USF Scores Big with NIL Recipient Sofia Chepenik

Trailblazing athlete Sofia Chepenik, the first female athlete to secure a lifetime deal with STX Women's Lacrosse through NIL, signifies a transformative era for USF Athletics, embracing the new recruiting landscape and empowering women in sports as the University positions itself for a promising future.

By Timony Katon Sports Beat Reporter In September 2019, California became the first state to allow student-athletes to receive money for their name, image, and likeness, otherwise known as NIL. This started a domino effect, as other states passed the same law, which led to the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruling in June 2021 that… Continue reading USF Scores Big with NIL Recipient Sofia Chepenik

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Categorized as Sports

Local business owners struggle under the weight of booming downtown

Grassroots Kava House St. Petersburg is the establishment's original location. The other two are located in Seminole Heights and Ybor City.

By Kelsey Foresta Community Beat Reporter Downtown St. Petersburg is the place to be when looking for local businesses to shop or dine, however, a lot of businesses have struggled to join or stay in the area. Downtown has been the spot for a variety of local businesses throughout the years and is easily accessible… Continue reading Local business owners struggle under the weight of booming downtown

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Categorized as BUSINESS

The Rise of Pickleball

Two pickleball paddles next to two regulation pickleballs.

A new sport is gaining momentum: a blend of tennis & ping-pong. By Aiden Connell Community Beat Reporter Whether it is curiosity, injury recovery, or just plain boredom,  humans are constantly seeking new ways to challenge each other and have some fun. From the likes of wrestling in ancient times, to the modern-day Spikeball, a… Continue reading The Rise of Pickleball

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Categorized as Sports

Food journalism and influencers begin to overlap in evolving digital landscape

Over the last decade, social media influencers and bloggers have created a space for themselves in the food marketing world and food journalism has evolved because of it. By Kaitlyn Bock Food Beat Reporter Food influencers are changing the food journalism and marketing industries one Instagram post at a time. In the early 2000s, news… Continue reading Food journalism and influencers begin to overlap in evolving digital landscape

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Categorized as FOOD

Exploring the teacher shortage: Hillsborough educators speak out about lack of support

Students sleep in class as substitutes cover vacancies during the teacher shortage.

By Zaniya Graham Education Beat Reporter HILLSBOROUGH, Fla.- One of the biggest reasons for the current teacher shortage in Hillsborough County is a lack of support amongst educational staff, but the definition of support changes depending on who you ask. The U.S. has been battling a teacher shortage, for different reasons, for years.  Consequently, larger… Continue reading Exploring the teacher shortage: Hillsborough educators speak out about lack of support

New College of Florida’s controversial move to paint over student murals

By Mike Martinez Community Beat Reporter SARASOTA, Fla. – At New College of Florida, a burst of artistic expression emerged earlier this year when a group of talented artists took their brushes to the walls of the NCF campus. These artists, inspired by an art class offered by the school, painted murals that not only… Continue reading New College of Florida’s controversial move to paint over student murals

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Categorized as COMMUNITY

Tampa Bay teachers face new and evolving barriers as school year begins

An apple a day could make a teacher stay. The connection with students becomes one of the only remaining factors keeping teachers working.

Societal changes due to the pandemic and the influence of social media are significantly impacting students. Educators are feeling the effects. By Annabel Hutchings Education Beat Reporter ST. PETERSBURG – The majority of educators are in their careers because they love what they do, but this love can only go so far with the difficulties… Continue reading Tampa Bay teachers face new and evolving barriers as school year begins