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 breezy day for Thanksgiving with winds out of the north at 15 to 25 mph.

Temperatures start in the 60s in the morning, but we only warm to the low to mid 70s in the afternoon.

Expect mostly cloudy skies with a little sun later in the day.

A stray sprinkle or shower will be possible in the morning.

It cools off quickly at night, with lows on Friday morning falling to the mid 40s near Tampa with mid 30s north.

Highs: 74

Lows: 46

Rain Coverage: 10% 

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Today’s Big Stories

1. St. Pete launches holiday challenge to boost small businesses
St. Petersburg launched its Holiday Biz Bingo in the ‘Burg challenge. Mayor Ken Welch said the challenge was created to help businesses struggling with post-hurricane and economic difficulties.

2. Authorities: 2 National Guard members critically wounded in shooting near White House
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey says there are “conflicting reports” about the soldiers’ conditions.

3. Burn bans issued for multiple Polk County communities
Polk officials issued burn bans for Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven.

4. Amid the holiday cheer, security experts say beware of scams
According to a 2024 Fraud Watch Network Report from the American Association of Retired Persons, 89% of U.S. consumers have experienced at least one form of fraud tied to the holidays.

5. New prosecutor won’t pursue charges against Trump and others in Georgia election interference case
A judge on Wednesday dismissed the Georgia election interference case against President Donald Trump and others after the prosecutor who took over the case said he would not pursue the charges, ending the last effort to punish the president in the courts for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.

6. Kremlin confirms U.S. envoy’s visit as talks on ending war in Ukraine gain momentum
A senior Kremlin official confirmed Wednesday that U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to visit Moscow next week as efforts pick up speed to find a consensus on ending the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine.

7. What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest — or prepare — ahead of Black Friday
Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, many will open early the following day, Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year.

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

REPURPOSING COOKING GREASES | Pouring cooking fats, oils and greases down the drain can cause serious and expensive pipe blockages. The city of Clearwater asks residents to repurpose their cooking fats, oils and grease. Residents can place leftover cooking greases, frying oils, meat drippings and bacon fats into a container, Bring the grease to the city’s Solid Waste/Recycling drop-off center at 1701 N. Hercules Ave., and pour the contents of the container into the large barrel that is on-site. Take the empty container home or place it in the trash afterwards, as a container with a layer of grease inside is not recyclable. For more information about the city’s grease repurposing program, visit MyClearwater.com/Recycling or call the Solid Waste Operations Center at (727)-562-4920.
HOLIDAY RECIPES | As the holiday season approaches, the festive aromas of classic favorites will soon fill the air. View our Holiday Recipe Guide for food ideas to add to your Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts this year, which includes traditional staples, Chef’s Kitchen recipes and how to prep and properly thaw a turkey.

HILLSBOROUGH HOLIDAY MARKET | Experience holiday magic at the Hillsborough Holiday Market Festival of Lights & Santas Village starting Nov. 27 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Stop by the Just Sayn Promos vendor booth for uplifting, retro-style apparel, mugs, and gifts. Enjoy lights, shopping, and family fun in Dover. The event will be held at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds.
 

National Notes

Thursday, Nov. 27

Thanksgiving
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
NFL Thanksgiving Classic – annual series of three games played over the Thanksgiving holiday, with the first two traditionally hosted by the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. 
80th anniversary of first Slinky toys going on sale at Gimbels Department Store in Philadelphia
20th anniversary of the world’s first partial face transplant, performed on 38-year-old Isabelle Dinoire, who had been disfigured in a dog attack. The surgery in Amiens, France, included a new nose, lips, and chin.
Oxford Word of the Year 2025 public vote closes * Winner announced 1 Dec. Last year’s Word of the Year was ‘brain rot’

The service provides a free, confidential ride and tow for impaired drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within 10 miles of where they are picked up. It is open to AAA members and non-members as a safety net when other options, like a designated driver or a rideshare service, fall through and cannot be scheduled in advance.