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

It will be another warm day on Thursday, with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

Some will be near 90 well inland.

Expect a few clouds with winds out of the southeast, but an afternoon sea breeze will develop near the coast.

Low temperatures will fall to the upper 60s at night.

High: 87 Low: 69 Rain Coverage: 0%

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Today's Big Stories

1. SpaceX gets ready for Starlink 6-51 launch
The weather is looking pretty good for Wednesday evening’s SpaceX launch of its Starlink mission. The nearly four-hour launch window opens at 5:26 p.m. ET.

2. Let the playoffs begin: Lightning to face Panthers in first round
The Bolts swept the Panthers just two years ago in the 2nd round of the playoffs. This post-season meeting between in-state foes will be the third meeting in the past four seasons. Tampa Bay plays its regular season finale at 7 p.m. tonight.

3. Public hearing held on Hillsborough's half-cent sales tax; measure goes to ballot
The ballot question in November will ask voters to extend the Community Investment Tax for 15 years, with some changes. The original CIT funded projects across the county, including transportation, infrastructure, education and Raymond James Stadium. 

4. Florida Politics: Capitol makeover moves Gov. DeSantis administration to temporary digs
Executive Office of the Governor employees are expected to return to the Capitol offices before the next Regular Session in March 2025.

5. SCUBAnauts International Students work to protect the planet
Bay area students will engage in some friendly competition to help clean-up the community and help raise awareness about protecting the environment this Earth Day.

6. Who are the jurors in Donald Trump's hush money trial? Here's what we know
Trump faces 34 charges of falsifying business records around efforts to cover up his alleged affair with an adult film actress in 2016. Jury selection resumes Thursday.

7. Florida sees another jump to its average gas prices
Florida's average gas price on Wednesday is $3.64 per gallon, a five-cent jump from the previous day, AAA reported. Use the links in this story to find the cheapest gas near you.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

• HIRING EVENT: Best Florida Jobs will be hosting a hiring event featuring both local and national employers with jobs from 16 different industries. The event will be held at The Regent in Riverview on Thursday, April 18 from 1 - 2 p.m. Those interested can pre-register here.

• TAMPA TRAFFIC ALERT: The outside eastbound lane of West Bay to Bay Boulevard will be closed between South Clark Avenue and South Grady Avenue as the Tampa Water Department returns to complete a more permanent restoration following earlier work in the area. All lanes will reopen to traffic by 5 p.m. each day and then close again the following morning at 9 a.m. to continue the work. Road restoration activities are expected to be completed by Thursday, April 18 at 5 p.m., at which time the road will be reopened for normal traffic flow.


• RAYS vs. ANGELS: PThe Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim resume their four-game series today, with first pitch at 6:50 p.m. at Tropicana Field. The Rays wasted a late lead and lost Monday's opener, then won 7-6 last night in 13 innings. Zack Littell will be on the mound for Tampa Bay. 


• FREE BEER AT SEAWORLD: SeaWorld is celebrating 60 years of thrills and aquatic fun with free beer for guests over the age of 21. the theme park will offer guests one complimentary 7oz beer at Waterway Grill Patio. SeaWorld pass members can get two free 7oz beers per day. The promotion runs for a limited period. Find out more with our Attractions Insider.

        
           NATIONAL NOTES        

Thursday, April 18

• Hearing for Haitian American man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy in assassination of Haitian president.
• TCM Classic Film Festival begins.
• Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report - Initial Claims
• U.S. relief to Venezuelan oil and gas sector set to expire.
• 20th-century American paintings on sale in New York auction.
• World Press Photo contest global winners announced.