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Tampa Bay Times
What the Bucs got in 1st-round pick Graham Barton
Few people know more about Bucs first-round draft pick Graham Barton than Texas A&M coach Mike Elko. Elko was Duke’s head coach for Barton’s final two seasons as the No. 26 overall selection became a two-time all-ACC offensive lineman. He had an up-close view of Barton’s role in the growth of a program that went 5-18 before Elko’s arrival to 17-9 over his two seasons.
Laura van den Berg tours Florida’s surreal side
Starting with its deeply ironic title, Laura van den Berg’s new novel, “State of Paradise,” is a creepy, hypnotic, disturbing portrait of Florida that, if you’ve spent any time here, simultaneously seems like surreal speculative fiction and just another day in the Sunshine State. This compelling...
Florida adds more textbook restrictions. This time, it’s climate change.
The big story: First, Florida told textbook publishers to excise all mentions of “critical race theory” if they wanted to sell their editions to the state’s schools. Next came the prohibition on “social-emotional learning” and “diversity, equity and inclusion.”. Now it looks to be...
Florida records drop in doctor residency applicants post-Roe v. Wade
Ritu Sidgal volunteered at a hospice in California in high school, reading to patients and offering bedside comfort. After attending college in Missouri to study biology and global health, she applied to medical schools and eventually moved to Tampa, enrolling at the University of South Florida. She won’t graduate until 2027 but she’s already thinking of specializing in women’s reproductive health care as an obstetrician-gynecologist.
Pasco property appraiser rejects Live Local apartment tax breaks
Pasco’s Property Appraiser Mike Wells last week denied applications of two apartment complex owners seeking property tax exemptions for providing “affordable housing” under the state’s Live Local law. Wells determined that neither of the two complexes had proved that they qualified for the property tax exemptions...
Due Amici — a community icon with a devoted following, and gratitude to spare
The founders of Due Amici Pizza & Pasta Bar in Ybor City know Italian food. They also know restaurants. So for them, it was a no-brainer to buy what was in 2015 a failing restaurant in Ybor City, because they knew they were going to turn it around and make it into a local landmark. After renovating the restaurant and the kitchen, and customizing the menu, they did exactly that. But they didn’t stop there. Several years later they added a wine and charcuterie bar right next door – Geo’s – that is also a hit. (Side note: Check out the underlit bartop, which is wicked cool.)
For Rays reliever Shawn Armstrong, slow roller leads to more frustration
ARLINGTON, Texas — Reliever Shawn Armstrong has had enough of his own problems with some erratic pitching resulting in one of his worst stretches with the Rays. Sunday, he was the victim of some bad luck. In the midst of a rough start to a three-run fifth inning —...
Rays’ slugging, ‘so deserving’ Isaac Paredes chosen for All-Star Game
ARLINGTON, Texas — Isaac Paredes wasn’t paying much attention when Rays manager Kevin Cash started a team meeting before Sunday’s game to talk about logistics for the July 15-18 All-Star break and resuming play afterward in New York. “He was kind of speaking to everybody, so I...
Florida abortions dropped after six-week ban took effect in May, report says
TALLAHASSEE — With a law taking effect May 1 that prevents abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a new report gives an initial picture of the reduced number of abortions being performed in Florida. The report, posted online by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, is dated July...
Rough end to Rays’ road trip, as ugly loss completes sweep by Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas — Three times over the years, including last season, the Rangers have sent the Rays home for the winter by winning playoff series. They may have put a major dent in the Rays’ hopes to reset their course after a rough start to this season, with a lopsided 13-2 win Sunday to complete a weekend sweep.
Bradenton nightclub shooting leaves one dead, two injured
One person died and two others were injured after multiple shots were fired outside a Bradenton nightclub early Sunday. Deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responding to 911 calls from the Touch of Class Lounge on 14th Street W arrived to find a crowd gathered around a 30-year-old man with a gunshot wound lying on the ground outside the club, according to the sheriff’s office.
Teach for America is a good program but a bad fit for Florida | Letters
Teach for America coming to Hillsborough | June 30. While head of a teacher preparation program at a New York college, I worked with Teach for America for 10 years. Though an admirable organization, it is no solution for Florida’s teaching shortage; think of its “fellows” as long-term substitute teachers, not professionals who will commit long-term to our schools and children. Many join the program to get free or reduced-rate master’s degrees or to pause earlier student loans. Others think Florida may be a wonderful place to spend three or four years, then return home. Many are graduates from elite universities and have little in common with the students they will teach. They and the program are to be commended, but they are no substitute for decent salaries (not just decent starting pay) and professional respect, things our Republican legislators and governor refuse to provide.
Rays’ Taj Bradley talks a good game, throws a better one
ARLINGTON, Texas — Taj Bradley at times makes it sound easy, but what he has been doing for the Rays has been extremely impressive. In holding the potent Rangers to two runs (one earned) over six innings in Saturday’s 4-3 loss, Bradley ran his streak of strong starts to six. Over that span, he has posted a 1.29.
First Lady Jill Biden is coming to Tampa Monday
First Lady Jill Biden is coming to Tampa Monday, the Biden campaign announced Saturday. Details about Biden‘s event were sparse, with the campaign writing in an emailed news release that the particulars of the First Lady’s event were to be announced. But the visit comes at a precarious...
Rays get a big hit but come up short when Rangers get a bigger one
ARLINGTON, Texas — After 15-plus innings without one, the Rays finally got the big hit they were searching for Saturday when Yandy Diaz hit a three-run, go-ahead homer with two outs in the seventh inning. The problem this time was the Rangers came back with an even bigger one,...
A Hillsborough County jail inmate died. Deputies are investigating.
A 45-year-old man died at the Hillsborough County jail after what appeared to be a medical episode Thursday night, county deputies said. Staff at the jail found Pedro Morales, 45, unresponsive at 8:30 p.m., according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Officials took Morales to HCA Florida Brandon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Pitcher Shane Baz returns to Rays with familiar stuff, new outlook
ARLINGTON, Texas — Brandon Lowe was quick and straightforward in his assessment of Rays starter Shane Baz after watching his impressive return to a major-league mound Friday night. Lowe said Baz threw, acted and carried himself as if he hadn’t been sidelined since July 2022 due primarily to an...
Rays All-Star representative? Isaac Paredes, Jason Adam or who knows?
ARLINGTON, Texas — Last year, the Rays were all about the All-Star Game. Outfielder Randy Arozarena and first baseman Yandy Diaz were elected by fans to the starting lineup, starting pitcher Shane McClanahan was voted in on the players’ ballot, and shortstop Wander Franco was added by Major League Baseball officials a few days later as an injury replacement.
Still mourning Stamkos? Here are departures that really cost Tampa Bay
TAMPA — For the most part, the argument has been all passion and no logic. Steven Stamkos is gone? What have the Lightning done? Where is the loyalty?. While this may feel like a seismic shift in our hockey landscape, history says the departure of an iconic player or coach does not lead to catastrophe. It has, at times, been a necessary turn toward resurgence.
15 places in Tampa Bay to get great french fries
National French Fry Day is July 12, and since fries are a summertime favorite we rounded up places to get good ones. Our list runs the gamut from simple to loaded and includes tots, waffle fries and sweet potato fries. It’s a celebration of fried potatoes. 3 Daughters Brewing:...
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