Mark Ferguson, owner of Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill, unpacks a shipment of beer on Friday as he and his staff set up for a huge week, with the Tampa Bay Rays playing in the World Series.

At Ferg’s, the Rays’ home away from home, the World Series party is just starting

The iconic sports bar across from Tropicana Field is preparing for a wild and wonderful week.

Robber in old man mask hit 2 Pinellas banks. Cops say he’s done it before

A series of photos included in a federal criminal complaint depict a man FBI agents say is David Sartin Jr. during two recent Pinellas County bank robberies. At left, a man identified as Sartin is seen inside a RaceTrac gas station shortly before the August robbery of Valley Bank in Largo. At center, a man wearing an "old man" mask is seen on surveillance video during a robbery at Truist bank in St. Petersburg. At right, the suspect in the Valley bank robbery is seen riding a bicycle.

Federal agents have accused David Sartin Jr. of robbing two Pinellas County banks. He previously did prison time for similar crimes.

Blind man to defend himself in Tampa murder case after shunning lawyer

Robbert Kessler listens to the proceedings during a pretrial hearing last month in his Tampa murder case. Kessler is accused in the 2021 murder of Stephanie Crone-Overholts. He told a judge Monday that he does not want to attend his own trial.

Robert Kessler offered a guilty plea if he could get a Philly cheesesteak sandwich, fries and a drink. A judge said that was a no-go.

Amendment 3 would bring punishing cuts to mass transit, agencies say

Barb Tryban, of Clearwater, prepares to board Route 91 to Tarpon Springs at the PSTA Park Street Terminal on Monday, July 20, 2026, in Clearwater. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority could lose a quarter of its operating funding if a proposed expansion of Florida's homestead tax exemption is approved by voters in November, potentially leading to service cuts on lower-ridership routes.

Tampa Bay’s bus systems already receive less funding per person compared to other metro areas. Property tax cuts could “decimate” what’s left, one official said.

For over 10 minutes of their workout Sunday at Tropicana field, Brewers fielders focused on tracking fly balls against the similarly shaded backdrop of the tilted roof enclosing the Rays' home ballpark.

With a chance to clinch in St. Pete, Brewers work out at Tropicana Field

Some players are amused to learn of the stingray touch tank in the outfield, while another maligns the color of the roof.

15-year-old arrested in Florida A&M shooting that hurt 11 after homecoming game

Police said it appears none of the people shot were intended targets.

Times readers respond to Amendment 3’s effect on property tax bills

Readers responded to a story illustrating possible savings to homeowners if Amendment 3 is approved, increasing homestead exemptions for primary residences. Pictured is a sample of a Pinellas County Truth in Millage, or TRIM, notice. These are mailed to homeowners each year and include estimates of expected property tax bills.

Florida voters will soon decide on a sweeping ballot amendment that could reshape the state’s property tax system.

They survived a hurricane in Tropicana Field. Now these rays are in the World Series outfield

Brett Durda, associate curator of exhibits with Florida Aquarium, feeds the 10 male Cownose Rays in the salt water tank at the Cownose Clubhouse in centerfield at Tropicana Field.

A World Series run from the Rays (the baseball team) is a unique educational opportunity about rays (the animal).

SPORTS

World Series warmup: Joe Maddon on 1st pitch, Carly Pearce sings anthem

• Tampa Bay Rays

Former Rays manager Joe Maddon will throw out the ceremonial first pitch tonight for Game 3 of the World Series at Tropicana Field.

With Rays down in World Series, it’s time for Freddy Peralta to save them

• Tampa Bay Rays

Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta warms up prior to Game 2 of the World Series Saturday in Milwaukee. With Tampa Bay down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, he'll start Game 3 Monday night at Tropicana Field.

Not the right time of the year for the Rays bullpen to go wobbly

• Viewpoints

Rays manager Kevin Cash has made more mound visits than he would like in the World Series. The Rays have used a combined nine relievers in Games 1 and 2. Here he pulls Ian Seymour after a blown save in Game 2.

Tropicana Field’s remarkable rise from the ashes to the World Series

• Tampa Bay Rays

The Tropicana Field dome puts on a light show during player introductions for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 12.

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VIEWPOINTS

Who cares about Florida’s public schools? We all should | Column

• Viewpoints

Earlier this year, staff, council members, commissioners, community leaders and members lined up to cheer as students arrived on their first day of school at Melrose Elementary School in St. Petersburg.

Childcare is an affordability issue Florida cannot ignore | Column

• Viewpoints

Three-year-olds play at stations while attending pre-K at The Morris Foundation Child Development Center on Sept. 24, 2024. Fort Worth ISD and PreK Today, managed by Child Care Associates, partnered to provide pre-K to Fort Worth ISD students at community

Make it easier, not harder, for Floridians to vote | Column

• Viewpoints

A guest columnist writes that voter suppression erodes trust and is anathema to American ideals.

The week’s best editorial cartoons from Times wire services

• Viewpoints

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POLITICS

‘You missed bitches’: DeSantis’ gift to Trump has that message

• Politics

President Donald Trump speaks to supporters during a rally at Alico Arena at Florida Gulf Coast University on Friday in Ft. Myers.

Matt Geiger backs Matt Geiger’s opponent for Pasco school board

• Education

Mollyana Ward, candidate for Pasco County school board District 3, shared an ad highlighting her endorsement by former NBA star Matt Geiger in her race against private school administrator Matt Geiger.

Welch remarks on Trump’s ‘Nobody cares’ World Series quip

• St. Petersburg

Mayor Ken Welch, pictured here in 2024, responded to President Trump's answer to a reporter about the impact of an impending lockout as two smaller-market teams, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers, head to the World Series.

Border Patrol agents at Florida early voting site wanted to vote, officials say

• Elections

Early voting is underway in Florida ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election.

More Politics

FOOD HUB

Bagels & Co. rolls into Tampa with 7th Florida location

• Food News

The bagel case at Bagels & Co. in Tampa, a new arrival near the University of South Florida campus.

Editors wager Cuban sandwiches and chili over World Series victory

• Food

Bread for Cuban sandwiches for sale inside La Segunda on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 in St. Petersburg.

Where to watch the Rays in the World Series with food and drinks

• Dining guides

Flor Fina in Ybor City is celebrating the Rays' World Series run with specialty menu items like the loaded Rasmussen Dog.

South Tampa restaurants weigh in on upcoming South Howard Flood Relief Project

• Food

Homes in Parkland Estates flooded during 2024’s hurricanes. The neighborhood is at the center of the contentious South Howard Flood Relief Project, which the Tampa City Council narrowly passed in September. We spoke to a few business owners in the corridor to see what they thought of the upcoming project.

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LATEST

DIVE IN

The 2026 midterm election is coming up on Nov. 3.

2026 Florida election candidates: Midterm voter guide

Here’s who’s on your ballot in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties, and where they stand on affordability, data centers, the Rays stadium and more.

Tropicana Field’s remarkable rise from the ashes to the World Series