Tampa Bay school officials were scrambling this week to prepare alternative options for more than 5,000 students who were set to take Advanced Placement Psychology amid a feud between the Florida Department of Education and the College Board.

Why it matters: The back-and-forth could cost thousands of students college credit. AP Psychology is one of the College Board's most popular courses, offering students a path to get ahead on general education classes required to graduate college.

• More than 28,000 Florida students took the class last year, the board said.

Catch up quick: A day after the College Board asserted last week that Florida had "effectively banned" the course over its curriculum on sexual orientation and gender identity, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. pushed back, saying the class "can be taught in its entirety in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate."

Yes, but: The uncertainty led several school districts to pivot to other college-credit programs just before the start of the school year tomorrow.

State of play: Most Tampa Bay area districts opted for the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program, district officials told Axios. But whether that course meets standards to award students college credit remains in question, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Meanwhile, several education officials noted that the feud has left teachers and district administrators in an impossible position: teach the course and risk losing certification for violating Florida law, or take another route and risk students' opportunity for college credit.

Zoom in: Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Hernando and Manatee county schools are using AICE, district officials told Axios. Hernando and Polk will also offer psychology through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, officials said.

Between the lines: Florida Psychological Association executive director Deborah Foote told Axios she and other members are concerned the course dispute could turn students off from pursuing psychology and other mental health careers in the midst of a statewide therapist shortage.

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📅 Upcoming events around the city:

Bolts Brewfest at Amalie Arena on Friday:

• Hockey and beer? That's a no-brainer. That's why your favorite hockey team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, is bringing back everyone's favorite craft beer event, Bolts Brew Fest.
• Set foot into Amalie Arena to be greeted by a sea of breweries throughout the arena concourse and event floor as you sample your way around hundreds of beer options from more than 50 local, national, and international brands. Plus games, photo opportunities, and other fun surprises.

Mirror Lake Cleanup at Mirror Lake on Saturday:

• Reflection St. Pete, Stewards of Our Urban Lakes and Keep Pinellas Beautiful are excited to host monthly cleanups at Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake was the first water source for St. Pete and was previously named Reservoir Lake. The lake's history is special for the city, and the surrounding historic landmarks are what they are because Mirror Lake sits at the center of this beautiful neighborhood.
• Mirror Lake invites volunteers to participate in making a difference in the St. Pete community. You can make an impact and have fun at the same time while sharing an appreciation for the people in our community, the history, and local wildlife.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

A national homebuilder announced this week that it bought a chunk of one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land in Pasco County.

Driving the news: Pulte Homes closed Aug. 1 on the northeast corner of an 1,800-acre parcel in Wesley Chapel with plans to build homes, according to a news release. The land, which sits just east of Curley Road, is home to the DePue family cattle ranch.

• The neighborhood will be called Vida's Way to honor the DePue family matriarch, Vida Claire Barnes DePue, who died in 2010 at 88.

Details: The development will feature a 50-foot tall windmill at the entrance along with a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse, resort-style pool, dog park, pickleball courts, and community fruit and vegetable garden.

What's next: The 700-home community is just the first phase of development, but a spokesperson declined to elaborate on future plans for the land.

What they're saying: "We were impressed with the extensive time and effort the Pulte team took to learn about and understand our rich family history," Michael Nutt, grandson of Vida DePue, said in a statement. "We believe Vida's Way will be a lasting tribute to her life."

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🎣 Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and her family caught 70 pounds of cocaine on a fishing trip in the Florida Keys last month. (Tampa Bay Times)

🔫 Tampa International Airport's Airside F was evacuated Friday after a gun made it through a TSA checkpoint and ended up in a bathroom trash can. (WFLA)

📚 Amid state-sanctioned restrictions on classroom books, Florida teachers are offloading titles to book resellers, including one in Pinellas Park. (Tallahassee Democrat)

🎤 Lakeland officials rejected a push by a group of Christian residents to stop a private charity drag brunch event. (The Ledger)

Elkhorn corals can be seen here spawning at The Florida Aquarium's Coral Care Center in Apollo Beach.

Why it matters: The spawning coral, relocated from waters around the Florida Keys to the aquarium last month, will help combat the mass bleaching event threatening the species.