Afternoon Update: Oscar Sunday almost here; Kriseman employee: not a 'friendly job transfer' latest from 'stand your ground' hearing; Rays play tonight

Here's what you may have missed, and what you need to know as you start winding down.8 Months Ago3 Days Ago4 Days Ago   The Oscars are upon us. The 89th annual Academy Awards honors the best in film, and the Times will be covering the winners,...

Afternoon Update: Oscar Sunday almost here; Kriseman employee: not a 'friendly job transfer' latest from 'stand your ground' hearing; Rays play tonight

Here's what you may have missed, and what you need to know as you start winding down.

8 Months Ago

3 Days Ago

4 Days Ago

 

 

 

The Oscars are upon us. The 89th annual Academy Awards honors the best in film, and the Times will be covering the winners, losers, fashion, the acceptance speeches, host Jimmy Kimmel and any other news from Tinseltown in a live blog. Beforehand, check out our preview coverage at the Times' Movies page. And if you have to be part of the crowd, Tampa Theatre will again hold its signature red carpet and viewing event.

 

 

After St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman transferred his longtime personal secretary, Lisa Brekke, to the fire department, Kriseman aides described the move as a way to enhance her personal growth. But records the Times recently obtained show tension existed between Brekke chief of staff Kevin King led her to tell top fire, human resources and legal officials that King intimidated her and left her in tears when a reporter asked the mayor's office about the transfer.

 

 

The fifth day of a high-profile "stand your ground" hearing for Curtis Reeves opened at the Wesley Chapel theater where Chad Oulson was shot to death in 2014. After a recess, testimony resumed this afternoon at the Pasco courthouse. For the latest updates, follow our reporters' live blog.

 

 

The Rays open their 34-game Grapefruit League schedule tonight in Fort Myers. The lineup has a few familiar names, starting with Brad Miller making his first appearance at second, where the Rays are planning to move him. RHP Austin Pruitt, coming off a solid Triple-A season, will start for the Rays. You can follow the action with beat reporter Marc Topkin in the Times' live game blog.

 

 

After a fire led to damage at the Daarus Salaam Mosque in Thonotosassa, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said arson targeting a place of worship is no different from the wave of anti-Semitic attacks on Jewish community centers and synagogues across the country and bomb threats in cities including Tampa. "We will not tolerate this," the mayor said. As he spoke, mosque members were working at a nearby table, cutting and painting arrow-shaped signs to direct people to a temporary place of worship.

 

 

Cooler, drier air filters in over the weekend, leading to lots of sunshine and much less humid air, especially on Sunday, according to 10Weather WTSP meteorologist Ashley Batey. Expect Saturday morning lows in the low 60s and highs in the upper 70s. After a cold front passes, Sunday dips into the upper 50s and high reaching the low to mid 70s. For more forecast details, go to the Times' Weather page.

 

 

As you head out for your evening commute, check out our live blog for the latest traffic updates and road conditions across Tampa Bay. And a reminder that Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard and other routes near the waterfront will be closed for the Gasparilla Distance Classic races on Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

 

 

On Sunday morning, parts of the world will experience an annular solar eclipse. An annular eclipse happens when the moon covers most of the sun, but leaves a "ring of fire." It won't affect Florida, but go online to Slooh.com, if you have hopes of catching this cosmic event. A live stream begins at 7 a.m.

 

Afternoon Update is a weekday feature from tampabay.com. Check in Monday through Friday for updates and information on the biggest stories of the day.

 

 

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