Tampa companies aim to benefit from USF's on-campus stadium

A St. Pete restaurant's unique approach to healthy dining; weekly COVID-19 update; Hillsborough County to honor comic book writer

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Monday, August 1, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Let's get the week started. The day will go from sunny to cloudy by the afternoon with a high of 94 and low of 77.  Catch up with stories from the Tampa Bay Comic Convention this weekend; the FBI investigating a potential connection between the Uhuru Movement and Russia; and the end of the Bucs' first week of training camp.  [LAUREN WITTE | Times] USF's stadium project could bring millions of dollars to minority-owned local businesses The new football stadium on USF's Tampa campus is a highly visible project with a potential price tag of $350 million.   It also represents a major opportunity for minority-, women- and veteran-owned Tampa Bay suppliers and subcontractors to get a foot in the door ― not to mention tens of millions of dollars in potential income.   USF officials want 20% of the stadium's cost to go to those businesses. Here's how they're doing it. 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. POLITICS [ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times] Russian link to a St. Petersburg group is possible On Friday, federal law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at the St. Petersburg headquarters of the Uhuru Movement as part of an investigation into Russian interference in local U.S. elections. The group is part of a 50-year-old African socialist organization founded to "lead the struggle of the African working class and oppressed masses against U.S. capitalist-colonialist domination," according to its website.   Get a rundown on the Uhurus, and the possible Russian ties.   Returned funds: Florida Republican House candidate Adam Anderson got a $1,000 political contribution from a charitable foundation his family started. His campaign returned the money after more than a year.    Ineligible to run? A judge plans to rule that congressional candidate Jerry Torres is ineligible this year for Tampa Bay's 14th District seat. But ballots with his name are out, and voters have started returning them.   Pointing fingers: Accusations fly in Hillsborough County's judicial race.   You primary ready? The Hillsborough County elections supervisor and his office are gearing up for the upcoming Aug. 23 election. In our Q&A, he talks voting and ballot security.   Flawed system: Florida's new database on cops with bad records has some critical holes, reform advocates say. AROUND THE BAY Comic Con returns: A crowd gathered for the Tampa Bay Comic Convention on Sunday for the first time since 2019. Catch up here.   "I was freaking out the whole time": A Land o' Lakes mother shared the footage of two Pasco deputies and a third person that tried to evict the wrong family. It went viral on Tik Tok.    Tampa Bay's taxing issue: As Hillsborough and Pasco counties pursue voter approval of sales taxes, neither is dangling accompanying property tax cuts despite record revenue from soaring property values.   High prices, long waits: See inflation's impact on local infrastructure projects.   Earnings update: Prices at Outback Steakhouse could rise again, after its Tampa parent company beat revenue expectations but still reported a net loss on the quarter. Meanwhile, Clearwater's MarineMax saw its biggest revenues ever.   Eckerd president steps down: Damian Fernandez will step down Monday after two years serving in the position, citing exhaustion as one of his reasons for departing.    What's up with those snails? The risk of humans contracting rat lungworm from Pasco County's giant African land snails is low, according to one researcher. But maybe don't eat them.   Monkeypox 101: With the virus spreading in Tampa Bay, what do residents need to know? Experts break it down in this explainer.   Elevated cases continue: Most Florida counties are still at "high" risk of COVID-19, federal health officials say. Catch up on the pandemic by the numbers.   For the latest coronavirus news and updates, visit tampabay.com/coronavirus. FOOD AND DRINK [DIRK SHADD | Times] Health-conscious restaurant gets creative with seasonal menus that don't feel restrictive In the Warehouse Arts District, Sol St. Pete Bistro is taking an allergen-free, farm-to-table approach to offer a unique spin on the healthy dining genre. Our food critic found a lot to love at the new spot. Read her full review.   Ferg's buys pirate ship 🏴‍☠️: Pirates are more of a Tampa thing. That didn't stop a St. Petersburg sports bar from buying a Gasparilla float for its courtyard. 📹 Find us on YouTube The Tampa Bay Times video team produces special reports, sports coverage and more. Follow along with their work and subscribe to our YouTube channel. OPINION AND COMMENTARY Primary pick: Which candidate does the Times Editorial Board recommend in the Democratic primary for Florida governor? Find out here. SPORTS Tampa Bay falls to Cleveland: The Rays dropped two of three against the Guardians on Sunday, losing a series against Cleveland for the first time since 2017. Making moves: The Rays used their first pick in the draft on a high school first baseman Xavier Isaac. They also acquired veteran outfielder David Peralta from Arizona. Plus, a closer look at Tampa Bay's trade history and what to expect this week.  Week 1 of training camp: Though Todd Bowles remains pleased with what he has seen thus far, things are going to get a little harder when the Bucs begin practicing in full pads. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Jordan Young navigates the journey of how Uncle Todd has become Coach Bowles, says columnist John Romano.    All about the win: Three of the Bucs' veteran signings this offseason all have one thing in common: zero Super Bowl rings. If everything goes right from their perspective, they'll secure the elusive championship next year.  BRIGHT SPOT [Times (2016)] Hillsborough County to honor comic book artist and writer with weeklong celebration Tampa's Bob Layton popularized Iron Man, Ant-Man and War Machine — now stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — in the 1970s. During the first week of August, Hillsborough officials are recognizing his contributions to the comics world with "Bob Layton Week." Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo and Kelsey Harrell. 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. 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