Universal Halloween Horror Nights Returns + Evictions Rising + Hit-And-Run

Happy Saturday, people of Tampa! Let's get this day started. Here's everything worth knowing today in Tampa.

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First, today's weather:

Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 89 Low: 75.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Universal Studios is celebrating 30 years of fear with the return of Halloween Horror Nights. The themed event will run through October 31st. The haunted houses this year are inspired by “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Beetlejuice,” and “The Bride of Frankenstein.” (WFLA)

2. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appealed a judge’s ruling that he exceeded his authority in ordering school boards not to impose strict mask requirements on students to combat the spread of COVID-19. DeSantis wants the appeals court to reverse last week’s decision by Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper. (ABC Action News)

3. Evictions are on the rise locally. There are currently over 2,500 eviction cases pending in Hillsborough County because the Supreme Court struck down the federal eviction moratorium. From August 1st until September 2nd, 445 “writs of possession” were served in Hillsborough, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office says 235 writs have been served since August. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

4. NC State shut out USF in college football with a 45 to 0 season opening win. It was the Wolfpack’s first season-opening shutout victory in 17 years. Next Florida from the Southeastern Conference visits USF on Saturday, September 11th. (Bay News 9)

5. Tampa police are seeking the public's help to identify the driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash Sunday. Officials say the driver told the bicyclist that she did not have insurance and needed to get back to her children before leaving the scene. (Tampa Patch)

Today in Tampa:

• Day Of Discovery at Florida Aquarium. (8:00 AM)
• Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend. (10:00 AM)
• Chap Chop Festival at Grove at Wesley Chapel. (1:00 PM)
• Tampa Bay Pizza Festival at TPepin Hospitality Centre. (4:00 PM)
• Saturday Night Jam Skate at United Skates of America. (7:30 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Tampa Bay Lightning: "Palat had a DAY with the Cup and we've got the photos to prove it. Check 'em out! " (Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay: "Meet Tampa the Cat. A Good Samaritan found Tampa in a retention pond at their apartment complex. She was VERY thin and in pain from a broken and dislocated shoulder. Unfortunately the injury is so bad that we will need to amputate. ..." (Facebook)
• Kiera | Tampa Bay Foodie: "@fairgroundsstpete is the perfect weekend or rainy day activity! It’s an immersive art & technology experience highlighting Florida’s history & creative community. Each room has a different theme based on original Florida stories b..." (Instagram)
• City of Tampa: "Champa Bay meets the Food Network! Shoutout to Tampa resident Jada Vidal for winning the jackpot on Guy's Grocery Games last night." (Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with a new update. If you're liking 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? I'm all ears. You can reach me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.