Good morning, Tampa Bay. Here's what you need to know today.

Your Weather Planner

It's a nice start to the day with mostly sunny skies. It will become breezy this afternoon with high temperatures around 80 degrees.

A west wind 10-20 mph will keep the coast cooler with highs in the mid to upper 70s. 

There's a chance of a few scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms this evening as a cold front moves toward the area.

Highs: 81

Lows: 61

Rain Coverage: 30% evening

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Around Tampa Bay

1. Florida's elevate program ends tonight
For homeowners who want to lift their homes to avoid flood damage, the deadline to apply for Florida’s elevate program is 7 p.m., Friday.

2. Pinellas County nonprofit helps save 14-acres of natural Florida from development
Pinellas County announced Thursday it had finalized the purchase of the West Klosterman Preserve, following five years of effort from a citizens group to save the 14-acres from development.

3. Hillsborough educators say potential SNAP cuts could impact school meal programs
On Tuesday, a House Agriculture Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., focused on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). During the hearing, a partisan debate erupted over stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients, as Republicans advocated for savings and self-sufficiency, while Democrats warned about the impact on vulnerable populations. 

4. Hope Florida faces funding scrutiny
First Lady Casey DeSantis’ charity, Hope Florida, is under scrutiny after the state directed $10 million in settlement money to the organization, a possible state law violation.

5. Sarasota business owner worries tariffs could cause big changes to her retail business
The Trump administration said tariffs on China will be increased to at least 145 percent. This comes one day after the president announced a 90-day pause on what he calls reciprocal tariffs for most countries.

6. Bay area farm receives recognition for environmental efforts
Wish Farms was recently recognized by the Florida Department of Agriculture as this year’s winner of the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award.


Around the Nation

1. Six people have died in helicopter crash in Hudson River, AP source says

2. Judge halts Trump administration from ending humanitarian parole for people from four countries

3. RFK Jr. claims Trump administration will determine the cause of autism by September

4. Stocks dive as euphoria on Wall Street reverts to fear about U.S.-China trade war

Quote of the Day

Changes could be coming to a federal rule that helped clear air over America's most beloved parks

During a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1995, Don Barger climbed Chilhowee Mountain hoping to gaze across the valley below. All he saw was a wall of gray haze. Today, he said, he can see some 50 miles (80 kilometers) across that same valley to the Cumberland Mountains.

A 26-year-old federal regulation known as the regional haze rule has helped cut down on pollution over national parks, but outdoor lovers like Barger fear those gains may be lost after President Donald Trump's administration announced in March the rule is among dozens of landmark environmental regulations that it plans to roll back.