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 warm and dry with above normal temperatures.
Winds will pick up out of the south at 10-15 mph.
A cold front will arrive early on Sunday.
There is a slight chance of showers with the front.
Cooler temperatures return later on Sunday into Monday.
High: 82
Low: 65
Rain Coverage: 0%
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Today’s Big Stories
1. World’s largest duck makes a splash in Clearwater
The 61-foot inflatable duck, named “Mama Duck,” is spending the next two weeks at Clearwater’s Coachman Park.
2. Winter Haven City leaders purchase property for land conservation
Winter Haven is taking steps toward preserving Florida’s natural beauty and waterways. City leaders recently purchased more than 100 acres that will be dedicated to conservation.
3. Several Hillsborough County roads to close briefly for CSX railroad work
Railroad crossing repair work by CSX will briefly close portions of several Hillsborough County roads in January.
4. Manfred says MLB prepared to produce and distribute local broadcasts for FanDuel network teams
Major League Baseball is prepared to produce and distribute local broadcasts for teams whose telecasts are uncertain this season because of the financial problems of the FanDuel Sports Network regional networks.
5. Tampa honors its first Black, female firefighter
City officials recognized retired fire inspector Betty Coleman, who was the first hired, Black female with the Tampa fire department.
6. U.S. intercepts fifth sanctioned tanker as it exerts control over Venezuelan oil distribution
U.S. forces boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea today, the U.S. military said, as the Trump administration targets sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela as part of a broader effort to take control of the South American country’s oil.
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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow
TRAFFIC NOTES | The closure on Symmes Road in Riverview continues this weekend. The road is closed in both directions just west of U.S. 301 for a concrete replacement project. Drivers will be detoured to Gibsonton Drive or Big Bend Road to U.S. 41 to access Symmes Road. Looking ahead to next week, the Howard Frankland Bridge will close Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for drivers heading to Pinellas County. It is from 11 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday and is so crews can put up new overhead signs. Detours will be in place.
COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR | The nonprofit Pioneer Medical Foundation will host its fifth annual Community Health Fair tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Water Works Park, 1701 N. Highland Avenue. The event offers access to doctors, mammograms, cancer screenings, dental and vision care, and more.
BOLTS vs. FLYERS | The Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Philadelphia Flyers in a rare back-to-back matchup tomorrow night and Monday night. The Bolts have won eight straight games. The puck drops at 7 p.m. tomorrow and again at 7 p.m. Monday.
National Notes
Saturday, Jan. 10
NFL postseason begins
BAFTA Tea Party honoring the British and American nominees of this season’s film awards ceremonies
50th Los Angeles Film Critics Awards ceremony, including the presentation of the Career Achievement Award
Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg kick off America 250 – Colorado 150 celebrations and unveil Colorado Department of Agriculture traveling mural. Attendees include Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
AARP’s annual Movies for Grownups Awards
Sunday, Jan. 11
83rd Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Nikki Glaser, broadcast live on CBS.
United Cup tennis final in Australia
National Milk Day, marking the day in 1878 when milk deliveries began in glass bottles sealed with waxed paper
Pope Leo celebrates Mass, baptizing several babies in a tradition begun by Pope St John Paul II
Children’s Gasparilla 2024 parade in Tampa, Fla. (Spectrum News)
Children’s Gasparilla is set to make its return to Tampa on Jan. 24.
Tampa Bay’s young pirates can participate in the festivities from noon to 7:30 p.m.
The popular children’s event will be packed with pirate-themed activities including the Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Rodeo, Gasparilla Air Invasion, Preschooler’s Stroll for children five and under (pre-registration is required), Children’s Parade, Nighttime Gasparilla Air Invasion, and the Piratechnic Fireworks Extravaganza to end the evening.