Good evening, Tampa Bay. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

A cold front will move across the area on Saturday, bringing a broken line of showers and thunderstorms.

The farther north you go, the more likely you are to see rain on Saturday.

The timing of the rain will range from mid to late morning along the Nature Coast to mid to late afternoon south and east of Tampa.

Cooler temperatures come in for Saturday night with a few lingering light rain showers. 

High: 79 Low: 52 Rain Coverage: 60%

Check your hour-by-hour forecast here | Share your weather photos

Today's Big Stories

1. Texas, Florida push border laws as governors eye presidency
Led by tough-talking Republican governors weighing presidential runs, Texas and Florida are debating especially strict legislation on border security as the GOP tests federal authority over immigration.

2. Feds: Sarasota Airport planes were cleared to use same runway at same time
Federal officials are releasing details of a close call between two airplanes at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in February.

3. ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin over alleged Ukraine war crimes
The International Criminal Court said on Friday it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes because of his alleged involvement in abductions of children from Ukraine.

4. Biden welcomes Irish prime minister on St. Patrick's Day
Sporting a green tie and fresh shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day, President Joe Biden on Friday voiced his support for a recent economic accord affecting Ireland as he hosted the republic's prime minister, a longstanding meetup scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic two years in a row.

5. Pasco HOA takes steps to curb rental growth
People who live in the Plantation Palms community recently amended their governing documents to include language meant to curb the growth of rental properties.

6. Struggling customer says energy rate hikes are a burden
The Florida Public Service Commission approved rate hikes for utility companies who are trying to recover costs related to hurricane preparation and increased fuel costs.

7. Mitchell High grad makes pro debut at Valspar
Trinity native Nick Gabrelcik doesn’t have to dream anymore. His dream came true.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

• WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME: The Tampa Bay History Center will be hosting their Hillsborough County Women's Hall of Fame exhibit from now through Friday, March 31. The exhibit will feature women from the past 13 years of the Hall of Fame’s honorees and recognize 2023 recipients. The Hall of Fame was created in to honor women who have made significant contributions to improving life for women and all citizens of Hillsborough County. The exhibit is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• FINE ART FESTIVAL: Enjoy browsing and purchasing fine arts and crafts from a fascinating and diverse palette of original, handmade arts, crafts and specialty products by artisans from across America at the Bradenton Riverwalk Fine Art Festival, 3^rd Avenue West, on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.  Admission is FREE.

• WEEKEND SPORTS: The Tampa Bay Lightning are off tonight, then host the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Amalie Arena. That's followed by a Sunday night home matchup against the New Jersey Devils, also at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays host a spring training game tomorrow against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field - first pitch at 1:05 p.m. - followed by a Sunday home against the Toronto Blue Jays. That one also starts at 1:05 p.m.

• FLORIDA POLYCON: Florida Polytechnic University’s annual celebration of anime, sci-fi movies, music, comics, and more will take place tomorrow at the University’s campus in Lakeland. The daylong celebration, run and led by students, will feature plenty of fun activities such as archery tag and axe throwing, arcade games, cosplay, panels, food trucks, and much more. The event will close with fireworks at the University campus. It starts at 10 a.m. at the campus, located at 4700 Research Way.

           
           NATIONAL NOTES

Saturday, Mar. 18

• Vision '24 National Conservative Forum, hosted by the Palmetto Family Council. Attendees include Republican presidential candidates former South Carolina Governor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and businessman Vikek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, Republican Sens. Tim Scott, Marsha Blackburn, John Kennedy, and Lindsey Graham, and Independent Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
• NCAA March Madness Second Round.
• NCAA Women's March Madness First Round continues.
• 20th anniversary of Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code' being published.
• The Black Sea Grain Initiative to facilitate the safe export of grain, foodstuffs and fertilizers from Ukraine is renewed, assuming no party objects.
• 5th anniversary of Russian President Putin winning fourth term.
• Digital Cleanup Day, encouraging people to help the environment by cleaning up their digital waste such as unnecessary emails, files, apps, duplicates of photos and videos.

Sunday, Mar. 19.

• NCAA Women's March Madness Second Round.
• World Baseball Classic semifinal: Venezuela/U.S. @ Cuba.
• Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade.
• Mark Twain Prize for American Humor presented to Adam Sandler.
• 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' inauguration.