Good evening, Tampa Bay. We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a slight increasing in humidity.

A few showers are possible but the best chance of rain will be Saturday evening and night.

The rain will exit early Sunday and sunshine should return by afternoon.

The warming trend will continue into next week, although it will still be a little cool at night.

Highs: 75

Lows: 63

Rain Coverage: 60% 

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Today’s Big Stories

1. Florida to ban items like candy, soft drinks and energy drinks from SNAP recipients
At the request of several states across the country that filed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food restriction waivers, the government is implementing one change set to impact millions, whether they like it or not.

2. Farmers Feeding Florida program brings seafood to food banks and markets
At Feeding Tampa Bay’s market, a partnership with the Feeding Florida Program is bringing clams to its freezers.

3. Tesla loses title as world’s biggest electric vehicle maker as sales fall for second year
Tesla lost its crown as the world’s bestselling electric vehicle maker on Friday as a customer revolt over Elon Musk’s right-wing politics and stiff overseas competition pushed sales down for a second year in a row.

4. Congress returns to Washington to kick off 2026 next week. What’s on the agenda?
It was less than nine weeks ago that lawmakers reached an agreement to end the more than 40-day shutdown that dominated Capitol Hill this fall. But that deal expires Jan. 30, and lawmakers’ return to Washington will be marked by the new looming deadline.

5. Swiss investigators believe sparkling flares atop wine bottles ignited fatal bar fire
Officials said Friday that 40 people were killed and another 119 injured in the blaze at the bar in Crans-Montana while revelers were celebrating New Year’s Eve.

6. SpaceX gets ready for Florida’s first launch of 2026
For those who can stay up late, you will be able to witness Florida’s first rocket launch for 2026. It will happen Sunday morning.

7. Pinellas County strengthens retail pet store regulation
It comes after officials with Pinellas County Animal Services said a retail pet store in the county lost its license and closed. An investigation revealed that nearly 200 puppies were living in unsanitary conditions.

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

TRAFFIC NOTE | Looking ahead to Monday, a big closure starts on Symmes Road in Riverview. The road will be closed in both directions just west of U.S. 301. This is for a concrete replacement project that FDOT says will last for 21 days. Drivers will be detoured to Gibsonton Drive or Big Bend Road to U.S. 41 to access Symmes Road.

WEEKEND SPORTS | The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers tomorrow in their regular season finale. The Bucs must beat the Panthers and have the Atlanta Falcons lose to the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC South, otherwise their season is over. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning visit the San Jose Sharks tomorrow, looking for their seventh win in a row. The puck drops at 4 p.m.

ON THE TOWN | The Hispanic Cultural Resource Foundation and Hernando County YMCA are hosting the fourth-annual “Three Kings Day Festival” on Sunday, Jan 4. The event runs from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Hernando County YMCA, located at 1300 Mariner Blvd., in Spring Hill.

National Notes

Saturday, Jan. 3

‘Supermoon’, or Wolf Moon visible, taking place when the moon is near its closest approach, or perigee, to Earth. Read more about it.
Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards.
48th Dakar Rally, a 5,500-mile car, motorcycle, and truck race.


It’s been called one of the city’s most colorful attractions — a place where making a mess is part of the creative mission.

Splatzz is drawing in people from across Central Florida for a hands-on way to let loose, but behind the paint-splattered walls, the owner says there’s also a therapeutic purpose.