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 mostly sunny day for Saturday with highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Expect winds out of the east at 10 to 15 mph.
Lows will fall to the upper 60s at night around Tampa with some near 60 north.
Highs: 87
Lows: 69
Rain Coverage: 0%
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Today’s Big Stories
1. Charges dropped against man accused of leaving dog tied up ahead of Hurricane Milton
Charges have been dropped against a Hillsborough County man who was accused of leaving a dog tied up as Hurricane Milton approached the area last year.
2. Judge set to weigh in on district-filed injunction to close Walton Academy
A judge may rule at a Friday afternoon hearing on the future of Walton Academy. The county district said Thursday that it has filed an emergency motion to close a school that remained open this week despite the school board terminating its charter.
3. Nation heads toward third weekend with government still shut down and no clear path out in sight
The nation today is barrelling into a third weekend with the federal government still shutdown and little indication of how the now 17-day funding lapse could be brought to an end.
4. Hamas reaffirms commitment to ceasefire as delays in returning hostages’ bodies fray nerves
Hamas moved today to shore up its brittle ceasefire agreement with Israel by reaffirming its commitment to the terms of the deal, including a pledge to hand over the remains of all dead Israeli hostages.
5. Parc prepares to open new children’s center and help more kids with disabilities
The Parc Center for Disabilities will soon be able to accommodate more young kids of varying abilities in its new Children’s Services Center.
6. Universal to feature new overlay for Wicked: The Experience ahead of upcoming film
Universal Orlando announced today that it will debut a new overlay for Wicked: The Experience in anticipation of the upcoming film, “Wicked: For Good.”
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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow
TRAFFIC NOTES | County Road 39 is closing in Plant City, just south of State Road 60, so FDOT crews can build new concrete travel lanes. The closure is expected to last for the next two weeks. Message boards will be in place. Looking ahead to Monday, roadway improvement work in Bradenton will close eastbound traffic on part of 9th Avenue NW. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., eastbound traffic will be closed from 99th Street to 92nd Street. This will last until March. Drivers can use 17th Avenue to get around it.
DRONE SHOW | A thousand drones will dance across the St. Pete sky tomorrow night, telling the city’s story and celebrating five years of the St. Pete Pier. It’s part of the St. Pete Pier Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The drone show will take place at 8 p.m. For event details, click here.
ROWDIES SOCCER | The Tampa Bay Rowdies host the Hartford Athletic in soccer action tomorrow night at Al Lang Field in St. Pete. The Rowdies are chasing Detroit for the final playoff spot of the season. The match starts at 7:30 p.m.
FIND THE PERFECT PUMPKIN PATCH | If you’re looking for a patch to pick pumpkins, check out our interactive map. From farm animals to hayrides, there are plenty of locations to visit that offer a wide range of themed activities.
National Notes
Saturday, Oct. 18
‘No Kings’ nationwide protest
Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Hegseth celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Marine Corps
U.N. Security Council Iran nuclear issue resolution due to expire
EU and UK deadline for companies to adapt to lower price cap on Russian crude oil
Sunday, Oct. 19
Jaguars vs. Rams NFL game in London
Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony
65th annual Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Awards
The World DanceSport Federation Championships are happening this weekend.
Team USA is well represented by one of our new Sunshine State residents.
Born in Ukraine, Dmytro Roshchupkin now has a home base in Sarasota where he is inspiring others by his story.