Axios Tampa Bay

May 13, 2026
Good day, Wednesday.
π§οΈ Today's weather: Isolated rain showers then isolated showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 88 and a low of 72.
Sounds like: "Big Yellow Taxi," Joni Mitchell.
π Happy birthday to our Axios Tampa Bay member Sherry Rehm!
Today's newsletter is 1,011 words, a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: π³οΈ Redistricting election guide
Florida's new congressional map scrambled Tampa Bay, leaving voters unsure of what district they're in and who's running to represent them.
Why it matters: The districts drawn in 2022 were supposed to last a decade. Now, voters have five months to learn new ones before November's election.
Here's what to know.
πΊοΈ The map is in effect: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the new congressional map into law earlier this month, and despite ongoing litigation, it remains in effect for November.
- Voting rights groups have sued over the new map β arguing it is partisan and therefore illegal β and have asked a judge to block its use in this year's elections. No court has done so yet.
π Find where you fall in the new map: You can enter your address here to find your new congressional district.
π³οΈ Who's in the running: Qualifying will take place on June 12, and the primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18. Until then, we cannot know for certain who will appear on your ballot in November.
- But some Tampa Bay incumbents whose districts have been redrawn have announced their intention to run for re-election anyway.
- These include: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm Harbor) in District 12; U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) in District 14; and U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Brandon) in District 15.
π¬ Between the lines: The changes particularly affect District 14, which used to include Keystone, Westchase, East Lake-Orient Park, downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg β and leaned Democratic.
- It now includes Plant City to rural Wimauma, while leaving East Tampa, some of Ybor City and all of Pinellas County outside the district lines, shedding nearly 50,000 Black residents, per the Tampa Bay Times.
- St. Petersburg is now lumped in with DeSoto and Hardee counties, and downtown Tampa with Citrus County. All of Tampa Bay's districts are now more favorable to Republicans.
Go deeper: How Florida's new congressional districts sliced up Tampa Bay
2. π ΏοΈ St. Pete's parking debate
St. Petersburg City Council members are set to decide tomorrow 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.
- 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.
State of play: City Council members will vote on the ordinance tomorrow for the second and final time.
- The Council initially approved the measure 6-0 at a first reading last month, with council member Richie Floyd absent.
- Council member and 3 Daughters Brewing owner Mike Harting recused himself because of his business's proximity to the affected area, per the Tampa Bay Times.
Zoom in: If approved, the ordinance would apply to properties along Central Avenue and within a quarter-mile of SunRunner stations from 19th Street west to Pasadena Avenue.
- City staff at last month's meeting stressed that it's voluntary, the Times reported. Developers can still build with parking in the area if they want to.
3. The Pulp: βΎοΈ Sharks circle for Rays move to Orlando
π Billionaire attorney John Morgan is ready to make the pitch for baseball in Orlando if plans to build a Rays stadium in Tampa fail to launch. "I would still put my money up for baseball, but only in Orlando," he said. (WUSF)
- Meanwhile, State Rep. Anna Eskamani, considered a frontrunner to be Orlando's next mayor, has made bringing baseball to the city part of her campaign platform. (Orlando Sentinel)
π’ Largo's $85-million City Hall opens to the public on Tuesday. Along with city administrative offices, Horizon West Bay will have workspaces, an outdoor plaza, a Greek restaurant, and donut and ice cream shops. (Bay News 9)
π₯ Buttermilk Eatery, a local breakfast spot, will open its third location in the former Urban Brew & BBQ space in St. Pete. The restaurant is known for its giant breakfast platters and robot food runners. (St. Pete Rising)
π Rossie Park on the Bradenton Riverwalk will be closed from Monday to June 25 while the city installs sun shades. (Bradenton Herald)
Vendors working at the Everglades detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz were told the facility will shut down next month. (The New York Times)
4. π This weekend in and around St. Pete
Hear that? It's the weekend calling.
- Here are some ways to spend it:
ποΈ Restoration & Design Expo, St. Pete: Preserve the 'Burg's annual event will feature vendors and speakers who specialize in historic preservation, restoration, architecture and more, plus guided tours of Historic Mirror Lake.
- Saturday, 10am-3pm, at the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Free. RSVP here.
π¨ Painting in the Park 2026, St. Pete: Engage in more than 20 arts-and-crafty activities including En Plein Air Painting (painting outdoors) inspired by Claude Monet and bracelet making inspired by Ancient Roman jewelry.
- Complete 10 stations and get a free pass to the Museum of Fine Arts.
- Saturday, 11am-3pm, at the MFA. Free. Register here.
π Taste of Tarpon, Tarpon Springs: Try restaurants and breweries from downtown to the Sponge Docks. Grab a map of participating spots at COhatch, 123 East Tarpon Ave.
- Saturday, 12:30-4:30pm. Tickets are $25 plus fees.
π St. Pete Italian Fest, St. Pete: Enjoy tons of traditional Italian food, wine tastings, a cannoli-eating contest, pasta-making demos and more.
- Saturday, 11am-7pm, at Vinoy Park. Tickets start at $19.10.
5. π What is this, a crossover episode?
Flo AND Rida got to visit a fellow mascot on a field trip to this Tampa Bay institution. Where?
- Hit reply, and if you get it right, look for a shout-out in a future newsletter!
π€ Kathryn is looking forward to sharing thoughts on the journalism industry at next week's State of the Word.
π Yacob is reading Paul Wilborn's "Cigar City: Tales from a 1980s Creative Ghetto."
This newsletter was edited by Jeff Weiner.
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