St Petersburg Breaking News
BREAKING NEWS
St. Petersburg Council Delays Vote on Flag Proposals
News Summary The St. Petersburg City Council has postponed a pivotal vote concerning new flag designs that aim to honor the LGBTQ and Black communities. This decision follows scrutiny from...
The Strange Death of Mary Hardy Reeser
News Summary The mysterious death of 67-year-old Mary Hardy Reeser in St. Petersburg remains unresolved 72 years later. Found completely reduced to ashes in her apartment, the investigation concluded without...
Clearwater Man Arrested for Vandalizing Pride Flag at Starbucks
News Summary A Clearwater man, Tucker Alden Kemp, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Pride flag at a local Starbucks in St. Petersburg. Kemp demanded the replacement of the flag...
Devastating House Fire in St. Petersburg Claims Two Dogs
News Summary A house fire in St. Petersburg early Thursday morning resulted in the loss of two dogs while a father and son escaped unharmed. Firefighters arrived to find the...
Pinellas County Rejects Twin City Mobile Home Park Expansion
News Summary Pinellas County officials have denied a proposal to expand the Twin City Mobile Home Park into a 133-unit apartment complex due to comprehensive plan restrictions on density in...
Rising E-bike Crashes in St. Petersburg Cause Alarm
News Summary St. Petersburg, FL, is facing a sharp increase in e-bike crashes, sparking safety concerns among local authorities. Recent incidents include life-threatening injuries and fatalities involving e-bike riders, with...
Former Mayor David Fischer Passes Away at 92
News Summary David Fischer, the first strong mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, and longest-serving mayor in the city’s history, has passed away at the age of 92. His tenure from...
St. Petersburg Mourns Former Mayor David Fischer
News Summary David Fischer, the former Mayor of St. Petersburg at age 92, passed away. Serving from 1991 to 2001, he was the city’s first strong Mayor and longest-serving leader....
Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims Life of 19-Year-Old
News Summary A tragic accident in St. Petersburg led to the death of 19-year-old Caidyn Reese Knuth after his electric bicycle collided with a truck. The incident occurred when Knuth...
Charlie Crist Considers Mayoral Run in St. Petersburg
News Summary Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist is contemplating a run for mayor of St. Petersburg in the upcoming 2026 election. He expressed his attachment to the city and his...
POLITICS
St. Petersburg Council Delays Vote on Flag Proposals
News Summary The St. Petersburg City Council has postponed a pivotal vote concerning new flag designs that aim to honor the LGBTQ and Black communities. This decision follows scrutiny from...
Pinellas County Rejects Twin City Mobile Home Park Expansion
News Summary Pinellas County officials have denied a proposal to expand the Twin City Mobile Home Park into a 133-unit apartment complex due to comprehensive plan restrictions on density in...
Former Mayor David Fischer Passes Away at 92
News Summary David Fischer, the first strong mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, and longest-serving mayor in the city’s history, has passed away at the age of 92. His tenure from...
St. Petersburg Mourns Former Mayor David Fischer
News Summary David Fischer, the former Mayor of St. Petersburg at age 92, passed away. Serving from 1991 to 2001, he was the city’s first strong Mayor and longest-serving leader....
Charlie Crist Considers Mayoral Run in St. Petersburg
News Summary Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist is contemplating a run for mayor of St. Petersburg in the upcoming 2026 election. He expressed his attachment to the city and his...
Thousands March in Miami for ‘No Kings’ Protest Against Trump
News Summary Floridians rallied statewide in the second national ‘No Kings’ protest, opposing the Trump administration. With events in nearly 100 locations, Miami saw approximately 5,000 participants at Bayfront Park,...
Charlie Crist Considers Run for St. Petersburg Mayor
News Summary Former Florida governor and U.S. representative Charlie Crist is exploring a possible candidacy for St. Petersburg mayor in the upcoming 2026 election. Crist plans discussions with his family,...
St. Petersburg Considers Flags for Black Heritage and LGBTQ+ Pride
News Summary St. Petersburg city leaders are set to vote on a proposal to include flags representing Black heritage and LGBTQ+ Pride in official displays. This initiative is a response...
Charlie Crist Considers Run for St. Petersburg Mayor
News Summary Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist has shown interest in running for Mayor of St. Petersburg in the upcoming 2026 election, potentially challenging incumbent Mayor Ken Welch. His decision...
Charlie Crist Considers Mayoral Run in St. Petersburg
News Summary Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist is contemplating a run for mayor of St. Petersburg in 2026, marking another chapter in his political career. Crist, who previously served as...
CRIME
The Strange Death of Mary Hardy Reeser
News Summary The mysterious death of 67-year-old Mary Hardy Reeser in St. Petersburg remains unresolved 72 years later. Found completely reduced to ashes in her apartment, the investigation concluded without...
Clearwater Man Arrested for Vandalizing Pride Flag at Starbucks
News Summary A Clearwater man, Tucker Alden Kemp, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Pride flag at a local Starbucks in St. Petersburg. Kemp demanded the replacement of the flag...
Rising E-bike Crashes in St. Petersburg Cause Alarm
News Summary St. Petersburg, FL, is facing a sharp increase in e-bike crashes, sparking safety concerns among local authorities. Recent incidents include life-threatening injuries and fatalities involving e-bike riders, with...
Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims Life of 19-Year-Old
News Summary A tragic accident in St. Petersburg led to the death of 19-year-old Caidyn Reese Knuth after his electric bicycle collided with a truck. The incident occurred when Knuth...
St. Petersburg Man Arrested for DUI After Crashing into Home
News Summary A 31-year-old man, Alhan Eduardo Montes Jaramillo, was arrested for DUI after crashing into a Clearwater home. The incident occurred when he lost control of his vehicle on...
E-bike Rider Fatally Struck by Car in St. Petersburg
News Summary In a tragic accident in St. Petersburg, a 46-year-old man, Shannon White, was struck and killed by a car while riding his e-bike. The incident occurred as he...
ECONOMY
Christian Hardigree to Become President of Texas A&M University-Victoria
News Summary Christian Hardigree, currently the regional chancellor at USF St. Petersburg, will soon take on the role of president at Texas A&M University-Victoria. Hardigree, who has held her position...
St. Petersburg Takes Steps to Address High Water Bills
News Summary Amid rising complaints from residents over irregularly high water bills, St. Petersburg city officials are launching a management evaluation of their billing department. City Council member Lisset Hanewicz...
St. Petersburg Commences Major Roof Repairs at Tropicana Field
News Summary St. Petersburg has initiated substantial roof repairs on Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays, as part of a $23 million restoration project. The work begins with...
St. Petersburg Considers Flags for LGBTQ+ Rights and Racial History
News Summary St. Petersburg, Florida, is deliberating the approval of two flags intended to promote LGBTQ+ rights and acknowledge the city’s racial segregation history. Designed by local artist Andrea Pawlisz,...
St. Petersburg City Council Approves $160 Million HUD Grant
News Summary The St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously approved a nearly $160 million grant from HUD for hurricane recovery efforts, known as Sunrise St. Pete. This program aims to...
Tampa Bay Murals Removal Sparks Outcry from Residents
News Summary The Florida Department of Transportation’s order to remove murals in Tampa Bay has sparked protests from local residents and officials. Notable works, including the Pride and Black History...
St. Petersburg Officials Address Governor DeSantis’ Concerns
News Summary St. Petersburg city officials have responded to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ criticism regarding alleged misuse of taxpayer funds for community events and climate initiatives. DeSantis claimed the city...
Florida Introduces Trenton’s Law to Combat DUI and BUI Offenses
News Summary A new law in Florida, named Trenton’s Law, is introducing tougher penalties for DUI and BUI offenses starting October 1, 2025. The law, inspired by the tragic death...
St. Petersburg Reflects on Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
News Summary St. Petersburg is commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene while continuing its recovery initiatives. Mayor Ken Welch emphasizes the complexity of long-term recovery, which includes programs like...
St. Petersburg Homeowners Struggle with Permit Delays
News Summary Residents of St. Petersburg are facing significant delays in receiving permits to rebuild their homes after last year’s hurricanes. Many homeowners have reported waiting for weeks, creating emotional...
SPORT
Seahawks Secure Victory Against Jaguars
News Summary The Seattle Seahawks achieved a 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking their fourth win of the season. Shaquill Griffin made a strong impression in his first start,...
Saint Petersburg Swimmer Izzy Riva Commits to Stanford
News Summary Izzy Riva, a standout swimmer from Saint Petersburg, has committed to attend Stanford University for the upcoming academic year. Celebrated for her prowess in distance events, Riva has...
St. Petersburg: Florida’s Emerging Travel Gem
News Summary St. Petersburg, Florida, is gaining traction as a preferred travel destination, surpassing Miami for those seeking a laid-back atmosphere along with stunning beaches and vibrant arts. Visitors can...
Rob Higgins Appointed as USF’s Inaugural CEO of Athletics
News Summary Rob Higgins was introduced as the University of South Florida’s first CEO of Athletics, outlining his ambitious vision for the department’s future. Emphasizing a cultural shift in defining...
Charges Dropped Against Former South Florida Coach Jim Leavitt
News Summary Former South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt has had charges of domestic violence and theft dropped after a thorough investigation found insufficient grounds for prosecution. Leavitt, 68, faced...
Backlash from Arts Community in St. Petersburg Over Mural Removals
News Summary St. Petersburg’s arts community is in uproar following the removal of key street murals, including ‘Black History Matters’ and the LGBTQ+ Pride crosswalk. State officials cite safety concerns...
DISASTERS
The Strange Death of Mary Hardy Reeser
News Summary The mysterious death of 67-year-old Mary Hardy Reeser in St. Petersburg remains unresolved 72 years later. Found completely reduced to ashes in her apartment, the investigation concluded without...
Devastating House Fire in St. Petersburg Claims Two Dogs
News Summary A house fire in St. Petersburg early Thursday morning resulted in the loss of two dogs while a father and son escaped unharmed. Firefighters arrived to find the...
Pinellas County Rejects Twin City Mobile Home Park Expansion
News Summary Pinellas County officials have denied a proposal to expand the Twin City Mobile Home Park into a 133-unit apartment complex due to comprehensive plan restrictions on density in...
Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims Life of 19-Year-Old
News Summary A tragic accident in St. Petersburg led to the death of 19-year-old Caidyn Reese Knuth after his electric bicycle collided with a truck. The incident occurred when Knuth...
Friends of Strays Seeks Funds After Van Crash
News Summary Friends of Strays, an animal rescue nonprofit in St. Petersburg, is raising $35,000 after their transport van crashed on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Fortunately, no major injuries were...
E-bike Rider Fatally Struck by Car in St. Petersburg
News Summary In a tragic accident in St. Petersburg, a 46-year-old man, Shannon White, was struck and killed by a car while riding his e-bike. The incident occurred as he...
Fatal E-Bike Collision in St. Petersburg
News Summary A tragic accident in St. Petersburg, Florida, resulted in the death of 46-year-old Shannon White after a crash involving an e-bike and a Ford Focus. Authorities report that...
Motorcyclist Fatally Injured in St. Petersburg Collision
News Summary A tragic accident in St. Petersburg involved a 20-year-old motorcyclist who sustained critical injuries after colliding with a Ford F-150 truck. The incident occurred at a busy intersection...
St. Petersburg Teen Hospitalized Due to Dangerous TikTok Challenge
News Summary A risky TikTok trend dubbed the ‘Jam Jar Pulse Jet’ has resulted in the hospitalization of a 14-year-old boy in St. Petersburg, Florida, after he sustained serious burns....
Coast Guard Rescues Boater After Vessel Capsizes Near Bridge
News Summary A U.S. Coast Guard crew successfully rescued a boater whose vessel capsized near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The man was found clinging to his overturned boat and was...
HEALTH
Rising E-bike Crashes in St. Petersburg Cause Alarm
News Summary St. Petersburg, FL, is facing a sharp increase in e-bike crashes, sparking safety concerns among local authorities. Recent incidents include life-threatening injuries and fatalities involving e-bike riders, with...
Friends of Strays Seeks Funds After Van Crash
News Summary Friends of Strays, an animal rescue nonprofit in St. Petersburg, is raising $35,000 after their transport van crashed on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Fortunately, no major injuries were...
Diane Anderson Pollard, Beloved Matriarch and Social Worker, Passes Away
News Summary Diane Anderson Pollard, a devoted family member and social worker, passed away peacefully at her home in Durham, New Hampshire. She dedicated her life to helping others and...
St. Petersburg Teen Hospitalized Due to Dangerous TikTok Challenge
News Summary A risky TikTok trend dubbed the ‘Jam Jar Pulse Jet’ has resulted in the hospitalization of a 14-year-old boy in St. Petersburg, Florida, after he sustained serious burns....
St. Petersburg Man Completes 6,000-Mile Voyage in Support of Charity
News Summary A St. Petersburg man, Darren Hayes, has completed a remarkable 6,000-mile journey in a 22-foot pontoon boat to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. This...
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Retains Top Spot in Florida
News Summary Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has been named the No. 1 children’s hospital in Florida for the third year in a row, according to the U.S. News &...
Tragic Plane Crash in Levy County Claims Three Lives
News Summary A plane crash in Levy County, Florida, resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 58P crashed in a peanut field while descending towards Williston...
St. Petersburg Police Introduces Annual Physical Fitness Assessment
News Summary The St. Petersburg Police Department has implemented a new annual Physical Fitness Assessment for officers hired after January 1, 2021. This initiative aims to improve physical readiness and...
Gateway Mobile Home Park in St. Petersburg Faces Significant Damage
News Summary The Gateway Mobile Home Park in Pinellas County has been declared significantly damaged, requiring residents to either elevate their homes or face demolition. This situation has created distress,...
Decline in Overdose Deaths in Florida Offers Hope
News Summary Florida has reported a 10% decrease in total drug overdose deaths from January to July 2024 compared to the previous year, driven by a 19% reduction in opioid-related...
SHOWBIZ
Coast Guard Rescues Boater After Vessel Capsizes Near Bridge
News Summary A U.S. Coast Guard crew successfully rescued a boater whose vessel capsized near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The man was found clinging to his overturned boat and was...
Local Celebrity Alligator Faces Relocation Due to Safety Concerns
News Summary In St. Petersburg, Florida, local alligator Mr. Pickles may be relocated after safety concerns arise. At five feet long, he has become a popular bar attraction, but both...
HSN Bids Farewell to Florida in Final Broadcast
News Summary HSN concluded its nearly 50-year presence in Florida with an emotional final broadcast on June 25, marking the end of an era as it prepares to relocate to...
Allendale Church Sends Invoice to Sheriff’s Office Over Parking Dispute
News Summary Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg has issued a $10,000 invoice to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, claiming unauthorized use of its parking lot during an investigation....
Sunshine City Chorus Crowned Barbershop Harmony Champions
News Summary The Sunshine City Chorus from St. Petersburg, Florida, emerged victorious as the Barbershop Harmony Champions for Florida in their second year of competition. Under the direction of Lance...
St. Petersburg’s ‘Razed’ Documentary Highlights Community Displacement
News Summary The upcoming documentary ‘Razed’ delves into the heartfelt stories of the Gas Plant district, a vibrant African American community displaced by urban renewal efforts in the 1980s. Through...
TECH UPDATES
Fire Crews Warn of Lithium-Ion Battery Risks This Holiday Season
News Summary With the holiday season approaching, fire crews in St. Petersburg, Florida are seeing a significant rise in fires linked to lithium-ion batteries. This alarming trend reflects a nationwide...
St. Petersburg Launches AI Traffic Management Initiative
News Summary St. Petersburg has received approval for an artificial intelligence traffic signal project aimed at reducing congestion and enhancing road safety. The initiative will install fifteen smart traffic signals...
Massive Fire Causes Significant Damage at CVS in St. Pete Beach
News Summary A severe fire at the CVS Pharmacy in Dolphin Village has resulted in extensive damage to several businesses. Firefighters from multiple departments responded quickly, managing to contain the...
St. Petersburg Startup Launches World’s First Lunar Data Center
News Summary Lonestar Data Holdings from St. Petersburg is set to launch the first-ever physical data center on the Moon with their ‘Freedom’ payload. Scheduled for liftoff on Wednesday at...
St. Petersburg Initiates Advanced Air Mobility Task Force
News Summary St. Petersburg has launched its first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Task Force aimed at integrating electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) into urban travel. Over nine months,...
St. Petersburg Secures Nearly $7 Million for Digital Equity
News Summary St. Petersburg will receive a grant of $6,925,163 from the U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance digital equity in underserved communities. This grant, part of the Digital Equity...
St. Petersburg Awarded $6.9 Million Grant for Digital Equity
News Summary St. Petersburg has been awarded a $6.9 million grant by the U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance digital equity efforts in the city. As the only city in...
Pinellas County Schools to Launch Advanced Panic Alert System by 2025
Pinellas County Schools to Implement New Panic Alert System by 2025 Pinellas County, FL – In a move aimed at bolstering emergency responses across its campuses, Pinellas County Schools announced...
SCIENCE
St. Petersburg City Council Votes to Revive Science Center
News Summary The St. Petersburg City Council has unanimously voted in favor of reviving the long-closed Science Center, which has remained vacant since 2014. This decision counters an alternative proposal...
DNA Technology Identifies Man from 1980 Car Accident
News Summary An investigation utilizing advanced DNA technology has identified the remains of Joseph Richard Murrell, a man who died in a tragic car accident in 1980. The St. Petersburg...
The Mysterious Death of Mary Hardy Reeser in Florida
News Summary The death of 67-year-old Mary Hardy Reeser on July 2, 1951, remains a perplexing case in Florida’s history. Found in her burning apartment, investigators explored theories of spontaneous...
St. Petersburg Launches Seagrass Restoration Project
News Summary St. Petersburg is initiating a significant seagrass restoration project at North Shore Park to combat shoreline degradation and enhance water quality. This ambitious initiative will involve filling a...
St. Petersburg Launches Seagrass Mitigation Bank Project
News Summary St. Petersburg has approved a groundbreaking 179-acre Seagrass Mitigation Bank project aimed at preserving marine habitats while generating revenue for the city. This project includes a substantial 147-acre...
St. Petersburg Wins Its First Envision Award for Sustainability
News Summary St. Petersburg has been awarded its first Envision Award, recognizing the city’s commitment to sustainability through significant improvements to its wastewater facility. The $48 million investment in the...
St. Petersburg Startup Launches World’s First Lunar Data Center
News Summary Lonestar Data Holdings from St. Petersburg is set to launch the first-ever physical data center on the Moon with their ‘Freedom’ payload. Scheduled for liftoff on Wednesday at...
Baby Manatee Enzo Receives Tender Care at ZooTampa
News Summary A baby manatee named Enzo is recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa after being rescued in a precarious condition from the chilly waters near St. Petersburg. Weighing just...
St. Petersburg Welcomes New Manatee Resident Enzo
News Summary St. Petersburg, Florida, proudly introduces Enzo, a manatee recovering from cold stress at ZooTampa. Rescued from the frigid waters, he receives expert care and compassionate support. With the...