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American oystercatcher chicks survive Madeira Beach roof collapse

It's a dramatic example of the perils sea and shorebirds face when nesting on developed, crowded coastlines.

News

Last Friday, a gaping chunk of a former Winn-Dixie&#x27;s roof collapsed in Madeira Beach during construction to convert it into an Aldi. No one was hurt. <ul><li>But that night, after seeing the news, Audubon Florida biologist Abby McKay called the city, the fire department — anyone who could pass on the message that threatened shorebirds were nesting up there.</li></ul>Why it matters: It&#x27;s a dramatic example of the many perils sea and shorebirds encounter when nesting on developed, crowded coastlines — and the challenges faced by scientists and volunteers who monitor them.

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Test your knowledge of stories from Axios Tampa Bay newsletters.

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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.<div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/5ecce1bb-5d33-41b6-94fa-fd72b00612a4/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="5ecce1bb-5d33-41b6-94fa-fd72b00612a4" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="5ecce1bb-5d33-41b6-94fa-fd72b00612a4" data-vars-content-id="b45e1264-e649-421b-8577-b8f682b0bf45" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>

What to know about the Rays' hot start to the 2026 season

As the fate of their planned future home is being decided, the team is on a well-timed tear.

Sports

In Tampa Bay&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/16/takeaways-hillsborough-rays-workshop" data-vars-content-id="b3ec5dc5-310d-4c68-8221-a35c83f631fc" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; hot start to the 2026 season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/16/takeaways-hillsborough-rays-workshop" target="_self">commission</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/06/tampa-rays-stadium-workshop" data-vars-content-id="b3ec5dc5-310d-4c68-8221-a35c83f631fc" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; hot start to the 2026 season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/06/tampa-rays-stadium-workshop" target="_self">council</a> chambers, the Rays have recently been a source of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/26/parking-already-plagues-new-rays-stadium-report-says" data-vars-content-id="b3ec5dc5-310d-4c68-8221-a35c83f631fc" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; hot start to the 2026 season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/26/parking-already-plagues-new-rays-stadium-report-says" target="_self">concern</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uncertainty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/19/can-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-fund-a-new-rays-stadium-heres-what-we-know" data-vars-content-id="b3ec5dc5-310d-4c68-8221-a35c83f631fc" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; hot start to the 2026 season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/19/can-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-fund-a-new-rays-stadium-heres-what-we-know" target="_self">uncertainty</a> as they <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seek $1 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/09/rays-want-1-billion-from-hillsborough-tampa-for-new-ballpark" data-vars-content-id="b3ec5dc5-310d-4c68-8221-a35c83f631fc" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; hot start to the 2026 season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/09/rays-want-1-billion-from-hillsborough-tampa-for-new-ballpark" target="_self">seek $1 billion</a> in public stadium funding.<ul><li>But all is well inside the Trop.</li></ul>Why it matters: It&#x27;s never a bad time to win. But as the fate of their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="planned future home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="b3ec5dc5-310d-4c68-8221-a35c83f631fc" data-vars-headline="What to know about the Rays&#x27; hot start to the 2026 season" 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">planned future home</a> is being decided, the team is on a well-timed tear.

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>

Hillsborough County unveils proposed stadium deal with Rays

Local governments would contribute no more than $976 million.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/16/takeaways-hillsborough-rays-workshop" data-vars-content-id="52c2b4d4-e93a-4ac3-852e-954552b088a3" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County unveils proposed stadium deal with Rays" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/16/takeaways-hillsborough-rays-workshop" target="_self">Hillsborough County</a> on Thursday unveiled its non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Rays and the city of Tampa for a new stadium.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a hopeful sign for the Rays, who have set a deadline of June 1 for a completed agreement and are working against a tight window to have a new ballpark ready by Opening Day 2029.

Inside Tampa Theatre's $30 million restoration

The storied Duncan Auditorium has been closed for construction since March.

On a reporting trip this week, we got to touch the sky.<ul><li>Well, sort of. </li></ul>Why it matters: We experienced the closest thing to it here in Tampa during a tour of the century-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Theatre" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/tampa-theatre-oscar-nominated-nickel-boys-qa" data-vars-content-id="df9fb74c-4f86-494e-9661-0d45bf2de704" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa Theatre&#x27;s $30 million restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/13/tampa-theatre-oscar-nominated-nickel-boys-qa" target="_self">Tampa Theatre</a> about two months into a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$30 million renovation project" data-vars-click-url="https://tampatheatre.org/join-give/second-century/" data-vars-content-id="df9fb74c-4f86-494e-9661-0d45bf2de704" data-vars-headline="Inside Tampa Theatre&#x27;s $30 million restoration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tampatheatre.org/join-give/second-century/" target="_blank">$30 million renovation project</a>.

Florida AG targets surrogacy in court, report says

The case could have sweeping implications for the state's surrogacy laws, abortion access and in vitro fertilization.

Florida&#x27;s attorney general has waded into what was once a routine surrogacy case, arguing that the practice is unconstitutional and &quot;akin to slavery,&quot; according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/08/florida-uthmeier-attorney-general-surrogacy-ivf-abortion-law/" data-vars-content-id="084f3579-87c4-4dc7-bbd2-7968e0c9c3fe" data-vars-headline="Florida AG targets surrogacy in court, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/05/08/florida-uthmeier-attorney-general-surrogacy-ivf-abortion-law/" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times</a>.Why it matters: The case could have sweeping implications for the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surrogacy laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-state-law-different" data-vars-content-id="084f3579-87c4-4dc7-bbd2-7968e0c9c3fe" data-vars-headline="Florida AG targets surrogacy in court, report says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/29/surrogacy-state-law-different" target="_self">surrogacy laws</a>, abortion access and in vitro fertilization.

St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner

Supporters see more housing and walkability ahead, while critics fear neighborhood spillover.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/01/st-pete-mahaffey-theater-bid-rejected-new-rfp" data-vars-content-id="8e318817-9a3f-40df-8ae9-35bc3784cad6" data-vars-headline="St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/01/st-pete-mahaffey-theater-bid-rejected-new-rfp" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> City Council members are set to decide Thursday whether to remove minimum parking requirements for new residences and businesses near SunRunner stations and along much of Central Avenue.Why it matters: Proponents and transit advocates say the changes will encourage use of the bus-rapid transit system and spark denser development, creating more walkable communities and driving down housing prices.<ul><li>Opponents worry that parking will spill into neighborhoods like Historic Kenwood and that more density could change the character of the Grand Central District and its historic buildings.</li></ul>

Lawmakers to tackle budget and tax holidays in special session

They have until July 1 to avoid a government shutdown.

Lawmakers are headed back to Tallahassee this week to make good on their sole constitutional obligation: the state budget.Why it matters: Tens of millions of dollars in Tampa Bay projects are at stake — including a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$50 million Hillsborough College campus overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/hillsborough-college-asks-state-50-million-clear-way-rays-stadium" data-vars-content-id="0644838b-ee8f-47b6-beee-85683b047638" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers to tackle budget and tax holidays in special session" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/22/hillsborough-college-asks-state-50-million-clear-way-rays-stadium" target="_self">$50 million Hillsborough College campus overhaul</a> that would make room for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Rays 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="0644838b-ee8f-47b6-beee-85683b047638" data-vars-headline="Lawmakers to tackle budget and tax holidays in special session" 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 Rays stadium</a>.

Takeaways from Tampa's Rays stadium workshop

There's less than a month until the Rays' June 1 deadline to approve a stadium deal

The Tampa City Council&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rays stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/09/rays-want-1-billion-from-hillsborough-tampa-for-new-ballpark" data-vars-content-id="59827e22-4dea-4cb8-8661-f080df6df753" data-vars-headline="Takeaways from Tampa&#x27;s Rays stadium workshop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/09/rays-want-1-billion-from-hillsborough-tampa-for-new-ballpark" target="_self">Rays stadium</a> workshop posed many of the same questions as Hillsborough County&#x27;s — and yielded just as few answers. Why it matters: There&#x27;s less than a month until the Rays&#x27;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" June 1 deadline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/23/hillsborough-county-rays-stadium-deal-deadline" data-vars-content-id="59827e22-4dea-4cb8-8661-f080df6df753" data-vars-headline="Takeaways from Tampa&#x27;s Rays stadium workshop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/04/23/hillsborough-county-rays-stadium-deal-deadline" target="_self"> June 1 deadline</a> to approve a stadium deal, which the team says is needed to ensure the new ballpark will be ready for Opening Day 2029.

7 unique Mother's Day plans in Tampa, St. Pete

Some fun ideas for the last-minute planners among us.

If you&#x27;re looking for last-minute Mother&#x27;s Day plans, we&#x27;ve got you.<ul><li>Here are some unique ways to celebrate:</li></ul>

St. Petersburg rejects Mahaffey Theater proposal, restarts search

City to take over theater operations for the first time in two decades.

St. Petersburg leaders are headed back to the drawing board in search of a new management group to run the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mahaffey Theater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/13/mahaffey-theater-st-pete-bill-edwards-leaving" data-vars-content-id="f9c25a5f-ff05-4b21-bedc-ecb929177885" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg rejects Mahaffey Theater proposal, restarts search" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/13/mahaffey-theater-st-pete-bill-edwards-leaving" target="_self">Mahaffey Theater</a>.Why it matters: Officials rejected the sole proposal submitted through a competitive bid process, leaving the city to take over theater operations for the first time in two decades.

News 🗞

Hillsborough County unveils proposed stadium deal with Rays

Inside Tampa Theatre's $30 million restoration

Florida AG targets surrogacy in court, report says

St. Pete weekend events: Italian fest, restoration expo, Painting in the Park

St. Pete could end parking minimums to boost development near SunRunner