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The Daystarter: Know your primary candidates; Jameis Winston speaks out; what's behind the NRA's support of a gun-control candidate?

 
Senator and budget chairman Jack Latvala, R- Clearwater, left, was cleared of criminal charges by a state prosecutory Thursday. (SCOTT KEELER   |   Times)
Senator and budget chairman Jack Latvala, R- Clearwater, left, was cleared of criminal charges by a state prosecutory Thursday. (SCOTT KEELER | Times)
Published July 27, 2018

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

• The morning rain pattern could continue Friday, though rain chances will remain all day, according to the National Weather Service. High temperatures will reach the upper 80s or low 90s.

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

• With mail ballots arriving this week, what a good time for the Tampa Bay Times to unveil its handy voters guide, Know Your Candidates. Check in on the races for Florida governor, U.S. Senate, Legislature, and local offices that will appear on your Aug. 28 primary ballot.

• Why would the National Rifle Association say nice things about a state lawmaker who is a strong proponent of the gun control measures that the group abhors? One reason: Politics. Kirby Wilson explains.

• Jameis Winston was the story on Day 1 of Bucs training camp, speaking for the first time since the NFL suspended him for three games. Times columnist Tom Jones thought it sounded all too familiar.

• Meanwhile, coach Dirk Koetter made it clear who the Bucs' starter will be in Winston's absence.

• With classes starting in just two weeks, the Times covers the back-to-school scene with stories on campus security, the sales tax holiday, how to help your kids in school, and much more.

• Days before President Donald Trump is scheduled to land at Tampa International Airport, the prep work for a presidential visit has kicked into high gear. Read about how Hillsborough County is preparing.

• Just a few months ago, Sara Ellis had moved from Tampa Bay to work within the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the U.S. National Park System's most popular attractions. "It's beautiful," said her father, Gregg Ellis of Orlando, "and it's one of the last places you would think you have to worry about this kind of thing." His 29-year-old daughter was found dead Tuesday in that Asheville, N.C. parkway, her body lying on a trailside embankment. Federal authorities believe she was killed that day by a coworker — 20-year-old Derek Pendergraft, who faces a charge of second-degree murder, according to a complaint filed Thursday.

• Without a hit single to her name, Janelle Monae still drew and enthralled 1,700 rabid fans at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, diverse in skin tone and hair color, gender and gender identity, glowing in every hue of the LGBTQ rainbow, Jay Cridlin writes. Read his review here.

• Marc Topkin weighs in on two Rays moves on Thursday — the trade for catcher Michael Perez, who started Thursday night against the Orioles, and Jonny Venters, who was dealt to his original team, the Braves.

• Tonight in Clearwater, comedian, actor and director Paul Reiser returns to his stand-up roots. But first he talked to pop music and culture critic Jay Cridlin about why the Mad About You reunion might not happen and why he loves stand-up.