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Thursday, Jul 09, 2026

Good Thursday morning. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 96.

In today’s edition, read about how a high school turned its grades around; Pete Buttigieg’s Tampa Bay endorsements; and why so many Floridians wind up on "Love Island USA."

[JEFFEREE WOO | Times]

Jeff Trosclair is a co-owner of JAS Builders, one of a handful of local companies that lifts houses. 

After the 2024 hurricanes, business has boomed. Residents looking for a way to stay dry — and remain in their neighborhoods — largely have one choice: Go up. 

But for all the money, time and engineering that goes into hoisting homes, is it a solution to the woes of a warming world? 

The Times followed Trosclair to find out.

Third-degree felony: A 17-year-old who was shot at a “teen takeover” on Clearwater Beach in May is among six people for whom police issued arrest warrants on charges of rioting.

Welcome, Lumbre: A new Spanish-inspired concept helmed by the team behind Michelin-starred Rocca opens July 15 at the Rome Collective in Tampa.

Downgraded: Experts now anticipate even fewer tropical storms than average to form in the Atlantic this year.

Execution set for July 28: Lawyers for a man facing execution this month for a 1986 Pasco County murder argued in a court paper that he is too old and sick to be put to death. Court records detail Dominick Occhicone’s physical ailments, which include kidney disease and mobility issues.

Struggling just four years ago (its students logged the lowest performance on state testing of all 17 Pinellas County high schools), Lakewood High changed its culture and improved its performance. This year, it earned an A for its efforts. 

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

Check your mailbox ✉️: Vote-by-mail requests are coming in across Tampa Bay ahead of the Aug. 18 primary.

Shared his backing: Pete Buttigieg, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, endorsed two Tampa Bay Democrats ahead of his keynote speech at a conference in Orlando next weekend.

Determine the race: Two Democrats are competing to replace term-limited state Sen. Darryl Rouson in a Tampa Bay district where the August primary will effectively decide the winner. Florida Senate Democrats are split over whom to back.

Charges of battery, child neglect: GOP gubernatorial candidate Arthur Joseph McCaffrey faced nine criminal cases between 2002 and 2024, according to Sarasota County court records. All but one of the cases were dropped.

Exiting the race: Amaro Lionheart, a Republican candidate for Florida House District 64, announced he’s suspending his campaign. 

Renderings are ready: The Rays provided the first look inside the planned new $2.3 billion Tampa ballpark that would open in 2029, and it's eye-catching.

Moving to pro hockey: Here’s a look at Sam O’Reilly’s future a year after his trade to the Lightning.

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

Get out!!! Is your Florida kitchen plagued by a swarm of summer gnats, fruit flies or other pesky little guys? Sign onto this open letter with columnist Stephanie Hayes in hopes they get the hint and leave.