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TLDR: THE SKINNY

• Are you ready for some commercials? And football?

• Southshore claims another district championship.

• The real cost of college.

Featured Story

Super Bowl Time in Southshore

Is it still about football, or just commercials, wings, and halftime shows now?

Fire up the grill, dust off that chili recipe, and make sure you have ice for the cooler. It’s Super Bowl Sunday in Southshore. In a few short hours, millions of people will gather around the TV with nail-biting anticipation to find out just how far $8 million can go in thirty seconds. Oh, and a few might check out this thing called football between the Patriots and the Seahawks.

All jokes aside, the Super Bowl has, over the years, become more about the commercials than the game, although this year might outdo itself with the introduction of Bad Bunny as the halftime act. Don’t worry, I’m not going to touch that topic.

If you’re a betting man, it seems conventional wisdom has Seattle taking this one. But also, if you’re a betting man, there’s money to be made with the underdog. Now is the time to log into that Robinhood account you created back during Covid and place a few bets. If you didn’t know, Robinhood is now the only sportsbook you need, allowing you to trade contracts based on the outcome of the game. I’m not much of a gambler, and we don’t encourage that type of scandalous behavior around here, but if you do choose to bet, you can at least use my link to open your Robinhood account. 👉 Robinhood

With a number of distractions taking attention away from the actual football game itself, we want to know, just how excited are you? Obviously, when the Bucs can get out of their own way, a Super Bowl takes on a life of its own. But when the home team isn’t on the screen, is it just commercials trying too hard and hope for a plate of smoked brisket? What does your Super Bowl celebration look like?

Southshore Snags a District Championship

Sumner Boys Basketball knocks off Plant to win the district title

Sumner High School boys basketball is still throwing seven different kinds of smoke, a You, Me and Dupree reference for those keeping score, as they stopped a fully loaded Plant team and clinched the district championship. With a 10-point victory over their nemesis, Sumner has put to rest any thoughts of an early season.

Just call them the Avengers, because that’s exactly what they did. Plant came into the contest with only five losses and a 12-point victory over Sumner in their last meeting. But Sumner would not be denied. In a tough back-and-forth battle, the Stingrays grinded it out and poured a little Southshore magic onto the court in South Tampa.

Sumner now moves on to regional play as they continue their quest for a state title. We will update scheduling soon, but from all of us at The Southshore Circle and the entire community, congratulations. You’ve made your city proud.

Now let’s go make some noise across the state.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Rising Tides

Why college is becoming more buck for less bang

The idea of college has taken quite a beating over the years. From scandals to a looming job market, it seems higher education has been struggling to find its footing. As a lifelong learner, I often romanticize the idea of college but also accept it for what it is. A place to acquire knowledge. Now how practical that knowledge might be is another story, but even the walls of academia brim with enlightenment. (I just told you I romanticize the whole thing.)

But as the cost of college continues to test the limits of supply and demand, a generation stands on the precipice of hope and takes an unwavering glare into the abyss.

Closer to home, the University of South Florida recently approved a tuition increase for out-of-state and international students beginning in fall 2026. While in-state tuition remains unchanged, the move highlights a larger conversation happening across the country. The cost of college keeps rising, and families are asking harder questions about what they’re actually getting in return.

College was once seen as the default next step. Today, it feels more like an investment decision. Some degrees still open doors immediately, while others leave graduates navigating debt and a job market that doesn’t always match expectations. At the same time, trade schools, certifications, and alternative career paths are gaining traction as students look for more direct routes into stable careers.

None of this means college has lost its value. Knowledge still matters. Learning how to think still matters. But the assumption that college is the only path forward has clearly changed.

For many Southshore families staring down tuition bills in the next few years, the question isn’t whether education matters. It’s whether the traditional path still makes sense.

What do you think? Is college still worth it, or has the equation changed?

Rising Phoenix Bookkeeping Solutions

Your books shouldn’t be a mystery.

Clean books aren’t just about compliance. They’re the foundation smart business owners use to make confident decisions and plan realistic tax strategies.

Start 2026 the right way with clean, accurate numbers you can actually trust.

For a limited time, new clients get 15% off bookkeeping clean-up, plus special pricing for the first three months of monthly bookkeeping when committing to a 2026 annual engagement.

This is for owners who are done with last-minute chaos and guessing and want consistent financial support all year long.

Clean books = confident decisions.

Let’s make 2026 your most organized year yet.

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

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.

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.