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A message from our team

Today kicks off the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Watch the opening ceremony today at 2 p.m. on NBC. As the ceremonies commence, stay tuned to WTSP’s coverage so you don’t miss a moment.

Steak sundae, anyone?

Yes, an actual steak sundae. | Photo via TBAYtoday

The Florida State Fair always delivers wild culinary offerings. Who could forget 2024’s Fruity Pebble-crusted pickle?

This year’s festivities run through Monday, Feb. 16 and its new menu additions (or lows) are equally intriguing: like a Devil Dog, a Surf n’ Turf Alfredo Sundae, and the Ultra-Tampa Deep-Fried Cuban Burrito.

We’re sharing the price tag of some of this year’s wacky menu items + the traditional fare eats, so you can build your dream tasting menu without blowing the budget:

$20 and under

Surf n’ Turf Alfredo Sundae: $20
Dubai chocolate strawberries with pistachio cream and Katafi: $19

$15 and under

Spaghetti and meatballs: $14
Meatball sub: $14
Takis tots or mac: $12-$13
Totchos: $12
Bacon cinnamon roll: $11
Chicken tenders: $12

$10 and under

Funnel cakes: $10
Fried Snickers bar: $9
Cinnamon roll: $9
Fried Reese’s Cup + 2 golden Oreos: $9
Caramel apples: $6
Cheesy garlic bread: $8
Corn dog: $7
Single cone: $6
Cheese on a stick: $5

Events

Friday, Feb. 6

Saturday, Feb. 7

Sunday, Feb. 8

See our full events calendar

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News Notes

Open

Tampa’s bagel renaissance continues. Homesick Bagels just started slinging ‘em in North Hyde Park. The new cafe + bagel spot is owned by the same team behind Santoro’s Pizza. The spot’s new Jersey–style bagels are packed with breakfast meats, chicken salad, and just plain. (That’s so Tampa)

Development

A new 264-unit affordable housing development is going up in the Warehouse Arts District. Once finished, Fairfield Avenue Apartments will be the city’s largest lower-cost housing complex. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Eat

Welcome, Food Truck Fridays. The Pinellas County Urban League is hosting the Power of the Dream Festival today from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at 333 31st St. N. Stop by for free food samples, a “Food is Medicine” talk, a live DJ, and line dancing.

Read

Bulk up your TBR this weekend at Gulfport’s ReadOUT festival. The queer book party is packed with appearances from authors like Kristen Arnett, writing seminars, a rolling book swap, and a live taping of the “Yappin’” podcast. Get tickets to the action. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Sports

The Super Bowl hasn’t even kicked off, and the NFL is already looking ahead to next season. Later this year, the league will host a game in Paris for the first time in its history. We hear it’s beautiful in the fall — find out for yourself with a flight from Tampa International Airport.
We’ve got to wait a little longer for one more small step. NASA’s Artemis II mission to the moon was going to launch as early as this week, but a leak during testing has postponed it until at least next month. In the meantime, a trip to Saunders Planetarium will have to quench our interstellar wanderlust. (The Guardian)

Featured Deal

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Beauty

Engineered for men, Particle Face Cream tackles dryness, eye bags, wrinkles, and dark spots in one simple step. In other words: time to stop borrowing your partner’s moisturizer. Save 20% with promo code CITY20.*

Post of the Day

Screenshot_2026-02-05_at_11.22.29_AM_90.png — A first look at the Rays’ new Tampa digs.

Yes, it’s been a Rays stadium heavy newsweek, but we couldn’t miss sharing the first renderings of the incoming Tampa facility. The covered stadium — featuring the world’s largest skylight (just joke) — would seat about 31,000 people, according to the Rays.

What else is in the plans? Besides the ballpark, the 130-acre district will feature a parkside neighborhood, home for Hillsborough Community College, and a retail-packed street.

The team also shared an early access to seating for $19.98. Now, we want to hear your initial thoughts on the design.

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Asked

How much did Tropicana Field cost?

A. $256 million
B. $198 million
C. $138 million
D. $111 million

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The Buy

A best-selling pair of waterproof boots designed to keep your toes warm and dry in any weather. We love that this pair boasts a warm faux fur lining and a slip-resistant rubber outsole.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

This edition by: Bailey

The America 250 Wheel lights up the Fairgrounds sky.

This year, the fairgrounds are festooned in red, white, and blue in celebration of America’s upcoming 250th birthday.

But instead of a cake, there’s a brand-new 230-ft Ferris wheel — the engineer said 250-ft wasn’t doable. If you look closely, each of the 45 gondolas are emblazoned with the presidents’ faces in sequential order.