Rays’ parking plan; mothballs scattered; grad assistant pay

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Wednesday, Apr 22, 2026

 
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Good Wednesday morning. It’s looking cloudy with a high of 83.

In today’s edition, read about wildlife officials investigating hundreds of mothballs scattered on St. Pete Beach; how much Florida universities pay their graduate assistants; and masa stealing the show at Con Amor in Tampa. 

[JEFFEREE WOO | Times]

A penguin parade is happening all week

World Penguin Day is Saturday.

Penguins will take a short walk around the Florida Aquarium every afternoon and greet guests during the week.

Read about Pebbles, one of the aquarium’s oldest and best-behaved penguins.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

Despite public outcry: The city of Clearwater accepted a proposal for the National Guard Armory in the North Greenwood neighborhood.

Where will fans park? The proposed Rays stadium parking plan at Hillsborough College would leave the Bucs with at least 2,600 fewer parking spaces for games.

Wildlife officials investigate: An acrid smell wafted across St. Pete Beach Monday afternoon. The cause? Hundreds of toxic mothballs that somebody had scattered up and down the beach.

“Make the system work for all our children”: Top Hillsborough County school officials pledged their support to make accessing special education services an easier process.

Student code of conduct: The Pinellas County school district is proposing new rules for e-bikes, smart glasses and water bottles. 

Pay comparison: Graduate students at USF say their stipends aren't enough to pay for expensive Tampa rent. Here's a look at how much other schools offer.

After headlining Coachella: Karol G has announced a world tour that includes a stop in Tampa.

Death sought in Tampa: A woman accused in the murders of her two ex-husbands, who were killed the same day in December, will face a possible death sentence in Hillsborough County, prosecutors announced this week.

Police seek help: On Tuesday, the police put out a call for help from the public to find two USF doctoral students who have been missing since late last week.

 

BRIGHT SPOT

[MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE | Times]

The highlight of this new Seminole Heights restaurant? Tortillas

Freshly-made masa is the heartbeat of Con Amor in Tampa, but there’s a lot more to love on this creative modern Mexican restaurant’s menu, our food critic writes. Read her full review.

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

Investigation into AI: Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the state has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT, alleging the chatbot helped a gunman plan a shooting at FSU.

 
 

SPORTS

Round of applause: Martin St. Louis says he has “zero” connection with the Lightning these days, but that doesn't mean Tampa Bay fans shouldn't still appreciate what the Hall of Famer meant to the franchise, sports columnist John Romano writes.

Is bigger better? The Bucs will be seeking something new in defensive players they consider at this week's NFL draft: size.

Contribute $85 million: Pinellas County approved a term sheet for a major revamp of the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training complex in Clearwater.

For more in-depth sports coverage, sign up for Sports Today, our daily newsletter focused on your favorite Tampa Bay teams.

 

VIEWPOINTS

Make it make sense: Columnist Stephanie Hayes breaks down the guava.

 

TODAY'S TALKER

[SAM TRULL | Inside Climate News]

No running water, no electricity: Wild sloths died by dozens at Florida’s ‘Sloth World’

Until recently, they lived freely in Guyana’s forest canopies. Nothing could have prepared these sloths to live inside crates in an Orlando warehouse. More than 31 have died.

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

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