What you need to know for Friday, Sept. 30

• Rain chances lower Friday, with partly cloudy skies, and highs in the upper-80s, according to 10Weather WTSP.

• As you head out for your morning commute, check out our live blog for the latest traffic updates and road conditions across Tampa Bay.

• As debate about free speech on campus heats up at colleges across the country, Eckerd College in St. Petersburg is stepping into the fray. The school has adopted a statement that underscores a commitment to free speech in a time of tumult, when students concerned about injustice and inclusion are making waves for voicing their demands. Look for the story this morning at tampabay.com.

• Three weeks ago, Walmart got some bad publicity in the Tampa Bay area when people began sharing on Facebook that they found expired goods -- including baby formula -- on local store shelves. Walmart said the items would be removed, but Tampa Bay Times reporters kept checking in on local Walmarts to see how they did. The results weren't always positive. Read business reporter Justine Griffin's full column this morning at tampabay.com/business.

• From the Times Editorial Board: Bernie McCabe, the longtime state attorney for Pinellas and Pasco counties, is not a prosecutor to whom a "soft on crime" label would ever stick. He never before had appeared at a parole hearing in favor of the convicted. But in Timothy Kane, a Pasco man imprisoned for life at age 14, he saw an exceptional case that prompted him to take an exceptional step. Read more at tampabay.com/opinion.

• The last year or so has been a minefield of scandals in the business world. From Takata to Volkswagen to now Yahoo and Wells Fargo. Business columnist Robert Trigaux ranks the latest in business scandals in a column that will publish late this morning at tampabay.com/business. See what scandal he ranks the worst of the bunch.

• He was the point guard on a USF basketball team that beat a nationally ranked Florida State team two decades ago. Today, he is a major bank's regional president who is an emerging ambassador for Tampa Bay and a business leader on the rise. Read an in-depth profile of USF alum and business sparkplug Brian Lamb, which will be published around 8:30 a.m. at tampabay.com/business.

• It helps that Tony Dungy has famous friends because the former Bucs coach is bringing comic Jeff Foxworthy and Christian superstar Michael W. Smith to Tampa next week to help out his favorite charity at a benefit at the Straz Center.

• Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream turns down the lights tonight and turns up the scares. We sent our intrepid reporter into the fog to let you know what to expect at the scare fest this year.

• The world's fastest powerboats return to Clearwater Beach today for the eighth annual Super Boat National Championship and Festival running this weekend. We've got a preview here of the coming parties, fireworks and of course the big race on Sunday, where thousands will ine the beach to watch these racing machines — some costing more than $1 million, and capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph.

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• Here are the top things to do today in Tampa Bay, including the Florida Orchestra opening its season with a crowd favorite: Beethoven.