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A guide to fun things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend.

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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporter Selene San Felice.

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Florida abortion ballot initiative hits threshold for state  Supreme Court review

The group needs more than 800,000 signatures by February to get it in front of voters in 2024.

News

Citing issues with tenure, loss of DEI, Florida faculty members want out

Nearly half of Florida respondents said they planned to find jobs in other states within the year.

Latin tech accelerator seeks Tampa Bay talent

Tampa Bay's Latino and Hispanic population has boomed in the last decade along with the area's tech industry.

Business

Bite club: St. Petersburg's new Azúcar Cuban Café

The menu offers breakfast and lunch, along with an array of desserts and coffee.

Food and Drink

USF Bulls set to take on Alabama Crimson Tide for first time in 20 years

The game is on track to yield one of USF's most well-attended home games in program history.

Sports

When the Alabama Crimson Tide come to town Saturday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to play USF" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/12/usf-bulls-stadium-finance-plan-approval" data-vars-content-id="f2f1c71a-6434-448e-88e8-3227bc58fc8e" data-vars-headline="USF Bulls set to take on Alabama Crimson Tide for first time in 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/09/12/usf-bulls-stadium-finance-plan-approval" target="_self">to play USF</a>, it will truly be David versus Goliath — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sorry, coach Alex Golesh" data-vars-click-url="https://gousfbulls.com/news/2023/9/12/football-bulls-take-on-tide-saturday-in-front-of-a-full-stadium-and-national-audience-on-abc" data-vars-content-id="f2f1c71a-6434-448e-88e8-3227bc58fc8e" data-vars-headline="USF Bulls set to take on Alabama Crimson Tide for first time in 20 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gousfbulls.com/news/2023/9/12/football-bulls-take-on-tide-saturday-in-front-of-a-full-stadium-and-national-audience-on-abc" target="_blank">sorry, coach Alex Golesh</a>.Zoom in: It&#x27;s been 20 years since the Bulls last faced off against Alabama. The Crimson Tide won that 2003 game 40-17.

 A football adorned with the South Florida Bulls logo sits on a crate on the sidelines.

USF Bulls $340 million stadium finance plan clears final hurdle

University leaders say the facility will be easier for students to get to and help football recruitment.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University of South Florida" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/06/06/usf-ai-certificate" data-vars-content-id="e41c8bc2-3d9d-4536-ab8c-0ff6a3170d40" data-vars-headline="USF Bulls $340 million stadium finance plan clears final hurdle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/06/06/usf-ai-certificate" target="_self">University of South Florida</a>&#x27;s plan to spend $340 million on an on-campus stadium cleared its final hurdle last week, paving the way for what college officials say will be a transformational project set to open in 2026.Driving the news: During a recent meeting, the Board of Governors, which oversees Florida&#x27;s 12 public universities, unanimously <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approved the 35,000-seat stadium&#x27;s spending plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usf.edu/news/2023/florida-board-of-governors-approves-usfs-plan-for-a-new-on-campus-stadium.aspx" data-vars-content-id="e41c8bc2-3d9d-4536-ab8c-0ff6a3170d40" data-vars-headline="USF Bulls $340 million stadium finance plan clears final hurdle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usf.edu/news/2023/florida-board-of-governors-approves-usfs-plan-for-a-new-on-campus-stadium.aspx" target="_blank">approved the 35,000-seat stadium&#x27;s spending plan</a>, which allows the university to borrow up to $200 million.

A rendering showing a found football stadium along with several buildings and trees. Several green Us with bullhorns are scattered over the rendering to represent the University of South Florida's athletics logo.

New look Bucs get their chance in season opener vs. Minnesota Vikings

From Brady to Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay wil look different this year under second year head coach Todd Bowles.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their season today with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="envious task of rebuilding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/03/20/tampa-bay-buccaneers-offseason-baker-mayfield" data-vars-content-id="e4a3fde4-2a56-409c-b0e1-e3a3f19eca37" data-vars-headline="New look Bucs get their chance in season opener vs. Minnesota Vikings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2023/03/20/tampa-bay-buccaneers-offseason-baker-mayfield" target="_self">envious task of rebuilding</a> after saying goodbye to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="greatest quarterback of all time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2021/01/25/tom-brady-tampa-bay-buccaneers-super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="e4a3fde4-2a56-409c-b0e1-e3a3f19eca37" data-vars-headline="New look Bucs get their chance in season opener vs. Minnesota Vikings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2021/01/25/tom-brady-tampa-bay-buccaneers-super-bowl" target="_self">greatest quarterback of all time</a>. Driving the news: The Bucs open the season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is at 1pm on CBS.

4 must watch Buccaneers games

Whether you're watching on TV, streaming on your phone or going to Raymond James, here are some games you don't want to miss.

Whether you&#x27;re watching on TV, streaming on your phone or going to Raymond James in person, here are some games you don&#x27;t want to miss.

MLB investigating Wander Franco over alleged inappropriate relationship

The Rays placed shortstop Wander Franco on the restricted list for at least a week.

The Rays placed shortstop Wander Franco on the restricted list Monday for at least a week as MLB launches an official investigation into allegations he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.Context: Franco&#x27;s leave comes while he had played &quot;extraordinarily well over the last few weeks,&quot; the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2023/08/14/wander-franco-rays-mlb-investigation-restricted-list/?trk_msg=87EO7M20DFC4FF1JA30MBVDAO0&amp;trk_contact=J9MCBVU6ONKRFHOPU067DBFHMK&amp;trk_sid=VL4UEFTPQT2BPKBPOD8LASGIVS&amp;trk_link=GFN7HFDA2UH4T60AILE7HS81HS&amp;utm_email=b63c4b07c109e19a479b2e1a43a0816e2d2b005397fd332acaabd22e784f0dfc&amp;utm_source=Breaking+News&amp;utm_medium=MG2_Newsletter&amp;utm_term=This+is+a+developing+story&amp;utm_campaign=times-breaking-news" data-vars-content-id="2f8ccbfb-6f9a-4bde-89fe-f8c9468a2459" data-vars-headline="MLB investigating Wander Franco over alleged inappropriate relationship" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tampabay.com/sports/rays/2023/08/14/wander-franco-rays-mlb-investigation-restricted-list/?trk_msg=87EO7M20DFC4FF1JA30MBVDAO0&amp;trk_contact=J9MCBVU6ONKRFHOPU067DBFHMK&amp;trk_sid=VL4UEFTPQT2BPKBPOD8LASGIVS&amp;trk_link=GFN7HFDA2UH4T60AILE7HS81HS&amp;utm_email=b63c4b07c109e19a479b2e1a43a0816e2d2b005397fd332acaabd22e784f0dfc&amp;utm_source=Breaking+News&amp;utm_medium=MG2_Newsletter&amp;utm_term=This+is+a+developing+story&amp;utm_campaign=times-breaking-news" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Times</a> reports. His batting average is fifth-best among position players.

Takeaways from Bucs preseason loss

The Buccaneers lost their preseason opener Friday night against the Steelers 27-17.

The Buccaneers lost their preseason opener Friday night against the Steelers 27-17. Driving the news: The game won&#x27;t count in the standings, but this is the time for the team to work out its kinks ahead of their Sept. 10 season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Where to watch Women's World Cup games in Tampa Bay

World of Beer, MacDinton's and Riveters are among the venues where you can cheer on Team USA.

Things to Do

Soccer fans will be glued to their screens over the next month as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Team USA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt" data-vars-content-id="71c7c8aa-7238-4db9-9473-db67f711e36b" data-vars-headline="Where to watch Women&#x27;s World Cup games in Tampa Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt" target="_blank">Team USA</a> begins its quest for a three-peat for the FIFA Women&#x27;s World Cup. What&#x27;s happening: The World Cup is being played in Australia and New Zealand which means a 14- to 16-hour time difference for soccer fans in the states.<ul><li>Team USA&#x27;s first match is Friday at 9pm against Vietnam. They are ranked No. 1 in Group E. </li></ul>

Megan Rapinoe of the USA lifts the FIFA Women's World Cup Trophy following her team's victory in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Tampa Bay Rays' hot start doesn't lead to early All-Star support

Only first baseman Yandy Díaz was a top-two vote-getter for his position.

The Tampa Bay Rays have the best record in baseball, but it&#x27;s not translating to wider recognition ahead of MLB&#x27;s Midsummer Classic.Driving the news: This week, MLB released the first returns of All-Star Game voting. The top two vote-getters at the end of Phase 1 — for which voting ends at noon on June 22 — move on to Phase 2 to decide who will be a starter during the game.

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz swinging his bat, wearing a navy jersey.

Tampa Bay is still Titletown after Miami teams lose championships

Both the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers lost in their respective championship series, 4-1.

Our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="friends in Miami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami" data-vars-content-id="6e1085c7-7f98-418f-a695-f97570b077b3" data-vars-headline="Tampa Bay is still Titletown after Miami teams lose championships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami" target="_self">friends in Miami</a> aren&#x27;t having the best sports week. When it comes to losing in championship games, we can&#x27;t relate.State of losses: Both the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers lost in their respective championship series, 4-1.

St. Pete has more pickleball courts per capita than most U.S. cities

There are around 20 pickleball courts per 100,000 St. Petersburg residents.

St. Petersburg is among the top five cities in the U.S. for pickleball courts per capita, the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a pro-parks nonprofit, found.By the numbers: There are around 20 pickleball courts per 100,000 St. Petersburg residents, which ranks the city No. 2 on the list. In Tampa, there are about eight per 100,000 residents.

Sports 🏅