🌱 Taylor Swift Named Honorary Mayor Of Tampa + Visit Florida Funding

Hi all! Carlos Hernandez here with your Tuesday edition of the Tampa Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. Including updates on:

• A proposal to shift funding responsibility for Visit Florida to counties from the state is receiving negative criticism from counties including Citrus County.
• More than $22 million is being distributed for internet accessibility in Florida, including in Hillsborough and Pasco County.
• Taylor Swift has been named honorary Mayor of Tampa.

But first, today's weather: Turning cloudy. High: 81 Low: 64.

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Here are the top stories today in Tampa:

1. An investigation is underway after a shooting on Monday morning in the area of North 34th Street and East Emma Street in Tampa. Police responded to the 4500 block of North 34th Street after the department's ShotSpotter detected gunfire. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Tampa Police or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay. (Tampa Patch)
2. More than $22 million is being distributed for internet accessibility through a new Broadband Opportunity Program to several counties throughout Florida, including Pasco and Hillsborough counties. The funds are being distributed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). (Fox 13 Tampa)
3. Taylor Swift has been named the honorary Mayor of Tampa by Mayor Jane Castor. The superstar's "Eras" tour is coming to Raymond James Stadium from April 13 to 15. City of Tampa will also light Old City Hall, the Tampa Riverwalk, and several downtown bridges red in honor of the tour. (WFLA)
4. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales has been named one of the most beautiful gardens in the country by Good Plant Care. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the son of the man responsible for New York City’s Central Park. It is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (That's So Tampa)
5. A new bill proposed in Florida would make counties responsible for funding Visit Florida, Florida's tourism bureau. The bill would shift responsibility away from the state for the operation. Bigger counties like Hillsborough County would commit 5 percent, while smaller ones just 2 percent. Counties are opposed to the legislation and want funds to stay local, warning that local tourism projects could face budget cuts. (Bay News 9)

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Today in Tampa:

• Breakfast And Referrals at The Attic On Kennedy. (8:30 a.m.)
• Breaking Barriers In Access To Capital For Black Business Owners at University Of South Florida. (10 a.m.)
• School Board Workshop at Hillsborough County Schools. (10 a.m.)
• National Pet Day With Tito's Vodka & The Lightning at Amalie Arena. (noon)
• Crochet Buddies at Bruton Memorial Library. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Tampa Tarpons shared: "The Tampa Tarpons failed to take the rubber match, falling to the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Easter Day, 5-1. W: Cole Patten (1-0) L: Justin Lange (0-1) Alan Mejia: 1-for-3 (1B, R, BB). Yorlin Calderon: 1.0IP, 3K." (Tampa Tarpons via Facebook)
• Tampa's Downtown shared: "Register for our Downtown Debriefing Series event focused on historic preservation this Wednesday at 8:30 a.m." (Twitter)
• Tampa City Councilman Viera shared: "Glad to be part of this town hall by @USRepKCastor
  for @GoHART. Mass transit is still a demand of everyday families in our city and county — we can’t forget that and can’t stop pushing for this often life saving connection for our working families." (Twitter)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• JOB LINK 2023 Job Fair — Get Hired on Thursday! Click Here! (April 13)
• 3rd Annual Pasco Beer & Burger Festival (April 15)
• "Accentuate the Positive" this spring (April 16)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 17)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (April 17)
• Uptown Music Festival (May 6)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll be back 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