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Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026

Good Tuesday morning. Thunderstorms are in the forecast (high of 90, low of 76).

In today’s edition, read about a longtime housing developer testing a shift toward data centers and Gov. Ron DeSantis signing off on his final budget as Florida governor. Plus: In a dramatic reversal, DeSantis said he wouldn't campaign for a property tax amendment.

[Florida Highway Patrol]

As a Tampa police helicopter tracked a speeding driver one early morning last fall, two highway patrol troopers could hear a flight officer call out the car’s movements on a police radio. 

Minutes later, one of the troopers chased the driver, who sped into Ybor City and crashed into a crowd.

A recently released 152-page Florida Highway Patrol report gives the fullest account yet of the events leading to the Nov. 8 crash, which killed four and injured 21. 

A new venture: The Deltona Corporation has a long history of residential development in Florida. After scrapping its recent data center proposal in Citrus County, it's also one of many companies trying to weigh a potential AI boom against infrastructure concerns.

“They better brace themselves”: Out-of-town religious activists and LGBTQ+ supporters faced off at a Tarpon Springs City Commission meeting over the city’s annual Pride Month proclamation, a clash that ended with one evangelist being escorted from the podium.

Over in John’s Pass Village: A five-story hotel cleared a key hurdle this month. Here’s a look at the proposal.

Cleaner H₂O: New technology will be used to remove “forever chemicals” from Tampa’s water.

Sip, sip ☕: Blind Tiger Coffee Roasters is set to open a shop inside of Rivergate Tower in downtown Tampa on Wednesday. 

"The scene’s big brother": Rob Sexton, the owner of Planet Retro and a longtime musician, died Saturday due to complications from a stroke.

Special guests: Ye brought out some familiar faces at his Sunday concert in Tampa.

America's 250th birthday: What does freedom mean to Floridians in 2026? The Times is pulling together a collection of community reflections before the holiday. Tell us your thoughts on what it means to be proud to be an American in 2026 by emailing cmcneill@tampabay.com in 50 words or less. Please include your name and the town you reside in.

Mary Ann Massolio often remembers when her son wanted to go back to school, but his immune system was too weak. Her son died six months into cancer treatment, and years later, in 2021, Massolio founded 1Voice Academy. Read about the first school of its kind in the country. 

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

State budgeting: DeSantis signed his final budget as Florida governor on Monday, and issued a slate of around $800 million vetoes.

And for Tampa Bay: The governor cut hundreds of millions in local funding requests when he finalized the state budget, vetoing funding for living shoreline projects while approving $50 million for the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposal for a stadium on Hillsborough College.

Change of heart? DeSantis said Monday that he won’t campaign to help pass the property tax amendment on the ballot that he first proposed.

Inside the governor’s race: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins filed a lawsuit Monday that claims James Fishback isn't eligible to be governor of Florida because he doesn't meet the state's residency requirement.

Personal docs: Two leading candidates for Florida governor fell behind on their tax bills, according to a review by the Times.

Keep the strong pitching coming: If the Rays can replicate what they’ve done so far this season in the second half, they’ll almost assuredly end up in the playoffs. 

Off the field: Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold can be released from jail on bond while he awaits trial for the alleged kidnapping and armed robbery of three men in Tampa, a Hillsborough judge ruled Monday. Arnold was released from the NFL team shortly after the hearing.

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