And off they go, all fancied up, their bikes decorated with feathered boas and flowers. This global event has evolved into a big movement promoting women’s visibility and personality. Photos by Carole Devillers

Presented by TT Art Collective at Curtis Hixon Park for Fourth Friday, muralist artist and former NFL player Aaron Evans works on a painting representing his brand “King-Frog” to be on display in IKE Smart City kiosks in Tampa. Photos by Carole Devillers

Friends enjoy the casual and relaxed atmosphere of Sparkman Wharf on the Fourth Friday of August. Photos by Carole Devillers

A spiffy couple makes their way to one of the Fourth Friday cultural venues. Photos by Carole Devillers

Walking the Tampa Riverwalk is a great choice to connect to the participating venues while enjoying the colorful lighting display on the architecture. Photos by Carole Devillers

Fourth Friday, the monthly arts & culture crawl in Tampa’s downtown, resumed on Aug. 27th, attracting visitors with free live music and food and drink specials. Photos by Carole Devillers

Singer artist and emcee/producer Jinx, a Tampa native, performs with his wife Shelby Sol and their band, on the Straz Center’s Riverwalk stage during a free outdoor concert for Fourth Friday. Photos by Carole Devillers

Artist Crystaline Rojas of A Splash Of Passion Art contributes to the event at Curtis Hixon Park by creating a new artwork. Photos by Carole Devillers

As a "Sip & Stroll" Fourth Friday venue, Sparkman Wharf is a popular destination. Alcoholic consumption is allowed when purchased from participating vendors. Photos by Carole Devillers

A beautifully detailed mural depicting Tampa’s past and present maritime history adorns one side of Maven Designs building in the Channel District. Photos by Carole Devillers

Tampa

Tampa is on the verge of achieving many long-planned ambitions. Downtown and waterfront developments, the expansion of the city's port and airport, a planned and a substantial increase in research and academic activities at the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and Hillsborough Community College fuel its progress.

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Development News

The new span of the Howard Frankland Bridge, shown here in early March, opened to traffic on March 25th after nearly five years of construction

Howard Frankland opens, streetcar stays free, Tampa Union Station busiest in Florida

Christopher CurryWednesday, March 26, 2025

Feature Story

"Embracing Our Differences," an exhibit of billboard-sized artwork exploring themes of kindness, inclusiveness, and understanding, is on display at Poynter Park in St. Petersburg through March 31st and Bayfront Park in Sarasota through April 13th.

"Embracing Our Differences": Billboard-sized artwork explores inclusion, kindness, understanding

Christopher CurryWednesday, March 26, 2025

For Good

The Tampa Bay area makes year-to-year improvement in approximately two-thirds of the 67 economic and quality of life indicators tracked in the 2025 State of the Region Regional Competitiveness Report.

Tampa Bay makes strides in 2025 State of the Region

Christopher CurryWednesday, March 19, 2025

Innovation News

Tudor Cay Condominiums in Town N' Country is the latest addition to the Tampa Bay Water Wise conservation and rebate program.

Tampa Bay Water program conserves water, saves money

Bob SimonWednesday, March 19, 2025

Development News

Entrepreneur Chris Cunningham was looking for property in North Tampa for his water restoration business. He ended up buying a city block on Nebraska Avenue, opening a hardware store, and planning more ways to revitalize the neighborhood.

Chris Cunningham: A born entrepreneur

Pamela VarkonyWednesday, March 12, 2025

Buzz

ConnectWise founder Arnie Bellini and wife Lauren Bellini's record $40 million gift to USF establishes the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing

Buzz: Record $40 million gift establishes AI, cybersecurity college and USF

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Innovation News

With a $17 million federal grant, the USF Center for Urban Transportation is leading a consortium working on comprehensive solutions to the rail industry's workforce shortage.

USF Center for Urban Transportation Research leads national initiative on rail industry careers

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, March 12, 2025

Feature Story

The Gasparilla International Film Festival opens March 25th at the Tampa Theatre

March arts: Gasparilla International Film Fest, Ouroboros, much more

Christopher CurryWednesday, March 12, 2025

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: Tampa International Airport's new Airside E security checkpoint

Carole DevillersWednesday, March 12, 2025

For Good

Powerstories Theatre's fifth Voices of Women Theatre Festival returns March 27th to 30th to celebrate women playwrights and provide a platform for their voice and their work.

Powerstories Theatre's Voices of Women Festival celebrates, showcases women playwrights

Christopher CurryMonday, March 10, 2025

Feature Story

An aerial view of the Midtown East office tower in January 2025

10 projects to watch in (the rest of) 2025 (and beyond)

Christopher CurryWednesday, March 5, 2025

For Good

During Ramadan, Dates, a Middle Eastern fruit, are often the first food item eaten along with water to break the fast.

Muslims celebrate holy month of Ramadan

Kiran Malik-KhanFriday, February 28, 2025

For Good

Director Vanessa Cerallo and the professional Flamenco dance troupe Alma Y Fuego perform at the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce 78th Fiesta Day.

Photo story: 78th Ybor Fiesta Day

Kimberly DeFalcoWednesday, February 26, 2025

For Good

To wrap up Black History Month, USF scholar Julie Buckner Armstrong discusses Florida's Black literary history.

USF scholar explores Florida's Black literary history

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, February 26, 2025

For Good

Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services dietitian Brian Taylor serves up meals for the county's seniors and healthy eating advice for all ages.

Hillsborough County Aging Services dietitian serves up healthy eating advice for all ages

Philip MorganWednesday, February 26, 2025

Feature Story

The UACDC plans to use an EPA grant for community revitalization projects like the future Economic Development Center at its Cultural Campus

In North Tampa's University Area, EPA grant is potential "game changer"

Joshua McMorrow-HernandezWednesday, February 26, 2025

Feature Story

Masthead gallery: West Tampa Black History walking tour

Carole DevillersWednesday, February 26, 2025

For Good

"Invisible Immigrants" tells the story of Spanish immigrants like Prudencio “Pete” García, who arrived in St. Louis, Missouri from Asturias, Spain in 1907 and became a prominent figure in the city’s Spanish immigrant community.

"Invisible Immigrants" exhibit on Spanish emigration making U.S. debut at Tampa Bay History Center

Philip MorganWednesday, February 19, 2025

Innovation News

Entrepreneur and fashion designer Saher Jawad's Lutz-based Pakistani clothing boutique Eastern Clozet has built a large and loyal customer base while celebrating Pakistan's fashion and culture.

Pakistani boutique making waves in Tampa Bay

Kiran Malik-KhanWednesday, February 19, 2025

Feature Story

Hillsborough County Public Schools district literacy coach Kaitlin Powers Behn says "students are thriving" with the UFLI Foundations method of teaching reading.

Hillsborough schools, community nonprofits innovate to improve childhood literacy

Philip MorganWednesday, February 19, 2025

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Tampa Highlights

Downtown Dwellers: Raising urban kids in Tampa Read Article

For Downtown Tampa families with young children, the neighborhood isn’t an urban jungle. It’s an urban jungle gym.

Photo: Lauren, Hudson, and Bryan Durkin pick up a popsicle at Duckweed Urban Market in downtown Tampa. by Amber Sigman

1 Million Cups: Meet local doers tackling opportunities in the global marketplace Read Article

Pitch your business concept and get constructive criticism among friends and neighbors at 1 Million Cups Tampa.

Photo: (L-R) Maria Gibbs, Scott Hutterman, Dr., Loren Murfield, and Jared Kohn at 1 Million Cups in Tampa. by Amber Sigman

Q&A: Ashly Anderson and Shaun Drinkard, Tampa Downtown Partnership Read Article

When President and CEO Christine Burdick retires from her post at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, she will leave behind a team of creative thought leaders working to enhance the city's urban scene. Meet two key team members.

Photo: Ashly Anderson, senior design manager for Downtown Tampa Partnership by Amber Sigman

Transformational change underway in North Hyde Park, West Tampa Read Article

The diversity of apartments, restaurants and shops in North Hyde Park is particularly attractive to young professionals and college students looking for an affordable neighborhood near downtown.

Photo: (L-R) James Rue and Gian Carlos Birriel co-own Raw Smoothie Co. Photo by Julie Branaman

Channel District grows along waterfront in Tampa Read Article

Looking across the horizon of downtown Tampa, what do you see? Construction cranes hovering over the Channel District as apartments, hotels and new shops emerge to create a walkable urban community.

Photo by Julie Branaman

Tampa Hackerspace provides a place to tinker Read Article

Tampa Hackerspace is helping to fuel Tampa Bay’s creative instincts, facilitating experimentation and collaboration with shared tools and space.

Photo: Mabel the T-Rex sculpted by J. Kent at Tampa Hackerspace. by Amber Sigman

Moving to downtown Tampa: Smart Lab brings innovative view Read Article

Suffolk’s Smart Lab featuring 3D virtual reality opens in the Channel District near Tampa Bay WaVE and Water Street Tampa, joining the Tampa Bay Area's growing innovation ecosystem.

Photo: USF’s new building rises a short distance from Channelside. Cheryl Rogers

Urban Stimuli: Meet CW a.k.a. Carolyn Wilson Read Article

Beyond her eponymous Gin Joint in downtown Tampa, Developer Carolyn Wilson is doing (and will continue to do) what she does best: Flex eternal good taste.

Photo: Carolyn Wilson or CW, owner and designer at CW's Gin Joint in downtown Tampa, wins the 2018 Private Sector Award. Amber Sigman

Commuter Challenge: Going carless in Tampa Read Article

Getting to work isn't easy for most of us using Tampa streets and Hillsborough County roads. So spend a week using alternative transportation and see what happens.

Photo: Tampa bicycle commuters Karen Kress, Alana Brasier, and Justin Willits. Photo provided by Karen Kress

Tampa Bay WaVE: Diversity highlights latest tech cohort Read Article

A diverse group of entrepreneurs completes its formal program with Demo Day at Tampa Bay WaVE, a nonprofit tech accelerator in downtown Tampa.

Photo: Jonathan Truong, co-founder of Verapy, a start-up at Tampa Bay Wave's Accelerator Build program. by Amber Sigman

Urban Stimuli: Armature Works, Tampa Heights Read Article

This is really Tampa: Armature Works will evolve how you think about Tampa Heights and the urban core.

Photo: A duo studies and reads at Union Coffee and Tea in Armature Works. Amber Sigman

What's next for Florida: Sam Gibbons, Tampa Read Article

When it comes to transportation, the goal must to be find equilibrium between what is socially, economically, and environmentally just for all people.

Photo: The Smart Mobility Division, created in early 2018, will oversee Tampa's $40 million transit system upgrade. Diane Egner

Tampa Bay Area thought leaders share what they anticipate most in 2018 Read Article

Find out what's on the minds of local thought leaders at the start of the new year, and what it could mean for you.

Photo: Tampa thought leaders

A typical day along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. Diane Egner

The new smart car pilot program launched by Florida DOT, HART, and BEEP of Orlando gives driverless rides along the Tampa Riverwalk and in Tampa Heights. Courtesy of HART

The Tampa Museum of Art is celebrating its centennial year with special exhibits and events. Photos by Kimberly DeFalco

Alexsandra Wolfe runs Pure-Sipity, a company combatting date rape. Courtesy of Alexsandra Wolfe

Zarra Elias and her family enjoying The Tampa Riverwalk.

A still clip from the documentary Tampa Beer: Crafting the Bay. Courtesy of Tampa Theatre

Elementary school kids color during the after-school program. Amber Sigman

Approximately the size of a shipping container, WaterCube TM is portable and can provide up to 10 million gallons of water daily without access to any water supply. Courtesy of Genesis Systems, LLC