Three Florida cities have gotten the highest score possible on an index that measures the quality of life for gays, lesbians and transgender residents.

The gay rights group, Human Rights Campaign, last week gave Orlando, St. Petersburg and Wilton Manors scores of 100.

The Municipal Equality Index evaluates 506 cities nationwide on how inclusive they are to the LGBT people in their communities.

Tampa Bay area residents who are tired of gridlocked bridge traffic will soon have a new way to travel between Tampa and St. Petersburg. The Cross-Bay Ferry is scheduled to begin shuttling passengers between the two cities on Nov. 4. Tickets for rides go on sale starting Nov. 1.

A new administrative policy signed by St. Petersburg, FL, Mayor Rick Kriseman requires food and beverage vending machines on city-owned property comply with the American Heart Association's guidelines for vending. All vended items must meet the guidelines by the end of 2017.

The vending standards are based on nutritional recommendations from the AHA and the federal government, and call for caloric labeling on all machines to help employees and residents make more informed decisions about their drinks and snacks.

The newly established St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recently tapped J.P. DuBuque of the Hillsborough EDC to be its first president.

"We set out this year to formalize our efforts in economic development and I'm pleased to announce today our excitement for achieving this very important milestone," St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Greg Holden said. "Our chamber's mission is economic growth and community vitality for St. Petersburg and the EDC will play a major role in ensuring our success."

A new initiative aimed at reactivating the long under-utilized Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg kicks off Thursday with live music and food trucks.

WIPA Live, a monthly event planned in the park, is not just another item on the list of things to do in the bustling city. It could serve as an economic development tool and even a social service.

The City of St. Petersburg's Coast Bike Share program will begin hub installations this Thursday, ahead of the system's soft launch. The soft launch system will include 100 demo bicycles and 10 hubs along the waterfront and Central Avenue corridor.

Coast will open the demo system mid-day on November 1, with 100 green bikes, part of their corporate fleet made available to coincide with the launch of the Cross Bay Ferry. With a single membership, Coast bikes will be available on both ends of your ferry journey. Shortly after the New Year, 300 blue, city-owned Coast Bikes will be launched across more than 30 stations in downtown and the immediately surrounding neighborhoods. The additional locations will be made available following completion of the ongoing permitting process. 

Picture dozens of people strolling or lying down on the ground in the center of a city, gazing skyward. They're all smiling at lyrical sculpture, a billowing colored form floating above them, laced to the surrounding skyscrapers

This moment of urban transcendence is created by Janet Echelman, a Tampa Bay-born artist, now internationally celebrated for her work. With her sculptures dotting the globe, almost a bellwether for cities who value public art, it's time for her hometown to be graced with her creativity.

Getting unlimited, special-interest money out of politics, an issue long on the back burner for politicians in Washington, moved front and center with this election year, driven by an outpouring of voter frustration. Both Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump ignited widespread support by pitching themselves as being outside a political system many voters see as being rigged by wealthy donors.

Florida, an iconic political swing state, has seen quite a bit of attention - and money - from wealthy interests (candidates for state office are allowed to accept donations directly from corporations, something that's illegal at the federal level), and many in the state are fed up. St. Petersburg City Council Vice Chair Darden Rice introduced a measure this summer that would effectively make super PACs illegal in her city. The council voted 6-1 in favor of considering the measure.