Hush falls over Tallahassee as Gaetz says he's not going anywhere

Charlie Crist 2022?; Shock G's funeral in Tampa; Mother's Day gift ideas from local businesses; A winner is crowned at the Valspar Championship

 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Monday, May 3, 2021 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Welcome back. Monday's weather will be partly cloudy with a high of 93 and low 73. During the weekend, Times reporters covered rapper Shock G's funeral in Tampa, the winner of the Valspar Championship, some chatter that a Tampa Bay Democrat is running for governor ... again, plus so much more.  [MARTA LAVANDIER | Associated Press] Gaetz says he’s not going anywhere. Florida Republicans aren’t saying anything. Beneath the cloud hanging over him, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is going about his business like any other lawmaker from the Sunshine State. But a hush has fallen over Tallahassee, where Gaetz spent six years as a bombastic and outspoken lawmaker. Florida’s top Republicans have declined to weigh in on the federal investigation on whether the Panhandle Republican had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl, electing not to defend nor criticize Gaetz. “I have no thoughts,” Senate President Wilton Simpson recently said. “I don’t have any reaction to it,” House Speaker Chris Sprowls said. “I don’t have anything to say,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said, cutting off a reporter before the question was finished. Gaetz has made it clear: He isn’t going anywhere. Read Steve Contorno’s story. CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS UPDATES AT TAMPABAY.COM/CORONAVIRUS Senior vaccinations lag: Over 800,000 Floridians 65 and older haven’t gotten the shot. Is the problem accessibility or vaccine hesitancy? Mask guidance friction: The CDC recently released updated mask recommendations, and so did the state of Florida. They overlap but aren’t identical.   New road to vaccination: Florida’s move to ease vaccine residency requirements paves the way for undocumented migrants and others who live and work in the state to get doses. Setting sail soon? Cruise ships can resume operations by mid-July if nearly all crew and passengers are vaccinated, the CDC says. Daily update: Florida reported 3,841 cases and 31 deaths Sunday. Track the spread: Search by county, city, ZIP code or hospital. First-of-its-kind program to end: Tampa International Airport is closing its COVID-19 testing site this week after a six-month run. Consolidating sites: Three testing and vaccination locations in Pinellas County will shutter in the coming weeks. Inside the school against vaccines: Miami’s Centner Academy ignited a national uproar by telling teachers not to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Here’s what we know about the school. Your support makes a difference The Tampa Bay Times needs your help to keep delivering top-notch journalism. Please consider subscribing or making a tax-deductible donation to the Tampa Bay Times Journalism Fund. Donate Gain unlimited access BRIGHT SPOT [Courtesy of Reneata Griffin] Mother’s Day: Shop for unique gifts in Tampa Bay Not sure what kind of present to get Mom? Local small businesses have Sunday’s holiday covered with items like duck fat caramels and vintage jigsaw puzzles. Good reads: For book-loving moms, here’s a new beach novel to consider gifting — plus three other suggestions. AROUND THE BAY Shrinking seagrass coverage: The latest survey shows a decline of more than 5,000 acres in Tampa Bay over two years. Scientists are concerned, as seagrass is a good indicator of overall estuary health. Money needed for roads: Pinellas County is considering raising the gas tax to pay for a backlog of sidewalk issues as settlement fees pile up.   Funeral for ‘Shock G’: Mourners gathered in Tampa Saturday to remember the late rapper, musician and producer Gregory “Shock G” Jacobs, who died at 57. Death of William Blackshear: Blackshear was Safety Harbor’s first Black commissioner. He also helped start the Weekly Challenger newspaper. “‘Everybody had a story,’ that was one of my dad’s lines,” his daughter said. Open to the public: A secret Florida museum revealed its collection of vintage American vehicles. Expansions, expansions, expansions: Bucking national trends, Tampa Bay has seen a boom in bank branch openings. A local CEO explains why. Theme park ticket deals: Veterans can get free admission to Busch Gardens and SeaWorld this spring, and bring along three family members. Rare splashdown: Four astronauts returned early Sunday morning after a SpaceX capsule dropped them off of Florida's coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Need a mental break? Play a game! 👾 ARCADE SOLITAIRE SUDOKU SEE ALL POLITICS [WILFREDO LEE | Associated Press] Florida passes record $101.5 billion budget On Friday, the final day of the legislative session, state lawmakers approved the massive spending plan. It’s a dramatic turnaround stemming from a sales tax revenue rebound and federal stimulus money. Here’s what you need to know. That wasn't the only news from Friday:   The House and Senate signed off on a bill to eliminate “no-fault” auto insurance and its requirement of carrying personal-injury protection coverage. It now goes to DeSantis.   Gov. DeSantis said that he plans to sign a bill banning transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ scholastic sports.   Other measures headed to DeSantis: a bill that could lead to increased insurance rate hikes for customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.; a measure to make permanent a ban on COVID-19 vaccine passports; and a bill that would punish social media platforms that lawmakers assert discriminate against conservative thought. Changes to Florida’s elections laws: Speaking for the group representing state elections supervisors, Hillsborough County’s supervisor said Friday the voting reforms would make it harder to request and submit a vote-by-mail ballot. DeSantis won big: With victories from Florida’s legislative session and his growing national celebrity, the governor is even stronger heading into his re-election campaign.  Florida Democrats are optimistic: After a string of conservative victories during the legislative session, they’re still hopeful for the future and look at Tampa Bay as an example for the state. Plus, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist hints at a big announcement coming next week. Here’s what might happen in Pinellas if he decides to run for governor. New U.S. House maps: Florida is one of the state’s gaining a seat. Here’s how the redistricting process will work. Diving into local trends 📉 How is Tampa Bay's economy affecting you?  We're introducing a free, weekly newsletter this month breaking down the biggest stories in tourism, real estate, city development, retail and more. Sign up for Business by the Bay here. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Missing days of thoughtful debate: Columnist Leonarad Pitts Jr. once valued an opposing viewpoint ably argued. But that rarely happens anymore, he says. Hope for acceptance dwindles: Florida gets it wrong on transgender athletes competing in school sports, the Times Editorial Board writes. SPORTS Tom Brady went there: The Bucs quarterback playfully hinted at a reunion with retired Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman last week. "We want Glazers out": Angry Manchester United fans protested against the family (who also own the Bucs) to step away from the soccer club. Finale against Astros: The offensive woes are mostly absent as the Rays get a much needed win ahead of a seven-game West Coast trip. Winning tight game: One day after being held scoreless by the Red Wings despite 62 shots, the Lightning scored on their first attempt Sunday afternoon. Still has a chance: Florida’s “name, image and likeness” legislation might take effect this summer after all. Major milestone: USF’s softball coach reaches 1,000 career wins. Valspar Championship results: Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns both began Sunday at Innisbrook tied for the lead — but one golfer fell short while the other had his dreams come true.  TODAY'S TALKER [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times] Is it safe to travel again? As more Americans get vaccinated, some are antsy to get back on the open roads (or open skies). Here's what local experts have to say about safety and the ethical dilemma, plus some tips if you are planning a trip. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Bernadette Berdychowski and Carly Thompson. Did someone forward this to you? Get the DayStarter in your own inbox next time. It's free to subscribe. Sign up here. Contact us Privacy policy Terms, conditions & copyright Standard of accuracy © 2021 • All Rights Reserved Tampa Bay Times • 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 To ensure this email is delivered to your inbox, add custserv@elist.tampabay.com to your address book. You are receiving this email because you signed up for the "DayStarter" newsletter from the Tampa Bay Times. If you'd prefer not to receive updates, you can unsubscribe from this email.