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

Friday will be sunny but cooler, with highs ranging from to the mid 60s north to the low 70s south. 

Winds will be out of the north at 10 to 20 mph.

It will be chilly at night,with lows falling to near 50 around Tampa Bay with upper 30s up in Citrus County. 

Highs: 69 Lows: 50 Rain Coverage: 0%

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Today's Big Stories

1. New Florida bill tightening hemp regulations sparks business concerns
 A bill is making its way through the state legislature that would place new restrictions on Florida’s hemp industry. SB 438 was proposed by Sen. Colleen Burton, who represents Polk County.

2. Trump will order a plan to shut down Education De­partment
President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Education Department, according to a White House official, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that's been a longtime target of conservatives.

3. TikTok launches Amber Alerts to help find missing children
TikTok has partnered with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to send Amber Alerts, the social media network announced Thursday. The real-time alerts will be pushed to users’ feeds in the missing child’s designated search area after law enforcement first issues them.

4. Federal judge blocks DOGE from accessing Social Security personal information for now
A federal judge today temporarily blocked Elon Musk 's U.S. DOGE Service from Social Security Administration systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans.

5. Sen. Moody announces Helper Act to assist U.S. law enforcement with homeownership
Florida Senator Ashley Moody, along with Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, introduced the bipartisan Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act of 2025 in March.

6. Consumers could pay as much as 50% of upcoming tariffs, economist says
Two weeks before the Trump administration is expected to impose reciprocal tariffs on its trading partners, economists say prices are likely to rise as a result.

7. In latest blow to Tesla, reg­u­lators recall nearly all Cy­bertrucks
U.S. safety regulators on Thursday recalled virtually all Cybertrucks on the road, the eighth recall of the Tesla-made vehicles since deliveries to customers began just over a year ago.

8. Valspar Championship taps into special moments
The top golfers in the world will be taking on the Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course Thursday through Sunday. Defending champion Peter Malnati will try to recapture the magic from last year.

Your Notes for Tonight and Tomorrow

• TIGERS MEET TIGERS | The Detroit Tigers, who have been in Lakeland for spring training, recently enjoyed a visit by some team members to Disney World during a break from their schedules. Pitchers Tyler Holton and Will Vest, infielders Zach McKinstry and Colt Keith and outfielder Matt Vierling visited Animal Kingdom, where they enjoyed attractions such as Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris, according to Disney World officials. A high point of the trip was meeting a critically endangered nearly six-month-old Sumatran tiger, Bakso, the newest resident at the park. The Detroit Tigers will play the Baltimore Orioles tomorrow at 6:05 p.m.

The Detroit Tigers visit Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. (Courtesy of Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort)

Bakso, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger, at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom. (Courtesy of Olga Thompson/Walt Disney World Resort)

• KEITH SWEAT BIRTHDAY BASH | Amalie Arena officials have announced that a Keith Sweat birthday bash will deliver a night of soulful performances and timeless music. Keith Sweat, SWV, Joe, Dru Hill and Ginuwine will appear July 25 for the one-night event. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.

• TRAFFIC ALERT | West San Jose Street is closed between South Trask Street and South Hesperides Street as the Tampa Water Department repairs a water main break. There will be barricades and signs in the area to help reroute traffic. The work is scheduled to be completed by 5 p.m. Friday, weather permitting.

           NATIONAL NOTES        

           Friday, March 21

• S&P Dow Jones Indices Quarterly Rebalance effective after markets close
• 15th anniversary of House passing President Obama's landmark health reform bill
• NOAA National Weather Service announces U.S. Spring Outlook, with predictions for temperature, precipitation, drought, and flood risk across the country.
• European Council meeting of European Union heads of state and government, chaired by Council President António Costa
• World Poetry Day