The AI Battle in Southshore

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Featured Story

Desantis VS. Skynet

The robots, AI, Skynet, whatever you want to call it has been all over the news. And if you haven’t heard, Ron DeSantis has made it his mission to control the proliferation of AI in Florida’s youth. But a tech group, probably led by the computers, is pushing back.

Whoever thought I could open a story like that and it would not be science fiction. Welcome to the world we live in, Southshore.

Florida lawmakers are debating an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights aimed at putting guardrails around how AI interacts with children and students. The focus is on transparency, data use, and making sure algorithms are not quietly shaping educational outcomes without oversight. For families in Southshore and across Hillsborough County, that hits close to home as AI tools become more common in classrooms and at the kitchen table.

Not everyone is on board. A national tech group argues the proposal could slow innovation and limit access to tools that help students learn and prepare for future careers. They warn that too many rules too soon could leave Florida behind as AI continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

That tension is exactly what makes this issue tricky. AI is already helping students write, study, explore careers, and learn new skills. At the same time, most parents are uneasy with the idea of powerful systems collecting data or influencing decisions without clear limits or accountability.

For Southshore families, this debate is less about stopping AI and more about defining its role. How do we protect kids while still preparing them for a future where artificial intelligence is everywhere? How do we keep people in control while technology gets smarter?

It sounds like science fiction, but it is very real and playing out right now in Florida. AI is here to stay. The only question is how we choose to shape it for the next generation.

The Secret to Restful Nights During a Busy Season

With Southshore’s Expert in Health, Wellness Vitalized

Sleep is when your body repairs and resets. Poor sleep can affect your mood, weight, and immunity. Protect your sleep by creating a dark, cool environment and avoiding screens before bed. Also, try to finish eating 2-3 hours before lying down to allow for proper digestion.

Healthy Tip: Try a "Power-Down Hour": dim the lights, put on calming music, and read a book to help your body transition to sleep mode.

Struggling with sleep? Let’s uncover what’s keeping you up and create a plan for deep, restorative rest. Schedule a consultation with Wellness Vitalized. Explore our Fullscript store for natural sleep support supplements.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Let’s Not Forget October 2024

Why Storm Preparedness in Southshore Can’t Be Seasonal

People deal with tragedy in a number of ways, but a very human response is to forget it and move on. How else do you keep an optimistic approach to life? But some tragedies need to be permanently etched in our brains, and storms in Florida are one of them.

I’ve lived here my entire life. Sweet tea rolls through my veins, and I’m on a first-name basis with the swarm of 2 pm mosquitoes. Like many Florida natives, I see hurricanes as a part of life and stand firm that we’ve never gotten the worst of it. Thanks to our Tampa Bay voodoo. But it seems Mother Nature has developed clever and creative ways to get around that. AKA, flooding.

Hurricanes don’t come through and flatten entire neighborhoods around here. They dump rain and huff and puff until the ocean takes a detour into our canals and lagoons. Homes are still standing, but they’re swimming.

That’s the tragedy we need to prepare for, and according to a recent report from the Florida Council of 100, the future of our state depends on it.

The report makes a few things very clear. Flooding and storm-related damage already cost Florida billions of dollars each year, not just in repairs but in lost economic activity, higher insurance costs, and disrupted lives. As sea levels continue to rise and heavy rain events become more frequent, those costs are expected to grow. In some parts of the state, flooding that used to be considered rare is becoming routine. Southshore raises hand. 🙋

One of the biggest takeaways is that resilience cannot be seasonal. Preparing only when a storm is on the radar is too late. The report stresses that year-round planning, smarter infrastructure, updated drainage systems, and better land use decisions are what actually reduce damage. Every dollar spent on preparation now saves multiple dollars in recovery later.

While we don’t control the roads or the infrastructure, there are things we can do on the home front that matter. From elevated storage to evacuation plans, it’s a lot easier to think clearly when you’re not staring down a Category 5.

It’s not just generators and sandbags either. It’s knowing flood zones, paying attention to development decisions, and showing up when conversations about drainage, growth, and natural buffers are happening. This is our community, and our voices matter.

Storms may still come and go. Floodwater will keep testing us. The question is whether Southshore prepares year-round or keeps relying on luck and crossed fingers.

Read the full report HERE

Southshore Spotlight

ECHO

Some of the most important work in our community happens quietly, and ECHO is a perfect example.

When families in Southshore need help, ECHO is often there with food, support, and guidance during difficult moments. But none of it works without volunteers. People who show up, give their time, and help neighbors get back on their feet.

Volunteering at ECHO is a simple way to turn care into action. A few hours can make a real difference, not just for someone else, but for the community as a whole.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Keeler Notary & Fingerprinting

🎙️ Introducing The Tye & Di Show

Real Talk. Real Business. Real Notary Life.

We’re launching a brand-new series—The Tye & Di Show—and this is not another polished, surface-level notary podcast.

This is where the conversations others avoid finally happen.

We’re talking:
• The real business side of notary work
• Industry myths and misinformation
• Practices that hurt professionals (and why they keep happening)
• Compliance, ethics, safety, and sustainability
• What actually works—and what doesn’t
• Hard truths, honest guidance, and unfiltered insight

No fluff.
No gatekeeping.
No pretending everything is fine when it’s not.

If you’re tired of vague advice, recycled talking points, and tip-toeing around real issues—this show is for you.

The Tye & Di Show is about elevating the profession through transparency, accountability, and straight-forward dialogue. We will challenge norms, question practices, and advocate for informed, empowered professionals.

👉 Follow, subscribe, and turn on notifications
👉 Comment below with topics you want us to address—nothing is off-limits
👉 Share this post with a notary or business owner who’s ready for real conversations

If you want comfort, this isn’t it.
If you want truth, growth, and clarity—welcome to the show.

🎬 The Tye & Di Show — launching soon.

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Your Restaurant

New menu items, promos, specials, events- feature them here. This is the place to tell 30,000 readers in Southshore what you've got. Only 20 spots for the year. Claim yours today.

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

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

Soccer district play has begun. Check below for schedules. Good luck, Southshore!

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.