Longtime Fox 13 news anchor is signing off

Real estate startups expand in Tampa Bay; best places to eat near the beach; Tampa buildings could be saved from demolition

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, May 20, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Greetings, Tampa Bay! We're in for some thunderstorms throughout the day along with a high of 85 and low of 73. A Chicago firm announced plans to open a “crypto experience center” in Tampa; Florida House Democrats are poised to select a new incoming leader; Lightning win Game 2 in the Sunshine State series; and more. [IVY CEBALLO | Times] After decades in Tampa Bay, Kelly Ring celebrates her final weeks on air Kelly Ring has been a fixture at WTVT Fox 13 for 37 years. She’s covered some of the biggest news in the region, traveled the world and found uplifting stories along the way.    But after nearly 20,000 broadcasts, the evening anchor is ready for retirement. She’ll say goodbye to her viewers for good during a newscast next week.   As her long career winds down, Ring shared her favorite memories — and her plans for what’s next. Pickleball, anybody? AROUND THE BAY USF studies how water moves: Many advocates and scientists worry about the nutrients that pollute Tampa Bay from sewage, fertilizer and other runoff. But one oceanographer believes people should think more about the currents and tides pushing that contamination around.   Urging honest lessons: Hillsborough County’s top seniors weighed in on how race should be taught in U.S. history. Read their contest-winning essays.   Saved from demolition? Tampa’s Historic Preservation Commission ruled a downtown building meets the criteria for local historic landmark designation. That could also preserve the nearby structure linked to a Civil War hero.   Crypto firm to expand: CoinFlip will open its second nationwide office in Tampa, bringing with it an “experience center” for financial services and education.   Talks of bidding revamp: Tampa is mulling changes to its bidding rules after controversy over the $108 million City Center project.   Trop redevelopment: A group of Black pastors has endorsed a developer to reimagine the St. Petersburg stadium’s 86 acres. Their pick flies counter to the one former Mayor Rick Kriseman made last year.   Window into world of Scientology: Many of the landmarks and practices that make the controversial church unique appear in a federal lawsuit filed in Tampa by former members. Here’s a rundown.   Pause on developments near airports: Pasco Commissioners passed a compromise version of the moratorium after local pilots and airport representatives met with the county. BRIGHT SPOT 🏖️🍔🍹 [MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times] Here are 25 spots to eat and drink near Pinellas County beaches Prime beach-going season is upon us. From quaint breakfast and brunch joints to waterside restaurants with sunset views, this list has you covered with worthwhile places to sip and snack if you're hitting the sand. Need a mental break? Play a game! 👾 ARCADE SOLITAIRE SUDOKU SEE ALL POLITICS Open leadership post: State Rep. Fentrice Driskell of Tampa could be named the next leader for the Florida House Democrats. She would be the first Black woman to hold the position.   Crist exaggerates with comparison: PolitiFact examined a statement U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, who is running for Florida governor, made comparing Sunshine State rents to those in New York City. See what it found.   Census undercount: Florida was one of a handful of states with significant undercounts of their populations, according to a survey the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. It appears to have cost the Sunshine State an additional congressional seat. 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 Property insurance problem: The state can't get past "duh" on this simple property insurance reform, writes the Times Editorial Board.   Bad look: Without adequate justification, Florida officials have pulled out of an important national survey measuring health and behavior risks among the state's teenagers. The Times Editorial Board asks, why? SPORTS "We bent, but we didn't break": The Lightning brings it home with a last-second victory in Game 2 against the Panthers. Corey Perry is a heckuva player: There isn't much he hasn't done, seen or won on a sheet of ice, writes sports columnist John Romano.   Stepping in after sideline: The Rays say they're confident that Vidal Brujan and Taylor Walls can fill the void amid second baseman Brandon Lowe's absence.   Rays coach talks forever highlight: Chris Prieto was 32 and realistic in his 13th season in the minors: "I got to the point in my career where I felt like Triple-A was my big leagues." Then his phone rang.   Oh my! The iconic voice of the Gators is retiring after 33 years.   Mark your calendars: The Bucs' full preseason schedule is set, with the team opening at home against the Dolphins. TODAY'S TALKER [CHRIS URSO | Times] Cash is king: More startups enter Tampa Bay's housing market Companies with unconventional home-buying methods are tapping into the area, pushing to compete against investors. Are their promises to help win bidding wars too good to be true? 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.