Lightning's Playoff Schedule, Gator Crash, Pier Restoration

0:00It's April 17th. Tampa Bay News today starts now. AI powered and ready? Tampa Bay Lightning just dropped their first round playoff schedule against the Montreal Canadiens for the 2026 Stanley Cup chase. Game one tips off soon at home, with the full slate out now for fans to lock in. Perfect timing with clear skies and hot temps all weekend, courtesy of meteorologist Jason Adams. No rain to mess up your tailgate plans before that. Cold front hits next week. Earlier this week, a Sarasota County driver named Maslin Kurtz hit a nine foot alligator on the road, flipping her car in a wild rollover. She beat the odds, spending four days in the hospital, including two in intensive care, and walked away alive. Local crews are pushing hard to restore the historic jungle prod appear, battered shut since Hurricane Helene tore through. Community groups wanted back for everyone, turning damage into a comeback story that hits home after last year's storms. That 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon,

1:00broker by President Trump between Israel and Lebanon, is holding steady so far. European leaders meet soon on bigger tensions, while here scammers use AI to trick folks. One in 10 adults hit by fraud last year, so pause on those, urgent texts. Meanwhile, hit up the Free Crafter Festival in Tarpen Springs this Saturday and Sunday at the Sponge Docks, featuring a fresh bagel spot. Or catch bonsai class at 6 p.m. for 40 bucks, streetcar name desire at 8 p.m. for 27 or free country dancing at keel farms. Vibe with before summer humidity kicks in.