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Axios Tampa Bay
How to navigate Florida's six-week abortion ban
While the new six-week ban is Florida's toughest abortion restriction in more than 50 years, there are still options for Floridians seeking the procedure.The big picture: Time is of the essence, reproductive health care providers told Axios.Have pregnancy tests on hand, and call your doctor if you think you're pregnant.Reproductive health clinics like Planned Parenthood can also help if you don't have a regular doctor. Search for an abortion clinic near you using Florida Health Finder.If you're at or under six weeks: Abortion is still legal, and your doctor or clinician can walk you through the next steps.If you're over...
What a Florida health agency gets wrong about the abortion ban
As Florida's six-week abortion ban went into effect last week, the state's health care regulation agency sought to refute one of its main criticisms: that many women won't know they're pregnant by that cutoff.Why it matters: Far from setting the record straight, the agency's rebuttal was itself a misleading oversimplification, experts say.State of play: "Pregnancy tests have evolved substantially over the years," the Agency for Health Care Administration said on May 1 on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Trace levels of [the pregnancy hormone] hCG can now be detected as early as eight days after ovulation."The statement was included...
Amid national shortage, veterinarians flock to Florida
Data: Census Bureau; Chart: Axios VisualsNew veterinary clinics are popping up in Florida amid an ongoing national vet shortage.The big picture: The pandemic pet adoption boom aggravated the shortage, which has contributed to provider burnout.By the numbers: The number of vet establishments across the country has gone up 8.4% since 2012, according to 2021 Census Bureau data, the most recent available.Zoom out: Many more vets are probably still needed to meet demand.As of 2022, there were about 86 million dogs and 66 million cats in the U.S., an annual increase of about 2% a year since 2016, according to a spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association, Mark Rosati.In 2023, the AVMA noticed demand for companion animal veterinary services starting to return to pre-pandemic levels, a trend expected to continue this year, Rosati told Axios.Now two in three households own a pet, per American Pet Products Association data.What we're watching: Veterinary schools are increasing class capacity and new vet schools are in development, Rosati said.Of note: 64% of vets are women, per AVMA numbers.
A YouTuber bought a Manatee County airport
Don't you hate having to share an airstrip with other pilots when you want to fly your plane collection? And landing on the lawn of your private racetrack just isn't the same.Cleetus McFarland can relate.State of play: The race car driver turned YouTuber announced to his more than 3.5 million subscribers that he bought a small airport in Myakka City.Why it matters: McFarland, whose followers are largely fellow racing and aviation enthusiasts, aspires to have planes from around the country visit the airport. Future videos will showcase its "hidden gems," he said.Details: McFarland bought the property for $3.5 million in November, the Bradenton Herald reported from property records.In the video, he laid out plans to build his home and a custom hangar on the side of the runway, where he'll store a few race cars.He also owns the Freedom Factory racetrack in Bradenton, which he purchased for $2.2 million in 2020.What he's saying: "I had to spend nearly every dollar I have to make this purchase happen, but I just couldn't let this place go," McFarland told viewers.
Gun incidents surge at Florida schools, research finds
Florida's K-12 schools saw 71 firearm incidents in the decade ending in 2023 — more than three times the prior decade's 21 incidents.Why it matters: Florida had the third most incidents of any state, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, an open-source research project attempting to quantify gun incidents at grade schools.Only California and Texas had more.How it works: The group defines "incidents" as instances when a gun is fired or brandished with intent to shoot, or when a bullet hits school property.The latest: 111 incidents have occurred nationwide this year as of April 29, including seven in Florida.Data:...
Ziegler says Sarasota schools should reject new Title IX LGBTQ+ protections
Embattled Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler plans to urge colleagues to challenge Title IX LGBTQ+ protections at Tuesday night's meeting.Why it matters: Ziegler — the co-founder of Moms for Liberty and wife of former Florida GOP chair Christian Ziegler — is calling on the district to back Gov. Ron DeSantis' assertion that Florida's schools "will not comply" with the pending federal revisions.Rejecting the guidelines, which take effect on Aug. 1 and add protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, could threaten the millions of dollars Florida's schools receive annually.Between the lines: If Ziegler's resolution succeeds, it...
The Netflix roast joke that singed Tom Brady
Tom Brady may have only played three seasons in Florida, but he embraced our state's penchant for thin skin at his televised roast.To be fair, Brady didn't get miffed for a large part of the live event Netflix dubbed "The Greatest Roast of All-Time."Yes, but: Comedian Jeff Ross struck a nerve when he referenced Patriots owner Robert Kraft's arrest for soliciting prostitution at a Florida massage parlor.The former Buccaneers quarterback got out of his seat and told Ross not to "say that s**t again." Ross said, "okay," with a laugh and pointed out that Kraft was "having fun."Watch the moment here.
Florida kicks more kids off Medicaid than expected
Florida disenrolled children from Medicaid at a much higher rate last year than it did adults, a new analysis from the Urban Institute shows.Why it matters: Even brief gaps in insurance can disrupt care and worsen health outcomes — especially for children, whose "rapid development" makes them more vulnerable than adults, the study's authors write.Catch up quick: States regularly review if those enrolled in Medicaid still qualify based on income or other eligibility factors. But Congress put a hold on those checks during the pandemic.This pandemic-era protection expired in 2023, and states soon began reviewing their Medicaid rolls and disenrolling...
Tampa Bay ZIP codes with highest home value increases
Data: Zillow; Note: Typical home value refers to the average of the middle third of Zillow home value estimates for every home in a given region with a county record, including single-family, condominium and co-operative homes; Table: Axios VisualsA ZIP code near the Hillsborough-Pasco county line saw the metro's highest jump in typical home values compared to a year ago, per Zillow data shared with Axios.Why it matters: Fewer homes on the market kept prices growing in most areas, even as affordability dwindled, according to Zillow chief economist Skylar Olsen.The big picture: Typical home values rose annually in nearly all...
Rubber duckies hide among art exhibits at St. Pete Fairgounds, TPA
Travelers at Tampa International Airport can get a taste of the whacky, wondrous Fairgrounds experience this summer.Why it matters: Tourists who plan to go to Tampa Bay's famous downtown art institutions with works from Dalí or Chihuly have a new spot to add to the list.The Fairgrounds, which has been nestled in St. Pete's warehouse district since 2021, immerses guests in the work of local artists.State of play: "Joy For All," spotlights St. Pete's 24-year-old Jabari Reed AKA iBOMS.The airport's diorama-style exhibit is an extension of the Fairgrounds' permanent iBOMS exhibit that debuted last week alongside a limited-time scavenger hunt...
USF boosts graduation security amid protests
The University of South Florida boosted law enforcement presence at this year's commencement ceremonies, which began on Thursday, amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus.Why it matters: Protests over the Israel-Hamas war erupted on college campuses nationwide in April. The movement has been slow to develop in Florida but seems to have found its firmest foothold at USF.Catch up quick: Campus police arrested three people on Monday in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest organized by the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at USF.Nearly 100 protesters returned to the campus on Tuesday. Police used tear gas to disperse protesters...
Florida clarifies six-week abortion ban exceptions
A day after Florida's six-week abortion ban took effect, the state's health care regulation agency on Thursday issued emergency rules governing how medical providers should handle certain life-threatening pregnancy complications.Why it matters: The rules seek to clarify certain conditions that create a gray area for physicians weighing how to treat their patients without breaking the law, which puts providers at risk of criminal charges and loss of license.The big picture: Anecdotes and research have poured in from abortion-ban states of patients whose doctors delayed treatment until their conditions worsened enough to be considered life-threatening under the law.Zoom in: Even while...
Where to get Mother's Day brunch in Tampa Bay
Don't wait until it's too late to make Mother's Day brunch reservations!These spots have openings and mouthwatering menus.🥂 Hotel Haya's Flor Fina brunch ($75 per person) includes almond truffle-crusted salmon with fine herb beurre blanc.The Ybor hotel will also host a jewelry-making class on Saturday, May 11, where guests get to make their own piece of jewelry with expert gemologist and metalist, Samantha Uttech. The $68 ticket includes a glass of champagne and a pastry from Café Quiquiriqui.🥩 Bascom's Chop House in Clearwater offers a special brunch menu including gourmet steak and eggs, 11am-3pm.🌹 Libby's in Lakewood Ranch is serving $10 bottomless mimosas and its brunch menu — featuring bananas Foster French toast, 10am-9pm, with complimentary roses for mom.
Hillsborough County moves toward investing in Israel
Hillsborough commissioners scheduled a public hearing to consider allowing the county to invest up to $25 million in Israel.Why it matters: Tensions over the war in Gaza reached a boiling point this week in Hillsborough County after police arrested over a dozen protesters at the University of South Florida.If approved, the amendment under consideration would make Hillsborough the second (and largest) county in Tampa Bay to allow such investments.Catch up quick: Commissioner Michael Owen (R) asked the County Attorney's Office in December to see whether Hillsborough can invest in Israel bonds and, if not, to report back what changes must...
Tampa's blockchain investors eye bounceback after crypto winter
When Forbes dubbed Tampa the nation's top emerging tech city in 2021, the momentum for its blockchain and crypto startups seemed unstoppable.Flashback: Blockchain startup incubator BlockSpaces and one of its prodigies, Michael O'Rourke of Pocket Network, called Tampa the "blockchain capital you haven't heard of yet."But after a cold crypto winter and with several high-profile scams marring the industry — including the downfall of Tampa-based Celsius — founders like O'Rourke are just starting to regain that momentum.The big picture: Crypto venture capitalists are warming the market back up, investing $2.5 billion globally in startups this past quarter.The fourth halving...
Make your own stained glass at St. Pete studio
I tried out glass sculpting last year, so when I heard about a St. Pete studio offering classes in another glass art medium, I had to give it a try.State of play: Owner Jodi Chemes opened Glass of Life at 499 Seventh Ave. N in Historic Uptown and started offering stained glass-making lessons in January.The beginners' class is over two, two-hour sessions for $150, which includes materials, tools and instruction.How it works: After registering, paying for and scheduling the class online, I headed to the studio on a Saturday morning in closed-toed shoes, as requested in the confirmation email.First, Jodi...
As Florida's six-week abortion ban starts, here's how providers are preparing
As Florida's six-week abortion ban begins Wednesday, providers and advocates both in and out of state are bracing for a massive shift in the national abortion landscape.Why it matters: As options narrow for people seeking abortions, patients, providers and support organizations like abortion funds are facing "an exponential increase in burden," says Isaac Maddow-Zimet, a data scientist with the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights think tank.State of play: Providers and abortion funds in Florida are shifting their focus to communicating the new ban and helping patients who don't know they're pregnant until after six weeks seek care elsewhere.Those out of...
ReliaQues, USF put Tampa students on the cybersecurity frontlines
The next generation of cybersecurity experts is being made in Tampa.Why it matters: They don't just defend private companies from hackers. The job ranges from stopping election disinformation and scammers to protecting national security and information privacy.And there are more than 500,000 of those jobs open across the country, the White House said on Monday.Driving the news: 44 students graduated last week from ReliaQuest Labs, a collaboration between the University of South Florida and the Tampa-based global cybersecurity firm.34 of those students were just offered jobs at the company.State of play: The program has graduated more than 300 students over...
Walmart shutters 23 health centers in Florida
Walmart is closing its 23 health centers in Florida, citing a "challenging reimbursement environment," the company said in a statement yesterday.Why it matters: The decision impacts nine Walmart Health centers in Tampa Bay — from Plant City to St. Petersburg — and their patients.Here's a list of locations set to close:Brandon: 11108 Causeway Blvd.Hudson: 12582 U.S. Highway 19Lutz: 1563 Land O' Lakes Blvd.New Port Richey: 8901 State Road 54Pinellas Park: 8007 U.S. Highway 19 N.Plant City: 2600 James L. Redman ParkwaySt. Petersburg: 3491 34th St. S.Wesley Chapel: 28516 State Road 54Zephyrhills: 7745 Gall Blvd.
Water Street Tampa developers announce plans for new live-work-play buildings
The Tampa skyline is about to get curvier.State of play: Water Street developers announced plans for three new buildings in the live-work-play model that's made the area so successful over the last few years.Why it matters: The new phase of Water Street connects the city street grid, bringing the development closer to downtown and Ybor City.What's coming: A planned condo tower would be the neighborhood's tallest building.A custom-built office complex with ground-floor retail and pedestrian-friendly green space.A mixed-use development with a hotel and a parking garage for Amalie Arena and other events.The intrigue: Strategic Property Partners, the developer, also said it's "exploring a new club concept with a social and fitness focus."What's ahead: Road and utility infrastructure work for the buildings is expected to be completed by spring 2025.Construction on the condo tower and mixed-use entertainment area could start next year, a spokesperson for SPP told Axios.
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Axios Tampa Bay, anchored by Ben Montgomery and Selene San Felice, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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