07.01.2025

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89º | 20% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:37 a.m. | Sunset 8:30 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 9:01 a.m. + 8 p.m. | Low: 2:19 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 4:23 p.m. | Low: 10:32 a.m. + 11:02 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Event Spotlight

Boom by the Bay 2023 - 2 - photo credit is Tampa Downtown Partnership.png — Are you amped up for TBAY’s waterfront fireworks displays?

Don’t be fooled by the name, Boom by the Bay is far more than fireworks. Tampa’s Fourth of July celebration runs from 4-10 p.m. and includes:

The Heights District Fourth of July Celebration at Armature Works
Boom by the Bay Tournament with Tampa Pickleball Crew
Star Spangled Sparkman
The Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk July 4th Boat Parade along the Hillsborough River

Plus, this year they’re adding the Apple Pie Throwdown to the party — with vendors competing to create the most original take on the American classic.

A couple last-minute tips:

There’s a sensory relief zone near the Cypress Street entrance near the pavilions
You can book a Pirate Water Taxi ride to take in the sparkling show from the waves
Bookmark these Cigar City’s waterfront watering holes for a cool drink before or after the antics

Asked

Let’s settle this once and for all. Is a hot dog a sandwich?

A. Sure, why not?
B. No. What is wrong with you?
C. No — it’s a taco.
D. Other

Weigh in

Events

Tuesday, July 1

Wednesday, July 2

Wildflower Ice Cream Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration | 2-3 p.m. | Wildflower Ice Cream, St. Petersburg | Free | Pop into the Burg’s newest creamery for a scoop of the secret menu on your afternoon break.

Thursday, July 3

Friday, July 4

Red, White, & Views Festival | Friday, July 4-Saturday, July 5 | St. Pete Pier | Free | Celebrate America’s birthday — and the Pier’s — with a run, live concert with the 13th US Army Band, water ski show, and fireworks.

Saturday, July 5

A plethora of options

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Number
8. That’s how many inches of rain some parts of Tampa Bay area could see over the next week or so. The National Weather Service says it’s due to extra moisture from the Gulf. The chance of rain will peak later in the week — with 60% to 80% chance of rain from Thursday through Sunday. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

Part of the old Howard Frankland Bridge is comin’ down. The Florida Department of Transportation plans to shut down the bridge’s old northbound span by early August, and shift traffic to the southbound lanes. (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

Safety Harbor’s waterfront suffered major damage over the past couple hurricane seasons. Rebuilding and fortifying the city’s waterfront starts soon. The project kicks off Monday, July 7 and runs through the end of 2026 + includes reconstructing the pier, marina, and the living shoreline. (Tampa Bay Times)

Eat

Alerting all Sunshine City Naked Farmer devotees. The fast-casual gem is shutting its doors in mid-July for a $1 million renovation. Don’t fret, you won’t have to miss their mac and cheese or pecan kale Caesar for long. The farm-to-table spot should reopen this fall. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Open

Supersize me, please. The Coffee Cup, a giant pink coffee cup serving steamy hot java, just opened in Tampa. The mobile cafe serves espresso, lattes, sodas, ube- and strawberry-flavored matchas, and shaved ice. (That’s So Tampa)

Announced

Educational Media Foundation is buying Tampa Bay’s 98.7 The Shark. The Christian media brand’s purchase of the classic rock station will close by the end of the year after FCC approval. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Try This

The Florida Aquarium just revealed their new mascot: a fuchsia axolotl from Mexico City. The new kid in town will help connect guests with the hub’s science + culture. Now they need your help choosing a name. Choose from the options, or share your pick. (WTSP)

Sports

Catch up on all things Rays post-All Star Break. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Arts

Step into the mind of America’s most celebrated architect at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art’s “Frank Lloyd Wright & The College of Tomorrow.” This Smithsonian Affiliate exhibit takes you behind the scenes of Wright’s vision for a campus of the future, now known as Florida Southern College.*

Plan Ahead

Hosting an event? Spread the word with TBAYtoday. Explore our self-service ad portal to find the perfect fit for your budget — from standout banner ads to scroll-stopping social content. Promoting your event has never been easier.

Stat

100%. That’s Homebuddy’s no-clog guarantee on their premium, top-rated gutter guards. Get a free quote and join 410,000+ other homeowners who trust the maintenance-free gutter solution.*

The Buy

A ZlumberLock secure sheet holder. Say goodbye to tangled + bunched up sheets with this easy-to-install, patented product. It fits all sheet types and boasts a sleek, discreet design.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:

Hey, hey! I’m back after some restful time in British Columbia with my parents — hiking, walking their black lab, and eating tons of dragon rolls. And I have an interesting request from you, my dear readers.

WFLA shared that Tampa is one of the most expensive cities for renters with children — with about 41% of income going to childcare + rent. So I’m wondering, how many of you hire out childcare or take care of your grandkids? Let me know.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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