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

We will be warmer for Saturday with highs in the mid to upper 70s.

Expect partly sunny skies and light winds. 

Low temperatures will fall to near 60 for Tampa into early Sunday morning with some near 50 for Pasco County and north.  

Highs: 77

Lows: 61

Rain Coverage: 0% 

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Today’s Big Stories

1. 11 indicted, accused of stealing $2 million in COVID relief funds
Documents released Friday said that almost $2.3 million in COVID relief funds were stolen by suspects who “devised a scheme to defraud” the Small Business Administration. Most of the 11 suspects indicted have Florida ties.

2. Lakeland siblings create newspaper to shine light on neighborhood stories
Two siblings are putting College Avenue on the map in Lakeland. They’ve banded together to create College Ave-News, a neighborhood paper focused on sharing the stories of the locals.

3. Senate rejects extension of health care subsidies as costs are set to rise for millions of Americans
The Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year.

4. New coins will commemorate 250th anniversary of American independence. Here’s how they’ll look
The U.S. Mint has unveiled designs for coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence.

5. Inside ‘Recycling the Magic’: The Central Florida store selling rare Disney history
Recycling the Magic, a shop packed with authentic Disney-park history, offers everything from props and furniture to clothing and rare memorabilia.

 

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Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

TRAFFIC NOTES | A part of Morris Bridge Road in Hillsborough County is now closed. It’s between Cory Lake Boulevard and Cross Creek Boulevard and is for drainage work that will have the road closed until Dec. 23. Drivers can use Cross Creek and Bruce B Downs to get around the closure. Meanwhile, in Pasco County, the new Dade City roundabout is now open to all traffic. It’s at the intersection of 7th Street and U.S. 98. It has just one lane for now, but work continues to add a second lane early next year. 

WEEKEND SPORTS | The Tampa Bay Lightning visit the New York Islanders tomorrow in what will be the third time in seven games the Bolts have battled the Isles. The puck drops at 7 p.m. The Lightning return home Monday. In weekend college basketball, Florida State hosts UMass tomorrow at noon, Miami hosts UL Monroe at noon, and No. 18 Florida hosts George Washington at 2:30 p.m.

PET FEST | The annual Polk County event will be held tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control at 7115 De Castro Road in Winter Haven. It offers free pet adoptions (including spay/neuter, rabies vaccination, microchip ID, and county license) with more than 100 dogs and cats available and ready to go to new homes. Vendors will be there with food, services and pet items. Call 863-577-1762 for more information.

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

Saturday, Dec. 13

2025 Army-Navy football game – President Trump Expected to attend
College football’s Heisman Trophy winner announced
Dick Van Dyke celebrates 100th birthday
Erika Kirk participates in CBS town hall

Sunday, Dec. 14

National Chanukah Menorah grand lighting ceremony in DC
Start of Hanukkah, Jewish Festival of Lights
Geminids meteor shower due to peak

It’s a universal want — finding a place to be yourself. 

Every time Christine Hicks leads improvisational acting sessions at Central Florida Community Arts with her senior group “The Narrators,” she is reminded of that.