Skip to content 
Continued Coverage
Florida jobless claims below 15,000
An estimated 14,872 first-time unemployment claims were filed last week in Florida, down from the average over the past three months as the state pushes to get people back into the workforce during the lingering COVID-19 pandemic.
Woman hit in face with 10-pound ‘log of prepackaged meat’ during fight at Walmart, South Euclid police say
A Cleveland woman was arrested on Tuesday afternoon for her role in a fight at the South Euclid Walmart.
Holmes Beach to hold pop-up J&J vaccine clinic May 27
The event will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Holmes Beach City Hall
Alcohol-to-go now permanent part of Florida law
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill Thursday in a restaurant in Ormond Beach
MOST RECENT
State petroleum leaders confirm there’s plenty of fuel: No need to panic
Several gas stations across the Suncoast are beginning to feel the impacts of a surge in demand for fuel following the news of the shutdown and cyber hacking at the Colonial Pipeline.
Cold front to bring only a few showers
Don’t expect too much from this “cold” front as it will only drop temperatures a couple of degrees through Saturday morning.
Suncoast nurses hope to help with India’s devastating COVID-19 situation
With India now having a more than 23 million Covid cases and suffering thousands of deaths, a group of nurses and doctors from the Suncoast are wanting to help.
Times Square shooting suspect arrested in Florida
The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the case and did so on the condition of anonymity.
Emergency rental assistance program in Sarasota provides update one week after becoming available
Approximately one week after applications opened Sarasota County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program has approved the first payment from the ERAP funds.
FDOH reporting no new COVID-19 deaths in Manatee or Sarasota counties
The Florida Department of Health says there are 3,190 new cases in its Wednesday update.
Sarasota announces plans for Fourth of July parade, fireworks
The parade will begin at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks on the Bayfront
Humane Society of Sarasota County to celebrate National Pet Month
The Humane Society of Sarasota County will be working to educate and boost adoptions for “National Pet Month,” celebrated throughout May.
Wildlife officials eye shark encounters
State wildlife officials are trying to better understand increased encounters between sharks and people fishing in Florida waters.
State ready to reinstate unemployment work search requirement
Starting June 1, people filing for unemployment benefits will have to apply for five jobs a week
Text scammers have new ploy posing as the DMV, Manatee officials say
Text scams are on the rise, the Manatee County tax collector says
AAA says ‘panic buying’ causing most gasoline supply issues in Florida
The Colonial Pipeline is still down, but Florida is well supplied with fuel. AAA says that panic buying is the root cause of fuel outages at gas stations.
Florida consumers urged to report gas price gouging
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging Floridians to notify her office
Pair arrested after odd behavior in Port Charlotte
Both suspects were charged with possession of drug paraphernalia
Dunkin’ employee charged in death after allegedly hitting customer over slur
A Dunkin' employee allegedly punched a customer for using a racial slur
Missing 11-year-old girl has been found and is OK, sheriff’s office says
The girl had been missing since Sunday
Judge to hear arguments today against cruise ship restrictions
Florida seeking a preliminary injunction, arguing the CDC overstepped its authority in imposing the restrictions
Hot and humid today but changes come tomorrow
With the exception of a few more fair-weather clouds, today should be very similar to yesterday’s weather with high humidity, temperatures near 90 and “feels-like’ temps close to 100
Anti-mask protestors have voices heard ahead of Manatee County’s School Board meeting
Anti-mask protest in front of the Manatee County School District headquarters.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declares state of emergency over Colonial Pipeline cyberattack
On Tuesday evening, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency over the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack.
Weak cold front to bring some changes
Cold fronts become less and less frequent visitors to our area as we get closer to June. The ones that do move through are usually fairly weak and that is what we are expecting on Thursday
Tiger Woods to bring new PopStroke locations to Sarasota, Tampa
Tiger Woods’ PopStroke will be adding several new locations including one in Sarasota and one in Tampa.
Manatee County repeals mask requirements inside libraries, public buildings
County Commissioners in Manatee County voted to direct the County Administrator to remove all COVID-19-related restrictions imposed in county properties
Businesses across the Suncoast desperately searching for workers
Jobs a plenty on the Suncoast and hiring managers like Nicholas Jones are doing what they can to hire on qualified applicants in our area.
Charlotte County asks for help in locating hospital patient
There is no threat to the community, officials say
DeSantis signs controversial school voucher bill
The state has created a series of voucher programs since the 1990s and the bill will lead to a partial restructuring of the programs.
Missing endangered adult is found unharmed
The Manatee Sheriff's Office asked the public to help locate the woman
Visit Florida backs show to boost Tampa Bay
Florida’s tourism-marketing agency is the co-producer of a streamed television show designed to attract people to the Tampa Bay region as part of COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.
AAA: Suncoast should not see immediate fallout from tanker hacking incident
After a cyber attack caused the Colonial Pipeline to shut down, AAA is telling residents of Suncoast that our area should not see spikes in gas prices due to the hacking incident.
ABC7 Sarasota meteorologist has best excuse for being late: an alligator
ABC7′s morning meteorologist John Scalzi is normally incredibly punctual.
National Police Week: Suncoast law enforcement honor the fallen
Law enforcement officers from across the area came together to honor their brothers and sisters in blue who have died in the line of duty.
Sarasota teens still missing, mother seeking answers
The mother of a missing Sarasota teen is hoping that someone who has information on the whereabout of her daughter will come forward.
Manatee County to host hurricane prep town halls
After officials relay preparation tips, lines will be open for questions from the public
Most Florida nursing homes in compliance with new backup power regulations
The state mandated emergency backup power after Hurricane Irma in 2017
First Alert Weather: Summer like weather for the Suncoast today
The atmosphere is a bit more humid today and some patchy fog has formed under light winds and fairly clear skies
Local fisherman see an abundance of dead seagrass in Manatee County
Seagrass has been dying near Holmes Beach and local fishermen say the source of this problem is from blue-green algae
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature set to debut renovated manatee habitat in June
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature will soon upgrade its facility to aid in rehabilitating manatees
A few inland storms possible Tuesday
It’s back! The humidity that is, as winds stay basically out of the SW on Tuesday which will bring the dewpoint temperatures up into the low to mid 70′s.
DeSantis committee hauls in cash
In a show of force, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ political committee raised nearly $14 million in April as he prepares for a re-election campaign next year --- and as speculation builds about a possible bid for president in 2024.
Sarasota Police: Suspicious encounter at bus stop was false report
A 15-year-old female told police she had been walking to her bus stop when she was approached from behind by an unknown man.
Charlotte County corrections officer dismissed after investigation into inmate death
An internal investigation into an inmate’s suicide at the Charlotte County Jail has ended in the termination of a corrections officer.
15-year-old arrested in Siesta Key shooting
Deputies said they found shell casings and a 9mm Glock handgun at the scene
FDOH reports new statewide COVID-19 positivity rate of 5.01%
The Florida Department of Health says there are 2,296 new cases in its Monday update.
Sidewalk repairs, repaving underway at Whitaker Gateway Park
Starting Monday, May 10, 2021 repairs will begin at Whitaker Gateway Park.
Lightning sends chunk of I-10 pavement through truck’s windshield in Florida
Upon impact, the lightning strike sent a chunk of the interstate’s pavement flying through the air before hitting a truck. Both occupants were transported with injuries.
Ex-congresswoman’s fraud conviction overturned
The court ruled a juror was improperly removed because he said the “Holy Spirit” told him Brown was not guilty.
Bradenton police looking for suspected vandals
Vandals have damaged the restrooms at the Bradenton Riverwalk
Arcadia man sentenced to 14 years after attempted drug buy
The suspect tried to buy a kilo of meth from an undercover officer in Punta Gorda
DOH-Sarasota operating its combined first and second dose clinic
The Department of Health-Sarasota is currently operating its combined first and second dose walk-up vaccination clinic at the Sarasota Square Mall.
Sarasota Police nab two suspected drug dealers
Police found more than 50 grams of cocaine, a loaded pistol, and pills
DeSantis signs bill on gun regulations
Amid a legal battle that could be decided by the Florida Supreme Court, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a measure that will ratchet up a ban on local gun regulations.
Woman critically injured in State Road 72 crash
The crash happened near Lorraine Road
Motorcycle passenger dies in crash in Lee County
The crash remains under investigation
Boating accidents spiked in Florida in 2020, report says
Manatee and Sarasota counties were mentioned in the report
First Alert Weather: A dry and seasonably warm week for the Suncoast
A high-pressure building from the Atlantic will provide a calm and quiet weather pattern for the next few days. Temperatures will be slightly above the normals and rainfall will be sparse and inland
Pipeline attack should not affect Florida gas supply
Cyber attack could affect other states
Olympic qualifying skater brings new addition to Payne Skate Park
Payne Skate Park will soon be getting a new addition to the park with the help of a future Olympian.
Manatee County proposes Sunshine Skyway Bridge boat ramp
Manatee County has proposed an alternative to a reduction in parking spaces near Palmetto’s boat ramp.