🌱 Axios Fires Tampa Reporter Over DeSantis + ​River O’Green Fest

Hi there, Tampa! Happy Saint Patrick's Day. I'm Carlos Hernandez, here in your inbox this morning to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today's briefing includes updates on...

• Axios Tampa Bay has fired reporter Ben Montgomery over an email to DeSantis officials that was posted by the Communications Director for Florida's Department of Education on social media and went viral.
• The annual River O’Green Fest will happen today in downtown Tampa starting at 4 p.m. ahead of expected storms this weekend.
• A new affordable housing development is coming to Tampa in early 2024.

But first, today's weather: Breezy. High: 82 Low: 68.

🏡 Are you looking for a new and effective way to advertise your real estate business? If you've maxed out your lead generation with Zillow and Google, we have a fresh solution for you. Our exclusive sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to reach potential clients and stand out in the market. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. The annual River O’Green Fest has been rescheduled by City of Tampa for today, March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 4 to 10 p.m., due to potential storm weather this weekend. Guests can enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, food trucks, a pet costume contest, and more at the festival. Hillsborough River will be dyed green in celebration. (Tampa Patch)
2. The Adderley, an affordable housing development on North Nebraska Avenue in Tampa, is preparing to open in early 2024. The apartments will be income-restricted and rent prices are expected to be between $500 to $1,500 with most rents starting at $1,000, according to an official. (WTSP)
3. A Tampa man is dead after “atmospheric river” storms hit a slot canyon near the Utah-Arizona border. The names of the hikers were not released by authorities as of Thursday afternoon. Police said the hikers were headed from Wire Pass to Lees Ferry through Buckskin Gulch’s sandstone when the storms hit. (WFLA)
4. Former President Donald J. Trump has launched an attack on Gov. Ron DeSantis over the so-called "biggest insurance company BAILOUT to Globalist Insurance Companies, IN HISTORY," the former president wrote on Truth Social. Trump railed against DeSantis for surging home insurance rates in Florida, among which Tampa now has some of the highest in the nation amid record inflation in a collapsing Florida insurance market that has made national headlines. Trump also chided DeSantis for supporting a new bill that makes it harder for Floridians to recover damages from insurance companies. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: Florida Politics)
5. Axios Tampa Bay has fired reporter Ben Montgomery over his response to a DeSantis DEI email. Montogomery wrote, "This is propaganda, not a press release," in the email which was posted to social media by DeSantis officials with Florida's Department of Education and went viral before Montgomery was fired. Montgomery told CL, "I'm pissed that it makes the press look weak, and I'm pissed about the message this sends about the chilling effect this kind of intimidation from the governor's office has on solid, truthful reporting." (Subscription: Washington Post, Free: Creative Loafing Tampa)

Today in Tampa:

• St. Patrick's Day Lunch Cruise at Yacht StarShip. (11:30 a.m.)
• Tampa Downtown's River O'Green Fest at Curtis Hixon Park. (4 p.m.)
• 6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl — Ybor City at Southern Bell Country Bar And Grill. (4 p.m.)
• Knuckle Puck at The Orpheum. (7:30 p.m.)
• KevOnStage at Improv Comedy Theater. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "We've gained the second pick in the sixth round in a deal that sent G Shaq Mason to Houston. 📰: bccn.rs/3JrUXEu" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Thank you Tampa Fire Rescue for all you do to serve our community and save lives. 💙🙏" (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• The University of Tampa shared: "The NCAA announced its pairings for the 2023 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Quarterfinals, matching the University of Tampa against defending national champion Glenville State University in the Elite Eight." (The University of Tampa via Facebook)
• Midtown Tampa shared: "Sal y Mar Rooftop has officially announced its new Chef and Somm Tasting Series. On March 18, Chef Alex Koelsch and Sommelier Armando Morales will join forces to create a fun & unique multi-course dining experience." (Midtown Tampa via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Grand Prix Brunch (March 18)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 21)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• Add your event

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com