SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Rays have suspended plans for a $1.2 billion stadium in St. Petersburg, citing the Pinellas County Commission’s decision to postpone a $312.5 million bond issue crucial for the project. In a letter, Rays co-presidents expressed their disappointment, stating the county’s failure to approve the bonds jeopardized the stadium’s 2028 delivery. Commissioner Chris Scherer criticized the team’s demands as unnecessary and questioned the feasibility of financing the new stadium. Meanwhile, the Rays will play next season at George Steinbrenner Field. The St. Petersburg City Council will also address the urgent roof repairs needed for Tropicana Field, estimated at $55 million.

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SUMMARY: Eighteen migrants were taken into custody after landing in Pompano Beach, Florida, early Tuesday. Surveillance footage captured a smuggling boat that crashed into a personal boat before the passengers disembarked. Residents reported the migrants, who appeared well-fed and properly dressed, were dropped off by a van and later hid in a nearby yard. The group included 13 Ecuadorians, fleeing violence and deteriorating conditions, and five Chinese migrants escaping oppression. They were subsequently taken to a detention center, where they will undergo a legal process to determine their eligibility for asylum or deportation.

The migrants included five from China and 13 from Ecuador, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

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SUMMARY: Experts are observing a decline in COVID-19 and flu vaccination rates ahead of the holidays, raising concerns about a potentially severe respiratory season. Recent hurricanes have distracted many from health priorities, impacting vaccine uptake. With the flu posing significant risks—40,000 to 60,000 annual deaths and a record 200 child fatalities last year, primarily among the unvaccinated—health officials stress the importance of flu shots, especially for vulnerable populations. As December approaches, flu cases are expected to rise, and while COVID projections remain uncertain, doctors recommend getting both vaccines, ideally before the holiday travel season.

COVID-19 vaccination rates declining, doctors say

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