Rays Have Until Sunday for Stadium Decision

Pinellas County has told The Tampa Bay Rays baseball team to declare in writing whether it wants to pursue an existing financing plan for a new $1.3 billion ballpark or walk away from the deal.

County Commission Chair Kathleen Peters informed top Rays executives that the county needs to know by Sunday “whether you intend to see it come to fruition” before the commission votes Dec. 17 on bonds to raise its share of the ballpark cost.

The Rays had said the plan was in jeopardy because a planned Oct. 29 bond vote was delayed. The St. Petersburg City Council also delayed a vote on its share of the stadium financing bonds.

Sweet Pete’s Named Best Candy Store in Florida

Jacksonville’s Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop has been named the best candy store in Florida by Southern Living magazine as part of its “Best Candy Shops in Every Southern State” ranking. You can see the full list here.

Founded 14 years ago in Springfield before moving to its current downtown spot, Sweet Pete’s exudes a “Willy Wonka-like whimsy, from the fully functioning factory to the enthusiastic owners and ever-changing seasonal decor,” the magazine said.

Housed inside a 23,000-square-foot Victorian building, Sweet Pete’s is the largest candy store in the Southeast.

Florida Tech Volleyball Earns NCAA Tournament Bid

The Florida Tech volleyball team earned its first-ever NCAA Regional Tournament bid. Led by head coach Jordan Willis and his staff, the team corrected course after a poor 2023 season.

The Panthers’ 20-win season and 14-6 conference record secured the No. 5 seed in the South Region. See the tournament bracket here.

The team will travel to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach on Thursday, Dec. 6, for the first round of the tournament.

Dear Flyover Florida Reader,

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope your day is filled with family, food, and football—and I hope you take a little time to consider the blessings we enjoy in this great land.

Today, I’m thankful for turkey (the white meat, of course), my two children (even when they act like turkeys; ever had a bow and arrow fired at your head during a Zoom call?), and for the freedom to enjoy it all.

Here’s another one of mine: The demand in America for biased, elitist news media is dropping. MSNBC’s audience is down 39% since October, and Comcast has announced plans to spin the network off into a new company. (The new entity will be named…SpinCo. These things really do write themselves. )

It’s a bright sign for America’s future that folks are ditching the propaganda factories, and I want as many of those people as possible to join our movement for reliable news.

Here’s another thing I’m thankful for: nearly 180,000 of you have already joined Flyover Florida,, and you’ve been telling your friends about us! I’m grateful for each of you.

Today, if Flyover Florida is on your list of things to be thankful for, would you help me with a donation? Your direct support is the best way to help us cover our costs, and it would mean a lot to me.

Whether or not you can donate, I’m thankful for your support!

I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving.
-Cole, CEO

➤ Tallahassee: From now through Christmas, a full roster of Christmas and holiday events is open to the public in the state capital. (See List)

➤ Merritt Island: The Astronaut Training Experience at Kennedy Space Center invites guests to explore space through several specially designed experiences in a room with the look and feel of an astronaut training facility. (See Video)

➤ Tampa: Country’s biggest stars are coming to the Raymond James Stadium in May. Country Thunder Florida’s lineup will include Riley Green, Jelly Roll, and Blake Shelton. (More)

➤ Orlando: Disney announced a Muppets-themed ride that will replace the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with Aerosmith at Hollywood Studios theme park. The roller coaster has been one of the most popular rides for 25 years. (See Details)

➤ Lee County: Parks & Recreation has planned numerous holiday events throughout December, including a holiday market and Santafest. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Rays will play 47 of their first 59 games of the 2025 MLB season at home in hopes of avoiding weather problems that may come with the team’s temporary home, Steinbrenner Field. (More)

➤ Two-time pro bowler Shaq Barrett wants to un-retire from the NFL after announcing his retirement in July. Barrett is best remembered for his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Miami Dolphins currently hold his contract rights. (More)

➤ Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told reporters that the organization had made in-house changes over the bye week but refused to elaborate on specifics. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: CFP | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW 

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➤ Florida’s property insurance market is showing improvement, which could mean lower rates for homeowners. Three major state-backed insurance funds have received credit rating upgrades. (More)

➤ More Americans are relocating to Florida and Texas than any other U.S. states due to affordable housing, lower taxes, and strong job markets. (More)

➤ Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties are getting $2.1 million in additional funding from the state for military-supporting infrastructure through the Defense Reinvestment Grant Program. (See Details)

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Are you thankful for Flyover Florida? If so, would you donate to help us cover our costs?

Our sponsors are fantastic, but we still rely on the direct support of our readers.

Give $15
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Give $150
Give $500 

Thank you!
Cole, CEO

➤ Inclusion Cafe Academy held its second graduation. The cafe provides training and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities, giving them new opportunities and improving their quality of life. (See Photos)

➤ The University of Tampa was recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for being one of the most engaged campuses for student voting. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Tampa Convention Center Garage was named the 2024 Innovative Facility of the Year by the National Parking Association. (See Photos)

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Are you eating turkey today?

1. Yes
2. No

Wednesday’s Results:

Do you eat cornbread on Thanksgiving?

1. Yes: 41.1%
2. No: 58.9%

Why is Thanksgiving celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November?

Show me the answer