Here’s what you may have missed, and what you need to know as you start winding down:
Several circus performers were injured this afternoon in a 25-foot fall while practicing a high-wire pyramid act in Sarasota, officials said. Renowned aerialist Nik Wallenda was part of the act but did not fall and was not injured, officials said. This is a developing story. Stay with tampabay.com for updates.
As you head out for your drive home, check out our live blog for the latest traffic updates and road conditions across Tampa Bay.
The alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 terror attacks wrote former President Barack Obama in a long suppressed letter that America brought the 9/11 attacks on itself for years of foreign policy that killed innocent people across the world. Khalid Sheik Mohammed addresses Obama as "the head of the snake" and president of "the country of oppression and tyranny" in the 18-page letter. It is dated January 2015 but didn’t reach the White House until a military judge ordered Guantánamo prison to deliver it days before Obama left office.
Democratic senators fighting to derail Jeff Sessions’ nomination as attorney general repeatedly challenged Republicans today by reading aloud from a critical letter from Martin Luther King Jr.’s widow, a day after the Republicans silenced Sen. Elizabeth Warren for doing the same. Warren was ordered to sit down Tuesday night, throwing the Senate into turmoil as it headed for tonight’s vote on the Alabama senator. She was silenced for reading the letter that Coretta Scott King wrote three decades ago criticizing Sessions’ record on race.
Hillsborough County’s tourism marketing firm said today it has complied with demands from House Speaker Richard Corcoran to release detailed financial information on its operations, though the organization maintains it shouldn’t have to. Hours before a 6 p.m. deadline, Visit Tampa Bay sent Tallahassee hundreds of pages of documents on its operations. The information includes salaries for all of its employees plus thousands of dollars in bonuses to two dozen of its top executives and others.
Undeterred by an unusual tongue-lashing from Gov. Rick Scott, the Florida Legislature today continued a two-front war on his biggest priorities: job creation programs and tourism marketing. The Florida House later today is expected to take up a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida completely.
President Donald Trump tweeted today that Nordstrom, which decided to stop selling Ivanka Trump’s clothing and accessory line, treated his daughter "so unfairly." Nordstrom shares dropped after the tweet but later recovered. The department store chain had said last week that it made the decision based on the brand’s performance, and that each year it replenishes about 10 percent of its supply with new products.
Brian McCranie was about to dump another load into the belly of his big green garbage truck Wednesday morning when he heard screams. A man was trapped in the container of the Waste Management truck, yelling for help. McCranie, who had just pulled into a Dollar General store on Hillsborough Avenue, called 911. A Tampa police officer arrived, climbed up on to the top of the truck and saw the man, 32-year-old Tristan Godsey. He was conscious and breathing, but hurt, according to a police report.
The 15-year mark came and went this week, and Andrea Bolden still doesn’t know who killed her husband. Bolden, 54, her daughter, Tyra, and several friends and family members gathered at Clarence Bolden’s grave today at Brewer & Sons Parklawn Memorial Cemetery to release balloons in his memory. They spoke of their loving husband, devoted father and generous friend, imploring anyone with information on his murder to come forward.
Jamie Hawkins-Gaar, who lit up the world with his contagious humor, boundless creativity and the love he lavished upon his friends, family and especially his wife, Katie Hawkins-Gaar, died on Saturday in Safety Harbor. He was 32. Jamie was running a half-marathon — his second in three weeks — when he collapsed less than a mile away from the finish line. He was taken to Mease Countryside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Pro Football Focus has named its top 101 players of the 2016 season, and three Buccaneers made the cut. Receiver Mike Evans ranks 12th, cornerback Brent Grimes ranks 43rd and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy ranks 73rd. None of the three was ranked in 2015’s list.
The Rays added some catching depth to their spring roster, acquiring Jesus Sucre from the Mariners for cash or a player to be named. Sucre, 28, spent parts of the last four seasons in the majors, compiling a .209 average and .522 OPS in 90 games.
The Rays are planning to install new turf at Tropicana Field before Opening Day. The Rays expect the change to the Shaw Sports Turf to be easier on their players, provide a firmer and truer surface and look better.
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