Hello Hillsborough

Grace and Tyler sit down with Animal Control Supervisor Sgt. Kaylee Lannigan and Animal Control Officer Karen Coyne for an in-depth conversation about all things Animal Control. They're also joined by Tyler's 8-year-old beagle, Doc, an Animal Control rescue and success story from the Pet Resource Center. Animal Control Officers do so much more than the movies portray. They're not just out collecting strays; they're everyday heroes for animals in need. These officers step in to help injured pets, tackle all kinds of rescue situations, guide residents through County pet rules, and support investigations with patience and compassion, working hard to keep pets with their families whenever possible. Taking an animal into custody is always the very last resort.

Tampa Bay 28's Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips and Katja Miller from Hillsborough County's Office of Emergency Management join Grace and Tyler for an in-depth conversation about what to expect this hurricane season, how Hillsborough County prepares year-round, and what residents can do now to stay ready. 
Denis shares his expertise on hurricane behavior, how weather patterns can impact our area, and the fun backstory behind his trademark suspenders. 
Whether you're a lifelong Floridian or preparing for your first hurricane season, this episode is packed with expert insights and tips to help keep you and your family safe. 

When the school year wraps up, the summer heat moves in.  Grace and Tyler sit down with Joe from Hillsborough County Code Enforcement and learn all about how to keep our pools and families safe this summer.
Joe shares the essential safety checklist every resident should know—from ensuring pool gates self-latch to spotting maintenance issues and potential electrical hazards.  With lots of us headed to the water this summer, it's important to remember how to stay safe while staying cool.

Grace and Tyler explore how the Arts Council of Hillsborough County helps local artists grow, thrive, and keep the creative community vibrant. They sit down with Eileen Blake from the Arts Council and artist Caitlin Albritton to dive into the impact of arts funding and education across Tampa Bay.
Caitlin began her career as a painter before receiving Arts Council's Professional Development for Artists Grant. From that opportunity, she was able to expand her skills, eventually transitioning into fine art jewelry. Today, she combines her painting background with the techniques she learned after receiving the grant to create stunning, wearable works of art.
The Arts Council provides access to arts education, offers a variety of grant programs, and keeps the community informed about all things art. For more information visit HCFL.gov/ArtsCouncil.

Grace and Tyler get the full skate-park scoop from two experts who live and breathe the sport: Cian and Micah from Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation's Providence Skatepark.
Are you regular or goofy? Not sure? Then it's time to tune in and get the basics, plus some pro tips and behind-the-scenes insight into the county's thriving skate community.
From laid-back daily skate hours to big events like Go Skate Day, fingerboarding sessions and Skate Camp, Hillsborough County skate programs are for all ages and skill levels. Whether you're rolling in for the first time or already working on your next trick, Cian and Micah are stoked to see new faces and help you level up.

Grace and Tyler tackle some burning questions with Steve and Alison, two experts from the Conservation & Environmental Lands Management (CELM) department.
If terms like burn boss, vegetation response, fire bug, or fuel (meaning dead twigs, trees, and leaves) have you scratching your head, then this episode is for you.  
Steve walks us through the ins and outs of performing a prescribed fire and explains why these burns are essential, not just for the land, but for community safety. You might be surprised to learn that good fires prevent bad fires by reducing wildfire risk and promoting healthy ecosystems. 

Discover how Hillsborough County resources can help you achieve your 2026 goals!
From hitting the hiking trails or playing pickleball at the local courts, to diving into books at the library and making eco-friendly choices, there are so many ways to get involved and make this year rewarding.  Grace and Tyler share their New Year’s resolutions, and revisit some of their favorite Hello Hillsborough moments for a few helpful tips.

Grace and Tyler chat with Chief Rob from Hillsborough Fire Rescue about the dos and don’ts of holiday fire safety, like how to properly fry a turkey without dangerous flare‑ups, and why the kitchen — what he calls the “epicenter of the holidays” — requires extra care and caution during this busy season.

Grace and Tyler sit down with Tom, Hillsborough’s budget expert, to explore how the County builds and manages its annual budget, and how you can apply those same principles to your own personal budget. From setting aside emergency reserves to prioritizing long-term investments over quick fixes, this episode shares how the County allocates budget dollars and practical tips you can apply to your own household budget.

Hilary and Tyler sit down with the team you’ve probably never seen but rely on every single day: Traffic Management.  Rafael and Will stop by to share how their team manages the daily traffic patterns for commuters across Hillsborough County roads. From routine morning commutes to unexpected incidents, their job is to help get you through traffic safely and efficiently.  They also share what we can do to help traffic flow better (hint: don’t try to fight signal timing!) and what’s next for traffic signal detection technology.