The Great Traffic Wars of 2026

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THE SKINNY

• The Spring Bling Giveaway

• Closed Roads Incoming

• Don’t Look Up

• Skynet of The Future

Featured Story

Riverview Drivers Brace for More Lane Closures

Pipeline construction will reduce Boyette Road to one lane in each direction

It seems like it was just yesterday when we were talking about traffic on 301. Just kidding, it was two days ago. And yeah… we’re back. 🚧

And yes, it’s still in Riverview, where a series of lane closures and traffic changes are expected to impact drivers as Hillsborough County continues work on a major water pipeline project. As if this area needs any more closed lanes or detours.

One of the biggest impacts will happen along Boyette Road between Pure Pebble Drive and Wickerwood Drive. Crews are closing the inside lanes in both directions while they remove sections of the median and prepare the roadway for pipeline installation. During this phase of the project, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the construction zone.

Drivers heading through the area will still be able to turn left onto McMullen Road, but there will not be a dedicated left turn lane or traffic signal during construction. That could lead to some extra slowdowns during the busiest commuting hours.

Median sections in the construction zone will also remain closed at all times. That means drivers will not be able to cross the median to make left turns in certain locations while work is underway.

County officials say this first phase of construction should last about six to ten days. However, because the pipeline project stretches across a much larger portion of southern Hillsborough County, drivers may see shifting traffic patterns in the area for several more weeks as work continues.

The pipeline is part of a long-term effort to expand drinking water infrastructure to support the rapid growth happening across Riverview and the greater Southshore region.

Until then, it might be wise to build a few extra minutes into your commute and keep an eye out for construction signs. Because around here, when the orange cones show up, they rarely come alone. 🚗

Don’t Look Up

NASA says a 1,300-pound satellite will burn up as it reenters Earth’s atmosphere after more than a decade in orbit

First, they wanted a million satellites and mirrors in the sky. Then they wanted to put a whole data center up there. And now satellites are falling down like rain. Welcome to the future, folks. Grab your helmet. ☄️

NASA says a 1,300-pound satellite that has been orbiting Earth for more than a decade is now making its fiery return to Earth. The spacecraft, called Van Allen Probe A, was launched in 2012 to study the powerful radiation belts surrounding our planet and how solar storms interact with the atmosphere.

Originally, scientists expected the satellite to stay in orbit until sometime around 2034. But increased solar activity has expanded the upper layers of Earth’s atmosphere slightly, creating additional drag that pulled the satellite down much sooner than expected.

As the spacecraft drops back toward Earth, it will slam into the atmosphere at extremely high speed. Most of the satellite is expected to burn up during reentry, creating a brief but intense streak of fire across the sky. There is a possibility that small fragments could survive the trip to the ground, but experts say the odds of anyone actually being hit are extremely low. (That doesn’t exactly instill confidence.)

The vast majority of the planet is covered by ocean or unpopulated areas, which means most falling debris ends up far away from people. Still, the event highlights a growing reality of modern space. Thousands of satellites now orbit Earth, and many more are planned in the coming years as companies build massive networks for internet, communications, and future space infrastructure. It also echoes the concerns we talked about in our story last week on plans to launch massive satellite networks into orbit. 🫠

For now, the returning spacecraft is expected to break apart harmlessly as it reenters the atmosphere. But it does serve as a reminder that the sky above us is getting a lot busier.

And occasionally, a piece of it comes back down.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Tech companies are exploring orbital data centers as AI pushes Earth’s computing infrastructure to its limits

The massive computing power needed to run artificial intelligence is pushing the limits of traditional data centers, and some engineers are starting to look in an unusual direction for the next solution. Space.

Researchers and technology companies are exploring the idea of placing data centers in orbit as a way to handle the rapidly growing demand for AI processing. Modern AI systems require enormous amounts of computing power, and the facilities that support them already consume huge amounts of electricity and water here on Earth.

That growing demand has sparked interest in whether space could offer advantages that traditional infrastructure cannot. In orbit, satellites could generate energy through nearly constant sunlight using solar panels, while the cold environment of space could help manage the heat produced by powerful computer processors.

The concept is still largely experimental, but it is attracting attention as artificial intelligence continues to expand. Some startups are testing satellites equipped with advanced computing hardware, while larger technology companies are studying how groups of satellites might work together as an orbital network capable of processing massive amounts of data.

There are still major obstacles to overcome before anything like that becomes reality. Computer systems in space would need protection from radiation, reliable ways to manage heat without air or water, and safe operating conditions in increasingly crowded satellite orbits. Launching and maintaining large amounts of computing equipment in space would also be extremely expensive.

Even with those challenges, interest in the idea is growing as the race for computing power accelerates. Artificial intelligence is advancing quickly, and the infrastructure needed to support it is growing just as fast.

For now, data centers in space remain more of a futuristic concept than a near-term solution. But if demand for AI computing continues to climb, the next generation of the “cloud” might eventually be orbiting somewhere far above it.

Southshore Spotlight

Fr1ends of the Ch1ldren Tampa Bay

Friends of the Children–Tampa Bay is a nonprofit focused on long-term mentorship for youth facing difficult circumstances. The organization pairs children as young as four with a full-time professional mentor called a “Friend” who supports them from early childhood all the way through high school graduation. The program focuses on building strong relationships, helping kids develop life skills, and making sure they have consistent support as they grow. It’s a long-term commitment that aims to give every child the opportunity to succeed, no matter what challenges they face.

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

We Know a Guy…or Girl

NBS Esthetics

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

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Marco’s Pizza

If pizza night is on the menu, check out Marco's Pizza. Known for its fresh dough, signature sauce, and three-cheese blend, Marco’s serves up classic favorites and specialty pies perfect for takeout, delivery, or a quick dine-in stop. The Harbor Village Lane location is open daily and offers delivery, carryout, curbside pickup, and dine-in options.

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.

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.