It was an honor to be invited onto the storm stories panel for the Duke Energy Florida leadership meeting at the TradeWinds Island Resorts in St. Pete Beach today. The leaders wanted to know about storm recovery struggles. Spectrum Bay News 9 Duke Energy

Phase 2 of the 50 acres Gasworx project has begun in Ybor City. It includes 2 mixed-use buildings and a warehouse, which will be the centerpiece of the community. Construction is expected to be complete in 2027. Spectrum Bay News 9

Clearwater Fire Rescue says the support beam crack is growing in a 12 story condo on Sand Key. The entire building was immediately evacuated. There’s a 161 units, 40% occupied at the time. The 60 residents will be evacuated overnight or longer. Spectrum Bay News 9

Pinellas lawmakers passed bipartisan legislation which outlaws vehicles creating an excessive wake while driving through flooded streets. Once Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill, the new law will go into effect on July 1. Spectrum Bay News 9 bit.ly/4d5Ro5f

Residents told City Council the chronically homeless problem in downtown St. Petersburg is growing and becoming dangerous. Council Member Gina Driscoll, who represents downtown, is proposing a new Clean and Safe program to help combat the problem. Spectrum Bay News 9 bit.ly/4jQyMrE

St. Pete Beach says problems with an F-DOT tide check valve allowed for tidal flooding in the Don CeSar neighborhood. A pipe plug and two pumps were brought in for emergency repairs. F-DOT says the valve will be repaired or replaced. Spectrum Bay News 9

Fans and friends lined up outside of Hulk Hogan’s gift shop on Clearwater Beach to honor and mourn the legendary wrestler. Hogan, 71, lived about a half-mile north of the shop in a beachfront home. That’s the location where paramedics were called for a cardiac arrest. Spectrum Bay News 9

A bagpiper played Amazing Grace outside of Hulk Hogan’s gift shop in Clearwater Beach to honor the legendary wrestler. Spectrum Bay News 9

Sandy Todd (in orange) is the sister of Jose Castro, the 41-year-old man killed in the Clearwater Ferry crash. Jenny Hernandez is the mother of his children. They spoke today about the latest developments in the case. Josh Rojas will have more on the story later today.

Honored the Tampa Bay Chamber asked me to moderate their 2025 Legislative Wrap-Up. It was held at the Tampa Club, at the top of the tallest tower (42nd floor) in downtown Tampa. State representatives from Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas made up the panel. Spectrum Bay News 9

Heavy rainstorms dumped more than 6.5 inches in St. Pete Beach tonight causing flash flooding. Fire Rescue Chief Jim Kilpatrick says there’s 2-to-3 feet of water on some streets. The flood water has also reached some homes in the Belle Vista neighborhood. Photos: Kilpatrick Spectrum Bay News 9