewidecold-stunned-sea-turtle-update-over-the-pa/1352885880205241/" data-vars-content-id="157122be-c807-430d-863b-d7b05f380ca2" data-vars-headline="Cold-stunned Florida sea turtles recovering in Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/FWCResearch/posts/over-500-sea-turtles-rescued-statewidecold-stunned-sea-turtle-update-over-the-pa/1352885880205241/" target="_blank">hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles</a> from Florida waterways, and dozens are recovering in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay watering limits tighten as Florida drought deepens

Once-a-week watering restrictions are in place across the region.

A drought has taken hold across Florida, with some areas experiencing extreme conditions. Why it matters: Watering restrictions are in place across the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay" data-vars-content-id="859f51d0-b303-460e-bca9-762c829410cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay watering limits tighten as Florida drought deepens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay" target="_self">Tampa Bay</a> area as an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing rainfall deficit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/01/28/drought-water-shortage-watering-restrictions-pinellas-hillsborough/" data-vars-content-id="859f51d0-b303-460e-bca9-762c829410cc" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay watering limits tighten as Florida drought deepens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/01/28/drought-water-shortage-watering-restrictions-pinellas-hillsborough/" target="_blank">ongoing rainfall deficit</a> tests supply.

What cold fronts mean for hurricane season

Hurricanes can and do form in October and November.

A cold front swept through Tampa Bay over the weekend, knocking daytime highs into the mid-80s and nighttime lows into the upper 60s.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the first breath of autumn and a welcome break from the heat — but, as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/10/07/tampa-weather-cold-front-weekend-hurricane-forecast/" data-vars-content-id="fad9f256-97f9-48ed-b279-46c89e7a3b09" data-vars-headline="What cold fronts mean for hurricane season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2025/10/07/tampa-weather-cold-front-weekend-hurricane-forecast/" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times</a> put it, &quot;we&#x27;re not out of the hurricane woods, yet.&quot;

Energy-related CO2 emissions are falling in Florida

Energy-related CO2 emissions per capita fell in every U.S. state from 2005 to 2023, per federal data.

Energy-related <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CO2 emissions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/fossil-fuel-emissions-world-biggest-emitters" data-vars-content-id="062d3071-d284-4148-a3e8-db03bc3c3977" data-vars-headline="Energy-related CO2 emissions are falling in Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/05/fossil-fuel-emissions-world-biggest-emitters" target="_self">CO2 emissions</a> per capita fell in every U.S. state from 2005 to 2023, per federal data.<ul><li>That was largely because we burned less coal and more natural gas (which emits less CO2 comparatively), but wind and solar also played their part.</li></ul>

Climate change will cost Tampa Bay billions per year by 2050

Helene and Milton showed the devastating potential for future storm seasons.

Tampa Bay is facing billions of dollars in yearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/09/uninsurable-america-is-growing-closer" data-vars-content-id="139107a5-0ce4-416a-9d38-20947b2d821d" data-vars-headline="Climate change will cost Tampa Bay billions per year by 2050" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/09/uninsurable-america-is-growing-closer" target="_self">property damage</a> by 2050 due to extreme weather tied to climate change, per a new analysis.Why it matters: Even as the region reckons with the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, more pain and loss seem inevitable.

Good for freaking you, rest of the East Coast

Remember us while you frolic outside in your 60-degree mornings.

A cold front may bring an early taste of fall to much of the Eastern U.S. later this week, Alex Fitzpatrick writes.Key words: &quot;much of.&quot;

Climate 🌿

NOAA forecasts quieter hurricane season but warns: Prepare now

How to prep for hurricane season 2026

2026 hurricane season may see "somewhat below-normal" storm activity

Tampa Bay among worst regions for pollen sufferers

Cold-stunned Florida sea turtles recovering in Tampa Bay