Good morning, Tampa Bay. Here’s what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
Since the daily weather story page is not available, I will type it here:
We will see a mix of clouds and sun today with highs in the low to mid 80s.
East to northeast winds will be breezy through the morning, with lighter winds in the afternoon.
Expect a small chance of an afternoon or evening shower, but most stay dry.
Mostly cloudy skies come in for tonight with lows falling to the upper 60s. It will be a bit cooler north.
Highs: 83
Lows: 68
Rain Coverage: 20%
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Around Tampa Bay
1. Cruise travel surges at Port Tampa Bay as spring break begins
Port Tampa Bay officials said the port is expected to see 1.8 million cruise passengers this year, up from 1.66 million last year.
2. Free phones are being given to Florida veterans to help them claim benefits
The Florida Veterans Coalition is giving out 10,000 free cell phones and service to connect veterans to their local Veterans Affairs offices.
3. Lakeland couple travels through Middle East trying to escape war and return home
After days of working to get his parents to safety, Nick Poucher can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
4. Sarasota airport TSA checkpoints unaffected by partial government shutdown
Unlike airports nationwide that are seeing hours-long waits because of the government shutdown, SRQ does not have lengthy lines even during the peak of spring break.
Around the Nation & World
1. FBI: Attack at Michigan synagogue was a ‘targeted act of violence against the Jewish community
2. Oil jumps to $100 per barrel and stocks sink worldwide with no clear end in sight for the Iran war
3. AARP report highlights increasing costs of long-term care
4. ROTC students at Old Dominion University subdued and killed shooter who left 1 dead, 2 hurt
Quote of the Day
President Donald Trump said he did not think it would be “appropriate” for the Iranian soccer team to attend this year’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, and cited safety concerns as a reason on Thursday while the countries remained embroiled in a war.
Iran, one of 48 teams in the tournament, is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26. The U.S. is hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Since June, Iran has been subject to a travel ban into the U.S. as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. But athletes and coaches from the target nations are exempt, which means the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the U.S.
But there are also likely fears from Iranian soccer players about playing in a tournament abroad where they could be feted by an anti-regime diaspora while their families face threats back home.