Elite skydivers compete for national titles in Zephyrhills this week: How to watch
<p>Some of the nation's top canopy pilots are competing in Pasco County this week as the U.S. Parachute Association's 2026 National Canopy Piloting Championships are underway.</p><h2>Skydiving championship in Pasco</h2><p>The competition runs through Sept. 28, with standard canopy piloting events taking place Sept. 24–27. The freestyle competition is scheduled for Sept. 25–28, before national champions are crowned during an awards ceremony. While canopy piloting is being contested in Zephyrhills, the association's other national championship disciplines are being held separately at Skydive Perris in California.</p><p>Unlike traditional skydiving, canopy piloting focuses on what happens after a parachute opens. Competitors guide their canopies just above the surface of a pond before racing through a course that tests speed, distance and landing precision. A separate freestyle competition features choreographed maneuvers performed while skimming across the water.</p><p>According to organizers, athletes from across the country are competing for national titles and the opportunity to earn selection for future international competition representing the United States. Organizers have listed 27 competitors across the Pro/Open, Advanced, and Intermediate divisions.</p><p>The standard competition includes three events. In the speed event, competitors race through an electronically timed course. The distance event challenges pilots to travel as far as possible after first making contact with the water. In the accuracy event, competitors skim through water gates before attempting a p…
<p>Some of the nation's top canopy pilots are competing in Pasco County this week as the U.S. Parachute Association's 2026 National Canopy Piloting Championships are underway.</p><h2>Skydiving championship in Pasco</h2><p>The competition runs through Sept. 28, with standard canopy piloting events taking place Sept. 24–27. The freestyle competition is scheduled for Sept. 25–28, before national champions are crowned during an awards ceremony. While canopy piloting is being contested in Zephyrhills, the association's other national championship disciplines are being held separately at Skydive Perris in California.</p><p>Unlike traditional skydiving, canopy piloting focuses on what happens after a parachute opens. Competitors guide their canopies just above the surface of a pond before racing through a course that tests speed, distance and landing precision. A separate freestyle competition features choreographed maneuvers performed while skimming across the water.</p><p>According to organizers, athletes from across the country are competing for national titles and the opportunity to earn selection for future international competition representing the United States. Organizers have listed 27 competitors across the Pro/Open, Advanced, and Intermediate divisions.</p><p>The standard competition includes three events. In the speed event, competitors race through an electronically timed course. The distance event challenges pilots to travel as far as possible after first making contact with the water. In the accuracy event, competitors skim through water gates before attempting a p…
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Is renting better than buying in Tampa? New Zillow report shows over $1,000 gap
<p>Renting a home is currently costing significantly less each month than buying one, according to a new analysis from Zillow.</p><h2>National rent trends</h2><p>According to the Zillow Observed Rent Index, the typical U.S. rent was $1,948 a month in August.</p><p>Zillow found the typical monthly payment for a new home buyer, including mortgage, taxes and insurance, was $3,014. That creates a difference of $1,066 per month, or $12,792 a year.</p><p>Zillow said the gap has grown as mortgage costs have risen faster than rents.</p><p>The trend applies across the 50 largest metro areas in the country, including Tampa.</p><h2>Tampa housing costs</h2><p>Tampa's rental market is also showing a growing supply of available homes and apartments.</p><p>Andrew Ricker, a realtor with Gulf Shores Realty, said the difference can be seen when comparing a typical three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.</p><p>"For an average 3-2, they're about $390,000 in Tampa. So I think that mortgage comes out to right around $3,000 a month, which is about $500 more expensive than you could rent a 3-2 just, you know, for argument's sake here," Ricker said. "So it is, I guess, in that nutshell, a little bit more affordable to rent in the Tampa area."</p><p>Zillow's analysis shows the Tampa-area difference is even larger when looking at its broader metro-area data.</p><p>Zillow says renters who invest the difference between their monthly rent and the cost of buying could potentially turn those savings into additional wealth.</p><p>Based on Zillow's calculations, investing the $1,066 monthly difference could prod…
Published September 25, 2026 at 10:33 AM EDT
Fall Feeling, Florida Style: Tampa Cools Down
<p>Brisk northeast winds are ushering lower humidity into the area on Thursday, setting up clear skies and overnight lows in the 60s for the weekend.</p><h2>Northeast winds bring dry air</h2><p>Cooler, drier air is sweeping across the region as dew points drop into the 50s. </p><p>This wind pattern will bring comfortably cool overnight temperatures in the 60s through the weekend before humidity returns by the middle of next week. </p><h2>Strong storm drenching New England</h2><p>While Bay Area conditions remain pleasant, a strong storm system is impacting the northeastern coast. </p><p>Officials have not confirmed the full extent of the beach erosion, coastal flooding and heavy rain drenching parts of New England.</p>
Published September 25, 2026 at 10:33 AM EDT
Former campaign treasurer admits to stealing $200K from St. Pete mayor
<p><a href="https://www.fox13news.com/tag/us/fl/pinellas/st-petersburg" target="_self" rel="noopener">St. Petersburg</a> Mayor Ken Welch is speaking out after his former campaign treasurer pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing more than $200,000 from his reelection account.</p><h2><strong>St. Petersburg mayor campaign theft</strong></h2><p>Former campaign treasurer Yolanda Brown pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Wednesday in a Pennsylvania federal courtroom after transferring client money to pay for personal expenses. Federal filings show Brown stole more than $1 million from 20 clients, including a candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania and Mayor Ken Welch. </p><p>Welch discovered three large, unexplained withdrawals while meeting a campaign funds reporting deadline and immediately filed a report to spark an investigation. Brown faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and full restitution, with sentencing scheduled for Jan. 26.</p><h2><strong>Federal wire fraud investigation</strong></h2><p>Federal authorities have not yet released an itemized breakdown of how Brown spent the stolen funds. It remains unclear how much of the stolen $200,000 Welch will ultimately recover through restitution.</p><h2><strong>Campaign treasurer fraud history</strong></h2><p>Welch hired Brown as treasurer during his first election in 2021 and experienced no issues until 2025. Brown appeared highly credible to political candidates, because she previously served as a treasurer for state legislative candidates and elected officials. </p><p>Welch only learned about her b…
Published September 24, 2026 at 8:49 AM EDT