Bucs Game Day Kickoff + New Blind Tiger Cafe + Families Win Override

Happy Thursday, Tampa! Today is the first Bucs game of the football season. Here's everything worth knowing today in Tampa.

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First, today's weather:

Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 87 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. The NFL will host the 2021 Kickoff Experience presented by EA Sports Madden NFL 22 before the big game at Julian B. Lane Park located at 1001 N. Boulevard in Tampa today from noon to 11 p.m. The event will include special appearances by Buccaneers Legends, photo ops with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 55 Super Bowl rings, and a pregame concert featuring Ed Sheeran at 7 p.m. (Tampa Patch)

2. Florida Judge Cooper ruled Wednesday to override the automatic stay of an appeal from DeSantis on masks. This allows his previous written order blocking the state government and Governor Ron DeSantis from stopping school districts from having mask policies, as well as ending fines against schools. (WFLA)

3. The first debate for the St. Petersburg mayoral General Election has been postponed after candidate Ken Welch contracted COVID-19 last weekend. He offered to debate virtually, but opponent Robert Blackmon is demanding a face-to-face debate. (Florida Politics)

4. Blind Tiger Café is opening a new location in downtown Tampa at 201 North Franklin Street. Two other locations are planned, but they have not been announced yet. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts is set to reopen and will require guests to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter. It joins a number of other venues increasingly requiring proof of vaccination. (Bay News 9)

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Today in Tampa:

• 2021 Kickoff Experience Presented By EA Sports Madden 22 at Julian B. Lane Park. Free Admission. Pregame concert by Ed Sheeran. (12:00 PM)
• Art on the House at Tampa Museum of Art. (4:00 PM)
• Hillsborough County School Board Meeting (Final Public Hearing on Budget). (4:00 PM)
• Bucs Beach Watch Party at Postcard Inn. (6:30 PM)
• Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Raymond James Stadium. (8:20 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• City of Tampa: "GET READY, CHAMPA BAY! We were proud to host (& WIN) #SBLV in our own backyard this year and now, the NFL #Kickoff2021 is taking place THURSDAY right here in Tampa! Pro-tip: Traffic is expected to be heavier than usual in Tampa's Down..." (Facebook)
• Expect heavy traffic today as the Bucs take on the Cowboys. Plan accordingly.
• U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor: "The nursing shortage in Florida has strained our hospitals during the #Covid19 pandemic, and @USFHealth is leading the way to find solutions to bring more nurses to #FL in the days ahead." (Twitter)
• Craig Latimer - Supervisor of Elections Office in Hillsborough County: "High school students, your art could inspire hundreds of thousands! My challenge is simple – design a new 'I Voted' sticker for Hillsborough County voters. Learn more about our #VoteHillsborough art contest at http://VoteHillsborough.gov/VH... and submit your entry today!" (Twitter)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update. If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some more 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? I'm all ears. You can reach me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.