Tampa's summer hot spot? Could be the Westshore Marina District

Court clerk marries LGBTQ couples in Tampa; DeSantis approves $110B budget; St. Pete diner Munch's up for sale

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Friday, June 3, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters We made it to Friday! We're in for partly cloudy weather today and scattered thunderstorms in the evening, along with a high of 86 and low of 71. Let's dig in: Will the Rays choose St. Pete or Tampa to build a new ballpark? An answer could come soon; The Florida Supreme Court declined to jump into a congressional redistricting fight; and more.  [Courtesy of BTI Partners] Newest waterfront neighborhood in South Tampa is coming to life Developers are making more progress on the Westshore Marina District, an upscale community south of the Gandy Bridge that’s already home to retailers and food spots.   Construction on the first of three condo towers and a private marina is expected to wrap by the end of the year. Sales for the second tower’s units will begin soon. And as vacation season approaches, new businesses and events are rolling out.   What can Westshore Marina District visitors expect this summer? We asked. AROUND THE BAY Weekend forecast: Florida is the expected landing spot for the premiere storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, but Tampa Bay residents shouldn’t worry too much.   LGBTQ couples say “I do”: Hillsborough County’s court clerk held a big marriage ceremony Thursday for Pride month, carrying on a tradition in Tampa. Hear from some of the newlyweds.   St. Petersburg or Tampa ⚾: Which city will the Rays pick for their new ballpark? An answer could come this month.   New arrival: A fifth airside terminal is needed at Tampa International Airport. The coronavirus pandemic paused the project, but it's now expected to be completed by 2027.   Update in Skyway 10K case: The Sarasota woman who crashed into a trooper on the bridge during its March race has been deemed incompetent for trial.   Fatal crash: Investigators say a Tampa man was impaired when he hit and killed a bicyclist while driving a BMW at 80 mph — far above the 35 mph speed limit. He was out on bail for a previous DUI arrest. BRIGHT SPOT [MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times] Boley Centers' clients step through hardship onto a Gulfport stage A collaboration between the not-for-profit organization serving Pinellas County and a group called Destination Theatre has professional actors helping amateurs find their voices in "Legally Blonde, Jr." Lane DeGregory was there as they moved from rehearsals to the real thing. 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 CORONAVIRUS DEVELOPMENTS UPDATES AT TAMPABAY.COM/CORONAVIRUS Relief dollars: Hillsborough County plans to spend $34 million in federal COVID-19 aid on affordable housing, the Sheriff's Office and ... pickleball courts.   Vaccines for kids: The Biden administration says children under 5 could get their first doses as soon as June 21. Here's what to know. POLITICS DeSantis OKs $110B budget: The governor on Thursday slashed top priorities of Florida Republican lawmakers while approving a record spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Along with billions in budget vetoes, DeSantis also rejected the Legislature's proposal to penalize school districts for mask mandates.   Redistricting fight: On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court left in place an appeals-court decision that effectively would allow DeSantis' congressional map to be used in the midterm elections.   Gender-affirming care targeted: A Florida agency issued a report this week that opens the door to Medicaid coverage being denied for hormone therapy and other treatments for transgender people.   End of an era: Pasco County school superintendent Kurt Browning, who's held public office since 1980, said Thursday that he won't seek a fourth term in 2024.   Delayed action draws criticism: The suspect in a felony battery is the son of a Pinellas County commissioner. Why did Gulfport Police take weeks to make an arrest?   Clean energy future: U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited Tampa to tout clean power initiatives, including one on the Hillsborough River. 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 Pop quiz: To pass time until the inevitable financial fallout of Tampa Bay's bloated real estate market, writes columnist Stephanie Hayes, let's play a game.   Reverse course, Florida: The state should rejoin a national survey measuring the behavior risks of young people. There's no sense in reinventing the wheel on a barometer that's worked well for decades, the Times Editorial Board says. SPORTS Rays split series: More signs of offensive improvement make for a good Thursday afternoon against the Rangers and a happy flight home.   Plea for SEC: The Florida-Tennessee rivalry might not be played annually if the league changes its football scheduling model. That's not ideal. Protect it, says Matt Baker.   7th-round steal? Injuries kept edge rusher Andre Anthony from reaching his potential at LSU. Now, the Bucs are trying to tap into it.   Bolts aren't afraid to talk about hard truths: Sometimes they need just reminders, writes columnist John Romano. Of who they are, where they've been and what they are trying to accomplish. TODAY'S TALKER [Times (2019)] Munch's, one of Tampa Bay's most iconic diners, is for sale The restaurant long billed as "South St. Petersburg's Favorite Breakfast Spot and Gossip Center" has hit the market. Munch's and several surrounding properties were listed for $2,700,000. Owner Larry Munch, whose parents opened the business as a sundries shop and post office in 1952, hopes whoever buys it will keep the eatery alive.   Rising from the ashes: A pair of Tampa restaurants closed after the unrest over George Floyd's murder. Two years later, Saigon Bay and Jai Ho are back. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Alexandra Urban 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.