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UF faculty criticize state's COVID-19 vaccine policy; your guide to Epiphany; Tampa park benches still missing years later

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Thursday, January 5, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Good morning. Thunderstorms are in the forecast early, followed by cloudy skies later on (high of 72, low of 52).   University of Florida professors calling out the state's recent COVID-19 vaccine guidance and the ongoing debate over benches in one downtown Tampa park are among today's top reads. Plus: A century later, the story of Florida's Rosewood Massacre continues. [Courtesy of Raising Cane's, IVY CEBALLO | Times (2022) and courtesy of Palisociety] From golf attractions to a disco club, here are more than 15 anticipated openings on our radar A lot of launches are in store for the Tampa Bay area in 2023.   Some businesses, like Louisiana-based chicken finger chain Raising Cane's, are set to make their first foray into our region. Other brands have expansion plans in the works — think Tiger Woods' golf entertainment center PopStroke or the Cleveland-born dance club Good Night John Boy.   And at Tampa shopping and dining destinations Hyde Park Village and Water Street, many more debuts await.   Keep an eye on these buzzed-about openings. AROUND THE BAY [ANGELICA EDWARDS | Times] Developers share their vision for Tropicana Field Four development teams vying for the chance to redevelop 86 acres of prime downtown real estate in the Historic Gas Plant District pitched their plans to the public during a packed meeting at the Coliseum Wednesday night.    Road work ahead: The Florida Department of Transportation is repaving and redesigning Fifth Avenue N in St. Petersburg to make it more pedestrian friendly.   Time for a rebrand: For decades, sleepy little Zephyrhills seemed happy to be known as a retirement haven. The city is now looking to reshape its identity.   Making progress: Efforts to combat violent crime in Tampa led to some encouraging signs last year, law enforcement officials say.   So long, seats: Tampa removed dozens of benches from a busy downtown park in 2019. They aren't expected to return anytime soon. Advocates for the homeless believe they know why.   New year, new deals 🎟 : If you buy a 2023 Busch Gardens Fun Card, the Tampa theme park will throw in a free pass to nearby Adventure Island. And that's not the only ticket offer up for grabs.   Christmastime closings: Over the holiday, retailers Vineyard Vines and Ella Bing Haberdashery shuttered at Tampa's Hyde Park Village. What gives?   Enough room? An unprecedented starvation event has increased demand for more long-term care for Florida's manatees. Does the state have the rehabilitation space to house the animals? Wildlife officials think so. FEATURED [DOUG FINGER | Associated Press (2004)] Remembering Florida's Rosewood Massacre, 100 years later The story of Rosewood is not a happy one. It's one of racial violence — of a thriving Black community in Levy County that was burned to the ground by a white mob in January 1923. But unlike other stories of racial terror, this one ended with reparations. Now, a century after the massacre, descendants of the survivors reflect on the past and look toward the future. 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 Times Journalism Fund or Times Investigative Fund. Donate Gain unlimited access POLITICS Lawsuit dismissed: A judge has ruled that the Florida Legislature should decide how to refund nearly $570 million collected from the defunct Hillsborough County sales tax for transportation.   Florida guidance under fire: UF professors are sharply criticizing the work behind the state's COVID-19 vaccine guidelines, arguing that Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo may have violated university policy against "careless, irregular, or contentious research practices."   Taking aim at diversity programs: During his inauguration speech Tuesday, DeSantis scrutinized ideological issues on campuses. Now, his administration is asking state colleges for information about resources they're putting into activities related to equity and inclusion.   Who is Byron Donalds? Meet the Republican legislator from Florida at the center of a political firestorm. As of Wednesday, Donalds represented the biggest challenge to U.S. Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy's bid to lead the House chamber. 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. SPORTS Lightning fall to Wild: Bolts goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy was pulled at the last minute because of illness, and the Lightning were out of sync playing for the second straight night. Here are three things we learned from Wednesday's loss.   "Just heartbreaking": Watching Damar Hamlin suffer a cardiac arrest during a game hit close to home for players across the NFL. On Wednesday, the Bills defensive back was on the Bucs' minds as they returned to the practice field.   Incentives in play Sunday: Don't tell the Bucs their regular-season finale in Atlanta means nothing. For several players, records and personal milestones are at stake. So is a sliver of Tom Brady's legacy.    Spotlight on backups? Blaine Gabbert and Kyle Trask could follow Brady into Sunday's game against the Falcons.   Hall of Fame finalist again: This is the third straight year Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber, who became the only player in league history to record at least 45 interceptions and at least 25 sacks, has been a finalist.    Notable Bulldogs: Florida recruits have Georgia football poised for a national title. Again. Why did they defect to the Peach State?   Long-awaited facility coming: The Miami Hurricanes are making plans to become the next Florida program to build a football operations center. Here's what the team unveiled Wednesday. BRIGHT SPOT [JEFFEREE WOO | Times] Dig into the traditions and food of Epiphany The largest Epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere returns to Tarpon Springs on Friday. If previous years are any indication, the century-old event will draw a crowd of 20,000 to watch the highest clergy in the Greek Orthodox church lead a dove bearer, cross divers and a Glendi festival of Greek food and dance. Get a full rundown. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Meaghan Habuda, Anila Lijo, Kelsey Harrell 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 © 2023 • 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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