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

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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporter Selene San Felice.

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A first look at new Bradenton-Anna Maria Island ferry service

Kathryn rides along on the new Gulf Islands Ferry service.

News

Inside New College of Florida's $400 million transformation plan

It calls for more student housing, expanded athletics and new academic programs.

Florida's no longer nation's best place to retire

Just three Florida cities cracked the U.S. News & World Report top 20.

From pickleball to the pool: New senior living spot offers luxury

Active adult communities are appealing to Tampa Bay boomers with resort-like amenities.

Real Estate

Australian pines along beaches lend shade, beauty — at a cost

The trees are not only invasive but harmful to our coastal ecosystems, including sea turtles.

Welcome to Tree Hugger, an occasional series about that cool tree in your neighborhood you wish you knew more about.What&#x27;s happening: For our first installment, we&#x27;re bringing you the backstory of Australian pines, which grow all over the Tampa Bay area but are perhaps best known for their presence on our beaches.

Meet Wisp, Tampa's TikTok-famous cat

She's the internet's crustiest kitten. An "icky stinky queen."

She&#x27;s inspired Halloween costumes and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pumpkin carvings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8AJBRGy/" data-vars-content-id="5ac1c43f-bcb3-4be0-abba-83fe846704f1" data-vars-headline="Meet Wisp, Tampa&#x27;s TikTok-famous cat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8AJBRGy/" target="_blank">pumpkin carvings</a>, fan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drawings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8AJLmop/" data-vars-content-id="5ac1c43f-bcb3-4be0-abba-83fe846704f1" data-vars-headline="Meet Wisp, Tampa&#x27;s TikTok-famous cat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8AJLmop/" target="_blank">drawings</a> and animations, even a manicure. She&#x27;s the internet&#x27;s crustiest kitten and, in the words of her owner, our fair &quot;icky stinky queen.&quot;She is Wisp, and she is one of us.What&#x27;s happening: The 3.5-month-old Persian kitten from Tampa Bay has taken over the internet with her scroungy fur, clumsy gait and sassy, soprano mews.

A white kitten rolled on its side wearing a hot-pink crotched neckerchief and bow.

What to do and eat in Largo, Florida

The city features humming businesses and its crown jewel, Largo Central Park.

For years, the city of Largo has worked to breathe life into its downtown district along West Bay Drive. On a recent afternoon, it appeared that effort had started to materialize.<ul><li>The metal framework of a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="City Hall and retail complex" data-vars-click-url="https://downtownlargo.com/projects/horizonwestbay.php" data-vars-content-id="412ce60f-51c7-4d2b-a402-67333abc64bb" data-vars-headline="What to do and eat in Largo, Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://downtownlargo.com/projects/horizonwestbay.php" target="_blank">City Hall and retail complex</a> towered over the road, just across the street from a half-finished <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strip of townhomes that have already sold out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tbnweekly.com/largo_leader/article_36c3d502-19ca-11ee-9e75-2b9a64874af7.html" data-vars-content-id="412ce60f-51c7-4d2b-a402-67333abc64bb" data-vars-headline="What to do and eat in Largo, Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tbnweekly.com/largo_leader/article_36c3d502-19ca-11ee-9e75-2b9a64874af7.html" target="_blank">strip of townhomes that have already sold out</a>. More than 300 more apartments and townhomes are planned.</li><li>A sign marked the district on the southwest corner of West Bay and Seminole Boulevard, between humming businesses and the city&#x27;s crown jewel, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Largo Central Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.largo.com/facility_detail_T64_R49.php" data-vars-content-id="412ce60f-51c7-4d2b-a402-67333abc64bb" data-vars-headline="What to do and eat in Largo, Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.largo.com/facility_detail_T64_R49.php" target="_blank">Largo Central Park</a>.</li></ul>I spent the day in Tampa Bay&#x27;s fourth-largest city of about 84,000 people to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue our series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/01/dunedin-things-to-do-eat-drink-bars" data-vars-content-id="412ce60f-51c7-4d2b-a402-67333abc64bb" data-vars-headline="What to do and eat in Largo, Florida" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/01/dunedin-things-to-do-eat-drink-bars" target="_self">continue our series</a> exploring the region&#x27;s lesser-known enclaves.

A sign in silver lettering that reads "LARGO." To the right, a flag that reads "DOWNTOWN LARGO" hangs on a light pole. 

Remembering Lucy Morgan, a titan of Florida journalism

Morgan died Wednesday from complications from a fall. She was 82.

Lucy Morgan had stories. The kind that won her a Pulitzer Prize and countless other journalism awards but also the behind-the-scenes tales that made her decades-long career so iconic.<ul><li>There was the one about the subject of one of her fiery investigations (maybe) poisoning her cat, or the one <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="about how she got into journalism to begin with" data-vars-click-url="https://flpress.com/hall_of_fame/lucy-morgan/" data-vars-content-id="bd188d39-74ad-4316-b784-810133d11262" data-vars-headline="Remembering Lucy Morgan, a titan of Florida journalism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flpress.com/hall_of_fame/lucy-morgan/" target="_blank">about how she got into journalism to begin with</a>: a newspaper editor had heard from a local librarian that she read more books than anyone else in town.</li></ul>

A group of seven people, six women and one man, smiling and posing for a photo at a restaurant. In the background, a poster says "Burgers and buckets $5"

St. Petersburg painter Kayla Heintz adds twists of magic to Florida nature

Heintz, 32, has been a full-time artist in St. Petersburg for almost two years.

Culture

St. Petersburg artist Kayla Heintz studied environmental science and biology in college, and it shows in her vibrant paintings of Florida landscapes, animals and plant life. <ul><li>There&#x27;s also a twist of the supernatural. In a painting of inner tubes floating down the Rainbow River, a flying saucer rises over the tree-lined bank, a yellow light beaming down from its base.</li></ul>

A woman stands to the right of a table with paintings and prints of Florida nature scenes and animal and plant life.

When does "fall" start in Tampa Bay?

Do you go all in and start carving pumpkins as soon as they hit the stores? Or do you wait for the air to get a little crispy?

Fall officially starts on Saturday but it&#x27;s still going to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mighty hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/14/climate-change-extreme-heat-tampa-bay" data-vars-content-id="b1c4c29c-3aa7-4090-bcc4-182ece8b4e64" data-vars-headline="When does &quot;fall&quot; start in Tampa Bay?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/14/climate-change-extreme-heat-tampa-bay" target="_self">mighty hot</a> here for a while. We want to know: Do you go all in and start carving pumpkins as soon as they hit the stores? Or do you wait for the air to get a little crispy?

Illustration of a pile of leaves that is being raked to reveal an Axios logo. 

Native Floridians tend to stay here, report says

The Sunshine State is among the top 10 states in which people born here still lived here as of 2021.

Florida has a reputation as a northern transplant and retirement mecca, but new data shows the we are also full of Florida natives.Driving the news: The Sunshine State is among the top 10 states in which people born here still lived here as of 2021, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Dallas Fed report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dallasfed.org/research/economics/2023/0829" data-vars-content-id="4aa668d9-9509-476b-a974-ab80419061cd" data-vars-headline="Native Floridians tend to stay here, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dallasfed.org/research/economics/2023/0829" target="_blank">new Dallas Fed report</a> that measures state &quot;stickiness.&quot;

The flamingos of Tampa Bay, Hurricane Idalia's pink-feathered lining

Flamingo sightings have poured in from all over Tampa Bay and beyond, as far north as Kentucky and Ohio.

They&#x27;ve been spotted in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fort De Soto" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/231125199924618" data-vars-content-id="a6a7998f-4804-48ec-82f2-0960a2a76092" data-vars-headline="The flamingos of Tampa Bay, Hurricane Idalia&#x27;s pink-feathered lining" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/231125199924618" target="_blank">Fort De Soto</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fred Howard Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/jeff.klinkenberg/posts/pfbid0AdPJszbZXqRKgroRNXSrQbDmzZGPmZvDjEU2AX8pXBs1dSuUmoi7KvgbeShN96KFl" data-vars-content-id="a6a7998f-4804-48ec-82f2-0960a2a76092" data-vars-headline="The flamingos of Tampa Bay, Hurricane Idalia&#x27;s pink-feathered lining" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/jeff.klinkenberg/posts/pfbid0AdPJszbZXqRKgroRNXSrQbDmzZGPmZvDjEU2AX8pXBs1dSuUmoi7KvgbeShN96KFl" target="_blank">Fred Howard Park</a> and on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Treasure Island" data-vars-click-url="https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/09/04/wild-flamingos-spotted-on-local-beaches" data-vars-content-id="a6a7998f-4804-48ec-82f2-0960a2a76092" data-vars-headline="The flamingos of Tampa Bay, Hurricane Idalia&#x27;s pink-feathered lining" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2023/09/04/wild-flamingos-spotted-on-local-beaches" target="_blank">Treasure Island</a>. Local Facebook groups and birding pages have filled up with grainy photos, zoomed in on a blur of pink feathers and a long, curved neck.Driving the news: Flamingo sightings have poured in from all over Tampa Bay and beyond, as far north as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kentucky and Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/us/florida-idalia-flamingos/index.html" data-vars-content-id="a6a7998f-4804-48ec-82f2-0960a2a76092" data-vars-headline="The flamingos of Tampa Bay, Hurricane Idalia&#x27;s pink-feathered lining" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/05/us/florida-idalia-flamingos/index.html" target="_blank">Kentucky and Ohio</a>.

On the left, a man in a white T-shirt on a boat holds a net with a hot-pink flamingo folded up inside. On the right, the flamingo stands in a room with cages in the background.

Untold Tampa Bay: Story time with Mrs. Wendy

At a time when children's and young-adult books are fraught with politics, Wendy Diamond's weekly reading circle is refreshingly simple.

The children arrived at the bookstore with their friends in tow. Santi held onto a miniature giraffe, Ash hugged his brand-new raccoon stuffed animal, Bowen clung to a Hot Wheels car.<ul><li>Then there&#x27;s Mrs. Wendy, the woman they were all here for, who had a buddy of her own.</li><li>Lamb Chop had helped her teach kindergarten for most of her two-decade career in Connecticut, and now the sock puppet was here at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tombolo Books" data-vars-click-url="https://tombolobooks.com/" data-vars-content-id="d8e8b0a2-f04e-4b76-8630-9f5bcb14d2c6" data-vars-headline="Untold Tampa Bay: Story time with Mrs. Wendy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tombolobooks.com/" target="_blank">Tombolo Books</a> in St. Petersburg, ready for Thursday morning story time.</li></ul>

A woman, surrounded by shelves of colorful books, blows bubbles as children crowd around her.

Tampa artist Painkiller Cam catches Beyoncé's eye

Parker painted a Beyoncé mural at 1703 N Tampa St.

Superfans usually want autographs and memorabilia from their favorite artist. Cam Parker is more interested in what he can give to the pop icons he adores.State of play: The Tampa artist known as Painkiller Cam has given paintings and custom clothing to Janelle Monáe, Lizzo and Diana Ross, and painted a mural for Lady Gaga.

Cam Parker does a high kick in front of his Beyonce mural

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.