🌱 U.S. EPA Settlement Benefits Tampa Bay + East Tampa Facility Plans

Hey, friends! It's me, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Tampa Daily. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Here's a quick look:

• 🚌 Tampa Bay stands to benefit from a U.S. EPA settlement with Volkswagen. The funds will be used by the state for electric buses.
• 💉 Updated COVID-19 booster shots are now available at CVS and Walgreens and expected to be available soon at other locations around the Tampa area.
• 🐛 Residents are warning that venomous "Puss Caterpillars" have returned.

Today is National Beer Lovers Day. Tampa is home to over 100 craft breweries and is still growing as one of the largest craft beer cities in the U.S.A.

First, today's weather:

A stray afternoon t-storm. High: 91 Low: 78.

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Here are the top five stories in Tampa today:

1. Tampa Bay stands to benefit from an federal government settlement with a major car company over emission testing "defeat devices." Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, will receive a portion of $68 million from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settlement with Volkswagen. Florida plans to use the funds to purchase 227 electric transit buses around the state as well as electric school buses. (Tampa Patch)

2. Florida! A Hyper-local Guide to the Flora, Fauna, and Fantasy of the Most Far-out State in America was released last week on August 31 from Gabrielle Calise, a culture and nostalgia reporter at the Tampa Bay Times. The 500-page book explores topics and themes from across Florida including the battle between Tampa and Miami over the iconic Cuban sandwich. (Nylon)

3. Residents throughout Central Florida are warning that venomous "Puss Caterpillars" have returned to the area. A 15-year-old was stung when volunteering with his family in Zephyrhills in 2018 by one and it left a mark. The caterpillars are not exclusive to the area. (WFLA)

4. Plans for East Tampa are advancing as the city of Tampa prepares to begin construction of a state-of-the-art recreation complex next to Fair Oaks Park on North 34th Street, the old location of the Penny Saver Food Market. The project will be funded with $1 million from the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Area and $300,000 from the city's general fund. (Tampa Patch)

5. Updated COVID-19 booster shots are available at all Walgreens and CVS locations, including in Tampa Bay. You can only get the updated shot if you have completed the primary series. The rollout to other locations was slowed by the Labor Day holiday, but is expected to ramp up. (ABC Action News)

Today in Tampa:

• The Surge Summit at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. (9 a.m.)
• Family Story Time at Port Tampa City Library. (3:30 p.m.)
• String Chamber Ensemble at Barrett School Of Music. (5 p.m.)
• Run Club at Armature Works. (6 p.m.)
• Breakdancing Class at TRIBE Seminole Heights. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Black Cattle Burger Co. is now open in downtown St. Petersburg. The restaurant was created by restaurateur Shan Bakrac and Benson Hospitality Group. (Creative Loafing Tampa)
• Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida and Tampa Electric Co. are expected to raise electric fees in 2023. Utilities also could seek to pass along higher fuel costs from this year, although they have not taken action yet. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Times)
• Shaq has signed a deal with DMD Ventures to bring Big Chicken to the Tampa Bay area. Opening timelines for these locations is still to be announced. (That's So Tampa, Creative Loafing Tampa)

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That's it for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next 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 Daily? Contact me at SouthTampa@Patch.com