Axios Tampa Bay

March 27, 2026
π FriYAYYYYYYY! We made it.
π«οΈ Today's weather: Patchy fog then sunny, with a high of 85 and a low of 63.
Sounds like: "Talk To Me," Robyn (whose new album comes out today!)
π§ Situational awareness: Starting Monday, the San Martin Bridge in northeast St. Pete will narrow to one lane while city workers relocate pipes beneath Riviera Bay.
- The work is scheduled to continue through October and will cause traffic delays.
- The city is encouraging drivers who use the road as a cut-through between Fourth Street North and Gandy Boulevard to use other routes.
Today's newsletter is 1,079 words, a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: π ΏοΈ It always comes down to parking
Negotiations for a new Rays stadium at Hillsborough College have hit a snag that won't surprise anyone who has attended a game or concert in Tampa Bay: parking.
Why it matters: The Tampa Sports Authority, which relies on the college's lots for Buccaneers games, concerts and events, hasn't received clarity from the Rays about how a new ballpark would disrupt that arrangement.
- Emails obtained by the Tampa Bay Business Journal reveal a tense back-and-forth between Sports Authority leadership and the Rays, who have offered few details about how they intend to address the issue.
Driving the news: The questions about parking come as the Sports Authority has commissioned two studies on the economic impact of the team's proposed stadium and mixed-use district.
- Eric Hart, CEO of the Sports Authority, wrote in an email that he had requested "multiple times" that specific items from the Rays be provided to contractors working on the analyses, per the Business Journal.
- Earlier this month, a contractor told the Sports Authority that changes the Rays had made to the design of the ballpark's roof would alter the analysis and that more information from the team was requested.
Zoom in: Hart wants to know which parking lots the Sports Authority will be able to access and whether any existing agreements or rates will change.
- He stressed that such information is "critical" because Hillsborough College is central to the Sports Authority's parking plan, and its annual budget will depend on available parking.
- The college has gone mum on the issue. Rays CEO Ken Babby, however, said the team intends to "accommodate and maintain existing parking commitments and agreements," per the Business Journal.
What's next: The economic analyses commissioned by the Sports Authority are supposed to be released this month.
- Whether they will is anyone's guess.
2. βοΈ EXTRA! EXTRA!
St. Pete locals, it's our time to shine.
State of play: FrontRunner Casting Agency is seeking extras for "The Statement," a new movie starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and John Turturro that's filming April 6-8 here in the Sunshine City.
- It's set in 1980, hence a note in the casting notice asking men to specify if they'd be OK growing out their hair and "receiving 1980s haircuts if necessary."
- The agency is also seeking vehicles from 1965-1979 "with no wild modifications."
The gig pays $200 for 12 hours of work, $50 for costume fitting, and $150 for period-appropriate cars.
Zoom out: The film, directed by Tom McCarthy (known for "Spotlight," "The Station Agent" and more), is based on the book "Losing Earth" by Nathaniel Rich, per Deadline.
- The true story, which started as a New York Times Magazine piece published in 2018, chronicles the decade from 1979-1989 when scientists and activists were sounding the alarm about climate change.
- Part of the book takes place during a 1980 conference at the Don CeSar hotel in St. Pete Beach.
How to apply: Email [email protected] with the subject line "BG EXTRAS" and information including your name, photos and availability and how to reach you.
- Find a full list of what to include in your submission here.
π Kathryn's thought bubble: Considering my wealth of acting experience (ensemble roles in TWO community theater musical productions), I may give this a shot. Watch this space.
π£ Let us know if you apply, and definitely let us know if you're chosen! We'd love to hear all about it!
3. The Pulp: Siblings charged in MacDill threat
Two siblings face charges stemming from an explosive device found this month at MacDill Air Force Base. (Tampa Bay Times)
- Alen Zheng, 20, is accused of planting the device. His sister, 27-year-old Ann Mary Zheng, helped her brother after the fact, federal prosecutors said.
π½οΈ A documentary about government influence at New College of Florida β called "First They Came for My College" β has gained national attention since its premiere this month at a Missouri film festival. (WUSF)
π½οΈ Chef Alex Chamberlain from Tampa's KΕsen will head the kitchen of a new restaurant in downtown St. Pete. The restaurant, Mei, features cuisine that blends French, Nordic and Japanese influences. (St. Pete Catalyst)
4. β¨ Tampa's big Pride party
It's Pride weekend in Tampa, and tons of events are on the lineup.
Why it matters: While this year won't include the usual parade due to Tampa Pride's hiatus, another organization stepped up to keep the LGBTQ+ celebration going.
Here's a rundown of Pride of Tampa's programming this weekend. Some events are ticketed.
Friday
π³οΈββ§οΈ Trans Pride Ball: Celebrate the trans community with the theme "Night of 1,000 Oscars."
- 7-11pm at 1920 Ybor.
π¦ Mixed Signals Party: Red = taken, yellow = complicated and green = single at this late-night dance party.
- 10pm-3am at 2582 N. Albany Ave.
Saturday
π Pride of Tampa Festival: This outdoor festival will feature performers, community organizations, food vendors and more.
- 11am-6pm at The Cuban Club in Ybor.
πͺ© Girl Party of Pride: DJs, burlesque performances and a foam party round out this celebration.
- Noon-8pm at Crowbar.
π Festival After Party: March together from the festival to Bradley's on 7th for music, dancing and performances.
- 6pm-1am at Bradley's on 7th.
Keep reading: More events
5. π© They're baaaaaack
π Kathryn here. Sorry to deliver this news, but the plant-destroying lubber grasshoppers are back.
- I haven't seen them in my yard yet, but friends of the newsletter Mallory and Brian spotted dozens yesterday on a fence in St. Pete's Central Oak Park.
Here's the deal: You gotta kill them while they're young. The older they get, the harder they are to eradicate.
- Smashing them is always an option.
- Diatomaceous earth also works. Apply it directly to the lubbers and/or on the plants where they're hanging out.
Yes, but: It also can kill bees, so just be careful around plants that flower.
πΈ Kathryn is SO HYPE that Weezer, The Shins and Silversun Pickups are coming to Tampa later this year.
π Yacob is obsessed with George Saunders and is now reading his first published short story.
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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