Garden Ave vote; Tampa’s outdoor amphitheater; Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series

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Monday, Jun 08, 2026

 
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Good Monday morning. Skies will be partly cloudy (high of 96, low of 75).

In today’s edition, read about Tampa’s roofless outdoor amphitheater and St. Petersburg's cliff diving event. Plus, sports columnist John Romano writes why local officials are worried about spending on the Rays stadium deal. 

[Hillsborough County Public Schools]

Following cheating scandal, deep connections helped ex-deputy land Hillsborough schools job

How did Anthony Collins, who resigned from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office last year amid an academic cheating scandal, end up leading security for the county’s school district? 

The answer appears to be rooted in deep ties to powerful community leaders and public officials.

Read more.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

5 big questions, answered: After St. Pete's city council voted to study the implications of leaving Duke Energy, will electric bills be going down? We break down that question and more.

Died peacefully in his sleep: Police have closed their investigation into the death of Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan. 

Leaders grapple with what to do: Pasco commissioners voted unanimously to pursue a 12-month timeout on new data center approvals.

Roadway takeover: The Clearwater City Council voted Thursday — again — on the vacation of South Garden Avenue downtown. The small roadway has become a point of contention among the community.

Next steps: The Pinellas Juvenile Welfare Board is still on its search for a new CEO, but the fallout is far from over.

Reaching new heights: The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series turned downtown St. Pete into an international extreme sport destination over the weekend. Dive into photos of the event. 

“Some things are just accidents": The case of a St. Pete sanitation worker who was arrested on a charge that he left the scene after hitting and killing a woman who was sleeping in an alley has been dismissed.

While snorkeling or diving: The woman whose body washed ashore on a Florida beach last week was hit by a boat, authorities said.

 

FOOD

[MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times]

New gastrobar set to open in Ybor City in July

A new eatery and cocktail bar with a menu inspired by the owners' roots of Cuba and Colombia is set to open in Ybor City next month. 

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

Major shake-up: What does Jerry Demings dropping out mean for the Florida governor’s race? Here's what we know.

 

Tune into Sports Day Tampa Bay

Dive deep every weekday into all things Bucs, Rays, Lightning, USF and more with award-winning Times journalist Rick Stroud. If it’s major Tampa Bay sports news, he’s talking about it.

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SPORTS

Rays hero or a baseball villain? DeSantis wants to limit the amount of property tax revenues flowing into local governments. The Rays are asking for close to $1 billion in public funds in Hillsborough County and Tampa. Welcome to the rock and a hard place, sports columnist John Romano writes.

Big year: As he enters the final year of his contract, the Bucs' Yaya Diaby will take on a new challenge, a leadership role.

World Cup prep ⚽: England’s men’s national team played New Zealand in an international friendly Saturday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.

Inevitable dogpile: The University of Tampa baseball team won their third straight NCAA Division II national title. 

 

TODAY'S TALKER

 [LUIS SANTANA | Times (2024)]

Tampa’s outdoor amphitheater still needs a roof

After the venue’s first summer show, fans wondered why the amphitheater still didn’t have a roof — and how much longer they would have to wait for some shade. Here’s what to know before buying tickets to your next concert.

Today's DayStarter was compiled by Neha Seenarine, Hannah Farrow and Kiley Petracek.

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