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 mostly cloudy for Wednesday with highs in the mid to upper 60s.
Expect a chance of a stray shower during the day, but most will not see rain until later at night.
Lows fall to the upper 50s at night.
A cold front comes through on Thursday and much colder air will fill in behind it.
High: 67
Low: 58
Rain Coverage: 50% Late
Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos
Today’s Big Stories
1. DeSantis highlights promises kept and work still to be done in State of the State Address
Speaking to the Florida Legislature for his last State of the State Address, Gov. Ron DeSantis took the podium Tuesday to tout his accomplishments and declare that he has fulfilled the promises for action he made when he was elected.
2. Rays, Hillsborough College officials may clarify stadium site ideas soon
According to Spectrum Bay News 9’s partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Business Journal, the group could be looking at Hillsborough College on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa as a potential site.
3. Coldest air of the season so far expected Friday morning
Ahead of the front, expect a chance of showers late Wednesday and into Thursday morning.
4. Two teens dead after tunnel collapse near Citrus County park
The Citrus County community is mourning after two teens died in what investigators called a tunnel collapse.
5. Death toll from Iran protests surpasses 2,000, activists say; Trump cancels meetings with Iranian officials
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran surpassed 2,000 people on Tuesday, activists said, as Iranians made phone calls abroad for the first time in days after authorities severed communications during a crackdown on demonstrators.
6. Clintons refuse to testify in House Epstein investigation as Republicans threaten contempt charges
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton say they will refuse to comply with a congressional subpoena for them to testify in an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
7. UPDATE: Howard Frankland Bridge overnight lane closure postponed
The reason for the postponement wasn’t announced.
🏴☠️ GASPARILLA 🏴☠️
Ahoy, me hearties! Tampa Bay’s annual tradition, the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, returns to invade Bayshore Boulevard and the downtown area on Jan. 31.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to the sidewalks to pay homage to the mysterious José Gaspar and his merry band of pirates.
If you’re planning on joining in on the festivities, here’s what you need to know before you end up walking the plank. Here’s everything you need to know…
🦜 CHILDREN’S GASPARILLA 🦜
Children’s Gasparilla is set to make its return to Tampa on Jan. 24.
Tampa Bay’s young pirates can participate in the festivities from noon to 7:30 p.m.
The popular children’s event will be packed with pirate-themed activities including the Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Rodeo, Gasparilla Air Invasion, Preschooler’s Stroll for children five and under (pre-registration is required), Children’s Parade, Nighttime Gasparilla Air Invasion, and the Piratechnic Fireworks Extravaganza to end the evening. Here’s everything you need to know…
Featured Social Post
Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow
PARKING RATES MEETING | The Indian Rocks Beach city commission will have a public hearing tonight on parking rates. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium, located at 1507 Bay Palm Blvd. To read our previous coverage about this issue, click here.
TRAFFIC ALERT | Work has begun on repairs to a sewer lateral that broke into the street located at 14516 N 22nd Street. Repairs will take place on 22nd Street between E. Bearss Ave and Hensel Lane. The installation began today and will be completed by the end of the day Friday. Crews will work between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mort Elementary, the Cross Fletcher Community and HART bus route can expect to see impact due to repairs. A detour with barricades and signage will be located in the area to assist with rerouting the traffic flow. The city of Tampa recommends that drivers use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion.
UNIVERSAL ORLANDO EVENTS | Universal Orlando officials shared the full lineup of events and experiences for this year, including Halloween Horror Nights and Holidays. View the full list of Universal Orlando 2026 events.
LEVEL UP ARTS GRANT | The city of St. Petersburg has launched the Level Up Arts Grant for nonprofit arts and culture organizations with budgets of $50,000 or less. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 30, or until funds are depleted. View additional information about the Level Up Arts Grant.
National Notes
Wednesday, Jan 14
Detroit Auto Show (formerly North American International Auto Show) Media and Industry Days. The show is one of the world’s biggest motor shows and all the major global carmakers host press conferences over the next few days
U.S. Supreme Court considers whether NJ Transit has state immunity 10AM ET
NOAA and NASA release annual assessment on global temperatures
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expected to publish its annual average global temperatures last year * The WMO consolidated figures draw on six international datasets to provide an authoritative temperature assessment
Sentencing of former South Carolina lawmaker guilty of distributing child sexual abuse material
Minerva Swanston is the nursing instructor at Pinellas Technical College and helps her students work towards earning their license to become a nurse. She’s been teaching there for 10 years.