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A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

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Donalds won't say if he stands by his record in Legislature

The portrait his campaign paints is sometimes at odds with the Donalds who left Tallahassee for Washington, D.C.

Politics

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds is the only candidate in the governor&#x27;s race with a record in state government. But if you&#x27;re looking to it for a preview of how he&#x27;d govern Florida today, you&#x27;ll come up short.Why it matters: Donalds hasn&#x27;t changed his political affiliation like his opponent, Democratic nominee <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="David Jolly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/12/david-jolly-florida-culture-wars-governor" data-vars-content-id="8a2d06f5-030e-4d40-b074-c80c5ededba9" data-vars-headline="Donalds won&#x27;t say if he stands by his record in Legislature" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/12/david-jolly-florida-culture-wars-governor" target="_self">David Jolly</a>, but that doesn&#x27;t mean he hasn&#x27;t changed positions.

Pinellas commissioner proposes ending nonprofit grants

Funds supporting children and families, vulnerable adults and veterans are at risk.

News

Seeking to further reduce next year&#x27;s budget, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pinellas County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/02/pinellas-ups-mosquito-control-as-dengue-cases-rise" data-vars-content-id="1b188892-f12a-459a-9ed1-557c665f5fca" data-vars-headline="Pinellas commissioner proposes ending nonprofit grants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/02/pinellas-ups-mosquito-control-as-dengue-cases-rise" target="_self">Pinellas County</a> commissioner proposed slashing grant funding to nonprofits.Why it matters: That threatens programs that nonprofit leaders say are critical to help children and families, vulnerable adults and veterans.<ul><li>&quot;I know that we&#x27;re competing for resources, but at the same time, everybody needs help,&quot; said Robin Ingles, CEO of potential grant recipient <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seniors in Service" data-vars-click-url="https://seniorsinservice.org/" data-vars-content-id="1b188892-f12a-459a-9ed1-557c665f5fca" data-vars-headline="Pinellas commissioner proposes ending nonprofit grants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://seniorsinservice.org/" target="_blank">Seniors in Service</a>.</li></ul>

College football fandom could hit milestone

Total attendance at Football Bowl Subdivision games last season was just a few big games short of California's population.

Sports

College football&#x27;s top tier is on track to set an attendance record of 39 million this season.Why it matters: Total attendance at Football Bowl Subdivision games last season was just a few big games short of California&#x27;s population.

Dengue cases near 100 in Hillsborough County

About 1 in 4 people infected with the virus will get sick.

Health

Nearly 100 locally acquired <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dengue cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/02/pinellas-ups-mosquito-control-as-dengue-cases-rise" data-vars-content-id="99965102-998e-4acb-87fb-73be5f302fe9" data-vars-headline="Dengue cases near 100 in Hillsborough County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/09/02/pinellas-ups-mosquito-control-as-dengue-cases-rise" target="_self">dengue cases</a> have been reported in Hillsborough County, and the state Department of Health is investigating a death possibly linked to the virus.Why it matters: The county is the epicenter of Florida&#x27;s dengue outbreak, accounting for about 86% of locally acquired cases statewide.

PSTA spares key Pinellas bus routes but raises fares

Routes 16, 58 and 90 survived, while Safety Harbor's Snapper service will be eliminated.

Some changes are coming to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pinellas County" 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="b82ddde7-cdd2-406b-bd38-28209bf00fb1" data-vars-headline="PSTA spares key Pinellas bus routes but raises fares" 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">Pinellas County</a>&#x27;s bus service.Why it matters: The cuts and fare increases are less drastic than previous discussions to eliminate six routes, but in a car-centric region with few transit options, every cut counts, several bus riders noted at a meeting Wednesday.

Howard Frankland Bridge trail to open Wednesday

The new express lanes are also set to open this week, weather permitting.

The walking and biking trail along the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Howard Frankland Bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/24/new-howard-frankland-bridge-traffic-what-to-know" data-vars-content-id="5c95eac6-30b0-4a98-8527-9be69a9f94e4" data-vars-headline="Howard Frankland Bridge trail to open Wednesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/03/24/new-howard-frankland-bridge-traffic-what-to-know" target="_self">Howard Frankland Bridge</a> is set to open Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.<ul><li>The bridge&#x27;s express lanes will also likely open this week, weather permitting, department spokesperson Kris Carson told Axios.</li></ul>

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>

Sunshine Skyway tolls to go cashless, freeing up traffic

The change will help alleviate a traffic bottleneck issue, officials said.

Toll booths at both ends of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge will soon go fully electronic, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).Why it matters: The plazas currently accept cash, which can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic to bottleneck" data-vars-click-url="https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/05/19/why-does-the-skyway-bridge-still-have-toll-booths--" data-vars-content-id="d5017892-fe9c-43a6-b86d-0b8ff86e4a24" data-vars-headline="Sunshine Skyway tolls to go cashless, freeing up traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/05/19/why-does-the-skyway-bridge-still-have-toll-booths--" target="_blank">traffic to bottleneck</a> during peak travel times.

Tampa-St. Pete ferry comeback set for approval

Transit officials will also vote on whether to buy a used 250-passenger boat for the service.

Pinellas County transit officials are expected on Wednesday to approve a year-round <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ferry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/02/hillsborough-oks-pinellas-funds-cross-bay-ferry-service" data-vars-content-id="a544f61a-c13b-440e-9e9d-775e3e90c2da" data-vars-headline="Tampa-St. Pete ferry comeback set for approval" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/06/02/hillsborough-oks-pinellas-funds-cross-bay-ferry-service" target="_self">ferry</a> service connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg.Why it matters: It&#x27;s the final vote before local officials can start building out the service, called the Tampa Bay Ferry.

Waymo's self-driving taxis are coming to Tampa

Humans will be behind the wheel — for now.

Waymo&#x27;s self-driving cars will soon hit Tampa streets, the company announced Thursday.<ul><li>Yes, but: Humans will be behind the wheel for now. </li></ul>Why it matters: The rollout lays the groundwork for the autonomous ride-hailing service to start operating in Tampa.

The best and worst times for Tampa Bay Thanksgiving 2025 travel

There will be a record-breaking 4.65 million Floridians leaving town for Thanksgiving this year, AAA predicts.

It&#x27;s time for Tampa Bay road and sky warriors to start thinking about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgiving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/thanksgiving-specials-under-50-dollars" data-vars-content-id="195df6e4-6494-4195-8623-e7c904af3bcb" data-vars-headline="The best and worst times for Tampa Bay Thanksgiving 2025 travel" 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/thanksgiving-specials-under-50-dollars" target="_self">Thanksgiving</a> travel.Why it matters: There will be a record-breaking 4.65 million Floridians leaving town for Thanksgiving this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.acg.aaa.com/nearly-465-million-floridians-expected-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/" data-vars-content-id="195df6e4-6494-4195-8623-e7c904af3bcb" data-vars-headline="The best and worst times for Tampa Bay Thanksgiving 2025 travel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.acg.aaa.com/nearly-465-million-floridians-expected-to-travel-for-thanksgiving/" target="_blank">AAA</a> predicts.

Tampa Bay spending more time stuck in traffic

The average Tampa Bay car commuter spent 64 hours in traffic delays last year.

The average Tampa Bay car commuter spent 64 hours <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stuck in traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" data-vars-content-id="a1b9375b-f49c-421f-af9e-a123160b6eb6" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay spending more time stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/08/slowest-driving-cities-america-list" target="_self">stuck in traffic</a> last year, a new report finds.<ul><li>That&#x27;s 11 more hours than in 2019.</li></ul>

State to remove part of SunRunner's dedicated lanes

Dedicated lanes are a key feature underpinning the 3-year-old bus rapid-transit service.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SunRunner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/29/sunrunner-bus-st-petersburg-free-fares" data-vars-content-id="c3b498c0-257b-4362-9225-c91389fac242" data-vars-headline="State to remove part of SunRunner&#x27;s dedicated lanes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/29/sunrunner-bus-st-petersburg-free-fares" target="_self">SunRunner</a> will no longer have dedicated lanes along South Pasadena Avenue after state officials intervened.Why it matters: Dedicated lanes are a key feature underpinning the 3-year-old rapid-transit bus service, which was billed as a high-frequency, limited-congestion way to travel from downtown St. Petersburg to St. Pete Beach.

How to hack lane closures around downtown Tampa this weekend

Brace for detours, and follow these steps.

All but one lane of I-275 through downtown Tampa will close this weekend as crews work on improvements to the I-275/I-4 interchange.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re passing through downtown, brace for detours.

Transit 🚗

PSTA spares key Pinellas bus routes but raises fares

New bus service to link downtown St. Pete and Tampa International Airport

Howard Frankland Bridge trail to open Wednesday

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

Sunshine Skyway tolls to go cashless, freeing up traffic