The cost of many things has skyrocketed since the pandemic, but an increase in rent is impacting Tampa residents.
According to rental data from ApartmentList, this increase in rent across the United States is the first seen in five months, with Tampa being the highest. The rent in Tampa rose 38% since March 2020 and has been increasing since December.
Tampa is not the only city in Florida on ApartmentList’s national rent report. Miami is close behind with a 36% increase, then Jacksonville with 31% and Orlando at a 29% increase in rent since the beginning of the pandemic.
ApartmentList’s March report said prices from year to year are up 2.1%. Last month, Tampa rent rose 0.7%, bringing the median rent to $1,712. Tampa is ranked as the 26th most expensive city in the U.S.
Rent Cafe also reports the average rent for an apartment in Tampa is $1,917 with the largest apartment size being 925 square feet. There are many different factors that play a role in the price of rent increasing such as size, location and quality.
Orlando shooting victims’ families start fundraising pages
A man has been charged in the case of the Orlando shooting that ended the lives or a 9-year-old and a news reporter.
Orange County Sheriffs office arrested Keith Moses Feb. 22 in relation with several shooting in the Orlando ares. Moses was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of armed burglary.
9-year old T’yonna Major and Spectrum 13 news reporter Dylan Lyons was killed in the shooting.
Orange County sheriffs John Mina says justice is important to the Lyons family.
“I’ve spoken with family members of T’yonna to try and just express my support and condolences, and our victim advocates have been working with all the affected victims and families just to give them everything they need,” Mina said.
GoFundMe accounts have been opened by the Lyons’ family and Major’s family to help with funeral costs.
New store, same Barnes and Noble
A new location for Barnes and Noble bookstore opens today in Tampa bringing more books with it.
The bookseller is in the Town Square Center on Westshore Boulevard. This new location is replacing an existing store at 213 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. The old location prepares to close its doors after 29 years. A brand new store was made to bring in more readers after two months of closing sales at the old location.
The grand opening had crime author Michael Connelly to cut the ribbon at the ceremony and hosted a signing of his new book, Desert Star.
The parent company of Barnes and Nobles said it opened 16 new bookstores in 2022 and has plans to open more than 30 this year.
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Anchor: Jackson Shewey
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Assistant Producer: Anna Ostraya
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