🌱 First Night St. Pete Returns + Seminole Tribe Gambling Lawsuit Shuts Down App

Welcome back, Tampa! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's what's happening today in town.

First, today's weather:

Humid with periods of sun. High: 79 Low: 64.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. First Night St. Pete is celebrating its 29th anniversary on the St. Pete Pier this New Year’s Eve with a special kids' night featuring magic, sea creature touch tanks, crafts, and more. Special buttons must be purchased to get in and are now available. The fun starts at 4 p.m. on December 31st. (Creative Loafing)

2. A Pinellas County man called police Saturday afternoon when he found a nearly five-foot-long red-tailed boa deep inside his new couch. Officers temporarily removed the couch from the home and found the snake burrowed deep inside the couch. It was at least 5 feet long. (WFLA)

3. Wreaths Across America is seeking volunteers and sponsors in Sarasota before a wreath-laying event that starts December 17th. More than 18,600 wreaths to honor the veterans buried at the cemetery have been sponsored in Sarasota County so far. (Sarasota Patch)

4. AdventHealth, one of Florida's biggest healthcare systems says it will no longer require its 83,000 employees to get vaccinated. The employer cites recent court decisions against the Biden Administration over the national vaccine mandate and says it will monitor new developments. (Fox 13)

5. The Seminole Tribe of Florida shut down its online sports betting app on Saturday after being dealt its latest legal defeat in a case that has halted a massive expansion of gambling throughout Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis made a deal with the tribe earlier this year and the state was on track to receive $20 billion over the next 30 years for exclusive rights to the tribe. The lawsuit is being pursued by Florida residents who say the deal is illegal. (WFTV)

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Today in Tampa:

• HART Board of Directors Meeting (Hybrid). (9:00 AM)
• Christmas Town at Busch Gardens. (10:00 AM)
• Ugly Sweater Light Ride. (5:00 PM)
• Illuminate East Tampa Tree Lighting With Mayor. (6:00 PM)
• Master Gardener: Herbs and Recipes - Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• South Tampa Chamber of Commerce: "Today, December 6th from 5 PM to 6 PM ET, Joe and Son's Olive Oils is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a specialty food store in South Tampa! 😊 Register for this event here: https://www.southtampachamber.org/events/details/ri..." (Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "Oh what fun we had at Santa Fest this weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out to this #Tampa holiday tradition. We wish you all a happy holiday season!" (Twitter)
• City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: " It's almost time for one of my favorite events of the year! Join the @onbikes_org Winter Wonder Ride this Saturday for some merry, two-wheeled fun that makes a big difference in our community." (Twitter)

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Events:

• Sarasota / Bradenton JOB LINK Job Fair / Tampa Bay - DECEMBER 8 - Hundreds of Jobs Available! (December 8)
• 23rd Annual Candlelight Tour of Homes (December 12)
• Marathon Mania (January 2)
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For sale:

• Tarot Readings with Nicole, Private and/or Parties (Details)
• Great Xmas Gift: (3) Ron White Tickets, 12/19, Hard Rock Cafe (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Monday. I'll see you around! If you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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? You can email me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.