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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 12

Duke Energy's data center plan rejected; downtown cleanup funded

Plus, a downtown cleaning deal, senior housing plans and an arts festival that starts today.

The 5AM St. Petersburg team1 story11 sources4 min read

UtilitiesTop story

Florida regulators reject Duke Energy's data center plan over ratepayer protections

Regulators rejected Duke Energy's data center plan

ItemWhat the reports say
DecisionRegulators rejected the data center plan
ReasonToo risky for consumers; ratepayer protections
CommissionOften friendly to the industry
ContextNew state law; utilities are submitting plans

Sources: WTSP, Tampa Bay Times

If you pay an electric bill in Florida, here's what regulators did. They rejected Duke Energy's data center plan as too risky for consumers, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The vote was a major rebuff of the company by a commission often friendly to the industry. WTSP reported that regulators rejected the plan, citing concerns over ratepayer protections.

  • Decision: Duke Energy's data center plan rejected
  • Concern: protections for ratepayers
  • Context: a new state law requires plans from electric companies
  • Statewide: utilities are submitting plans to comply

News Notes

Downtown

The St. Petersburg City Council voted 7-1 on Nov. 5 to approve about $2 million over three years for daily cleaning, maintenance and hospitality work across roughly 226 acres of downtown. The program begins Jan. 1, 2027, and calls for nine full-time jobs. 92.5 maxima

The downtown cleanup deal runs through December 2029

$1.95 million
the most the city can spend on services
$78,000
to get the program started
9
full-time jobs
226 acres
of downtown covered, roughly

Source: 92.5 maxima

Senior housing

About 650 households are waiting for affordable senior housing through the . The agency proposes a four-story building with 47 apartments at 3200 37th Avenue North, raising Clearview Park from 22 to 65 units. Financing isn't secured yet, and four families living there would have to move permanently. St Pete CatalystSt. Petersburg Patch

Port leases

St. Petersburg voters approved Charter Amendment 2, which allows leases of up to 25 years at the Port of St. Petersburg, up from a 10-year limit. The measure passed with 64% of the vote. Bay News 9

Arts festival

If you're downtown this weekend, the first Booker Creek Arts Festival opens today and runs through Sunday. It's free, with 122 juried works by Florida artists at 35 venues, and no tents or street closures. St Pete Rising

Moon Under Water

The British pub opens in Gulfport on Mon., Nov. 16 at 5 p.m., at 2832 Beach Blvd. S. It's the first time in five years the restaurant is open, after more than two decades on Beach Drive downtown. Weekday happy hour runs 3 to 5 p.m. I Love the BurgSt Pete Rising

The Buy

Two kitchen upgrades you’ll wish you got sooner: a safe + easy-to-clean 5-in-1 mandolin slicer that will cut your prep time in half, and these top-rated stainless steel mixing bowls that are nesting and dishwasher safe.

Featured Deal

Every Thursday, lululemon adds new markdowns to its We Made Too Much section. Read: Deals, on deals, on deals. This week, we’re eyeing $30+ off this cozy funnel-neck half-zip and major savings on these buttery-soft joggers in colors like Walnut Crunch, Lotus Lavender, and Willow Leaf.

Home

Tackling a fall project? You already know you’ll find the tools, storage, outdoor essentials, and supplies you need at The Home Depot — but have you browsed Black Friday savings? Check out The Home Depot’s current deals and see what you can cross off your project list.

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Pucker up

Asked

Tap an answer to see how St. Petersburg answered.

Asked

Which weekend plan are you most likely to make?

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City Hall

“I don't think pressure washing downtown is an essential city service.”

Vice Chair Richie Floyd, the only council vote against the downtown cleaning deal

Asked

Tap an answer to see how St. Petersburg answered.

Asked

Will you head to Gulfport for The Moon Under Water's reopening?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

— Jesus, Mark 3:25

Things to Do

Things to Do

St. Petersburg, FL

Thursday, Nov. 12

See every St. Petersburg eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Real Estate

Real Estate

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The Buy

Around the Block

Around the Block

Powered by Nextdoor

Neighbors

Unfortunately, food prices are not going to come down.

“There’s a lot of chatter stating gas prices are the reason for high prices and when gas goes down so will food. And we’ve heard the wave of politicians promising to lower the cost of living. Fact of the matter is wage increases are the primary reason food/groceries/household goods have gone up. Sure, gas has some…”

— A neighbor, Downtown St. Petersburg

53 likes · 178 comments

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The Wrap

A steamroller is about to make art under the oaks at Print Party at the Preserve at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve on Saturday, Nov. 14. Artists will roll ink over carved woodblocks, linoleum, metal and even Lego blocks, and the steamroller presses big prints live from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Now that's heavy-duty art.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Chick-fil-A expansion could displace St. Pete businesses; arts festival opens Thursday

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition11 links · 10 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Tampa Bay Timestampabay.com
  3. WTSPwtsp.com
  4. 92.5 maxima925maxima.com
  5. St Pete Catalyststpetecatalyst.com
  6. St. Petersburg Patchpatch.com
  7. Bay News 9baynews9.com
  8. St Pete Risingstpeterising.com
  9. I Love the Burgilovetheburg.com
  10. St Pete Risingstpeterising.com
  11. St. Petersburg events calendar5amstpetersburgfl.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 11Chick-fil-A expansion could displace St. Pete businesses; arts festival opens Thursday
  2. Tues., Nov. 10The World Series brought an estimated $40M economic impact to Pinellas County
  3. Mon., Nov. 9Booker Creek Arts Festival brings 127 works to the EDGE District
  4. Sun., Nov. 8The Rays' World Series run brought an estimated $40 million to Pinellas
  5. Sat., Nov. 7Art Everywhere brings nearly 30 arts events to Pinellas through Dec. 6
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5AM St. Petersburgto me · Thurs., Nov. 126:00 a.m.

Duke Energy's data center plan rejected; downtown cleanup funded

Plus, a downtown cleaning deal, senior housing plans and an arts festival that starts today.

The TLDR

  1. Regulators reject Duke Energy's data center plan
  2. Council approves about $2M for downtown cleaning
  3. Booker Creek Arts Festival opens today in the EDGE District
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM St. Petersburg’s other editions

All the news
City HallChick-fil-A's Fourth Street North expansion would demolish or relocate seven apartments and several businessesIf you use Fourth Street North, this one's on your route. St. Pete City Council voted in favor of land-use and zoning changes that will let the Chick-fil-A there expand its parking lot and drive-thru into nearby land. The aim is to ease traffic backups and improve pedestrian safety.Wednesday’s editionRead ArtsSt. Pete's first Booker Creek Arts Festival fills the EDGE District with art Nov. 12-15If you want art without a ticket, the inaugural Booker Creek Arts Festival runs Thursday through Sunday. It's free, and it turns the EDGE District, 16th St. to MLK Jr. St. along Central Avenue, into a walkable gallery.Wednesday’s editionRead RaysThe Rays' World Series run brought an estimated $40 million to Pinellas CountyIf you wondered what those crowds were worth, here's the estimate: about $40 million countywide, including $22 million in direct visitor spending from Oct. 25 through 29. Hotel revenue across Pinellas County rose 95% during the three home games, compared with the same dates in 2025. The figures cover all of Pinellas, not just St. Petersburg.Tuesday’s editionRead

Around St. Petersburg

From The Suncoast Post, Tampa Bay Times and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

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    Florida Suncoast Live Music Guide for November 13, to 15, 2026

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  2. Tampa Bay Times5 hours ago

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