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3 races to watch in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties

Local, state and federal offices are on the ballot.

News

Florida&#x27;s primary election day has arrived, with local, state and federal offices on the ballot. Why it matters: Voters in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will go to the polls today to choose which candidates advance to the general election on Nov. 3 and, in some races, who wins outright.

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Try your hand at our news quiz!Why it matters: Email us a screenshot of your perfect score to tampa@axios.com, and you could get a shout-out in a future newsletter.

Kindergarten vaccine exemptions rose in Florida: CDC

Thousands of children entered kindergarten in Florida without protection from preventable diseases.

Nearly 6% of kindergartners in Florida were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exempt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" data-vars-content-id="5e63f873-151a-48dd-bc04-b9da3acddb56" data-vars-headline="Kindergarten vaccine exemptions rose in Florida: CDC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/kindergarten-vaccine-rates-fall" target="_self">exempt</a> from one or more vaccines during the 2025–2026 school year, well above the national average, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why it matters: Thousands of children entered elementary school across the Sunshine State without protection from preventable and potentially deadly diseases, including measles and polio.

Tampa airport drops plan to privatize TSA security

Airport leaders reversed course after months of review, handing a victory to the workers' union.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/22/tampa-international-to-privatize-tsa" data-vars-content-id="17bc9d0e-57af-4c58-a85a-f5c0b301096e" data-vars-headline="Tampa airport drops plan to privatize TSA security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/22/tampa-international-to-privatize-tsa" target="_self">Tampa International Airport</a> leaders announced Monday that they&#x27;ve ditched a plan to privatize airport security.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a victory for the union representing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, which criticized and sued over the proposed Gold+ program.

School lunch prices to climb for some Tampa Bay students

Florida districts are doing away with universal meals.

Education

Students across the state went back to school this week, and many —including some in Tampa Bay — are facing higher prices for school meals. Why it matters: Families across the state are already facing an affordability crisis and higher-priced school meals can add to the strain.

Florida could soon bar undocumented students from state colleges

The state college system could lose an estimated $15 million each year in tuition and fees.

The Florida Board of Education will meet this month to decide whether to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adopt a new rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/02/usf-tuition-increases-hit-undocumented-students-hardest" data-vars-content-id="fe7491ad-db66-4d96-8d4a-e3ada03f33af" data-vars-headline="Florida could soon bar undocumented students from state colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/02/usf-tuition-increases-hit-undocumented-students-hardest" target="_self">adopt a new rule</a> prohibiting undocumented immigrants from attending the state&#x27;s public colleges. Why it matters: Tuition at state-level colleges is much more affordable than at universities, and with undocumented immigrants no longer eligible for in-state tuition, these colleges may be their only chance at higher education.

Slain USF students given commencement memorial and posthumous degrees

Two empty chairs with green, black and gold regalia represented Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon.

Two empty chairs with green, black and gold regalia represented <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two slain University of South Florida students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/27/florida-ag-openai-chatgpt-usf-murders-ai-accountability-debate" data-vars-content-id="d64c7589-e709-4733-b0cc-df3d1a71252c" data-vars-headline="Slain USF students given commencement memorial and posthumous degrees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/27/florida-ag-openai-chatgpt-usf-murders-ai-accountability-debate" target="_self">two slain University of South Florida students</a> at Friday&#x27;s doctoral degree commencement ceremony.<ul><li>Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, both 27 and from Bangladesh, will also receive posthumous doctoral degrees, the university said. </li><li>Bristy was studying chemical engineering, while Limon was working toward a degree in geography, environmental science and policy. </li></ul>

Charter schools eye space in Tampa Bay public schools

It's the latest charter school expansion that public education advocates worry will come at the expense of traditional schools.

Charter school operators are seeking to share building space with dozens of public schools in Tampa Bay.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest charter school expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/12/florida-pathway-charters-private-schools-education" data-vars-content-id="cd6eca58-8c0b-4e3e-837e-d7da4545fe19" data-vars-headline="Charter schools eye space in Tampa Bay public schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/05/12/florida-pathway-charters-private-schools-education" target="_self">latest charter school expansion</a> that public education advocates worry will come at the expense of traditional schools.<ul><li>Under the state law setting the framework for campus colocation, school districts foot the bill for custodial, food and other services.</li></ul>

Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent

Voters may soon decide whether Hillsborough County's superintendent is appointed or elected.

Voters may soon decide whether Hillsborough County&#x27;s superintendent is appointed or elected.Why it matters: Hillsborough could be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the largest district" data-vars-click-url="https://fsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-School-Board-Superintendent-Elections-Composition.pdf" data-vars-content-id="deb520b9-5141-4b5c-b55b-b4db0ec89b27" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-School-Board-Superintendent-Elections-Composition.pdf" target="_blank">the largest district</a> in the state where voters, not the school board, pick the superintendent.<ul><li>The proposal comes as the state has been trying, for years, to influence the school district&#x27;s leadership.</li></ul>

Early learning gets a big lift in Pinellas County

The Juvenile Welfare Board is investing $118M into programs spanning maternal health, mental wellness, safe sleep, parent education and more.

Partners

More than $100 million is being invested in programs and initiatives to improve children&#x27;s futures, including significant investments to boost early learning and support Pinellas County families with young children in the formative years, birth to three.Why it&#x27;s important: Babies&#x27; brains are like supercomputers, absorbing and analyzing information from birth — and 80% of brain growth happens in the first 1,000 days of life.<ul><li>When families have support during this critical window, outcomes in a child&#x27;s education, health and economic mobility improve dramatically.</li></ul>

USF, FSU climb in U.S. News college rankings

The University of Florida maintained its positions from last year.

Five Florida schools made the top 100 of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. News &amp; World&#x27;s rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41671565.76/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Bf58d2773" data-vars-content-id="c19b0ea8-0123-4e36-babe-86eab14802a4" data-vars-headline="USF, FSU climb in U.S. News college rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41671565.76/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudXNuZXdzLmNvbS9iZXN0LWNvbGxlZ2VzP3NyYz11c25fcHImdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/647f4069741ec9aad903c383Bf58d2773" target="_self">U.S. News &amp; World&#x27;s rankings</a> for the best national colleges.The big picture: The annual rankings evaluate nearly 1,700 higher education institutions on 17 measures of academic quality, per U.S. News.

AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa

An <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-driven" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/27/alpha-schools-ai-artifical-intelligence-education?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="0ab6cd96-5276-4cfd-bc7c-e322a5a79797" data-vars-headline="AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/08/27/alpha-schools-ai-artifical-intelligence-education?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">AI-driven</a> private school is opening this winter in Tampa, one of eight new campuses Texas-based Alpha Schools has in the works to double its U.S. footprint.Why it matters: Alpha Schools is riding the parental school choice movement while embracing the technology that will shape kids&#x27; futures — a challenge public schools are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grappling with" data-vars-click-url="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/01/16/youngkin-democrats-clash-over-scholarships-for-private-schools/" data-vars-content-id="0ab6cd96-5276-4cfd-bc7c-e322a5a79797" data-vars-headline="AI‑powered private school lands in Tampa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://virginiamercury.com/2025/01/16/youngkin-democrats-clash-over-scholarships-for-private-schools/" target="_blank">grappling with</a>.

Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools' woes

School districts already are struggling with teacher shortages and falling test scores.

The Trump administration says it wants to empower local schools by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dismantling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/13/trump-republicans-eliminate-education-department" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/13/trump-republicans-eliminate-education-department" target="_self">dismantling</a> the U.S. Department of Education.<ul><li>The catch: Local school districts in Florida and nationwide already are struggling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="teacher shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/teacher-pay-salary-low-gap-chart-graph" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/02/teacher-pay-salary-low-gap-chart-graph" target="_self">teacher shortages</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falling test scores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/biden-education-student-achievement-absenteeism" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/biden-education-student-achievement-absenteeism" target="_self">falling test scores</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/14/miami-dade-schools-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="3a10be4a-dd32-4b7e-b015-957dafc04391" data-vars-headline="Education Department cuts could worsen Tampa Bay area schools&#x27; woes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/04/14/miami-dade-schools-budget-cuts" target="_self">budget cuts</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: Those measures of instability — along with ongoing debates over what should be taught, and how — are just a few of the problems local systems are facing as the White House signals that less help could be coming.

New College official out after latest arrest on exposure charge

Fred Piccolo Jr. "is no longer with the college," per a statement.

A top <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New College of Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/11/13/new-college-florida-class-woke-movement" data-vars-content-id="6a084fc8-5e04-4ce3-a8c7-06b2698294cf" data-vars-headline="New College official out after latest arrest on exposure charge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/11/13/new-college-florida-class-woke-movement" target="_self">New College of Florida</a> official and former communications director for Gov. Ron DeSantis was arrested Tuesday on a charge of exposure of sexual organs, according to police records.State of play: Fred Piccolo Jr., the college&#x27;s former marketing and media director, &quot;is no longer employed by the college,&quot; according to an unsigned statement from the college&#x27;s communications department shared with Axios. His name was also scrubbed from the college&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="website" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncf.edu/directory/fred-piccolo/" data-vars-content-id="6a084fc8-5e04-4ce3-a8c7-06b2698294cf" data-vars-headline="New College official out after latest arrest on exposure charge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncf.edu/directory/fred-piccolo/" target="_blank">website</a>.

Education 📚

School lunch prices to climb for some Tampa Bay students

Florida could soon bar undocumented students from state colleges

Slain USF students given commencement memorial and posthumous degrees

Charter schools eye space in Tampa Bay public schools

Hillsborough lawmakers propose referendum to elect superintendent