Stories

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Census 2020: 2 out of 5 households in Florida have yet to respondIf you don't do it, expect a knock on your door soon

Filling out your household's response to Census 2020 has never been easier. And, because of the disruption in our lives caused by COVID-19, it's never been more important for understanding the demographics of our communities, setting public policy, and distributing resources. #justdoit 

Feature Story Jessica Muniz

How COVID-19 has changed us: First-generation college student Jessica Muniz

First-generation, immigrant, and international college students routinely face special challenges during their college experiences. Throw in COVID-19 and their difficulties intensify in ways that others may not realize or even be able to imagine. Read more in this first of a series of stories about how some individual students are coping.

Innovation News Certified Nurse Anesthetist Dr. John Maye teaching students about pain management.

USF Health Morsani College of Medicine scales up pain management curriculum

The Florida Department of Children and Families recently awarded a $250,000 grant to USF's Morsani College of Medicine to assess and strengthen the pain management training its future doctors receive across four years of medical school.

Innovation News Molekule CEO Jaya Rao

Molekule air purifiers hit Best Buy retail shelves

Molekule, an incubator company nurtured by USF Connect in Tampa, is capturing global attention as its air filter is seen as a viable weapon in the fight against COVID-19 and other airborne viruses and pollutants.

Innovation News .

Above the Fold: Moving BIPOC-owned businesses to the top of media

Headlines herald; footnotes are lost. Every business wants their message featured "above the fold,'' which means at the top of a newspaper or website; such placement denotes immediacy and importance. A Tampa Bay Area public relations and marketing agency is taking a comprehensive stance to assist BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) in achieving that top billing.

Innovation News Bands gather in-person at undisclosed locations to produce their livestreams.

You can Rock the Park at monthly virtual concert series

As much as Rock the Park musicians and fans want to gather at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa on Thursday nights, the monthly concerts will be livestreamed only until it's safe to gather again.

Innovation News Katie Krimitsos at March's Podfest Multimedia Expo 2020.

How many podcasts can fit in a virtual space? Find out at Podfest Global Summit

The inaugural Podfest Global Summit aims to assemble everyone in the podcast industry, from veterans to newcomers, under one virtual roof -- with a fun and distinctive twist. The gathering is an official attempt at the Guinness World Records title for the largest attendance of a virtual podcasting conference.

Feature Story MediaWise Senior Multimedia Reporter Alex Mahadevan (right) and PBS Newshour Weekend anchor Hari Sreenivasan (left) teach more than 200 students at a MediaWise Voter Project event in New York City.

Throwback2020: MediaWise for Seniors helps people over-50 separate fact from fictionBrought to you by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies

The Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg is expanding MediaWise, a digital literacy initiative initially designed to help youth discern the accuracy of online information. Their next target? Seniors, the fastest-growing and perhaps most vulnerable demographic online when it comes to believing and sharing misinformation. Learn more.

For Good The heart design is iconic to the artisans at Rustic Steel.

The COVID-19 Tampa Bay Heroes awards go to ... (read the list)

The public nominated its own Tampa Bay Area COVID-19 heroes as potential award recipients and narrowed the list of winners in a digital contest. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor had the pleasure of bestowing the awards.

Development News Chinsegut Hill near Brooksville in Hernando County.

Day trip from Tampa: Chinsegut Hill historic site reopens to public

“Chinsegut Hill offers a varied cross-section of Florida’s history,” says C.J. Roberts, the Tampa Bay History Center’s President and CEO. “People can tour both the house museum and the grounds, and they’ll find many different stories and perspectives, from Seminole culture to Progressive Era politics, the Civil War to the Great Depression.”

For Good .

Backpack to School virtual spelling bee benefits families at Metropolitan Ministries

For $15, you and your family can host a Backpack to School in-home spelling bee and, in the process, donate a backpack to a Tampa Bay Area child in need.

For Good .

For Good: Big Mac with a side of help for local Ronald McDonald House

Drive-thru challenge and round-up for charity (pay $6 instead of $5.78 for a Big Mac and fries, for example) aim to help Ronald McDonald Houses help more families as their children suffer medical calamities.

Buzz A blog posting by LocalShops1

16 new Tampa Bay Area businesses that opened during the pandemic

Despite the outbreak of COVID-19 that has closed many businesses and sent workers and schoolchildren home to carve out a new way of life, several entrepreneurs in the Tampa Bay Area have forged ahead to open new businesses. A blog posting by LocalShops1 lists 16 born during the pandemic.

Feature Story A wellness veterinary technician brings a dog to an exam for a check up.

Pandemic sparks creative solutions for challenging pet needs in Tampa Bay Area

The COVID-19 pandemic sent Tampa Bay Area animal shelters and rescues never-before-seen challenges for rescuing and adopting out pets, but so far the community has stepped up. So much so, that some now have a waitlist. Read more.

Feature Story Cardiovascular surgeon replacing a valve during heart surgery at Tampa General Hospital.

Tampa General, USF strengthen relationship to improve patient, academic experiences

Tampa General Hospital has long-served as USF Health's teaching hospital. Now, they’re taking their relationship a step further to deliver a pre-eminent academic medical center shaping the quality of care in the Tampa Bay region, the state of Florida, and beyond. Learn more.

Innovation News Dr. Patricia Lawman, President and CEO, in the offices of Morphogenesis.

USF College of Pharmacy, Morphogenesis partner to produce next gen healthcare providers

New partnership between USF College of Pharmacy and biotech research firm is designed to enhance opportunities for educational, scientific, and clinical experiences for students.

Innovation News CēVē app in use.

New smart app designed to navigate urban traffic launches in Tampa

The new CeVe app works with or without your smartphone navigation to provide prompts on traffic light timing, school zone, and high-capacity special events, and speed limit information. Learn more.

Innovation News .

Clearwater art exploration becomes a virtual pleasure

Users of the interactive map will discover how artworks tell stories about Clearwater's history, nature, and empowerment, among other inspirational topics.

Development News Tropicana Field property included in RFP.

Calling all urban designers: St. Pete wants your creative juices flowing around Tropicana FieldRFP covers 86 acres in heart of city’s downtown

The Tropicana Field property, just off the Interstate and near John’s Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and the University of South Florida’s St. Pete campus, is considered prime real estate for potentially expanding local research and innovation efforts. 

Buzz .

Toast of Tampa sings, shares 'mountain moments' in new video

Though not rehearsing in 2020, Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is alive and well and singing great harmony in their newest virtual performance. Check it out.