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St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film

"The Statement" is filming April 6-8 right here in the Sunshine City.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="St. Pete" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="1cba9173-5a73-4be0-86b1-87f3c04da041" data-vars-headline="St. Pete casting call: Extras needed for Paul Rudd film" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">St. Pete</a> locals, it&#x27;s our time to shine.State of play: FrontRunner Casting Agency is seeking extras for &quot;The Statement,&quot; a new movie starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and John Turturro that&#x27;s filming April 6-8 here in the Sunshine City.

When to watch NASA's Artemis II launch from Tampa Bay

It's set to launch no sooner than 6:24pm today.

It&#x27;s almost time for NASA&#x27;s moonshot to lift off — and here in Tampa Bay, you may be able to see it from your backyard.Why it matters: Artemis II, set to carry four astronauts around the moon on a 10-day mission, is the first crewed mission of its kind since Apollo.

What a Democrat's Tampa win means for November

Brian Nathan's win has raised questions and, for Florida Democrats, hope about the general election in November.

Politics

The state Division of Elections has certified Democrat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brian Nathan" data-vars-click-url="https://flsenate.gov/Senators/S14" data-vars-content-id="5ce4ea02-e1e4-4463-b6b7-1e538a67d59f" data-vars-headline="What a Democrat&#x27;s Tampa win means for November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flsenate.gov/Senators/S14" target="_blank">Brian Nathan</a>&#x27;s narrow victory in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="special election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/25/democrat-leads-in-tampas-state-senate-election" data-vars-content-id="5ce4ea02-e1e4-4463-b6b7-1e538a67d59f" data-vars-headline="What a Democrat&#x27;s Tampa win means for November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/25/democrat-leads-in-tampas-state-senate-election" target="_self">special election</a> for Tampa&#x27;s Senate District 14.Why it matters: His win has raised questions and, for Florida Democrats, hope about the general election in November.

St. Pete council, residents don't want new high-rise. It's coming anyway

Even with majority opposition, City Council lacked the votes to block the high-rise.

Another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="luxury high-rise" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/07/22/waldorf-astoria-st-petersburg-penthouse-sale-record-27-million" target="_self">luxury high-rise</a> is coming to downtown St. Petersburg.Why it matters: Thursday&#x27;s hours-long City Council debate over the project laid bare angst over the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shifting identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" data-vars-content-id="cd9b3fdb-0c54-40a0-ba8f-113dc5683300" data-vars-headline="St. Pete council, residents don&#x27;t want new high-rise. It&#x27;s coming anyway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/09/st-petersburg-luxury-roche-bobois-private-clubs-art" target="_self">shifting identity</a> — and raised questions about how much influence residents and policymakers have in shaping it.<ul><li>&quot;You have a problem when everybody is acknowledging this is not what we want to build, and yet we&#x27;re somehow powerless to stop it,&quot; Preserve the &#x27;Burg executive director Manny Leto told Axios.</li></ul>

Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins

The race was close enough to trigger an automatic recount under state law.

Democratic union leader Brian Nathan holds a narrow lead over former GOP State House Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josie Tomkow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/20/tampa-state-senate-district-14-2026" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/20/tampa-state-senate-district-14-2026" target="_self">Josie Tomkow</a> in the race for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Senate District 14" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" 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/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" target="_self">State Senate District 14</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3921/Summary/" data-vars-content-id="d97998b1-a762-4b6f-8707-d49834c15b44" data-vars-headline="Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://enr.electionsfl.org/HIL/3921/Summary/" target="_blank">unofficial results</a>.<ul><li>As of Tuesday night, Nathan led Tomkow by 0.5% of roughly 80,000 ballots cast, which is the margin that triggers an automatic recount under state law.</li></ul>Why it matters: A win by Nathan would reclaim a seat that Republicans flipped in 2022 and end a seven-month stretch in which the district&#x27;s nearly 300,000 residents had no representation in Tallahassee.

1-minute voting guide: Tampa's SD 14 special election

Nearly 300,000 residents in District 14 have been without representation for seven months.

Residents across Lutz, Carrollwood and South Tampa will head to the polls Tuesday to choose their next state senator. Why it matters: Nearly 300,000 residents in state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate District 14" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/11/18/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" data-vars-content-id="a84576a1-4ad9-481a-b48a-580f2fbff84b" data-vars-headline="1-minute voting guide: Tampa&#x27;s SD 14 special election" 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/heres-whos-running-for-tampas-state-senate-seat" target="_self">Senate District 14</a> have been without representation for seven months, including this year&#x27;s entire legislative session.

Can Hillsborough's half-cent tax fund a new Rays stadium? Here's what we know

Most commissioners have said it shouldn't be used, but whether it can be is another matter.

At the center of a looming <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rays stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" data-vars-content-id="82b2c26c-ed19-447e-9501-673c5f907ac4" data-vars-headline="Can Hillsborough&#x27;s half-cent tax fund a new Rays stadium? Here&#x27;s what we know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/05/rays-new-stadium-renderings-hillsborough-college" target="_self">Rays stadium</a> vote is a question: Can a half-cent sales tax that Hillsborough County voters approved for infrastructure be used for a new ballpark?<ul><li>Most commissioners have said on the record that it shouldn&#x27;t be, but the tax&#x27;s language and deliberations from before its passage suggest it can be.</li></ul>Why it matters: Commissioner Ken Hagan <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made clear" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/04/rays-stadium-hillsborough-funding" data-vars-content-id="82b2c26c-ed19-447e-9501-673c5f907ac4" data-vars-headline="Can Hillsborough&#x27;s half-cent tax fund a new Rays stadium? Here&#x27;s what we know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/04/rays-stadium-hillsborough-funding" target="_self">made clear</a> in February that the stadium plan isn&#x27;t possible without revenue from the county&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="half-cent sales tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/09/19/what-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-could-fund" data-vars-content-id="82b2c26c-ed19-447e-9501-673c5f907ac4" data-vars-headline="Can Hillsborough&#x27;s half-cent tax fund a new Rays stadium? Here&#x27;s what we know" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/09/19/what-hillsboroughs-half-cent-tax-could-fund" target="_self">half-cent sales tax</a>.

Florida's legislative session ends with little to show for it

The only obstacle Republicans face in enacting their agenda is themselves.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Florida Legislature" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/florida-legislature-2026-bills-update" data-vars-content-id="51d6e25d-11a0-4b66-a5d0-27bc96251a07" data-vars-headline="Florida&#x27;s legislative session ends with little to show for it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/florida-legislature-2026-bills-update" target="_self">Florida Legislature</a> adjourned last week, with hundreds of bills on the cutting floor and plenty of unfinished business ahead.Why it matters: Lawmakers filed 1,896 bills this session. One in eight passed, and none of them <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="did much" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/03/13/desantis-perez-albritton-budget-affordability-session/" data-vars-content-id="51d6e25d-11a0-4b66-a5d0-27bc96251a07" data-vars-headline="Florida&#x27;s legislative session ends with little to show for it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/03/13/desantis-perez-albritton-budget-affordability-session/" target="_blank">did much</a> to make insurance, electricity or health care more affordable — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a chief concern" data-vars-click-url="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6994d571bce3436c60d86870/t/69a83673b961e1161d90f552/1772631667881/PORL+2026+Spring+Statewide+LV+-+EMBARGO+3.4.26.pdf" data-vars-content-id="51d6e25d-11a0-4b66-a5d0-27bc96251a07" data-vars-headline="Florida&#x27;s legislative session ends with little to show for it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6994d571bce3436c60d86870/t/69a83673b961e1161d90f552/1772631667881/PORL+2026+Spring+Statewide+LV+-+EMBARGO+3.4.26.pdf" target="_blank">a chief concern</a> among their constituents.

Florida AG wants TPD to share victims' immigration statuses. Here's what that means

Research has consistently found that fear of immigration consequences can discourage undocumented victims and witnesses from cooperating with police.

At the center of a clash between Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is a question: Should police agencies share the immigration statuses of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crime victims and witnesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/25/deportation-undocumented-crime-victims-florida-law" data-vars-content-id="93536c0d-037a-4a4c-b90a-64a82fbb4c16" data-vars-headline="Florida AG wants TPD to share victims&#x27; immigration statuses. Here&#x27;s what that means" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/25/deportation-undocumented-crime-victims-florida-law" target="_self">crime victims and witnesses</a> with federal authorities?<ul><li>Uthmeier thinks so — and at least in Tampa, he may get his way. </li></ul>Why it matters: Research <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has consistently found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legalmomentum.org/sites/default/files/reports/vawa-symposium-local.pdf" data-vars-content-id="93536c0d-037a-4a4c-b90a-64a82fbb4c16" data-vars-headline="Florida AG wants TPD to share victims&#x27; immigration statuses. Here&#x27;s what that means" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legalmomentum.org/sites/default/files/reports/vawa-symposium-local.pdf" target="_blank">has consistently found</a> that fear of immigration consequences can discourage undocumented victims and witnesses from cooperating with police, which can undermine public safety.

Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act

Local governments have long been on the losing end of a tug-of-war with Tallahassee over home rule.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hillsborough County" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/02/07/hillsborough-county-affordable-housing-program-ended" data-vars-content-id="d04717b1-9dbc-40e9-b8c4-c6906b322d0d" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/02/07/hillsborough-county-affordable-housing-program-ended" target="_self">Hillsborough County</a> sued the state over the constitutionality of a 2023 law that preempted local governments&#x27; authority over development in an effort to expand the supply of affordable housing.Why it matters: Local governments have long been on the losing end of a tug-of-war with Tallahassee over home rule, with the state having wrested control of everything from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="guns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/18/gun-related-homicides-rise" data-vars-content-id="d04717b1-9dbc-40e9-b8c4-c6906b322d0d" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/10/18/gun-related-homicides-rise" target="_self">guns</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/12/desantis-undocumented-immigration-trump" data-vars-content-id="d04717b1-9dbc-40e9-b8c4-c6906b322d0d" data-vars-headline="Hillsborough County sues state over Live Local Act" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/02/12/desantis-undocumented-immigration-trump" target="_self">immigration</a>. <ul><li>Land use is the latest front. </li></ul>

Florida moves to pass its own "SAVE America Act"

The bill is intended to deter noncitizens from voting.

A proposal to rewrite Florida&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voter identification" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2021/04/14/ron-desantis-florida-rejected-ballot-signature-voting" data-vars-content-id="6b7e39b4-8295-42c6-beea-ff3a81f1c523" data-vars-headline="Florida moves to pass its own &quot;SAVE America Act&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2021/04/14/ron-desantis-florida-rejected-ballot-signature-voting" target="_self">voter identification</a> requirements aimed at verifying citizenship could make it harder for out-of-state college students and married women to register to vote.

Where property tax cuts, other bills stand in the Florida Legislature

We're nearing the halfway mark of this year's legislative session.

We&#x27;re nearing the halfway mark of this year&#x27;s legislative session.Why it matters: Everything from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="funding our local governments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2025/12/09/how-the-florida-house-wants-to-cut-property-taxes" data-vars-content-id="68520b37-3e57-4f50-913b-a1c576a2ffa7" data-vars-headline="Where property tax cuts, other bills stand in the Florida 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/2025/12/09/how-the-florida-house-wants-to-cut-property-taxes" target="_self">funding our local governments</a> to AI regulation will be decided in the coming weeks, and a clearer picture is emerging on which bills are gaining traction and which aren&#x27;t.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s where the bills <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we&#x27;re monitoring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/01/05/tampa-bay-florida-legislative-session-2026" data-vars-content-id="68520b37-3e57-4f50-913b-a1c576a2ffa7" data-vars-headline="Where property tax cuts, other bills stand in the Florida 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/2026/01/05/tampa-bay-florida-legislative-session-2026" target="_self">we&#x27;re monitoring</a> stand.</li></ul>

St. Petersburg City Council urges pause on Gas Plant redevelopment

A resolution urging more planning sets up a clash with Mayor Ken Welch as his reelection bid begins.

Election

St. Petersburg City Council members on Thursday sent a strong message to Mayor Ken Welch when it comes to developing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Historic Gas Plant District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/03/st-petersburg-gas-plant-proposals" data-vars-content-id="96106428-c6e6-4909-94d6-0a74ecf8f1f0" data-vars-headline="St. Petersburg City Council urges pause on Gas Plant redevelopment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/02/03/st-petersburg-gas-plant-proposals" target="_self">Historic Gas Plant District</a>: Pump the brakes. Why it matters: The message dampens momentum on a project the mayor was eager to launch as his reelection campaign gets underway.

A column chart that shows Florida legislative session bills passed annually from 2022 to 2026. Bills passed rose from 285 in 2022 to a peak of 356 in 2023, then fell to 325 in 2024, 269 in 2025 and a low of 237 in 2026.

Politics 🇺🇸

What a Democrat's Tampa win means for November

Democrat leads in Tampa state senate race to replace Lt. Gov. Collins

1-minute voting guide: Tampa's SD 14 special election

Can Hillsborough's half-cent tax fund a new Rays stadium? Here's what we know

Florida's legislative session ends with little to show for it