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Friday, May 15, 2026

Good Friday morning. Today’s sunshine could develop into weekend thunderstorms.

In today’s edition, read about Florida’s lovebugs; South Tampa residents split over a bike lane project; and the Big Boy Soap Hockey Tournament.

[LUIS SANTANA | Times]

It started in California, when an 18-year-old filmed himself running into a Church of Scientology building. Since then, copy cats have emulated his effort, trying to see how far they can get.

The church has admonished the runs, alleging they’re hate crimes and have physically injured church staff members.

Scientology has international spiritual headquarters in Clearwater and a church in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood. 

Have there been any “speed runs” here?

Revamping the stretch: South Tampa neighbors are split over a project soon to transform El Prado Boulevard, a four-lane road that slices across the peninsula.

By developer Darryl Shaw: Tampa officials approved $35 million for Ybor Harbor, a redevelopment project intended to connect Ybor City and the Channel District.

Moving it along: A vote at Hillsborough College next week could be the next step towards a done deal for the Rays' stadium plan. See where a deal draft stands. 

Value jumped: Two new appraisals show the value of the Tropicana Field site has increased by roughly 10%. 

Lovebugs are back: That's according to annoyed drivers, whose windshields and car grills are splattered with them. But the state's premier expert on the pesky insects said a lack of research makes it difficult to say if lovebugs have truly returned.

Pasco school’s improvement: After earning a D grade four years in a row, Florida's State Board of Education approved a proposal to hire an external operator to work with Gulf Middle School.

"Take the edge off": A Hillsborough sheriff’s major who was fired last month told superiors that he drank before work to deal with the stress of his job, according to records obtained by the Times.