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

Clouds will continue to increase into Thursday morning. Showers will develop throughout the day and linger into the evening.

Highs will be in the upper 70s.

A few showers may linger into Friday morning.

Highs: 78

Lows: 67

Rain Coverage: 60% 

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

Today’s Big Stories

1. Holiday shipping deadlines quickly approaching
Postal and shipping offices are already seeing longer lines as those cutoff dates approach, so waiting much longer could mean delayed gifts.

2. Rents at longtime affordable St. Pete apartment complex expected to jump in new year
St. Pete’s Greenland Apartments residents are looking at monthly hikes of anywhere from $600 to a little less than $1,000.

3. DeSantis suggests ending all tolls for Florida residents
Gov. Ron DeSantis dropped an idea during a Wednesday cabinet meeting that could save Florida residents hundreds of dollars a year — shifting the cost of toll roads to non-residents.

4. Trump previewing his 2026 agenda in address to nation as his popularity wanes
The White House offered few details about what the Republican president intends to emphasize in the 9 p.m. EST speech.

5. Rob Reiner’s son Nick appears in court on 2 counts of murder in killing of his parents
Along with the two counts of first-degree murder, prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and a special allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife.

6. SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites
SpaceX sent up its Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center for the Starlink 6-99 mission.

7. TSA offers holiday travel tips as millions prepare to fly
If you can spill it, spray it or spread it and it’s over 3.4 ounces, the Transportation Security Administration doesn’t want you to bring it in a carry-on bag and attempt to walk through an airport security checkpoint. 
 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

TRAFFIC ALERT | A temporary closure of the southbound I-275 travel lanes under I-4 will occur from 10 p.m. tomorrow to 5 a.m. Friday, weather permitting, according to FDOT. Drivers traveling south on I-275 will have to exit the interstate using Exit 46A, turn right onto Floribraska Avenue, turn left onto Tampa Street, and re-enter the interstate using the southbound I-275 entrance ramp. There will be advanced warning signs and message boards to help with the detour. Drivers are advised to remain alert for construction workers and pedestrians in the area.

LIGHTNING VS. KINGS: The Tampa Bay Lightning is scheduled to play the Los Angeles Kings in Tampa tomorrow night, following a 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Monday night. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

HOLIDAY EVENTS, ATTRACTIONS | The holiday season is in full swing, which means there are plenty of festive events across Tampa Bay and Orlando for people of all ages to enjoy. From theme parks to zoos and aquariums, many local attractions have much to offer.

National Notes

Thursday, Dec 18

CPI data released
Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report – Initial Claims
Special exhibit celebrating the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
TikTok hosts inaugural U.S. awards
Man convicted of murder of couple during robbery in 1987 slated for execution in FL
U.S. Postal Service recommended deadline for Priority Mail service for Christmas delivery

From his South Tampa location, Chef & The Baker’s Manhattan Avenue storefront offers plenty of sweets in house, as well as breakfast, lunch sandwiches and salads.