Why Warren might lose against DeSantis — and why he might not

USF football names next coach; 2 candidates running to unseat Tampa's mayor; Rays propose new stadium plan

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Monday, December 5, 2022 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters It’s Monday! We're in for partly cloudy conditions today, with a low of 59 and high of 80.   USF has hired its next football coach, and the Rays are proposing a new stadium plan for the Tropicana Field site. Plus: Tampa’s police chief rents in the city and owns in Oldsmar. Is that OK? [CHRIS URSO | Times] Florida’s governor and Tampa’s former top prosecutor squared off. How will the judge rule? Ousted Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren fought in federal court to get his job back. His fate is now up to U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle.   Hinkle was an active participant in Warren’s trial last week against Gov. Ron DeSantis, frequently turning to witnesses to ask questions and grilling attorneys for both sides as they made their cases for the motivations behind why DeSantis removed Warren from office in August.   The judge’s ruling is at least two weeks away.   But his comments and questions offer an insight into what he might decide.   Related coverage:   Warren v. DeSantis had everything: politics, prominent allies, a top aide who became a big witness. Here are some takeaways.   Who are the Tampa names that came up during the trial?   Catch up on Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 of the DeSantis-Warren battle AROUND THE BAY Flouting residency rules? Tampa requires its top officials to live within city limits. Police Chief Mary O’Connor, who was put on administrative leave Friday amid an investigation into a Pinellas County traffic stop in which she asked for leniency, claims to live in Tampa — and also 40 minutes away.   About that traffic stop: O’Connor and her husband were pulled over for driving an untagged golf cart. Does the low-speed, zippy ride even need a license plate?   Baby deliveries soar: Tampa General Hospital delivered over 7,000 babies from October 2021 to the end of September. It’s not entirely clear why the numbers have risen so dramatically. But one hospital leader has a few theories.   Blast to the past: Coming to St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District — a vintage cocktail bar and lounge from the owner of Park and Rec and No Vacancy.   2nd time’s a charm? Four groups are now vying to redevelop the Trop, after St. Petersburg’s mayor issued a new request for proposals. They include the Rays, whose proposed stadium would feature a roof, windows and turf.   Sallie Parks remembered: When the former Pinellas County commissioner first considered running for office in the 1970s, she once recalled, “They said, ‘Girly, go home.’” By the time she made the commission years later, one colleague said, “No one would say no to her.” Parks died Nov. 9 at 86. VISUAL ARTS [AMY PEZZICARA | Courtesy of Pezz Photo] Tampa art show explores gun violence Tristan Eaton co-founded designer art toy company Kid Robot, has murals all over the world and created a piece for SpaceX. Now, Tampa Bay locals can see the Los Angeles-based artist’s work on view through Saturday at CASS Contemporary. Eaton made 75 art prints specifically for the gallery in a collection focused on antiwar globally and gun violence locally. Need a mental break? Play a game! 👾 ARCADE SOLITAIRE SUDOKU SEE ALL POLITICS Reelection challengers: So far, two people have filed to run against Tampa Mayor Jane Castor as she seeks a second term. But they both have raised little to no campaign funds.   Price tag rises: Documents show two more payments were made to a vendor involved in DeSantis' migrant flights, bringing the total spent to $3.4 million.   Reedy Creek update: A Florida lawmaker said discussions have been underway for some months on what compromises can be made in the dissolution of Disney's special district. 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 Unnecessarily murky: State lawmakers should clear up the resign-to-run law to say DeSantis — and any Florida governor — can run for federal office without resigning, writes the Times Editorial Board. And then leave it that way, regardless what party at the moment holds the gubernatorial reins.   Now what? Currently more than nine in 10 COVID-19 deaths statewide occur among ages 65 and older. With the virus still a real and present danger to large groups of Floridians, the Times Editorial Board says we need to keep caring. SPORTS New coach for Bulls: USF has officially hired Alex Golesh, offensive coordinator at Tennessee, to lead its football program. Matt Baker shares five thoughts on the move ahead of Golesh's public introduction today.   Rolling the dice: The Bulls are taking a gamble by hiring Golesh, but he may be exactly the type of up-and-coming assistant coach they need, writes columnist John Romano.   Tough road ahead: Following tonight's game against the Saints, the Bucs travel to San Francisco, then host the Bengals. It's not hard to envision four straight losses and a large dent in Tom Brady's sterling legacy. How did the Bucs gets here?   Safety shortage? Antoine Winfield Jr. and Mike Edwards, both of whom have been sidelined all week, missed Bucs practice again Saturday and are doubtful for tonight's game. However, a veteran appears poised to come off injured reserve.   "Well worth the wait": Tampa native Fred McGriff was voted in by the Contemporary Era committee, formed by the Hall of Fame to consider players who starred since 1980 and were not elected in the annual voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.   Ideas to boost offense: Factoring in expected cost, there is a group of veteran free-agent left-handed hitters for the Rays to pursue, each with some upside and injury or performance concerns. Here is who might help them most. TODAY'S TALKER [Courtesy of the Ybor family] Grandson of Ybor City's founder was killed in action in WWII. Now others will know his story. He didn't have to fight. He could've lived a comfortable life in his family's native Cuba. Instead, Salvador Martinez Ybor Jr. — grandson of cigar pioneer Don Vicente Martinez Ybor, who established Tampa's Latin District — returned to the U.S. to enlist and serve his country in World War II.   This week, for Pearl Harbor Day, Ybor Jr.'s family will present his Purple Heart to the Ybor City Museum State Park. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo and Alexandra Urban. 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.