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Tampa Bay Times
Auburn Tigers can’t wait to see Brian Battie again after shooting
DALLAS — Former USF football star Brian Battie continues to be in the thoughts of his Auburn teammates as he recovers from a shooting in May and the Tigers prepare for a season without his daily presence. “Still praying for Brian and his family during this time,” Auburn quarterback...
Live updates: Internet outage disrupts systems around Tampa Bay
A major internet outage affecting Microsoft is disrupting flights, banks, media outlets, stores and companies across the world, with problems continuing hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services. Around Tampa Bay, some stores are unable to process...
Popular Anna Maria Island restaurants have been sold to a Pinellas group
After 45 years, Chiles Hospitality announced that it has sold its popular waterfront restaurants in Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key to Pinellas County-based Beachside Hospitality Group. Sandbar Seafood & Spirits and Beach House Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria Island and Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub in Longboat Key...
Please, President Biden, pass the torch
I have been a fan and a supporter of yours for a very long time — since your earliest efforts at running for the presidency in 1988 and 2008. One cannot say this about too many of our presidents, but you are a genuine American hero. Not only because you chose to run in the 2016 election cycle after the Klan/Nazi rally in Charlottesville to help save the soul of America, but also once elected, you rose to the occasion, and became a much better president than anyone, including your fans, could have expected.
How Bucs’ Liam Coen helped Florida Gators land Graham Mertz. Sort of
DALLAS — Billy Napier’s future with the Florida Gators hinges, in part, on his evaluation, development and deployment of quarterback Graham Mertz. It’s a process that got an indirect assist from Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Mertz had several options after he decided to transfer from Wisconsin...
New Port Richey gives development grant to a restaurant at its southern entry
New Port Richey has approved another development incentive to a business on U.S. 19 at its southern entrance, this time for a popular restaurant location next door to the multi-story condo and luxury hotel property that got more than $7 million in incentives from the city last month. On Tuesday,...
In Tarpon Springs special election, two candidates square off
TARPON SPRINGS — In February, when the City Commission appointed Frank DiDonato to fill a vacant commission seat until a special election could be held, the former mayor said he only intended to serve the six-month interim appointment. But once on the dais, DiDonato said he changed his mind....
Dear Penny: I started getting Social Security early. When will extra income not face penalty?
I started receiving Social Security benefits early at age 62. Back then, full retirement age was 65. At what age will I not be penalized for additional income?. If you’re still working while receiving Social Security benefits, your earnings can affect the amount you receive in benefits up until your full retirement age (FRA). That age is based on when you were born, because it’s been increased over the years as life expectancy and funding for the program have changed.
Maximo Park gets shoreline makeover from St. Petersburg and Tampa nonprofit
Darlene Clark is a new resident of St. Petersburg. She arrived from the deserts of Las Vegas, and as soon as she saw a volunteer posting involving the word ‘beach,’ she was in, she said. Clark was one of dozens of Tampa Bay Watch volunteers installing 100 pound...
DeSantis increased executions during his campaign. Then he slowed down.
Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed execution warrants for six Florida inmates, the most in any year in the state since 2014. He was also running for president. DeSantis had signed off on just two executions — both in 2019 — to that point. The sudden step up, along with legislation he signed lowering Florida’s death penalty jury requirement, seemed to signal a new approach to capital punishment.
As threats rise, Tampa Bay elections offices spend more on security
The Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections office has installed additional security cameras and put up physical barriers to protect the building’s main doors. Pinellas’ supervisor of elections is spending more on off-duty sheriff’s deputies. All local counties are bolstering cybersecurity protections. Officials say the security upgrades — which...
Should Florida return to partisan school board elections?
The big story: Florida voters decided to have nonpartisan school board elections back in 1998. More than 2 million Floridians supported the measure. The goal, proponents said, was to remove politics from education, which some called a “sacred trust.”. Fast forward 26 years, and the same debate is happening...
With JD Vance next in line, where does DeSantis go from here?
At points, the speech sounded like it was delivered in a parallel universe. “We have a responsibility to preserve what George Washington called the sacred fire of liberty,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told the crowd Tuesday at the Republican National Convention. “This was a fire that burned in Independence Hall in 1776, when 56 men pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to establish this nation.”
For Pasco Mosquito Control, chasing deadly pests is an endless cycle
ODESSA — We pulled up to a Circle K in an orange pickup truck with a mosquito printed on the side. My insect guide, Kenny Johnson, popped into the store, emerging with an Arizona iced tea and a scratch-off. He climbed back in and slid the ticket behind the visor.
Florida State would make sense in the SEC. But is that door open?
DALLAS — Florida State would have fit in well at SEC media days. Norvell grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, not far from the Omni Dallas Hotel that hosted the SEC’s four-day extravaganza. FSU’s Sept. 28 trip to SMU is highly anticipated. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey...
OK, so the Rays stadium redevelopment project got approved. Now what?
One of the largest projects in Tampa Bay history took a decisive step forward Thursday when the St. Petersburg City Council approved plans for a new downtown Tampa Bay Rays ballpark surrounded by homes, hotels, offices, a concert venue and a museum. Council members voted 5-3 to approve a set...
Dear Annie: Why don’t our son’s in-laws consider us family?
Dear Annie: Our son married into a large family. His wife’s sister was recently married. We did not receive an invitation, and no explanation was given. We were disappointed not to be included. However, it wasn’t until we saw post-wedding pictures of our 2-year-old granddaughter — who served as the flower girl — that we realized that we are not considered family. He is our only child, and she is our only grandchild. How do we handle our hurt feelings going forward?
After the Trump assassination attempt, let’s take a moment to reflect | Letters
Amid the furor regarding this assassination attempt, let’s take a moment to reflect on the sadness of the situation. This young man was not a paid assassin, nor a political hothead. Rather, he is described as quiet, reflective, intelligent and a loner. I sense a frustration in him at what our society has devolved into. He may not have seen any future for himself. Many young people today feel this way. We have failed them as a society. Before you condemn his family, reflect on the fact that it could be anyone’s son or daughter feeling this desperation. We need to do better as a society.
Want a way to calm the heated rhetoric? I might just have the answer.
Immediately after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, we have heard Republicans and Democrats calling for a change in campaign rhetoric. While the shooting might or might not have been politically motivated, concern has been growing about violence being inspired by overheated, aggressive comments from those running for office.
Rays make a $1.3 billion bet that baseball will work in St. Pete, after all
ST. PETERSBURG — So the team with no money is staying in the city with no fans. It makes perfect sense once you stop laughing. The Rays and St. Pete are made for each other in the same way that nerds and wallflowers inevitably hook up in Hollywood. When...
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