🌱 Hillsborough School District Caves To State Threats + Rays Up + Hot Chicken

Good morning, Tampa! Let's get you started this Thursday with everything you need to know going on around Tampa today.

First, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 92 Low: 76.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Hillsborough County, one of Florida's biggest school districts, has caved to threats from Governor DeSantis over mask mandates, despite a promise from the Biden Administration to protect school districts from threats to defund them. Masks are now optional. (Tampa Patch)

2. St. Petersburg's Cordova Inn, originally built in 1921, is planning a major expansion to grow the hotel from 32 to 94 rooms. It also plans to add a restaurant and rooftop bar, as well as a pool to the property, according to plans filed with the city. (St. Pete Rising)

3. Rays Up: The Tampa Bay Rays will face the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series after Boston sent the New York Yankees home on Tuesday night. Game 1 starts tonight at 8 p.m. at Tropicana Field. (Fox 13 Tampa)

4. Governor DeSantis is under attack for being the only Governor in all 50 states to not apply for an additional $2.3 billion in COVID relief for schools. The attacks come as the Governor seeks to keep schools open without mask mandates and as the Governor's new Surgeon General doubts quarantines and vaccines. (Creative Loafing Tampa)

5. Hot and Spicy: Big Shakes Hot Chicken is coming soon to Tampa, its first location in Florida. It originally opened in Franklin, Tennessee back in 2014 and has slowly expanded since. No opening date has been given. (That's So Tampa)

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Today in Tampa:

• Ribbon Cutting for Livy O's Catering Co. (3:30 PM)
• Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest. (6:30 PM)
• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers. (7:00 PM)
• Boston Red Sox at Tampa Bay Rays - Game 1. Tropicana Field. (8:00 PM)
• Music At M. Bird Rooftop. (9:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Hillsborough County Public Schools: "At Tuesday’s School Board Meeting, the Hillsborough County School Board voted to remove the medical exemption opt-out requirement of the face-covering mandate and default back to the original mask mandate prior to August 18th that allowe..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: "Get ready for a weekend of fun in the sun at Bucs Beach Bash! Join us at RumFish Beach Resort on Oct. 14-16 and party like a pirate - Learn more bccn.rs/BeachBash" (Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport: "THERE ARE 300 LADDERS HANGING IN THE MAIN TERMINAL! Have you seen our newest public art work? Paths Rising by Aaron T. Stephan has officially been installed! These ladders are orchestrated to imply a portal to what lies beyond. *Located ..." (Facebook)
• The University of Tampa: "Such a busy and fun Fall Weekend last weekend! From the Live Well UT Energii Wellness Expo to the University of Tampa Ice Hockey and UT men's soccer games, the Hillsborough River Boat Tours, UT Family Social, Student Productions' Casino ..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Museum of Art, Inc.: "Join us in the galleries on Sunday, 10/10 at 2pm to participate in "Trauma and Race; Art and Healing: A Community Discussion." Inspired by the powerful works of "Skyway 20/21: A Contemporary Collaboration," the museum is proud to host th..." (Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. 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 reach me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.