Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond

Bailey Lefever

Senior Newsletter Editor

Bailey is based in St. Petersburg, FL, but hails from Ocala: the “horse capitol of the world.” Previously, she reported on education for WUSF Public Media, seniors for The Tampa Bay Times, and local government and communities for The Miami Herald and The Palm Beach Post. Happiest with sand on her sneakers, she loves visiting new parks and neighborhoods.

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An orange crane works on the construction of Busch Gardens' wild Oasis realm while workers and staff in hard hats walk around.
Travel and Outdoors
Busch Gardens’ new Wild Oasis realm opens this spring
The immersive experience features treetop climbin’, giant anteaters, squirrel monkeys, and a massive splash area.
January 29, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
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Play
Give these Tampa Bay area live music venues a listen
We’ve made a concerted effort to orchestrate this roadmap, so you can focus on finding the artists you adore.
January 28, 2025
 · 
Ben McBee
A four-story, gray apartment building is decorated with a brightly painted mural and is framed by blue sky and parking spots.
City
Tampa development updates: West Tampa upgrades, new affordable housing, and Seminole Hard Rock renovation
Let’s take a look at the City of Tampa’s plans for improving West Tampa’s Main Street, opening new affordable housing in South Tampa, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino renovation.
January 27, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
two loaves of bread
Food
Join the sourdough revolution in Tampa Bay
The bread type is more popular than ever, and we’re here to help you find the best loaves in Tampa Bay, or start making your own.
January 24, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Children aboard a Gasparilla pirate ship float. They are throwing beads into the crowd, dressed like pirates.
Events
Top Tampa Bay weekend events: Gasparilla, Tweed Ride, Sunshine Market
Whether you want to dress up or shop it out, there’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had this weekend.
January 23, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A biker pedals their way in a designated bike lane on a Tampa street, separated by a brick lane from cars.
City
Construction begins on Tampa’s Green Spine Cycle Track expansion
The $4+ million project will bring the protected bike lane up Nuccio Parkway and North 15th Street to Cuscaden Park at East 21st Avenue.
January 22, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A pirate ship decked out with blue and red lights floats on the ocean under the glow of tons of red fireworks.
Events
Gear up for Gasparilla 2025
From the invasion to the parade, we’ve got you covered with tips, snack options, and new tradition ideas.
January 17, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A person cuts a gold ribbon wrapped around a miniature library box with large scissors.
Arts
How to find a Free Little Art Gallery near you
At these 10 miniature art galleries in the Tampa Bay area, you can take a piece of art or leave one for your neighbors to love.
January 17, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Jose gasparilla pirate ship
Events
Top Tampa Bay weekend events: MLK Day celebrations, Gasparilla and boats
We hope you’re ready to spend the weekend outside checking out boats or watching plenty of parades.
January 16, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
gasparilla pirate photo jack sparrow
Events
Argh you ready for the Children’s Gasparilla Parade
It’s almost time for the annual Tampa Bay tradition featuring multiple parades, air invasions, and a boatload of beads.
January 14, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A gray and blue Aquafence surrounds Tampa General Hospital as the water rises on the street from Hurricane Helene.
City
St. Pete will install AquaFence around downtown wastewater facility
It’s just one of the proposed solutions to help protect the waterfront area during hurricanes.
January 10, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A pug wearing a pirate ship suit walks out onto turf as people watch.
Events
Top Tampa Bay weekend events
Wondering what to do this January weekend? We’ve got you covered with plenty of eats and even a puppy parade.
January 9, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Shell Island kayak tour
Culture
Check out these Tampa Bay hobbies
Get outside and kayak, make new running buddies, or lean into your creative side this new year.
January 8, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A rendering of the Rays new proposed stadium, showing fans inside a ballpark.
City
The biggest TBAY stories we’re watching in 2025
From major downtown Tampa development to stadium updates, it’s going to be busy news year.
January 7, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Two people playing Pickleball at an outdoor court.
Sports
Tampa Bay’s pickleball scene
Don’t know where to play this popular sport? We’ll get you out of that pickle.
January 3, 2025
 · 
Brianna Williams
Old Northeast Candlelight Tour
City
Where to recycle your Christmas tree in Tampa Bay
When the holidays are over, you still have to deal with the Christmas tree in the corner. Here are a few ways to dispose of dead trees around Tampa and St. Pete.
January 2, 2025
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Tampa skyline at night
City
Bookmark these Tampa Bay New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Whether you want to indulge in a lavish end of year meal or shimmy all night, we’ve got you covered.
December 19, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Tampa Skyline
City
25 reader questions for 2025 in Tampa Bay
Let us know what we should cover in Tampa + the Burg in 2025.
December 18, 2024
 · 
Allie Remhof
Stirling castle rises off a cliff surrounded by trees and craggy rock and is framed by a light blue sky.
Travel and Outdoors
Dunedin’s Celtic sister city: Stirling, Scotland
The pocket of Scotland and TBAY sister city is home to thousands of years of history.
December 17, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
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City
Tampa Bay restaurants you miss the most
TBAYtoday readers shared which local restaurants + meals they miss the most — and we think you’ll agree.
December 13, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
A steak with garnish and a charred lemon sits atop a black plate on a wood table, with multiple cocktail glasses.
Food
Tampa Bay area restaurants open on Christmas
Bookmark this list for when you don’t feel like cheffing it up for the holidays.
December 10, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Raymond James Stadium is full of Bucs fans. There is sun shining on some of the stadium, with shadow creeping across from the near side to the far side. Floodlights are beginning to turn on as players warm up on the field, and the mostly blue sky sits ahead.
Sports
Champa Bay updates: Rays’ potential move, Bucs stay on top, and ReliaQuest Bowl updates
We’re checking in on where the Rays might play in 2026, the Bucs’ victorious run, and who’s playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
December 9, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Heather Krueger, Julia Rifino and Susan Haldeman hang out by the bar in the Stageworks Theatre’s hilarious production of “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical.
Theater
Put these Tampa Bay winter shows on your calendar
From inventive vaudeville-esque chamber shows to holiday classics, we’ve got you covered.
December 6, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A rendering of the Rays new proposed stadium, showing fans inside a ballpark.
Sports
St. Pete City Council approves bonds for Rays stadium
The deal still hinges on money from Pinellas County Commission.
December 5, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
MOSI's Iconic Blue Dome is framed by a blue sky and sits atop grass.
Travel and Outdoors
Dome Theatre at MOSI to reopen in 2025
After a multi-million dollar renovation, the improved MOSI facility will take the title of America’s second-largest digital dome planetarium.
December 4, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A pile of household debris following Hurricane Milton. The pile is in front of residential houses on a small grassy area by a road, and vegetative waste is alongside the household debris.
Government
Tampa Bay civic updates: Post-hurricane relief
Here’s what you need to know about debris removal and rebuilding
December 3, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
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Events
Bookmark these Tampa Bay December events
From lighted boat parades and outdoor holiday markets, we do winter a little differently around here.
December 2, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A close-up of a water bottle on the beach. Someone is picking it up and putting it in a trash bag.
Play
25+ volunteer opportunities around Tampa Bay
This guide will help you give back to the Tampa Bay area, including outdoor spots, veteran assistance, and mental health aid.
November 26, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A boy and girl hold hands while ice skating. A snowflake light hands above the boy's head and there's lights in the background.
Events
Check out these wintery Tampa Bay weekend events
From tree lightings to gift shopping, it’s going to be a fun frosty-ish weekend
November 21, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Hyde Park Village in the sunshine. There is someone walking along the sidewalk in the background, while tables and chairs line the square. Trees are overhead and shops line the buildings in the background.
Development
Tampa Bay developments to watch
We’re checking in on Hyde Park Village, Downtown St. Pete, and Mirror Lake projects.
November 20, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
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