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

We will see more warm weather for Wednesday with highs in the mid 80s.

Expect partly sunny skies with winds out of the east. 

We will see a slight chance of a shower in the afternoon, but much of the area stays dry. 

Lows will fall to the mid to upper 60s at night, but it will be cooler north.

Highs: 86

Lows: 67

Rain Coverage: 20%

 

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

Today’s Big Stories

1. Rays hosting community meetings for feedback on stadium proposals
The Tampa Bay Rays are holding three public community engagement sessions to get feedback on proposed ballpark plans before they take the next steps. The first community engagement session is set for Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry Campus.

2. Israel steps up airstrikes in Tehran; Iran strikes U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Israel stepped up airstrikes against Iranian missile launchers and factories Tuesday, and Iran retaliated across the Gulf region, disrupting energy supplies and travel. As explosions rang out in Tehran and in Lebanon — where Israel said it struck Hezbollah militants — the American embassy in Saudi Arabia came under drone attack.

3. Northbound I-75 lanes reopened in Tampa after earlier fatal crash
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened on the interstate lanes near Bruce B. Downs around 6 a.m.

4. Manatee County to name preserve in honor of Carol Ann Felts
County commissioners today unanimously approved a motion for a resolution that would name a newly expanded preserve at David J. Crane Park in honor of the late District 1 Commissioner Carol Ann Felts.

5. New free resource for Pinellas County parents to protect kids online
The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County launched an initiative to safeguard children online and equip families with vital support called Parent ProTech.

6. A+ Teacher brings scientific experiences to the classroom
Stefanie Frump has always been passionate about the ocean. She’s been sharing that passion with her students for 23 years.

Featured Social Post

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

BOLTS START ROAD TRIP | The Tampa Bay Lightning begin a four-game road trip tonight with a game at the Minnesota Wild. The Bolts have lost two straight games. The puck drops at 9:30 p.m. From there, the Lighting visit the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, and the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night.

FUNDING GRANT APPLICATIONS | Pinellas County Human Services is accepting Social Action Funding Grant Program applications through Thursday, March 26 at 1 p.m. The program provides funding to social service organizations for priority services that directly serve Pinellas County citizens. The goals of the program are to address the health, economic and social wellbeing of county residents in need of assistance. Organizations may apply for up to $150,000 in funding, with the minimum grant being $10,000, and must align with defined social action priorities. Those interested in applying can do so here.

PINELLAS ADOPTION CAMPAIGN | Pinellas County Animal Services is launching a new “Spring Free from the Shelter” adoption campaign to get its longest-waiting pets a fresh start. From now through May 31, it will waive adoption fees for dogs and cats who have been in the shelter’s care for more than 60 days. All adoptable animals are spayed/neutered and come with a microchip with free lifetime registration, age-appropriate vaccinations, a one-year Pinellas County pet license, a bag of pet food and a toy or treat. All adoptions will require its usual screenings for adopters. To see our full list of adoptable dogs, visit pinellas.gov/dogs. For cats, visit pinellas.gov/cats.

TAMPA TRAFFIC | The inside northbound and outside southbound lanes on South Westshore Boulevard are closed between West Azeele Street and West Beach Park Drive while the Tampa Water Department conducts maintenance on the water distribution system. The completion of the work with a return to normal traffic patterns is expected by 4 p.m.

National Notes

Wednesday, March 4

Formal service for Rev. Jesse Jackson held in Washington, DC, ahead of homegoing services later this week * Jackson died 17 Feb, aged 84. He was a leader of the civil rights movement and worked alongside Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a social justice and change organization, created through the merger of Operation People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH) and the Rainbow Coalition, which he had created in 1971 and 1984, respectively
U.S. Supreme Court hearing on broker liability

Nine beaches got sand as part of the nourishment project. (Spectrum News)

Businesses along the beaches in Pinellas County are counting on a big spring break season this year, especially after the county’s $125 million beach renourishment project wrapped up last month.