Are you working today? If so, here, don't work for a few minutes.
The Fourth That Would Not Die: Gulfport's rescheduled fireworks show went off last night in the beachside city despite threatening weather, while the city of St. Pete didn't reschedule, and blamed the vendor on its cancellation amid a barrage of social-media outrage from people completely willing to reveal to the world how empty their lives are.
Singer/violent person with impulse-control issues Chris Brown was arrested last night just after his show in West Palm on a warrant issued in Hillsborough County. He made bail, naturally, and as of this morning his show in Tampa is still on. Would going to his show be a tacit endorsement of violence, or a dismissal of the victims of said violence? We're not sure. We'll mull it over while watching a Roman Polanski film and trying not to think about double standards.
St. Pete attorney and Democrat Carrie Pilon announced she is withdrawing from the race for Jeff Brandes' state senate seat. She didn't give a reason beyond a family member's health issues, but having her father-in-law endorse Republican Brandes as soon as she announced her candidacy probably didn't get things off to a great start. In any case, we wish her and her family the best.
And finally, state wildlife officers are on the lookout for a 10-foot alligator that attacked a horse in New Port Richey. I always knew the animals would get around to the other animals who were taking humanity's side.
This article appears in Jul 5-12, 2018.