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 partly sunny skies for Friday with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

Winds will be out of the east with only a light sea breeze at the coast in the afternoon. 

We will see a chance of a few isolated showers and storms in the afternoon, but these will only cover around a third of the area.

Lows will fall to the upper 60s at night with a stray evening shower. 

Highs: 86

Lows: 68

Rain Coverage: 30%

 

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Today’s Big Stories

1. Hegseth to get Iran operations update at MacDill Thursday
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is visiting MacDill Air Force base in Tampa today. Hegseth is visiting headquarters of U.S. Central Command, which is overseeing military operations in Iran.

2. Trump says he’s replacing Homeland Security Secretary Noem with GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin
President Donald Trump says he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin.

3. USF’s Fletcher District moves forward with commissioner’s approval
Plans for the Fletcher District near the University of South Florida are moving forward. The USF project would redevelop the school’s former golf course into a mixed-use development and connect it to the nearby on campus football stadium.

4. More than 20 states sue over new tariffs Trump levied after Supreme Court ruling
A coalition of two dozen states sued the Trump administration Thursday over planned 15% global tariffs the president said he was imposing last month following the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate many of his far-reaching import duties. 

5. Citrus County officials want regulations in place before eyeing data centers
Citrus County commissioners are set to hear a proposal for a new AI data center. According to officials, the proposal is for an artificial intelligence data center development on about 800 acres of land near County Road 491 and Tram Road in the Lecanto area.

6. New Port Richey’s Concert in the Park announces upcoming shows
The city of New Port Richey has announced the return of its free concerts at Sims Park. The Spring Series 2026 lineup of shows includes local and regional talent.

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

BOLTS vs. JETS | The Tampa Bay Lightning will try to stop a three-game skid tonight when they visit the Winnipeg Jets. Despite the losses, the Bolts remain on top of the Atlantic Division with 80 points, two more than the Buffalo Sabres. The puck drops tonight at 8 p.m.

TAMPA TRAFFIC ADVISORY | Tampa officials are alerting drivers of heavy traffic expected this weekend downtown, with a number of events scheduled. Those include Disney on Ice events at Benchmark International Arena, Lightning City Gymnastics Gasparilla Classic at Tampa Convention Center and performances at the Straz Center. View parking options.

ATTRACTIONS | Disney World’s 2026 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom. The vibrant festival runs through June 1. Attendees can enjoy character-themed topiaries, live entertainment and garden-inspired food and beverages at the popular event.

National Notes

Friday, March 6

U.S. continues National Emergency with respect to Ukraine
The Employment Situation: Unemployment Rate, Average Workweek, Average Hourly Earnings, Manufacturing Payrolls, Nonfarm payrolls * Figures released last month said that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 130,000 in January, while the unemployment rate was 4.3%
American Bankers Association Economic Advisory Committee presents the latest forecast at a press conference from a panel made up of top economists at some of the largest banks in the U.S. Forecast includes the group’s latest assessment of GDP growth, unemployment, inflation, interest rates, and credit conditions.
World Baseball Classic begins, with 20 national teams competing, with games taking place in Miami, Houston, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Tokyo, Japan. Top two teams from the Americas in the final standing qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic baseball tournament * Japan are the defending champions, having beaten the U.S. to win their third title in 2023
Oscar Week series of panel events
100th birthday of American economist and former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan

Rows of claw arcade games at ClawZania Tampa. Newly opened (February 28th- March 1st was opening weekend celebration), people can keep or trade up prizes. Photo by Matt Infante/Staff

Welcome to ClawZania Tampa, where you can find hundreds and hundreds of prizes — keychains, stuffed animals and toys — waiting to come home to you, courtesy of Tony Duong.

Duong saw multi-story, 24-hour gaming centers thriving and decided to bring a smaller version to the Tampa Bay area.