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
It will be a typical mid-winter day with highs in the upper 60s to near 70.
We’ll see partly sunny skies with a breeze out of the north.
Lows will fall back to the upper 50s at night with upper 40s north.
High: 70
Low: 58
Rain Coverage: 10%
Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos
🏴☠️ GASPARILLA 🏴☠️
Ahoy, me hearties! Tampa Bay’s annual tradition, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, returns to invade Bayshore Boulevard and the downtown area on Jan. 31.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to the sidewalks to pay homage to the mysterious José Gaspar and his merry band of pirates.
If you’re planning on joining in on the festivities, here’s what you need to know before you end up walking the plank. Here’s everything you need to know…
🦜 CHILDREN’S GASPARILLA 🦜
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. Here’s everything you need to know…
Today’s Big Stories
1. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announces bid for Florida governor
Florida’s lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, will join the crowded Republican field to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.
2. SB Howard Frankland Bridge lanes to close Tuesday night
The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed tomorrow night for construction work.
3. Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as death toll in protests approaches 600
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown on protesters in nationwide demonstrations that activists said today had left at least 599 people dead.
4. Drivers concerned with speeding and left turns on Tampa Road in Pinellas County
As traffic gets busier on Tampa Road, an East Lake Woodlands resident is worried about safety there, with drivers speeding and making left turns across multiple lanes.
5. Paramount’s next target in hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. is a board of its own making
Paramount Skydance is taking another step in its hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery, saying today that it will name its own slate of directors before the next shareholder meeting of the Hollywood studio.
6. Steve Githens gives dictionaries to third-grade students in Polk County
The former mayor of Bartow loves passing on his passion for the power of words. Steve Githens has been delivering thousands of special dictionaries to third-grade students in Polk County for many years.
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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow
POLK TRAFFIC ALERT | A portion of Hamilton Road will be closed at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from Drane Field Road and Medulla Road in Lakeland until roadway resurfacing work is completed. The roadway is expected to reopen at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18.
BOLTS vs. FLYERS | The Tampa Bay Lightning will bid for a 10th straight win when they face off tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers on the road. The Bolts beat the Flyers 7-2 on Saturday. The puck drops at 7 p.m. After tonight’s game, Tampa Bay moves on to play the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
GRANT PROGRAM | AARP Florida invites local eligible nonprofit organizations and governments to apply for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 4, at 5 p.m. AARP Community Challenge grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and more. Grants can range from several hundred dollars for small, short-term activities to tens of thousands for larger projects. To submit an application and view past grantees, click here.
ROAD REOPENED | Manasota Key Road is now open to traffic after a portion of the road was washed out by hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Repairs included hurricane debris removal, establishment of a new base, shoreline hardening, asphalt pavement, and pavement markings. Officials said intermittent lane closures may be required to complete additional work.
National Notes
Tuesday, Jan. 13
U.S. Supreme Court hears cases on transgender athletes 10AM ET
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney travels to China, meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss trade, energy, agriculture and international security
5th anniversary of Donald Trump’s second impeachment
National Board of Review Awards Gala, celebrating the best in film and acting
Non-jury trial for Rex Heuermann charged with murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Christie’s auction featuring collections curated by John D Rockefeller III and Jimmy Carter
A Florida bill is taking aim at paper straws.
A bill has been introduced in both the House and Senate that would require jurisdictions with straw laws to allow options other than paper.