Assistant Metro Editor / Tampa Bay Times (Education, Clearwater)
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Articles by Thomas C. Tobin
Discrimination During Childbirth and Postpartum Care Utilization Among Black Birthing People in California, United States
Topics Publisher: Wiley Online Library Availability: Non-RAND Year: 2023 Pages: 7 Document Number: EP-70689 This publication is part of the RAND external publication series. Many RAND studies are published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, as chapters in commercial books, or as documents published by other organizations. RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.
Florida’s history of migrant farmworker crashes spans decades
For the tens of thousands of migrant farmworkers who keep Florida’s agriculture industry churning out produce, the most dangerous part of the day is getting to and from the fields. The Marion County crash that killed eight Mexican farmworkers and injured at least 40 others on Tuesday was the latest in a line of tragedies involving migrants commuting along narrow rural roads in cramped older vehicles — often before dawn.
At Spotlight Tampa Bay forum on education, strong views and a standing ovation Original
For more than two years, Florida’s education battles have drawn national attention with debates over book bans, gender issues, sexual orientation, indoctrination, school vouchers and teacher shortages.
New College of Florida students withdrew in big numbers after state overhaul, reports say
By Thomas C. Tobin - Tampa Bay Times (TNS) TAMPA, Fla. - As enrollment rises at New College of Florida, reported new numbers point to a significant change in the makeup of its student body. More than a fourth of the students who were attending the school last fall have left - about twice the normal percentage who departed in recent years, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported Thursday. Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency.
New College students withdrew in big numbers after state overhaul, reports say
As enrollment rises at New College of Florida, reported new numbers point to a significant change in the makeup of its student body. More than a fourth of the students who were attending the school last fall have left — about twice the normal percentage who departed in recent years, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported Thursday. The newspaper cited a new report sent to faculty by Interim Provost Bradley Thiessen.
New College of Florida students withdrew in big numbers after state overhaul, reports say
TAMPA, Fla. — As enrollment rises at New College of Florida, reported new numbers point to a significant change in the makeup of its student body. More than a fourth of the students who were attending the school last fall have left — about twice the normal percentage who departed in recent years, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported Thursday. kAm%96 ?6HDA2A6C 4:E65 2 ?6H C6A@CE D6?E E@ 724F=EJ 3J x?E6C:> !C@G@DE qC25=6J %9:6DD6?] xE 7@==@HD 2 D:>:=2C 2DD6DD>6?E 3J %9:6DD6? :?
New College of Florida students withdrew in big numbers after state overhaul, reports say
TAMPA, Fla. — As enrollment rises at New College of Florida, reported new numbers point to a significant change in the makeup of its student body. More than a fourth of the students who were attending the school last fall have left — about twice the normal percentage who departed in recent years, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported Thursday. The newspaper cited a new report sent to faculty by Interim Provost Bradley Thiessen.
Food And CPG Legal Trends - Healthcare - United States
We are pleased to publish our first midyear Food and CPG Legal Trends report. This report is a bite-sized version of our annual year in review, providing timely insights on legal trends in the space. In the first half of 2023, the CPG industry continued to face a meaningful threat of class-action activity, with continued filings against companies in the food, beverage, and personal care space.
Which Tampa Bay schools reopen tomorrow after Idalia? Here’s what we know.
As Hurricane Idalia headed for other locales Wednesday, Tampa Bay area school systems, universities and colleges were trying to decide when to reopen — a decision made more difficult by rampant flooding and lingering evacuation orders. As the storm headed for Florida earlier this week, most schools opted to close Tuesday and Wednesday, with plans to reopen Thursday. For some of them, circumstances dictated a change.
What we know about Tampa Bay schools reopening after Hurricane Idalia
As Hurricane Idalia headed for other locales Wednesday, Tampa Bay area school systems, universities and colleges were trying to decide when to reopen — a decision made more difficult by rampant flooding and lingering evacuation orders. As the storm headed for Florida earlier this week, most schools opted to close Tuesday and Wednesday, with plans to reopen Thursday. For some of them, circumstances dictated a change. Below is a live list of post-storm plans for area schools.
Tampa Bay Times journalists win 17 awards in Florida contest Original
The Tampa Bay Times won 17 awards as the Florida Society of News Editors announced the results of its annual journalism contest Thursday in Sarasota. The total was the most of any newspaper in the state competing in the large newspaper division, which includes the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, the South Florida Sun Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post. The Times led the field in first-place awards with seven.
Here are Hernando County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2023 Original
On the heels of commencement ceremonies that ended last week, here are the students who finished at the top of their class this year at public and private schools in Hernando County: Central High Valedictorian Lian Jasuta GPA: 4.59 Parent: Kimberly Jasuta College: University of Florida Salutatorian Scott Florez GPA: 4.49 Parents: Mary and Will Florez College: University of Florida • • • Hernando High Valedictorian Zander Thieryung GPA: 4.63 Parents: Natalie and Keith Thieryung College:...
Meet Pasco County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2023
Today we highlight this year’s top students from public and private schools in Pasco County. Commencement ceremonies continue through Sunday for the county’s public system. In addition to the list below, top graduates from Hillsborough County’s public and private schools were previously featured, as were students from Pinellas County’s public and private schools.
A Latent Class Analysis of Personal Coping Resources and Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Latinx Adults
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Meet the top students for 2023 at Hillsborough private schools
Private schools in Hillsborough County are the focus as the Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top students continues this week. Here’s a look at names and faces leading the Class of 2023.
Hillsborough public schools celebrate 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians
The Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top graduates continues this week with a look at Hillsborough County. Commencement ceremonies for traditional public high schools begin Wednesday and continue through most of next week at the Florida State Fairgrounds, according to the district’s schedule.
Here are Pinellas private school valedictorians, salutatorians for 2023
The Tampa Bay Times’ annual tribute to the area’s top students kicks off today with schools from Pinellas County.
Meet the 2023 valedictorians, salutatorians for Pinellas public schools
Commencement ceremonies began Saturday and will continue through Wednesday for Pinellas County’s traditional public high schools, with most of them scheduled for Tropicana Field.
Here are the 34 social studies textbooks that Florida just rejected for K-12 students Original
As it did last year with math textbooks, the Florida Department of Education on Tuesday announced that dozens of social studies textbooks landed on its “not recommended” list, while providing few details about why. The state “caught” and “fixed” dozens of other books to prevent “political indoctrination of children,” a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a tweet.
Here are the 34 social studies textbooks that Florida just rejected
As it did last year with math textbooks, the Florida Department of Education on Tuesday announced that dozens of social studies textbooks landed on its “not recommended” list, while providing few details about why. The state “caught” and “fixed” dozens of other books to prevent “political indoctrination of children,” a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a tweet.
In Zephyrhills, argument at 7-Eleven leads to shooting; 3 hospitalized
Three people were shot during an argument at a 7-Eleven store Saturday afternoon, Zephyrhills Police said. The injured were taken to local hospitals, where two of them were in critical condition and one was listed as stable. The incident occurred at about 2:40 p.m. at the 7-Eleven at 38544 Fifth Ave., where four people had been involved in an argument in front of the store, police said. Two of them took out firearms and exchanged gunfire, they said.
Pinellas decides on a name for its new middle school in St. Petersburg
The Pinellas County school district has a name for the new middle school it plans to open next year in northeast St. Petersburg. The school board on Tuesday unanimously agreed on Mangrove Bay Middle School, which incorporates the name of the neighborhood surrounding it. The 19-acre campus is under construction on the former site of Riviera Middle on 62nd Avenue N at Pershing Street NE. The name was among 150 suggestions submitted by members of the public in December.
Will New College become ‘a Hillsdale of the South’? Here’s how the schools compare
When Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed six conservative members to the New College of Florida board of trustees on Jan. 6, top state officials expressed a desire to turn the Sarasota school into “a Hillsdale of the South.” It’s a reference to Hillsdale College, a conservative Christian school in southern Michigan known for its increasing ties to DeSantis’ education initiatives. READ MORE: New College was thrust into DeSantis’ culture war. Can it remain ‘quirky, queer and creative’?
Florida wants its own version of a small conservative college in Michigan
Maybe Florida needs more Citizens policyholders, not fewer | Letters Should Citizens be the insurer of first resort? | Column, Jan. 12. Back in the 1980s, my wife and I were newly graduated dentists starting our own practice in Palm Harbor. At the time, insurance corporations were the only place to get malpractice insurance. The premiums escalated every year with double-digit increases. This was becoming a burden, and the dental societies and legislators were noticing.
Scholarship offers Tampa Bay high school seniors $25,000 for college
The Sunshine Opportunity Scholarships program is accepting applications through March 2 from Tampa Bay area high school seniors for its 2023 college scholarships. The awards are worth $25,000 over four years ($6,250 per year), renewable annually for students who remain in good academic standing.
Dozens arrested, cited in DUI operation
Law enforcement agencies wrote 219 citations and criminally charged 69 people during an overnight “DUI wolf pack” operation last weekend, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reported. Thirty-eight people were arrested on charges related to DUI. Other criminal charges included drug offenses, driving with a suspended or revoked license and giving a false name to a law enforcement officer. In three instances, people were wanted on warrants.
Dozens arrested, cited during overnight ‘DUI wolf pack’ in Pinellas
Law enforcement agencies wrote 219 citations and criminally charged 69 people during an overnight “DUI wolf pack” operation dedicated to a sheriff’s deputy who was killed last year by a drunken driver, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday. Thirty-eight people were arrested for DUI. Other criminal charges included drug offenses, driving with a suspended or revoked license and giving a false name to a law enforcement officer. In three instances, people were wanted on warrants.
UF presidential finalist Sen. Ben Sasse in Gainesville today for campus visit
U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse will visit the University of Florida campus in Gainesville on Monday for a series of public forums following last week’s announcement that he is the lone finalist to be the school’s next president. The Nebraska Republican will appear in the president’s ballroom at Emerson Alumni Hall for separate sessions with faculty, students and university employees. The faculty session will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a forum at 2:30 p.m. with students and one at 3:45 p.m. with employees.
Wanted for questioning: driver of a Nissan Altima with missing side mirror
Somewhere, a Nissan Altima is missing a gray passenger-side mirror and the Florida Highway Patrol would like to speak with the driver. The mirror was recovered at the scene of a Pasco County crash shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday that left a bicyclist with serious injuries, Troopers said Monday. They said a 55-year-old man was riding a bicycle west on Lake Patience Road when he was struck by a westbound vehicle west of American Plaza Boulevard. The vehicle did not stop.
Look, it’s an old house in the middle of Fourth Street N in St. Petersburg Original
ST. PETERSBURG — It’s a two-story frame home, built in 1912, aqua-colored with a metal roof and a handsome wrap-around porch. For more than a century it graced the 100 block of Fourth Avenue NE near the downtown waterfront, later becoming a local historic landmark. On Sunday morning, it was headed north on Fourth Street N, making for an odd sight as dozens of onlookers gathered along the sidewalks.
Pasco man killed in bicycle accident on Scenic Drive
A 45-year-old Hudson man was struck by a vehicle and killed while riding a bicycle early Sunday in Pasco County, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The accident occurred on Scenic Drive, north of Jasmine Boulevard, and a person driving the vehicle that hit the man fled, according to troopers, who were called to the scene at 8:30 a.m. The victim was not identified. The driver of the vehicle also was unidentified and authorities are seeking information regarding the accident.
Pasco man killed in bicycle accident on Scenic Drive
Read full article A 45-year-old Hudson man was struck by a vehicle and killed while riding a bicycle early Sunday in Pasco County, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. The accident occurred on Scenic Drive, north of Jasmine Boulevard, and a person driving the vehicle that hit the man fled, according to troopers, who were called to the scene at 8:30 a.m. The victim was not identified. The driver of the vehicle also was unidentified and authorities are seeking information regarding the accident.
Raymond James leader will head Pinellas Education Foundation board
Tash Elwyn, the president and CEO of Raymond James & Associates, has been named to lead the Pinellas Education Foundation’s board of directors, the foundation announced Tuesday. Elwyn, a St. Petersburg resident, becomes the board’s chairperson after serving on the board for almost seven years, including as its vice chairperson since 2020. He succeeds Charles M. Harris, shareholder and litigator at Trenam Law, the foundation said in a news release.
Hillsborough sheriff charges man, 18, with threatening ‘the nearest school’
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday arrested an 18-year-old man accused of making an online threat by suggesting he was armed and headed to “the nearest school.” Corey Anderson was arrested at a residence in Lutz and charged with threatening to “conduct a mass shooting or act of terrorism, the Sheriff’s Office said. After a tip, detectives found that Anderson had posted images of himself with what appeared to be a handgun, a rifle and a tactical-style vest, deputies said.
Meet Hernando County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2022
Four commencement ceremonies are scheduled this week in the Hernando County School District, closing out the year for the district’s traditional high schools. Following June 2 graduations for adult education students and Hernando eSchool, the summer begins.
Here’s what Tampa Bay school leaders are saying about the Texas shooting
Top officials from Tampa Bay’s public school systems reacted with statements late Tuesday regarding the shooting that left 19 children and two adults dead at a Texas elementary school. Their messages were primarily directed to school staff, but also to families. Here is a look at what they had to say: Hillsborough County Team Hillsborough, It is likely that by now you have seen the devastating news out of Texas.
Introducing the valedictorians and salutatorians for Pinellas public schools
Commencement ceremonies begin Thursday and run through Monday for Pinellas County’s public high schools.
$2M gift ensures future of Walker’s Rising Stars arts competition in Pinellas
Jeffrey Walker, the St. Petersburg neurosurgeon who helped start the Walker’s Rising Stars student arts competition 19 years ago, is ramping up his support with a $2 million gift to keep the program going “in perpetuity,” the Pinellas Education Foundation announced late Thursday. The foundation disclosed the donation during the Walker’s Rising Stars show at Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg.
Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians from Hillsborough public schools
More than 14,000 students will graduate from Hillsborough County Public Schools in ceremonies starting next week.
Hillsborough County’s private schools celebrate their top students
As the Class of 2022 steps into the spotlight, here is a look at the top students from 11 Hillsborough County private schools: Academy of the Holy Names Valedictorian Laura Caroline Jung Parents: William F.
A closer look at Florida’s rejected math textbooks
It’s been two weeks since Gov. Ron DeSantis declared that nearly half the state’s proposed new math books weren’t fit for Florida classrooms. He offered few detailsabout his claims of “indoctrination” then, and the Department of Education hasn’t provided specifics since, beyond posting four passages without explanation. That’s left school district officials pondering their next move.
Here are the math textbooks Florida rejected for having unwanted topics Original
In a move that continues to generate controversy and confusion, the Florida Department of Education has refused to recommend 54 math textbooks to school districts, alleging publishers have tried to indoctrinate students. Republican leaders said the books either failed to meet Florida’s new standards or contained references to “unsolicited strategies” like social-emotional learning or “prohibited topics” like critical race theory.
East Lake High art teacher is Pinellas County’s Teacher of the Year Original
It was no accident that East Lake High visual arts teacher Eileen Iacobucci decided to spend her work life in the classroom. The spark came while she was growing up in Amherst, Mass. “I grew up in an educational family, where my father was an elementary school principal, my grandfather a high school science teacher, and one of my sisters is a kindergarten teacher,” Iacobucci recalled in comments she wrote as part of her recent nomination for Pinellas County Teacher of the Year.
Hernando County announces its Teacher of the Year
Hernando County’s Teacher of the Year is Lt. Cmdr. Christian Cruz, the leader of Central High School’s nationally recognized Naval Junior ROTC program, the school district announced Tuesday. Cruz joined the program in 2019 following a 30-year career in the U.S. Navy. “I am a product of the JROTC Program,” Cruz said in a district news release. “From kindergarten through my senior year, I attended the American Military Academy in Puerto Rico. After graduation, I joined the U.S. Navy.
Tampa Bay schools report 7,100 COVID cases for the week, a pandemic record Original
Public schools in the Tampa Bay area continue to report soaring COVID-19 case numbers, setting a record for the pandemic this past week. The 7,098 cases reported in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties topped the previous weekly high of 5,420 recorded during the week ending Sept. 3. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, no week has seen more cases in area schools. The area already was on pace to shatter last year’s case total of 17,242 cases for the four school districts.
Last-minute shopping? Here’s what’s open, closed Christmas weekend
Many businesses have altered their hours for this holiday weekend, with most closing their doors on Christmas Day. But if you needed last-minute items on Friday or you planned to dive right into post-Christmas shopping on Sunday, you have options. Here’s a look at the hours this weekend for some key shopping destinations around the Tampa Bay area. Remember to check their websites or social media before heading out. Grocery stores Publix: Closes 7 p.m. Friday. Closed on Christmas.
Thomas C. Tobin
Thomas C. Tobin Editor, Education and Clearwater I lead a talented team of journalists covering a diverse range of topics including education, religion, local nonprofits and the city of Clearwater. When I arrived in Tampa Bay in the mid-1980s from my hometown of St. Louis, Florida was just coming into its own as the economic, political and cultural powerhouse it is today. Since then I've covered local and state government, election issues, education and more.
Applying for a choice school in Tampa Bay? It’s time to get in gear. Original
Every year, thousands of Tampa Bay families decide to explore educational options beyond their zoned public school. For them, October through mid-December can be a crucial time for gathering information, visiting schools and figuring out where to apply for the following fall. While the start of next school year is months away, the process requires parents and guardians to get engaged now.
130 Tampa Bay seniors are National Merit Semifinalists this year
The Tampa Bay area this year is home to 130 National Merit Semifinalists from 35 high schools, according to a list released this week by the National Merit Scholarship program. Four schools had 10 or more semifinalists: King, Middleton and Plant high schools in Hillsborough County and Palm Harbor University High in Pinellas County. The students are among 16,000 high school seniors nationwide competing for about 7,500 scholarships worth nearly $30 million to be offered in the spring.
Parents, tell us your thoughts as COVID cases rise in Tampa Bay schools
All over Tampa Bay, parents are voicing concern as schools see a huge jump in COVID-19 cases. The Tampa Bay Times wants to hear how you — and your kids — are weathering these developments. In the first week of fall 2021 classes, schools in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties reported a total of nearly 1,000 cases, up from the 116 cases during the first two weeks of last year.
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