Florida's economy has grown rapidly in recent years. But that growth has also driven up housing and other costs, changing where people are choosing to live.

There will not be an interruption to service delivery for citizens in the event the franchise agreement lapses at the end of the month.

CEO Ken Babby meets with councilman Bill Carlson a day after two contentious decisions by the council and CRA board. Meantime, Mayor Jane Castor rebuked council members, eliciting a sharp response from Carlson.

Council members removed a key vote from an August meeting on using $100 million from the Drew Park CRA for the stadium project, then halted a procedural transmission of land-use changes for state review.

The privately financed development, key to a plan to use revenue from the Drew Park CRA, will include office space that Rays CEO Ken Babby said has drawn early interest from Fortune 500 companies.

A contractor will manage operations now handled by TSA, allowing paychecks to continue during government shutdowns. Current workers will get first dibs on openings, although union leaders are worried.

The $51 million project will consolidate the offices of the Tax Collector, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Property Appraiser into a single building in Clearwater.

Owner Greg Mikurak said nearly every aspect of operating a restaurant has become more expensive in recent years.

Mastry’s Brewing Co. launched a new beer in collaboration with the University of South Florida Brewing Arts program at USF St. Petersburg.

Empath Life is the sole provider of PACE, or the Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly, funds in Pinellas County. Millions of dollars to expand similar programs across 14 counties were vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in June.

The structure will be home to a flight school and feature a flight simulator.

The change lowers the minimum natural sugar content required in processed orange juice, saying it will allow growers to sell more Florida fruit while reducing reliance on imported juice.