TAMPA, Fla. — For decades, the stretch of Fletcher Avenue surrounding the University of South Florida has been one of Tampa's busiest corridors — a sprawling collection of apartments, restaurants, hospitals, shopping centers and traffic wrapped around one of the largest universities in the state. Now, USF is preparing to fundamentally change it. On Sept. 8, university officials broke ground on Uptown Landing, a nearly $500 million mixed-use development that will transform par

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — For generations, Zephyrhills was the kind of Florida town people associated with retirement communities, bottled water, skydiving and a quiet downtown where life moved considerably slower than it did in Tampa. That version of Zephyrhills still exists. But increasingly, it is sharing space with something very different. New residents, housing developments, manufacturers and major investments are transforming this small Pasco County city into one of the east

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — In a part of Pasco County increasingly defined by rapid development, new shopping centers and upscale housing, Cobalt Apartments represents the changing face of Wesley Chapel. The 401-unit luxury apartment community was developed by Flournoy Development Group on approximately 45 acres near Wesley Chapel Boulevard. Construction began in 2022, with the project designed to include one-, two- and three-bedroom residences spread among two-, three- and four-st

For horror fans, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights has become almost a pilgrimage. Elaborate haunted houses, movie-quality sets, roaming scare actors and massive intellectual properties have transformed the seasonal event into one of the most recognizable Halloween attractions in America. But there is another side to Halloween Horror Nights that becomes apparent shortly after walking through the gates: the crowds. Halloween Horror Nights has become so popular that o

For generations of Tampa residents, WestShore Plaza represented the future. When the mall opened in 1967, suburban America was booming. Families were moving away from traditional downtowns, automobiles were reshaping cities and enclosed shopping malls were becoming the new centers of American consumer life. Nearly 60 years later, WestShore Plaza may once again offer a glimpse of the future. Only this time, the future involves tearing much of the old model down. Third Lake Par

Tampa Bay is quietly becoming home to a growing community of independent YouTubers, podcasters and digital storytellers—and Josh and his rapidly expanding DOCTVUNLEASHED channel are becoming part of that movement. While Los Angeles and New York once seemed like mandatory destinations for anyone hoping to build a career in entertainment, YouTube has rewritten the rules. A camera, a compelling guest and the ability to hold an audience can now turn practically any city into a me

One of the most important transportation experiments in America is quietly taking shape along North Dale Mabry Highway. Tesla has leased an approximately 11-acre property on North Dale Mabry Highway tied to the company's rapidly expanding Robotaxi operation in Tampa, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. The property could become an important base for the autonomous vehicles Tesla hopes will eventually transform urban transportation. The development comes as Tesla is s

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — Long before Wesley Chapel became synonymous with subdivisions, shopping centers and explosive suburban growth, there was a strange property hidden among the woods of Pasco County. Visitors traveling down the sparsely lit road encountered stone faces, gargoyles, dragons and bizarre sculptures surrounding an ivy-covered dome-shaped house that looked more like something from a fantasy novel than a Florida residence. The man responsible for it was Lewis VanD

For more than a century, Ybor City has been one of Tampa's most recognizable neighborhoods—a place built by immigrants, cigar factories, small businesses and nightlife. Its brick streets and historic buildings have survived economic decline, urban renewal and decades of changing tastes. Now Ybor faces another transformation, and this one could be among the largest in its history. Billions of dollars in development are reshaping the neighborhoods surrounding the historic distr

For decades, Tampa's Westshore district has been a place people went to work, catch a flight, shop or attend a football game. At the end of the workday, many simply got back into their cars and left. That may be about to change. A remarkable collection of developments now underway or planned for Westshore could transform Tampa's traditional business district into something considerably different: a second urban center where people live, work, shop and spend their evenings. At

Long before Tampa Heights became one of Tampa's most desirable urban neighborhoods, and before investors began pouring money into the areas surrounding Ybor City, Edward “Eddie” Serralles saw something others often overlooked. He saw potential. For nearly three decades, Serralles has worked as a real estate broker, investor, developer and construction professional in Tampa. His companies remain headquartered on North Highland Avenue in Tampa Heights, placing him in the middle

For decades, Tampa Bay’s economic identity was built around tourism, real estate, health care, finance and the military. Technology existed in the region, but few people would have mentioned Tampa in the same conversation as Silicon Valley, Austin or Boston. That is beginning to change. Across Tampa Bay, a growing collection of technology companies, defense contractors, entrepreneurs, investors and startup accelerators is creating an economy that looks considerably different

After nearly two decades of failed stadium proposals, political battles and questions about whether Major League Baseball could survive long-term in Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Rays finally appear to have found their future home. And it is in Tampa. The Hillsborough County Commission voted 5-2 Friday to approve its portion of a proposed $2.36 billion stadium project on Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus. The vote came one day after the Tampa City Council narrowly approved

In an entertainment industry crowded with influencers desperately trying to manufacture authenticity, Black Label has something that cannot be created in a studio. He has lived it. Known around St. Petersburg, Florida, simply as “Black” or “Black Label” has emerged from the city's streets, a lengthy federal prison sentence and an unlikely second act as a businessman to become an increasingly recognizable personality in the podcast world. And if the rumors surrounding his next

TAMPA — The cranes reshaping Tampa’s skyline are difficult to miss. New apartment towers, hotels and office buildings have become symbols of a city experiencing extraordinary growth. But one of the largest construction projects in Tampa’s history is taking place largely out of sight — beneath its streets. The City of Tampa is undertaking a nearly $3 billion overhaul of its aging water and wastewater infrastructure, replacing pipes, pumping stations and other systems that in s

TAMPA, Fla. — At a time when many of America's largest cities are experiencing a remarkable decline in killings, Tampa is moving in the opposite direction. Preliminary data released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association shows homicides across 66 reporting U.S. law-enforcement agencies fell 17.2 percent during the first six months of 2026, dropping from 2,611 killings during the same period last year to 2,162. Robberies declined 16.6 percent, while aggravated assaults fell 5.

TAMPA, Fla. — When two University of South Florida graduate students disappeared on April 16, their friends noticed almost immediately. Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon were both 27, both from Bangladesh and both pursuing advanced degrees at USF. They were described as dependable students who attended meetings, answered messages and took their academic responsibilities seriously. Their sudden silence was so out of character that friends quickly feared something was wrong. What b

DEL RIO, Texas — A broad-daylight stabbing that claimed the life of a 32-year-old mother of five has drawn national attention after three young women were arrested and charged with murder. Authorities allege the attack was captured on surveillance video and occurred on a busy Del Rio street, raising questions about what led to the deadly confrontation. Booking phots of suspects in the murder of Texas mom. The suspects have been identified as Kitty Mia Diaz, 21, Amaya "Cookie"

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A homicide investigation that began with a shooting in Huntsville has become one of the city's most closely watched criminal cases in recent months, drawing attention from residents and law enforcement officials alike. Man indicted for capital murder in Huntsville, Texas. Earlier this year, Huntsville Police Department detectives arrested a suspect in connection with a local shooting investigation that resulted in serious criminal charges. Authorities anno

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — As preparations begin for the upcoming fall semester, Sam Houston State University remains one of the most important economic engines in Huntsville and Walker County. The university's influence extends far beyond the classroom, supporting local businesses, housing, restaurants, and community events throughout the year. Sam Houston State University administration building in Huntsville, Texas. By Jessica Harrison Reporting from Huntsville, Texas, USA July 1