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• Monday Money Minute

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Welcome Back 🎒🍎

Hillsborough County students return to the classroom today as the 2026-27 school year begins with new programs, fewer teacher vacancies and an A-rated district

And just like that, summer vacation is officially over. Today is the first day of school for Hillsborough County Public Schools, which means thousands of students across South Shore are heading back into classrooms, parents are taking those obligatory first-day photos, buses are back on the roads, and morning traffic has officially returned to its regularly scheduled programming.

For some families, today is routine. For others, it's a pretty big deal. There are kindergarteners walking into a classroom for the first time, sixth graders trying to figure out middle school, freshmen beginning high school, and seniors realizing this is the last time they'll ever have a first day of K-12 school. And somewhere out there is a parent who dropped their kid off this morning, held it together all the way back to the car, and then completely lost it.

Hillsborough County enters the 2026-27 school year on a high note. The district earned an A rating for the first time since 2014, with 74 schools earning A grades, more than 53 earning B grades, and 40 schools improving by an entire letter grade. The district also starts the year with no F-rated schools and just one D-rated school.

Staffing has improved too. Teacher vacancies have fallen significantly from where they were just a couple of years ago, when Hillsborough was dealing with more than 650 openings. District leaders say improvements in teacher hiring and retention, attendance and student test scores all contributed to last year's academic gains.

There are some noticeable changes waiting inside classrooms as well. For students in kindergarten through second grade, the district is pulling back on screen time and moving toward more printed books, handwriting, classroom discussions and hands-on learning. Programs including i-Ready, Amira and Imagine Learning will no longer be part of daily instruction for those grades. Hillsborough is also expanding full-day VPK, with roughly 2,000 seats available across the district as it puts a greater emphasis on getting kids ready before they ever reach kindergarten.

Of course, none of those numbers are probably what most families were thinking about this morning. They were looking for missing shoes, packing lunches, making sure everyone had the right backpack, taking pictures on the front porch, and trying to remember what time the bus was supposed to arrive.

And now we get to do it all again tomorrow. So here's to the students starting something new, the teachers welcoming another group into their classrooms, the school employees who have spent weeks getting ready for today, and all the parents who successfully got everybody out the door this morning.

Welcome back, South Shore.

The 2026-27 school year is officially underway. And for everyone driving tomorrow morning, remember those school zones aren't suggestions. 😬🚌

Ask a Personal Injury Attorney

Common personal injury questions with McBreeen & Nowak

Today’s question: Should I call the police after a car accident?

Answer: After most car accidents, you should call the police (city police, county sheriff or highway patrol). When you call the police, usually an officer will come to the scene, obtain statements from the parties involved in the accident and any witnesses to the accident, and investigate the crash.

The officer will have the parties involved exchange identification and insurance information. The officer will usually provide the parties involved with a copy of the “drivers’ exchange of information” form at the scene of the accident. Later, the officer will usually complete a traffic crash report that you can obtain from the law enforcement agency. Depending on the law enforcement agency, the traffic crash report is usually available 1-3 days after the accident, but can take longer depending on the circumstances.

If it is a very minor accident where you do not think that there is any possibility that you will be making any type of property damage claim or personal injury claim in the future, you may not need to call the police.  If a law enforcement officer does not come to the scene either because you chose not to call or the department refused to send an officer for some reason, which does happen sometimes, you should exchange identification and insurance information with the other driver. I recommend exchanging pictures of driver’s licenses and insurance cards.

The foregoing does not constitute legal advice, and this Q and A does not create an attorney-client relationship.  We recommend that you speak to an attorney ASAP if you think you may have been injured in an automobile collision. 

Monday Money Minute

Back-to-school spending can take a bite out of the family budget

The kids are back in school. Your bank account, however, may need another week to recover. 😭 School supplies. New shoes. Clothes. Backpacks. Lunch boxes. Sports fees. And that random folder in a very specific color that apparently only one store in the entire county carries.

Back-to-school season has a way of turning a bunch of $10 and $20 purchases into a surprisingly big bill. So now that the shopping is mostly behind us, here’s your Monday Money Minute reminder: Don’t let one expensive month turn into three.

Take a look at what you actually spent. If some of it landed on a credit card, make a plan to knock that balance out quickly instead of letting interest turn those school supplies into the gift that keeps on giving. And if August blew up the budget a little? Adjust September.

Maybe that means fewer dinners out, putting off an unnecessary purchase, or throwing a little extra toward the credit card. You don’t have to perfectly budget every month. You just need to recognize when you went over and course-correct before it becomes the new normal.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Anything to Avoid I-4 🚗✈️

Florida plans to begin testing flying cars and eVTOL aircraft at SunTrax by the end of 2026, with Tampa-to-Orlando travel among the potential future uses

A while back, we told you about Florida's plans to prepare for a future where some trips might happen above the traffic instead of sitting in it. Well, that future just got a little closer. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that Florida expects to begin testing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, before the end of this year at the SunTrax testing facility in Auburndale.

Everyone calls them "flying cars," but that's not exactly what they are. Think of them more like a cross between a helicopter, drone and small electric aircraft. They can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for a traditional runway. And one potential route officials are already discussing should get Tampa Bay's attention: Tampa to Orlando.

Anyone who has spent an afternoon staring at brake lights on I-4 can probably understand the appeal. SunTrax now has two vertiports built to accommodate the aircraft, while Florida officials envision the technology eventually being used for passenger travel, cargo, emergency response and medical services. Don't start shopping for a flying SUV just yet.

The aircraft still face testing, federal certification, safety requirements and plenty of infrastructure questions before they become part of everyday transportation. But there's a pretty significant difference between this conversation today and a few years ago.

Florida isn't just talking about flying cars anymore. We're building places for them to land. And if they eventually get us from Tampa to Orlando without touching I-4? They may have finally found something every Floridian can support.

Southshore Spotlight

Wheels for Success

For many families, losing reliable transportation doesn't just mean missing a few appointments. It can mean losing a job. That's where Wheels of Success steps in.

The Tampa Bay nonprofit helps working individuals and families in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties overcome transportation barriers by providing vehicle repairs, replacement vehicles, licensing assistance, down payment assistance, and car care education. Their mission is simple: keep people working by keeping them on the road.

Whether you're looking to donate a vehicle, volunteer your time, or support a local organization that's helping neighbors achieve greater independence, Wheels of Success is making a real difference—one set of keys at a time.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb hanging 30 feet above your living room? We've got you. And the best part? They're all right here in our community. Click the link above to find your next Southshore professional because we know a guy...or gal. And now you do too.

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

The Facts on Water Filters

With Kuma Plumbing & Drain

Modern water filtration systems remove harmful chemicals and sediments to provide cleaner drinking water throughout your entire household. Municipal treatment plants often leave behind chlorine or mineral deposits that damage your pipes and affect the taste of your morning coffee. Our team sees the impact of unfiltered water on local plumbing systems and wants to help you understand your options for better home health.

Local water supplies often carry traces of heavy metals like lead or copper that leach from older pipes before reaching your kitchen sink. These microscopic particles accumulate in your body over time and can cause long-term health concerns for your family. We find that many homeowners notice a metallic tang in their water, which indicates these minerals are present in high concentrations.

Read More

Foodies Only

Tutto Tavola

STAY AWHILE 🇮🇹🍷

Some dinners are just dinner.

Others are an excuse to slow down, order another glass of wine, share something for the table and realize nobody's in much of a hurry to leave.

Tutto Tavola brings that kind of Italian dining experience to Winthrop. Family, conversation, cocktails, and a table you actually want to linger around.

Because the best part of dinner isn't always what's on the plate.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.