Teen Aces ACT, Grocery Store Liquor, Thin Blue Line

Patch operates 24 daily news sites in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding counties. The following are some of the top stories from the past week:

Grocery Store Liquor Aisles Could Be Coming To Florida

Floridians may soon be able to pick up their favorite bottles of whiskey or rum while browsing the aisles at their local grocery stores. A bill that would make it legal for big box stores, grocers and others to sell liquor cleared the House on Wednesday.

Anti-Death Penalty Prosecutor’s Case Doesn’t Add Up: Rick Scott, Pam Bondi

Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Aramis Ayala won’t get her first-degree murder cases back if Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi get their way. Scott and Bondi fired back a joint response Wednesday to Ayala’s request that the Florida Supreme Court declare Scott’s executive orders removing those cases from her office unconstitutional.

Thin Blue Line Act Cleared For Full House Vote

Prosecutors wishing to seek the death penalty for convicted cop killers may soon find it easier in federal cases. The Thin Blue Line Act cleared the U.S. House Judiciary Commission Thursday 19-12.

Researchers Tag 34 Sharks Off Florida’s Gulf Coast

Thirty-four sharks kicking around off Florida’s Gulf Coast are now contributing to science as they swim through their days thanks to a recent research cruise intended to advance understanding of the apex predators’ populations.

Florida’s Best High Schools Named

U.S. News and World Report has crunched the numbers for 2017, releasing its annual list of best high schools in the country, ranking the schools on national and state levels.

Bloomingdale Teen Has Florida’s ‘Freshest’ Recipe

Bloomingdale High School’s Gianna Rivera has the freshest recipe in the state. At least that’s the ruling of the judges who oversaw the 2017 Fresh From Florida Student Chef Cook-Off.

Paul McCartney Confirms Tampa Show

Paul McCartney fans eagerly awaiting news on whether or not the former Beatles member would bring his One On One tour to the Tampa Bay area now have official confirmation. Tampa’s Amalie Arena announced Tuesday the legendary performer will make his way to town on July 10.

Tampa Teen Aces ACT

Acing the ACT is an accomplishment only a few thousand high school students across the country manage to do each year. Tampa’s John Clayton Felletter is one of them.

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