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Historic Mirror Lake home hits the market in St. Petersburg

The $3.5 million home was built by architect Cade Allen, who helped design the Allendale neighborhood.

Real Estate

The last single-family home on St. Pete&#x27;s Mirror Lake is for sale after an extensive renovation. Why it matters: It&#x27;s an example of preservation in a city that has experienced rapid new development, sometimes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at the expense of historic buildings" 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="ddae35d4-2a1d-4b70-acc2-1c7d2cb51911" data-vars-headline="Historic Mirror Lake home hits the market in St. Petersburg" 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">at the expense of historic buildings</a>.

5 laws going into effect in Florida on Oct. 1

October is just around the corner, bringing with it several new laws passed during this year's legislative session.

Politics

October is just around the corner, bringing with it several new laws passed during this year&#x27;s legislative session.Why it matters: These laws change how the state identifies criminal gang members, expand registration requirements for career offenders and increase penalties for animal cruelty.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what to know.</li></ul>

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News

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.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to St. Petersburg

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="a76dc104-5dfa-4d22-8223-0196b7694168" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to St. Petersburg" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in St. Pete&#x27;s Grand Central District on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Florida lightning activity surges 28% above average

The Sunshine State is seeing unusually high activity, the Washington Post reported.

We all remember that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer storm back in August" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/MattDevittWX/status/2102814783527633038" data-vars-content-id="91165019-eb92-48b4-a9f8-b3be7851233f" data-vars-headline="Florida lightning activity surges 28% above average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/MattDevittWX/status/2102814783527633038" target="_blank">summer storm back in August</a> that felt like the sky was a giant strobe light.Why it matters: Turns out, Florida has seen more lightning than usual so far this year, the Washington Post <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/09/22/lightning-claims-lives-florida-experts-warn-supercharged-activity/" data-vars-content-id="91165019-eb92-48b4-a9f8-b3be7851233f" data-vars-headline="Florida lightning activity surges 28% above average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/09/22/lightning-claims-lives-florida-experts-warn-supercharged-activity/" target="_blank">reported</a> this week.

Hillsborough Schools seek renewal of half-cent sales tax

Voters in Hillsborough County will have several big questions before them in November.

Hillsborough County Public Schools is counting on voters to renew a half-cent sales tax that, if approved, is expected to yield between $121 million and $131 million a year for maintenance. Why it matters: Keeping <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough County&#x27;s schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/08/26/how-hillsborough-and-pinellas-schools-plan-to-use-ai" data-vars-content-id="8a12ef5d-f105-4771-ba02-6ac4bf649897" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough Schools seek renewal of half-cent sales tax" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/08/26/how-hillsborough-and-pinellas-schools-plan-to-use-ai" target="_self">Hillsborough County&#x27;s schools</a> in good repair is no small feat, and it comes with a steep price tag for the third-largest district in Florida and seventh-largest in the nation.

Pinellas moves to preserve waterfront land once eyed for development

The WK Preservation Group, the nonprofit behind the West Klosterman Preserve, helped broker the deal.

The nonprofit that spearheaded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the creation of a 14-acre nature preserve" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/08/26/west-klosterman-nature-preserve-pinellas" data-vars-content-id="6028b76a-1602-4315-9f8f-99196d576a35" data-vars-headline="Pinellas moves to preserve waterfront land once eyed for development" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/08/26/west-klosterman-nature-preserve-pinellas" target="_self">the creation of a 14-acre nature preserve</a> last year in Pinellas County is onto its next project.Why it matters: County officials are nearing a deal to buy and preserve 29 acres of environmentally significant land on Boca Ciega Bay, according to WK Preservation Group, which helped broker the deal.

Florida Orchestra poised to take over St. Pete's Mahaffey Theater

Live Nation, Vinik Sports Group and others also pitched the city on taking over the theater.

The Florida Orchestra is on track to become the next operator of St. Petersburg&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mahaffey Theater" 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="7a332d5b-6839-4b22-9242-4de96c9a4863" data-vars-headline="Florida Orchestra poised to take over St. Pete&#x27;s Mahaffey Theater" 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">Mahaffey Theater</a>. Why it matters: The arrangement would give the orchestra a home base, resolving concerns over the future of the cultural institution.<ul><li>But it also skips <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a second round of bidding" 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="7a332d5b-6839-4b22-9242-4de96c9a4863" data-vars-headline="Florida Orchestra poised to take over St. Pete&#x27;s Mahaffey Theater" 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">a second round of bidding</a> despite interest from entertainment players including Vinik Sports Group, Live Nation and Ruth Eckerd Hall.</li></ul>

Test drive: We took Waymo for a spin in Tampa

If I had one critique, it was the car's parking. But in fairness, I couldn't have done any better.

I drove 9 miles from Carrollwood into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/waymo-ai-shortcut-self-driving" data-vars-content-id="ec0284ce-fa97-4837-a68b-5a081e6f30bb" data-vars-headline="Test drive: We took Waymo for a spin in Tampa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/26/waymo-ai-shortcut-self-driving" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s</a> service area to try the autonomous ride-hailing service.<ul><li>I parked at my old stomping ground, Hillsborough College, and hailed a robotaxi through the Waymo app for a ride to the historic Tampa Theatre.</li></ul>Why it matters: Driverless cars are becoming a common sight in Tampa, and they&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headed across the bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/12/waymo-could-bring-self-driving-taxis-to-pinellas" data-vars-content-id="ec0284ce-fa97-4837-a68b-5a081e6f30bb" data-vars-headline="Test drive: We took Waymo for a spin in Tampa" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/08/12/waymo-could-bring-self-driving-taxis-to-pinellas" target="_self">headed across the bay</a> next.

St. Pete's Historic Manhattan Casino to reopen after renovations

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off its new life as a city-owned and operated event venue.

A century-old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Petersburg" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/15/st-pete-free-museum-day-weekend-events" data-vars-content-id="8e5f2b93-4aaa-4eec-bf83-b4886ba27073" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Manhattan Casino to reopen after renovations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/15/st-pete-free-museum-day-weekend-events" target="_self">St. Petersburg</a> landmark is set to reopen this weekend.Why it matters: After four years of renovations, a public ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow will kick off a new life for the Historic Manhattan Casino as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city-owned and operated event venue" data-vars-click-url="https://historicmanhattancasino.com/" data-vars-content-id="8e5f2b93-4aaa-4eec-bf83-b4886ba27073" data-vars-headline="St. Pete&#x27;s Historic Manhattan Casino to reopen after renovations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://historicmanhattancasino.com/" target="_blank">city-owned and operated event venue</a>.

Report: TPA ranks No. 1 in passenger satisfaction

Passengers found the airport to be "stress-free."

Culture

Have you ever landed at another airport after flying out of Tampa International, navigated a maze of signs and shuttles to find baggage claim, and thought, &quot;Wow, we&#x27;re spoiled?&quot;<ul><li>Well, you&#x27;re not alone, and you&#x27;re not wrong.</li></ul>The big picture: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study/" data-vars-content-id="ab2860c8-0131-4c23-8860-d7f62d78a05b" data-vars-headline="Report: TPA ranks No. 1 in passenger satisfaction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2026-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study/" target="_blank">new report</a> from J.D. Power, a market research company, ranked TPA highest among large airports in North America for passenger satisfaction.

Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for "AI slop"

Small businesses say AI saves time and money. Critics say the generic images come at a cost.

It&#x27;s a debate so prolific that even our unusually vocal airport <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weighed in" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/FlyTPA/posts/pfbid02ueoedz83x5jVKmKZeQ32vBTMgHzAep1AgcNiAkDLQHUQmo71eWrE7BLbirE6pFRdl" data-vars-content-id="1aea7e87-8bd7-4518-8260-a6410bae4b15" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for &quot;AI slop&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/FlyTPA/posts/pfbid02ueoedz83x5jVKmKZeQ32vBTMgHzAep1AgcNiAkDLQHUQmo71eWrE7BLbirE6pFRdl" target="_blank">weighed in</a>: What do we do about the AI flyers?Why it matters: From local breweries and markets to your friendly neighborhood landscaper, posters made with generative AI are clogging up social media.<ul><li>And <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the backlash is real" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/generative-ai-accusations-hank-green-jerry-falade" data-vars-content-id="1aea7e87-8bd7-4518-8260-a6410bae4b15" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for &quot;AI slop&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/generative-ai-accusations-hank-green-jerry-falade" target="_self">the backlash is real</a>: in comment sections, in Reddit threads, and in the feeds of other organizations that broadcast — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="using more primitive methods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdEuXOjFrvE/?img_index=1" data-vars-content-id="1aea7e87-8bd7-4518-8260-a6410bae4b15" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay businesses are getting called out for &quot;AI slop&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdEuXOjFrvE/?img_index=1" target="_blank">using more primitive methods</a> — that they&#x27;ll never resort to AI images.</li></ul>

Pinellas County seeks input on school closure plans

Community meetings begin Tuesday before the School Board votes on the sweeping changes Oct. 13.

Pinellas County Schools leaders will hold public meetings in the coming weeks to seek input on plans to close seven schools and restructure others.The big picture: The potential closures are the latest fallout from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declining public school enrollment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/05/01/miami-dade-schools-nine-school-close-enrollment-decline-2026" data-vars-content-id="47034ff9-30e7-47f9-9bf9-1b3f5f46df0e" data-vars-headline="Pinellas County seeks input on school closure plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/05/01/miami-dade-schools-nine-school-close-enrollment-decline-2026" target="_self">declining public school enrollment</a> that district officials attribute to falling birth rates and affordability challenges for young families.

News 🗞

Florida lightning activity surges 28% above average

Take the Axios Tampa Bay news quiz!

Hillsborough Schools seek renewal of half-cent sales tax

Pinellas moves to preserve waterfront land once eyed for development

Florida Orchestra poised to take over St. Pete's Mahaffey Theater