Gasworx development; Wesley Chapel plane crash; “A Land Remembered” series

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Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026

 
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Good Tuesday morning. Enjoy the sun (high of 85, low of 61).

In today’s edition, read about what’s to come for Tampa’s Gasworx; why UnitedHealthcare insurance holders could lose access to BayCare in-network rates; and the misconduct cases at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. 

[DIRK SHADD | Times (2022)]

USF is losing graduate students at a higher rate than other public universities

Isa Stahrfisher and Olivia Lavin are some of the students who say that’s because graduate assistant stipends are lagging behind. 

They make $22,000 every year and struggle to balance second jobs, soaring gas prices and rent payments. 

The university pays more than other Florida public universities, but less than some of its elite peers across the country.

 
 

AROUND THE BAY

Literacy improvement: A Tampa elementary school partnership program pairs students with real-time tutors during school hours. The results are encouraging.

Tampa’s Gasworx: Two apartment buildings are complete. Two more are on the way along with offices, dining and shopping. See inside Darryl Shaw's vision for a walkable district on the edge of Ybor City.

147,000 Floridians could lose access: If UnitedHealthcare doesn’t reach a new contract agreement with BayCare Health System by May 31, patients would likely need to find new doctors or pay out-of-network prices to continue care.

For groceries: Two Winn-Dixies in Tampa Bay could soon be converted to Aldi stores. 

Change in plans: Following outcry from environmental advocates, the producers of the forthcoming TV series “A Land Remembered” have decided not to film scenes at Fort DeSoto Park.

“Hope Rides” initiative: A new partnership allows CASA Pinellas to assist people seeking help with transportation to and from services.

Missed a direct hit on homes: A small plane crashed in Wesley Chapel Sunday morning, killing the pilot.

“Known transient camp”: A woman was found dead with upper body trauma near a bridge on Paul Buchman Highway on Sunday morning.

 

FEATURED

[JEFFEREE WOO | Times (2025)]

Misconduct cases at Hillsborough sheriff’s office spur culture questions

In the last nine months, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has been mired in misconduct cases. Do they signal a broader problem within the agency? We asked the sheriff.

 

POLITICS

FIND MORE AT TAMPABAY.COM/POLITICS

Shedding members: A week after Congress lost two members because of scandal, two more members, both from Florida, face scrutiny for their own alleged infractions. What's at stake? We unpack it all.

Election opponents: The Republican race for Florida governor is getting ugly as candidates like Lt. Gov. Jay Collins scramble to catch up to frontrunner Byron Donalds.

16 years later: Environmental groups sued the Trump administration over its approval of BP’s ultra deep-water drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico.

 
 

SPORTS

For Game 2: As the Lightning attempt to climb out of their 1-0 series hole following Sunday’s overtime loss to Montreal, Tampa Bay is expected to be without rookie defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous for today’s game. But there's a few ways the Bolts can flip the script.

Offseason workouts begin: At least one Bucs player feels ready to take on a more vocal role with the defense. Safety Tykee Smith, after all, learned from the best.

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

 

TAMPA BAY TRIVIA

[DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

Hundreds of wading birds return each spring to nest and raise chicks at a quiet retention pond in Port Richey. Do you know which bird is pictured above?

A. Great egret

B. Anhinga

C. Wood stork

Click for the answer

Today's DayStarter was compiled by Neha Seenarine and Kiley Petracek.

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