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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.

When Tampa Bay drivers should hit the road for Labor Day

Peak holiday congestion could add serious time to your trip.

Stay off the roads Friday afternoon to avoid the worst Labor Day weekend traffic, according to forecasts from AAA and INRIX.Why it matters: Peak holiday congestion could add serious time to your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/29/summer-travel-prices-destinations" data-vars-content-id="b9a3a4ca-8b8a-4be8-90e5-2fe55eb1de80" data-vars-headline="When Tampa Bay drivers should hit the road for Labor Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/29/summer-travel-prices-destinations" target="_self">trip</a>.

Tampa airport drops plan to privatize TSA security

Airport leaders reversed course after months of review, handing a victory to the workers' union.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/22/tampa-international-to-privatize-tsa" data-vars-content-id="17bc9d0e-57af-4c58-a85a-f5c0b301096e" data-vars-headline="Tampa airport drops plan to privatize TSA security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/07/22/tampa-international-to-privatize-tsa" target="_self">Tampa International Airport</a> leaders announced Monday that they&#x27;ve ditched a plan to privatize airport security.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a victory for the union representing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, which criticized and sued over the proposed Gold+ program.

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.