Daily editionFriday, October 16th, 2026
Good morning, St. Petersburg.
The 5AM St. Petersburg Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 16th of October.
Community
In Clearwater, a local food pantry ran out of food eight times in September due to rising prices and fewer donations—supporters plan to bolster supplies before winter.
In Tampa, SoHo business owners are suing the city over a stormwater project they say will disrupt their operations.
WUSFRead more
Culture
Clearwater Jazz Holiday #47 continues at Coachman Park in Clearwater Bay — featuring headliners Sheila E, Arturo Sandoval, the Wood Brothers, and Dumpstaphunk with performances today, Saturday, and Sunday.
The four-day festival brings a mix of jazz, funk, and blues to the area.
WUSFRead more
Alicia Oliveira’s memoir (Las Perlas de Alicia) will release on Oct. 25.
She discussed her challenges as a caregiver and mother on WUSF’s Florida Matters Live and Local on Oct. 13, sharing how her journey with dementia care and raising a son with autism helped form her resilient voice.
WUSFRead more
Clearwater Jazz Holiday brings a busy regional music weekend with jazz legends performing at Coachman Park from Thursday to Sunday plus singer-songwriters on Friday at Ale and the Witch, while grunge, punk and vinyl events round out the live offerings across the area.
WUSFRead more
Health
Pinellas County reported 17 new dengue cases and extended its mosquito emergency until Oct. 22 while Hillsborough County added 51 more this week; health crews are using fogging trucks + extra support to slow the outbreak.
WUSFRead more
Sports
The Rays are set to face the Guardians in Game 4 of the ALCS at Progressive Field at 6 p.m. ET today — Tampa Bay must spark offensively to overcome a 2-1 series deficit while weather may prompt schedule changes.
MLB.comRead more