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More than 40 back-to-school events happening around Tampa Bay
School is out and the kids are playing, but back-to-school events are already starting. Free school physicals are taking place this month, and other events are quickly approaching. Here’s a list of school supply giveaways, tax-free shopping days and other ways to get ready to head back to the classroom.
Florida universities take hard line against student protesters
The big news: Florida’s universities continue to take a hard line against students who participated in pro-Palestine campus protests. Despite recommendations for lighter penalties, the University of Florida’s dean of students suspended several demonstrators, withholding the diploma of at least one. All have been banned from campus, and would have to apply for readmission to resume their studies.
Pinellas County transit to receive largest grant to date for electric buses
Pinellas County’s public transit agency will soon add 16 new electric and hybrid buses to its fleet, thanks to a grant from the Federal Transit Administration for $27.8 million. It’s the largest grant the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has ever received through a competitive process, agency spokesperson Stephanie Weaver...
There’s an invasive Cuban tree frog in your home. Here’s what to do next.
Cuban tree frogs can hide in your toilet, in your gutters, in crevasses around your yard. On warm nights, they hang on walls and windows near lighted areas and wait for insects to eat. They’ve adapted to living among humans — and have been known to jump on people as they enter and exit their homes at night.
Bucs training camp kicks off in 12 days. Here are 12 predictions
As sure as Bucco Bruce winks, the oppressive summer humidity has hit our region. And the Bucs rookies aren’t far behind. Only 12 days from Wednesday, Bucs newbies report for training camp, signaling the start of another NFL season. The dog days are about to be supplanted by demanding ones; the soupy heat will test character and core strength, while presumably clarifying the depth chart.
In U-turn, Tampa renews contract for gunshot detection technology
For a moment, it seemed Tampa was joining other U.S. cities that have parted ways with technology that can detect where guns have been fired after concerns arose about accuracy and transparency. In early June, the City Council narrowly voted to deny a $280,000 contract for another year of ShotSpotter,...
What should President Biden do? Readers have thoughts | Letters
I have been around a long time, and this is the greatest decision point I have ever seen in my country. Does President Joe Biden pull his hat out of the ring for the general election and let someone like Vice President Kamala Harris or Michigan Gov.
Baseball’s No. 1 prospect at age 19, Wander Franco could be done by 23
ST. PETERSBURG — The uniform was the first thing to go. That was later followed by trust, and the benefit of the doubt. And now, 11 months later, they are coming for Wander Franco’s future. And possibly his freedom. The can’t-miss kid who arrived in Tampa Bay at...
Rays’ Wander Franco formally charged by Dominican prosecutors: report
ST. PETERSBURG — Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic have formally charged Rays shortstop Wander Franco with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, ESPN reported late Tuesday night. Prosecutors for six months were working with a July 5 deadline to file formal charges. When they didn’t file Friday,...
Rays bounce back from rough weekend, beat struggling Yankees
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays took a good first step Tuesday in what could be either a 16-game march or stumble to the July 30 trade deadline, beating the struggling Yankees 5-3. Newly anointed All-Star Isaac Paredes led the way with a three-run home run in the first. Ryan Pepiot delivered a strong start, working into the sixth while striking out seven, and relievers Jason Adam and Pete Fairbanks got the final six outs.
Demolition of Parkland school shooting site is complete. Here’s what’s next.
FORT LAUDERDALE — A demolition has been completed: Now finally gone is the Parkland school building where 17 students and staff members were killed in a 2018 massacre. The 1200 building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High was the site of the school shooting that also resulted in the wounding of 17 more.
Rays ship out another veteran pitcher, trading Phil Maton to Mets
ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays shipped out another struggling pitcher on Tuesday, trading Phil Maton to the Mets. The return won’t be much, either a player to be named or cash. The Rays signed Maton at the start of spring training to a pricey (for them) $6.25 million contract, with a $7.75.
2024 hurricane outlook just got bigger: 25 named storms now expected by experts
Colorado State University has updated its hurricane season forecast, calling for a more active season than the already “extremely active” forecast from June. The forecast team there used data collected through the season thus far to adjust its predictions. In nearly every category, forecasters are calling for the seasons to be more robust:
Dear Annie: Is therapy the answer to mending relationship with estranged son?
Enjoy unlimited access to tampabay.com for only $3 for the first 3 months. Dear Annie: Is therapy the answer to mending relationship with estranged son?8 minutes ago• Advice. ", 1, 100); //ms intervals } else { rcel.innerHTML = " "; } var rcsc = document.getElementById("rc_313"); if (rcsc) rcsc.parentNode.replaceChild(rcel, rcsc);...
Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at UF are kicked out of school for up to 4 years
GAINESVILLE — In secretive hearings, the University of Florida set aside recommendations to lightly punish some of the college students arrested after pro-Palestinian protests on campus and kicked them all out of school for three to four years. The decisions by the new dean of students, Chris Summerlin, overruled...
Ousted Tampa state attorney pushes federal court to open path to reinstatement
Ousted Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren is prodding a federal appeals court to move on a ruling from earlier this year that could get him reinstated. “Every day that passes in this posture is one in which the results of a free and fair election are denied,” Warren’s attorneys wrote in a motion to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals this week.
More Pasco County schools get new principals
The churn of Pasco County school principals continues amid ongoing retirements and resignations. Among the latest changes approved Tuesday:. Gretchen Rudolph-Fladd will take over Pasco Elementary School in Dade City, replacing Donna College, who retired. Rudolph-Fladd joined the district as a teacher in 1998, and has served in numerous administrative roles since 2009. She has been principal of Centennial Elementary in Zephyrhills since 2017.
Pasco schools adjust volunteer background check plan amid complaints
LAND O’LAKES — The Pasco County school district has revised its plan to charge people for background checks to volunteer, after facing complaints from residents who said they might stop offering their services. Officials also have made district funds available to cover the costs for individuals who can’t...
3 years after Piney Point disaster, Florida settles lawsuit with environment groups
Florida environmental regulators on Monday settled a federal lawsuit with advocacy groups over the 2021 Piney Point wastewater disaster that dumped 215 million gallons of polluted water into Tampa Bay, likely sparking a red tide outbreak that caused widespread fish kills. Five environmental advocacy groups agreed to dismiss their lawsuit...
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