![A CSX train heads through downtown, where federal regulations require that engineers blast their horns, day or night, to warn traffic of their approach. Tampa had hoped to work with CSX to install gates and flashing lights to create a "quiet zone" that would allow the trains to pass without using their horns, but the project is now in doubt. Times files (2015]](http://www.tampabay.com/storyimage/HI/20180112/ARTICLE/301129642/AR/0/AR-301129642.jpg?MaxW=2000 "A CSX train heads through downtown, where federal regulations require that engineers blast their horns, day or night, to warn traffic of their approach. Tampa had hoped to work with CSX to install gates and flashing lights to create a")
Here are the latest headlines and updates on tampabay.com:
PLAN TO CREATE QUIET ZONE FOR TRAIN HORNS IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA UNRAVELS
Mayor Bob Buckhorn likes public-private partnerships, but a project the city wants to do with CSX has gone off the rails. That’s because the estimated cost of creating a "quiet zone" where CSX freight trains won’t blast their horns as they roll through downtown Tampa has more than doubled to $7 million or more. "It’s outrageous," Buckhorn said this week. "We can’t afford it."
ADAM PUTNAM’S BID FOR GOVERNOR COMPLICATED BY CITRUS INDUSTRY WOES
Adam Putnam is the public face of Florida agriculture and its signature crop of oranges, an industry trapped in a downward spiral of historic proportions. Putnam is starting his eighth and final year as state agriculture commissioner, an elected Cabinet office that he hopes is his launch pad to becoming the state’s next governor. Timing matters in politics. Putnam’s candidacy must gain critical momentum at a time when citrus is being hammered by the double whammy of disease and disaster. Its fiercely independent growers are desperate for financial help from the Legislature and Congress that so far isn’t forthcoming.
RICK SCOTT REACTS TO TRUMP’S COMMENTS: ‘I DO NOT THINK THIS WAY’
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday blasted President Donald Trump for reportedly disparaging Haiti, El Salvador and Africa during a bipartisan White House meeting about immigration reform. According to several news outlets, including The Washington Post, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, Trump reportedly questioned why the United States should accept immigrants from "s—hole countries" like Haiti, El Salvador and countries in Africa. The president’s comments immediately sparked outrage, especially from critics in Florida, which is home to more Haiti-born residents than any other state.
A QUICK CATCH UP ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL AND FINAL FOUR PICKS
We’ve been a little busy lately. What with Dirk Koetter staying and Evan Longoria going. We’ve been distracted by UCF and amazed by Alabama. There has been Jon Gruden news and what is shaping up to be a special season with the Lightning. With all that going on, we’ve lost track of college basketball. Believe it or not, we’re only a couple of months away from March Madness. So now seems like a good time to catch up with what is going on in college hoops.
HOW TO SING ALONG TO HAMILTON SOUNDTRACK AT A TAMPA LIBRARY
If you’re already singing along to the entire Hamilton soundtrack alone, why not meet like-minded folks and do it together? A Hamilton singalong goes down tonight at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library in Tampa. Fans will gather to sing the entire — yes, entire — musical together, backed by an instrumental tracks in a event billed as "Hamiltunes."