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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporter Selene San Felice.

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Florida abortion ballot initiative hits threshold for state  Supreme Court review

The group needs more than 800,000 signatures by February to get it in front of voters in 2024.

News

Citing issues with tenure, loss of DEI, Florida faculty members want out

Nearly half of Florida respondents said they planned to find jobs in other states within the year.

Latin tech accelerator seeks Tampa Bay talent

Tampa Bay's Latino and Hispanic population has boomed in the last decade along with the area's tech industry.

Business

Bite club: St. Petersburg's new Azúcar Cuban Café

The menu offers breakfast and lunch, along with an array of desserts and coffee.

Food and Drink

Tampa Bay property tax rates largely hold steady as budget talks wind down

The new fiscal year begins Sunday, and that means Tampa Bay governments are finalizing their annual budgets.Why it matters: County and city budgets include how much you&#x27;ll pay in taxes and how the government will use that money in the coming year.

Illustration of a dollar sign etched into the tip of a fountain pen. 

Expect more new apartments across Tampa Bay

The number of new apartments in Tampa Bay has nearly doubled since 2020.

Real Estate

Roughly 8,817 new apartment units are expected to be completed across Tampa Bay this year, according to a new report.<ul><li>Context: In 2020, that number was 4,575.</li></ul>Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/housing-shortage-prices-high" data-vars-content-id="172d6f30-f7a2-49ea-8711-e52e192990d2" data-vars-headline="Expect more new apartments across Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/housing-shortage-prices-high" target="_self">housing shortage</a> in the U.S. has contributed to the rising cost of both renting and buying.

How modifying your bathroom can help with fall prevention

When it comes to staying upright, preparation is key, said Lori Collins, with Pinellas County.

We recently told you about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bathroom renovation trends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/09/tampa-sarasota-showers-bathroom-renovations?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_tampa&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="313b8401-baf3-42a0-a039-7a419df9f34f" data-vars-headline="How modifying your bathroom can help with fall prevention" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/09/tampa-sarasota-showers-bathroom-renovations?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_tampa&amp;stream=top" target="_self">bathroom renovation trends</a> and a reader responded with some savvy advice — just in time for the National Council on Aging&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Falls Prevention Awareness Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncoa.org/page/falls-prevention-awareness-week-toolkit" data-vars-content-id="313b8401-baf3-42a0-a039-7a419df9f34f" data-vars-headline="How modifying your bathroom can help with fall prevention" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncoa.org/page/falls-prevention-awareness-week-toolkit" target="_blank">Falls Prevention Awareness Week</a>, which began Monday.

Two photos of bathrooms, one showing a walk-in shower with sand-colored tiles and a green pothos plant on the windowsill, the other of a bathtub with silver grab bars attached to the gray tile walls.

Tampa Bay buyers don't want your fixer-upper

Homebuyers already burdened by gravity-defying prices and mortgage rates don't want to move into an HGTV "before" photo.

Tampa Bay sellers need to put in a little work for buyers to bite, Tampa-based agent Paul Fennell says.Why it matters: Homebuyers already burdened by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gravity-defying prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="28f52d94-055f-417d-a60e-856b2f7f5a11" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay buyers don&#x27;t want your fixer-upper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/housing-prices-affordability-rise-fall-2023-goldman-sachs" target="_self">gravity-defying prices</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" data-vars-content-id="28f52d94-055f-417d-a60e-856b2f7f5a11" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay buyers don&#x27;t want your fixer-upper" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" target="_self">mortgage rates</a> don&#x27;t want to move into an HGTV &quot;before&quot; photo.

Illustration of two hammers forming an "X" shape. 

Tampa Bay residents vent frustrations at home insurance town hall

Floridians facing skyrocketing premiums are desperate for an urgent solution.

The human toll of Florida&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property insurance crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/08/03/citizens-insurance-policies-shift-tampa-based-slide" data-vars-content-id="c51df3a2-4176-420e-a6b3-a5b8c89d7552" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents vent frustrations at home insurance town hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/08/03/citizens-insurance-policies-shift-tampa-based-slide" target="_self">property insurance crisis</a> came into sharp focus last week during a town hall organized by a Tampa Bay lawmaker.Driving the news: Democratic state Rep. Michele Rayner held meetings in Tampa and St. Petersburg to explain how Florida&#x27;s insurance market unraveled and answer questions about the rising cost of premiums that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="many Floridians are experiencing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/florida/comments/14lrsgr/what_the_heck_is_going_on_with_home_insurance/" data-vars-content-id="c51df3a2-4176-420e-a6b3-a5b8c89d7552" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay residents vent frustrations at home insurance town hall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/florida/comments/14lrsgr/what_the_heck_is_going_on_with_home_insurance/" target="_blank">many Floridians are experiencing</a>.

Illustration of a house surrounded by angry emojis with dollar sign eyes and tongue

Proposed Clearwater condo towers would be among Tampa Bay's tallest buildings

Valor Capital wants to construct the 35-story towers on a parking lot just south of The Oaks of Clearwater senior living complex.

A developer has submitted plans to construct a pair of condo buildings that, if built, would be among the tallest in Tampa Bay.What&#x27;s happening: Clearwater-based Valor Capital wants to construct the 35-story towers on a parking lot just south of The Oaks of Clearwater senior living complex and within walking distance of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly renovated Coachman Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/06/28/clearwaters-transformed-coachman-park-opens-public" data-vars-content-id="5f585025-49b7-412a-b093-3579786eb308" data-vars-headline="Proposed Clearwater condo towers would be among Tampa Bay&#x27;s tallest buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/06/28/clearwaters-transformed-coachman-park-opens-public" target="_self">newly renovated Coachman Park</a>.

A rendering of two very tall, oval-shaped gray buildings on the water's edge, surrounded by shorter white buildings and groves of palm and other trees.

Tampa: High mortgage rates lead to new-build boom

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay builders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/07/11/tampa-bay-homebuilding-increase-covid-19" data-vars-content-id="dcfd296b-8a26-4dfa-b2af-0106bee0da23" data-vars-headline="Tampa: High mortgage rates lead to new-build boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/07/11/tampa-bay-homebuilding-increase-covid-19" target="_self">Tampa Bay builders</a> are enticing buyers with creative financing plans as U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" data-vars-content-id="dcfd296b-8a26-4dfa-b2af-0106bee0da23" data-vars-headline="Tampa: High mortgage rates lead to new-build boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/22/mortgage-rates-current" target="_self">mortgage rates</a> hit a 20-year high.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Golden handcuffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/07/08/housing-supply-florida-mortgage-rates" data-vars-content-id="dcfd296b-8a26-4dfa-b2af-0106bee0da23" data-vars-headline="Tampa: High mortgage rates lead to new-build boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/07/08/housing-supply-florida-mortgage-rates" target="_self">Golden handcuffs</a> are locking up Florida&#x27;s housing inventory, and that&#x27;s part of the reason there&#x27;s an increased interest in new builds, according to real estate experts.

Illustration of construction workers analyzing a house on top of a stack of money.

Modern farmhouse design takes Tampa Bay suburbs

The "Fixer Upper"-fueled trend has reached Florida.

Shiplap, barn doors, reclaimed wood, black hardware and ceiling beams — those are the hallmarks of a modern farmhouse, says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sterling Ridge Properties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sterlingtampa.com/" data-vars-content-id="e767d2fa-4e2e-42e1-ad78-6c1df10dcad8" data-vars-headline="Modern farmhouse design takes Tampa Bay suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sterlingtampa.com/" target="_blank">Sterling Ridge Properties</a> co-owner Laura Scarpinato. And they&#x27;re gaining traction in Tampa Bay&#x27;s suburbs.Why it matters: Modern farmhouses have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dethroned McMansions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/realestate/modern-farmhouse-suburbs.html" data-vars-content-id="e767d2fa-4e2e-42e1-ad78-6c1df10dcad8" data-vars-headline="Modern farmhouse design takes Tampa Bay suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/07/realestate/modern-farmhouse-suburbs.html" target="_blank">dethroned McMansions</a> as the suburban dream home.

A house with wood doors, white beams and an open patio is reflected in a pool in the evening

Century-old Tarpon Springs church gets new life as mansion

The home at 160 Read Street hit the market last week with a $6 million price tag, listed by Compass Florida.

A nearly 100-year-old church in Tarpon Springs is now reborn as a Mediterranean-inspired mansion.Driving the news: The home at 160 Read Street, just north of Spring Bayou and within walking distance of downtown, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit the market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.compass.com/listing/160-read-street-tarpon-springs-fl-34689/1374654014162779113/" data-vars-content-id="a92483e0-5469-43b1-86f3-259b772a6b5e" data-vars-headline="Century-old Tarpon Springs church gets new life as mansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.compass.com/listing/160-read-street-tarpon-springs-fl-34689/1374654014162779113/" target="_blank">hit the market</a> last week with a $6 million price tag, listed by Compass Florida.

A Mission-style, cream-colored home with a manicured green lawn in front. 

Old Tampa Bay commercial buildings are being converted into apartments

Tampa Bay is recovering better than most, but we're also experiencing one of the largest housing shortages in the country.

Converting empty Tampa Bay buildings into apartments could provide more housing near urban cores, but reimagining the spaces isn&#x27;t easy.Why it matters: Tampa Bay is recovering better than most, but we&#x27;re also experiencing one of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest housing shortages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/06/29/tampa-bay-households-doubling-up-need-affordable-housing" data-vars-content-id="f748d8d8-1928-4816-9fe7-62470c136f5c" data-vars-headline="Old Tampa Bay commercial buildings are being converted into apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/06/29/tampa-bay-households-doubling-up-need-affordable-housing" target="_self">largest housing shortages</a> in the country as our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population continues to boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/04/07/florida-population-growth-tampa-bay" data-vars-content-id="f748d8d8-1928-4816-9fe7-62470c136f5c" data-vars-headline="Old Tampa Bay commercial buildings are being converted into apartments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/04/07/florida-population-growth-tampa-bay" target="_self">population continues to boom</a>.

Illustration of a hand holding a key surrounded by abstract shapes. 

Real Estate 🏠