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The City of St Petersburg received two million dollars in state funding for the storm damage improvements project.

The project will take place at the Shore Acres neighborhood and it is a part of the St Pete Agile Resilience initiative to prevent flooding by working on sewer and water systems.

The initiative uses storm water pump stations which drain out the water that accumulates on lower streets and discharge it into the bay.

But it only works for rainfall, not for Hurricane surges such as Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Claude Tankersley is the City of St Petersburg’s Public Works Administrator and said the new pumps will have a big impact on the neighborhoods.

“So we’re talking about the ability to suck out and pump away four Olympic swimming pools every minute out of a neighborhood,” Tankersley said. “That’s a lot of water.”

With the grant, the city will build four new ones and Tankersley said they started planning for them in 2020.

A pump in Connecticut Avenue is in the final stages of design and is expected to go into construction later this year.

The one in Denver street is anticipated to start construction in 2028.

Tankersley said he believes all four new pumps will be completed in the next five years.

“When you have something as large as what we’re talking about, it takes a long time to really figure out how it would work, where it could work, what kind of impact it could have, how it would connect to other parts of the system,” he said. 

There are already four storm water pump stations completed and working effectively in St Petersburg – across Riviera Bay, Emerald Lake and 38th Avenue North.

Tankersley said the four new Shore Acres stations will cost about 100 million dollars.

As of now, the project has a total of three million dollars of state funding. 

Two million from the 2026-2027 state budget and another from the year prior.

**Editor’s note: This story was corrected on July 23, 2026. St Pete residents will be voting on whether to authorize the city to allocate up to $600 million in general obligation bonds not on whether to raise stormwater utility fees. These bonds will fund storm resilience improvements to infrastructure systems and can help pay for the Shore Acres project quicker and have it completed before the expected 2031 timeline.

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Lakeland city commissioners are considering a 12-month moratorium on large data centers while city staff studies how the facilities could affect infrastructure.

Officials say the pause would give staff time to study the impact on the city’s electric system, water supply and noise before developing new regulations.

Lakeland Electric’s largest customer, Publix, uses about 18 megawatts of electricity. A hyperscale data center could require around 100 megawatts, meaning major upgrades to the electric system.

Scott Bishop is the assistant general manager of Lakeland Electric.

“This is the right thing to do, to pause, take a breath, get all of our ducks in a row, and then we can start doing business again further if we decide we want to do that, but the breath, it needs to happen.” 

The moratorium comes after weeks of public pushback against a proposed data center in Lakeland called project Swan –a 600,000-square-foot facility.

Athena Wilson, a Polk County resident and board member of the Grassroots Collective, says she’s concerned about the impact on local water resources.

“If a data center operator can argue that it’s more feasible to utilize municipal water over non-potable water, we, as ratepayers, risk paying more and losing our necessary resources at the same time. With rates creeping up every year or so to accommodate the existing water insecurity, I feel that any hyperscale data center in Lakeland, let alone Polk County, will be a recipe for disaster.”

Kelly Quinn, a third-generation Polk County resident and candidate for Polk County Commission District 2, urged commissioners to approve the moratorium. 

“Lakeland is doing the responsible thing by pausing before approving a new class of high-impact infrastructure. Please adopt the moratorium and direct staff to bring forward clear standards based on what these facilities actually require.”

Commissioners will hold the ordinance’s second reading August 3rd.

If approved, Lakeland would be the fifth local government in Tampa Bay to approve a moratorium.

The others are: Citrus County, Hernando County, Pasco County and Zephyrhills.

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The three Florida species are the key mole skink, the rim rock crown snake, and the key ringneck snake.

These are the first new animals listed under the Endangered Species Act since the beginning of the second Trump administration.

Reagan Whitlock is an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. 

“These listings are welcome news after years of heel dragging. But they didn’t happen because this administration finally prioritized imperiled wildlife. They happened because litigation forced the government to fulfill its legal obligations under the Endangered Species Act, and unfortunately, the failure to designate critical habitat today shows there is more work that needs to be done.”

According to Whitlock, that’s the longest any administration has gone without protecting a species in the more than 50-year history of the law.

“These species represent millions of years of unique evolutionary history, and they’re only found here in Florida, where habitat loss is pushing them to the brink of extinction. And unfortunately, once they’re gone, they will be gone forever”

“There are many species that the service has failed to issue timely protections for, especially species across Florida and conservation only works because these listings are designed to be paired with strong habitat protections, a commitment to recovery, and a timeliness. And unfortunately, this administration has repeatedly moved in the opposite direction by weakening key safeguards for imperiled wildlife and cutting the funding out from under the agencies that are supposed to do this job.”

These designations come just a week after the Trump administration redefined the word “harm” to exclude damage to protected habitats.

The center also sued the National Marine Fisheries service earlier this month for failing to provide the critical habitat protection for the queen conch. 

The post Three rare Florida reptiles are finally getting federal protection appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

The Center for Biological Diversity plans to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to designate critical habitat for a bird that winters in Florida – the rufa red knot. 

Red knots are shorebirds known for making 19,000-mile round-trip migrations.

The population has declined by about 94 percent over the past four decades. It’s one of the steepest losses among North American shorebirds.

During migration, they stop along the Atlantic coast in places like Massachusetts and Delaware Bay to feed on horseshoe crab eggs. This gives them the energy they need to complete their migration.

But with horseshoe crab populations declining and no federally designated critical habitat, experts warn the birds could face extinction.

The Fish and Wildlife Service listed the red knot as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2014. However, the Center says it has failed to designate and protect critical habitat as required by law. 

Danny Waltz, senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, says designating critical habitat is an important step in the bird’s recovery. 

“If one key part of their life cycle is lost, one key aspect of the food chain that they’re apart of is lost, there goes the species.”

Waltz says protecting red knots also benefits people, supporting coastal ecosystems and ecotourism.

“In many of our backyards we have this unique, rare bird that makes a fantastic journey,” said Waltz. “One of the most important parts of its journey is right where we all live. So we need to make sure that they continue to exist so that future generations can be aware and proud of this magical bird.”

The Center hopes the lawsuit will require the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate and protect the habitat the birds rely on during migration.

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On April 19, 2026, Manatee County released an update that could push for environmental policies, such as prioritizing habitat protection and water quality.

According to Casey Zemple, Communications Division Manager for Manatee County, environmental stewardship is a priority to the Board of County Commissioners. He explains that these decisions will serve as a clear and concise roadmap toward the future. 

“One of Manatee County’s greatest assets is its natural environment, including our pristine coastlines, beautiful river systems, preserves, agricultural lands, and wide open spaces. As we continue to make progress, the challenge is making sure that we’re planning in a way that protects those resources while still meeting the ongoing and changing needs of the community. The comprehensive plan is where we establish those long-term policies that strike that balance.”

Some of the elements included are strengthening and conserving habitats for species such as the Gopher Tortoise by by ensuring that land developers are following relocation rules.

Furthermore the plan implements rules such as the Outstanding Florida Water designation, which will improve water quality by freezing water at a clean state, preventing new construction from making the water dirty.

The county also wants to build radon-proof homes to prevent cancer-causing gases from entering homes and provide adequate monitoring of radon levels in homes.

“ This update gives us that opportunity to make sure that our policies reflect the realities of today instead of relying on guidance that may have been written a few years ago. It also ensures that we’re meeting state requirements while giving residents a whole bunch of opportunities to help shape the county’s future,” said Zempel

The plan is now open for public review, and residents have until August 6th to comment on the updates.

The post Manatee County updated its Comprehensive Plan, which sets the county’s development priorities until 2045 appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

His troubling past further challenges how little the Department of Homeland Security has vetted recruits as it went on a hiring spree to help carry out President Trump’s immigration crackdown.

The city received two million dollars in state funding for storm damage improvement projects.

St. Pete is the first local government in the state to adopt this provision.

Since the start of the year, the state has averaged 5,990 claims a week.

The Scoop, produced by Maeleigh Fricke

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Fri. July 17, 2026, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

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Fishermen now face new requirements when fishing in the US Atlantic.

Last summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed a new rule aimed to protect mobulid rays in the country.

Manta and devil rays are collectively known as mobulid rays.

They are a cartilaginous, filter-feeding fish that live in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans. 

Swordfish and tuna fisherman were accidentally catching rays and there was no rule that said they needed to release them.

Now the rule says the rays need to be back into the water as safely and quickly as possible.

Gib Brogan is the senior campaign director at Oceana.

“So this rule is good for the rays and will help their international conservation and hopefully their recovery,” Brogan said. 

“These rays need to be treated carefully, and that will prevent anyone from keeping one, or it will put that additional emphasis on the need to conserve this species,” Brogan said. 

There are still methods to capture the large rays for display and research purposes, but that goes through a different process that isn’t changed by this rule.

Brogan said he is hoping that, over time, the rule will decrease the deaths of these large rays in commercial fisheries.

“We’re hopeful that the regulations will improve the recovery of these species, that it will put an additional emphasis on the need to carefully release them,” Brogan said.

The rays now join a number of shark species under the Endangered Species Act with similar protections. 

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects endangered and threatened fish, wildlife, and plants to prevent their extinction and protect their habitats.

This new rule is specific to the accidental catch of these large rays in commercial fishing boats.

The rule went into effect on June 22 and Brogan said they are a great first step to conservation.

“We’re looking forward to the Fisheries Service continuing to do its job to protect species like meta rays,” Brogan said.

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Meanwhile, Governor Ron DeSantis has scheduled two executions to take place on the same day, marking an unprecedented move in Florida. The decision has drawn national attention as the state prepares for the back-to-back executions.

Additionally, extreme summer heat is causing widespread coral bleaching in the Florida Keys. Scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures are placing more stress on fragile reef ecosystems.

Starting now, Florida fishermen must follow new regulations designed to better protect manta rays. Officials say the updated requirements aim to reduce accidental harm to the vulnerable species.

The Clearwater City Council will vote on whether to continue its partnership with Duke Energy. The decision could shape the city’s future approach to providing electricity for residents.

The Scoop, produced by Demaria Green

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Thurs. July 16, 2026, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

A man was fatally hit by a truck as he fled from an ICE encounter in St. Augustine. He is the third person to die following an ICE encounter this week.

Sochor was 74 years old.

The push for environmental policies will prioritize concerns such as habitat protection and water quality.

Both candidates spoke about current tensions between local government and Florida legislation.

The Scoop, produced by Maeleigh Fricke

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Wed. July 15, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez reported a net worth of more than $3.5 million. Additionally, his latest financial disclosure shows a significant increase in his personal wealth

The City of Dunedin is considering a shoreline stability project to address coastal concerns. As a result, city officials are reviewing plans for the proposed project.

Immigrant rights activists continue to hold a weekly vigil in Clearwater. Through these demonstrations, activists bring attention to immigration enforcement and local immigrant communities.

President Donald Trump is reducing the size of two national monuments in Utah. Consequently, the decision is renewing debate over public lands and environmental protections.

Federal ICE agents killed another person during an incident in Maine. Therefore, the death is raising further concerns about federal immigration enforcement actions.

The Scoop, produced by Demaria Green

WMNF anchors Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Sofia Caballero, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hanna Lau, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.

Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF

The post The Scoop: Tues. July 14, 2026 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.