Stay informed about arts news and updates in Tampa Bay, FL.
A St. Petersburg man, Daniel Coley, has been charged with second-degree murder following the discovery of his girlfriend, Amanda Browning, dead near a dumpster. Police found visible stab wounds on Browning's body, leading to Coley's arrest based on probable cause.
The 76th annual Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 15, 2024, celebrating outstanding achievements in television. Notable winners included Liza Colón-Zayas for her role in "The Bear" and Billy Crudup for "The Morning Show." The event featured numerous stars presenting awards, highlighting the significant contributions of various artists in the industry.
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards kicked off with hosts Eugene and Dan Levy humorously addressing the shifting landscape of television. Highlighting the dominance of streaming services, the ceremony featured notable favorites such as "Shogun" and "The Bear" vying for top honors.
Former state Senator Frank Artiles is set to face trial for allegedly orchestrating a scheme involving "ghost candidates" to influence the outcome of a pivotal 2020 Florida Senate race. Prosecutors claim he recruited a straw candidate to siphon votes away from the Democratic incumbent, leading to a narrow victory for the Republican candidate. Artiles has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, and jury selection begins soon.
Florida lawmakers convened in St. Petersburg to address the state's escalating home insurance crisis, exacerbated by climate change. Congresswoman Kathy Castor led a roundtable discussion in Shore Acres, an area significantly affected by recent flooding events. Residents reported drastic increases in their insurance premiums, highlighting the urgent need for solutions.
The Celma Mastry Ovarian Cancer Foundation's annual 5k race in St. Petersburg raised over $60,000 to support patients and survivors of ovarian cancer. Linda Condon, a cancer survivor, shared her inspiring journey and the vital assistance she received from the foundation, highlighting the event's significance in fostering community support and awareness.
Polk County Fire Chief Hezedean Smith has resigned following a report highlighting a toxic work environment and low morale within the fire rescue department. The resignation was accepted by County Manager Bill Beasley, emphasizing the serious nature of the allegations.
Firefighters in Southern California have made significant progress against three major wildfires, aided by cooler temperatures. The largest blaze, the Bridge Fire, has burned 81 square miles, leading to the evacuation of 10,000 people and the destruction of several homes and cabins.
NASA astronauts Cmdr. Barry "Butch" Wilmore and pilot Sunita "Suni" Williams expressed their lack of disappointment regarding Boeing’s Starliner issues during a teleconference from the International Space Station. Their mission, initially planned for eight days, has extended to eight months due to complications with the spacecraft, leading them to return home on a SpaceX Dragon capsule instead.
U.S. filings for unemployment benefits increased slightly to 230,000 for the week ending September 7, 2024, according to the Labor Department. Despite this uptick, layoffs remain historically low even after two years of elevated interest rates. The four-week average of claims also rose, but overall jobless claims continue to be low compared to historical standards.