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
Friday will be mostly sunny and breezy with highs in the low 80s.
An onshore wind will keep the coast cooler with highs in the upper 70s.
A cold front will move through at night and bring a chance of a brief shower between 8 pm and just after midnight.
Lows fall to the low 60s.
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Highs: 81 Lows: 62 Rain Coverage: 20% Late PM |
Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos
Today's Big Stories
1. House passes Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act
The House passed a bill that, if signed into law, would change voter registration requirements in the state.
2. Weather looking favorable for SpaceX launch of Starlink satellites
The weather is looking favorable as SpaceX plans to launch more than 20 Starlink satellites on early Friday morning.
3. What to know about the 2025 Atlantic hurricane names
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is just over a month away, and there is a list of new names to familiarize yourself with.
4. Wall Street loses more than half of Wednesday's historic surge as U.S.-China trade tensions escalate
U.S. stocks are diving today and surrendering much of their historic gains from the day before as President Donald Trump's trade war continues to confuse and threaten the economy, even if its temperature has cooled a bit.
5. Cross Bay Ferry's year-round service to end early
The initial campaign of year-round service from the Cross Bay Ferry is ending early.
6. Rod and Reel Pier announces new, temporary restaurant location
The impacts of Hurricane Milton were dramatic on many local businesses, including an iconic Manatee County spot.
Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow
- RAYS HOST BRAVES | The Tampa Bay Rays, coming off losing two of three games to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, open a three game series Friday night against the Atlanta Braves at Steinbrenner Field. It will be the fourth, fifth and sixth games of a current 13-game homestand. Taj Bradley will start for the Rays, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
- ST. PETE GRANT FUNDING | The City of St. Petersburg's City of the Arts Grant (formerly Arts and Culture Grant) application period is open until 5 p.m. on June 13. The program provides funding opportunities for eligible nonprofit, arts and culture-focused organizations with budgets of over $50,001. Applicants must be in existence and provide services to the residents of the city for at least one year and have no outstanding debts to the city. More details can be found on the city of St. Pete's website.
- CANDLELIGHT VIGIL | Tonight, members of the community are invited to gather in front of St. Petersburg Police headquarters, 1301 1st Avenue North, for a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost to violence. A representative from Gulf Coast JFCS will be present to offer information on mental health services available to those who may need support. The vigil starts at 7 p.m.
- INCREDIBLE DOG CHALLENGE | The 28th annual Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge kicks off its 2025 season at Coachman Park in Clearwater on Friday, April 11 with two days of family-friendly canine sporting events. Some of the nation's top canine athletes will compete in an array of events during the Eastern Regionals challenge, with the winners earning a spot to the National Finals at Purina Farms in St. Louis this September. Friday's events run from 1 - 3 p.m., and Saturday's events are from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- EASTER 2025 EVENT GUIDE | From photo ops with the Easter Bunny to egg hunts, there are several events lined up across Tampa Bay for Easter. Take a look at our event guide to see what's happening in your area.
NATIONAL NOTES
Friday, April 11
- 5th anniversary of U.S. COVID-19 death toll reaching highest in world
- The Masters golf at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia - the first major of the year - continues with round two, as players look to avoid the cut
- NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge Awards Ceremony
- NATO Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, chaired by the UK and Germany
- 80th anniversary of Buchenwald concentration camp liberated in WWII
- 4th anniversary of the death of Daunte Wright, who was shot by Minnesota police officer Kim Potter
Florida on a Tankful
A false arrow crab is studied aboard the Tampa Bay Watch eco vessel Discovery. Photo by Virginia Johnson/Staff
Tampa Bay Watch’s Eco tour highlights marine conservation
Aboard Tampa Bay Watch’s eco vessel Discovery, they believe the answer to conservation is education. Just a few feet from the docks and doorsteps of downtown St. Petersburg is a water world teeming with life — an estuary.
