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
Skies will be partly sunny. Temperatures will be above-normal reaching into the mid 80s.
Winds will be lighter, so a sea breeze is expected.
In the afternoon, a few showers or storms will develop mainly along the sea breeze.
Chances will be higher from Tampa Bay and south, and lower for the Nature Coast.
Rain chances continue Saturday night.
Highs: 85 Lows: 70 Rain Coverage: 30% |
Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos
Today's Big Stories
1. Hernando Sheriff's Office: Teen's body discovered near Cypress Lake Preserve, 16-year-old charged
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a girl whose body was found near Cypress Lake Preserve, and announced an arrest.
2. Opening Day 2025: Rays set to begin a season of change
Chased away from Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton’s winds last fall and staring at an uncertain future as stadium issues have become front and center, the team has revamped across the Bay. The Rays are playing their home opener today against the Colorado Rockies.
- SEE ALSO: Rays aim to make players, fans at home at Steinbrenner Field
- SEE ALSO: St. Pete won't host Opening Day for the first time in Rays history
3. ‘Dump Duke’ town hall for publicly owned power happening Saturday
St. Petersburg’s 30-year contract with Duke Energy is up for renewal in 2026, and it’s the focus of a town hall this weekend.
4. BayCare opens first behavioral health urgent care in Florida
Administrators say the new facility provides timely, comprehensive care that can help reduce the need for hospitalization. The center provides a bridge, a safe space for those needing mental health or substance use services.
5. Florida Republicans could focus on property tax reform over sales tax
House Speaker Danny Perez will need to persuade two of Florida’s top Republicans — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Senate President Ben Albritton — if he wants to make a historic cut to Florida’s sales tax.
6. Trump asks Supreme Court for permission to resume deporting Venezuelan migrants under wartime law
The Trump administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court for permission to resume deportations of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law, while a court fight continues.
WATCH THE FULL SPECIAL | Helene & Milton: Path to Recovery
- “A complete gut": An oral history of Hurricane Milton’s fury and flooding in Forest Hills
- One couple, two homes in two different beach towns means double the worry for permitting after storm damage
- Lifting a home in a flood prone area is not cheap or easy
- Tornado survivor shares her story after Hurricane Milton's historic outbreak
- The Fudge Factory serves up sweets following hurricane rebuild
- Homeowner vulnerable to more hurricane damage as wait for roof fix lingers
- Managing prolonged stress during hurricane recovery
Your Notes for Tonight and This Weekend
- TRAFFIC NOTES | Traffic could be heavy in Tampa this weekend, as the Tampa Bay Rays have games Saturday (4:10 p.m.) and Sunday (1:40 p.m.) at Steinbrenner Field. Also on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Lightning play at 2 p.m., and the annual Tampa Pride Diversity Parade in Ybor City will be at 4 p.m. Finally, Nebraska Avenue, to the south of Busch Boulevard, is temporarily closed for CSX railroad repairs. This section will remain closed for about six days, weather permitting. Drivers can use Waters Avenue, Florida Avenue, and Busch Boulevard as a detour. View more road closures on FDOT's website.
- ON THE TOWN | Organizers will hold the third annual Tampa Bay Empanada Festival on Saturday. They’re promising more than 100 types of empanadas from more than 25 different vendors. On the Town has a preview here.
- FUN RUN 5K | TThe city of Clearwater, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, is will host an inaugural fun run 5K event at Coachman Park Saturday. Packet pickup and registration starts at 7 a.m., and the race will begin at 8 a.m. For more details, click here.
- FREE SMOKE ALARMS | Childs Park residents can expect a knock on the door from a firefighter this weekend - but it won't be an ordinary visit. St. Petersburg Fire Rescue and the American Red Cross will be canvassing the neighborhood on Saturday to install free smoke alarms and ensure existing alarms are up to date and working correctly.
NATIONAL NOTES
Saturday, March 29
- National Vietnam Veterans Day, held on the anniversary of the last U.S. combat troops leaving South Vietnam, ending America's direct military involvement in the Vietnam War
- 'Supermoon' visible, taking place when the moon is near its closest approach, or perigee, to Earth
- NCAA Men's Basketball West Regional 'Elite Eight' game; (1) Florida vs. (3) Texas Tech
- NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional 'Elite Eight' game; (1) Duke vs. (2) Alabama
Human Interest
50 years after Vietnam, Tampa woman looks back on time as flight nurse
When Vietnam veteran Linda Pugsley isn’t visiting an air base, speaking at a military ceremony, or offering her words of wisdom to young people, she is at her home in Tampa where she has lived for more than 40 years.
There she is surrounded by pictures of friends, family, news articles and awards. Individually and collectively, they tell her story.