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65º | 0% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:15 a.m. | Sunset 6:12 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 4:50 p.m. | Low: 10:20 a.m. + 9:41 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 1 p.m. | Low: 6:23 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

We’ll be sending you our newsletter for the next five days, but if you’re not feeling it after that, we’ll call it quits — no action required. If you like what you see, click any link in this email, and each morning, we’ll keep sending the most relevant news, events, and updates from around Tampa Bay. Our newsletters are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Nonprofits

Start February out strong

Feeding Tampa Bay volunteers load food and supplies into cars from a massive truck.

Volunteers have been handing out donations to make sure TBAY is taken care of. | Photo via @feedingtampabay

Are you starting the new-ish year with a closet clean-out? I am. Consider donating to these local donation sites.

Diaper banks

Diaper banks, like the Junior League of Tampa Diaper Bank + Babycycle, distribute unused diapers to families in need — find a donation location.

Women’s shelters

Consider donating last season’s clothes to a local women’s shelter like The Spring of Tampa Bay in Drew Park, which sells new and gently-used items to help survivors fund their next steps — see all accepted items.

Animal shelters

Don’t throw away your old towels. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay accepts them, and other items, for both cats and dogs.

Home Goods

You can also support local animals by donating items like antiques and clothing to the Treasure Hound, which helps fund the Friends of Homeless Animals shelter.

Local libraries

If you’re clearing out old books, consider donating them to Hillsborough County Public Library or Pinellas County Libraries.

Editor’s Pick

A rendering of people walking around the new Rays stadium. There are shiny buildings around the area, with palm trees, and huge crowds of people. — The renderings for the what would have been the Gas Plant District stadium.

Back to the question on everyone’s minds: who’s paying for the new Rays stadium? We finally have some hints.

The franchise said they will cover at least 50% of the stadium cost, according to a document shared by Commissioner Ken Hagan’s office before today’s Hillsborough County Commission meeting. Rays leadership also suggested they would pay for construction overruns, repairs and maintenance, plus future upgrades.

But what do they want the county to pay for?

Events

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Thursday, Feb. 5

Friday, Feb. 6

2026 Waves of Change Women’s Leadership Luncheon: Featuring Sutton Foster | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Hilton Tampa Downtown | $161+

Saturday, Feb. 7

MarineQuest 2026 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute | Free

See our full events calendar

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Transit

Good news for North Tampa road warriors. Hillsborough County is working on a $3.3 million project to boost safety + reduce congestion along East 131st Avenue from Nebraska Avenue to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Right now, it’s in the design phase, but construction should be finished by 2027. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Award

Anotha one for the Swamp Princess — our Swamp Princess. Tampa’s Doechii just took home a Grammy for the second year in a row. This time Best Music Video for her “Anxiety.” Up-and-coming star Destin Conrad was nominated for Progressive R&B Album, but didn’t take home the hardware. (Tampa Bay Times)

Today Is

The midpoint of winter. We are exactly halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, meaning the days are getting longer, and our streets’ magnolias will be at full bloom before we know it. It’s also the perfect excuse to plan a summer vacation, starting at TPA. (Farmer’s Almanac)

Biz

The latest vision for the Fresh Kitchen empire is coming into focus. The fast-casual brand is setting up its new South Tampa flagship location right off Kennedy. The 4,500 sqft property will house a massive new eatery, test kitchen, and offices. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Announced

Now that the Stadium Series is over, what’s coming to Ray Jay next? Post Malone and Jelly Roll are rolling in come April. The presale for their Friday, May 29 show with Carter Faith goes live Friday, Feb. 6. Register online.

Community

Café Hey needs help keeping its Chinese New Year tradition around. One community member organized a fundraiser for the Tampa Heights’ spot’s annual Lion Dance. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Try This

Editor Bailey skipped town over the weekend and sadly missed out on the snow. Please send any videos or photos of the infamous “Gulf effect flurries” our way — we know you have some.”Someone’s gotta document and memorialize history.

Answered

Last week, we asked “Who headlined the first GMF in 2012?” Well, 34% of folks correctly guessed Ra Ra Riot, the indie powerhouse behind hits like “Water” and “Bad to Worse,” played the first-ever GMF more than a decade ago.

Listen

You know Doechii and Destin Conrad, but here’s six local bands you should check out. The best name of the bunch definitely goes to the Miller Lowlives. On a related note, please let Editor Bailey know if you’d like to see said band with her. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Shop

Meet the intimacy gummy: Camino Wild Cherry, the ultimate edible for date night. Heighten sensory experiences and ignite that special spark with a THC gummy that fits seamlessly into your Valentine’s Day plans — without the hangover or bloat of alcohol. Get 20% off a full-size tin with code 6AM20.†*

Post of the Day

Screenshot 2026-02-02 at 10.05.51 AM.png — Same time next year?

Champa Bay is definitely a hockey powerhouse.

Not only did the Bolts beat out the Bruins 6-5 (talk about anxiety), but 64,000+ fans packed Ray Jay to an “Eras Tour” level.

And the weather pulled through too. Following Saturday night’s Gulf effect flurries, the temperature in TBAY was a crispy 42° at puck drop on Sunday, which was colder than the last outdoor game in Beantown.

Want to be featured?

The Buy

A great date night look to wear on Valentine’s Day. Shop our top five options:

💗 Merge comfy and cute with this rose-hued sweater dress that’s easy to dress up or down.
🩷 Opt for a cozy chic look in this long-sleeved velvet dress.
💖 Create a fun + flirty look with this pink-hued, one-shoulder midi dress.
❤️ Turn heads in this elegant mock neck maxi dress adorned with a vibrant flower design.
❤️‍🔥 For extra va-va-voom, stun in this open back long sleeve dress with a sweetheart neckline.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

It’s a big week for TBAY legends.

Famed sportscaster — and Academy of the Holy Names alum — Erin Andrews is headlining this year’s Bucs’ She is Football Weekend Career Summit. Register for the Friday, March 6 conference now.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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