Rubio Running, Spotted Eagle Rays, Donald Trump ‘Uncivil’

Patch operates 23 daily news sites in Florida. The following are some of the top stories from the past day:

Poll: Donald Trump ‘Arrogant,’ ‘Uncivil’

If the presidential election were held right now, Democrat Hillary Clinton would trounce Republican Donald Trump 44.9 percent to 37 percent.

Missing Tampa Teen’s Body Found Near Skyway Pier

The body found by a fisherman Wednesday afternoon near the Skyway Pier has been confirmed by St. Petersburg Police to be the missing 16-year-old Tampa boy authorities began searching for earlier in the day.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio Will Seek Re-Election

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio has thrown his name into the ring for a re-election bid. While Rubio failed in his campaign to win the Republican nomination for president, polls are showing he’ll likely win another Senate term come November.

Disney Attack: Officials ‘Confident’ Guilty Gator Caught

One week after 2-year-old Lane Graves’ body was pulled out of Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon, wildlife officials say they’re confident the alligator responsible for the attack on the boy has been captured.

Manatee Mom, Baby Set For Tarpons Springs Release

Tarpon Springs’ population will rise by two Thursday morning when a mother manatee and her calf are returned to the wild following a three-month hospitalization at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.

Spotted Eagle Rays Under Study In Gulf Of Mexico

The scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory are hoping an ongoing study will help them learn a lot more about one of the more unusual critters that call the Gulf of Mexico home. To that end, Mote scientists fitted two spotted eagle rays with acoustic tags and released them off Longboat Key Tuesday.

Walmart, Target Frozen Veggie Recall Includes Florida

A company that supplies frozen vegetables for Target and Walmart store brands has issued a recall of some products due to listeria contamination concerns, the FDA has announced.

Phone Scam Has U.S. Marshals Concerned

Tampa Bay area residents are being warned to exercise caution when they pick up their telephones. In a new twist on the old warrant scam, the bad guys are now calling victims and claiming to be from the U.S. Marshals Service, the agency warned.

Photo of a spotted eagle ray courtesy of Mote Marine Laboratory