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The Daystarter: Latest on Manchester explosion; tapping Florida springs for future development; PTC staff say they're now forgotten; Rays give up another late lead

 
A manatee swims near the entrance to Three Sisters Springs on Kings Bay, some of many springs that feed the Crystal River in Citrus County. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is considering a proposal that would allow a decrease to the amount of fresh water flowing in the Crystal River so that water can be diverted to fuel development. Critics say similar proposals around the state could threaten Florida's environmental health. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2014]
A manatee swims near the entrance to Three Sisters Springs on Kings Bay, some of many springs that feed the Crystal River in Citrus County. The Southwest Florida Water Management District is considering a proposal that would allow a decrease to the amount of fresh water flowing in the Crystal River so that water can be diverted to fuel development. Critics say similar proposals around the state could threaten Florida's environmental health. [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times (2014]
Published May 23, 2017

Catching you up on overnight happenings, and what you need to know today.

• Temperatures will flirt with 90 today, according to 10Weather WTSP, which is actually a slight relief from recent highs. Then a cool front is expected to push through on Wednesday and dump a bunch of rain.

10News WTSP

The latest 7-day forecast

10News WTSP

The latest 7-day forecast

10News WTSP

Feels-like temperatures around the Tampa Bay area

10News WTSP

Feels-like temperatures around the Tampa Bay area

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

• An explosion that may have been a suicide bombing killed at least 22 people on Monday night and wounded 59 others at an Ariana Grande concert filled with adoring adolescent fans, in what the police were treating as a terrorist attack. Panic and mayhem seized the crowd at the Manchester Arena as the blast reverberated through the building, just as the show was ending and pink balloons were dropping from the rafters in a signature flourish by Grande, a 23-year-old American pop star on an international tour.

• President Donald Trump condemned the "evil losers" responsible for the deadly attack and called on leaders in the Middle East in particular to help root out violence. "The terrorists and extremists and those who give them aid and comfort must be driven out from our society forever," Trump said during remarks in Bethlehem alongside Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. "This wicked ideology must be obliterated."

• Last year, facing growing public outcry, lawmakers urged water managers to come up with a plan to save Florida's iconic springs, many of which are experiencing diminished flows thanks to how much we tap them to quench growth. This being Florida, water managers have come up with plans that would allow the state to draw ever more water springs. Get the background this morning from environmental reporter Craig Pittman. Then follow him @craigtimes as he covers a public hearing on proposals for Kings Spring and Crystal River.

• After roughly 20 years in the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Mike Gonzalez got another job with a uniform and badge when he was hired in 2015 as an inspector for the Public Transportation Commission. Still only 45 at the time, he needed the work to support his wife and two children, aged 13 and 11. But Gonzalez has no idea if he will still have a job once county leaders follows through on state lawmakers' decision to close the agency. Christopher O'Donnell has the details.

• Cruises and commercial flights now link Tampa and Havana, but before the U.S. government approved either for such journeys, ferries had the nod. Yet, two years to the month after ferries were federally licensed to sail to the island nation, the maritime vessels have still not received porting rights from the Cuban government. Paul Guzzo explains why.

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• In a sign of unsteadiness for what had looked like a strong-out-of-the-gate Adam Putnam campaign, the Republican frontrunner suddenly fired his campaign manager and political director. Adam C. Smith has the details.

• From the Times editorial board: Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's cheap shot at the media last week -- joking about pointing a machine gun at reporters -- was out of touch, out of character and out of line. Also, the closure of Hillsborough County's last dairy farm, which has sold to developers, should be a wakeup to state lawmakers who fail to understand the urgency of protecting natural Florida while they can. Read the editorials and today's letters to the editor at tampabay.com/opinion.

• A Tampa man was arrested Monday in the death of man found killed at a home in the University of South Florida area last week, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Kadeem Dareem Archibald, 26, faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Khando Kerr, deputies said.

• As pleased as the Rays were to win consecutive series against the contending Red Sox, Indians and Yankees and to get briefly back over .500, there was a lot of talk in the clubhouse before Monday's game against the Angels that it was time to do better. The Rays had the chance to take a step forward, Monday, but — as tired as you may be of reading this in the paper — let an early lead get away late and lost 3-2 to the Angels, Marc Topkin writes.

• We talked with ex-Buccaneer Brad Culpepper to preview of Wednesday's Survivor finale. The Tampa lawyer is in the final six and said, "I can say that the next Tribal Council has something that's never happened before in the history of Survivor."

• Here are the top things to do today in Tampa Bay including a party to mark the countdown to the inaugural St. Pete Run Fest, and the Hard Rock has a World Burger Tour.