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

Expect another partly to mostly sunny day on Thursday with highs in the mid 80s.

A stray sprinkle will be possible, but the vast majority of the area will stay completely dry.

It will be breezy with east winds at 10 to 20 mph.

Lows fall to the upper 60s under mostly clear skies at night. 

High: 86 Low: 68 Rain Coverage: 0%

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Today's Big Stories

1. After weeks of chaos, Republicans elect Mike Johnson to become next House speaker
Republicans on Wednesday elected Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson the 56th Speaker of the House, bringing to an end a three-week paralysis of the lower chamber of Congress that began with the historic ouster of Kevin McCarthy.

• Who is Mike Johnson, the next Speaker of the House?

2. Tampa police searching for hit-and-run driver that killed bicyclist
According to authorities, officers responded to N. 19th Street and E. 21st Avenue just after 8 p.m., finding a 57-year-old male bicyclist unresponsive after being struck by a vehicle.

3. Live Updates: Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza
The Hamas-run Health Ministry said that 11 bodies were pulled from what remains of a house in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, after it was flattened by an Israeli airstrike on Wednesday.

4. Trump fined $10K for remark made outside courtroom during civil fraud trial
During a break in the testimony Wednesday, Trump complained that Judge Arthur Engoron, a Democrat, is “a very partisan judge, with a person who’s very partisan sitting along side of him, perhaps even much more partisan than he is.”

5. Survey: U.S. abortions rose slightly overall after new restrictions started in some states 
The report out this week from the Society of Family Planning, which advocates for abortion access, shows the number fell to nearly zero in states with the strictest bans — but rose elsewhere, especially in states close to those with the bans.

6. Tampa Bay Times: Florida orders pro-Palestinian student group off its university campuses
The head of Florida’s university system has directed schools to disband campus chapters of a pro-Palestinian student group he alleges are aligned in support of terrorists.

7. ULA aims maiden launch of Vulcan rocket on Christmas Eve
ULA’s CEO Tory Bruno confirmed on Tuesday the inaugural flight is set one day before Christmas and said the company is waiting on two things: The Vulcan’s upper stage needs to be finished being built and sent to Florida and the company is waiting for some qualification testing.

8. 'Shaft' star Richard Roundtree, considered first Black action movie hero, dies at 81
Roundtree's longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

• TRAFFIC ALERT: A portion of the sidewalk on East Kennedy Boulevard is closed between North Morgan Street and North Marion Street as the Tampa Water Department fixes a water main break. Nearby parking spots will also be impacted. There will be barricades and signs in the area to help reroute traffic. The work is expected to be completed with a return to normal traffic patterns by tomorrow at 5 p.m., weather permitting.

• GAS PRICES: The Sunshine State's average gas prices continue to climb, stated AAA today. Today, Florida's average gas price is at $3.32 per gallon, a three-cent jump from the day before, AAA stated. View the cheapest gas prices in the Tampa Bay area.

• TIP OFF FOR THE ORLANDO MAGIC: It's Opening Night for the Orlando Magic at Amway Center as the Houston Rockets are in town. The Magic went 34-48 last season, missing the postseason. Tip off tonight is at 7 p.m.

• FRIGHTFUL FUN IN THE BAY: The Tampa Bay area has been conjuring up spooky shindigs as Halloween approaches. Check out our county-by-county event list to find celebrations you and your family can enjoy.

        
           NATIONAL NOTES        

           Thursday, October 26

• Q3 2023 growth figures
• Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report - Initial Claims
• Court hearing for man charged with attacking Paul Pelosi with hammer 5 p.m. ET