We find it interesting even when we are back home.

• DeSantis delivers final State of the State Address, more top stories from the week and fun things to do this weekend  
  Your weekend is here, Tampa Bay! Here's a look at the news and what events are going on in the area.
  
  
• NASA to roll out SLS rocket Saturday for Artemis II moon mission  
  It will begin its slow 4-mile ground journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
  
  
• Kyrou scores in shootout as Blues end Lightning's 11-game win streak  
  Jordan Kyrou scored the only goal in a shootout and the St. Louis Blues beat Tampa Bay 3-2 to snap the Bolts' 11-game win streak.
  
  
• Iran's leader calls Trump a 'criminal' for backing protests and blames demonstrators for deaths  
  Trump had recently praised Iran for canceling planned executions, signaling a possible shift away from military action.
  
  
• When cold-weather shelters close, hundreds face limited daytime options across Tampa Bay  
  Many shelters only operate overnight and require guests to leave as early as 6 a.m.
  
  
• Justice Department investigating whether Minnesota's Walz and Frey impeded immigration enforcement  
  The investigation comes during a weekslong immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
  
  
• 2026 events honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day around Tampa Bay  
  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, Jan. 19.
  
  
• New Skyway Lofts open in South St. Pete  
  A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for the second phase of Skyway Lofts, adding 66 new units of affordable housing to the Skyway Marina District.
  
  
• Madeira Beach Snack Shack pilings in good shape  
  The Madeira Beach Community Development Director was able to inspect 14-of-45 pilings, after sand was removed.
  
  
• Crystal River’s favorite manatee ‘celebrity’ to attend Manatee Festival  
  The “Manatee Capital of the World” is hosting the 39th annual Florida Manatee Festival this weekend in downtown Crystal River.
  
  
• Full Episode: Understanding lawmakers' push to expand E-Verify and extend Wrongful Death Act to the unborn  
  Political Connections airs each night at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.
  
  
• Farmers watch over crops as Bay area temperatures plunge  
  Strawberry farmers in Plant City spent a nervous night watching over their crops and the thermometer.
  
  
• Local Iranians to rally in Tampa this weekend  
  It comes amid widespread protests, an internet blackout and mass killings in the country.
  
  
• Cold weather shelters in the Tampa Bay area  
  With colder conditions moving into the Bay starting Thursday evening, cold weather shelters will be opened in the Bay area.
  
  
• Rays, Hillsborough College officials set to discuss stadium site  
  The Hillsborough College board of trustees is scheduled to host a meeting Tuesday afternoon to hear the Rays idea of a stadium at the campus site.
  
  
• Bellamy Grove farmer says 'so far, so good' with strawberries as cold temperatures sweep across Citrus County  
  Bellamy Groves owner Chuck Bellamy says his family had to take extra precautions to protect the fruit from the cold.
  
  
• Crystal River dips to 25 degrees early Friday  
  Residents at the Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort in Crystal River say they prepared a couple of days in advance for the January cold snap.
  
  
• U.S. flu activity fell for second week but experts worry season is far from over  
  The number of states reporting high flu activity also fell — from 44 to 36.
  
  
• Hillsborough deputies arrest suspect accused of spreading nails on road  
  Residents say that Miller Road and other surrounding streets had nails beginning in October.
  
  
• Road back to title contention was long for Miami, but it has finally broken through  
  The Hurricanes will play for a college football title against Indiana on Monday after 17 seasons without a bowl win before resuming their climb.
  
  
• Clearwater firefighters test new PFAS-free protective gear  
  Studies reveal protective firefighter gear often contains chemicals linked to cancer.
  
  
• Tampa Bay resident and Disney fan shares weight-loss story  
  Tampa Bay resident and Disney fan shares her weight-loss journey and how she wants to lose more weight.
  
  
• Florida House approves bill to lower the minimum age to buy long guns  
  It's the fourth consecutive attempt in Florida following the Parkland Massacre.
  
  
• Tampa airport police train staff on signs of human trafficking  
  Last year, an estimated 700,000 people were victims of human trafficking in Florida.
  
  
• Trump says he may impose tariffs on countries that don't back U.S. controlling Greenland  
  Trump for months has insisted that the U.S. should control Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
  
  
• Tiny animals, big smiles: Inside Clermont's Whispering Oaks Miniature Ranch  
  Guests interact up close with miniature cows, donkeys, goats, and other pint-sized animals.
  
  
• Students with intellectual disabilities thrive with Project EDGE class at MTC  
  Project EDGE is a 900-hour class that began last August.
  
  
• Lakeland’s new mayor Sara Roberts McCarley settles into first week  
  McCarley says the first few days of her term have been dedicated to getting ahead of the curve.
  
  
• Ferris Groves farmer says cold weather will yield sweeter strawberries  
  Farmers in areas like Citrus County are taking precautions when it comes to protecting crops and agriculture.
  
  
• Treasure Island Kite Festival returns after 2024 storms  
  The 29th annual Treasure Island Kite Festival begins on Friday and runs through Sunday.
  
  
• Gillibrand, Moody introduce bill to end stock trading by lawmakers  
  House Republicans are pushing their own bill to bar lawmakers from buying new stocks.
  
  
• Manatee County resident voices concern about the frequency of trash pickup  
  Manatee County's Big Bin Advantage program provided larger bins but decreased the frequency of trash pickup to once a week.
  
  
• Robinson Preserve is coastal Florida farmland returned to the wild  
  The land at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton was once farmland, but has been returned to nature with unique views, migratory birds and paved trails.
  
  
• Single day Grand Prix of St. Petersburg tickets on sale  
  Now in its 22nd year, the three-day event is offering seven races this year, including a truck series race for the first time.
  
  
• Gulfport Mayor: Lions Club building is coming down  
  After nearly 60 years, the Gulfport Lions Club let the lease expire at its longtime clubhouse located at the Gulfport Marina.
  
  
• Pinellas County asks for state funding to widen East Lake Road  
  Pinellas County is asking for money in the state budget to widen East Lake Road.
  
  
• Air Force band traveling and performing to celebrate America’s 250th birthday  
  Clearwater native Ross Hussong is one of the 61 members of the band.
  
  
• Crew-11 splashes down; mission ends early after astronaut has medical episode  
  This is the International Space Station's first medical evacuation.
  
  
• Duke Energy announces early removal of customers' storm-related charges  
  Duke Energy announced Wednesday it is dropping storm recovery charges for customers a month earlier than originally scheduled.
  
  
• Lakeland Regional, Tampa General to bring more cancer care to Polk County  
  The new partnership is expected to help meet the needs of Polk County’s growing population.
  
  
• Seniors 65+ qualify for new $6,000 tax break  
  St. Pete-based C.P.A Michael Price estimates the take-home for the average senior could be between $600 and $1,000.
  
  
• Major flood mitigation plan moves forward in Tarpon Springs  
  A flood relief project in the works for years in Tarpon Springs recently took another step forward.
  
  
• Full Episode: DeSantis makes 6th high court nomination, and bill to improve rural education advances  
  Political Connections airs each night at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.
  
  
• Stageworks builds mountain for “Touching the Void”  
  Stageworks play based on 1983 mountain climbing accident in Peruvian Alps.
  
  
• Two teens dead after tunnel collapse near Citrus County park  
  The Citrus County Sheriff's Office said two 14-year-old boys were digging a tunnel Sunday morning when it collapsed on them.
  
  
• ZooTampa celebrates its first animal birth of 2026  
  Officials with ZooTampa at Lowry Park said a critically endangered eastern bongo calf was born on Jan. 9.
  
  
• Lightning tie franchise record with 11th straight win  
  Nikita Kucherov scored the deciding goal in the shootout and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1
  
  
• Ricotta in the pasta at The Restorative  
  In this week's Chef's Kitchen, at The Restorative in Dunedin with their ricotta gnocchi; glazed, pillowy perfect pasta drizzled in brown butter.
  
  
• Business owner worries about beach access parking fees in Indian Rocks Beach  
  The proposed rate is $4.50 an hour, potentially generating over $1 million annually for the city. It was to be discussed at a Tuesday meeting.
  
  
• Georgia man killed in Howard Frankland Bridge crash  
  One man was killed Monday night in a multi-vehicle crash in a construction zone on the Howard Frankland Bridge.
  
  
• Innovative air-sea drone company moves into St. Pete’s Hub  
  SubUAS has created a drone that can seamlessly transition from air to water.
  
  
• More fresh produce stands opening in Hillsborough County  
  It’s a growing trend that’s putting fresh food within reach of more families.
  
  
• Full Episode: DeSantis gives his final State of the State address, and Florida lawmakers get to work on enabling development  
  Political Connections airs each night at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.
  
  
• DeSantis highlights promises kept and work still to be done in State of the State Address  
  Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has "made good" on the agenda he promised seven years ago.
  
  
• Tensions flare in Minnesota as protesters and federal agents repeatedly square off  
  Federal authorities used tear gas on Monday to break up crowds of whistle-blowing activists.
  
  
• Claudette Colvin, who refused to move seats on a bus at start of civil rights movement, dies at 86  
  The Claudette Colvin Legacy Foundation said she died of natural causes in Texas.
  
  
• Bebe Rexha, Zedd, and several musical artists to perform during Universal Orlando’s 2026 Mardi Gras celebration  
  The concert series takes place on select nights and is included with regular park admission to Universal Studios Florida, park officials said.
  
  
• BTS kicks off world tour with two shows in Tampa  
  The group will start the North American span of their tour at Raymond James Stadium on April 25 and 26.
  
  
• Malakai Cuffy leads Cardinal Mooney hoops, when he's not fishing  
  Malakai Cuffy is the point guard for the Cougars, a senior captain, and a guy head coach Curt Kassab can rely on.
  
  
• Dog reunited with Hernando County family after 5-year odyssey  
  A reunion of family and dog is being used by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office to remind pet owners about the importance of microchips.
  
  
• UPDATE: Howard Frankland Bridge overnight lane closure postponed  
  A new date for the work hasn't been announced.
  
  
• Scott Adams, whose comic strip 'Dilbert' ridiculed white-collar office life, dies at 68  
  His first ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced the death Tuesday on a livestream posted on Adams’ social media accounts.
  
  
• DeSantis delivers final State of the State Address, Rays to clarify future stadium plans and more cold air on the way to the Bay area  
  Here's what you need to know to start your evening.
  
  
• Family remembers Brandon High School student fatally struck by train  
  Family members of Jamar Bond, 17, say he was a fun-loving teen who had an infectious smile and looked forward to graduating high school next year.
  
  
• A+ Teacher guiding next generation of nurses  
  Minerva Swanston is the nursing instructor at Pinellas Technical College.
  
  
• St. Pete Beach adds restrictions to cell towers  
  The amendments are expected to pass a second and final vote on Tuesday.
  
  
• Lightning beat Flyers for 10th straight win as Cooper notches 600th win  
  Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov each had a goal and an assist as the Lightning won their 10th straight game 5-1 over the Flyers.
  
  
• Lt. Gov. Jay Collins announces bid for Florida governor  
  The state's lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, will join the crowded Republican field to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  
  
• DOJ investigation into Federal Reserve and Chair Powell stokes fierce reaction on Capitol Hill  
  Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., pledged to block Trump's Fed nominees for the time being.
  
  
• Florida Education Association ranks Polk County schools No. 1 in instructional vacancies  
  The Florida Education Association calls it a “retention crisis at a breaking point,” after reviewing the number of instructional staff vacancies.
  
  
• Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as death toll in protests rises to at least 646  
  Trump announced that countries doing business with Iran will face 25% tariffs from the U.S.
  
  
• Nursing student uses lifesaving lessons to help save a life on way to class  
  It happened just before the holidays when Lesly Arroyo-Pena spotted a man down in the middle of the street fighting for his life.
  
  
• Limona Cemetery marks 150 years, preserving the history of a forgotten Brandon community  
  Some people buried at the cemetery include pioneers who settled in the area.
  
  
• Lakewood Ranch High School starts career corner inside library  
  The school unveiled its new College and Career Center, designed to help students learn more about what comes after high school.
  
  
• National nonprofit helps military spouses, veterans enter workforce  
  Military spouses are facing a challenge when it comes to being hired in the workforce.
  
  
• Crew-11 prepares for early return to Earth as astronaut deals with medical issue  
  The undocking of Crew-11's capsule from the International Space Station is set for early Wednesday evening.
  
  
• Winter Haven responds to AG’s claims over public camping law violations  
  Winter Haven city leaders are responding to a violation notice sent to the city by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s office last week.
  
  
• Drivers concerned with speeding and left turns on Tampa Road in Pinellas County  
  David Zinther asked Real Time Traffic Expert Tim Wronka about the stretch of Tampa Road between East Lake Road and Curlew Road.
  
  
• Exercise injuries spike in January, according to recent survey  
  "Exercising more" is the most common New Year's resolution this year, a recent YouGov survey said.
  
  
• Tampa health fair helps uninsured people get medical and social services  
  It was hosted by nonprofit Pioneer Medical Foundation.
  
  
• What Maduro's removal could mean for Trump’s foreign policy around the world  
  The developments with Venezuela came just as the U.S. seemed to be close to brokering a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
  
  
• SpaceX launches nearly 30 Starlink satellites  
  Close to 30 Starlink satellites will be in low-Earth orbit.
  
  
• Florida bill takes aim at paper straws  
  The bill requires jurisdictions with straw laws to allow options other than paper.
  
  
• Protesters against ICE assemble across U.S. after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland, Oregon  
  Saturday's demonstrations come as the Department of Homeland Security pushes forward in the Twin Cities.
  
  
• Jay Collins announces bid for Fla. governor, SB Howard Frankland lanes close tomorrow night and everything to know about Gasparilla 2026  
  Here's what you need to know to start your evening.
  
  
• 'Hamnet' and 'One Battle After Another' take top honors at Golden Globes  
  In an awards ceremony that went almost entirely as expected, the night's final award was the most surprising.
  
  
• Steve Githens gives dictionaries to third-grade students in Polk County  
  It's an annual project of the Bartow Rotary Club.
  
  
• Greenland's party leaders reject Trump's push for U.S. control of island  
  “If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way,” Trump said, without explaining what that entailed.
  
  
• Tampa Bay advocate reacts to potential state case against Maduro  
  Ellen Snelling of Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance believes that families affected might finally find a way to achieve justice.
  
  
• New road data shows Citrus County behind in road repairs as plans for projects get underway  
  A recent study shows that Citrus County is behind when it comes to road repairs.
  
  
• Trump pushes 1-year, 10% cap on credit card interest rates and banks balk  
  In a joint statement, the banking industry was opposed to Trump's proposal.
  
  
• Protests in Iran reach 2-week mark as authorities intensify crackdown on demonstrators  
  The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 72 people have been killed and over 2,300 detained.
  
  
• Some flu measures decline, but it's not clear this severe season has peaked  
  By some measures this season is already surpassing the flu epidemic of last winter.
  
  
• UCF doctor shares medical insight on International Space Station  
  Dr. Emmanuel Urquieta describes what type of training an assigned crew medical officer goes through.
  
  
• Lawmakers ask judge to appoint third party to force release of remaining Epstein files  
  Rep. Thomas Massie said the Justice Department failed to comply with two separate aspects of the law.
  
  
• Minnesota prosecutor calls on public to share Renee Good shooting evidence with her office  
  The prosecutor's announcement came on a third day of Minneapolis protests over Good's killing.
  
  
• Reimagined St. Pete Science Center starts with Friday groundbreaking  
  St. Pete's Science Center is about to get a facelift after being closed for years.
  
  
• Seminole Heights Elementary students continue 31-year tradition, pledging to graduate high school  
  Students walked 12 blocks, which was nearly a mile, to Hillsborough High School, symbolizing the 12 years it takes to graduate.
  
  
• Members of Congress react to special session on redistricting  
  Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement earlier this week.