Clearwater police are increasing their presence on the beaches amid the start of spring break season. Combining nearly half a million students in the Tampa Bay area and a spike in visitors, it’s easy to see how this could be a hot bed for new coronavirus cases.
This year all six public school systems in Tampa Bay chose the same week for spring break. The University of South Florida pushed spring break back to the second week of April, in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus during this high traffic time.
Clearwater police say that they will increase patrols on ATV’s and bikes to remind people to stay safe while at the beach but this may not be enough. Officials are also worried that students and tourists will ignore alcohol rules which may lead to more people taking less precautions in the surrounding communities.
New bill targeting transgender student athletes receives criticism
A Florida House subcommittee recently approved HB 1475, which brings it closer to a debate in the full House.
This bill requires that school sport teams look at biological sex when it comes to determining who is allowed on the team. Specifically it eliminates transgender females from playing on teams that are designated for male students and vice versa.
House member Kaylee Tuck sponsored the bill and she says it’s designed to keep women’s sports fair. Members of the LGBTQ community disagree however. With many saying that there is no case to exclude them.
This bill is the latest to pop up across America. With places like Missouri, Mississippi and 18 other states reviewing similar bills. SB 2012 is from the Florida Senate and is also very similar to these bills mentioned. These bills have not popped up without their fair share of outrage however. Many celebrities and parents are denouncing them across the states including former NBA player Dwyane Wade.
Tampa Bay veteran develops app with hopes to support deployed troops
Brandon Dutliewicz is a veteran who created the app “Support-A-Troop” as an easy way to send care packages to those overseas. While not only is this a good way to get in contact with enlisted loved ones, it marks the first time that a service member can download an app designed just for them.
First the soldier and user must create a personalized user profile and then the serviceman will create a wishlist. This wishlist is almost like a wedding registry, with anyone on the app being able to easily purchase and send the items of their choice along with a note to the soldier.
“When I was overseas and I was deployed, I didn’t have anybody to support me back home,” says Brandon Dutliewicz. “So when I got out, I wanted to still serve my, my country and my service members. So I did it in the way of fixing this problem that I had.”
Dutliewicz hopes to have a website operational soon so donors without phones can still send love and whatever else to our troops.
Credits
Anchors: Payton Kirol, Dylan Zuccarello
Reporter: Deanna Lampasona, Demi Asensio
Producer: Gabe Castro
Writer: Ta’Bria Snowden, Payton Kirol
Graphics editor: Sean Stover, Chloe Benjamin
Video Editors: Brad Haft, Niamh Larkin, Ta’Bria Snowden
Show Editor: Demi Asensio
Videographer: Brad Haft, Leo Santos, David Rose
Associate Producer: Carla Ibanez, James Birmingham, Niamh Larkin
Web Editor: Austen Prager
Copy Desk Chief: Austin Federau
Executive Producer: Payton Kirol, Brad Haft
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Adviser: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
