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Thomas C. Tobin - Topics Editor
Thomas C. Tobin

Topics Editor

No one is luckier than I am. As an assistant metro editor, I practice journalism every day with a talented team of writers who cover news about education, health and transportation. A mix of veterans and newer faces, they bring a passion to their work that makes me proud and helps keep our community better informed. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., but Tampa Bay and I go way back. When I got here in the late 1980s, our state was just coming into its own as the economic, political and cultural powerhouse it is today. Since then I've covered local and state government, legal issues and education. I have traveled across Florida as the Times state reporter and even delved into the world of Scientology. Each day I learn from people. Reach out and tell me something.

  1. Nine tips for starting school during a pandemic
    Aug. 4• Education
    From left, teacher Tara Hernandez and students Angel Lozano and Dominic Cuahutenango wear masks and practice social distancing during a summer program this year at Redlands Christian Migrant Association Academy in Wimauma. Similar practices will be used when the regular school year starts in late August. [JUAN CARLOS CHAVEZ | Times]
  2. Tampa Bay school districts at a glance for 2020-21
    Aug. 4• Education
    Sunlake High senior Anna Nelson cleaned out her locker on May 26 as the 2019-20 school year came to a close amid a shutdown due to the coronavirus crisis. A new year starts soon, with Tampa Bay area school districts having moved their start dates to late August as the virus continues to make scheduling difficult. [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times]
  3. Pinellas School Board votes to start classes Aug. 24
    Jul. 29• Education
    The 2020-21 school year will start Aug. 24, the Pinellas County School Board decided Tuesday evening, a move that buys the district more time to figure out the logistics of offering two kinds of schooling. The original start date was Aug. 12. [Times (2006)]
  5. Pinellas proposes a delay in reopening schools
    Jul. 21• Gradebook
    Pinellas County school superintendent Mike Grego, citing coronavirus concerns, is proposing that schools reopen on Aug. 24 instead of Aug. 12.
  6. Impaired driver struck pedestrian on Gulf-to-Bay, Clearwater police say
    Jun. 14• Breaking News
    Ezequiel Mezquite, 20, of Clearwater, faces charges of DUI and possession of marijuana, according to Clearwater police. [Pinellas County Sheriff's Office]
  7. Meet Hernando County’s 2020 valedictorians and salutatorians
    Jun. 12• Education
    Students from Hernando County's Central High line up on graduation day. [Times (2008)]
  8. Presidents of USF and SPC weigh in on George Floyd’s death, protests
    Jun. 2• Education
    University of South Florida president Steve Currall, left, and St. Petersburg College president Tonjua Williams have released statements on the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the protests that have ensued. [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times 2019 / Times (2017)]
  9. Class of 2020: These students set the bar in area schools
    May 27• Education
    In a time before social distancing, these graduates at Tampa's Carrollwood Day School stood together and threw their caps in celebration. The world is counting on a return to those days. [Times (2013)]
  10. Meet Pasco County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2020
    May 27• Gradebook
    This is the way it used to look when students lined up for graduation at Pasco High, before social distancing. For now, Pasco schools are holding virtual graduations, but officials say they want to hold in-person graduations in August if conditions regarding the coronavirus allow it. [Times (2006)]
  11. Pinellas private schools salute their top students
    May 27• Education
    Madison Hickey, along with 137 other seniors from Clearwater Central Catholic High, participated in a social distancing graduation on Sunday. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]
  12. Pride of Pinellas: They made their mark in the county’s public schools.
    May 27• Education
    The Gibbs High Class of 2018 celebrated after graduation ceremonies at Tropicana Field, where the Pinellas County school system typically holds most of its graduations. In this most atypical of school years, district officials say they are discussing the possibility of in-person ceremonies at the indoor stadium this summer, providing conditions with the coronavirus allow it. [MARTHA ASENCIO RHINE | Times (2018)]
  13. They rose to academic heights at Hillsborough private schools
    May 27• Education
    Parents, family and friends observe social distancing guidelines while attending the senior graduation car parade May 1 at Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]
  14. Hillsborough’s best: your 2020 valedictorians and salutatorians for public schools
    May 27• Education
    This time last year, graduates from Durant High received their diplomas at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa. Hillsborough County school officials have reserved the facility for July with the hope of having in-person ceremonies, if conditions with the coronavirus allow it. [LUIS SANTANA | Times (2019)]
  15. Pinellas changes food distribution schedule at schools
    Apr. 11• Gradebook
    Pinellas County and other school districts are distributing free, prepackaged breakfast and lunch meals during the coronavirus crisis. Pinellas announced Saturday that it will help slow the spread of the virus by reducing distribution days while still giving out the same number of meals. [MICHELE MILLER | Times]
  16. Tampa Bay school districts hold out hope for graduations
    Apr. 9• Health
    The Durant High School Class of 2019 waits to receive their diplomas during a ceremony last May at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa. This year, despite the coronavirus, officials in Hillsborough and other area counties are hoping conditions allow for commencement ceremonies to be held. [LUIS SANTANA | Times]
  17. MacDill Air Force Base, University of Tampa both have positive coronavirus cases
    Mar. 21• Military
    A view of Plant Hall at the University of Tampa, where officials announced Friday that a student living off campus had tested positive for COVID-19. [Times (2012)]
  18. As coronavirus cases rise, BayCare tightens rules on visitors, testing
    Mar. 21• Health
    The emergency entrance to St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Petersburg, part of the BayCare Health System, which on Friday announced changes to its policies on visitors and drive-through testing. [CHRIS URSO | Times]
  19. DeSantis halts ‘non-essential’ medical procedures to help stem coronavirus
    Mar. 20• Health
    A number of "non essential" medical procedures, including non-urgent dental work, are prohibited under a new order by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. [Times (2013)]
  20. Battling coronavirus, filling out the FAFSA and other Pinellas education news
    Mar. 5• Education
    Practicing proper hygiene, like washing hands thoroughly, is a good way to protect against sickness. The widening spread of coronavirus in recent days has prompted Pinellas County school officials to step up cleaning efforts on campuses. [Shutterstock]
  21. Man, 26, dies in shooting at St. Petersburg apartment
    Feb. 29• Crime
    Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news and updates. [Tampa Bay Times]
  22. Tyrone Middle in St. Pete to get a $28 million makeover
    Feb. 26• Education
    An artist's rendering shows one view of Tyrone Middle School in St. Petersburg after a $28 million renovation. Work is expected to start in February 2021. The Pinellas County School Board approved a contract with Rowe Architects Inc. to work on the project. [Pinellas County Schools]
  23. Pinellas offers driver education camps. Signup deadline is Sunday.
    Feb. 19• Education
    The Pinellas County school system is offering driver education camps to hundreds of students like this one over the summer. The program will be held over two sessions at nine high school campuses across the county. [Times (2011)]
  24. ‘Parent Assistance Nights’ and other Pinellas education news
    Feb. 12• Education
    The process for getting into a Pinellas County school choice program is in its final phase, the "acceptance period," which expires at 5 p.m. Feb. 21 for the 2020-21 academic year. [Times (2006)]