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News at noon: Legislator seeks Bucs boycott over Evans protest; Uhuru group chained to street sign; Gas may fall below $2 a gallon; and Florida Gov. John Morgan?

 
Chicago Bears cornerback Tracy Porter (21) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. [CHARLIE KAIJO | Times]
Chicago Bears cornerback Tracy Porter (21) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016. [CHARLIE KAIJO | Times]
Published Nov. 14, 2016

A Tampa Bay political leader is urging fans to boycott Bucs' football games after receiver Mike Evans refused to stand for the national anthem Sunday to protest Donald Trump's election as president. Sen. Jack Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, said he will not attend another Bucs game until Evans apologizes and he called on all fans to do the same. Meanwhile, a Bucs fan responded to the protest with a symbolic gesture of his own — lighting an Evans jersey on fire.

UHURU GROUP VOWS TO DEFEND ILLEGAL STREET SIGN IN ST. PETERSBURG

With two supporters chained to an illegally installed street sign, a showdown grew Monday between the International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement and Mayor Rick Kriseman. The Uhurus held a protest Monday to warn Kriseman that he would be making "a huge political mistake" if the city tries to remove the sign. The group said it will go to great lengths to keep the sign standing.

GAS PRICES EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FALLING AHEAD OF THANKSGIVING TRAVEL

As gas prices in Tampa Bay continue to fall closer to the $2 mark, you'll have plenty of reasonsto give thanks for a cheaper trip to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving. Demand is lower, oil prices have fallen and Florida's supply chain has improved after Hurricane Matthew.

SOME DEMOCRATS WANT TO SEE JOHN MORGAN SERVE 'FOR THE PEOPLE' ... AS GOVERNOR IN 2018

Democratic consultants are trying to draft John Morgan, the Orlando trial lawyer who just funded a successful medical marijuana campaign, to run for governor in 2018. Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for the Morgan-funded pro-medical marijuana committee United for Care, and other consultants are collecting signatures on an online petition at forthegovernor.com, a play on the Morgan and Morgan law firm's slogan, "For the people."

CABIN FEVER? A LIST OF FLORIDA PARKS WITH CAMPING CABINS

Camping cabin at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park campground in New Port Richey in Pasco County. (Carolyn Edds, Times)

Camping cabin at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park campground in New Port Richey in Pasco County. (Carolyn Edds, Times)

Interested in spending time outdoors but not so crazy about the idea of sleeping in a tent? Did you know 20 state parks in Florida have cabins to rent? The cabins, in parks from the Keys to the Florida Panhandle, vary in size and amenities. Some cabins have air conditioning or linen service. Each park offers a different experience. Check out our list and plan your (more comfortable) outing.

JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION TO INTERVIEW ALL APPLICANTS FOR FLORIDA SUPREME COURT VACANCY

In a conference-call meeting that took less than 4 minutes, the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission voted unanimously Monday morning to interview all 11 applicants for the upcoming vacancy on the state's top bench.

GOP DOMINANCE IN WASHINGTON GIVES RUBIO CHANCE TO CHANGE CUBA THAW

With Donald Trump and Republican dominance coming to Washington, Sen. Marco Rubio has a sudden opportunity to make a difference on an issue that has defined his career: Cuba. Rubio, who easily won re-election, helping Republicans hold the Senate, will be the third most senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee. The stunning Trump victory gives him more standing to pursue an agenda.

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JEB BUSH CALLS DONALD TRUMP TO EXTEND CONGRATULATIONS

Jeb Bush called Donald Trump to offer congratulations. "They had a very productive call and Gov. Bush was extremely gracious congratulating Mr. Trump on his victory and wishing him well as our next president," Trump's campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, told reporters in New York on Sunday morning.

PLANS MOVING FORWARD ON ST. PETE'S MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT

Credit: Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement

The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is shown in a rendering with its parking garage that has been designed to be an aesthetically component in the overall design. The view of the garage from the southwest corner.

Credit: Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement

The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is shown in a rendering with its parking garage that has been designed to be an aesthetically component in the overall design. The view of the garage from the southwest corner.

Construction of the $70 million Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement is expected to begin in January, according to Rudy Ciccarello, ,the businessman and collector who is building it with his own wealth. The start is later than expected. The original date was planned for early 2016 once the adjacent parking garage was completed in December.

REVIEW: SANTA FE MEXICAN GRILL A GROWING EMPIRE OF HEAPING TEX-MEX

It's a homecoming of sorts for Estanislao "Lao" Roman. He and his family lived in Clearwater 25 years ago but have spent the last 18 years running the Santa Fe Mexican Grill in Greenwood, S.C. Now, he has a location in Largo and, in a few weeks, will expand into Pinellas Park. Why is the Roman empire growing? Food critic Laura Reiley writes it's the kind of Mexican menu — vast, inexpensive and loaded with big margaritas and baskets of free chips — we seem to crave.

BILLY CRYSTAL COMING TO RUTH ECKERD HALL IN CLEARWATER

Crystal will bring his new "Spend the Night with Billy Crystal" tour to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Jan. 31.

Crystal will bring his new "Spend the Night with Billy Crystal" tour to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Jan. 31.

Billy Crystal will bring his new "Spend the Night with Billy Crystal" tour to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Jan. 31. The show will mix stand-up comedy, storytelling and multimedia clips from throughout his career. "It's loose, unpredictable and intimate," he said in a statement announcing the tour. "The most fun I've had on stage in a long time."

REVIEW: 'BLEED FOR THIS' STARRING CITRUS COUNTY'S MILES TELLER IS A SOLID BOXING FLICK

Boxing and movies about the sport are all about mechanics. Movie critic Steve Persall says Ben Younger's boxing biopic Bleed for This is a scrapper, with solid mechanics and a true story that would otherwise be dismissed as too incredible for a movie. As a fighter, Vinny Pazienza was flashy as they come. As a warrior, the "Pazmanian Devil" is unmatched in boxing, perhaps all of sports history.