See the Tampa Bay Times' 2023 Hurricane Guide

Mermaid docuseries has Tampa Bay tie; Zephyrhills moves toward development moratorium; southern St. Pete still without grocer

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View on the web Go to our homepage Subscribe to the Times Tuesday, May 30, 2023 Forward this to a friend Subscribe to more newsletters Read today's e-Newspaper Hello, Tuesday. Alongside partly cloudy skies, temps will climb into the high 80s to low 90s.   Below we dive into five criminal justice bills that flew under the radar during Florida’s legislative session; the mermaid docuseries on Netflix with a Tampa Bay tie; and what’s happening in Kenneth City amid recent turmoil. [MAX CHESNES | Times] A new hurricane season is near. In Fort Myers Beach, the old one never left. Hurricane season starts Thursday. Many Floridians dread a new season, but this one is especially gutting for residents and local leaders in a barrier island town.   Eight months after Hurricane Ian made landfall, Fort Myers Beach continues to assess how it could have better prepared for the menacing Category 4 storm.   The attention the battered seaside community received in the hurricane’s aftermath soon receded, much like the raging waters. As they work to repair homes and businesses, residents say they often feel forgotten by the national media, government and insurance companies.   How do you prepare for more storms when you’re still processing the last one?   Read our 2023 Hurricane Guide:   Hurricane Ian devastated Southwest Florida. There are lessons to be gleaned from the rubble left behind.   As storm season approaches, here’s what to know about forecast tracks.   What makes a good hurricane kit? A combination of the essentials and the handy. And now’s the time to start building it, especially during Florida’s sales tax holiday.   Get checklists for protecting your home or business, plus your pets.   For the full guide, visit tampabay.com/hurricane. AROUND THE BAY Moving toward moratorium: The city of Zephyrhills plans to halt new development as water availability evaporates.   Small town, big turmoil: Six town managers in just over two years. Locked doors on town hall. Allegations of intimidation. What’s going on in Kenneth City?   “A misunderstanding”: Did St. Petersburg’s mayor snub a journalism conference because the moderator refused to accept scripted questions? The editor of a local business journal says yes. Ken Welch’s office says no.   No grocer, 6 years later: Southern St. Petersburg is still without a grocery store and won’t have one anytime soon. Some are frustrated at the lack of progress.   Remembering those who served: Visitors gathered Sunday at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg to commemorate Memorial Day and mark gravesites with American flags. See the photos.   Sunset Music Festival: Check out the scene as the annual event lit up Tampa.   Speakeasy bar to open: The Catalyst will move into the former home of Chief's Creole Cafe in St. Petersburg's historic Deuces neighborhood.   More murals 🖌️: Local arts agency Creative Pinellas is adding extra vibrancy to this South Pasadena road.   Ice cream man sentenced: After being found guilty of two 2010 Ruskin murders, Michael Keetley gets life in prison. BRIGHT SPOT [DIRK SHADD | Times] Tampa Bay teen who's making up for missed moments steps into the spotlight By age 15, she hadn't finished fifth grade. But at the nonprofit Pace Center for Girls, Isabella Perez is catching up — and learning she counts. Read her story. POLITICS Consequential bills: Florida legislators passed a slew of measures this year. Among them: Five bills that could reshape criminal justice in the state.    Andrew Yang visits Tampa: The former presidential candidate came to town last week to promote a new third political party.   DeSantis' challenge: In his run for president, the governor will likely need support from voters with wide-ranging priorities to best Trump for the GOP nomination. We examine what DeSantis' Twitter campaign launch says about his strategy.   Fact-checked attacks: Even before DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential race, he faced criticism from Republican rivals. PolitiFact looked at some of the recent jabs. Here's what it found. SPORTS Rays held to 1 hit: Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman shut down the majors' most prolific offense Monday as Tampa Bay opened its series in Chicago with a loss.   Sidelined by hip injury: Pete Fairbanks will be out for at least two weeks, leaving the Rays to count on Jason Adam and others to step up.   Big hit in Tampa Bay: Despite some "unorthodox" style and a "country boy-strong" body, rightfielder Luke Raley plays very well for the Rays. One that got away: It's going to be hard to see the Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe scoring goals in the Stanley Cup final without wondering if the Lightning didn't make a critical miscalculation, says columnist John Romano.   Will White be at minicamp? Linebacker Devin White was among a number of veteran starters who didn't show for the Bucs' first week of voluntary offseason workouts. But, Rick Stroud writes, don't put too much stock into that. Tough competition: This undrafted Bucs rookie bears a sizable chip on his shoulder pads as he tries to emerge from a logjam of young receivers. TODAY'S TALKER 🧜‍♀️ [ANDRÉANNA SEYMORE | Netflix] There's a docuseries about mermaid performers — and of course it has a local connection "MerPeople," a new four-part look at the ups and downs of the "half-billion dollar mermaiding industry," is streaming on Netflix. It features Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Tampa Bay mermaids. Today's DayStarter was compiled by Mari Faiello, Meaghan Habuda and Carly Thompson. 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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