🌱 Over 1,000 Rally In Tampa Against Immigrant Law + Data Breach

Good morning, friends! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening in town. Today's briefing includes updates on...

• Information thieves have stolen the Social Security and driver's license numbers of thousands of people in Hillsborough County from the election's office.
• A tropical system has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and could become Tropical Storm Arlene as hurricane season gets underway.
• Over 1,000 people in the Hispanic community joined protests on Thursday against a new immigration law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

But first, today's weather: Thunderstorms. High: 87 Low: 70.

Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. An election's office data breach has impacted 58,000 voters in Hillsborough County. Thieves were able to obtain the Social Security and driver's license numbers of voters on county computers. A criminal investigation is underway. (Tampa Patch)
2. Tampa's Hispanic community joined protests against a controversial new immigration law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday. Over 1,000 people joined the protest. Business owners have warned that consumers will face the consequences of reduced labor. (WFLA)
3. Floridians, including those in Tampa, are facing the highest home insurance rates in the United States. The home insurance crisis in Florida shows no sign of changing either with over 300,000 lawsuits underway against insurance companies in the state and millions join a state run insurance plan that continues to spike costs. The average in Florida insurance premium is now around $6,000 a year, compared to a national average of just $1,700. (ABC Action News)
4. Plans are underway for the Bob Gilbertson Central City YMCA to convert into a mixed-use development in Tampa Heights that will span over six acres and include a luxury hotel. A 24-story multifamily tower is planned as well as commercial space with a focus on small-businesses and minority-business owners. Only 10 percent of the space would be for affordable housing. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
5. Hurricane season just started, and a tropical system is already forming in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm could become Tropical Storm Arlene. Residents are encouraged to make preparations for the season, if they haven't already. Heavy rainfall is expected on Saturday. (Florida Patch)

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Today in Tampa:

• Cafe Con Tampa at Willa's Tampa. (8 a.m.)
• Key West And The Florida Keys Exhibit at Tampa Bay History Center. (9 a.m.)
• Live Music at Mangos and Marley. (5 p.m.)
• The Abi at The Attic. (6 p.m.)
• Tampa Bruise Crew vs Ft. Myers’s Roller Derby at Skateworld Of Tampa. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Happy Pride Month, Bolts Nation. 🏳️‍🌈" (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Police Department shared: "Interim Chief Lee Bercaw joined Mayor Jane Castor alongside other officials and partners for this year’s Hurricane Preparedness Press Conference." (Tampa Police Department via Facebook)
• The University of Tampa shared: "The University of Tampa announced this week that it will begin offering a professional master’s degree in athletic training, starting in summer 2024." (The University of Tampa via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "🏳️‍🌈 Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa City Council, and community members gathered to kick off Pride Month by raising the Pride flag on City Hall." (City of Tampa via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• The Rare Plant Network Plant Sale (June 3)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (June 3)
• Gulfport PRIDE Festival (June 3)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (June 9)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! 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