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DeSantis just signed a controversial ethics bill. Here’s what it does.
Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly approved new restrictions Friday evening on how watchdog commissions can investigate state and local officials for suspected public corruption and ethical violations, even as local officials say the move will likely result in less government oversight of elected officials. Under the new law, state and local...
Sports’ greatest living athletes include the Great One and the GOAT
Prior to his passing, Mays was the world’s best living ballplayer. His resume (660 home runs, 3,293 hits, 24 all-star nods, 12 Gold Gloves) is nearly impossible to debate. Get 3 months of unlimited access for $3. Joey Knight is a sports reporter who helps cover all sports teams...
Dear Annie: My friend’s addiction is dangerous for me, too
Dear Annie: I have a friend whose father recently died. They were incredibly close, and my heart hurts for her. She and I had met at her father’s house 20-plus years ago and became super close for many years. Life happened, and we’re not as close as we once...
Here are the latest details on Tampa’s Riverwalk expansion plans
TAMPA — Each day, runners and walkers, tourists and locals pour onto the Riverwalk, the 2.6-mile ribbon of sidewalk that runs along Tampa’s downtown waterfront. In a few years’ time, city officials want crowds to be able to trot along the west bank of the Hillsborough River, too.
Why do urologists lean Republican but bartenders tilt Democratic?
Does it matter which political party your urologist belongs to? Or that inventors are more likely to be Republicans than Democrats?. Not everything is political, of course, but everything has a politics, including the professions. Knowing which kinds of partisans tend to dominate which sectors can help you manage expectations not only as you go about your own life, but also as you try to understand trends in the broader economy.
Here’s why this St. Pete City Council member backs the Rays-Hines deal
Let’s get the elephant out of the room. I am a baseball fan, a former college baseball player and coach. Baseball helped create the man I am today. It taught me to work hard, play hard and be part of a cohesive team. But baseball is not who I am. I am a husband, father, son, brother, business owner, financial adviser and proud lifetime resident of St. Petersburg. Of all the things that I am, a baseball fan isn’t in the top 20. I start with that because it’s easy to say, “Copley is a Rays fan,” or “Copley is for this deal because he wants baseball to stay.” But those statements have nothing to do with my support of the Rays/Hines redevelopment.
Rays bullpen plays the long game after short outing from Ryan Pepiot
PITTSBURGH — The coiled stuffed snake rested on Colin Poche’s clubhouse chair, a gift for the night from Ryan Pepiot, who didn’t really want to give it. Pepiot bought it as something of a gag gift to present to a reliever who “snakes” a win — awarded the “W” by the official scorer when the starter didn’t go the required five innings to earn it.
Josh Lowe’s 2 homers lead Rays past Pirates, to 3rd straight win
PITTSBURGH — Josh Lowe’s season has been a series of stops, starts and struggles. Sidelined into May while recovering from a spring oblique strain. A so-so-14-game season debut, then another two weeks on the injured list. A rough return, with a key pinch RBI single in a win over the Cubs his only hit in a 20 at-bat stretch before three hits in the Minnesota series.
DeSantis signs law allowing Floridians to shoot and kill bears in self-defense
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a controversial bill allowing people to shoot and kill bears in self-defense. The measure sailed through the Republican-led Senate in a 24-12 vote in February. The law allows killing bears if a person “reasonably believed” it was necessary to avoid death or serious...
Hillsborough deputies arrest man in fatal Lithia shooting
Hillsborough deputies have arrested a man they say shot and killed another man in Lithia last month. Christian Freebourn, 28, was arrested Friday on a charge of second-degree murder in connection to the death of Herbert Harris, 58, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. On May 10,...
Nick Hogan, son of Hulk Hogan, sentenced to 1 year of probation for drunken driving
A Pinellas judge sentenced the son of wrestling star Hulk Hogan to 12 months probation Friday afternoon for drunken driving last November. Nick Hogan, whose legal name is Nicholas Bollea, apologized to the Clearwater Police Department and the court for his actions. He then pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and failing to move over for a stopped Clearwater police car, nearly striking an officer.
St. Petersburg Council candidates diverge on Rays stadium deal
ST. PETERSBURG — The proposal to replace Tropicana Field and develop the land around it took center stage Friday when candidates for the City Council lined up to face the Suncoast Tiger Bay Club. Candidates for the two open seats presented options to voters depending on how they feel...
2 dead after shooting on New Tampa Boulevard, police say
Police are investigating after a shooting in New Tampa left two people dead on Friday afternoon. The shooting occurred just after 2:30 p.m. on the 8000 block of New Tampa Boulevard, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release. When officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Higher property taxes or teacher pay? At Tampa forum, not much debate
TAMPA — For supporters of a real estate tax to boost teacher pay in Hillsborough County, Friday’s Tiger Bay Club forum was a chance to fine-tune talking points. Panelists described South Hillsborough teachers who commute to Manatee and Sarasota counties for higher pay. They described students who are not prepared for Advanced Placement exams because their teachers quit mid-year.
Lightning prospect Gage Goncalves to return on 2-way deal
TAMPA — The Lightning continued to shore up their forward depth on Friday, re-signing former second-round pick Gage Goncalves to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced. Goncalves, 23, made his NHL debut last season, playing two games in mid-January. He averaged 9:58 of ice time. He did not...
Florida State lawsuit vs. ACC to remain in Tallahassee with new ruling
Florida State’s lawsuit against the ACC will remain ongoing in Tallahassee after another ruling Friday. Judge John C. Cooper denied the Atlantic Coast Conference’s remaining motions to dismiss five counts in FSU’s complaint against the league. He did so via email — first reported by the Tallahassee Democrat — without explaining his rationale.
Police investigate after decomposing body found near New Tampa Nature Park
Tampa police are investigating after a person was found dead near New Tampa Nature Park on Friday afternoon. Officers responded to the 17000 block of Dona Michelle Drive for a death investigation, the Tampa Police Department said in a news release shortly before 2 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a body “in a state of advanced decomposition,” the news release states.
Did you see the giant IUD balloon in Tampa? This is who’s behind it
TAMPA — A giant inflatable IUD took centerstage among the trees this morning at Lykes Gaslight Square Park. The advocacy group “Americans for Contraception” erected the 20-foot-tall contraception device as part of their “IUD Express” campaign tour. The lilac behemoth of a balloon symbolizes the group’s fight for legislation that would protect contraception.
Ex-Florida top cop says he was forced out for refusing governor’s ‘unlawful’ orders
TALLAHASSEE — A former top Florida law enforcement official is claiming he was pressured several times by Gov. Ron DeSantis and his deputies to carry out “unlawful” activity, including collecting information about migrants and arresting neo-Nazi demonstrators without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. The allegations are outlined...
Florida vacation ends with parents drowning in front of their 6 kids
A Pennsylvania family’s Florida vacation came to a horrific end when both parents drowned while trapped in a rip current in the Atlantic Ocean, investigators say. Two of their six children tried to save them, but were overwhelmed by the swift moving water, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
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