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Afternoon update: Man dragged off flight settles with United; Trump takes aim at Democrats as Congress nears short-term spending bill; Hillsborough School District fires HR chief; Seminole Hard Rock Casino can add craps and roulette

 
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz. A Kentucky doctor who was dragged off a United flight after he refused to give up his seat to crew members has reached a settlement with the airline for undisclosed amount. [AP photo]
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz. A Kentucky doctor who was dragged off a United flight after he refused to give up his seat to crew members has reached a settlement with the airline for undisclosed amount. [AP photo]
Published April 27, 2017

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

MAN DRAGGED OFF FLIGHT SETTLES WITH UNITED, WHICH ADMITS MISTAKES

A Kentucky doctor who was dragged off a United flight after he refused to give up his seat to crew members has reached a settlement with the airline for undisclosed amount. Dr. David Dao's legal team announced the settlement today in a brief statement. The agreement includes a provision that the amount will remain confidential. Ahead of the settlement announcement, United Airlines announced policy changes aimed at preventing similar incidents.

MAN REMOVED FROM DELTA FLIGHT FOR USING BATHROOM BEFORE TAKEOFF

A Wisconsin man was removed from a Delta Air Lines flight after using the bathroom against crew instructions shortly before takeoff. Kima Hamilton says he urgently needed to use the bathroom April 18 while on a Milwaukee-bound plane in Atlanta. He says takeoff was delayed and the flight wasn't moving, so he decided to go.

TRUMP TAKES AIM AT DEMOCRATS AS CONGRESS CLOSES IN ON SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL

President Donald Trump today unleashed a tweetstorm of criticism of Democrats involved in tense negotiations on a spending bill to keep the government open, accusing them of trying to close national parks and jeopardize the safety of U.S. troops over demands to provide Americans with health care.

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK CASINO CAN ADD CRAPS AND ROULETTE UNDER NEW STATE PLAN

After years of gridlock over the state's gambling laws, the Florida House agreed to major concessions Wednesday that include allowing Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Casino to offer craps and roulette for the first time and a financial boost to Tampa Bay Downs. If lawmakers approve the plan by the time session is scheduled to end May 5, it's not clear when or if the Seminole Tribe would introduce craps and roulette to a casino floor teeming with more than 5,000 slot machines, 110 table games and 50 poker tables.

JUDGE REJECTS PARENT CHALLENGE TO EAST PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL REZONING

State administrative law judge D.R. Alexander today >upheld the Pasco County School Board's recent redrawing of east-side middle and high school attendance zones

YOUR AFTERNOON TRAFFIC AND WEATHER REPORT

As you head out for your drive home, check out our live blog for the latest traffic updates and road conditions across Tampa Bay.

HILLSBOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT FIRES ITS HR CHIEF

Stephanie Woodford was "relieved of her duties" as the Hillsborough County School District's head of human relations "with cause," district spokeswoman Tanya Arja said today. Woodford will be replaced, on an interim basis, by Marie Whelan, the district's general manager of employee evaluation. The district will conduct a search for a permanent replacement.

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'MARZANO LITE' TEACHER EVALUATION MODEL MAY BE COMING TO PINELLAS

Pinellas County school district teachers have long bemoaned Marzano, which is widely deemed a complicated and confusing teacher evaluation model. District leaders now say they may have found a remedy. Deputy superintendent Bill Corbett told the Pinellas County School Board at a recent board workshop that the district is considering implementing a "focused Marzano model."

ST. PETERSBURG'S HOLOCAUST MUSEUM MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

The Florida Holocaust Museum is joining with Eckerd College to release a 25th Anniversary oral history series, "25 Survivors, 25 Stories … Celebrating 25 Years." Over the next 25 months, the series will feature a different Holocaust survivor on the 25th of each month. Survivors will help to further the understanding of the Holocaust, the effects of World War II on individuals, families and communities dispersed throughout the world, and its reverberations into current times.

DEFENSIVE SHIFTS CAN BE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORDS

Through the first three weeks of play, the Rays have shifted more than any team in the majors (281), according to data provided to the Tampa Bay Times by Inside Edge. Correspondingly, they led the majors in both saving (17) and aiding (12) the most hits due to their shifted positioning. Team officials, from the front office to manager Kevin Cash to the coaches, insist they will continue to be a benefit.

RAYS ACTIVATE MALLEX SMITH, SEND HIM TO TRIPLE-A DURHAM

Outfielder Mallex Smith was activated off the disabled list by the Rays and optioned to Triple-A Durham Smith was a catalyst the first 10 days of the season before straining a hamstring. But with Colby Rasmus expected to come off the DL this weekend, the Rays felt it was better to send Smith to the minors now.

FALL OUT BOY COMING TO AMALIE ARENA

Tampa's always had a lot of love for Fall Out Boy and vice versa, from their signing with formerly Tampa-based Fueled By Ramen to a host of appearances at big-time local festivals. So it's only fitting that the band's fall tour will hit Tampa, their only stop in Florida. Fall Out Boy will perform at Amalie Arena on November 5, the band and venue announced today. Tickets start at $30.50 and go on sale May 5.

FLYING BOAT BREWING CO. PAYS HOMAGE TO TONY JANNUS

Almost a year to the day after Flying Boat Brewing Co. broke ground on its Woodlawn Oaks facility and tasting room, the St. Petersburg brewery officially opened its doors for business last week. Owners Glenn Zakany, Tanner Zakany and Josh Perian had a concept for the brewery before they even had a brewer: a beery tribute to St. Petersburg's aviation history. The titular flying boat refers to the Benoist Type XIV Flying Boat piloted by Tony Jannus on the world's first scheduled airline flight, between downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa on New Year's Day 1914.

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.