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DayStarter

Tuesday, May 05, 2026

Good Tuesday morning. It’ll be partly cloudy with a high of 87.

In today’s edition, read about the history of the University of South Florida's science lab that caught fire; Gov. Ron DeSantis' signing of the Florida redistricting map; and divers' discovery of century-old wreckage of USCGC Tampa. 

[DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times]

When new restrictions on watering days and times had gone into effect across Tampa Bay for the first time, officers were starting to issue $193 fines.

Playing detective, these Pinellas water cops use utility data and citizen complaints — plus their ears, eyes and noses — to catch culprits. 

We rode along with the sprinkler patrol in the pre-dawn darkness. 

Old infrastructure: The history of USF's Marine Science Lab, the building that caught fire on Saturday, dates back almost a century. Here's what we know about the aging building's funding and maintenance over the years.

Known to cause cancer: A Times investigation found that a medicinal sterilizer plant used toxic ethylene oxide in Temple Terrace. Residents found out it was high risk years later. 

Implications of AI: In short essays, three R.F. “Red” Pittman Tribune scholarship winners from Hillsborough County share what they see as the future of artificial intelligence.

Investigation started: A criminal probe is underway into the deaths of sloths at Sloth World, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said. The number of dead sloths from the Florida attraction is now up to 33. 

Mike, Michelle, Miguel