11.18.2025

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84º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:54 a.m. | Sunset 5:35 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 3:09 p.m. | Low: 8:02 a.m. + 6:47 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 11:10 a.m. + 9:35 p.m. | Low: 3:55 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

It’s not just you, our traffic is awful

A shot from up high of the Howard Frankland Bridge project. The Bay water is reflecting sunlight, while cars drive along the existing bridge. An incomplete structure spans left to right as crews work on the bridge. The Tampa skyline and South Tampa are in the distance on a bright sunny day.

Who hasn’t slowly inched across the Howard Frankland on a Friday afternoon? | Photo via FDOT

What would you do with 64 hours? Sit in traffic, apparently. That’s the average time TBAY residents lost to traffic congestion in 2024, which is 7% worse than the year previous, according to a recent report from Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

When is the worst time to drive in Tampa Bay?

Traffic is at its worst between 3 and 6 p.m. on weekdays. In the morning, 7-8 a.m. can also be dicey.

But the hands-down worst time to commute? 4 p.m. on a Saturday — the highest percentage of TBAY’s weekly delay happens around then.

When is the best time to drive in Tampa Bay?

Technically, that would be around midnight. But if you work a nine-to-five, here’s our advice:

Head to work by 6 a.m. or wait until 9 a.m.
If you can leave work early, head out by 2 p.m. Monday-Friday.
If your boss is watching, you’ll need to stay at your desk until at least 6 p.m. Or grab a nearby bite from a happy hour spot, and wait out the traffic until 7 p.m.

What about public transit?

Events

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Thursday, Nov. 20

Friday, Nov. 21

More concerts, festivals, and arts picks

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

Finance

An innovative way to access your home’s equity

Presented by Unison

With Unison, you can access up to $500K of your home’s equity with no monthly payments. | Photo via Unsplash

Your home equity belongs to you. Period. And there are ways to access these funds when you need them.

One way: An Equity Sharing Agreement that lets you turn your equity into cash, without a traditional loan. Think: No monthly payments or interest, and you share in your home’s future value changes.

With Unison as your partner, you can make those renovations you’ve been dreaming of, travel, pay off debt, or even fund retirement.

Details this way

News Notes

Announced

Applications are now open for Tampa’s Homeowner Hurricane Assistance. Cigar City homeowners who sustained damages during the 2024 hurricanes can apply for up to $30,000 in aid for repairs and rebuilding. The city will prioritize the hardest hit zip codes — find out if yours is included.

Development

Developers are working on proposals for transforming the Gas Plant District as you read this. But St. Pete leaders are waiting to reappraise the 86-acre site until one of the pitches is selected. Why is that? (St. Pete Catalyst)

Community

How are local food banks doing as we approach Thanksgiving? Regional organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay, St. Pete Free Clinic, and All Faiths Food Bank are reporting high demand. Read more about what’s needed + find out where to donate. (WUSF News)

Try This

Van Gogh’s bold post-Impressionist pieces should be enjoyed on a grand scale. How about 360°? Van Gogh Alive is now on view in the Dalí Dome, featuring works like “Starry Night” + “Sunflowers,” and much more. Get tickets. (That’s So Tampa)

Coming Soon

Happy Taco Tuesday to all who celebrate. Ybor city fave Jimmy’s Tacos is opening up in the Grand Central District. We don’t have an opening date yet, but you can ogle the menu in the meantime. Editor Bailey is especially pumped for the birria and carne asada-stuffed tortillas. (That’s So Tampa)

Seasonal

72. That’s how many hours it took elves to festoon The Xmas Bar in downtown St. Pete with twinkling lights and a wash of paint. Head to the bar formerly known as Glamper for themed cocktails and eats, visits from Mr. Claus, and other holiday fun. What’s on the menu? (St. Pete Catalyst)

Real Estate

Take a tour of the Sandcastle on the Gulf — and no, it’s not a hotel. Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard built the 19,578-sqft Belleair Beach mansion in 2014. And now the beachfront property with a lazy river, putting green, bowling alley, and sauna could be yours. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

The Buccaneers offense did enough to win but the defense couldn’t get the stops needed to slow down Josh Allen and the Bills. Get key post-game insights from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Investing in exotic and classic vehicles delivers results — a Lamborghini Countach sale just generated a 14% net return for MCQ Markets investors. Diversify for $20 a share.*

City Guide

Up this year’s concert count

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A peek at one of the past concerts at the St. Pete Pier | Photo by Yvonne Gougelet

Call us the live music capital of the world. We won’t stop you.

No matter your favorite genre, there’s a concert bound to hit the right note. Check out 20+ must-see musicians, bands, and singers set to take the stage in Tampa Bay in the coming months.

Rock + pop-punk

Three Dog Night | Dec. 7 | Ruth Eckerd Hall

Soft rock + blues

Allman Betts Family Revival | Dec. 14 | Ruth Eckerd Hall
Barry Manilow | Jan. 18 | Benchmark International Arena

Indie + folk

Stevie Nicks | Dec. 7 | Benchmark International Arena

Country

Maren Morris | Nov. 18 | Benchmark International Arena
Lady A | Dec. 6 | Ruth Eckerd Hall
Rascal Flatts | Feb. 13 | Benchmark International Arena

Hip-hop + rap

Playboi Carti | Nov. 30 | Benchmark International Arena
mgk | Dec. 19 | Benchmark International Arena

Latin

Christian Nodal | Nov. 29 | Benchmark International Arena

R&B + reggae

Brandy & Monica | Dec. 12 | Benchmark International Arena

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Even more live music

The Buy

Benefit’s top-rated brow pen that’s on sale for a limited time. We love that it draws on three superfine lines in one stroke, resulting in fuller-looking brows in seconds. Bonus: Get $10 off your order of at least $20 with code HSN2025 by Sunday, Nov. 30.

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

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “Would you marry into a Turkey Trot family?”

The finish line of the Coffee Pot Turkey Trot.

47% of readers said no way — Editor Bailey agrees it’s a deal breaker
35% of folks voted sure, why not?
18% of readers said they’d consider it

Now, book those trot spots

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Bailey

The view of the Sunshine Skyway headed north from Bradenton.

My blood pressure always drops considerably when I cross one of the bridges back into St. Pete — let me know if you figure out a way to put that feeling into a pill.

I visited my best friend since the fourth grade in Miami over the weekend, which was absolutely lovely. But spotting the Skyway on the drive home always does something to me.

What uniquely TBAY experience makes you emotional? Please share yours with me.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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