03.27.2025

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87º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 3:09 p.m. | Low: 8:47 a.m. + 8:31 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 11:36 a.m. + 11:22 p.m. | Low: 5:11 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Keeping an eye out

A boat drifts by the Tampa Convention Center and downtown Tampa’s growing skyline. | Photo by US Customs and Border Protection

Trying to stay up to date with the new Tampa condo towers, dining scene, and civic updates can feel like trying to drink from a fire house. As usual, we’re here to help break down what you need to know:

SunRail + Brightline project

Dreams of cross-state public transportation might be closer to reality than you think. Orange County leaders just voted to spend $500,000 on a study evaluating the Sunshine Corridor.

The project would connect the SunRail and the Brightline rail services to shuttle folks from Miami all the way up the state. And one day the service could extend out to Tampa.

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport expansion

The Pinellas County airport is gearing up to add 150,000 sqft to its passenger terminal. And the project just got a huge new source of funding, the Tampa Bay Business Journal reports.

Pinellas County Commissioners just approved the use of $6 million in grant funding from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Tampa Bay Water expansion

And it’s a go. The utility is moving forward with its ~$181 million million surface water treatment plant project. Leaders estimate that the project will expand its annual average yield of existing surface water supply from 10 to 12.5 million gallons per day.

Events

Thursday, March 27

We Call it Ballet: Sleeping Beauty in a Dazzling Light Show | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | The Space, Tampa | $45+ | In this new take on the classical ballet, local dancers don glow-in-the-dark costumes — their pirouettes and leaps shining colors across the space.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Utah Hockey Club | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $28+ | Watch as the Bolts try to best Clayton Keller and crew.

Jeremy Camp: “These Days Tour” | 7-9 p.m. | Tampa Theatre | $20+ | Head to the historic downtown theater for a night of tunes by the American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter + special guest Jonathan Traylor.

Friday, March 28

Saturday, March 29

Fruit Trees for Florida Seminar and Tasting | 10-11 a.m. | Kerby’s Nursery, Seffner | Free | Start your fruit tree growin’ journey with this guided seminar at the local nursery.

Tampa Pride Parade & Festival | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Downtown Ybor City | Free entry | Pack the historic neighborhood’s brick streets to watch the annual parade, grab eats from food trucks, and watch music from the performance stage.

Tampa Bay Empanada Festival | 12-8 p.m. | Perry Harvey, Sr. Park | $0-$7 | Sample 100+ varieties of empanadas from 25+ Tampa Bay vendors over cocktails, beers, music, and games.

Sunday, March 30

Women’s Final Four Campus Cleanup | 8-10 a.m. | Tampa Riverwalk | Free | Join the folks from Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to polish up the popular walkway before the deluge of basketball fans.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Sports

Welcome, coach. Bryan Hodgson was just named the new head coach of the USF men’s basketball team. USF Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly lauded the incoming leader as “championship‑caliber.” (That’s So Tampa)

Announced

Opening Day is tomorrow, but the Rays already scored. The home opener vs. The Rockies at Steinbrenner Field is sold out. The transformed Spring Training facility seats 10,046, down from the Trop’s 25,025. (Tampa Bay Times)

Watch

The next season of “Love on the Spectrum” features Pinellas County gems. Season 3 of the Netflix dating show following people on the Autism spectrum premieres Wednesday, April 2. Craft a bingo card + cross off Teak, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Secret Garden, and Gulfport’s downtown as you watch. (Tampa Bay Times)

Active

You’ll encounter more than sweaty marathoners at this year’s 2 Bears 5K run on Sunday, May 4. Bert Kreischer, Jelly Roll, and Tom Segura will all be in attendance for the zero-time-constraints race. Tickets run $59 for sight seekers and $89 for runners. (Tampa Bay Times)

Drink

This one’s for the Sip fans. The St. Pete Beach wine bar is rebranding to Christiane’s and relocating to a new downtown Sunshine City location. Where at? The drinkery is taking over the ground floor of 5th Ave Loft Apartments, serving 20 vino options, seltzer, and charcuterie boards aplenty. (St. Pete Rising)

Listen

Tonight’s the night. Head to Water Street Tampa’s Via Corazon for The Space Between, featuring a performance by Gina Chavez. The artist blends indie, soul, and folk vibes at this outdoor show. Make sure to get there early to grab treats from Small Giant and Wine on Water before the show.

Sports

Nikita Kucherov scored a hat trick, joining elite company with his third straight 100-point season. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Lightning with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Wellness

Looking to boost hair thickness and volume in as little as 3-6 months?† Through Hims & Hers, you can access personalized, clinically-backed treatment options without leaving home (if prescribed). Skip the office visits and insurance headaches — just effective solutions that work.*

Travel

Making summer 2025 your main character era? Perfect timing: Snag this travel credit card’s rare, limited-time welcome bonus (worth ~$1,000) to fuel your summer adventures — whether it’s island-hopping like a Love Is Blind escapee, chasing Sabrina or Kendrick on tour, or simply living your best jet-set life.*

Finance

If you’re in credit card debt, you could spend hours (or days, or weeks) mapping out how to reduce it on your own... or you could let Freedom Debt Relief step in to renegotiate with debtors and consolidate your payments. See if you qualify.*

†Based on separate individual studies of oral minoxidil and oral finasteride. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information.

The Buy

A purse organizer that’s 69% off thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Say goodbye to a messy handbag with this organizer featuring 13 thoughtfully designed pockets to keep everything in its place. Read: You’ll never be endlessly digging around for your keys again.

Shop more Big Spring Sale deals

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:

I’m one of those people who needs to be outside at all times. So I was delighted to hear that a new colored walkway — called the The Sunshine City Mosaic — will adorn the Burg’s Sunset Park. I can’t wait to visit with my dog, Sage.

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “How often do you think you’ll take the new Howard Frankland?”

The view from the driver's side going southbound on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The lane is blocked by barricades with light poles down the lane. — The old view headed over the Howard Frankland Bridge to St. Pete.

~62% only take the cross Bay bridge a few times per month. You know what they say, people don’t like to cross the Bay.
~33% of people say they literally never cross it.
~3% make the trek multiple times per week.
~3% take it every day.

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