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Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU

Tampa could follow tomorrow, bringing this side of the Bay closer than ever to a stadium deal.

News

The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners voted 5-2 on Wednesday to enter into a non-binding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="memorandum of understanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" data-vars-content-id="264232da-d3ef-4269-ac44-eba647818300" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" target="_self">memorandum of understanding</a> with the Rays to build a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new 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="264232da-d3ef-4269-ac44-eba647818300" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU" 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 stadium</a> for the team at Hillsborough College.Why it matters: The Tampa City Council could follow tomorrow, bringing this side of the Bay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closer than ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/20/tampas-40-year-quest-for-baseball-comes-to-a-vote" data-vars-content-id="264232da-d3ef-4269-ac44-eba647818300" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County approves Rays stadium MOU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/20/tampas-40-year-quest-for-baseball-comes-to-a-vote" target="_self">closer than ever</a> before to a stadium deal with the Rays.

City to discuss Scientology's role in Clearwater's "urban renaissance"

It's hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater.

For the first time in recent memory, it&#x27;s hard to keep up with all the development activity in downtown Clearwater. Why it matters: City officials have dubbed this moment an &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban renaissance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/clearwater-leaders-say-city-is-urban-renaissance-downtown-construction-projects-starting" target="_blank">urban renaissance</a>,&quot; but questions about the Church of Scientology&#x27;s role in the momentum prompted City Council members to schedule a special meeting next week, according to recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/clearwater/2026/05/05/scientology-clearwater-downtown-development/" target="_blank">news</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" data-vars-content-id="7aa4d34c-d600-4190-862c-c67f2d0a9b8a" data-vars-headline="City to discuss Scientology&#x27;s role in Clearwater&#x27;s &quot;urban renaissance&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay28.com/news/local-news/clearwater-north-pinellas-county/public-meeting-set-to-discuss-downtown-clearwater-cleveland-street-development" target="_blank">reports</a>.

NOAA forecasts quieter hurricane season but warns: Prepare now

Officials expect fewer Atlantic storms in 2026 but stress even one hurricane can be devastating.

Energy & Climate

This year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Atlantic hurricane season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/05/20/national-hurricane-center-updates-cone-of-uncertainty" data-vars-content-id="4e960f27-3540-4289-86b1-f9c435955f39" data-vars-headline="NOAA forecasts quieter hurricane season but warns: Prepare now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/05/20/national-hurricane-center-updates-cone-of-uncertainty" target="_self">Atlantic hurricane season</a> is expected to be below average in storm activity for the first time in more than a decade, NOAA meteorologists said Thursday in their annual forecast.Why it matters: Residents should still take the season seriously and prepare now, officials stressed.<ul><li>&quot;It&#x27;s very important to understand that it only takes one,&quot; NOAA administrator Neil Jacobs told reporters.</li></ul>

Tampa's 40-year quest for baseball comes to a vote

The city's quest for a professional baseball team looked all but dead 28 years ago.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Rays&#x27; search" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="e0d24758-6c34-4201-80fe-a57af5f99a4b" data-vars-headline="Tampa&#x27;s 40-year quest for baseball comes to a vote" 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">The Rays&#x27; search</a> for a new home may end where Tampa leaders first tried to bring Major League Baseball four decades ago. Why it matters: The city&#x27;s quest for a professional baseball team looked all but dead 28 years ago, when the Rays debuted in St. Petersburg. This week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two votes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" data-vars-content-id="e0d24758-6c34-4201-80fe-a57af5f99a4b" data-vars-headline="Tampa&#x27;s 40-year quest for baseball comes to a vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/14/hillsborough-county-unveils-proposed-stadium-deal-with-rays" target="_self">two votes</a> could bring this side of the Bay closer than ever to that goal.

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Things to Do

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>

Tampa weekend events: Vintage market, murder mystery dinner and more

Here are a few more ways to spend the days ahead.

Mother&#x27;s Day may be the headline this weekend, but it&#x27;s far from the only thing happening around Tampa.<ul><li>Here are a few more ways to spend the days ahead.</li></ul>

St. Pete weekend events: Horror con, Country Thunder, deaf meet-up

Here are some things to do beyond Mother's Day plans.

With your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mother&#x27;s Day plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/05/mothers-day-events-tampa-st-pete-last-minute" data-vars-content-id="ee5fa0ea-295b-4d6a-a96f-e6b50175e6b6" data-vars-headline="St. Pete weekend events: Horror con, Country Thunder, deaf meet-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/05/05/mothers-day-events-tampa-st-pete-last-minute" target="_self">Mother&#x27;s Day plans</a> hopefully sorted, here are some more ways to spend the weekend in and around St. Petersburg.🌈 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Pete Pride Community Yard Sale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/2452564481850536?active_tab=about" data-vars-content-id="ee5fa0ea-295b-4d6a-a96f-e6b50175e6b6" data-vars-headline="St. Pete weekend events: Horror con, Country Thunder, deaf meet-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2452564481850536?active_tab=about" target="_blank">St. Pete Pride Community Yard Sale</a>: Shop furniture, decor, office supplies, merch from past Pride celebrations and more, courtesy of St. Pete Pride office and storage spring cleaning. <ul><li>Saturday, 9am-4pm, at St. Pete Pride, 3251 3rd Avenue North.</li></ul>

Rainbow Springs State Park to require online reservations

Gone are the days of waiting in a snaking car line only to be turned away when the park hits capacity.

Those hoping to take a dip in the crystal-clear headsprings of Rainbow <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Springs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/08/02/florida-springs-guide-five-stops-a-dozen-springs" data-vars-content-id="af7d8225-8488-4071-889f-515daab2517a" data-vars-headline="Rainbow Springs State Park to require online reservations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/08/02/florida-springs-guide-five-stops-a-dozen-springs" target="_self">Springs</a> State Park will soon have to reserve a spot ahead of time.Why it matters: Gone are the days of driving an hour and waiting in a snaking car line only to be turned away when the park hits capacity.

MOSI to host Artemis II watch party

You can watch NASA's crewed lunar mission inside an eight-story, 360-degree planetarium.

Tampa&#x27;s Museum of Science and Innovation will air the launch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/05/artemis-space-launch-system-michoud-built" data-vars-content-id="d1b167b0-03f1-4790-90c3-e5f85027d6b6" data-vars-headline="MOSI to host Artemis II watch party" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/03/05/artemis-space-launch-system-michoud-built" target="_self">Artemis II</a> in its Saunders Planetarium on Wednesday. Why it matters: You can watch NASA&#x27;s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years inside an eight-story, 360-degree planetarium, among the largest theaters of its kind in America.

All of the events at Pride of Tampa this weekend

It's Pride weekend in Tampa, and tons of events are on the lineup.

It&#x27;s Pride weekend in Tampa, and tons of events are on the lineup. Why it matters: While this year won&#x27;t include the usual parade due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Pride&#x27;s hiatus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/17/tampa-pride-hiatus-future" data-vars-content-id="ad25c91c-59a8-4590-97de-5240a58e2069" data-vars-headline="All of the events at Pride of Tampa this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/10/17/tampa-pride-hiatus-future" target="_self">Tampa Pride&#x27;s hiatus</a>, another organization stepped up to keep the LGBTQ+ celebration going.

In and around St. Pete: Mainsail Art Festival, Sugar Sand fest and more

Some very fun, very Tampa Bay events are on the docket for this weekend.

Some very fun, very Tampa Bay events are on the docket for this weekend. <ul><li>Here&#x27;s a look:</li></ul>

In and around St. Pete: Bayfest, Country in the Park, Rowdies

It&#x27;s almost the weekend, and it&#x27;s going to be beeeeautiful out. <ul><li>Here are some ways to spend it.</li></ul>

5 unique ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Tampa, St. Pete

Forget the green beer and bar crawls.<ul><li>Here are some creative ways to celebrate St. Patrick&#x27;s Day in Tampa Bay. </li></ul>

Your guide to St. Pete's Grand Prix weekend: Schedule, parking and road closures

The annual motorsports race will draw thousands to the St. Petersburg waterfront.

Vroom vroom — it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Prix" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/07/what-to-know-2024-grand-prix-of-st-petersburg" data-vars-content-id="f95dcef8-2a4b-4729-a8a7-c759a381c75f" data-vars-headline="Your guide to St. Pete&#x27;s Grand Prix weekend: Schedule, parking and road closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/07/what-to-know-2024-grand-prix-of-st-petersburg" target="_self">Grand Prix</a> weekend.Why it matters: The annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will draw thousands to the St. Petersburg waterfront, where several roads will be closed to support the course.

Things to Do 🗓

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Tampa weekend events: Vintage market, murder mystery dinner and more

St. Pete weekend events: Horror con, Country Thunder, deaf meet-up

Tampa weekend events: Riverfest, Plant Bingo and more

Rainbow Springs State Park to require online reservations