🌱 Former Florida Sen. Brandes​ Launches Nonprofit + USF Bans TikTok

Morning, Tampa! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Let's get this Thursday started off right, with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's going on in town these days. In today's issue, you'll get updates on...

• The FDOT is seeking public feedback on planned changes to East Tampa.
• Former Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg has launched a new nonprofit.
• USF has banned TikTok, WeChat, and other apps from China due to "potential cyber threats."

But first, today's weather: Hot. High: 92 Low: 71.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is seeking feedback from the public on the East Tampa Streetscape Project. The deadline is May 1 to provide feedback to the department and feedback can be made online. FDOT seeks to make enhancements to the appearance of the area as well as safety improvements. (Tampa Patch)
2. University of South Florida (USF) has launched a ban on TikTok and WeChat as well as other Chinese apps, following in the steps of the University of Florida. The university claims the ban is allegedly to "protect our students, faculty, and staff against potential cyber threats." It blocks a recent move by the Florida Board of Governors blocking access to social media platforms that they say are a threat to personal information and national security. (WFLA)
3. Former Florida Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg has launched the Florida Policy Project. The new nonprofit will focus on issues that were important to Brandes while he was in office, including criminal justice reform and transportation as well as tackling the property insurance and affordable housing crisis in the Sunshine State. Brandes and Executive Director Amy Maguire from Delta 12 Consulting will be the only two employees at the nonprofit for the time being. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)
4. The Red Bull Dance Your Style competition is coming to Sparkman Wharf in downtown Tampa this weekend. Dancers will be judged by the audience at the venue. The finals will be held in Chicago next month. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. A new marker in Tampa tells location where 40 students from George S. Middleton and Howard W. Blake high schools were joined by the NAACP to peacefully protest racial segregation in history during the 1960s. Black students at the time held peaceful protests by sitting at segregated lunch counters at five-and-dime stores. Tampa made major progress in 1960 on segregation without violence just months later. (Tampa Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Chess Club at Bruton Memorial Library. (2 p.m.)
• Art On The House at The Tampa Museum Of Art. (4 p.m.)
• Rock The Park at Curtis Hixon Park. (6:30 p.m.)
• Dungeons and Dragons Thursday Nights at Indica Cafe Kava Kratom CBD Bar. (7 p.m.)
• Demetrius Fields Comedy Tour at Hooch And Hive. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Carlos Eats shared: "Kahwa Coffee is releasing Taylor Swift themed drinks for the month. Running from April 7-16, the Lavender Haze and Midnight Rain are perfect for all the Swifties in Tampa Bay. Proceeds from the drinks will benefit CASA." (Instagram)
• Tampa Bay Rays shared: "You're looking at the last undefeated team in MLB." (Tampa Bay Rays via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Our Distant Thunder friends from Japan — Kenichi, and Koichi — spent the weekend with us thanks to Visit Tampa Bay. Their weekend was jam-packed with a visit to morning skate, a Bolts win, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and The Florida Aquarium." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "You don't want to miss this. ⚡️Single-game tickets for home games during the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs go live Friday, April 7 at 10 a.m." (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "Season Passes are on sale now! Get yours today ➡️ bccn.rs/3MhO7EC." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 8)
• Poetic Portals: Art & Poetry Showcase at Wayworld (April 8)
• Jazz at the Ballroom Presents "Accentuate the Positive" (April 16)
• "Accentuate the Positive" this spring (April 16)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
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Featured announcements:

• Travel Agency - M and D Travel-Dream Vacations - Vacation Giveaway. (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— 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