Axios Tampa Bay

April 15, 2022
🐰 Hoppy Friday, Tampa Bay. Hope your Easter weekend is lovely.
🌤 Mostly sunny, with a slight chance of thunderstorms late morning, then mostly clear. 89/68
- Sounds like: "Car Song," Woody Guthrie.
Today's newsletter is 927 words, a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: DeSantis signs 15-week abortion ban
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed into law a bill that bans all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.
Driving the news: The legislation includes no exceptions for rape or incest and only allows abortions past 15 weeks in cases of a medical emergency or if there's a "fatal fetal abnormality."
- Abortions must also be reported to the state, along with information on why the procedure was provided.
- The law is set to take effect on July 1.
Context: In Florida, it is currently legal to get an abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy.
ICYMI: A Leon County judge approved a 24-hour waiting period for abortions in Florida earlier this week after a seven-year court battle.
What he's saying: "To be able to sign the bill here today is really, really meaningful," DeSantis said at the signing at Kissimmee church Nacion de Fe. "It's a statement to our values that every life is important."
What we're watching: Alexandra Mandado, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, told Axios that Planned Parenthood is "exploring every option to stop this unconstitutional ban from being implemented."
2. A Titanic-sized fib
The front page of the Tampa Daily Times on April 15, 1912. Source: Newspapers.com
When the Tampa Daily Times hit newsstands the afternoon of April 15, 1912 — 110 years ago — its front page included a big mistake.
Flashback: The Times reported that the Titanic, "greatest steamship afloat," was being towed toward Halifax and her passengers had been transferred to another boat "without accident."
- Newspapers across the country issued similar incorrect reports in the days after the behemoth settled 2.5 miles deep in the Atlantic.
Why it matters: At the center of the mess was a new piece of technology and the globetrotting Italian who invented it, then helped suppress the news of one of the world's most memorable disasters.
- This part wasn't in the movie, but it's fascinating in a world where wealthy men still try to control communications platforms.
Catch up quick: Before it sank, the Titanic was communicating with shore and other vessels using Guglielmo Marconi's new wireless telegraph, even receiving news updates about industrial unrest on the railways and a high-profile murder in France.
Yes, but: After initial dispatches that the ship was sinking and lifeboats were being deployed, all comms fell silent.
3. Vū brings big screen tech to UT
The new Vū technology in action at the University of Tampa. Photo courtesy of Vū Studio
Vū Studio unveiled its donation of cutting-edge virtual production equipment to the University of Tampa on Thursday.
Details: The donation, valued at $750,000, includes a 30-by-14-foot Vū LED screen and 4K LED processor, plus 120 hours of stage time and training at Vū's flagship Tampa studio for UT students.
- Vu's new virtual production studio takes over the old black box theater in the university's Cass Communication building.
- UT's Department of Film, Animation and New Media and the new Master of Arts in Social and Emerging Media program will primarily use the technology.
Background: Vū Studio, which uses panels of LED screens to create photorealistic virtual environments, took over former retail spaces at University Mall last year.
- Its founders recently closed a $17 million seed round, using that money to open studios in Nashville and Vegas.
What they're saying: David Gudelunas, UT's dean of the College of Arts and Letters, said in a press release that the technology "will provide an unparalleled opportunity for students … to collaborate across disciplinary lines, get the most cutting-edge hands-on experience and produce projects that will break barriers."
4. The Pulp: I was cryin' when I met juice
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
- Steven Miles, 39, of Zephyrhills, is the 83rd Floridian to be charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack at the U.S. Capitol. (Tampa Bay Times)
- E-bikes and Segways have joined ordinary bicycles on the list of vehicles banned from hiking trails on environmentally sensitive lands in Charlotte County. (Port Charlotte Sun)
- The Hernando De Soto Historical Society announced that the entire Tampa Bay Buccaneer organization will be grand marshals for Bradenton's De Soto Grand Parade on April 30. (Bradenton Herald)
- In March, 442,846 passengers traveled through the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, breaking the single-month traffic record. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
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5. Culture wars come to Citrus County
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Tiny Citrus County up north has received an unprecedented 45 applications to fill five open seats on the nine-member library advisory board.
- That's two score and five people who have volunteered their time to meet on the fourth Tuesday of every other month to do things like review reading materials and revise library policy.
What's happening: Library Services director Eric Head told the Citrus County Chronicle the increased interest is due to LGBTQ Pride Month displays at two county branches last year, which several residents criticized.
- The Chronicle reports that the man leading the charge against the displays encouraged county commissioners to ignore candidates' lack of academic bonafides when making selections.
6. Things to do this weekend
Get your Easter egg hunt on. Photo: Natalie Kolb/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images
🍯 Sweet n' Spicy Festival: Whether you've got a sweet tooth or a taste for pain, there's something for you at this festival along the Riverwalk.
- 10am-6pm Saturday at Waterworks Park. Free!
🕺 Red Bull Dance Your Style Tampa Qualifier: Watch Tampa dancers compete among some of the best from the southeast, with all looking to punch their ticket to the national final in New Orleans later this spring.
- 6pm Saturday at The Cuban Club in Ybor. Free!
🐣 St. Pete Pier Easter Egg Hunt: Hidden among 5,000 eggs will be 12 golden eggs filled with prizes like a $100 gift card to Astro Craft Ice Cream, a St. Pete Museum of History family membership and a Doc Ford's gift basket. BYOBasket.
- 1-4pm Sunday at Family Park on the St. Pete Pier. Free and open to kids 10 and under.
🐰 Go deeper: More free easter egg hunts around Tampa Bay.
📺 Selene is watching "Rothaniel." 🎤
👨💻 Ben is reading John Michael Greer on the end of progress. 🐋
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