Good morning, Tallahassee! In today’s edition: Buc-ee’s Florida push, Amtrak revival momentum, the Harlem Globetrotters 100 year tour, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Roadside chain’s next step: Buc-ee’s purchased 30.77 acres in Leon County for $10,722,800, edging closer to a Florida store with construction planned in 2026 as part of a 73-acre development with residential land — read the full story.

Momentum builds for rail revival: Following a strong start for twice-daily New Orleans to Mobile service, Commissioner Rick Minor renews the push to restore Amtrak in Tallahassee, citing 46,000 riders and support from 73 local officials — get all the details.

Grassroots effort faces strain: Tallahassee nonprofit Lemondrop needs volunteers to keep 20 help shelves across Leon County stocked with donated bakery items. A volunteer shortage closed its clothing closet — see how to get involved.

Midcentury mood boost: If your place needs a little swagger, Rare Bird Interiors curates midcentury, postmodern, and designer vintage from original owners, including sculptural lamps, sleek credenzas, and artful odds and ends. Fresh finds roll in every weekend… a quick browse often becomes “okay, that’s coming home.”

Welcoming Winter Hummingbirds @ Native Nurseries of Tallahassee | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve waited for an excuse to brag about the backyard feeder, Tallahassee master bander Fred Dietrich is sharing slides on winter hummingbirds, plus spring’s ruby-throated cameo. It’s $5, phone registration only, limited seats, and call the nursery if a guest needs a bracelet — see the event listing.

Protections and reforms explained: Florida’s New Year laws are now in effect, including no-cost breast diagnostic exams for state employees, quicker medical bill refunds, a public animal abuser registry, and updates to condo rules — get all the details.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🎸 Gareth Pearson @ Tallahassee Senior Center | Monday (1/12) at 11:00 AM – Late-morning cure for the blahs: a coffeehouse concert with Gareth Pearson, the Welsh Tornado, fingerpicking country, classical, jazz, pop, and bluegrass before your latte cools. Think Chet Atkins speed with Tommy Emmanuel swagger, Montreal Jazz Festival cred, and none of the stadium parking.

🏀 Florida A&M Rattlers Mens Basketball vs. Grambling State Tigers @ Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center | Monday (1/12) at 4:00 PM – Rattlers host Grambling State for a classic SWAC showdown, the kind where defense snarls, rims rattle, and the pep band refuses to play quietly. Skip the couch, grab a seat, and cheer like you know the fight song, or at least clap on beat.

🖼 Opening Reception: Memories of Other Places, Other Times @ LeMoyne Arts | Tuesday (1/13) at 5:00 PM – LeMoyne opens Memories of Other Places, Other Times, a show from the Artists’ League of Big Bend that travels the world without TSA. Expect thoughtful work, an in-house bar, light bites, and the Zak Kahn Trio. Members stroll in free, everyone else is five bucks.

🏀 The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour @ Donald L. Tucker Civic Center | Tuesday (1/13) at 7:00 PM – Grab the kids and your inner 10-year-old, the Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating 100 years of trick shots, goofy gags, and gasp-worthy dunks. It is the rare show where you can laugh, reminisce, and still claim you went to a basketball game.

🔮 Grady Hendrix: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls @ Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:30 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap Netflix for live occult hijinks, Grady Hendrix is back at the Challenger Learning Center IMAX to talk witches, movies, and mischief. Tickets are $25, you walk out with the paperback, no eye of newt required.

🎸 Rumours ATL @ The Moon Tallahassee | Thursday (1/15) at 7:30 PM – Whether you wore out Rumours on vinyl or found it in your kid’s playlist, this Fleetwood Mac tribute at The Moon nails the harmonies, the drama, and the witchy twirl. Sing along, feel the Rhiannon chills, then snag tickets at MoonEvents.com.

🥙 2026 Greek Gyro Fest @ Tallahassee Greek Food Festival | Friday (1/16) at 11:00 AM – Nothing beats starting the year with a proper gyro, hot fries, and a salad to make you feel virtuous. Swing by the Hellenic Center behind the church for a Greek Gyro Fest, the tasty sequel if you skipped last fall, same neighborhood charm, fewer lines.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Tallahassee report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 78°F – Low: 56°F – Precip: 10%

Areas of fog before 9am. Partly sunny. High near 78, with temperatures falling to around 75 in the afternoon. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 56, with temperatures rising to around 60 overnight. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 62°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 44%

A chance of rain showers before 7am. Partly sunny. High near 62, with temperatures falling to around 58 in the afternoon. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Most popular house this week

This chic 1940s bungalow sits on a corner lot, and a historic brick porch sets a timeless tone. A full renovation blends vintage character with modern upgrades like wood-look floors and a flowing layout. The 4-bed, 2-bath plan highlights a stylish kitchen with a waterfall island and spa-inspired baths with tile and new vanities. A versatile flex room or den supports work, play, or a cozy secondary living area.

The location is minutes from Midtown dining and shops, including Food Glorious Food, Mimi’s Table, and Table 23, plus Whole Foods. Nearby parks bring pickleball, tennis, basketball, and baseball. New roof, HVAC, and water heater add everyday ease in Florida’s capital.

Take a peek inside →