🌱 Pasco Schools Ban 'Safe Space' Stickers + I Like It Hot! Festival

Good morning, Tampa. I'm here in your inbox today to get you caught up on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Here's a quick look:

• 🏫 Pasco County schools has ordered the removal of "safe space" stickers for LGBTQ students, citing Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law.
• 🌶️ The I Like It Hot! Festival is returning this month for heat enthusiasts.
• 🚓 A Tampa high school student was arrested for bringing a loaded gun to campus.

Today, September 2, is World Coconut Day. Where would be without delicious curry and Pina coladas, not to even mention coconut ice cream?

First, today's weather:

A p.m. t-storm in spots. High: 89 Low: 77.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. A 15-year-old Hillsborough High School student was arrested on Wednesday after police said she brought a loaded 9mm gun wrapped in a T-shirt inside her bag to school. She is charged with felony possession of a firearm on school property and being a minor in possession of a firearm. Police learned about the gun from another student and are investigating the incident. (Tampa Patch)

2. Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has ordered the removal of "safe space" stickers in all district schools. The stickers are used to signal to LGBTQ students that they will not be targeted or in danger in a certain area. The order cites Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law. (WFLA)

3. The annual I Like It Hot! Festival will return from September 10-11 at the Largo Event Center. The festival includes contests, live music, tons of vendors and more. Local business owner, Michele Northup, owns Intensity Academy hot sauce company and co-produces the festival. (WUSF)

4. The Mav, a new 19-story multi-family apartment tower, is opening to residents in October. It will feature 324 apartments with studios, one and two-bedroom floor plans. The development is located at the corner of East Twiggs and Channelside Drive. (That's So Tampa)

5. A Tampa investment company has purchased the vintage Tahitian Inn hotel located at 601 South Dale Mabry Highway for nearly $9.7 million, according to a deed filed with the Hillsborough County Clerk's office. The new owner says the hotel will stay open under the same name. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

Today in Tampa:

• Black Friday Happy Hour at Rose Bar Tampa. (4 p.m.)
• First Friday Block Party at World Of Beer Westchase. (5 p.m.)
• "Poison" The Movie Premiere at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Tampa. (6 p.m.)
• Glow In The Park at Altitude Trampoline Park Tampa. (7 p.m.)
• Tampa Tarpons vs. Dunedin Blue Jays at George Steinbrenner Field. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A new study by University of South Florida researchers aims to how gut health can impact the brain and lower the risk of Alzheimer's Disease. 100 people are currently enrolled in the study, which aims to reach 400 volunteers. (Bay News 9)
• Tampa-based Strategos Group is hosting Tampa's TEDxSouth Howard Avenue on February 24, 2023. The speaker submission deadline is October 15. The organizer hopes to focus on 100% locally-sourced talent, food, and event support. (Florida Politics)
• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at an all-day Hispanic Business Conference on September 21 at St. Petersburg College EpiCenter. The event is sponsored by Pinellas County Economic Development’s Office of Small Business and Supplier Diversity and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network. (Tampa Bay Newswire)
• The SPIRITS of St Petersburg are participating in the World's Largest Ghost Hunt on September 24. It will be located at ArtLofts is housed in the historic Rutland Department Store building. The World's Largest Ghost Hunt is an international event featuring ghost investigation teams from around the world. (Tampa Bay Newswire)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early 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