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Teghan Simonton - Data Reporter/Economy and Health
Teghan Simonton

Data Reporter/Economy and Health

As a data reporter on the business + health team, I use numbers to bring clarity to the intricate trends shaping life in the Tampa Bay area. Before joining the Times, I earned a master’s degree from the Missouri School of Journalism, where I worked as a grad assistant for Investigative Reporters & Editors. I’ve reported on numerous topics at newspapers around the country before landing here in the Sunshine State, and I’m excited to tell important stories for this region. The daughter of two Air Force veterans, I grew up near bases all over the U.S. and in Europe. When I’m not writing words or code, I love to bake, train for marathons (I’ve done two) and get lost in bookstores.

  1. ‘Everybody’s worried.’ How Tampa Bay residents are bracing for SNAP cuts
    • Health
    An aerial drone view shows a line of cars backing up on the street and wrapping around the building at Feeding Tampa Bay on Monday in Tampa. Feeding Tampa Bay and other charities are seeing demand increase dramatically as residents prepare for anticipated cuts to SNAP food aid amid the federal government shutdown. The program, which supports nearly 3 million Floridians and more than 150,000 Tampa Bay residents, was set to run out of money due to the government shutdown that started Oct. 1.
  2. Tampa Bay charities prepare for influx as shutdown halts SNAP benefits
    • Health
    Ava Deveaux, left, Cathy Coley, Samantha Richardson, and RZ Lampley, all with Gathering of Women, work to distribute food to people as they drive through a food pantry distribution line in the parking lot of the WINGS Fellowship Church, 1801 34th St S on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 in St. Petersburg. Several food pantry recipients are fearful of losing SNAP benefits.
  3. Fighting to repair your home after hurricanes Helene and Milton? We want to hear from you
    • Hurricane
    A vehicle damaged by storm surge from Hurricane Helene is seen near a condo building in Madeira Beach on Sept. 28, 2024. Thousands of Tampa Bay residents have received substantial damage letters informing them their homes are past the point of repair.
  5. 4 takeaways from Spotlight Tampa Bay on artificial intelligence
    • Business
    Tampa Bay Times Chairman and CEO Conan Gallaty speaks during the Spotlight Tampa Bay event held on Wednesday in St. Petersburg. The event focused on artificial intelligence.
  6. Hurricanes walloped Tampa Bay. A year later, how the area is recovering
    • Hurricane
    The Gulfport Casino, a popular venue and local landmark shown in this Sept. 16 photo, is still shut down after sustaining damage during last year's hurricane season.
  7. Florida residents struggling to get COVID vaccines after federal changes
    • Health
    Florida_Vaccine_Mandate_66565.jpg
  8. Federal funding loss closed Florida’s only drop-in center for the homeless
    • Tampa
    The Coffee Shop at 6220 N Nebraska Ave in Tampa, the homeless drop-in center formerly operated by Gracepoint Wellness, sits empty on Wednesday, August 26, 2025. The Shop closed in July 2025 due to federal funding cuts.
  9. How common are Florida boat crashes? Here’s what the data shows
    • Data
    Boaters are seen along the intracoastal waters in Clearwater in June. Data shows accidents on the water spike around summer holidays.
  10. Investors snapped up Tampa Bay homes damaged by hurricanes Helene and Milton
    • Real Estate
    An aerial drone view looking west from Gulf Boulevard toward the Gulf of Mexico on June 5 in St. Pete Beach. On the left is 77th Avenue, in the center is 78th Avenue and on the right is 79th Avenue, with Gulf Boulevard pictured at the bottom. Several storm-damaged homes in the area have been sold in the months after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  11. Here’s how Florida is already feeling the effect of Trump’s tariffs
    • Business
    A note about tariffs to explain higher prices to customers is on display at the TeBella Tea Company, 227 East Davis Blvd, on Thursday, May 22, 2025, on Davis Islands in Tampa.
  12. After boat crash, what’s next for the Clearwater Ferry?
    • Business
    Investigators stand next to the Clearwater Ferry in Clearwater Harbor on Sunday, April 27, 2025 after a boat collided with the ferry, killing one and injuring 10 others on board. The crash represents a violent setback for the publicly-funded service.
  13. Pinellas post-hurricane home assessments rife with flaws
    • Business
    Power lines are seen along Yawl Lane at the Crystal Bay Mobile Home Club on Wednesday in Palm Harbor. Elevating homes in the park could prove to be very difficult due to the power lines.
  14. Private equity owns nearly 25% of Tampa Bay apartments, new research shows
    • Real Estate
    The Tampa skyline seen from Sal y Mar Rooftop Bar on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. Nearly a quarter of apartment units in the Tampa Bay area are owned by private equity firms, according to data released this week by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
  15. It’s been 6 months since hurricanes Helene and Milton. How is Tampa Bay doing?
    • Hurricane
    An unidentified man stands at a gate near the Dunedin Marina pier Feb. 13, 2025. The pier sustained major damage due to Hurricane Milton.
  16. Ronald McDonald Houses of Tampa Bay make homes for families in need
    • Business
    Volunteers Katina, left, and Darrell Winbush, prepare beds for a family’s room at the Davis Island Tampa Ronald McDonald House on Feb. 19 in Tampa.
  17. Employees at Gulf Coast JFCS driven to meet community needs
    • Business
    Hana Cowart, a communications manager, middle, and Jhana Perez, an administrator coordinator, prepare food bags for clients inside the food pantry at Gulfcoast JFCS Headquarters on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Clearwater.
  18. Across Tampa Bay, residents’ futures hinge on an unexpected letter
    • News
    Heather Wendt, 55, sits on stairs, which remain in disrepair in the wake of Hurricane Helene, leading to the second floor of her home at 115 Florida Blvd on Friday, Feb 21, 2025, in Crystal Beach.
  19. New bill would crack down on corporations buying Florida homes
    • Florida
    An aerial drone view of homes along Spring Snowflake Ave. owned by Progress Residential LLC pictured on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 in Tampa.
  20. Florida’s citrus outlook remains bleak. But new science offers hope.
    • Business
    Oranges high atop a 16 foot citrus tree on The Story Companies 60 acre citrus land on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Lake Wales. Florida's citrus industry is forecasting another record-low year for productions. There have been a series of recent hits to the industry, including the loss of one of the state's top growers. Kyle Story is a fourth generation grower determined to stay and weather the challenges caused by citrus greening and hurricanes.
  21. Will Tampa’s streetcar remain free to riders?
    • Tampa
    A historic TECO Line streetcar approaches Centennial Park Station on June 27, 2022 in Tampa.
  22. For Tampa’s oldest employee, sports bring community, friendship
    • Tampa
    Tony Gennaro, who turns 85 Saturday, inspects a dugout while he chats with kickball players at Capaz Park in Tampa. Gennaro is the city of Tampa’s oldest employee, and he’s a familiar face at the city baseball diamonds.
  23. Two months after Milton, in Tampa’s Forest Hills, the hits keep coming
    • Tampa
    Marilyn Menendez-Arnett, 62, gives a tour of the damage at her residence on Dec. 18.
  24. 5 takeaways from Buying up the Bay
    • Business
    An aerial drone view of homes along Spring Snowflake Ave. owned by Progress Residential LLC pictured on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 in Tampa.