🌱 Tampa Weekend Shooting + Slavery Curriculum Draws Resignation Calls

Hello, neighbors. It's Tuesday in Tampa and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening in our community, including news about...

• Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez was critically injured in Tampa on Sunday night.
• Kura Sushi is opening soon at Westshore Plaza in Tampa.
• Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) is calling for the resignation of the Florida Department of Education Commissioner over new guidelines for teaching the history of slavery that add a positive overtone to the act.

But first, today's weather: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 92 Low: 77.

Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. Five people were shot and injured early Monday morning at Tally Ho Bar Lounge & Grill in Hillsborough County, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Anyone with information into the incident is asked to contact authorities. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS. (Tampa Patch)
2. Kura Sushi, an international conveyor belt sushi chain from Japan, is coming soon to Westshore Plaza in Tampa. Hiring is now underway, and a 10-year lease has been signed, according to a news release. No opening date is available at this time. (That's So Tampa)
3. Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez was seriously injured in Tampa this weekend after attempting suicide amid a domestic dispute, according to HCSO Sheriff Chad Chronister. The incident happened Sunday night on I-75. Ramirez survived the gunshot and is in the hospital. Ramirez was visiting Tampa for the 2023 Florida Sheriff’s Association’s Summer Conference. (Tampa Patch, WFLA)
4. Representative Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) is calling on Florida's Department of Education Commissioner to resign as the state and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis defend updated education guidelines that will teach students that slavery had a positive impact on African Americans. The guidelines have drawn national outrage and a public rebuke from Vice President Kamala Harris last week and some Republicans running for President of the United States. The new guidelines come as Florida tourism falls amid a "toxic" political environment. DeSantis is doubling down on the comments as he faces slumping poll numbers nationwide. (WTSP, USA Today)
5. A family from Polk County is searching for their family member who disappeared around eight weeks ago. 38-year-old Tonya Whip was last seen on May 26 in Auburndale. Anyone with information is asked to contact Auburndale Police or Heartland Crime Stoppers. (WTSP)

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Today in Tampa:

Tuesday, July 25

• Hillsborough Schools Transportation Job Fairs at Instructional Services Center. (9 a.m.)
• Non-Profit Leadership Round Table at Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. (2 p.m.)
• Crochet Buddies at Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. (3 p.m.)
• Fall Out Boy - So Much For (Tour) Dust at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre. (6:30 p.m.)
• Boss On Tap at Book + Bottle. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers shared: "We've signed rookie guard Cody Mauch. Full story ➡️ bccn.rs/3O8EBD3." (Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "Our friends at WestJet just announced their first-ever nonstop service from Tampa to Calgary. If you've been dreaming about an adventure to Banff and beyond, book your ticket today." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• Tampa International Airport shared: "With plans for designing and constructing the future Airside D now underway, the public has an opportunity to see how TPA proposes to accommodate passenger growth to meet the region’s needs for the next 20 years." (Tampa International Airport via Facebook)
• City of Tampa shared: "Tampa City Council is hosting a CRA Meeting on Thursday, July 20 at 9 a.m. and a Quasi-Judicial and Land Use hearing at 5:01 p.m. 🌐 Watch online at tampa.gov/livestream 📺 Watch on TV. (Spectrum 60/Frontier 15)" (City of Tampa via Facebook)

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That's it for today! I'll be in your inbox 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com