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Daily editionThursday, September 17th, 2026

Good morning, St. Petersburg.

The 5AM St. Petersburg Team

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Here’s your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 17th of September.

Culture

  1. Several museums in St. Petersburg will waive admission fees Saturday, Sept. 19, for residents with valid ID, offering free access to art and history collections at venues like the Dalí Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, and Imagine Museum + inviting families to explore local culture.

    WUSFRead more

  2. Enjoy a diverse weekend music lineup: Friday brings Eddie Estes at Troll Music + Saturday features a punk rock pizza party, a soul show at Skipper’s Smokehouse, and Ryan Castro at the Yuengling Center + Sunday offers a free jazz vinyl session at Suite E Studios in St. Petersburg.

    WUSFRead more

  3. Sonder Atelier founder Jounte Armantrading transforms thrift store finds into sustainable fashion using wearable art.

    She showcased her work at a July FloridaRAMA show in St. Pete and will soon travel to Venice Beach for a mermaid-themed pop-up event.

    The Gabber NewspaperRead more

  4. The documentary 'First They Came for My College' that follows student perspectives during New College's conservative takeover will run at Green Light Cinema in St. Petersburg beginning Friday and later at Burns Court Cinema in Sarasota from Oct. 23-29.

    WUSFRead more

  5. Pop-up venues are drawing top musicians after Lisa Loeb’s sold-out show at Seven C Music, with Pierre Bensusan performing at Azalea Recreation Center on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Janis Ian hosting a film screening at Catherine Hickman Theatre on Oct. 3 (more acts are scheduled).

    WUSFRead more

Education

  1. Parents in Pinellas County are challenging superintendent Kevin Hendrick’s plan to close seven schools such as St. Petersburg’s John M. Sexton Elementary amid falling enrollment and a drive to save $25 million a year.

    The board will consider public input on Sept. 22 and review comments on Oct. 6 before voting on Oct. 13.

    WUSFRead more

Government

  1. Florida utility regulators voted 4-1 to reject a staff recommendation to repeal a 1984 tax savings rule that would have raised Tampa Electric bills and profits amid record high June rates.

    WUSFRead more

Sports

  1. After the Rays beat the A's on Wednesday, Jonny DeLuca spun the team’s celebration wheel at Tropicana Field and gave manager Kevin Cash a hug when it landed on that challenge (a new team tradition).

    Teammate Nick Martinez helped bring him into the postgame cheer.

    MLB.comRead more

  2. Junior Caminero, 24, climbed to No. 2 in the Hitter Power Rankings after surpassing Triple Crown contender Yordan Alvarez and posting 41 home runs since late August.

    His dramatic walk-offs + aggressive base running helped Tampa Bay boost its postseason push as the season continues.

    MLB.comRead more

  3. The Lightning begin their shortened training camp today at the TGH Ice Plex (Brandon) under a new collective bargaining agreement that cuts camp days and exhibition games.

    Their first preseason game is Sunday at 5 p.m. against the Nashville Predators at Benchmark International Arena.

    WUSFRead more