Author: TBO Digital Staff

After four years of construction, the new southbound span of the Howard Frankland Bridge opened to traffic yesterday morning, marking a significant milestone in Tampa Bay’s transportation infrastructure. The $865 million project represents the third incarnation of the critical six-mile connector between Tampa and St. Petersburg. State transportation officials directed overnight lane closures on Monday to prepare for Tuesday’s traffic shift, with vehicles now traveling on the new southbound lanes. The transition comes after crews completed final preparations, including painting new stripes between lanes on Interstate 275. “The opening of the Howard Frankland Bridge expansion is an incredible accomplishment,” said…

Florida drivers may soon need to make room for a second license plate on their vehicles, as state lawmakers consider legislation that would require plates on both the front and back of cars. The bill, which has already passed through two committee votes unanimously, aims to help authorities better identify and apprehend hit-and-run drivers. The proposed legislation, formally known as Senate Bill 92 or the “Lilly Glaubach Act,” is named after a 13-year-old Tampa girl who was tragically killed in 2022 while riding her bicycle home from school. The driver who struck her fled the scene and is currently serving…

Pinellas County has achieved remarkable tourism recovery with visitors contributing a record $8.29 million in tourism tax revenue in January, just three months after hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread damage to the area. Tourism officials expect this positive trend to continue as more than 1,400 hotel rooms prepare to reopen, most by late summer. While coastal communities continue to recover, St. Petersburg emerged as a key factor in offsetting beachfront losses, with the city’s bed tax revenue—a 6% surcharge on overnight stays—increasing by an impressive 34% compared to the previous year. The county’s Tourist Development Council received this encouraging…

Federal transportation officials have identified the Sunshine Skyway Bridge as one of 68 over-water bridges nationwide that require immediate vulnerability assessments, according to a report released Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board. The recommendation comes in the wake of the March 26, 2024 incident where the container ship Dali struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Harbor, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. The NTSB noted that the Sunshine Skyway, which opened to traffic in 1987, was built before the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials developed its “acceptable risk levels” guidelines…

The last remaining TGI Fridays in Tampa has permanently closed this week, marking the end of an era for the once-popular casual dining chain in our area. The location at 11705 W Hillsborough Ave shuttered without warning, leaving Tampa residents with no local access to the restaurant’s famous appetizers and cocktails. The closure follows a steady decline in TGI Fridays locations across Florida, with the nearest restaurants now only available in Orlando. Just last year, Tampa had multiple Fridays locations, including spots on Fowler Avenue and Bruce B Downs Boulevard, but the Hillsborough Avenue restaurant was the final holdout. The…

The once-dominant fast-fashion retailer Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in six years, announcing plans to shutter its 350 U.S. locations, including two popular stores in the Tampa Bay area. F21 OpCo, the U.S. retail operator for the 40-year-old Los Angeles-based chain, submitted Chapter 11 bankruptcy documents on Monday. While specific closure dates weren’t announced, the company confirmed that all American stores will eventually cease operations following liquidation sales. The retailer, which rose to prominence as a teen fashion destination throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, joins a growing list of affordable shopping chains…

Dear Editor, The recent directive requiring federal employees to return to physical workplaces deserves more nuanced consideration than it has received in public discourse. While many reflexively criticize this policy as regressive, there are legitimate reasons to support in-person work environments for government operations. Federal agencies handle complex responsibilities that benefit from face-to-face collaboration. New employee onboarding, professional mentorship, and the development of institutional knowledge all suffer in remote settings. These aren’t trivial concerns—they directly impact how effectively our government serves citizens. However, this shouldn’t be treated as an all-or-nothing proposition. A thoughtful hybrid approach could preserve productivity benefits while…

Two comprehensive bills advancing through Florida’s legislature would effectively prohibit municipalities across the state from adding fluoride to public drinking water systems. HB 651 and SB 700, while broadly addressing various topics from electric vehicle infrastructure to mosquito control funding, contain provisions that would significantly impact water treatment practices statewide. Neither bill explicitly mentions fluoride by name. The Florida House’s Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee approved HB 651 on Tuesday. The legislation specifically prohibits “the use of any additives included primarily for health-related purposes.” As a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services agency package, the bill addresses numerous topics under…

A lively debate has emerged among Tampa food enthusiasts searching for the perfect golden, crispy french fries similar to those featured in a popular social media post. The discussion, which began with a simple question—”Ok Tampa which spot has fries like this?”—has uncovered several unexpected local favorites. Nebraska Mini Mart emerged as a top contender, with one passionate supporter noting they “Stop here every time we’re in town,” suggesting the establishment has developed a reputation that extends beyond local residents to visitors as well. Perhaps the most surprising recommendation came from an unlikely source—ZooTampa. “I sold hubby on annual zoo…

New Tampa residents woke to unusually thick smoke conditions Wednesday morning, prompting community-wide concerns about a possible wildfire in the area. Multiple reports describe “very thick and heavy smoke for miles” particularly concentrated along Cross Creek and Bruce B. Downs. “I’ve never seen it like this in New Tampa,” reported one local resident who first noticed the smoke during their morning commute. The conditions were severe enough to reduce visibility and prompt questions about whether Flatwoods Park or the nearby State Park was experiencing an active fire. According to community information shared on neighborhood apps, the source appears to be…