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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.

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.

Education

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>.

Northeast students are heading to Florida for college

Warm weather, affordability and politics have prompted a teenage migration from the Northeast to the South.

Warm weather, affordability and politics have prompted a teenage migration from the Northeast to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/22/best-southerner-things-virginia-south" data-vars-content-id="73d4f1a4-9bf8-4d6d-b366-46b20179dcbb" data-vars-headline="Northeast students are heading to Florida for college" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/22/best-southerner-things-virginia-south" target="_self">South</a>, including at the University of Florida.Why it matters: Large Southern state schools, many in already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/american-population-metro-areas-immigration" data-vars-content-id="73d4f1a4-9bf8-4d6d-b366-46b20179dcbb" data-vars-headline="Northeast students are heading to Florida for college" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/13/american-population-metro-areas-immigration" target="_self">expanding</a> metro areas, are attracting a geographically diverse student body as Americans are increasingly<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" disillusioned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/04/college-graduates-median-annual-wage-difference" data-vars-content-id="73d4f1a4-9bf8-4d6d-b366-46b20179dcbb" data-vars-headline="Northeast students are heading to Florida for college" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/04/college-graduates-median-annual-wage-difference" target="_self"> disillusioned</a> with the value of higher education.

District says Pinellas schools won't enforce immigration law despite chief's ICE application

The district responded after news surfaced that its police department had applied to partner with ICE.

Pinellas County Schools says it won&#x27;t enforce federal immigration law, even after news surfaced that its police department had applied to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Why it matters: The school district of more than 91,000 students would have become the first in the U.S. to enter such an agreement with the federal government, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/03/06/pinellas-school-police-wont-join-immigration-enforcement-effort/" data-vars-content-id="768194e5-89ec-4469-81fc-ea0fbcf9656f" data-vars-headline="District says Pinellas schools won&#x27;t enforce immigration law despite chief&#x27;s ICE application" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2025/03/06/pinellas-school-police-wont-join-immigration-enforcement-effort/" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times</a> reported.

A list of Florida universities on the 2026 Best Colleges list from U.S. News & World Report. University of Florida tops the list with a rank of #30 out of 434.

Education 📚

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

Early learning gets a big lift in Pinellas County

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