St. Pete Daily: Grand Prix weekend kicks off, Hub 2 expansion advances, GI Bill update sought
St. Petersburg, FL – February 27, 2026 – Grand Prix weekend brings NASCAR trucks, a Hub expansion heads toward voters, and veterans seek GI Bill fixes.
Grand Prix weekend is here
Downtown streets have officially turned into a race course as the Firestone Grand Prix weekend begins, bringing big crowds and a very different traffic pattern through Sunday.
A standout addition this year: the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is running on the St. Pete street circuit for the first time, adding another headline race to an already packed schedule.
If you’re going, plan extra time for getting around the waterfront and downtown. Local coverage also flagged a few money-saving angles, including transit options and a race-week 5K that comes with admission perks for participants.
City Hall eyes a bigger Maritime and Defense Technology Hub
A City Council committee took an early step toward a possible November referendum tied to a proposed ‘Hub 2’ expansion near the Port of St. Petersburg.
The plan described publicly would add a new facility focused on marine science, defense tech, and related research collaboration. Backers say the expansion is aimed at attracting more tenants and jobs, while the formal next steps include a public hearing and additional council action before anything lands on a ballot.
St. Pete College veterans push for GI Bill updates
Veteran students at St. Pete College are watching federal legislation that would raise the long-unchanged annual stipend for books and supplies under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
For local student vets, the issue is simple: everyday academic costs have climbed, but the support meant to cover materials hasn’t kept pace. The proposal still has a long road in Washington, but the local impact is immediate for anyone budgeting a semester.
Sources
- https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/02/27/nascar-trucks-to-hit-the-streets-of-st–pete-for-the-first-time-
- https://stpetecatalyst.com/what-to-know-about-this-weekends-firestone-grand-prix/
- https://www.cltampa.com/arts/the-secret-to-a-close-up-cheap-grand-prix-experience/
- https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/02/26/st–petersburg-expand-hub
- https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/02/25/gi-bill-veteran-students-
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