/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/02121318/NP_374461_DAMA_2_clwlotsado.jpg "JIM DAMASKE | Times
Shawn, one of the dogs rescued and brought to the Suncoast Animal League from a puppy mill, is dirty and matted. Shawn went to the groomer Thursday afternoon to get shaved and cleaned up. - The Suncoast Animal League in Palm Harbor is running over with dogs. On Tuesday they received 23 from Alabama that need homes, and Wednesday night they received 32 small dogs that were breeding stock from a Defuniak Springs Florida puppy mill.")
Winner of the week
Puppies in Florida. And you thought the Legislature could never sink to new lows to accommodate special interests. Florida House members tucked into a broad tax bill (HB 7087) a measure that would prevent local governments from banning cruel and inhumane pet mills that too often subject breeding dogs to a lifetime confined to squalid cages. Palm Coast Republican Paul Renner, whom colleagues have chosen be House speaker in a few years, gave the amendment his blessing — but stripped that amendment out on the House floor Friday amid widespread outcry..
Loser of the week
Alberto Carvalho. The Miami-Dade Schools superintendent accepted an offer to lead New York City's school system, then abruptly and impulsively reversed course to the humiliation of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. He may be an excellent schools chief, but Carvalho appears to be a seriously fickle flake.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/f76d61b3-1f6e-4a45-8647-dd512e9bbb99.png "Adam C. Smith - Former Times Staffer")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3UXRMTI2SNFFLNGMD4JKXXT2OA.JPG "Florida releases 2023 school grades based on new tests")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5SWAIGE7DVCTTP56CTN2R3CURU.jpg "USF football poised for AAC’s top-ranked class as signing period nears")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/D5ZMQDCHXZCGFDAMI3FMSDFWDI.JPG "Top Tampa Bay area events for the week of Dec. 11-19")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QVRH54LTMNBGTGRTZ5DTT2N7UQ.JPG "Meet Tampa’s Greenlane, the drive-thru with healthy fast food under $10")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/WB4G3S6LSI6HZ4WRADAPCRYSCI.jpg "Bill aims to reduce condo insurance costs by allowing cash-value roof coverage")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RSMULH6EB4XBXKDETGEK3NEIXQ.jpg "$6.5 million is waiting for 14,000 Florida employees who got shorted on pay, feds say")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UGGLEP6MIJFCJMJ5N2LPAK72YY.PNG "Florida deputy 1 of 2 people shot at nightclub, Sheriff’s Office says")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/N5LGD4TFHBGV3CBEBDGOMGOE2Q.jpg "Body found off Ballast Point identified as missing Tampa woman, 72")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/LDZQGBWIBMI6TJTLIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "Can Florida teachers use outside books and movies? Ask the principal.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/35SIR4T6BAURNJAE5PJOYCRZOM.jpg "Bucs offense riding running back Rachaad White into playoff contention")