CDC: Most Americans, and 75% of kids, have contracted COVID-19

3 former Scientology workers sue church; Tampa police officer suspended, 2nd officer resigns; "Bosch" spinoff set to stream soon

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, April 29, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters We made it to Friday. The partly cloudy conditions with scattered thunderstorms will bring a high of 87 and low of 68.  The USF panel chose four finalists to be the next regional chancellor of the St. Pete campus; the Lightning fall to the Blue Jackets; five things that surprised us on opening night of the NFL draft; and more.  [IVY CEBALLO | Times] New study reveals the scope and reach of the contagious omicron variant By February, 60 percent of Americans had been infected with COVID-19 at some point during the two-year pandemic, according to federal researchers.    An ever greater share of children, nearly 75 percent, had suffered an infection.   The CDC report, released this week, reveals the true scale of the omicron-fueled wave that raged across the nation over the winter. And that disproportionate infection rate among kids can be linked to two things, health experts said: the end of school-mandated masking and a dearth of child vaccines.   “Without great mitigation measures, (schools) tend to be a place where you get a lot of transmission,” said USF virologist Michael Teng.   In the two months since the study ended, the number of infected Americans has likely climbed.   Read more from reporter Ian Hodgson.   Related coverage:    State guidance on COVID-19 child vaccinations and treating gender dysphoria in kids “is supported by the best available evidence,” DeSantis’ spokesperson said in an email. His former surgeon general disagrees.   Moderna has asked U.S. regulators to authorize low doses of its vaccine for children under 6, seeking to be the first company to offer such shots.   A judge made news unmasking travelers on public transportation. That wasn’t the first COVID-19 ruling out of Tampa’s federal courthouse. AROUND THE BAY Tampa clinic closing down: A Times investigation detailed significant flaws in the care workers at a local lead factory received from one health facility’s medical director. Now, that clinic plans to shutter.   New role in local government? Seven weeks after resigning his Tampa City Council seat to end a public records lawsuit, John Dingfelder applies to oversee land-use and zoning cases in Hillsborough County.   USF panel picks finalists: A search committee has narrowed down its pool of applicants for the next regional chancellor of the St. Pete campus. All four candidates will participate in on-campus town halls early next week.    Motion to consolidate: Rays owner Stuart Sternberg is asking a judge to combine two lawsuits against his businesses into one. Both suits were brought by the team’s minority partners.   “Bad” arrest: One Tampa police officer resigned and another officer was suspended following an internal investigation that found they violated department policy during a traffic stop, records show.   Teen’s killer sentenced: A man who killed a pregnant St. Petersburg teenager after she went missing nearly a decade ago was sentenced to 40 years in prison after investigators couldn't find her body.   Cozy up on the couch 📺: Two new streaming series based on part-time Tampa resident Michael Connelly's books will soon debut. Here's when you can watch.   Fangtastic return: After two years off due to the pandemic, Disney World is bringing back its after-hours Halloween party starting in August. BRIGHT SPOT [LUIS SANTANA | Times (2015)] Meet the next culinary project coming to St. Petersburg's Grand Central District Noble Crust will team up with Tampa-based Fat Beet Farm to open Noble Tavern Off the Farm in 2023. The new restaurant and bar promises a casual atmosphere with a heavy emphasis on craft cocktails and farm-to-fork dishes.   Pour it yourself: Hernando County's latest self-serve taproom is launching in Brooksville, but craft beer isn't the only menu item on tap. 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 POLITICS Get to know DeSantis' pick: Manny Diaz Jr., a state senator from Hialeah, is set to be confirmed as Florida education commissioner today. He'll enter a state education system reshaped by the pandemic and now a wedge issue in politics.   Uninterested in investing: Reluctance from out-of-state donors to put money into Florida is affecting Democrats' voter-outreach efforts. How could that play into the midterms and beyond?   Fitch Ratings issues warning: One of the top U.S. bond rating agencies says that if the state fails to resolve the dispute over the special district governing Disney World and Reedy Creek's obligation to investors, it could "weaken our view of the operating environment for Florida governments."   Florida TaxWatch IDs 166 "turkeys": The nonprofit group released a list Thursday  of questionable spending items in the newly passed state budget. Among the flagged projects is a $35 million sports training complex in Pasco County. Dive deeper into your favorite local subjects 📨 Our free email newsletters bring the best of the Tampa Bay Times to your inbox every week. Explore all of them here. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Feds need to mellow out: For years, political leaders have talked about updating federal marijuana laws. It's far past time that the laws caught up to reality, the Times Editorial Board says. SPORTS Lightning's uninspired loss: The Bolts left Nationwide Arena feeling disappointed in their effort after they fall to the Blue Jackets on Thursday.   Rays get a break, and a win: Brett Phillips' single off the leg of Mariners starter Chris Flexen in the seventh inning led to the decisive run in Thursday's victory.   NFL draft: The Bucs traded their first-round pick to Jacksonville for the Jaguars' first pick in the second, fourth and sixth rounds. Here are five things that caught us off-guard on opening night.  Eventful first round: Day one of the NFL draft provided some encouragement for the Gators and FSU after a historically bad season. TODAY'S TALKER [MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times (2021)] 3 former Scientology workers sue leader David Miscavige and 5 church entities A lawsuit filed Thursday in Tampa federal court alleges the church indoctrinated and trafficked children and made it financially, physically and psychologically impossible for them to leave as adults. Reporter Tracey McManus has the story. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo and Amy Gehrt. Did someone forward this to you? Get 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 © 2022 • 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.