Melissa Ratliff
Digital Content Manager
Sarasota, FL
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Melissa hails from Kentucky where she worked at the NBC affiliate in Lexington (WLEX.)
She holds degrees from UK and UofL in English, French and Theatre. She spent time abroad teaching English and loves to travel whenever she can get away from the newsroom.
She also is a huge nerd and creates history content on TikTok for over a quarter million followers. She also hosts a history podcast in her limited spare time. She is a dog mom, a theatre kid and is always hungry (you don't have to ask).
Melissa is excited to be in the Suncoast and tell your stories. You might see her on the ABC7 live desk or on Top Clicks making bad puns. If you have good ideas for topics, reach out! Or if you see her in Publix, stop and say hi!
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The Petito family was in a Venice courtroom Wednesday
An in-person hearing in the civil suit filed against the parents of Brian Laundrie has been scheduled.
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“He was one of the goofiest people you’ll ever meet.”
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The lawsuit says the immigrants were targeted and induced to cross state lines under false pretenses
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NASA has adjusted its target date for the test flight of Artemis I, the first integrated flight test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft beyond the Moon.
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Manatees are beloved creatures, especially here in the Suncoast.
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Bradenton Police confirm that criminal charges are pending against a Manatee County High School student after a threat of gun violence was posted to social media.
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Manatee County Sheriff’s officials are saying they’ve seen multiple fraud reports involving a computer pop-up add.
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The family of 12-year-old Emma Holmes is thanking everyone who helped get the word out during their search.
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Deputies in DeSoto County found a man hiding from them in an unusual place.
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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a homicide investigation following an early Saturday morning shooting.
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The Humane Society of Sarasota County is combing through applications after the organization received 18 beagles from a massive breeding facility.
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Sarasota Police are investigating after one person died in a motorcycle crash Monday evening.
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A mother-daughter stop at a retail store became more than just a typical shopping trip.
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A jury trial has been set for the week of Aug. 14, 2023
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New details from the confession letter written in a notebook found near the remains of Brian Laundrie in Myakkahatchee Park have been made public and the attorney for the Petito family is very concerned over the release.
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More Too Life and artist Marie Therese Lacroix are organizing an exhibit to showcase survivor art.
More Too Life and artist Marie Therese Lacroix are organizing an exhibit to showcase survivor art.
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Several Sarasota community members, including the mother of a jailed man, are accusing two Sarasota Police officers of using excessive force during an arrest on Sunday.
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The body of a Korean War hero who died in Florida will be taken on a 1,000 mile journey from Zephyrhills, Fla to Kentucky
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The Manatee County Commission voted unanimously Thursday to declare a state of emergency due to the liner tear at the phosphorous stack at the former phosphate plant on Piney Point.
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Sarasota based realtor Brian Loebker has made it his mission to feed healthcare workers fighting on the front of the battle against the novel coronavirus.
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