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St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film

"The Statement" is filming April 6-8 right here in the Sunshine City.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Pete" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="1cba9173-5a73-4be0-86b1-87f3c04da041" data-vars-headline="St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">St. Pete</a> locals, it&#x27;s our time to shine.State of play: FrontRunner Casting Agency is seeking extras for &quot;The Statement,&quot; a new movie starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and John Turturro that&#x27;s filming April 6-8 here in the Sunshine City.

Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday

Events are planned in St. Petersburg, Tampa, as far north as Brooksville and as far south as Venice.

More No Kings protests will hit Tampa Bay streets this weekend as part of a nationwide Day of Nonviolent Action. The big picture: Progressive political groups, labor unions, and human and civil rights organizations expect Saturday&#x27;s more than 3,000 demonstrations to surpass last year&#x27;s No Kings rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="June" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" data-vars-content-id="b17598d8-76df-4271-b6b5-390f77e02d50" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/14/photos-no-kings-protests-downtown-chicago-trump" target="_self">June</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="October." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" data-vars-content-id="b17598d8-76df-4271-b6b5-390f77e02d50" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/17/trump-no-kings-protest-safety-tips" target="_self">October.</a>

Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins

The race was close enough to trigger an automatic recount under state law.

Democratic union leader Brian Nathan holds a narrow lead over former GOP State House Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josie Tomkow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/20/tampa-state-senate-district-14-2026" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/20/tampa-state-senate-district-14-2026" target="_self">Josie Tomkow</a> in the race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Senate District 14" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" target="_self">State Senate District 14</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3921/Summary/" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3921/Summary/" target="_blank">unofficial results</a>.<ul><li>As of Tuesday night, Nathan led Tomkow by 0.5% of roughly 80,000 ballots cast, which is the margin that triggers an automatic recount under state law.</li></ul>Why it matters: A win by Nathan would reclaim a seat that Republicans flipped in 2022 and end a seven-month stretch in which the district&#x27;s nearly 300,000 residents had no representation in Tallahassee.

A casual fan's guide to the 2026 Rays season

The Rays are coming off two straight losing seasons and 4th-place finishes in the AL East.

Sports

As the Rays return to Tropicana Field, fans hope they&#x27;ll also return to form as the small-market team that punches above its weight.Why it matters: When you&#x27;re seeking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a huge haul of local tax dollars" 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="8518f4e6-bb69-4b0d-807d-e6da7ead5a8e" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 Rays 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">a huge haul of local tax dollars</a> to build <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="8518f4e6-bb69-4b0d-807d-e6da7ead5a8e" data-vars-headline="A casual fan&#x27;s guide to the 2026 Rays 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/2026/01/20/rays-plan-build-stadium-hillsborough-college" target="_self">a new stadium</a>, it doesn&#x27;t hurt to have the fans fired up.<ul><li>But the Rays are coming off two straight losing seasons and fourth-place finishes in the AL East.</li></ul>

St. Pete council, residents don't want new high-rise. It's coming anyway

Even with majority opposition, City Council lacked the votes to block the high-rise.

Another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury high-rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" target="_self">luxury high-rise</a> is coming to downtown St. Petersburg.Why it matters: Thursday&#x27;s hours-long City Council debate over the project laid bare angst over the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifting identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">shifting identity</a> — and raised questions about how much influence residents and policymakers have in shaping it.<ul><li>&quot;You have a problem when everybody is acknowledging this is not what we want to build, and yet we&#x27;re somehow powerless to stop it,&quot; Preserve the &#x27;Burg executive director Manny Leto told Axios.</li></ul>

Tampa Bay tightens water restrictions as drought persists

Despite a few recent bouts of rain, the region remains in its worst drought in 15 years.

Despite a few recent bouts of rain, Tampa Bay remains in its worst <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/10/florida-drought-2026-watering-restrictions" data-vars-content-id="2afc27f9-aaf6-43db-a6b2-833d1c02cede" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tightens water restrictions as drought persists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/10/florida-drought-2026-watering-restrictions" target="_self">drought</a> in 15 years and its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most severe water shortage in decades" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/03/05/florida-drought-watering-restrictions-shortage/" data-vars-content-id="2afc27f9-aaf6-43db-a6b2-833d1c02cede" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay tightens water restrictions as drought persists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/2026/03/05/florida-drought-watering-restrictions-shortage/" target="_blank">most severe water shortage in decades</a>.Why it matters: Tighter watering restrictions are set to go into effect next weekend as the dry season stretches on.

How Tampa Bay fits into Florida's air taxi future

St. Petersburg is already preparing with an Advanced Air Mobility Task Force.

How bad is Tampa Bay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/26/report-tampa-drivers-lose-57-hours-per-year-in-rush-hour-traffic" data-vars-content-id="21acb333-4ba5-4191-96cf-71302b192cd4" data-vars-headline="How Tampa Bay fits into Florida&#x27;s air taxi future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/26/report-tampa-drivers-lose-57-hours-per-year-in-rush-hour-traffic" target="_self">traffic</a>? Pretty soon, we may be flying around town like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Jetson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E" data-vars-content-id="21acb333-4ba5-4191-96cf-71302b192cd4" data-vars-headline="How Tampa Bay fits into Florida&#x27;s air taxi future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E" target="_blank">George Jetson</a>.Why it matters: A new federal pilot program will speed up the integration of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across 26 states, including Florida, with testing expected to begin this summer.

1-minute voting guide: Tampa's SD 14 special election

Nearly 300,000 residents in District 14 have been without representation for seven months.

Residents across Lutz, Carrollwood and South Tampa will head to the polls Tuesday to choose their next state senator. Why it matters: Nearly 300,000 residents in state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate District 14" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="a84576a1-4ad9-481a-b48a-580f2fbff84b" data-vars-headline="1-minute voting guide: Tampa&#x27;s SD 14 special election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" target="_self">Senate District 14</a> have been without representation for seven months, including this year&#x27;s entire legislative session.

A guide to Tampa Bay's nesting beach birds

Nesting season is underway. So is spring break.

On a recent morning at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fort De Soto" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/06/fishing-line-hook-injuries-birds-fort-de-soto" data-vars-content-id="4c5fa97e-5d72-420b-950e-c41fe3daa6dc" data-vars-headline="A guide to Tampa Bay&#x27;s nesting beach birds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/06/fishing-line-hook-injuries-birds-fort-de-soto" target="_self">Fort De Soto</a>&#x27;s North Beach, the parking lot looked like a tourist convention, with license plates from a dozen states.<ul><li>A motorized paraglider hovered over the shoreline, the fan&#x27;s droning buzz a potent reminder of humanity&#x27;s disruptions. </li></ul>

Tampa Bay among worst regions for pollen sufferers

The Lakeland, Sarasota and Tampa metro areas are among the nation's allergy capitals.

Pollen season is in full swing in Tampa Bay.Why it matters: We live in a tough region for people with pollen allergies, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/aafa-2026-allergy-capitals-report.pdf" data-vars-content-id="28a1950b-54cb-46db-8ee9-3e8e89ef3169" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay among worst regions for pollen sufferers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/aafa-2026-allergy-capitals-report.pdf" target="_blank">new report</a> from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Grady Judd doubles down on "path forward" for some undocumented immigrants

Judd said noncriminal immigrants who work and integrate could stay.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Polk County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/18/lakeland-florida-fastest-growing-metro" data-vars-content-id="a3980e1d-954f-4578-ac67-64d323149abf" data-vars-headline="Grady Judd doubles down on &quot;path forward&quot; for some undocumented immigrants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/04/18/lakeland-florida-fastest-growing-metro" target="_self">Polk County</a> Sheriff Grady Judd doubled down Tuesday on comments that certain undocumented immigrants who haven&#x27;t committed crimes should be given &quot;a path forward&quot; to staying in the U.S.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a stunning position for the sheriff, a strong ally of President Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis who is typically viewed as a GOP hardliner.

News 🗞

We tried J's Asian Market in Seminole Heights

St. Pete council, residents don't want new high-rise. It's coming anyway

St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film

Tampa Bay tightens water restrictions as drought persists

Tampa Bay to join No Kings protests set for Saturday