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Jolly to pick Gwen Graham as running mate, sources say

The announcement is expected on Thursday during a rally at Florida International University's Graham Center Ballroom.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="David Jolly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/05/david-jolly-florida-governor-democrat-republican" data-vars-content-id="dfe42359-e6c7-4631-bf07-6e906be6819a" data-vars-headline="Jolly to pick Gwen Graham as running mate, sources say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/05/david-jolly-florida-governor-democrat-republican" target="_self">David Jolly</a> — the leading Democrat in the race for Florida governor — plans to name former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham as his running mate, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Graham, the daughter of former Florida Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, could help broaden Jolly&#x27;s appeal to moderate voters in what will be a difficult race for Democrats.

Where to watch World Cup games

Several venues and bars are planning watch parties.

Things to Do

The World Cup kicks off this Thursday, and what better way to get in the spirit than watching with your neighbors at a local haunt? <ul><li>Here are some spots to catch the games:</li></ul>

Teens hit summer break with nowhere left to go

Teens seeking to socialize together in public this summer are discovering that their presence is often treated as a problem.

News

Teens seeking to socialize together in public this summer are discovering that their presence is often treated as a problem. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decline of malls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/04/shopping-malls-lifestyle-experiences-gym-entertainment" data-vars-content-id="9f28a6fd-f68f-4a52-ba86-97363fd6e4d1" data-vars-headline="Teens hit summer break with nowhere left to go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/04/shopping-malls-lifestyle-experiences-gym-entertainment" target="_self">decline of malls</a>, cheap hangout spots and welcoming public spaces has left teenagers with few places to gather without money or access to a car, urban designers and youth researchers say.

Florida earns C- for maternal mental health care

About one in five U.S. moms experience maternity-related mental health conditions like postpartum depression, and most don't get the treatment they need.

Many people struggling with maternal mental health are left untreated, experts say as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://policycentermmh.org/2026-maternal-mental-health-state-report-cards/" data-vars-content-id="471e6fa2-f10b-42bb-962c-a9aa07359af1" data-vars-headline="Florida earns C- for maternal mental health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://policycentermmh.org/2026-maternal-mental-health-state-report-cards/" target="_blank">new report</a> grades states on the quality of the care they provide.Why it matters: About one in five U.S. moms experience maternity-related mental health conditions like postpartum depression, and most don&#x27;t get the treatment they need.

Lovebugs are back with a vengeance

After years of decline, lovebugs have returned in hordes across the state in recent weeks.

Travel

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lovebugs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2022/04/27/lovebug-season-florida-explained" data-vars-content-id="72407d36-38a3-409e-bbc9-0b5cec6e870c" data-vars-headline="Lovebugs are back with a vengeance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2022/04/27/lovebug-season-florida-explained" target="_self">Lovebugs</a> — the dive-bombing scourge of summer driving season, destroyers of paint jobs and windshields — are back in a big way.Why it matters: Splat! Splat! Splatsplatsplatsplatsplat.<ul><li>That&#x27;s the sound of driving on a highway in Florida right now. </li></ul>

Tampa Bay's worst Memorial Day Weekend travel times

AAA predicts this will be the busiest Memorial Day ever for travel.

Stay off the road Thursday and Friday afternoons if you want to avoid the worst <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" data-vars-content-id="f5728fc4-e0e8-4c6d-815c-4eee66bbc0ce" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s worst Memorial Day Weekend travel times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" target="_self">Memorial Day weekend</a> traffic, according to INRIX forecasts.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA predicts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" data-vars-content-id="f5728fc4-e0e8-4c6d-815c-4eee66bbc0ce" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s worst Memorial Day Weekend travel times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ace.aaa.com/travel/advocacy/memorial-day-travel-forecast-safety-tips.html" target="_blank">AAA predicts</a> this will be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busiest Memorial Day ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" data-vars-content-id="f5728fc4-e0e8-4c6d-815c-4eee66bbc0ce" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s worst Memorial Day Weekend travel times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/12/memorial-day-travel-forecast-record-aaa" target="_self">busiest Memorial Day ever</a> for travel — meaning your departure time could <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="make or break" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="f5728fc4-e0e8-4c6d-815c-4eee66bbc0ce" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay&#x27;s worst Memorial Day Weekend travel times" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">make or break</a> your trip.

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.

Best, worst July 4 weekend travel times around Tampa Bay

Forecasters say that a tropical disturbance could bring heavy rainfall to Tampa Bay over Fourth of July weekend.

Record-breaking <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July 4 travel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/28/july-fourth-travel-best-times" data-vars-content-id="b6a898be-3bb9-4066-a2b7-20a0c1765976" data-vars-headline="Best, worst July 4 weekend travel times around Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/28/july-fourth-travel-best-times" target="_self">July 4 travel</a> is expected to jam roadways and runways, according to AAA — so plan ahead.By the numbers: Over 72 million people are expected to travel 50+ miles over the long Independence Day holiday (June 28–July 6), per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/06/july4forecast/" data-vars-content-id="b6a898be-3bb9-4066-a2b7-20a0c1765976" data-vars-headline="Best, worst July 4 weekend travel times around Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/06/july4forecast/" target="_blank">AAA</a>.

Canadians' demand for U.S., Florida travel is cratering

Seat capacity for flights between Florida airports and Canadian cities has plummeted.

Canadians&#x27; desire to visit the U.S. is absolutely tanking, new data suggests.Why it matters: President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/23/canada-carney-slams-trump-tariffs-snap-elections" data-vars-content-id="c54f5b0e-aa30-4157-9aef-d2df96855473" data-vars-headline="Canadians&#x27; demand for U.S., Florida travel is cratering" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/23/canada-carney-slams-trump-tariffs-snap-elections" target="_self">tariffs</a> and insistence that Canada should become the 51st American state is fueling a remarkable rally-round-the-flag effect.

Tampa's airport is among the cheapest to fly from

The average domestic airfare at TPA is $326.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/28/airport-complaints-tpa-pie-srq" data-vars-content-id="6e18b1fa-5062-4e01-af51-661d59d46a19" data-vars-headline="Tampa&#x27;s airport is among the cheapest to fly from" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/28/airport-complaints-tpa-pie-srq" target="_self">Tampa International Airport</a>&#x27;s average domestic airfare is $326 — cheaper than many other airports in the U.S. The big picture: Of the country&#x27;s busiest airports, Orlando is the other Florida airport with a great average fare price, according to the latest Transportation Department data.

Tampa airport defies U.S. air traffic controller shortage

There's been a heightened focus on tower staffing after back-to-back plane crashes in recent weeks.

Tampa International Airport has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country for air traffic controllers, per recent<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Federal Aviation Administration data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/10/air-traffic-controller-shortages" data-vars-content-id="113e7d81-af22-4123-ac7c-0d23da3aff9c" data-vars-headline="Tampa airport defies U.S. air traffic controller shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/10/air-traffic-controller-shortages" target="_self"> Federal Aviation Administration data</a>.Why it matters: There&#x27;s been a heightened focus on tower staffing after back-to-back plane crashes in recent weeks — the latest being a Delta plane<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" flipping upside down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/17/delta-flight-crash-toronto-airport" data-vars-content-id="113e7d81-af22-4123-ac7c-0d23da3aff9c" data-vars-headline="Tampa airport defies U.S. air traffic controller shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/17/delta-flight-crash-toronto-airport" target="_self"> flipping upside down</a> Monday while landing.

Map: Roads closed for Gasparilla 2025

Tampa residents should prepare for heavy traffic and crowds on Saturday.

Tampa residents should prepare for heavy traffic and crowds on Saturday as pirates take over the city for the Gasparilla Pirate Festival.The big picture: There will be many street closures before, during and after the parade.

Misterb&b offers hospitality with Pride

Matthieu Jost started the site in 2014 after he said he and his partner were harassed while traveling abroad.

St. Pete welcomes hundreds of thousands of people to one of the biggest Pride events in the southeast, but finding welcoming accommodations isn&#x27;t always easy.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LGBTQ+ people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/lgbt-american-communities-states-data" data-vars-content-id="b38733d1-c86e-452b-b196-bfeba3f62567" data-vars-headline="Misterb&amp;b offers hospitality with Pride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/lgbt-american-communities-states-data" target="_self">LGBTQ+ people</a> don&#x27;t always feel <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/18/anti-jewish-anti-lgbtq-hate-crimes-2022-fbi" data-vars-content-id="b38733d1-c86e-452b-b196-bfeba3f62567" data-vars-headline="Misterb&amp;b offers hospitality with Pride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/18/anti-jewish-anti-lgbtq-hate-crimes-2022-fbi" target="_self">safe</a> while traveling, especially with their partners.

Margaritaville-inspired cruise docks in Tampa before maiden voyage

The boat makes its maiden voyage this week.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Margaritaville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/05/florida-license-plates-jimmy-buffett-marine-aquarium" data-vars-content-id="e02b054d-88de-46bf-a4fa-cd5e2f419d8a" data-vars-headline="Margaritaville-inspired cruise docks in Tampa before maiden voyage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/03/05/florida-license-plates-jimmy-buffett-marine-aquarium" target="_self">Margaritaville</a> at Sea&#x27;s latest cruise ship docked at Port Tampa Bay Monday as it readies for its maiden voyage.<ul><li>The Jimmy Buffett-inspired boat — The Islander — sails Thursday from its home port in Tampa to Cozumel, Mexico. Prices start at $229. </li></ul>