Issue #422: Tampa’s Political Rise • Shaq’s Big Chicken Lands in Westchase • New Mote Aquarium • Super Bowl Talk Begins

7/21/2025

Author

Ted Grellner
21 Jul

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired


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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel
Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar — taking submissions w/o phone confirm required

Local News

— Tampa Bay Takes the Reins of Florida Politics

— Shaq’s Big Chicken to Open First Tampa Location in Westchase

Of Interest

— New Mote Aquarium to Bring Marine Science Closer to Tampa Bay

Sports

— Super Bowl Buzz Hits Tampa Bay—Too Soon or Right on Time?

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Tampa Bay Takes the Reins of Florida Politics

Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent CFO appointment of State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, announced in Tampa, cements the region’s central role in Florida politics.

With DeSantis from Dunedin, Sen. Marco Rubio with roots in Plant City, and a host of key leaders from Tampa Bay-area cities, the state’s political epicenter has clearly shifted north from Miami.

Republican consultant Anthony Pedicini highlights Hillsborough County’s track record as a bellwether—voting with the winning presidential candidate in 13 of the last 15 elections.

Democrats are also gaining traction, with Rep. David Jolly from St. Pete entering the 2026 gubernatorial race and Rep. Fentrice Driskell of Tampa leading past Democratic efforts in the House.

The trend could continue—DeSantis is eyeing Tampa Sen. Jay Collins for lieutenant governor, reinforcing Tampa Bay’s growing influence statewide.

Shaq’s Big Chicken to Open First Tampa Location
in Westchase

Shaquille O’Neal’s fast casual chicken chain, Big Chicken, is finally landing in Tampa. The long-anticipated spot opens Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 725 W Linebaugh Ave. in Westchase.

Known for indulgent creations like the "Big & Sloppy" (mac and cheese, crispy onions, garlic BBQ aioli) and "Uncle Jerome" (Nashville hot chicken), Big Chicken also serves up loaded fries, jalapeño slaw, milkshakes, and ice cream sandwiches.

Despite a 2022 announcement promising a major Florida expansion, many of Big Chicken’s planned locations—including those in Orlando, Doral, and Lake City—never opened or quietly shut down.

Tampa is now the only active Florida location listed on Big Chicken’s website, with job postings live as of July.

The opening adds yet another option to Tampa Bay’s crowded fried chicken scene, following King of the Coop’s comeback in Seminole Heights.

New Mote Aquarium to Bring Marine Science Closer to Tampa Bay

After two years of construction, Mote Marine’s $130 million Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) near University Town Center in Sarasota is nearly ready to welcome the public.

Originally set for early 2025, the opening was delayed by hurricanes and animal relocation challenges. Mote cites animal health and water chemistry as critical reasons for holding off on announcing an exact date.

The 110,000-square-foot, three-story facility will hold over 1 million gallons of water and offer hands-on science experiences to 70,000 students annually.

With its location just off I-75, Mote SEA is expected to draw more than 700,000 visitors in its first year—twice the traffic of the City Island site, which closed July 6 for public visits but remains open for research.

Admission will begin once all animals are safely acclimated, with free parking and nearby bus access for easier visitor arrival.

Here’s a lesser-known but astonishing fact about Mote Marine Laboratory:

🔎 Mote was the first marine lab in the world to train and deploy dolphins for underwater research and rescue missions during the Cold War.

In the 1960s and ’70s, Mote scientists collaborated with the U.S. Navy on marine mammal programs that explored the use of dolphins for underwater reconnaissance, equipment retrieval, and even mine detection. These programs helped lay the foundation for today’s military marine mammal operations.

Mote's research into dolphin intelligence and echolocation during that time was decades ahead of its field, and it played a major role in proving that dolphins could work in complex, human-led missions—a revelation that reshaped how humans understood marine mammal cognition.

Super Bowl Buzz Hits Tampa Bay—Too Soon or Right on Time?

A bold Super Bowl prediction from The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson has tongues wagging in Tampa. He sees Baker Mayfield and the Bucs representing the NFC in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium next February.

Robinson doubled down, citing the team’s easier schedule, a winnable NFC South, and praise from retired Bucs great Ndamukong Suh, who emphasized team chemistry over raw talent.

Key factors include a healthy return for Chris Godwin, Haason Reddick’s pass-rush impact, and positive turnover margins.

Even with the recent Tristan Wirfs injury, Robinson remains optimistic. Longtime Bucs voice Joe of JoeBucsFan.com isn’t ready to buy in—yet.

But if the team hits the bye at 5-3, Joe admits he may flip and ride the hype to a potential 12-win season.

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