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Social media needs a warning label | Letters
Tobacco-like warning label for social media sought by US surgeon general | June 18. In May 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy outlined recommendations to make social media safer for kids. A year later, parents and children are still waiting for change. Now he has issued a renewed call for legislators to take action and also called for a surgeon general’s warning on social media. Social media has become an important contributor to our youth mental health crisis. We are in the middle of an emergency, and it’s essential that Congress act with speed and urgency. The health and well-being of our kids are at stake.
Rays’ Jose Siri not that impressed with throw, but others are raving
MINNEAPOLIS — About the only person not impressed with Rays centerfielder Jose Siri’s remarkable throw from rightfield to third base in the 10th inning of Thursday’s game against the Twins was Jose Siri. “I’ve done plays like that before, plenty of times. Situations like that in the...
Bucs radio voice Gene Deckerhoff returning for 36th season
Having secured their starting quarterback (Baker Mayfield), No. 1 receiver (Mike Evans), defensive anchor (Lavonte David) and All-Pro safety (Antoine Winfield Jr.) for 2024, the Bucs locked up one more key member of the franchise Thursday. Their voice. The team confirmed longtime radio play-by-play man Gene Deckerhoff will return for...
Florida Supreme Court says peaceful protesters OK under DeSantis anti-riot law
TALLAHASSEE — Rejecting arguments that the law is ambiguous, the Florida Supreme Court said Thursday that peaceful protesters are not threatened by a measure that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature passed in 2021 to crack down on violent demonstrations. DeSantis championed the law after nationwide protests following the...
Clearwater police officer arrested on pension fraud, theft charges
An 11-year veteran officer with the Clearwater Police Department has been arrested on charges that he exaggerated the effects of an injury to collect benefits from the city, according to a news release from police and arrest records. Scott Penna, 35, was arrested Thursday and taken to the Pinellas County...
Clearwater breaks ground on 81-unit affordable housing project
CLEARWATER — Today, the lot on Cleveland Street sits empty, dust blowing across the 2.3-acre expanse. By fall 2025, city officials say, it will be transformed into a modern apartment complex for low-income residents. City officials and developers on Thursday broke ground on Clearwater Gardens, an 81-unit affordable housing...
Clemson, ACC discussed not suing each other until August. It didn’t work
Clemson and the ACC discussed an agreement that would prevent either side from suing the other before August. That revelation is part of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s latest filing in North Carolina, where the league has sued the Tigers. Both sides discussed a non-disclosure agreement, according to emails the...
Rays make it 2 in a row over Twins, though it isn’t easy
MINNEAPOLIS — The Rays had a second straight victory and a series win over the contending Twins sitting right in front of them Thursday. They rallied in the eighth inning to take the lead. They worked out of some trouble in the bottom of the inning. They added three insurance runs in the ninth.
St. Pete Pride is going to be a scorcher. Here’s how to beat the heat.
St. Petersburg’s famous Pride parade is the hottest celebration in town this weekend — literally. This year’s record-breaking heat is expected to continue this weekend, with the National Weather Service forecasting daily highs in excess of 90 degrees and a heat index peaking at more than 100 degrees both Saturday and Sunday — temperatures that could be deadly.
Tampa dentist arrested after making more than 100 online threats, FBI says
A Tampa dentist accused of sending online threats to multiple people, including a politician, was arrested Tuesday in Pinellas County. Federal investigators said Dr. Richard Kantwill sent hundreds of online messages threatening injury or death, even after U.S. marshals with the FBI told him to stop. Kantwill, 60, faces three counts related to interstate transmission of a threat to injure.
New Port Richey to negotiate $7.74M in incentives for U.S. 19 project
New Port Richey’s Community Redevelopment Council has agreed to negotiate a $7.74 million public incentive with Royal Five Hospitality Inc. for the Aqua Harbor development at what the city considers its future southern entrance. City officials are expecting that the developer will build a six-story condominium complex and an...
4 Tampa men indicted on fentanyl charges after USF student dies of overdose
Four Tampa men have been charged with federal counts of fentanyl distribution after a University of South Florida student fatally overdosed on the drug earlier this year, law enforcement officials announced Thursday. The four — Miguel Cintron, Marquise Trant, David Chudhabuddhi, and Darrius Gustafson — are charged with distribution of...
Here’s why St. Pete Pride is the largest LGBTQ festival in the southeast
While rainbow flags decorate St. Petersburg year-round, Pride month is extra special in the Sunshine City. St. Pete Pride isn’t just the most popular LGBTQ+ happening in the state of Florida. Visit St. Pete/ Clearwater calls the monthlong festival the largest Pride event in the Southeast, with over 300,000 expected to attend this weekend’s festivities alone.
Sabrina Carpenter announces a Tampa concert
Time to open up Ticketmaster, cross your fingers and say “Please, Please, Please.”. Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour, which shares the name of her upcoming album, includes a stop at Tampa’s Amalie Arena. Griff will open the show on Friday, Oct. 25. It’s been a...
DeSantis lawyers argue top deputy’s phone logs not a public record
TALLAHASSEE — Lawyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis told a judge on Tuesday that records of phone calls about state business made on an official’s private cell phone were not public, a dramatic new interpretation of the state’s public records law and the administration’s latest attempt to shield information from the public.
After 17-year-old dies at Tampa facility, state moves kids out, terminates contract
Editor’s Note: This story contains mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know need help, resources are available and are listed at the bottom of this article. The death of a 17-year-old at a state residential treatment facility in Tampa has prompted officials to transfer children in the program to other facilities and to terminate the contract with the company that operated the program.
Free bread? Here are 16 Tampa Bay restaurants that still serve it
Calling all carboholics: The complimentary bread basket is endangered. It has been for some time now. Many restaurants find it more financially and environmentally sustainable to charge for higher quality bread. Offering cost-free carbs that might not get eaten, and therefore end up in the trash, is wasteful. Some have ditched the pre-dinner tradition altogether, making the moment a fresh-baked bounty hits the table that much more special.
A call to stand up for our veterans and their families
As a nation, we owe our veterans more than just a debt of gratitude, and though that goes a long way, what is owed and deserved goes beyond words and ceremonial gestures. These brave men and women have risked their lives to protect our freedoms, and they deserve tangible support that acknowledges their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. Yet, recent actions by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to cancel state veteran benefits — benefits that provided free public college tuition for the children of some veterans — represent a profound betrayal of our promises to those who have served as soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and guardsmen.
Tampa’s housing director is resigning, another setback for Mayor Castor
The city of Tampa’s housing director is resigning, the Tampa Bay Times has confirmed, the latest senior economic development official saying goodbye to Mayor Jane Castor’s administration. The high-level departures have dealt a setback to a city gripped by steep rents and property prices. Kayon Henderson has spent...
Atlantic disturbance headed to Florida could develop by end of week
While Tropical Storm Alberto made landfall in Mexico Thursday morning, forecasters also increased their confidence that a disturbance in the Atlantic could form as it heads to Florida. The National Hurricane Center now gives the system a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next two days. The...
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