Takeaways from DeSantis' inaugural address

Pasco school district revises bathroom rules; The Mill closing in St. Pete; Tampa to get high-speed car track

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View on the web Go to our home page Subscribe to the Times Wednesday, January 4, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Happy Wednesday, Tampa Bay. Today is expected to be mostly cloudy with a chance for thunderstorms tonight (high of 81, low of 68). Start your morning with stories on the improved red tide situation in Tampa Bay; an inclusive all-abilities playground that opened in Tampa Palms in December; and a breakdown of the Bucs' potential matchups in the opening round of the playoffs. [MATIAS J. OCNER | Miami Herald] At inauguration day, the Florida governor tailored his speech to a wider audience All eyes were on Gov. Ron DeSantis Tuesday morning in Tallahassee as he was sworn in for a second term in office.   A top potential contender for a 2024 White House run, DeSantis used his inaugural address to straddle both statewide and national political worlds.   The 16-minute speech recounted his first term protecting the “free state of Florida” while proclaiming it as a model for the rest of the country. It echoed his political themes of combating “woke” ideology that won him a landslide reelection. But also notable were his omissions.   DeSantis made no mention of his one-time mentor and likely presidential rival, former President Donald Trump. And he said nothing about some of Florida’s major challenges, including the rising cost of housing, utilities and property insurance and a vulnerable health insurance climate.   Still, for the more than 3,000 supporters and campaign donors in attendance, the issues facing the state were less important than the promise of its future with DeSantis.   Read our full analysis.   More coverage:   DeSantis’ second inauguration brought more than a speech to Florida’s Historic Capitol. Check out photos from all the festivities.   Current and former elected officials, media personalities and lobbyists showed up to watch the governor take the oath of office Tuesday. Who else was in the crowd? Get the latest sports coverage from the Times For updates and analysis on the Bucs, Lightning, Rays, Florida college teams and more, follow the Tampa Bay Times sports crew on social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram AROUND THE BAY Latest on Red Tide: Conditions are improving in the Tampa Bay area, but experts say it's still something to monitor. Here’s what we know.   Preservationists get a win: The $1.7 trillion federal spending bill signed into law by Biden? It included a measure that sets the stage for potentially giving the Little Manatee River more protections.   Water restrictions lifted: A two-year ordinance limiting outdoor irrigation to one day a week expired Sunday in southern Hillsborough County.   Leaders in the hot seat: The mayors of St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa faced questions about development, transportation and more at Suncoast Tiger Bay’s annual State of the Bay event.   Busy year ahead: As 2023 gets underway, new Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa has a full to-do list — with new development right at the top.   Changing restroom rules: Citing a recent decision from a federal appeals court, the Pasco County school district will require students to use bathrooms based on their biological sex at birth.   Wider implications: The ruling in a case over whether a transgender student could use boys’ bathrooms at a Florida high school indicated that similar reasoning may apply to disputes about banning trans athletes from women's and girls' sports.   Modern makeover 🍺: The Garden Gate Cafe at Tampa's Busch Gardens is now a taproom with small bites and a dozen beers on draft.   The Mill to close: The restaurant brought New American fare to St. Petersburg in 2015. Now it plans to shutter downtown, citing construction damage.   Common threads: Our obituary writer shares three lessons she learned from a year of covering the Tampa Bay neighbors, friends and family we've lost. BRIGHT SPOT [JEFFEREE WOO | Times (2022)] Tampa Palms playground provides a spot for all kids to play and learn An inclusive park that opened in late December has earned the praise of local advocates, children and their families. Behind the New Tampa Recreation Center, the new playground is designed for kids with a wide range of physical, cognitive, sensory and neurodiverse abilities. Take a look. 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 beat Blackhawks: The Bolts struck late in the game, scoring three goals in the third period, to open their three-game road trip with a win in Chicago.    Key to playoff wins: All three of Mike Evans' touchdowns on Sunday came while the Bucs were in a no-huddle offense. That isn't a coincidence, writes columnist John Romano, and Tampa Bay needs to recognize that going into the postseason.   Dallas or Philadelphia? As the playoffs loom, the Bucs will host the Cowboys or the Eagles, whichever doesn't win the NFC East. Get a breakdown of both potential matchups — and why each may (or may not) favor Tampa Bay.   Rays' Trop proposal: St. Petersburg is considering four development pitches for the Tropicana Field site. What are the Rays' preliminary stadium plans in their bid with global real estate investor Hines? We got a glimpse Tuesday. TODAY'S TALKER [IVY CEBALLO | Times (2022)] 'Car condo' development is coming to Tampa The 200-acre site, called the Motor Enclave, will feature a 1.6-mile, 32-foot-wide winding paved track where cars are welcome to drive as fast as 168 miles per hour. Other highlights: four off-road courses spanning 100 acres, a 37,000-square-foot events center and 240 units that can house vehicles and mancaves. 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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