The Future is Now

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Featured Story

Sit Back and Relax

(Maybe)

If you’ve been driving around Tampa and felt like something was off, you’re not wrong. There are cars on the road right now with no one behind the wheel. No hands. No driver. No aggressive lane changes for no reason.

Waymo has started rolling out driverless cars on Tampa streets.

These self-driving vehicles are being tested in real traffic, navigating lights, lanes, and unpredictable situations using cameras, sensors, and software. In theory, they never text while driving, never get road rage, and never decide to stop in the middle of the road because they missed a turn.

So already, they’re outperforming most humans.

Reactions have been mixed. Some people are excited about the future and safer roads. Others are understandably nervous about trusting a computer to survive Tampa traffic.

If you spot a car cruising along a little too perfectly, staying in its lane, and not doing anything questionable, that’s probably Waymo. And honestly, it might be the most well-behaved driver on the road right now.

Welcome to the future. Please use your turn signal.

Things to do

🐝 WHAT’S BUZZING AROUND TOWN 🐝

We’re Not Gonna Take It

If you’ve ever opened your power bill and thought, “Wait, did I accidentally buy a small island?” you’re not alone.

Tampa Electric customers across the area are fed up and calling for help after what many are calling a bill surge that feels more like a surprise lottery loss than normal charges. According to reports, a group of customers has actually filed a lawsuit claiming their bills shot up without explanation and without warning. That’s the kind of excitement most people would rather skip.

Look, we all expect a little fluctuation here and there. Maybe you used the space heater once. Maybe your cat learned how to run the dishwasher. But when your electricity cost starts looking like a second mortgage, it’s fair to ask, “What’s going on?”

People are pointing to everything from billing errors to unexplained charges that popped up out of nowhere. Representative bills that used to be doable suddenly ballooned, leaving folks scratching their heads and checking their bills twice, like it’s Christmas and someone’s playing a practical joke on them.

And honestly, if anyone finds out why electricity bills jumped higher than a kid on a sugar rush, we’d like to know too.

Now a lawsuit is seeking answers, accountability, and, most importantly, refunds for those who were hit with these unexpected increases. Because no one should have to choose between paying to keep the lights on and paying for groceries.

If this story teaches us anything, it’s that energy bills should not cause existential dread. They should be predictable, fair, and not something you need a legal team to interpret. Otherwise, you might as well start bartering with solar panels and canned goods.

We’ll keep an eye on this one as it develops. But until then, maybe take a moment to hug your air conditioner and whisper words of encouragement. You’re all in this together.

Buzz Worthy

MOMS FIRST

Moms First is a national group pushing for things like paid family leave and affordable child care so working parents aren’t forced to choose between their jobs and their families. If you’ve ever wondered why balancing work and home feels harder than it should, this is the kind of issue they’re trying to fix.

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Coming Soon

Need a handyman? A dog trainer? Someone who can install a ceiling fan without turning your living room into a fireworks show?

We’re putting together the official Brandon Fix-It List — the most trusted local pros for everything from backyard upgrades to “why is this light switch buzzing?”

Want in? Email us at: [email protected]

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A Final Note

The Brandon Buzz, more than news, it’s a lifestyle.

Until next time,

Buzzing Local