Teghan Simonton

My colleagues @ZackSampson @BetsBarnes and I spent more than a year reporting on runoff pollution. We found that across Florida, many waters showed increasing levels of contamination, even where there are efforts to curb it. Read our investigation: project.tampabay.com/investigations…

@jareds_jones @RebeccaLiebson @yimbystpete @AnthonyClose Hey Jared, thanks for reading. Like Rebecca said, this series focuses on one particular trend affecting the housing market. But the affordability crisis is multifaceted. If you want to talk more about zoning or other aspects, feel free to email either of us!

@RebeccaLiebson @yimbystpete @AnthonyClose @teghan_simonton I don’t mean to diminish anything you’re team has written but I do personally feel there’s a lack of emphasis on zoning reform given the current housing issue facing the region. This is what I mean by zoning reform: planning.org/planning/2023/….

I've enjoyed reading this story series by @teghan_simonton and @RebeccaLiebson: 5 takeaways from Buying up the Bay tampabay.com/news/business/…

When Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Tampa Bay, infrastructure that was supposed to keep communities dry failed time and again, worsening the impact of storm surge and rainfall, a Times examination found. w/@teghan_simonton @MaxChesnes @TB_Times tampabay.com/news/hillsboro…

Floridians are casting their ballots in the wake of two devastating storms. It's been a long time since hurricanes felt so routine. Why has the Gulf Coast been a magnet for so many major hurricanes? The answer isn't so simple. From me and @jack_prator tampabay.com/hurricane/2024…

At night, bugs came out of the walls in dilapidated mobile home parks in Florida. The owner is an investment firm known for buying and gutting struggling businesses. Another important story by @RebeccaLiebson & @teghan_simonton: tampabay.com/news/real-esta…

Compared to Helene, communities on the bay and Pinellas beaches were mostly spared from surge during #Milton, a @tb_times analysis found. Coastal communities to the south weren't so lucky. tampabay.com/hurricane/2024…

Sat. @TB_Times front page: 🌀Unbelievable river flooding, via @codonnell_Times @LuisSantana: tampabay.com/hurricane/2024… 🌀DeSantis blames developer for crane, me + @romyellenbogen: tampabay.com/hurricane/2024… 🌀@teghan_simonton:Milton caused 3x outages of Helene: tampabay.com/hurricane/2024…

Recently, my colleagues and I wrote about the devastation from Hurricane Helene. We found that nearly 1 in 10 structures in Pinellas county were susceptible to 6 or more feet of flooding — incredibly damaging levels of surge. Milton could be worse. tampabay.com/hurricane/2024…

Hurricane Helene caused the highest storm surge on record in Tampa Bay – the worst storm in a century. Milton may now have 10-15 feet of surge – potentially double what we saw two weeks ago. This could mean "unthinkable destruction." tampabay.com/hurricane/2024… via @TB_Times

Look at the tiny difference in track between last night and this morning, and the enormous difference in projected flooding. It’s going to be so hard to communicate this effectively.

Residents of Pinellas barrier islands are now allowed home. Helene pummelled their slice of heaven. “This can all be replaced,” one resident said. “That’s the way you gotta think about it. Otherwise you’d just sit & cry.” W/ @teghan_simonton @LuisSantana tampabay.com/hurricane/2024…

In Florida, jails are over capacity as hundreds of people sleep on floor beds. Some are held for months on non-violent misdemeanor charges. Public officials point to a recent bail reform law and wonder if it needs to be changed @TB_Times tampabay.com/news/pinellas/…

NEW: For Buying up the Bay, Part 5 - we spent months analyzing statewide property data to see how many Florida homes are owned by corporate investors. We found more than 117,000. See where they are, and what this means for the state: tampabay.com/news/business/… via @TB_Times

DeSantis' environmental agency is considering plans to turn some of Florida’s beloved park space into areas that feature more recreational amenities — including more lodges, golfing, pickleball courts and disc golf courses In case you missed it: tampabay.com/news/environme…

New: 10 women reported a Tampa police corporal for harassment, including probationary officers who worked for him and an assistant state attorney who said he showed up at places she was hanging out with friends. He resigned during an investigation tampabay.com/news/tampa/202…

Tampa residents, I would like to talk to you about bad parking! 🚗🚨🚫 Specifically, I want to hear about the times you’ve encountered vehicles blocking sidewalks & bike lines for @TB_Times 🚲 Have photographs? Even better. DM or email OGeorge (at) tampabay (dot) com. Thanks!

It's hard to wrap your head around the plans and impact a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and the Historic Gas Plant District will have on St. Pete, Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay region @JackHEvans @RebeccaLiebson, @teghan_simonton & I put it into context tampabay.com/news/st-peters…

NEW: Both Duke + TECO are seeking to raise rates next year, and want rates of shareholder profit higher than the national average. In 7 hearings, Floridians asked regulators to say no. Many said their families' finances already teeter on a perilous edge. tampabay.com/news/business/…

A lot of support for the stadium deal yesterday, but still some concern over finer details like sustainability. And some on council disagree that the Gas Plant redevelopment needs a stadium at all. Catch up before tonight's council meeting: tampabay.com/news/st-peters… via @TB_Times

My first vacation of the year starts tomorrow, so I won’t be covering the St. Petersburg City Council’s Rays stadium workshop or 1st votes on the stadium/HGPD project. But I did write a preview! Follow my talented colleague @teghan_simonton for coverage tampabay.com/news/st-peters…