Rays stadium; Clearwater Jazz Holiday; reshaping Hillsborough

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Friday, Oct 16, 2026

 
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Good Friday morning. It’ll be partly cloudy with thunderstorms (high of 90).

In today’s edition, read about a ballot question that could reshape Hillsborough County’s government; a St. Pete park transforming into an ice rink; and whether what happened to Christa Pike could happen in Florida.

[DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

Residents push for resolution on erased Black graves

This week, Clearwater officials approved a settlement with a local human resources company that sued the city in 2023, arguing the city should cover the cost of relocating lost graves from a Black cemetery under its property. 

A group of residents researching the city's former Black burial sites is hoping that the city will be more willing to address their concerns now that the litigation is over.

Meanwhile, Clearwater is moving forward with the $180 million Landings sports complex proposal.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

  • Tampa City Council approves Rays stadium bond vote

  • St. Pete approves bond oversight panel at last minute

  • Pasco unveils plan to close, revamp schools in struggling west county

  • Florida conservation is on the ballot in these 7 counties. Here’s what to know

  • The Tampa Theatre is 100 years old. See photos from over the years

  • Clearwater Jazz Holiday kicks off today: Here’s what to know

  • Ice rink! St. Pete park to transform into holiday experience

  • Florida man killed ex-fiancee hours after their ‘People’s Court’ episode aired, cops say
 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

A reshaped Hillsborough? Voters could reshape the county's government in November. Here's what to know about the question on the ballot.

Central role: James Uthmeier, who is Catholic, has made religion a centerpiece of his work as Florida's attorney general.

Taking action: Uthmeier announced his office is suing the messaging site Discord, saying it's not doing enough to protect children from predators.

Byron Donalds and David Jolly have both promised to lower Florida's electric bills if they're elected governor. But experts told us that Donalds' plan could actually raise electric bills instead. Here's why.

"Jane Doe Strikes Again!": Two women have filed a federal civil lawsuit accusing former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz of participating in an alleged sex trafficking scheme involving young women, drugs and traveling across state lines.

 
 

SPORTS

Going into their American League Championship Series, the Rays and Guardians talked about how they expected an even, challenging and back-and-forth affair. So far, that’s what they’ve gotten, with Cleveland's 3-2 win yesterday. 

After testing his grip and throwing ability with an injured thumb on Wednesday, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield did not practice on Thursday. This likely means Jalon Daniels will start on Sunday against the Steelers. 

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

 

TODAY'S TALKER

[Palm Beach Post]

Could what happened to Christa Pike happen in Florida?

Tennessee’s botched execution of Christa Pike last month has stoked national awareness of capital punishment and critical discussions about the danger some say is inherent in the practice of lethal injections. Some say that danger is more acute in Florida, which has seen more than 30 executions in the last two years. 

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

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