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Natalie Weber - Metro Reporter
Natalie Weber

Metro Reporter

I cover a little bit of everything business related for the Tampa Bay area. I just graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a major in English and minors in journalism and computing. My hometown of Grand Junction, Colo., is situated in a valley known for its peaches and hiking trails. The area also is famous for an annual festival celebrating a chicken that survived for 18 months without a head. When I’m not puzzling over the perfect lede for my story, you can find me experimenting with a new recipe or with my nose in a book.

  1. Related Group scores deal with Ritz-Carlton on Bayshore residential development
    Jul. 8• Business
    The Related Group proposes to build two condominium towers with 168 luxury condos on Bayshore Boulevard south of W Bay-to-Bay Boulevard in Tampa that it says will be run by the Ritz-Carlton brand. In this rendering, the see-through figures represent the planned Aquatica condo tower to the north and the Stovall condos to the south. [Rendering courtesy the Related Group] [The Related Group]
  2. ‘Brain-eating amoeba’ case reported in Hillsborough County
    Jul. 3• Health
    Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news and updates. [Tampa Bay Times]
  3. Tampa residents find 9-foot alligator on doorstep
    Jul. 3• Tampa
    The alligator was missing two limbs, likely due to a fight with another alligator, Croc Encounters said. [Courtesy of Croc Encounters]
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  5. University of Tampa alum launches dental care product
    Jul. 3• Business
    [Courtesy of Brushee] [Brushee]
  6. In midst of national reckoning on race, the American flag embodies cultural divide
    Jul. 3• News
    Jabaar Edmond, during a protest in front of St. Petersburg City Hall June 5. [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times]
  7. Tampa International Airport expects increased traffic during July
    Jul. 1• Business
    Empty passenger boarding bridges are pictured with a Delta airplane in the background at Tampa International Airport on May 7, 2020. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
  8. St. Pete protesters talk the talk, not just walk the walk
    Jun. 26• News
    A group of about two dozen protesters met Thursday outside St. Petersburg City Hall to talk about the issues they've spent a month marching to raise attention to and what changes they would like to see locally. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
  9. City of St. Petersburg expands eligibility for business assistance program
    Jun. 25• Business
    St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman's administration announced the creation of the Fighting Chance Fund in April. [SCOTT KEELER | Times]
  10. Royal Caribbean suspends sailings through Sept. 15
    Jun. 23• Health
  11. Businessman Bill Edwards selling compound on St. Petersburg’s Snell Island Harbor
    Jun. 22• Business
    St. Petersburg businessman Bill Edwards has placed two neighboring homes on Snell Island up for sale for a combined nearly $20 million. [[Courtesy of Rick Perry]]
  12. Corporations unveil initiatives in support of racial equality
    Jun. 20• Business
    Co-owner of Thee Burger Spot Tivona Hill, 44, of Tampa, poses for a photograph outside her restaurant Friday in Tampa. In support of the Black Lives Matter movement Uber Eats is offering free delivery from Thee Burger Spot and other black-owned businesses through the end of the year. [CHRIS URSO | Times]
  13. Black business owners celebrate community at Juneteenth expo
    Jun. 19• Business
    Professional dancer Ashley Briscoe, 23, owner of Be'Licious by Ashley Briscoe, celebrates with motion on a stage set up for a Juneteenth Black Business Expo at 2810 34th St S. Friday. [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times]
  14. Tampa Bay celebrated Juneteenth. Protests lasted late into the night.
    Jun. 19• News
    Local artists collaborate on painting a Black Lives Matter street mural in front of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 2240 9th Ave. South in St. Petersburg on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Woodson Museum executive director, Terri Lipsey-Scott contacted St. Petersburg City Council member, Lisa Wheeler-Bowman with the idea who in turn contacted Wayne Atherholt with the city's Cultural Affairs department who also liked the idea. Atherholt contact John Collins with the St Pete Artist Alliance which runs the Shine Mural project and got his team working to find artists willing to participate. 16 artists are responsible for painting 1 letter each of the phrase. The mural will be ready when the city of St Pete kicks of its Juneteenth celebrations on Friday morning. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
  15. Protesters stress peace is key in St. Pete
    Jun. 19• News
    Kristin Javate, 18, from St. Pete, hold a painting of George Floyd that she made last night as protesters march from City Hall to the Old Northeast on Thursday, June 11, 2020 in St. Petersburg. Also marching with Kristin was her mother, Vanessa Javate, 51. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
  16. AAA study finds Florida residents changing travel plans during pandemic
    Jun. 17• Business
    Cars drive on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg on Wednesday. [MARTHA ASENCIO RHINE | Times]
  17. ‘We need to start right here.’ Call for action at Clearwater vigil
    Jun. 15• Clearwater
    About 300 or so people attended a vigil against police brutality and racism in Clearwater's Coachman Park on Sunday night. They shined lights with a mixture of candles and their phone lights in honor of black people who have lost their lives. [NATALIE WEBER | Times]
  18. St. Pete protesters dance on Sunday; in Clearwater, vigil calls for action
    Jun. 14• News
    Jayla El-Amin, 7, joins protest in St. Petersburg Sunday, June 14, 2020. "We wanted them to see what it means to come together and solve problems and speak out against racial injustice, and to learn lessons early so they will be less likely to become victims," said her mother, Kyandra Darling, 27. [Times]
  19. Snowbirds and staycationers help revive Pinellas tourism despite pandemic
    Jun. 13• Business
    The Fletcher family from Lakeland enjoy part of their Friday at Reitano's Keystone Motel on St. Pete Beach. Nadine and Randy Fletcher stand at poolside while kids Amelia and Gilbert are in the pool. Local visitors, staycationers, are helping revive Pinellas' tourism industry after the pandemic decimated it. [BOYZELL HOSEY | Times]
  20. Tampa antique appraiser discusses family legacy, working remotely
    Jun. 11• Business
    Grant Miller, an antique appraiser who works in Tampa and Orlando, says he grew up around heirlooms. Both sides of his family owned stores in the Chicago area. [Courtesy of Grant Miller]
  21. As clothing stores reopen, retailers face excess inventory
    Jun. 5• Business
    With supply chains disrupted by COVID-19, clothing retailers such as Bealls are dealing with excess inventory. [Times (1998)] [FRED BELLET | Tampa Bay Times]
  22. Bars and movie theaters can reopen in most of Florida starting Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis says
    Jun. 3• Health
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference at Universal Studios Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. The Universal Studios theme park reopened today for season pass holders and will open to the general public on Friday. Bars and theme parks will be part of Florida's Phase 2 reopening after closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. [JOHN RAOUX | AP]