Missed the warmth? Today will be partly cloudy with a high of 81. 

In today’s edition, sailors learn the wind together in Dunedin; a Clearwater firm seeks Black graves removal; and wildfires rage in Hillsborough County.

[DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

She gives animals a voice — and fights to get their abusers behind bars

When Elizabeth Olson learned that the man who sexually assaulted his Siberian Husky had not been given jail time, she was irate. So she started tracking animal cruelty cases across Florida and what sentences the abusers got.

In one year, Olson has charted 53 cases — 15 in Pinellas County alone: a man who hurled a dog from a second-floor balcony, someone who beat and stabbed a dog to death, a peacock owner who killed and ate his pets.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Lane DeGregory spent a day in court with Olson at a trial. There, Olson told her about the animals she has fought for — and the animals she’s fighting for next.

[Hillsborough County Fire Rescue]

Wildfires rage amid severe drought

Hundreds of acres were engulfed in flames Sunday after dozens of separate brush fires ignited in Hillsborough and Polk counties. Officials urge residents to adhere to the ongoing burn ban.

Air travel delays: Tampa International Airport has more delays than usual, but not due to the government shutdown that started this weekend.

Back to court: A Clearwater human resources company is still pursuing a lawsuit against the city’s redevelopment agency to remove segregation-era graves from a Black cemetery under its property.

Cold and windy: Strawberry farmers around Hillsborough County reported devastating losses after temperatures plunged below freezing for several nights last month. 

Defendant speaks: Before a Tampa judge sentenced her to life in prison for the murder of her sister, Debra Patton insisted she was “blameless” for the crime. 

Investigation ongoing: An argument in a St. Petersburg home escalated into gunfire Saturday night. A man died, police said.

Let’s have some fun: Check out the top events this week in Tampa Bay. 

POLITICS

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Questioning lawful detention: Immigration lawyers in Florida and across the country are increasingly filing habeas corpus petitions to challenge prolonged custody. For many, it’s the only path left to seek release.

SPORTS

Happy to stay: Yandy Diaz, who turns 35 in August, is the Rays’ longest-tenured player as he enters his eighth season. With so much else changing for the team, Diaz remains a rare constant.

Golden moment: Elana Meyers Taylor became the oldest American woman to win a gold medal in the Winter Games at 41 years old.

For more in-depth sports coverage, sign up for Sports Today, our daily newsletter focused on your favorite Tampa Bay teams.

TODAY'S TALKER ⛵

[DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

These sailors rig at sunrise and race the Intracoastal Waterway

The Windlasses meet each Thursday in Dunedin, where beginners, intermediates and advanced sailors test wind shifts and right-of-way. Take a look at the group, which welcomes women of all ages.

Today's DayStarter was compiled by Neha Seenarine, Hannah Farrow and Kiley Petracek.

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