Local Government

Neoclassical courthouse exterior with columns, American flag, and palm trees.

Local Government

Two seats open on Pinellas college-bond board; applications due Sept. 16

Pinellas County is accepting applications for two seats on the Educational Facilities Authority Board, which helps colleges finance construction through bond issuance; the deadline is 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026.

August 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Local Government

School board chair questions prayer at Pinellas meetings; no vote yet

Pinellas County School Board Chairperson Caprice Edmond is questioning whether meetings should continue opening with prayer or switch permanently to a moment of silence, but no vote has been taken yet.

July 31, 2026 · 2 min read

Local Government

Federal court rules Pinellas County Commission violated First Amendment in grant denial

A federal appeals court unanimously ruled Wednesday, July 29, that the Pinellas County Commission violated the First Amendment by revoking and denying COVID-relief grants to a nonprofit over its political views, with Commissioner Chris Latvala at the center of the case now heading to trial.

July 30, 2026 · 3 min read

FEMA flood insurance rate map showing shaded flood zone boundaries and zone labels.

Local Government

Dunedin's FEMA flood rating saves homeowners up to 25% on insurance

Dunedin's FEMA Class 5 Community Rating System designation entitles local flood insurance policyholders to a 25% premium discount, saving the city's policyholders a collective $900,000 annually according to city figures.

July 28, 2026 · 3 min read

Local Government

Sheriff's data shows 3,000 water rescue calls near Dunedin Causeway since 2021

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reported more than 3,000 water rescue calls from the Dunedin Causeway area since 2021, including two jet ski deaths, as the Dunedin City Commission unanimously advanced an ordinance banning motorized watercraft launches from the Causeway's south side on July 23 with a final vote set for September 3.

July 24, 2026 · 2 min read

Local Government

Blue Jays prospect Daniel Guerra strikes out five in rehab debut as Dunedin blanks Bradenton

Toronto Blue Jays No. 16 prospect Daniel Guerra struck out five in 3⅓ scoreless innings in his first minor league rehab start Thursday, July 23, as the Dunedin Blue Jays blanked the Bradenton Marauders 2-0 in a rain-shortened game at LECOM Park.

July 24, 2026 · 2 min read

Local Government

Pinellas schools face $13 million budget gap; first public hearing set for July 28

Pinellas County Schools projects a $13 million state funding shortfall tied to 3,600 fewer students in 2026-27, with the first public budget hearing scheduled for Monday, July 28, and Planning for Progress consolidation recommendations expected in fall 2026.

July 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Rows of heavily damaged mobile homes at a Florida mobile home park after a hurricane.

Local Government

Pinellas Recovers completes first mobile home replacement after $49 million approved countywide

Pinellas Recovers celebrated its first completed mobile home replacement on July 9, with 71-year-old Richard Brill moving into a new Wind Zone 3-rated manufactured home after nearly two years displaced by Hurricane Milton. The countywide program has approved more than $49 million for over 650 individuals and families, and two of its five assistance programs close to new applications on July 31.

July 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Architectural rendering of a modern multi-story building labeled Pinellas County Service Center with landscaping and parked cars.

Local Government

Pinellas County begins demolition for $51 million north county government center

Pinellas County is demolishing its 1978 North County Service Center and building a $51 million replacement in Clearwater that will consolidate the Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, and Clerk of the Circuit Court under one roof, with substantial completion expected in January 2028.

July 22, 2026 · 2 min read

A hand holding an Apple Pencil drawing on a tablet screen.

Local Government

Creative Clay doubles art market attendance after federal grants rebuilt pandemic losses

Creative Clay, a St. Petersburg nonprofit serving about 90 artists with disabilities, doubled attendance at its monthly art markets and surpassed pre-pandemic revenue after two rounds of ARPA grants through Pinellas Community Foundation funded new technology and building repairs.

July 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Wooden boardwalk with railings stretching through a shaded, moss-draped wetland forest.

Local Government

Hammock Park boardwalk may close if Dunedin voters approve property tax cut

Dunedin commissioners approved a $152,231 contract to replace the aging Hammock Park boardwalk, but Parks Director Tony Mulkey warned the project may be scrapped and the boardwalk closed to the public if voters approve a November property tax referendum that could cost the city $9 million.

July 21, 2026 · 3 min read

Multi-story open-air parking garage on a street corner with a Public Parking sign.

Local Government

Dunedin commission to vote on parking garage financing step amid tax uncertainty

The Dunedin City Commission will vote Thursday, July 23, on Resolution 26-08, a declaration of intent to finance the Midtown Parking Garage with tax-exempt bonds, even as the city faces a potential $9 million annual revenue loss from a statewide property tax referendum in November.

July 17, 2026 · 3 min read