🌱 Hillsborough County 2022 Elections + USF Cybersecurity Expansion

Hello, everybody. It's Wednesday in Tampa and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. Because community information is power! Let's have at it...

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny; low humidity. High: 91 Low: 78.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. More than 160 candidates have qualified for the 2022 elections in Hillsborough County, according to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. The seats sought include county commission, school board, county court judge, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and more. (Tampa Patch)

2. A child was airlifted to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Monday after being stabbed in the chest by a catfish, according to Pasco County Fire Rescue. The child was reportedly in New Port Richey on a fishing trip when the incident happened. (WESH)

3. Tampa's University of South Florida will deploy a $20 million grant to a cybersecurity-focused entity on its campus called Florida Center for Cybersecurity. The grant money comes from funding set aside from the CARES Act passed by Congress during the pandemic and will be used in one year, aimed at increasing job-ready workers in cybersecurity. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)

4. Hillsborough County is expected to approve more funding for mental health assistance this week. Data from the Hillsborough County School District shows that during the 2020-2021 school year, student services referred about 19,000 students for mental health services or assistance. (ABC Action News)

5. Tampa Police is looking to get guns off the street Saturday by handing a $100 bill to anyone willing to turn one in, including a handgun, shotgun, rifle or assault weapon. Police say participants will not be asked their names and the event will be held in two locations around town. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

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Today in Tampa:

• DIY Crafting: Easy Sew Fabric Bookmarks at Seminole Heights Library. (11 a.m.)
• Stanley Cup Finals Pre-Game Special at Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Pool Bar. (5 p.m.)
• Celebrate PRIDE Under The stars at Luna Lounge. (5 p.m.)
• Dancing, Drinking And Eating The Latin Way at Hotel Haya. (6 p.m.)
• Wellness At The Wharf. (6:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• City of Tampa launched a housing information hotline on Tuesday to help residents learn how to avoid eviction, deal with landlords and access housing, and mortgage assistance. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
• Tampa-based College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving recently reached the 3 million mark in food donations to U.S. Hunger, the brands national charitable partner. For every moving or junk hauling job completed, College HUNKS donates two nutritious meals for a child experiencing food insecurity. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
• Rob Gronkowski formally announced via Instagram on Tuesday that the Super Bowl-winning star is retiring from football for a second time. He did say he could be back if Tom Brady calls, though. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• Hillsborough County said Tuesday that more than 40 species of mosquitoes live in the county. The county has 30 mosquito traps throughout the county to keep track of the mosquito population. The county is not spraying as often anymore for the pests, but treating larvae. (WFLA)

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That's it for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com