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 another warm day for Saturday with highs in the upper 80s.

We’ll see partly sunny skies and only a small chance of a pop-up shower in the afternoon.

Most will stay dry.

Lows will fall to the upper 60s at night.

Highs: 88

Lows: 69

Rain Coverage: 30%

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Today’s Big Stories

1. St. Pete announces new water restrictions, including nighttime enforcement patrols
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Modified Phase III “extreme” water shortage, effective April 3 through July 1.

2. First Friday in jeopardy after spike in city bills, fall in sponsors
First Friday could become a part of St. Pete history, with organizers citing rising costs and dwindling sponsorships.

3. 1 crew member rescued after U.S. fighter jet goes down in Iran, AP sources say
One crew member has been rescued after an American aircraft went down in Iran, according to one U.S. and one Israeli official, who both spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive ongoing military operations.

4. Trump budget seeks $1.5T in defense spending alongside cuts in domestic programs
President Donald Trump has proposed boosting defense spending to $1.5 trillion in his 2027 budget released Friday, the largest such request in decades, reflecting his emphasis on U.S. military investments over domestic programs.

5. First Friends of the Children Tampa Bay class graduates
The first cohort of students in Friends of the Children Tampa Bay is graduating from the program and starting a new phase in life.

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

RAYS THIS WEEKEND | The Tampa Bay Rays will conclude their season-opening, nine-game road trip with games Saturday (7:10 p.m.) and Sunday (2:10 p.m.) against the Minnesota Twins. The Rays play their home opener Monday at 4:10 p.m. against the Chicago Cubs. See what’s new at Tropicana Field.

BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL | The 18th annual Keel Farms Blueberry Festival kicks-off a month-long celebration of Florida’s Blueberry Harvest. Every Saturday & Sunday in April, starting tomorrow, the festival will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family and pet friendly weekend event will feature blueberries, local craft vendors, food trucks and more. The location is 5202 Thonotosassa Road, Plant City. (The event will not held on Easter Sunday).

ST. PETE RENAISSANCE FAIRE | The event kicks off tomorrow with jousting tournaments, turkey legs, crafts and more. The location is England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park. The event will be held each weekend through April 26. View more information including ticket prices.

National Notes

Saturday, April 4

NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four games
3rd anniversary of Donald Trump indicted for ‘hush money’ payments
Easter Vigil Mass at the Vatican to mark Holy Saturday

Raptor specialist Beth Lott and team rescue another bald eagle that was injured falling out of it’s nest. The young eagle will spend some time at Birds of Prey before it is released back into the wild. {Spectrum News/Randy Rauch)

A local wildlife center is giving injured raptors a second chance at survival.

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey rescues and rehabilitates hundreds of birds each year, from bald eagles to owls and hawks.