🌱 Bucs Antonio Brown Vaccine Card Investigation + The Works St. Pete + Gas Tax Holiday

Happy Monday, people of Tampa! Let's get this day started. Here's everything worth knowing around town today.

First, today's weather:

Sunny to partly cloudy. High: 70 Low: 52.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Investigators from the NFL contacted Bucs receiver Antonio Brown’s former live-in chef Steven Ruiz and questioned him about his allegations that Brown obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination card to avoid league protocols. They were also interested in a claim that another player sold Brown the card. Creating, using and/or selling fake vaccine cards is a felony subject to fines and up to 5 years in prison. (Tampa Bay Times)

2. Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing a five-month gas tax holiday that will save the average Florida family up to $200. Chris Gheysens, president and CEO of Wawa Inc., joined DeSantis for the announcement. (Tampa Patch)

3. Tampa General CEO John D. Couris is pushing for COVID-19 liability protections for health care providers to be extended in 2022 by Florida lawmakers. Couris stated, "We need to be protected just like we protected the citizens of this great state." (Florida Politics)

4. Plant-based café and cold-pressed juice bar, The Works, is coming to Historic Uptown in St. Petersburg. The concept is the brainchild of Kelly Lessem, owner of the popular Squeeze Juice Works. It will be in the former location of Pete's General. (St. Pete Rising)

5. Newly elected St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch is inviting residents to meetings that he says could help shape the city’s vision and future. The meetings are called "Community Conversations" and will happen on select dates this December at USF St. Petersburg Student Center. (Creative Loafing)

From our sponsors:

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Today in Tampa:

• Our Elf Arrives: A Special Little Leapers Party at Sky Zone Tampa. Games, crafts, story time and a special search to see where the elf is hiding. (10:00 AM)
• Winter Beach St Pete Pier. Ice skating, Santa sightings, arcade, and activities. (4:00 PM)
• Tampa Bay Festival Of Lights at Hillsborough County Fair. Enjoy a 2 mile drive-thru of continuous light features followed by a festive walking visit to Santa’s village. (6:00 PM)
• Community Connection Meeting - Hillsborough County Schools. (6:00 PM)
• Couples Cooking: Fun Party Bites at Publix Aprons Cooking School of Citrus Park. (6:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Tampa Bay Rays: "Welcome to the Wander Years" (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning: "It will be a challenging stretch. Over the past eight, the Lightning played games in only two locations - Tampa and Philadelphia. The next eight will take place in eight different cities." (Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: "Just launched — Cyber Monday deals — Give the gift of thrills and shop now through Monday" (Facebook)
• Tampa General Hospital: "Help support our pediatric patients this holiday season! On November 30th, the Tampa General Hospital Foundation will be celebrating #GivingTuesday by kicking off our annual #OperationSanta campaign. This year, the campaign will fully su..." (Facebook)
• South Tampa is Awesome: "Join Us for the South Tampa is Awesome & Selling South Tampa Holiday Social at Bocelli Tampa Thursday, December 16, 6-9PM. Appetizers served along with drink specials and networking, so come ready Eat, Drink and Be Merry!" (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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Events:

• Save 15% On All L.L.Bean Wicked Good Slippers — For A Limited Time (November 29)
• Shake Shack Donation Day (December 1)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (December 2)
• Taxes In Retirement Seminar (December 2)
• SUN 'n FUN Holiday Fly-In Festival and Car Show (December 3)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 6)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new update! If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Daily? Contact me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.