🌱 Bucs Suffer 23-17 Loss To Browns + Hillsborough Co. Tourism Spikes

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. In today's issue, you'll find news about:

• 🏨 Tourism spiked in Hillsborough County in 2022 with $963 million collected in taxable revenue, a new record.
• 🥫 Trinity Café is celebrating serving 2 million meals served to those who need it most.
• 🏈 The Bucs suffered a loss to the Cleveland Browns 23-17 on Sunday.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and less humid. High: 81 Low: 61.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Hillsborough County hotels collected $963 million in total taxable revenue for the 2022 fiscal year, a new record. Travelers created a $8 billion impact as well, according to Visit Tampa Bay tourism bureau. (Bay News 9)

2. Trinity Café is celebrating serving 2 million meals served with meals available all year long, not just during the holidays since its opening in 2001. "We're going to continue to do it for 3 million times and 4 million, whatever it takes," said Daniel Graves, Director Culinary Operations. (Fox 13 Tampa)

3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a loss to the Cleveland Browns 23-17 on Sunday after coming off a bye week. The Tampa Bay Bucs are now 5-5 this season. Tampa also lost offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs to what appeared to be a left leg injury during overtime. Tampa will host the Saints on Dec. 5 in Week 13. (NBC Sports)

4. The last game in the War on I-4 saw USF Football fall 46-39 against No. 25 UCF, a bitter ending after USF nearly took on the Knights. The Bulls briefly took the lead during the game with 7:02 remaining on the clock. USF will be looking for a new coach in the offseason. (WTSP)

5. Tampa City Council candidate Alan Clendenin will launch his campaign on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, according to Florida Politics. Clendenin is running for the Tampa District 1 seat currently occupied by City Council Chair Joe Citro, who is running for re-election. (Florida Politics)

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Today in Tampa:

• Tampa Riverwalk Holiday Spectacular. (all day)
• Holiday Harbour Tree Lighting at Tampa Convention Center. (6 p.m.)
• Water Street Season Spectacular. (6 p.m.)
• Girls Night Out Holiday Edition – Wine & Wreath Making Fall Edition at Armature Works. (6 p.m.)
• Guillermo Del Toro’s 'Pinocchio' at Tampa Theatre. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Visit Tampa Bay shared: "We had the Norwich City FC first-team squad in town for some warm weather training! See how the Canaries spent a week in Tampa Bay." (Visit Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• South Tampa Chamber shared: "🎉 YOU'RE INVITED to the South Tampa Chamber Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 9! 😊 ✅" (South Tampa Chamber via Facebook)
• "The Cars & Couture Collector’s Gala returns for its 12th annual event, Enchanted Woodlands on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club." (Tampa Bay Newswire)
• "St. Petersburg non-profit, ‘The St. Pete Fools,’ is hosting their annual toy drive and they’re asking for donations to make wishes come true for local youth. The toy drive reception will be held Sunday, Dec 4 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the St. Pete Fools Social Club, 3263 5th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL." (Tampa Bay Newswire)

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Events:

• Children's Book Reading Event of Ella's Inner Genie - by the author (December 3)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with another 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com