TECO Electric Bills Set For Major Decrease
TECO electric bills are set for a major decrease starting in 2024. This is after the Florida Public Service Commission approved the requested to lower rates. The rates will lower by 11% starting January 1, 2024. So if you use 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity at your home, your monthly bill will drop by $17.65. That will cost you around $143.48 per 1,000 kilowatt hours. After two increases this past year this news is welcoming.
Duke Energy is also waiting approval from the Florida Public Service Commission for their decrease. They are looking to decrease customers bills by 7% or around $12 for 1,000 kilowatt hours of use. So, TECO customers will see a major decrease in their bill. Hopefully Duke Energy customers will see that as well when 2024 starts.
See The Manatees At The Big Bend Power Station
Tampa Electric has their Big Bend power station in Apollo Beach and it is about to get really busy. At the power station they have a Manatee Viewing Center. It is open now through April 15 from 10 AM to 5 PM. They will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter. The location of the Manatee viewing center is on Dickman Road in Apollo Beach. When the water gets a little bit cooler here in the Tampa Bay area, manatees try to find warm water. The big Ben power station provides that warm water that brings out manatees. Each season Tampa Electric says the manatee viewing center draws nearly 400,000 visitors for a total of more than 7 million visitors over the years.
Here is what it says about it on their website, “Because of this uniquely unusual migration, we’ve built the Manatee Viewing Center so everyone could have a chance to see manatees gather. Our discharge canal is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary that provides critical protection from the cold for these unique, gentle animals.”
[SOURCE: WFLA]

The Top 5 'Instagrammable' Spots In Tampa For The Perfect Photo Op
Everybody always wants that ‘Instagram-worthy’ photo op whenever they’re in town. Luckily, Tampa is packed full of ‘Instagrammable’ spots! Much like Nashville and other big cities, Tampa is becoming more and more of a mural city each week. It seems like every time we go downtown, there’s new artwork to be admired and shared. We are including the best Instagram-worthy murals on this list and other perfect Tampa backdrops that are guaranteed to get you tons of likes.
What’s new in Tampa?
There are lots of new things to see and do in Downtown Tampa. It seems like Water Street is constantly transforming with new restaurants, condos, and art fixtures. Recently there was a light show on Water Street that illuminated the entire street blue and gave you the feel of being “underwater”.
Tips and hacks to get that perfect Insta photo
Sure you could just point and shoot and let the editing apps do the rest. Or you can adjust these settings in your phone to help you get that perfect shot without relying on a bunch of editing.
- Use as much natural lighting as possible.
- Adjust your exposure – this is also super helpful at concerts. For iPhone users, just tap your screen with the camera open until a yellow box appears. Then scroll the little sun icon down to limit your exposure. Kinda the same for Androids, just tap the darker parts of the shot and it will automatically balance the exposure.
- Enable live photos or bursts to get perfect candid shots.
- Turn on gridlines – help make sure the subject of your photo is isolated and has no background noise. Go to the camera settings in your phone and turn on gridlines to help get that perfect shot.
- Try different angles. Now that you have your subject focused, properly exposed, and in the perfect lighting, try playing with different angles. Shoot from the ground angled up, with the .5 lens, or just really get creative with it!
Now that you have all the basic tips you need, here are the top 5 ‘Instagrammable’ spots in Tampa for the perfect photo op
Kevin is a member of Tampa Bay‘s Hometown Morning Krewe on 995 QYK. He has been with the station for 25 years, is a Tampa native, and went to Jesuit High School and USF. Go Bulls!. He is passionate about all things Tampa Bay. Kevin writes articles on the ongoing road projects around the Tampa Bay area, awards that Tampa Bay cities and businesses have won and country music happenings around the Bay area. He is always doing many things with his wife and kids. He loves to read books and play video games in his spare time.