It's Friday. In other parts of our great nation, leaves are changing color, brisk breezes cool the end of the day, and ruddy-faced children pick apples in the burnt orange of the fading late-afternoon light. Here, on the other hand:
Several media companies, including the Associated Press, have requested that certain legal records pertaining to the Hulk Hogan-Gawker lawsuit be made public. If you'll remember, The Hulkster is suing Gawker for publishing a sex tape that showed him having sex with shock DJ (and former Hulk friend) Bubba The Love Sponge Clem's then-wife — I guess because Hulk thinks that's somehow more embarrassing or character-destroying than, oh, everything he's done in public for the whole of his career?
Over in Tampa, protestors delayed a city council meeting centered on the ongoing tensions over Mayor Bob Buckhorn's Citizens Review Board, but when it was all said and done it seems both parties may have moved a step closer to compromise. "We are now certain we can get this thing settled without bloodshed," said a representative, disappointing basically everybody.
And finally, back in Pinellas, the County Commission approved a new $2 billion budget without making any changes to its property taxes, which had been a concern. The commission did manage to find some extra income, however, by instituting small taxes on complaining about recycling, posting internet comments critical of the new pier design, and making fun of Clearwater in general.
