813 Day deals; Waymo eyes Pinellas’ expansion; Waddles drawing contest

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Thursday, Aug 13, 2026

 
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Good Thursday morning. Expect partly cloudy skies (high of 94, low of 77).

In today’s edition, read about Pasco’s public schools seeing an increasingly diverse student body and Waymo eyeing expansion into Pinellas. Plus, check out deals for 813 Day.

[Courtesy Joi Marazita]

A Tampa Bay ranger dreamt of becoming a cop. A fatal crash changed that

As a Road Ranger, Antonio Marazita worked on the periphery of crash investigations that sometimes resulted in criminal charges. 

One Sunday last month, he became the center of one.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

  • Pasco schools set to join Tampa Bay neighbors as a majority-minority district

  • As Tampa welcomes Waymo, the service eyes Pinellas expansion

  • Pinellas County reports two cases of dengue, first in 15 years

  • Husband of Plant City mom found dead with kids, not a suspect in killings

  • Tampa DoorDash driver recounts kidnapping, rape in court

  • Arrest report details how Tampa man escaped mental health facility

Want your child’s drawing of Waddles published in the paper? You have 5 days left!

 

BRIGHT SPOT

[DIRK SHADD | Times]

Inside the explosion in Tampa Bay’s wellness industry

A push for fitness manifested into a boom for pricey class-based workout studios. An unlimited subscription for these clubs can cost well over $200 a month, but members say it’s a worthy investment — even as record-high inflation causes budgets to shrink. 

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

Gained financial support: Across Florida, dozens of veterans are running as Democrats and touting their service in a bid to win over independents and Republicans. Some wonder: Is that the right move?

 
 

SPORTS

A perfect 9-0: The Rays completed an undefeated nine-game country-crossing road trip on Wednesday by beating the A’s.

"He can do it all": The former five-star recruit, C.J. Hicks, won a national championship with the Buckeyes. This season at USF, he just wants to meet his own expectations.

Bucs wide receiver Emeka Egbuka limped off the practice field on Wednesday. Initial tests revealed he has a sprained toe.

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

 

VIEWPOINTS

What is flesh-eating bacteria? Columnist Stephanie Hayes turns to reporter Abby DiSalvo to unpack recent examples in Florida, where health officials have reported 14 cases of one such infection this year.

 

TODAY'S TALKER

[Times (2023)]

Ring, ring! Deals are calling for 813 Day

Tampa’s not playing around to celebrate its area code today. There are plenty of ways to join in on the fun, from taking selfies with a Tampa Bay mascot to sipping on a specialty cocktail. 

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

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