Stories

Innovation News Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch

Key takeaways from Invest: Tampa Bay 2020

Invest: Tampa Bay 2020, an annual event revealing the latest economic news for the region, took place on Thursday, Aug. 20, as a virtual event for the first time. Here are key takeaways.

Feature Story Epidemiologist Dr. Jason Salemi of USF shares Florida data in CNN interview.

COVID-19: Making sense of the statistics

Struggling to make sense of the numbers surrounding COVID-19? You're not alone. Dr. Jason Salemi, an epidemiologist and data expert at USF's College of Public Health shares his analysis to help health providers, public policymakers, parents, teachers, and others make wise decisions.

For Good Enterprising Latinas’ Wanda Velez teaches a Food Protection Management Course.

COVID recovery: United Way Suncoast boosts workforce training for women of Wimauma

Enterprising Latinas and United Way Suncoast team up to expand workforce training opportunities for women living in the rural community of Wimauma southeast of Tampa.

Feature Story Yameeliz Fret

How COVID-19 has changed us: First-generation college graduate Yameeliz Fret

This is the third in a series of stories about how first-generation, immigrant, and international college students are coping with the special challenges presented by COVID-19. Meet Yameeliz Fret, a recent USF graduate of Puerto Rican descent. 

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Sidewalk cafes, outdoor dining help Clearwater businesses survive during COVID-19

The City of Clearwater is offering residents free vouchers to take advantage of pedestrian-friendly outdoor dining in downtown this summer while helping businesses survive in the age of COVID-19.

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Rebound and recovery: Tampa Bay Area tourism shows resiliency in face of COVID-19

COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work, play, and stay in the Tampa Bay Area much like it has everywhere else, but the tourism industry in Florida is beginning to rebound as visitors look for fresh air and sunshine.

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Tampa cartoonist helps us see humor in everyday life despite pandemic

Dr. Samuel "Aaron'' Laden, a retired pathologist in the Tampa Bay Area, shares his gentle humor with readers of 83 Degrees.

Innovation News Video production underway during filming of Voice Your Vote 2020 in Tampa.

Voice Your Vote 2020 music video is call to action

A group of Tampa Bay Area creatives led by Michelle Passoff of St. Petersburg, a former public relations and media executive in New York City, makes a Voice Your Vote music video reflecting the diversity of our region.

Innovation News A celebratory cake marks the creation of the ECC in 2014.

Entrepreneur center in Tampa sees growing participation with virtual meetups

In every way imaginable, virtual living in our personal lives and our work lives is replacing the up close and personal experiences we took for granted before COVID-19. Learn how the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center in Tampa is adapting and growing participation.

Innovation News Frottage Painting: Lynn Foskett

Gallery 221 in Tampa uses hybrid means to stay active, relevant to the community

While Gallery 221 @ HCC has been producing virtual opening receptions and artists talks for their planned exhibitions, they are also creating artist-made tutorials covering everything from the concepts behind the artist’s practice to techniques they use to make their works.

For Good Tampa YMCA, Hillsborough Education Foundation launch back-to-school supply drive

Tampa YMCA, Hillsborough Education Foundation launch back-to-school supply drivePandemic creates special needs

The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is teaming up with the Hillsborough Education Foundation to provide much-needed school supplies to 150,000+ students from lower-income households this school year.

Feature Story Film Tampa Bay Executive Director Tyler Martinolich, Lawyer Ann-Eliza Musoke Taylor, Creative Director Michael Martz, and Martz's wife Photographer Amy Martz of Second Screen Cult Cinema.

Second Screen Cult Cinema launches new podcast

COVID-19 put a damper on Second Screen Cult Cinema events in Tampa, so the founders -- professionals by paycheck, creatives for fun -- are creating a new podcast designed to create an even bigger audience.

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Virtual experiences prompt Florida Humanities to offer new grant opportunities

COVID-19 has moved culture to the virtual space, and two new grant opportunities through the Florida Humanities Council look to extend the scope.

Buzz Banners like this one will greet students returning to USF campuses in Tampa, St. Pete, and Sarasota.

USF begins Phase II preparations for campus reopening this Fall

USF moves forward with plan to reopen campuses for a hybrid of in-person and virtual classes in Fall 2020 in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. 

Feature Story Gabriel Castro

How COVID-19 has changed us: First-generation college student Gabriel Castro

This is the second in a series of stories about how first-generation, immigrant, and international college students are coping with the special challenges presented by COVID-19. Meet Gabriel Castro, a USF senior of Honduran descent. 

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Seeing the humor in everyday life, Tampa cartoonist joins 83 Degrees

Dr. Samuel "Aaron'' Laden, a retired pathologist in the Tampa Bay Area, shares the first of many more to come cartoons with readers of 83 Degrees.

Feature Story Marilyn Turman, the coalition's director of communications, welcomes Pinellas County Commission members and the public to the November meeting in Clearwater.

Clearwater coalition emerges as key voice for challenged neighborhoods

The Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition unites nonprofit, business, and community leaders to create economic opportunities and promote education even in the face of the pandemic.

Feature Story Creative Play Preschool

Who’s minding our littlest children? COVID’s impact on local childcare centers

The national spotlight is on how to safely transition back to school for kids in K-12, but what about preschools? How are Florida's childcare centers coping with COVID-19? Learn more from two preschools in St. Petersburg and Gulfport.

Innovation News Andresia Moseley reads aloud a children's book, Brown Skin, on Stageworks YouTube channel.

Stageworks Theatre goes virtual until audience can return

Stageworks Theatre in Tampa is ratcheting up its creativity to produce a variety of virtual performances, playreadings, and storytimes for folks of all ages.

For Good The Plus Projec+ supports the Tampa Bay Area LGBTQ+ community.

The Plus Projec+ awards grants to LGBTQ+ community

The Plus Projec+, a fund within the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, has awarded its first-ever grants -- totaling $54,900 -- to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community through a variety of programs and services.