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

We will see mostly sunny skies for Wednesday. 

Expect a breeze out of the east to northeast at 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts.

A rogue shower may be possible in the afternoon, but most stay dry. 

High temperatures will be in the mid 80s Wednesday with low temperatures in the upper 60s. 

High: 86 Low: 69 Rain Coverage: 10%

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Today's Big Stories

1. Interim USF coach, players to honor fallen coach, play exhibition game Wednesday
The University of South Florida has named Ben Fletcher as the interim head basketball coach. The move comes following last week’s shocking death of coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, 43, who was undergoing a medical procedure at a Tampa-area hospital when he passed away due to complications that arose during the procedure.

2. SOE: Manatee County seeing record early-voting turnout despite hurricanes
Despite back-to-back hurricanes, more than 100,000 Manatee County residents have already cast their ballots in the 2024 general election marking what election officials say is largest early-voting turnout the county has seen.

3. Vigil to mark one year since Ybor City shootings
A Tuesday night vigil will remember victims from an October 2023 shooting that happened in Ybor City.

4. Harris aiming to strike optimistic, hopeful tone in ‘closing argument’ at the Ellipse, official says
Vice President Kamala Harris will make her “closing argument” to voters today, one week from Election Day, at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., the same site where then-President Donald Trump rallied his supporters ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

5. Sen. Scott campaigns in Ormond Beach
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott was on Florida’s East Coast today where he held a Get Out the Vote rally at Ormond Garage, a brewery in Ormond Beach.

6. Man, 26, charged in fatal Riverview road rage shooting
The 26-year-old man suspected in Sunday’s fatal road rage shooting is facing a series of charges.

7. U.S. Transportation Department proposes rule to increase rail worker safety
Rail transit workers will have greater safety protections under a new Federal Transit Administration rule announced today.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

• TRAFFIC ALERT: Old Columbus Drive is closed between East Columbus Drive and North 51st Street as the Tampa Water Department performs maintenance on the water distribution system. 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 4 p.m., weather permitting.

• FLORIDA FISHING: Greater amberjack recreational harvest will close in the Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters starting Nov. 1, with the last day of harvest being Oct. 31.

• HALLOWEEN EVENTS, ATTRACTIONS: Spooky season is upon us, which means there are plenty of Halloween-themed events across Tampa Bay and Orlando for people of all ages to enjoy. From theme parks to haunted houses, many local attractions have much to offer.

        
           NATIONAL NOTES        

Wednesday, Oct 30

• Q3 2024 growth figures
• Pending Home Sales Index
• Donald Trump on campaign trail in Wisconsin
• 50th anniversary of Ali vs. Foreman in 'The Rumble in the Jungle'
• MLB World Series continues: Los Angeles Dodgers @ New York Yankees (if necessary)
• National Wicked Day, annual celebration of the Broadway musical 'Wicked', in honor of its debut at the Gershwin Theatre