Tampa House Fire + Ending Unemployment Benefits + Tropicana Plans

Good morning and Happy Tuesday. My name is Carlos Hernandez and I am back to update you on the latest happening in the Tampa area.

In this issue, you'll learn about the end of federal unemployment benefits in Florida, a local foster home, Brandon Town Center deal, Tropicana Field plans, and more.

Today’s weather: The high is 95 and the low is 69 with mostly sunny skies.

Here are the top 5 stories happening around Tampa:

1. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is ending $300 weekly federal unemployment benefits in June. The program was extended by the Biden Administration until September 2021 as the economy slowly recovers from the pandemic, but Florida has now opted out after pushback from businesses on unemployment benefits. (Patch)

2. A Hillsborough County foster home is celebrating after avoiding a sale thanks to supporters and donors raising $3 million. (Tampa Bay Times)

3. Brandon Town Center has landed a construction deal worth $71.5 million which includes plans for 660 townhouse-style apartments. Not to be confused with the popular Westfield Brandon Mall. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

4. A house fire destroyed 80% of a house, leaving a family homeless in Tampa. The fire started due to unattended cooking. (Patch)

5. St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman plans to narrow Tropicana proposals this week. This has been a hot button issue in St. Petersburg for years due to the fate of the Tampa Bay Rays being unclear. (Tampa Bay Times)

Today in Tampa:

• Donuts and the Download. Enjoy donuts and coffee, and outside networking from Tampa’s Downtown Partnership and get to know the organization. (8:30 a.m.)
• Barrio Latino Commission for City of Tampa at Old City Hall - City Council Chambers - 3rd floor. All meetings are open to the public. (9 a.m.)
• Weekday Yoga at Armature Works in Tampa Heights with Bella Prana Studios. (9 a.m.)
• Ybor City Development Corporation - Ybor Community Advisory Committee Meeting at Hillsborough Community College Ybor City in the Ybor Room. In-person and virtual participation allowed. (4 p.m.)
• Bachata with Ritmo Urbano Dance at Brucie Klay’s Dance Center. (8 p.m.)

Tampa Patch Notebook:

• The Tampa Bay Rowdies are back at full capacity for games.
• More than 10 million Floridians have now been vaccinated for COVID-19.

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That's all for today. I will be back tomorrow with the latest happening in Tampa. My inbox is open if you have any tips to send or want to reach out: tampadaily@patch.com

-Carlos Hernandez

About me: I have lived in Florida since 1999 and covered the Tampa area for nearly 10 years, mainly with a focus on food through my blog at CarlosEats.com.