🌱 USF Fundraises Over $150 Million + Hillsborough Schools Struggle

Hello all. I'm back with your fresh copy of the Tampa Daily. Follow along for everything you need to know about what's happening around town.

First, today's weather:

A heavy t-storm in the p.m. High: 93 Low: 80.

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Here are the top five stories today in Tampa:

1. Biometric screening is now ready for use at some Tampa International Airport (TPA) gates. The airport says it will "improve efficiency, safety and convenience" during the boarding process. "By 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has mandated that all U.S. international flights use biometric scanners," TPA IT analyst David Golden said. (Tampa Patch)

2. Gifts from the community to the University of South Florida exceeded $151 million in fiscal year 2021-22. It is the fourth year in a row that annual charitable giving to the university surpassed $100 million and broke the previous record set in 2015. (University of South Florida)

3. Hillsborough County School District is struggling to fill over 1,000 positions ahead of the new school year. The school district is pushing for a new millage tax increase to make staff pay more competitive and asking voters to back the increase in fees. (WFLA)

4. A lightning strike caused a fire at an apartment at The Park at Orvieto Apartments located at 2021 Blue Rock Drive in the university area of Tampa. All residents were safely evacuated and there were no injuries reported. (Tampa Patch)

5. Tampa Bay continues to be the most sought-after area in Florida, according to recent studies. A study by the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority found Hillsborough County could grow 40% by 2040. (ABC Action News)

Today in Tampa:

• 1 Million Cups Tampa at Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. (9 a.m.)
• Movie Club: “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (PG-13) at Seminole Heights Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Bricks 4 Kidz: Oceans of Possibilities LEGO® Workshop at Port Tampa Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Sip-And-Paint Event at Armature Works. (6:30 p.m.)
• Tampa Fringe Festival 2022 at HCC Performing Arts Ybor City. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Tampa Bay Vipers have relocated to Orlando, the XFL league announced Sunday. (Subscription: Tampa Bay Business Journal)
• Tampa Museum of Art is hiring two full-time positions: Private Events Coordinator and Special Events Manager. (Twitter)
• A 79-year-old inmate died of a suspected medical issue on Tuesday at the Manatee County jail, according to a news release. (Subscription: Bradenton Herald)
• The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County has issued an advisory for mosquito-borne illness. (Bay News 9)

Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you tomorrow for 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