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 chilly to start the day on Thursday with a freeze north of Tampa, but we will warm up a bit in the afternoon with plenty of sunshine.

Highs will be in the low to mid 60s.

Lows Thursday night into Friday morning fall to the 40s around Tampa Bay.

We will see some 30s north, but it will stay above freezing for the Nature Coast. 

High: 64

Low: 44

Rain Coverage: 0%  

Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos

Chilly Gasparilla

This weekend will be even colder than we’ve already seen this week.

Another cold front is on the way Saturday morning. This one will be even stronger than the last.

Wind gusts could top 30 mph by midday Saturday during the time of the Gasparilla Invasion. For the parades from 2 to 6 p.m., winds could gust over 40 mph.

Read more about this chilly weekend ahead.

Today’s Big Stories

1. Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady at first meeting of 2026
In their much-anticipated vote this afternoon, Federal Reserve officials opted not to adjust the federal funds rate — a key interest rate that often influences borrowing costs for Americans as well as how much the federal government has to pay to maintain the national debt. 

2. FDOT: Howard Frankland Bridge lanes to close Wednesday night for construction
The southbound lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge will be closed tonight into tomorrow morning.

3. FBI executes search warrant at Fulton County elections office near Atlanta
FBI agents were executing a search warrant at the Fulton County elections office near Atlanta today, an agency spokesperson confirmed.

4. Central Florida man reflects on Challenger disaster 40 years later
Today marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days for NASA — the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

5. Coffee Concrete in St. Pete features caviar-topped fries
This week’s Chef’s Kitchen features a breakfast burrito and caviar-topped fries with a mayonnaise-based sauce from Coffee Concrete in St. Pete. 

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

BOLTS LATEST: The Tampa Bay Lightning resume their five game-homestand tomorrow night against the Winnipeg Jets, with a puck drop time of 7 p.m. That will be followed by Sunday’s Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium against the Boston Bruins. That game starts at 6:30 p.m.
TAMPA JOB FAIR | JobNewsTampa, in Partnership with CareerSource Tampa Bay, will be hosting The Tampa Job Fair from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The companies attending have immediate hiring needs and many will be interviewing and hiring on the spot. There will also be a free computer lab to research companies, apply to jobs and customize your resume. Pre-register here.
EMERGENCY BURN BAN | Pasco County is under an Emergency Burn Ban for all areas of the county due to a prolonged lack of rainfall, resulting in an increased risk of brush fires. Everyone living in unincorporated areas of Pasco County is prohibited from setting fires or causing fires, including open burning, campfires and bonfires, and burning yard waste or garbage. County officials will notify the community when conditions are safe enough to resume open burning.
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, visit www.AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. 

National Notes

Thursday, Jan. 29

Sentencing of Illinois deputy guilty of murder in fatal shooting of woman in her own home 
Revised Productivity and Costs/ U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services 8:30am ET
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report – Initial Claims 8:30am ET
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump expected to attend premiere for documentary ‘Melania’

Other counties already get their drinking water from the Peace River, and because of increased demand, Manatee County moved up its timeline by a year. (Spectrum News)

Part of Manatee County’s long-term water plan calls for taking drinking water from the Peace River.

It comes at a critical time, as the county has seen an increase in water consumption because of rapid growth in the area.