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

High temperatures will reach the mid to upper 70s but it will be cooler in the Nature Coast this afternoon with a northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

A passing shower is possible but most of the area will stay dry.

High: 78 Low: 64 Rain Coverage: 10%

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

Today's Big Stories

1. Police asking public for information in Plant City homicide
The Plant City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in an overnight homicide investigation.

2. Chick-fil-A recalls take-home Polynesian sauce dipping cups
Chick-fil-A has announced a recall of Polynesian sauce that customers may have taken home between Feb. 14 and Feb. 27.

3. Universal Orlando shares new DreamWorks Land details for this summer
As DreamWorks Land gets ready to kick off at Universal Studios Florida this summer, new details have been revealed about what guests can expect.

4. House passes temporary budget deal to avoid shutdown. Senators vote next
The House passed another short-term spending measure today that would keep one set of federal agencies operating through March 8 and another set through March 22, avoiding a shutdown for parts of the federal government that would otherwise kick in Saturday. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill later in the day.

5. Mother's boyfriend arrested as search for Madeline Soto reveals 'disturbing images' on his phone, deputies say
The search for missing 13-year-old Madeline Soto continues as Stephan Sterns, the boyfriend of her mother, was arrested Wednesday night after law enforcement discovered “disturbing images” on his cell phone.

6. What would happen without a leap day? More than you might think
Have a look at some of the numbers, history and lore behind the (not quite) every-four-year phenomenon that adds a 29th day to February.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

• BOLTS vs. SABRES: The Tampa Bay Lightning, fresh off a 2-1 road trip, return to Amalie Arena tonight to take on the Buffalo Sabres. The Sabres have won four of their last six games. The puck drops tonight at 7 p.m.

• CLEAN-UP EVENT: Tampa Bay Water is helping Keep Pinellas Beautiful kick off the Great American Cleanup with Leaders Against Litter on Friday, March 1. Volunteers can gather at the south side of Gandy Beach, east of The Getaway restaurant to support a clean Pinellas County. The clean-up will run from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.


• GAS PRICES INCREASE: There is another jump to Florida's average gas prices on Thursday, according to AAA. Florida's average gas price on Thursday is $3.36 per gallon, a three-cent jump from the day before. The national average price of gas on Thursday is at $3.32 per gallon, a three-cent increase from the previous day, stated AAA. View the cheapest gas prices in the Tampa Bay area.


• FEBRUARY WEATHER RECAP: February was the second straight month with below normal temperatures and above normal rainfall. Several storm systems and cold fronts brought ups and downs in the weather but most of the month was below average. View the average temperatures and rainfall city by city.

        
           NATIONAL NOTES        

           Friday, March 1

• Latest deadline for new funding deal to avert partial federal govt shutdown.
• Mission launched around now design to study water on the moon.
• First day of spring, according to the meteorological season
• Iran parliamentary elections
• U.S. Supreme Court meets in private conference to discuss cases and vote on petitions for review.
• Court hearing for Mar-a-Lago property owner charged in classified documents case.
• SpaceX Crew 8 launch.  The Crew-8 mission will transport four crew members to the (ISS).
• Court hearing for man charged in shooting of woman killed when car turned into wrong driveway.
• U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission hosts hearing
• 50th anniversary of Nixon aides indicted over Watergate
• Employee Appreciation Day - unofficial observance aiming to encourage management to support, thank, and reward employees in all industries