1 big thing: Tampa to start search for new chief

Nick Bollettieri, legendary tennis coach, dies at 91

2. 🎾 Nick Bollettieri made American tennis

Bethanie Matek Sands of the United States takes a selfie with tennis coach Nick Bollettieri after taking part at the Kids Day event 

3. The Pulp: How does it peel?

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4. 🦉 Our favorite things 2022, part 5

Take your career to the next level

5. Where in Tampa Bay winner!

😎 Blue skies and a calm breeze. 82/64. 

Situational awareness: Armature Works in Tampa is hosting Happy Hour Yoga on the west lawn from 4:30 to 5:30 this evening. Free, but space is limited.

💌 Thank you to our Axios Tampa Bay members for their support! Become a member today.

Today's newsletter is 888 words, a 3.5-minute read.

📱 Ben nearly got scammed yesterday by callers purporting to be from TECO, claiming that he was in arrears on a solar panel installation fee. Be careful out there.

Today's newsletter was edited by Alexa Mencia and copy edited by Carlos Cunha.

Tampa Bay

Picture of the Tampa Bay skyline with TPA written across it.

Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporter Ben Montgomery.

Axios Tampa Bay

Tampa Pride leader steps down after social media post draws outrage

1 big thing: Tampa Pride executive steps down

Florida highways among most dangerous, new report shows

2. Florida highways among most dangerous

Traffic on a tampa highway with the city skyline in the background.

3. The Pulp: Tell all the people that you seed, follow me

4. Our favorite things 2022, part 6

Plan your future

3 tips to capture great photos of your kids this holiday season

5. 📸 3 quick photo tips to go 

Sounds like: "Tell All The People," The Doors.

Today's newsletter is 932 words, a 3.5-minute read.

🗯 Selene is reading "Queer As All Get Out" ahead of her Queer Comic Book Club this weekend. 

🇨🇽 Ben is perusing this wrapping paper from Red Cap Cards.

Florida boat rentals in jeopardy as new safety law looms

1 big thing: Boat rentals in jeopardy

A boat circles back on the Hillsborough River.

2. Where housing prices are still on the rise

3. The Pulp: Kill two birds with one stonefruit

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4. Our favorite things

New jobs to check out

5. This is how you do it

Pat Maroon #14 of the Tampa Bay Lightning

Sounds like:  "Selfish Soul," by Sudan Archives.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Tampa Bay member Pam Legall!

Today's newsletter is 632 words, a 2.5-minute read.

🤥 Selene is still reading about the guy who can't stop lying, because she lied about reading it yesterday.

🎂 Ben is reading "Lost Children Archive," by Valeria Luiselli, and considering this new king cake recipe.

Tell the person whose snoring keeps you up to subscribe.

Judge to decide whether to reinstate Hillsborough state attorney

1 big thing: Warren vs. DeSantis case concludes

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Tampa startup Therapy iQ wants to free therapists of paperwork

2. Startup wants to free therapists of paperwork

Mangi and Query sit on a fountain with their laptops

3. ⚽️ Where to watch the World Cup

United States fans celebrate after a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USMNT at Al Thumama Stadium 

4. The Pulp: I got juice so delirious

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Do you see yourself with a new career? 

5. Our favorite things 2022, part 3

🌇 Beautiful day. Sunny and clear. 80/62. 

Sounds like: "Delirio de Grandeza," by Rosalía.

Situational awareness: Florida chief financial officer Jimmy Patronis said yesterday his department would pull $2 billion worth of its assets managed by BlackRock Inc., the biggest such divestment by a state opposed to the asset manager's environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) policies, Rueters reports.

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Tampa Bay member Elizabeth Shalett!

Today's newsletter is 905 words, a 3.5-minute read.

🐴🎄 Selene is watching "Christmas At the Ranch."

🏍 Ben is finishing the remarkable "Lost Children Archive" by Valeria Luiselli, and ogling this 1974 Laverda 750 SF2.

Dead fish wash ashore as toxic red tide drifts toward Tampa Bay

1 big thing: Hold your nose, Tampa Bay

Tampa police chief resigns after release of traffic stop video

2. Tampa chief under disciplinary review

3. The Pulp: Now you pit with me

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4. Our favorite things 2022, part 4

Is a new job in your future?

5. 📸 Where in Tampa Bay?

Situational awareness: The NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6) take on the New Orleans Saints (4-8) at 8:15 tonight in what could be Tom Brady’s last Monday Night Football game.

Today's newsletter is 955 words, a 3.5-minute read.

🥓 Ben subscribed most of his Okie family to Zingerman's Bacon Club for Christmas. Don't tell.

Nick Bollettieri, who called himself the "Michelangelo of Tennis" and taught many of the world's tennis stars when they were teens at his Bradenton academy, died Sunday night. He was 91.

Why it matters: The Tennis Hall of Fame-inductee trained some of the best — Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Jim Courier, Boris Becker, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova and Tommy Haas.

His teachings helped produce 10 No. 1-rated players, per the Bradenton Herald.

What they're saying: "(W)hat he turns out on the court are little troopers, once-dear children transformed into steely-eyed tennis fanatics who scowl across the net. This is called producing champions," Sports Illustrated's Barry McDermott wrote in 1980.

Flashback: Bollettieri's controversial methods included denying his students the simplest pleasures, like television on weekdays, or water. 

He grew angry if kids twirled their tennis racquets or if they took too long picking up practice balls, some of which was addressed in the 2017 Showtime Films documentary "Love Means Zero." Sprints on the beach was common punishment.

Bollettieri sold the academy to IMG in 1987, but he continued to train young players there and worked with Arthur Ashe to bring tennis to kids in urban communities.

The Tennis Hall of Fame-inductee trained some of the best, from Andre Agassi to Serena Williams.

Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands takes a selfie with tennis coach Nick Bollettieri (center) at the Miami Open in 2018 in Key Biscayne. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

obituaries

Nick Bollettieri, who called himself the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Michelangelo of Tennis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/35188046/hall-fame-tennis-coach-nick-bollettieri-dies-91" data-vars-content-id="acd77e96-7fd5-4877-9d86-7d645469f1d2" data-vars-headline="Nick Bollettieri, legendary tennis coach, dies at 91" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/35188046/hall-fame-tennis-coach-nick-bollettieri-dies-91" target="_blank">Michelangelo of Tennis</a>&quot; and taught many of the world&#x27;s tennis stars when they were teens at his Bradenton academy, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died Sunday night" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article269526222.html?ac_cid=DM733855&amp;ac_bid=1536546087" data-vars-content-id="acd77e96-7fd5-4877-9d86-7d645469f1d2" data-vars-headline="Nick Bollettieri, legendary tennis coach, dies at 91" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article269526222.html?ac_cid=DM733855&amp;ac_bid=1536546087" target="_blank">died Sunday night</a>. He was 91.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennis Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/nick-bollettieri" data-vars-content-id="acd77e96-7fd5-4877-9d86-7d645469f1d2" data-vars-headline="Nick Bollettieri, legendary tennis coach, dies at 91" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tennisfame.com/hall-of-famers/inductees/nick-bollettieri" target="_blank">Tennis Hall of Fame</a>-inductee trained some of the best — Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, Jim Courier, Boris Becker, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams, Anna Kournikova and Tommy Haas.

Sports

News

Axios Tampa Bay, anchored by Ben Montgomery and Selene San Felice, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.

Florida is among the worst states in the nation at keeping motorists safe on highways. 

So says a new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety that details measures, like mandatory helmets for motorcycle riders, it says could've prevented some of the nearly 43,000 traffic fatalities on U.S. roads last year.

State of play: The study ranked Florida in "danger" due to the low number of laws on the books aimed at preventing traffic deaths, such as restricting the use of cell phones for certain beginner drivers and requiring rear-facing seats for kids through age 2.

Context: Florida — which had 3,753 traffic fatalities in 2021 — does require front seat belts, and prohibits open containers and text messaging by drivers, but is missing a host of other laws. 

What they're saying: "Florida is one of our red cautionary states, and they only have a couple of the laws," Catherine Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, said at a news conference yesterday, adding that Florida has a "complicated legislative system." 

"We're not really surprised by all of the traffic losses, but they can be prevented."

The study ranked Florida in "danger" due to the low number of laws on the books aimed at preventing traffic deaths.

Eastbound traffic on I-275 in Tampa on Sept. 27. Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

Florida

Florida is among the worst states in the nation at keeping motorists safe on highways. <ul><li>So says a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://saferoads.org/advocates-roadmap-reports/" data-vars-content-id="b0325129-0ce1-4693-9cca-27782db62f2f" data-vars-headline="Florida highways among most dangerous, new report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://saferoads.org/advocates-roadmap-reports/" target="_blank">new report from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety</a> that details measures, like mandatory helmets for motorcycle riders, it says could&#x27;ve prevented some of the nearly 43,000 traffic fatalities on U.S. roads last year.</li></ul>

National

Tampa police Chief Mary O'Connor resigned Monday after Creative Loafing unearthed bodycam video of the chief showing her badge and asking for leniency when she and her husband were stopped driving their golf cart on a roadway in Oldsmar.

Driving the news: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's office on Monday said she had requested and received O'Connor's resignation following an internal affairs investigation into the traffic stop.

“It is unacceptable for any public employee, and especially the city's top law enforcement leader, to ask for special treatment because of their position. Public trust in Tampa's police department is paramount to our success as a city and community,” Mayor Castor said in a statement.

O'Connor was placed on administrative leave late last week after the video was revealed.

Flashback: Weeks ago, Creative Loafing reporter Justin Garcia requested the video from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, acting on a tip.

The office sent Garcia the video Thursday. That same afternoon, O'Connor sent an apology email to her staff, writing, "I want you to hear it from me first prior to news stories circulating," Garcia reports.

"I'm hoping you'll just let us go," O'Connor told the Pinellas County sheriff's deputy, Larry Jacoby, on Nov. 12, per the video.

Jacoby let the couple go. His office has not said whether he will be disciplined.

What they're saying: "The Tampa Police Department has a code of conduct that includes high standards for ethical and professional behavior that apply to every member of our police force. As the Chief of Police, you are not only to abide by and enforce those standards but to also lead by example. That clearly did not happen in this case," Castor's statement continued.

"This is especially disappointing because I gave Mary O’Connor a second chance, as I believe in second chances for people. Which is one of the reasons that the disappointment today runs so deep."

"I had high hope for Chief O’Connor, as she was off to such a strong start by reducing violent gun crime, proactively engaging with our community and focusing on officer wellness. But these accomplishments pale in comparison to the priority I place on integrity."

The big picture: The internal review by the department’s Professional Standards Bureau had found that O’Connor violated the department regulations on “standard of conduct” and “abuse of position or identification,” per to a letter released along with Castor’s announcement.

This is the second career-impacting traffic stop for O’Connor, who ran afoul of the law during a 1995 traffic stop, a point of contention during her hiring. 

“I would never want my personal mistake to stand in the way of the progress I have made in mending relationships between the police department and the community, so for that reason, I am resigning,” O’Connor wrote to Castor in her resignation letter. 

What's next: Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw, who has been with the Tampa Police Department for 25 years, will serve as acting chief until a new one is found, which could take "several months," Castor's office said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details throughout.

Tampa Members

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Bodycam video revealed the chief showing her badge and asking for leniency during a traffic stop.

Tampa police Chief Mary O'Connor. Photo: Courtesy of the city of Tampa

Police

Tampa police Chief Mary O&#x27;Connor resigned Monday after Creative Loafing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unearthed bodycam video" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cltampa.com/news/body-cam-footage-shows-tampa-police-chief-using-position-to-get-out-of-traffic-violation-14664104" data-vars-content-id="bd1976f2-bfc8-4695-aa95-416da42578f3" data-vars-headline="Tampa police chief resigns after release of traffic stop video" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cltampa.com/news/body-cam-footage-shows-tampa-police-chief-using-position-to-get-out-of-traffic-violation-14664104" target="_blank">unearthed bodycam video</a> of the chief showing her badge and asking for leniency when she and her husband were stopped driving their golf cart on a roadway in Oldsmar.Driving the news: Tampa Mayor Jane Castor&#x27;s office on Monday said she had requested and received O&#x27;Connor&#x27;s resignation following an internal affairs investigation into the traffic stop.

It's the hap-happiest season of all — until the kids won't SHUT UP AND BE STILL SO WE CAN TAKE THEIR ADORABLE PICTURES.

We asked St. Pete-based professional family photographer Alison Amick Brett, who runs Little Llamas Portraits, what we could be doing better to get great shots of the little ones. Her tips:

A little girl riding a paddleboard on her knees.

Mistake #1: Not getting down to their level.

"Rather than always taking a photo from your perspective, which is much taller than your kiddo, get down on their level by sitting, kneeling, or even laying down," Brett tells us. 

"This will help seem less intimidating to your kids, and you might be excited by the energy you receive in the photo!"

Mistake #2: Asking them to be still for photos. 

"For your holiday photo, say instead, 'Susie, can you show me how your dress spins?' or, 'Susie, can you show me a silly face? An angry face? A laughing really hard face?'

All of these will cater to your child's needs to be active or silly, and your photos will show off their glowing candid smiles."

"Even adults dread the cheese face, so why do we try to force it on our kids?" Brett asks. "Instead, let them have fun, be silly, act crazy, and you might even notice a bigger smile on yourself in this year's holiday card!"

You might be making one of these three mistakes.

Children

It&#x27;s the hap-happiest season of all — until the kids won&#x27;t SHUT UP AND BE STILL SO WE CAN TAKE THEIR ADORABLE PICTURES.<ul><li>Take a deep breath. Help is here.</li></ul>

Things to Do

Reader, we know how hard it can be to find the perfect gift for that special someone. 

So we thought we'd trot out the coolest, best and most useful things we found this year — one by one, now 'til Christmas — in hopes you'll find some inspiration.

Ben's leading off with a simple score: a Vietnamese-style single-cup drip coffee maker he found at Pearl River Mart in SoHo on a trip to New York.

Why it matters: I love the routine of making morning coffee — grinding beans, heating water, watching it steep — but for years I've left a half-carafe of coffee in my French press. I can only drink so much.

This little guy lets you make a cup at a time in pour-over fashion, and it's ready in four or five minutes.

The upswing: This little contraption costs just $6.95, but it has brought me great joy.

Selene lays her head on a pillow while wearing her bluetooth headband.

Selene awkwardly modeling her sleep headphones. Photo: Selene San Felice/Axios

Selene here, with more gifting inspiration. 

One of the most useful things I found this year: This soft bluetooth headband made for sleeping ($20).

Why it matters: I used to get so frustrated on nights when I couldn't sleep, and all I wanted to do was listen to music with headphones. Even earbuds that guaranteed comfort would start to hurt after a minute or two of sleeping on my side. 

This headband is great if you want to fall asleep to some ASMR, or try and tune out snoring (though the headphones aren't noise-canceling).

Plus: You can take out the headphones to wash the headband itself, which is a nice touch.

Go deeper: Check out our guide to buying local for everyone in your life this holiday season.

Get off my lawn. Photo courtesy of Morissey Montgomery

Ben again. Believe it or not, most mornings I slide into your inbox at 6:30am looking like The Dude.

I found the best bathrobe earlier this year on a stroll around St. Armands Circle in Sarasota.

Flashback: I've never been a bathrobe guy. That's a wealthy man's pursuit, for golf-club locker rooms and fellows with names like Milo Wellington.

Yes, but: There's something powerful about a blue-collar robe. Or a novel robe. A dressed-down robe.

Think Rocky Balboa, or Brad Pitt in "Fight Club." Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman"? Merry Christmas to Donna Reed in that too-big bathrobe in "It's a Wonderful Life."

Details: The shop is called Coastal HoBo (478 John Ringling Blvd.) and we were originally lured in by the colorful Turkish towels in the window.

These "rainbow pom pom robes" were in the rear, but it appears that you can order online. 

A photo of "The Deadwood Bible"'s black cover.

If you know someone who loves to quote the beautifully profane Al Swearengen from David Milch's beloved drama "Deadwood," this is the Christmas gift you need.

 "The Deadwood Bible: A Lie Agreed Upon" is a new collection of "Deadwood"-related material created and assembled by veteran film and TV critic Matt Zoller Seitz, who chronicled the acclaimed HBO series since its debut in 2004.

Complete with old-timey illustrations, the book covers the show's origins, production, cancellation, and lasting influence.

It includes historical material provided by Milch's family, plus critical essays on all 36 episodes, the HBO movie, and Milch's other television shows, like "John from Cincinnati" and "Luck."

The rub: The cloth edition of this book, which Seitz created and published himself, costs $175 — a steep price, but worth it to the most hoople of the hoopleheads.

A paperback version is available for $50, but at last check there were only 14 left.

A gray Haikubox attached to the side of a white house.

The Haikubox. Photo: Ben Montgomery/Axios

We told y'all about this one in October, but we're re-upping the Haikubox in case you've got a birder — or someone you wish was a birder — on your holiday gift list.

What it does: This cool AI-enabled device, from Loggerhead Instruments in Sarasota, identifies the birds near your home by their song. Think: Shazam for birds.

Plug Haikubox in outside, connect it to Wi-Fi, and the app quickly starts queuing the birds nearby, recording each call for playback.

The intrigue: Haikubox can send an alert when certain birds or new species are recorded and lets you see which other locations have recorded those species.

It also contributes information to the largest dataset of bird behavior ever assembled.

Details: A prepaid membership ($399) gets you the box, and full access to the website and iPhone app with no annual fee. 

Or an annual membership ($249) gets you the Haikubox and one year of access to the website and apps, with a $59 annual renewal fee.

The rub: Loggerhead tells us they're dealing with high demand and supply-chain issues, but interested readers can sign up here for availability updates.

The best things Axios Tampa Bay reporters bought in 2022

We think these gifts and gadgets are cool. We hope you do too.

Simple and cheap, like Ben. Photo: Ben Montgomery/Axios

Christmas

Reader, we know how hard it can be to find the perfect gift for that special someone. <ul><li>So we thought we&#x27;d trot out the coolest, best and most useful things we found this year — one by one, now &#x27;til Christmas — in hopes you&#x27;ll find some inspiration.</li></ul>

Ben Montgomery

Stories

Florida highways among most dangerous, new report shows

3 tips to capture great photos of your kids this holiday season

Nick Bollettieri, legendary tennis coach, dies at 91

The best things Axios Tampa Bay reporters bought in 2022

Tampa police chief resigns after release of traffic stop video

Newsletter editions

🚙 Our dangerous highways

🚔 Tampa chief resigns

🐟 Dead fish return

🧠 Unburdening therapists

🛥 Boat rental peril