US housing markets are slowing. Is Florida the exception?

Ownership change for iconic Dunedin restaurant; Accused drug dealer accepts plea deal in overdose death of Tampa teen; Local tech on board Artemis I

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters What’s up, Tampa Bay? Morning showers and afternoon thunderstorms are expected on this soggy Tuesday (high of 88, low of 77).   An ownership change is headed to Dunedin restaurant Bon Appetit, and the man accused of selling drugs that killed a Tampa teen during an overdose has taken a plea deal. Plus: A local company’s technology could be key to getting humans back to the moon — and for longer. [MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times] As economists forecast falling home prices, here’s where the Tampa Bay market stands Data from Florida Atlantic University suggests that housing prices may have finally peaked in several U.S. cities.   What’s the deal in Florida?   Experts predict the state’s real estate market will remain strong compared to other parts of the country.   Rebecca Liebson has the full story. AROUND THE BAY Teacher vacancies decline: Before classes began, some Tampa Bay schools weren’t sure they would have enough educators. Now district officials say the teacher shortage is less worrisome, but there are still job openings.   Community leader remembered: Jane Harper, who died at 75, understood why teens run away from home, even if the general public did not. For 34 years, she worked to help at-risk youth and their families across the region.   “Positive step forward”: A new historic marker memorializes Hillsborough County’s five Jim Crow-era lynching victims along the Tampa Riverwalk.   Bowtie Ball honorees: Legendary reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein will get Poynter’s Medal for Lifetime Achievement at its Tampa fundraising gala.   Creativity hits the runway: On Saturday, a crowd packed the Dunedin Fine Art Center for the Wearable Art fashion show. These are all the looks we saw.   First-degree murder charge: A Pinellas County grand jury indicted a Mongols biker gang member who’s accused of killing a gang associate he believed was a police informant.   Plea deal accepted: An alleged drug dealer agreed to a 10-year state prison sentence for the 2017 overdose death of Plant High senior Katie Golden.   Monitoring sewage for polio? The first U.S. case of the virus was found in almost a decade. Tampa Bay counties have no plans to test wastewater for polio — at least not yet.   For the latest coronavirus news and updates, visit tampabay.com/coronavirus. BRIGHT SPOT [Courtesy of StemRad] Artemis I is unmanned but will have mannequins wearing Tampa-tied tech onboard A fuel leak and an engine problem have delayed the launch of NASA’s new moon rocket until later this week. But when the spacecraft does lift off from Cape Canaveral, a protective vest developed by a company with its U.S. headquarters in downtown Tampa is set to play a critical role in making future missions safer.   Far out: A Tampa-based team of mostly aerospace hobbyists built a satellite that will hitch a ride on Artemis I, then propel itself as far as 28 million miles. Need a mental break? Play a game! 👾 ARCADE SOLITAIRE SUDOKU SEE ALL POLITICS Trending red? Florida's reputation as a swing state will be tested in the November general election, as an increase in Republican voter registration and recent electoral trends give GOP incumbents Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. Ron DeSantis an advantage.   Parental rights law in court: Lawyers have asked a federal judge to stop schools from carrying out the measure, arguing it "has the effect of discriminating against LGBTQ+ students and those with LGBTQ+ family members." 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 "Stop Woke" act: The measure restricting race-based conversation in education and business will send some of our best students out of Florida, writes Hillsborough Community College professor Suzanne Lynch in a guest column.   Let it glow: This Labor Day weekend, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge will light up in teal for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Two guest columnists say awareness and education are the best tools for saving lives. SPORTS No. 1 in Top 100: Tom Brady's peers voted him into the top spot of the annual NFL players poll for the fourth time since 2011.   Bucs make roster moves: Tampa Bay waived wide receiver Jerreth Sterns, a rookie competing in a loaded position group, and others in an effort to help get its roster down to 53 players before Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline.    Signs of growth incoming? UF and FSU say they spent the offseason turning their football programs around. This weekend's prime-time games will be the judge of that, Matt Baker writes.   Former USF athlete dies: Neena Pacholke, who lettered three seasons with Bulls women's basketball and helped lead Freedom High to the program's only state tournament berth in 2013, has died. She was 27.   Mr. Happy: The Rays enjoy having Harold Ramirez around, and it shows. Aside from his electric blue hair, here are some other things to know about him.   Ready for reunion: When they play the second half of the Citrus Series this week, the Rays are excited to see ex-teammate Joey Wendle. "I'll give him a big hug — and probably talk trash while he's hitting," manager Kevin Cash said. TODAY'S TALKER [Courtesy of Bon Appetit Restaurant] Dunedin eatery Bon Appetit is getting new owners The group that runs Crabby Bill's restaurants around Pinellas County is in the process of buying the iconic waterfront spot, which opened in 1976. But here's why Bon Appetit fans don't need to worry too much. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Mari Faiello, 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. 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