🌱 Miranda And Hurtak Re-Elected + USF On-Campus Stadium Plans

Good morning, everybody! It's Wednesday in Tampa and I'm Carlos Hernandez, back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening locally, including updates on:

• Thousands will graduate at the 54th Annual HCC Commencement on May 5 at Florida State Fairgrounds.
• Tampa City Council incumbents Charlie Miranda and Lynn Hurtake have been re-elected.
• Home prices are rising once again in Tampa.

But first, today's weather: Humid; a stray p.m. t-shower. High: 88 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Nearly 5,000 students are expected to graduate on Friday, May 5 at the 54th Annual Commencement for Hillsborough Community College. The ceremony will be held at the Expo Hall of the Florida State Fairgrounds. The commencement speaker will be Dr. Patrick Hwu, chief executive officer and president of Moffitt Cancer Center. (Tampa Patch)
2. Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda has been re-elected with 50.9 percent of the vote in the city runoff elections. The number comes from unofficial reports published by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. Miranda, a well-known name in town, badly outraised his opponent in the race. (Florida Politics)
3. The University of South Florida is pressing forward in a plan to bring an on-campus football stadium to the school. The budget for the project would be $22 million and be expected to be finished by 2026. The stadium is planned for an area on-campus known as Sycamore Fields. (WUSF)
4. Former state senator Janet Cruz has suffered another defeat, this time in the runoff race to return to the Tampa City Council. Incumbent Lynn Hurtak captured around 60 percent of the vote and was re-elected in a landslide against the well-endorsed and funded Cruz. The results come after a nasty race filled with negative mailers and swipes. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times, Free: Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. Tampa once again leads the nation in home price increases, according to new data from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Prices in Tampa jumped 7.7 percent in February. The increases come amid an affordable housing crisis in the area. The growth could lead to more interest rate action by the Fed. (ABC Action News)

Today in Tampa:

• Westchase Business Lunch at SeaGlass Tavern. (11 a.m.)
• Storytime at Barnes And Noble Tampa. (2 p.m.)
• Paws For Literacy at Humane Society Of Tampa Bay. (2:45 p.m.)
• Junior Cooking Class at TRIBE Seminole Heights. (5:30 p.m.)
• Heels With Natalie Wolfe at Hotel Haya. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "In addition to Germany, we're excited to expand our international home markets to now include Austria & Switzerland." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared: "Our hearts are with South Florida in the aftermath of the terrible floods that, to this day, are affecting the Fort Lauderdale area. Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Division was flooded." (Humane Society of Tampa Bay via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Who’s ready for better bike parking? 🚲 Our crews finished assembling new bike racks and will begin installation this week and 20 sites." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay shared: "Join us for the last weekend of our Food & Wine Festival as we celebrate with good food, refreshing wine, and thrilling concerts. Hoobastank is taking the stage on Saturday, April 29." (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 27)
• Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Carrollwood Cultural Center (May 1)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! 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