College is back; $1.5M phone scam; lunar eclipse

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Tuesday, Aug 25, 2026

 
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Good Tuesday morning. It’ll be cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms (high of 92).

In today’s edition, read about Tampa International Airport dropping its plans to privatize security; what the Rays expect for this week’s stadium vote; and how Florida plans to drop four vaccine mandates.

[LUIS SANTANA | Times]

Distrust of Flock cameras grows in Tampa Bay as cops limit transparency 

A movement against the hundreds of cameras in the region is rapidly expanding, sparked by reports of police abuses. Cops closely guard records that show how they use Flock. 

The Times surveyed 21 local law enforcement agencies, but only eight fully responded to reporters' questions.

Here’s what we learned.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

  • Their part done, Rays ‘believe’ officials will vote ‘right’ on stadium

  • Chemical spill reported at Duke Energy power plant on Anclote River
     
  • College is back in Florida. Here are 3 things to know

  • TPA drops plan to privatize security

  • Pinellas seeks federal study of aging flood structure at Lake Tarpon

  • In Treasure Island city manager dispute, staff are caught in the crossfire

  • Our writer invented National Cuban Sandwich Day 10 years ago

  • A Prohibition-era tavern is coming to Largo. Here’s when it opens

  • As jury weighs death for Jennifer Odom’s killer, her family recounts her life

  • Man dies after struggle with St. Petersburg police, authorities say
 

FEATURED

[Times (2024)]

Tampa killed developers’ plan to pave over wetlands. A year later, they’re back

When Tampa's Riverbend neighborhood won a hard-fought battle against developers who wanted to pave over trees and wetlands to build townhomes last year, they knew their war wasn't over. In a unanimous vote last week, city leaders denied the 40-unit townhome project for a second time.

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

After a year of anticipation: Florida is moving forward with a plan to remove four required school-entry vaccines.

"It’s going to require some effort": Florida has four more red congressional seats after redistricting, but Gov. Ron DeSantis is cautious about whether Republicans can win them all this year.

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for Florida governor, is expected to announce his running mate today.

 
 

SPORTS

Preseason dreams: Right now, there are a lot of pie-in-the-sky hopes for Bucs rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. He could be good, but he's not yet a No. 2, sports columnist John Romano writes.

Six seasons after he watched the Bucs win the Super Bowl from nosebleed seats at Raymond James Stadium, former Steinbrenner High standout Dean Patterson IV is trying to beat the odds and earn a roster spot with his hometown team as a receiver.

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

 

VIEWPOINTS

Bill eventually comes due: Florida laws ignore inflation. Taxpayers pay the price. Read more from viewpoints editor Graham Brink.

 

TODAY'S TALKER

[Treasure Island Police Department]

Treasure Island woman lost $1.5M in valuables. It started with a phone scam

Police detailed an elaborate phone scam that led to one Treasure Island woman’s substantial loss. Here's how police have caught some accused of being involved in the scheme. 

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

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