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Elizabeth Djinis - Editorial Writer/Digital Engagement Producer
Elizabeth Djinis

Editorial Writer/Digital Engagement Producer

I've been fascinated with the inner workings of local governments ever since I interned at the <i>Times</i> in 2015. It was there that I first saw how something as seemingly small as curbside recycling could have a community up in arms. Since then, I've been dedicated to detailing local governments and communities for readers in some capacity — whether it's covering lengthy school board meetings or live-streaming protests. Now, on the editorial board, I'll get to do just that, focusing on the issues that affect Pinellas County. And I'll be making sure those get to you through social media and online conversations with readers. I'm only ever an email away!

  1. Here are the opinions you need to read about the push for new Florida toll roads | Opinion
    Aug. 26• Opinion
    Orange barrels and cones will remain part of the landscape as the state continues work on the widening of Cortez Boulevard and improvements along the Suncoast Parkway and U.S. 19.
    On Tuesday, three task forces will meet to discuss the proposed new toll road corridors.
  2. How pinball forced me to look up from my phone
    Aug. 8• Fun
    Times reporter Elizabeth Djinis plays pinball at The Pinball Arcade Museum on Thursday, Aug. 01, 2019 on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. ALLIE GOULDING | Times
    A pinball arcade opened last week on St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue. We tried it out.
  3. Sunshine Skyway Bridge will soon light up with colored LED lights
    Aug. 2• Florida
    Photo provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.
    By fall, the bridge will have 1,824 light fixtures installed, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
  4. A Floridian’s guide to summer: Here’s how we survive Florida’s heat
    Aug. 1• Florida
    Chase Duke, 4, of Orlando, runs through a tidal pool while visiting Clearwater Beach with family on Friday. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
    Many times, we don’t. But this list will at least help you more gracefully grapple with the intense heat that is living in Florida.
  5. How hot is the real estate market? This St. Pete listing is on fire.
    Jul. 31• Florida
    Screenshot from Zillow listing of 742 SW Boulevard N house in St. Petersburg.
    A St. Petersburg real estate agent listed a house with a photo of it engulfed in flames.
  6. Name that skyscraper. These are the tallest buildings in the Tampa Bay area.
    Jul. 30• Florida
    Photos from Wikimedia Commons and Times staff.
    These buildings will make you crane your neck.
  7. People are using FaceApp to talk about climate change in Florida
    Jul. 19• Florida
    Hartmut Liebel , 49, from St. Petersburg, walks his dog Pete (named for St. Pete) as water laps at the sea wall at Demens Landing in St. Petersburg. DIRK SHADD | Times (2012)
    How will you look in 40 years? How about how will the Earth look in 40 years? People took to social media to discuss this week.
  8. ‘Beautiful Downtown Lutz:’ How a small town became the unlikely subject of a hit song
    Jul. 18• Florida
    ANGELIQUE HERRING | Times Country folk singer-songwriter John "Lutz" Ritter's "Beautiful Downtown Lutz" album cover sits on top of the table in his studio as he performed his classic song "Beautiful Downtown Lutz" at his studio on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 in St. Petersburg.
    With a population of about 20,000, Lutz would seem an unlikely topic for a radio single. And yet, it was.
  9. More than just oranges: Take a look at the top food products that come from Florida
    Jul. 17• Florida
    Times photos from archives.
    Turns out Florida is one of the biggest producers of tupelo honey. We wanted to know what else.
  10. So traffic in Tampa is bad. These are the 10 worst bottlenecks in rush hour.
    Jul. 16• Florida
    Traffic stands still on the Howard Frankland Bridge Tuesday morning after an accident closed lanes. (TAILYR IRVINE | Times)
    These are the stretches of road that get jammed up and can add painful minutes to your commute.