🌱 NFL Suspends Bucs Players + Tropicana Field Developer + Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Happy Saturday, people of Tampa! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening locally today.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and nice. High: 77 Low: 60.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced a statewide task force of police agencies, prosecutors and business representatives targeting organized retail theft. It will be focused on organized criminal schemes, not on petty theft. (WUSF)

2. The NFL handed out 3-game suspensions to Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. John Franklin III is also ineligible to play. They were suspended for "misrepresenting their vaccination status." All three players accepted the discipline and waived their rights of appeal. (Tampa Patch)

3. Lake Wales Ridge State Park will allow you to chop down your own Christmas tree for $10. Once you pay for the permit, you can grab a hand saw, and then find and cut down your tree on any day through December 22nd. (Fox 13 Tampa)

4. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has announced a developer for the Tropicana Field site, ending a long search. Midtown Development is the chosen developer and has plans for retail space, a hotel, conference center, and green-certified building with 1,000 lower and moderate-income units. Newly-elected Mayor Ken Welch says he will follow the plan chosen by Kriseman. (WTSP)

5. A lawsuit was filed last week by a Siesta Key resident and advocate alleging Sarasota County violated its own Comprehensive Plan when commissioners voted to approve a high-density hotel one month earlier. Sarasota county has 30 days to respond to the lawsuit from the filing date. (WFLA)

Today in Tampa:

• LOUD Runners' Reindeer Race at Gadsden Park. (8:00 AM)
• Gingerbread Village At Glazer Children's Museum (9:00 AM)
• Santa's Workshop At MOSI (10:00 AM)
• Downtown Tampa Holiday Parade And Santa Fest. (1:30 PM)
• Holiday Tree Lighting at Armature Works. (6:00 PM)

Tampa Patch Notebook

• Humane Society of Tampa Bay: "Meet Delilah, this young stray dog was picked up by a caring soul in the Riverview area, while dropping off her child to school. She is now in our hands here at the Humane Society Tampa Bay. She is currently going through treatment for D..." (Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Lightning: "Giddy up. Presenting: Our 2022 NHL Stadium Series jersey." (Facebook)
• City of Tampa: "Sparkman Wharf is all decked out in holiday cheer! ✨ Stop by to see their sparkling lights, grab a bite to eat or drink, and enjoy their “Snowed Inn” event! Pro tip: Park in Ybor or at the Fort Brooke Garage and take The TECO Line Street..." (Facebook)
• Humane Society of Tampa Bay: "It's almost time for #PhotosWithSanta! 🎅📸 We can't wait to see you, your children, and your pets decked out in your holiday best today from 10am to 2pm. 🎄 Stop by for photos, holiday shopping in our retail store, a..." (Facebook)

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Events:

• Oakdale Christmas Display (December 4)
• Tampa, get a Sam's Club Membership & Donate 25% to end Hunger! (December 5)
• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 6)
• Sarasota / Bradenton JOB LINK Job Fair / Tampa Bay - DECEMBER 8 - Hundreds of Jobs Available! (December 8)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. 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 email me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.