World Cup begins; PCI → The Luce; Clearwater Ferry sued

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Friday, Jun 12, 2026

 
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Good Friday morning. Watch out for rain this weekend.

In today’s edition, read about a new Tampa-based food app; a lawsuit filed by passengers aboard last year's fatal Clearwater Ferry crash; and why anti-tax advocates are against DeSantis’ property tax plan.

[Courtesy of Uneek Image]

Will Derek Jeter’s former Tampa mansion actually be demolished?

58 Bahama Circle was home to the Yankees player and was rented out to Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen. 

The property was sold in 2021 to a mysterious trust for a record-breaking $22.5 million. 

Within two years, a local construction firm announced plans to demolish the house. But today, it’s still standing. 

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

PCI is back, kind of: It’s been almost two years since Postcard Inn closed its doors due to flooding from Hurricane Helene. Now the St. Pete Beach staple known for its rowdy beachfront bar is back under a new name: The Luce.

Vote delayed: Tampa City Council members on Thursday elected to push their vote on a nonbinding Rays stadium agreement by two months.

Big changes: UF announced major renovation plans with a $1.45 billion price tag for its football stadium.

$250K boost: Earlier this year, a TV production team came to Pasco to start filming an adaptation of the beloved novel, “A Land Remembered.” Now, the county is ensuring that even more of the show will be filmed within its borders, specifically with what’s left of “old Florida nature.”

As the World Cup begins, the excitement comes with some concern. While Tampa is not a host city, immigrant families worry about gathering in public to watch and celebrate amid tougher immigration enforcement and mass arrests.

Clearwater Ferry sued: Two more passengers injured aboard the Clearwater Ferry in last year's crash are now suing the company operated by the Pinellas County Transit Authority and Jeff Knight, the boat operator who struck the ferry.

Crackdown: Pinellas law enforcement say they have prevented six "teen takeovers" in the past week.

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

Flawed and “unnecessary”: An unlikely coalition of anti-tax advocates are coming out against Gov. Ron DeSantis' plan to reduce property taxes.

No debates: Byron Donalds says the primary campaign for governor is over and that Republicans are united behind him. So how come nobody's told his rivals for the nomination?

Another mishap: A political committee supporting St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch’s reelection campaign missed the state’s deadline to report contributions and expenditures for the latest period.

 
 

SPORTS

"Back on track": Take a look at how the Rays got here and where they’re headed.

NHL’s MVP: The Lightning's Nikita Kucherov won his second career Hart Trophy on Thursday.

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

 

FOOD

[Screenshot of Flaer]

What if you could make a little money back every time you went out to eat? 

That’s the idea behind Flaer, a new Tampa Bay-based application that seeks to give diners cash back for posting photos of their meals at local restaurants. But how, exactly, does it work? And who’s footing the bill? Our senior food and dining critic spoke with the app’s developers and local users to see how it’s going.

Next up on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”? Cousin Vinny’s in Tampa.

11 places to eat, drink and watch the World Cup in Tampa Bay.

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

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