News & Updates
News, how-tos, and community spotlights from Activate Pinellas
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DeSantis Wants to Flip Four Florida House Seats. Voters Already Said No to This in 2010.
DeSantis dropped a new Florida congressional map that would flip four Democratic House seats. Voters banned partisan gerrymandering in 2010. Here's what happens next.
Florida House Killed DeSantis's Vaccine and AI Bills on Day One. The Only Item Left? Maps.
The Florida House killed DeSantis's vaccine and AI bills on day one of the special session. The only item left on the table is redistricting.
Citizens Insurance Is Cutting Rates 8.7% in June. The Multistate Pool That Could've Cut More? The Legislature Killed It.
Citizens Insurance is cutting rates 8.7% on June 1 — the first cut since 2015. The multistate disaster pool that would have cut more? The Legislature killed it.
Pinellas Just Declared 17 Clearwater Properties Surplus. The Sale-vs-Lease Fight Could Reshape Downtown.
Pinellas County declared 17 downtown Clearwater properties surplus — 25 acres, the largest redevelopment in city history. Sale or lease? Residents are pushing back.
Florida Spent $34 Million on Tech for Alligator Alcatraz. Detainees Still Can't Make Phone Calls.
Florida spent $34M on tech and IT at Alligator Alcatraz but says detainee phones are too expensive. FEMA's $608M reimbursement is still stuck.
Two Million Floridians Are About to Lose Health Coverage. Pinellas Hospitals Are About to Lose Workers.
HR-1 will drop 2.2M Floridians from health coverage and cost Florida 45,000 jobs. BayCare and HCA West Florida sit in Pinellas. Here's what hits home.
Florida Just Banned St. Pete From Funding Pride With Public Money. Mayor Welch Is Fighting Back.
Florida banned cities from funding DEI programs. St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch calls it dangerous. Pride Parade, Black heritage marches, women-owned business support all on the line.
Florida Can Now Brand a Nonprofit a 'Domestic Terrorist Org.' The Public Doesn't Get to See Why.
Florida's HB 1471 lets state officials brand any organization a 'domestic terrorist group' — and HB 1473 keeps the evidence secret. Here's the chilling effect on Pinellas nonprofits.
Florida Paid $92 Million to a Porta-Potty Company at Alligator Alcatraz. Meet Doodie Calls.
Florida's emergency fund paid $92.7M to Doodie Calls, a St. Pete porta-potty company with a connected lobbyist. Here's where your money went.
Florida Paid One Porta-Potty Company $92 Million. The Audits Required by Law? Still Missing.
Doodie Calls collected $92.7M for Alligator Alcatraz porta-potties. The state-mandated audits? Still missing. Here's what the Legislature finally did.
Florida's 2026 Midterms: Everything On Your Ballot and Why It Actually Matters
Because Florida doesn't do boring elections. Not even the ones nobody's paying attention to. Here's the full breakdown of every race on your 2026 ballot.
Your City. Your Vote. Your March 10th.
March 10, 2026 is Election Day for municipal races across Pinellas County. Here's every race, every candidate, and everything you need to know before you vote.
Driskell Filed a Bill to Restore Abortion Access in Florida. The 6-Week Ban Stays in Place — For Now.
Rep. Fentrice Driskell and Sen. Tracie Davis filed the Reproductive Freedom Act to roll back Florida's six-week abortion ban. Here's what's in it and why it matters in Pinellas.
Florida Just Made Driver's License Exams English-Only. Road Signs Are Pictures, Y'all.
Florida just made driver's license exams English-only. But road signs use universal symbols by design. Here's what changed, who it hurts, and what you can do about it.
DeSantis Wants to Redraw Your Congressional District. The Census Didn't Ask Him To.
DeSantis is calling a special session to redraw congressional maps years before the next Census. If you live in Pinellas County, this could change who represents you in Congress.
Florida Voters Said $15 Minimum Wage. The Legislature Said 'How About $7.25?'
Florida voters approved $15/hour in 2020. Now HB 221 would let employers pay $7.25 with a "voluntary" waiver. Here's what's happening and how to fight back.
16,000 Floridians Could Lose HIV Medication on March 1. Here's How to Fight Back from Pinellas County.
Florida is cutting HIV medication access for 16,000 people on March 1. Black women are disproportionately impacted. The court hearing is February 18. Here's exactly what Pinellas County residents can do to fight back.