Cold front; spouse in limbo; Tampa best for retirees

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Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026

 
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Good Wednesday morning. It’ll be mostly sunny with scattered thunderstorms.

In today’s edition, read about a Safety Harbor restaurant named one of America’s best; GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna sparring with Democrat Leela Gray; and a mother agreeing to 40 years in prison for her child’s death. 

[LUIS SANTANA | Times]

This St. Pete marina makes jazz concerts special, not exclusive

Billy Joel’s longtime trumpet player, Carl Fischer, is bringing jazz veterans, students and fans together in a monthly music series.

The catch?

The shows are hosted at a St. Petersburg boat repair shop.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

  • How much could data centers cost Duke Energy Florida customers? It’s redacted

  • Safety Harbor restaurant named one of America’s best by New York Times

  • Tampa didn’t seek to kick Macklemore off RayJay show, board member says

  • Kenny Chesney to kick off tour in Tampa with Eric Church, Sheryl Crow
     
  • USPS's Operation Santa is now open: Ready your North Pole asks!

  • Tampa ranks No. 3 among the best cities for retirees

  • Hillsborough leaders ask: How many kids go into hidden foster care?

  • Prosecutors seek new indictment in Tampa against Tim Burke in Fox News case

  • Pinellas plastic surgeon plotted lawyer’s killing for months, prosecutors say

  • For Tampa child’s death, mother agrees to 40 years in prison

  • Boy, 16, arrested in teen’s fatal shooting at Dick’s House of Sport in Brandon
 

FEATURED

[JUAN CARLOS CHAVEZ | Times]

She waits for visa to bring her husband home to Dunedin

Robin Smith, a U.S. citizen, filed a petition in February for her British husband to join her in Florida, a process that she thought would take about seven to 10 months.

They were wrong.

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

All of Florida’s congressional Democrats signed a letter seeking more information about recent findings regarding the use of “punishment cages" at Alligator Alcatraz, saying those responsible “must be held accountable."

Sparring over corruption: GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna attacks her opponent’s stock investments. Leela Gray, a Democrat, calls Luna corrupt in a new ad.

Where Donalds and Jolly stand: The Republican and Democratic nominees to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis differ on whether state and local law enforcement should cooperate with federal immigration officials through 287(g) agreements. Here’s what they said.

 
 

SPORTS

Beast on the field: No one doubts Baker Mayfield's desire to win, sports columnist John Romano writes. Just the unnecessary risks he's willing to take to get there.

His swing is the thing: As the key player on the team with the American League’s best record, the Rays' Junior Caminero is making a strong bid for the AL MVP award and developing a reputation as one of the game’s most feared and dangerous hitters. 

It's been some time since the Lightning had a player coming out of junior hockey as NHL-ready as Sam O'Reilly, who has a shot to crack the team's opening-night roster.

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 (2025)]

Bonfire weather is here … for a few days 

Starting this afternoon, the wind will pick up and pull in drier air. While temperatures won’t drop much, it will feel noticeably more pleasant. 

Today's DayStarter was compiled by Alisha Durosier, Kiley Petracek and Hannah Farrow.

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