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Where St. Pete mayor candidates stand on DEI

The next mayor will govern a welcoming city while facing restrictions from Tallahassee.

News

A question posed to candidates for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Pete mayor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/23/st-petersburg-mayor-election-forum-takeaways" data-vars-content-id="694b0652-c8f7-480f-ad4e-e778d621929d" data-vars-headline="Where St. Pete mayor candidates stand on DEI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/23/st-petersburg-mayor-election-forum-takeaways" target="_self">St. Pete mayor</a> at a forum last week took on extra importance, considering this month&#x27;s recognition of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Juneteenth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/15/juneteenth-2026-events-tampa-st-pete" data-vars-content-id="694b0652-c8f7-480f-ad4e-e778d621929d" data-vars-headline="Where St. Pete mayor candidates stand on DEI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/15/juneteenth-2026-events-tampa-st-pete" target="_self">Juneteenth</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/24/st-pete-pride-weekend-events-weather-parking" data-vars-content-id="694b0652-c8f7-480f-ad4e-e778d621929d" data-vars-headline="Where St. Pete mayor candidates stand on DEI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/24/st-pete-pride-weekend-events-weather-parking" target="_self">Pride</a>.<ul><li>&quot;How will you reassure voters that you will represent all communities across our city?&quot; moderator Trevor Pettiford asked.</li></ul>

Hillsborough DOGE targets county's health care plan

The report says it identified more than $670 million in "potential waste."

Politics

Hillsborough County&#x27;s version of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DOGE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/16/hillsborough-wants-to-doge-dozens-of-nonprofits" data-vars-content-id="98d953c1-35d4-4179-a6a6-c9a6da604b44" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough DOGE targets county&#x27;s health care plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/16/hillsborough-wants-to-doge-dozens-of-nonprofits" target="_self">DOGE</a> has published findings from its &quot;limited&quot; review of the county&#x27;s finances, identifying more than $670 million in what it deems &quot;potential waste.&quot;Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://hillsboroughdoge.com/" data-vars-content-id="98d953c1-35d4-4179-a6a6-c9a6da604b44" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough DOGE targets county&#x27;s health care plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hillsboroughdoge.com/" target="_blank">report</a>, which isn&#x27;t a forensic or financial audit, arrives a week after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the county discussed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/15/how-nixing-property-taxes-could-affect-hillsborough-county" data-vars-content-id="98d953c1-35d4-4179-a6a6-c9a6da604b44" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough DOGE targets county&#x27;s health care plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/15/how-nixing-property-taxes-could-affect-hillsborough-county" target="_self">the county discussed</a> how to offset the potential revenue loss from a constitutional amendment to overhaul Florida&#x27;s property tax system.

Inside New College's takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee

The move would create a larger testing ground for Florida's conservative vision of higher education.

The University of South Florida&#x27;s Board of Trustees approved the transfer of its Sarasota-Manatee Campus to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New College of Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/15/new-college-florida-desantis-transformation" data-vars-content-id="49b55314-9731-46c1-9dc7-e13b23dd323c" data-vars-headline="Inside New College&#x27;s takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/11/15/new-college-florida-desantis-transformation" target="_self">New College of Florida</a> last week — a shakeup that has rattled alumni, donors and students. Why it matters: The deal would make New College of Florida an even larger testing ground for Florida&#x27;s conservative vision of higher education.

4 takeaways from St. Petersburg mayoral forum

Property taxes, Dump Duke and the future of Tropicana Field were among the issues that differentiated the six candidates.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Property taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/florida-puts-property-tax-overhaul-on-ballot-as-local-officials-sound-alarm" data-vars-content-id="158c7de2-b3e1-48d4-a4c7-10dd1302ea97" data-vars-headline="4 takeaways from St. Petersburg mayoral forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/florida-puts-property-tax-overhaul-on-ballot-as-local-officials-sound-alarm" target="_self">Property taxes</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dump Duke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/st-pete-duke-energy-city-council-feasibility-study" data-vars-content-id="158c7de2-b3e1-48d4-a4c7-10dd1302ea97" data-vars-headline="4 takeaways from St. Petersburg mayoral forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/02/st-pete-duke-energy-city-council-feasibility-study" target="_self">Dump Duke</a> and the future of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropicana Field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/22/st-pete-gas-plant-district-redevelopment-tropicana-field-open-house" data-vars-content-id="158c7de2-b3e1-48d4-a4c7-10dd1302ea97" data-vars-headline="4 takeaways from St. Petersburg mayoral forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/22/st-pete-gas-plant-district-redevelopment-tropicana-field-open-house" target="_self">Tropicana Field</a> were among the issues that set St. Petersburg&#x27;s mayoral hopefuls apart at a candidate forum last week.Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of just a few opportunities to hear from the slate of candidates before the Aug. 18 primary.<ul><li>You can watch a recording of the forum <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI7NCZls20E" data-vars-content-id="158c7de2-b3e1-48d4-a4c7-10dd1302ea97" data-vars-headline="4 takeaways from St. Petersburg mayoral forum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI7NCZls20E" target="_blank">here</a>.</li></ul>

Burn bans complicate Fourth of July fireworks in parts of Florida

Florida is experiencing its busiest fire season in recent memory.

Florida won&#x27;t ban fireworks statewide on Independence Day, even as drought conditions persist.Why it matters: This is Florida&#x27;s busiest fire season in recent memory, with more than 2,400 wildfires recorded across the state over the last six months.

What Florida should've put in America's time capsule, according to readers

We asked you what Florida should have buried in America&#x27;s Time Capsule. Y&#x27;all made one thing clear: &quot;Not challenge coins, pins, and booklets representing our governor, legislators and other leaders,&quot; Cindy L. wrote. <ul><li>&quot;It is not their memory that we should be memorializing.&quot;</li></ul>

Undocumented students could soon lose access to public higher ed in Florida

An estimated 8,000 undocumented students graduate from the state's high schools each year.

The Florida Board of Governors will take up a proposal on Wednesday that would bar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="undocumented students" 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="5a27d3dc-36e0-4c1e-980d-fde6c7f64dfe" data-vars-headline="Undocumented students could soon lose access to public higher ed in 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/2026/02/02/usf-tuition-increases-hit-undocumented-students-hardest" target="_self">undocumented students</a> from enrolling in state universities that don&#x27;t accept all &quot;academically qualified&quot; students.Why it matters: It is the latest effort by the state to make higher education inaccessible to undocumented immigrants, many of whom were brought to Florida as children through no choice of their own.

Scoop: Pinellas commission won't recognize Pride Month

Not enough commissioners supported a proclamation commemorating the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

For the first time in several years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pride Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/04/pinellas-pride-month-faith-family-proclamations" data-vars-content-id="82b22868-0036-46e1-b809-f159331fd1c4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Pinellas commission won&#x27;t recognize Pride Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/06/04/pinellas-pride-month-faith-family-proclamations" target="_self">Pride Month</a> will go unrecognized by the Pinellas County Commission.<ul><li>That&#x27;s because not enough commissioners agreed to sign the ceremonial document commemorating the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, chair Dave Eggers confirmed to Axios.</li></ul>Why it matters: Such proclamations &quot;communicate whether LGBTQ+ residents are seen, valued and welcomed in their own communities,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PFLAG Safety Harbor/Greater Pinellas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/pflagsafetyharbor" data-vars-content-id="82b22868-0036-46e1-b809-f159331fd1c4" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Pinellas commission won&#x27;t recognize Pride Month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/pflagsafetyharbor" target="_blank">PFLAG Safety Harbor/Greater Pinellas</a> president Wendy Vernon told Axios.

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.

Tampa Bay faces major heat risk as "feels like" temps hit 100

If you&#x27;ve spent time outside this week, you&#x27;ve surely felt it: It is hot. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/22/florida-2025-temperature-outlook-tampa-st-pete" data-vars-content-id="b48208c4-12ec-4b40-8a2e-39c318ac0e88" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay faces major heat risk as &quot;feels like&quot; temps hit 100" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/05/22/florida-2025-temperature-outlook-tampa-st-pete" target="_self">heat index</a>, or the &quot;feels like&quot; temperature, which accounts for humidity and air temperature, will hit the triple digits Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

"Corporate" Live Nation venue would mar Ybor's indie identity, residents say

The backlash comes as Crowbar, Ybor's last full-time independent music venue, prepares to close.

Crowbar owner Tom DeGeorge has raged against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" data-vars-content-id="9b59b0a7-23a9-46ed-ac9a-c7c9f191b6be" data-vars-headline="&quot;Corporate&quot; Live Nation venue would mar Ybor&#x27;s indie identity, residents say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/09/live-nation-ticketmaster-doj-settlement" target="_self">Live Nation</a> all the way to Washington, where he testified last month before Congress about how its growth has strained independent venues like his.<ul><li>So he was blindsided, but not surprised, when he learned the entertainment giant was planning a move into his backyard.</li></ul>Why it matters: DeGeorge is among a growing contingent of Ybor residents protesting the proposed Live Nation venue — and what it represents about the historic neighborhood&#x27;s changing identity.

News 🗞

The Pulp: Watch out for rip currents

News quiz time!

Burn bans complicate Fourth of July fireworks in parts of Florida

What Florida should've put in America's time capsule, according to readers

Where St. Pete mayor candidates stand on DEI