Pulse Nightclub’s Future, Jeb Bush’s New Job, Florida Recount

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top stories from the past week:

Jeb Bush Joins Major Law Firm as 'Strategic' Consultant

The 2016 presidential primary season made it clear Florida’s former Gov. Jeb Bush won’t be following in his father and older brother’s footsteps anytime soon. With his White House dreams dashed – for now – Bush is making a return to Tallahassee. This time around he’ll serve as a consultant for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, a law firm with a national presence and major lobbying chops.

Orlando's Pulse Nightclub Purchase Nixed by Owner

Orlando’s plans to turn the Pulse nightclub into a memorial have been sidelined. The owner of the site where the worst mass shooting in modern American history took place over the summer has changed her mind about a sale.

Florida Recount Lawsuit: Hillary Clinton Beat Donald Trump, Plaintiffs Allege

Florida’s 29 electoral votes belong to Democrat Hillary Clinton, not Republican Donald Trump. That’s according to a recently filed lawsuit that names everyone from Trump himself to Gov. Rick Scott and the state’s 29 Republican presidential electors defendants.

Photos: Horse Trapped in 6 Feet of Muck Rescued

Two legs or four doesn’t seem to make a difference to Polk County deputies when there’s trouble afoot. Case in point, the agency received a call over the weekend about a horse that was trapped in a pond near Lakeland’s Sleepy Hill Road.

Florida's Rural Counties: An Endangered Species, Federal Data Shows

With its subdivisions, commercial centers, bustling downtown areas and tourist attractions, it probably comes as little surprise that Pinellas County is considered one of the most urban counties in the Sunshine State. What may surprise residents, however, is that Pinellas technically beats out Miami-Dade County for the percentage of its population living in urban settings, according to data released Thursday as part of the 2015 American Community Survey.

Accused Carjacker Caught by Good Samaritan

An accused carjacker who thought a 52-year-old Banana Factory employee was a good mark found out otherwise thanks to a patron of the Bradenton bar and grill.

Drop in Red Kettle Donations Could Mean Lean Year Ahead, Salvation Army Says

The season of giving is here, but people aren’t giving quite as much as they once did. That’s been The Salvation Army’s experience so far this holiday season as donations at Red Kettle locations throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are down by an estimated 12 percent.

Tampa to Havana Cruises Set Sail Next Year

Tampa Bay area residents who would rather skip the trip to Miami to set sail for Cuba will be able to do so starting early next year. Royal Caribbean has announced its Empress of the Seas will make two trips to Havana from the Port of Tampa in 2017.

Tom Petty Announces Tampa Tour Stop

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers have announced plans for a 40th anniversary tour with one stop in particular likely to be music to Tampa Bay area fans’ ears. The southern rock crooner and his band intend to host a show at Amalie Arena nearly next May.

Photo courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office