In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

This Week’s Events

WEATHER

Local News

💻Tampa Bay Cyber Experts Warn of AI-Driven Cybersecurity Earthquake in 2024

👷New Year, New Rules: Florida Broadens 'Move Over' Law for Disabled Vehicles

Crime

🕵️‍♂️ Unusual Escape Attempt: Tampa Man Makes 'Dirt Angels' While Evading Deputies

Sports

🤼 St. Petersburg Welcomes Back MLW After Two Decades for WAR CHAMBER

Medical News

⏱️Harvard Study Uncovers Link Between Time Perception and Wound Healing

This Week’s Events in the NewTampa | Wesley Chapel FL Local Area

January 3

January 4

January 5 — Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Show, Amalie Arena, 7pm

January 6 — Morning Hike - Hillsborough River State Park, 830 am

January 6 — Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Show, Amalie Arena, 11am, 3pm, 7pm

January 7 — Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Show, Amalie Arena, 7pm

January 8

Tampa Bay Cyber Experts Warn of AI-Driven Cybersecurity Earthquake in 2024

In 2024, Tampa Bay's cybersecurity landscape faces significant challenges, especially with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, highlights AI as a key concern, noting its potential to both accelerate cybercrime and enhance cybersecurity defenses. Industry leaders from OPSWAT and ReliaQuest echo these sentiments, pointing out the increased sophistication in phishing attacks and the need for advanced AI-driven defense protocols. The healthcare and retail sectors, known for lower cybersecurity investment, are particularly at risk.

Regulatory changes are pushing for greater cybersecurity responsibility at the executive level, as evidenced by recent SEC actions. Additionally, the rising cost and complexity of cybersecurity insurance underscore the urgent need for businesses to prioritize robust cybersecurity strategies.

As Tampa Bay emerges as a cybersecurity hub, these insights from industry experts are crucial in navigating the evolving digital landscape.

Click HERE to learn more

New Year, New Rules: Florida Broadens 'Move Over' Law for Disabled Vehicles

In Florida, the "Move Over" law has been broadened to include all disabled vehicles signaling for help. This update, effective from January 1, extends the original law which only covered first responders and tow trucks.

Highlighting the dangers faced by those assisting disabled vehicles, the American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that roadside operations pose significant risks, particularly for tow truck operators.

Eddie Evans, a Volusia County tow truck business owner, emphasizes the lack of compliance with existing safety measures and the hazards he encounters daily. He hopes the strengthened law will be more effectively enforced.

Non-compliance with the expanded law can result in a fine of up to $158.

Unusual Escape Attempt: Tampa Man Makes 'Dirt Angels' While

Evading Deputies

In an unusual turn of events, a Tampa man found himself in trouble with the law on Christmas Eve. After being involved in a car crash at East Bearss Avenue and North Nebraska Avenue, the man attempted to evade Hillsborough County deputies by fleeing on foot. The chase led him to a construction site, where he made a peculiar choice to lie in a dirt pit and create "dirt angels," akin to snow angels but in the earth. This odd behavior was captured by the sheriff's office's helicopter unit, which had been tracking him from above.

The man, identified as 34-year-old Eliezer Rios, initially ran from deputies after a traffic incident and ignored their commands to stop. His escapade ended when he attempted to flee the construction site and was apprehended by waiting deputies. Rios now faces multiple charges, including fleeing the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, trespassing, and resisting arrest.

St. Petersburg Welcomes Back MLW After Two Decades for WAR CHAMBER

WAR CHAMBER event, scheduled for Friday, March 29 at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg. The highly anticipated event will be broadcast live on TrillerTV+ and will also feature a national TV broadcast on beIN SPORTS. Recognized as a pivotal location in the wrestling world, the Tampa-St. Petersburg area last welcomed MLW in August 2003. Now, 21 years later, the organization is back with an exciting lineup that promises to captivate fans.

Tickets for this event will be available starting Friday, January 5, at 10 a.m. on MLWgo.com and Eventbrite, with prices beginning at $15. Fans can also look forward to a special Meet & Greet session as part of the experience. Attendees with front row tickets can enjoy early entry from 5:30 p.m., while general admission begins at 6:00 p.m., leading up to the main event at 7:00 p.m.

The historic Coliseum, built in 1924 and renovated after being acquired by the City of St. Petersburg in 1989, serves as the perfect backdrop for this event. Its unique architecture and ambiance, coupled with its location in the heart of downtown St. Pete, make it an ideal venue. The Coliseum is conveniently situated near various restaurants, shops, and hotels, and provides ample parking spaces for attendees.

Local High School Sports Scores

No Scores Available

Harvard Study Uncovers Link Between Time Perception and Wound Healing

Harvard psychologists Peter Aungle and Ellen Langer's recent study, as reported in Nature Scientific Reports, reveals a significant link between perceived time and the rate of physical wound healing.

The study, conducted through a controlled experiment where participants' perceptions of time were altered, found that wounds healed faster when more time was perceived to have passed, and slower when less time was felt.

This finding challenges traditional views on the psychological impact on physical health and suggests the importance of considering a broader range of psychological influences in future research on mind-body health effects.

Joke of the Day

Joke: Why did the scarecrow win an award?

Answer: Because he was outstanding in his field!

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