🌱 Tampa Affordable Housing Crisis Worsens + Tampa Rapper Murder

Hello, neighbors! Carlos Hernandez here with your Tuesday edition of the Tampa Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Including updates on:

• Tampa is now more expensive for renters than major U.S. metros such as Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, and Las Vegas, furthering an affordable housing crisis
• A Tampa rapper has been accused of murdering his girlfriend, just after being acquitted in another double-murder
• The Tampa Bay area is losing its seagrass at a rapid pace with a potentially detrimental impact on the bay's waters

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 77 Low: 55.

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Here are the top stories in Tampa today:

1. A new survey said that the Tampa area lost 12 percent of its seagrass in recent years. Seagrass is essential for Florida's waterway environment. Nearly 30 percent has been lost since 2016. Experts said the losses are due to algal blooms and nutrient pollution in Florida's waters. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
2. Tampa rapper Billy Adams is accused of murdering his pregnant girlfriend, only three days after being acquitted in a double-murder trial. The judge has placed a gag order on the case to prevent the press from receiving updates on details of the trial. Records show Adams claimed self-defense when approached by investigators. (Fox 13 Tampa)
3. Rent prices continue to rise in Tampa with prices rising 3.5 percent and rent now at over $2,000, further straining locals amid an affordable housing crisis. Meanwhile, rent cooled in the rest of the country and grew at a slower pace. Tampa is now more expensive than Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; as well as Richmond, Virginia and Las Vegas, Nevada. (WFLA)
4. McDonald's millionaire Blake Casper, whose net worth is over $300 million, has pumped more than $124,000 of his own fortune into his bid for Tampa City Council, according to campaign reports obtained by Florida Politics. The influx of money into the campaign has rapidly eclipsed incumbent Bill Carlson. (Florida Politics)
5. Rapid7, Inc. is partnering with the University of South Florida (USF) to create a cyber threat intelligence laboratory. The lab will be funded by $1.5 million investment from Rapid7's charitable arm, The Rapid7 Cybersecurity Foundation. (USF)

Today in Tampa:

• Fall In Love With Your New Career Hiring Event at CareerSource Tampa Bay. (11 a.m.)
• Valentine's Day Kids Party at Sparkman Wharf. (4:30 p.m.)
• Haya Valentine's Day at Flor Fina 2023. (5 p.m.)
• Show Me The Body at The Orpheum. (6 p.m.)
• Wine & Roses: Valentines Day Dinner at La Setima Club. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa International Airport shared: "Roses are red, violets are blue, Sunrise at TPA Is our favorite view. 📸: Caleigh Andolina" (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Hillsborough County Public Schools shared: "The Florida State Fairgrounds looks forward to welcoming back Hillsborough County students and families for Family Day at the Florida State Fair on Friday, Feb. 17." (Hillsborough County Public Schools via Facebook)
• Tampa Improv shared: "Comedian Luenell is coming to the Tampa Improv! Tickets 🎟️ https://improvtampa.com." (Tampa Improv via Facebook)
• Tampa Theatre shared: "Tampa Theatre and AEG Presents are proud to announce that comedian Steve Treviño will make the Tampa Theatre’s historic stage a stop on his America’s Favorite Husband Tour at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 5. Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 17." (Tampa Theatre via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Valentine's Day Kids Party (February 14)
• Free Grief Seminar (February 21)
• Cirque Ma'Ceo is coming to Pinellas Park! (February 24)
• Add your event

You're all caught up 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.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Tampa Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com