🌱 'State Of The Bay' Coming Jan. 3 + Local PTSA Urges Parental Action

Good morning, friends! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Daily. Here's all the local news you need to know right now. Today's briefing includes news about:

• The Tampa Bay Bucs have made the playoffs in a 30-24 win on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
• Suncoast Tiger Bay is hosting its annual "State of the Bay" on Jan. 3.
• The County Council of PTA/PTSA is urging parental action over an effort to change Hillsborough County school district boundaries.

But first, today's weather:

Fog in the morning; some sun. High: 81 Low: 68.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to the playoffs with their second straight NFC South title after beating the Carolina Panthers 30-24 on Sunday. It is the 14th consecutive season that Tom Brady had made the postseason. The Bucs are now 8-8 for the season. (NFL)

2. The County Council of PTA/PTSA is raising concerns about a plan for Hillsborough County to change district school boundaries. The advocacy group claim the county is not providing enough transparency or dialogue with the people who will be impacted the decision. The group is urging parents to bring their concerns to the school board and make their voices known. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)

3. Suncoast Tiger Bay is hosting its annual "State of the Bay" at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s University Student Center on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 11:30 a.m. City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard will speak at the event that highlights cooperation in the region. (Florida Politics)

4. An investigation is underway after the death of a mother and her two young sons, who were found in a submerged car in Lake Wire last Friday. Officials said the early evidence does not indicate a traffic accident and there were no obvious injuries to the victims. The witness at the scene said the driver did not appear to be under duress. (Bay News 9)

5. Four people were injured after a driver hit a Florida Highway Patrol car during a traffic stop on Sunday in the southbound lanes of the Veterans Expressway. The incident happened near mile marker 12.5, north of the Hutchinson Road exit in the Greater Northdale area. (WFLA)

Today in Tampa:

• Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. (noon)
• ReliaQuest Bowl Party at Macs. (noon)
• All You Can Eat Pizza Skate at Skateworld Tampa. (5:30 p.m.)
• Mayweather Boxing HIIT Class at Armature Works. (6 p.m.)
• Dan's Super Secret Open Mic at The Gimmick. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Lightning shared: "Here's to more hockey in 2023!" (Tampa Bay Lightning via Facebook)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "The NFL & ILB Devin White surprised Jayden, a local high school basketball player in cancer remission, with two tickets to the Super Bowl. 🙏" (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "City of Tampa offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 2 for the New Year’s holiday. There will be no solid waste collection that day. Regular service schedule will resume Tuesday." (City of Tampa via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, The Villas At Carrollwood shared: "Hopefully someone recognizes this dog! - My fiance just picked him up off Shrlich Road around the west village intersection. We believe he came from one of those neighborhoods off west village." (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (January 3)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (January 5)
• T’ai Chi Chih (January 5)
• Marathon Mania & Ridge Manor (January 8)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for 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.

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