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- Issue #666: Tampa Scores No. 100 In Study, Hillsborough Sets Short-Term Rental Rules, Southwest Plans Airport Lounges, Mets Broadcasters Tease Rays Rebrand
Issue #666: Tampa Scores No. 100 In Study, Hillsborough Sets Short-Term Rental Rules, Southwest Plans Airport Lounges, Mets Broadcasters Tease Rays Rebrand
9/4/2026
Ted Grellner
04 Sep
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Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar - (Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar) - Sorry - Out of Order
Local News
— How Well Is Tampa Run? New National Study Ranks City No. 100
— Hillsborough Approves New Short-Term Rental Rules With $200 Annual Fee
Of Interest
— Southwest Airlines Unveils Airport Lounges in Major Shift From Low-Cost Roots
Sports
— Mets Broadcasters Get a Laugh From Rays’ 2008 Name Change
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How Well Is Tampa Run? New National Study
Ranks City No. 100
Provo, UT
A new WalletHub study ranking the nation’s best- and worst-run cities places Tampa at No. 100 overall, near the bottom among the eight Florida cities included in the analysis.
The study evaluated how effectively cities use their budgets to provide services, examining areas including financial stability, education, health, safety, the economy, infrastructure and pollution. Tampa ranked 27th for quality of city services but 122nd for total budget per capita, contributing to its low overall position.
Among Florida cities, Jacksonville ranked highest at No. 18 nationally, followed by Tallahassee at No. 29 and St. Petersburg at No. 47. Miami ranked 74th, Hialeah 75th and Orlando 83rd.
Fort Lauderdale ranked lowest in Florida at No. 108, while Provo, Utah, took the top spot nationally. WalletHub said efficiently managed cities tend to combine strong public services with responsible spending and relatively low government debt.
Hillsborough Approves New Short-Term Rental Rules With $200 Annual Fee
Hillsborough County commissioners have unanimously approved new regulations for short-term rentals, requiring property owners to register each unit and pay a $200 annual fee beginning Jan. 1.
The ordinance also requires owners to designate a representative who can respond to problems. County code enforcement will be permitted to inspect properties when complaints are filed, giving officials additional tools to address excessive noise, overcrowding, parties and safety concerns.
Some residents welcomed the changes. Bay Crest Park resident Leigh Ann Wrona said short-term rentals in her neighborhood have increased from roughly 20 to more than 100, bringing occasional problems involving large gatherings and property damage.
Rental operators counter that responsible owners shouldn’t be burdened because of bad actors and urged targeted enforcement instead.
Commissioners plan to review the ordinance after its first 90 days to determine whether changes or additional regulations are necessary.
Southwest Airlines Unveils Airport Lounges in Major Shift From Low-Cost Roots
Southwest Airlines is taking another major step away from its traditional low-cost model, announcing plans for its first-ever network of airport lounges.
Construction has begun on lounges at Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville airports, with the first expected to welcome travelers in late 2027. Southwest says at least seven additional lounges will follow in high-demand business and leisure markets.
The airline is partnering with Chase, which operates its own Sapphire Reserve lounges. Access will require a new Southwest Airlines credit card issued by Chase, scheduled to launch next year.
The move continues a dramatic transformation of an airline long known for doing things differently from its competitors. Southwest recently replaced its famous open-seating system with assigned seating and previously eliminated its longstanding policy allowing every passenger to check two bags free.
Southwest says the lounges will extend its hospitality experience while strengthening its Rapid Rewards loyalty program.
Mets Broadcasters Get a Laugh From Rays’ 2008 Name Change
Nearly two decades after Tampa Bay dropped “Devil” from its name, the decision resurfaced during an SNY broadcast of a Mets-Rays game Wednesday night, producing a humorous exchange among announcers Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.
The franchise entered Major League Baseball as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998, before becoming simply the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the 2008 season. During the discussion, Hernandez jokingly characterized the change as “very woke.”
Whatever the motivation, the rebranding coincided with a stunning reversal on the field. After finishing last in the AL East during nine of their first 10 seasons, the newly renamed Rays won the division in 2008 and reached their first World Series.
The franchise has since become a regular contender, reaching another World Series in 2020 and collecting multiple division championships.
The amusing broadcast exchange offered Rays fans a reminder of just how dramatically the franchise’s fortunes changed after 2008.
Tampa Bay’s Best Live Music Aug | Things to do Around Pasco this weekend: | Things to do Around |
Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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