🌱 Dozens Attend Memorial Day Ruck March + USF Accused Of Censorship

Hello, everybody. It's Tuesday in Tampa and I'm Carlos Hernandez, back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally, including updates on:

• Dozens of people joined the Memorial Day Ruck March on Monday.
• The Wat Thai Temple on Palm River Road has been featured for AAPI Month.
• A veteran Jewish journalist has accused USF of censoring comments made in a podcast over rising antisemitism in Florida.

But first, today's weather: Pleasant with periods of sun. High: 91 Low: 71.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Dozens of people joined together in Tampa on Monday for the Memorial Day Ruck March. It gathers veterans or active military in support of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States. The march kicked off from Ballast Point Park in Tampa. (WFLA)
2. A Florida man is in critical condition after being lit on fire with gasoline during a fight at a gas station on Sunday afternoon. Deputies said they were called to a Mobil gas station on Bearss Avenue and 22nd Street around 4:30 p.m. to the incident. The suspect is charged with charged with aggravated battery with great bodily harm and attempted first-degree murder. (ABC Action News)
3. The Wat Thai Temple was recently featured for AAPI month. The temple hosts a weekly market on Sundays with delicious Thai food and goods that support the monks at the temple and was founded in 1981. The market draws massive crowds of people to eat and starts bright and early. (WTSP)
4. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has deployed over 1,000 state troopers to the U.S. border in Texas from Florida. The resources being sent from Florida include 101 Florida Highway Patrol troopers, 200 Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers, 20 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, 800 National Guard soldiers and 20 radio technicians, mechanics and planners from the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The deployment comes as Republicans criticize U.S. President Joe Biden on migrants at the border and spare over the expiration of a pandemic border law. (Tampa Patch)
5. A veteran Jewish journalist has accused the University of South Florida (USF) of censorship over comments made on a podcast about antisemitism rising in Florida. The original quote cut from the content said, "I think that the antisemitism has increased in geometric proportions since Donald Trump started his birther and MAGA movement, which was totally antisemitic." The journalist alleged his comments were censored to appease the DeSantis Administration. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• Crochet Buddies at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (3 p.m.)
• LinkedIn Local Tampa Bay — In Person Networking Event at The Grove. (5:30 p.m.)
• Talk About It Tuesday at Rose Bar Tampa. (6 p.m.)
• Trivia Night at Two Shepherds Taproom. (7 p.m.)
• Heels With Natalie Wolfe at Hotel Haya. (7 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "Forever a Ray. Congratulations on a tremendous career and a very happy retirement, Jake McGee." (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)
• Tampa Police Department shared: "That’s a wrap on the 2022-2023 school year. Our SROs had a blast this year keeping campuses safe while also mentoring the future generation. Until they reunite, here are some tips to keep your child safe (and busy) this summer break." (Tampa Police Department via Facebook)
• Tampa's Downtown shared: "The top-tier attraction, Big John, is officially open at the Glazer Children's Museum. Come visit the Guinness World Records holder for the largest and most complete triceratops skeleton ever discovered today in Tampa's downtown." (Tampa's Downtown via Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "Monday, Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera - District 7, Councilman Guido Maniscalco, Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, Tampa Fire Rescue and tons of other volunteers led a powerful clean-up at Memorial Park Cemetery." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (June 3)
• Gulfport PRIDE Festival (June 3)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com