🌱 DeSantis Signs Vaccine Bills In Brandon + Dunedin Craft Fest + TGH Worker Tribute

Happy Friday, neighbors! Let's get this day started off right. Here's everything you need to know today in town.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and nice. High: 77 Low: 65.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed four special session bills aiming to combat COVID-19 vaccine mandates at car dealership, Brandon Honda, on Thursday. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and others joined DeSantis in bashing vaccine mandates and calling for "freedom." (Click Orlando)

2. The 28th Annual Dunedin Craft Fest will feature more than 200 artisans on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is pet-friendly and will include local crafters and those from as far as New York and New Jersey. (Patch Tampa)

3. Tampa General Hospital hosted a tribute to Florida’s health care workers in the Capitol courtyard in Tallahassee on Wednesday. Senate President Wilton Simpson joined Tampa General President and CEO John Couris and Tampa General Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peggy Duggan rang bells in honor of the state's health care workers who have worked around the clock during the pandemic. (Florida Politics)

4. Polk County commissioners voted unanimously this week to approve a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of Brightline's plans for a high speed rail connecting Tampa to Orlando. The train would be able to reach speeds as high as 125 miles per hour. (Fox 13 Tampa)

5. A Westchase homeowner is calling his homeowner's association grinches after receiving a letter with fines for decorating his home too early for Christmas. The homeowner says the company they hired to put up lights only had availability during this time period. The fine is $100 dollars a day and up to $1,000. (WFLA)

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Today in Tampa:

• Café Con Tampa: Dobyville: The Forgotten Side of Hyde Park at Oxford Exchange. $12 with breakfast included. (8:00 AM)
• Exhibit Of Outsider Art Opens At Tampa Museum Of Art. (10:00 AM)
• South Florida Bulls vs. Auburn University Tigers - Mens Basketball. (7:00 PM)
• Stageworks To Present 'The Giver'. (7:30 PM)
• Hillsborough County Hosts Outdoor Movies. (7:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "Hosted by Laura Okmin, our fourth session of the Women’s Summit for Careers in Football provides insight into establishing a support system for players in the NFL with Vice President of Player Engagement Duke Preston, Head Athletic Train..." (Facebook)
• TAMPA Downtown Magazine: "We are on the hunt for Tampa’s Hottest Bars & Drinks 🍸 Tag your favorite bars below in the comments. To have your bar featured in our next issue email info@TampaMagazines.com :@jwmarriotttampa" (Instagram)
• City of Tampa: "It's the most wonderful time of the year! Check out this recap of last night's tree lighting ceremony in Ybor! 🎄 Thank you to all who came out to kick off the season with us and spread holiday cheer. If you missed it, several other ..." (Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll see you soon! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some 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? Reach out anytime to carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.