SUMMARY: Rep. Susan Valdés, a Tampa lawmaker, switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, prompting mixed reactions. Valdés expressed frustration with the Democratic leadership’s approach, stating she wouldn’t ignore her constituents’ needs in her remaining term. Republicans celebrated her move, with Florida’s governor congratulating the GOP, while Democrats accused Valdés of political opportunism, highlighting that she was re-elected as a Democrat. Critics pointed to significant shifts in her district’s voting patterns and expressed disappointment in her departure from the Democratic caucus, labeling the change as deceptive and detrimental to public trust in politics.

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The post Fallout and frustration grows following former Tampa lawmaker’s GOP flip appeared first on www.abcactionnews.com

SUMMARY: The Tampa Bay Rays’ $1.3 billion stadium project is facing uncertainty as it evolves through multiple proposals. The new stadium is part of a $6.5 billion development in St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant District, with the Pinellas County Commission set to vote on bond financing on Dec. 17, while the St. Petersburg City Council has approved $287.5 million. The Rays blame delays on the commission, despite a previous letter stating such delays jeopardized the stadium’s expected completion by 2028. The team’s lease at Tropicana Field, built in 1990, expires in 2027, and they may have to play elsewhere in the interim.

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The post Rays on fourth stadium proposal in the Tampa Bay area | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

SUMMARY: A recent study revealed that newer cars, particularly those built from 2015 onward, may contain cancer-causing fumes linked to flame retardants required by federal regulations. These chemicals, intended to protect in the event of a fire, contribute to air pollution inside vehicles. The fumes are more concentrated in warmer months, with levels two to five times higher in summer. To protect yourself, experts recommend keeping your car cooler by parking in shaded areas, avoiding air recirculation, and opening the windows. These simple steps can improve air quality and reduce exposure to harmful fumes.

High levels of cancer causing fumes are being found in newer cars, and the levels only get higher in the summer months. We look at what’s causing this and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

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