* USF needed to get lucky after the Steve Currall presidential debacle. It did with the appointment of Rhea Law as interim president. Now she’s one of two finalists. She’s earned it. Law is more than an uber-prominent attorney known to be smart, focused and friendly. She’s a major, well-networked player in Tampa Bay who knows the big picture value of an urban-hub university and all the synergistic impacts it has on business and society, including partnerships, diversity and inclusiveness. Yes, she will need a strong provost, but she understands the region and knows how a major research institution with a big upside must be a key Tampa and Tampa Bay catalyst.
* Hillsborough County and Tampa have $28 million available (from the federal American Rescue Plan Act) to help those unable to pay rent or utilities because of the pandemic.
* According to IndyCar officials, the recent Grand Prix of St. Petersburg drew more than 200,000 attendees.