ABC Action News
Filmmakers zoom in on Florida for latest movies
- Title
- Filmmakers zoom in on Florida for latest movies
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- In 2016, state incentives for movie productions ended. Ever since, Florida's reputation as a film-friendly state has faded to black. Experts told ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska that commercials, Hallmark movies, and Indie films are now the engine keeping the industry afloat.
- Title
- Unemployment rising in the last year in many Florida counties
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- The February unemployment numbers released by the state of Florida on Friday showed an overall rate of 3.1%, below the national average of 3.9%. But in many of the state's counties, unemployment rose as job creation couldn't keep up with new residents in the work force. Overall, Florida reported 345,000 residents were jobless out of a labor force of 11,089,00. The state report showed 226,200 jobs were created from February 2023 to February 2024, an increase of 2.3%. That was just above the number of jobs created nationally which rose at 1.8% year over year. The county-level showed some concerning developments as 2024 continues through the month of March. These numbers from the state are not seasonally adjusted.
- Title
- Florida county has some of the nation's deadliest roads
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Angelica Johnson has reason to feel apprehension as she takes her bike toward US 19 in Pasco County. “Every time I ride on 19 I have blood pumping, much anxiety. It’s overwhelming to say the least.” Angelica’s luck ran out recently when she says a car hit her. “This looks ten times better than what it was. It was so bad.”
- Title
- Tampa Police rescue elderly man from smoke-filled home
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Tampa Police said they received a call about smoke coming from a home and a man trapped inside. Officers used a ram to break through the burglar locks on the door and get inside to save the man.
- Title
- Police rescue elderly man from smoke-filled home #abcactionnews #florida #news
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Title
- Parents ordered product for their special needs kids but say it never arrived
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Swinging equals serenity for Selah Bryce who is autistic. Her mom, Arden, said the motion has a calming effect and allows her daughter to enjoy being outside. However, parents of children with disabilities often face challenges at playgrounds that don't have adaptive swings.
- Title
- Feeding Tampa Bay opens nation's first 'Food Pharmacy' in a shopping mall
- Date posted
- 28 days ago
- Description
- For years, Jon Dengler's WellBuilt Bikes in Tampa's University Mallhas been a godsend to those in need of transportation, of wheels, of freedom. Bikes to help people in need get to jobs, get to stability and independence. Now this community catalyst and his unique bike shop are getting into the food game, too.
- Title
- Billboard in South Tampa raises awareness about the dangers of fentanyl
- Date posted
- 28 days ago
- Description
- A Pasco County mother is warning people about the dangers of fentanyl after her 29-year-old son died from the drug nearly four years ago. Tammy Plakstis put up a billboard in South Tampa with help from the non-profit organization, Rachel's Angels. The billboard is located on South Dale Mabry Highway and Swann Avenue in Tampa.
- Title
- BODYCAM: Georgia parents arrested after passing out on Florida beach, with kids missing
- Date posted
- 28 days ago
- Description
- Warning: Graphic language
This bodycam video from the Volusia County Sheriff's Department shows the arrest of two Georgia parents who were asleep on a Florida beach while their children, both under the age of 7, were missing. Both children were found swimming at a hotel pool nearby and the parents were charged with two counts of child neglect.
- Title
- Parents pass out leaving children alone on Florida beach #abcactionnews #florida #news
- Date posted
- 28 days ago
- Description
- Title
- BODYCAM: Parents woken up by police on Florida beach after kids wander away, police allege
- Date posted
- 28 days ago
- Description
- This bodycam video from the Volusia County Sheriff's Department shows the arrest of two Georgia parents who were asleep on a Florida beach while their children, both under the age of 7, were missing. Both children were found swimming at a hotel pool nearby and the parents were charged with two counts of child neglect.
- Title
- Rays will play on new artificial turf at Tropicana Field
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- When you come to Tropicana Field for a Tampa Bay Rays game this season, you will see a major change. For the first time at The Trop, fans will see a striped field. The turf will resemble a mowed grass field. Rubber pellets are being substituted for coconut husks in the turf's backfill. The warning track will remain identical, but Safeshell—crushed walnut shells—will be placed throughout. The Tampa Bay Rays are the only MLB team utilizing the Safeshell product.
- Title
- FDA says marijuana has a legitimate medicinal purpose
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- The FDA released a report saying that marijuana does have a legitimate use for medical purposes and recommended the US Drug Enforcement Agency to change its classification from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3. “The definition of a schedule 1 drug says it has no health benefits to it, and, so, obviously, there’s been plenty of research that has documented the multitudes of ways that cannabis can be helpful,” said Dr. David Berger with Wholistic ReLeaf. Though not all in the medical community agree, many people swear by the medicinal effects of marijuana to help treat symptoms of cancer, anxiety, PTSD and epilepsy.
- Title
- Florida to ban homeless from sleeping in public places under new law
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a controversial bill that forbids homeless people from sleeping in public places and prevents local governments from interfering. DeSantis signed the bill into law during a news conference Wednesday morning in Miami Beach. HB 1365 prohibits counties or municipalities from allowing people to camp or sleep on public property. Instead, it authorizes counties to designate specified areas for homeless encampments that cannot exceed a year.
- Title
- Florida mom shares experience after winning apparent 'wrongful DCF removal' case
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- On a sunny afternoon in New Port Richey, Jessie Herbert told ABC Action News reporter Rochelle Alleyne five words, she wasn't sure she'd be able to say. "I got my kids back!" she exclaimed. We first met her in January, shortly after three of her daughters had been removed from her home.
- Title
- Floridians considering open primary
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- Floridians considering open primary
- Title
- Florida missionary rescued from Haiti by Project DYNAMO
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- A Florida missionary was rescued by Project DYNAMO from Haiti after violence erupted. Miriam Cinotti arrived in Haiti in February and worked for a Christian organization called Mission of Grace. The organization moved nearly 200 children to safety as violence erupted in Port-au-Prince. "It was a little scary, but again, I had hope, and I tried to keep everyone else hopeful. Whenever I got news from Project DYNAMO, of course, I shared," said Miriam Cinotti.
- Title
- LOTTERY DREAMS ON HOLD - How the I-Team helped hundreds of FL lottery winners get their money back
- Date posted
- 29 days ago
- Description
- Florida’s Unemployment office has confiscated lottery winnings from thousands of people who the state says it overpaid in unemployment. I-team investigator Kylie McGivern sent Florida’s Unemployment Office the names of more than 500 people over the past year to get you your money back. And here's where things stand now.
- Title
- State officials work around the clock to rescue Floridians from Haiti
- Date posted
- 30 days ago
- Description
- Florida state officials are working to get Americans out of Haiti and back home to safety. As violence continues in the country, hundreds of Floridians are among those unable to leave. State officials said they have been in contact with 348 Americans stuck in Haiti, 259 of whom are Floridians. Now, state officials are working around the clock to get those people out of Haiti and back home to safety. “We are not going to stop working until we can get these people home," said Kevin Guthrie with the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Title
- 2 arrested after group takes over Florida intersection and starts fire
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Title
- Tracking Panthers: ZooTampa expands conservation efforts outside the zoo
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- ZooTampa has elephants, a tiger, rhinos, and other exotic creatures. But some of its most beloved animals are the ones that call Florida home. There are currently three Florida panthers at ZooTampa: Lucy, Mickey, and Walter. It's easy to see panthers at the zoo; all you have to do is show up. In the wild, it is like hitting a lotto jackpot.
- Title
- Homeless Florida man paralyzed after arrest and police transport #abcactionnews #florida #arrest
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Title
- Surveillance video from a van Florida police were using to transport a man who ended up paralyzed
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Video taken from the outside of a police van that was used to transport Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen. He ended up paralyzed and lost both of his legs after the transport.
- Title
- Video from inside the police transport van where a Florida man ended up paralyzed
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Video from inside the van that was used to transport Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen. During the trip, Sanchez-Mayen's lawyer claims the drivers intentionally left him in a position to be injured. Sanchez-Mayen was left paralyzed and later had two legs amputated after the accident.
- Title
- WATCH: Group takes over Florida intersection and starts fire, leading to arrests
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Two people were arrested, and a car was impounded after Tampa Police (TPD) said a group of people took over an intersection early Saturday morning.
- Title
- BODYCAM: Arrest of a homeless Florida man who ended up paralyzed after transport
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Bodycam video of the arrest of Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen. He was later transported and ended up paralyzed and losing both of his legs to amputation.
- Title
- Homeless Florida man paralyzed and legs amputated after arrest and police transport ride
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A federal lawsuit has been filed against the St. Petersburg Police Department, alleging officers used brutality in their treatment of a homeless man who was injured while being transported to jail. The complaint was filed at the U.S. District Courthouse in Tampa Monday morning. The lawsuit alleges that two officers violated Heriberto Sanchez-Mayen's civil rights when they arrested him without cause and took him to jail for a non-criminal infraction that would normally result in a citation.
- Title
- Lakeland man accused of killing 23-month-old boy
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A Lakeland man has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse over the death of a nearly two-year-old boy who was under his care earlier in March. According to Lakeland Police, officers went to a home in the 600 block of Kansas Avenue on March 5 over a report of an unresponsive child. Officers performed CPR on the toddler until Lakeland Fire arrived to help. The child, Ezekiel Cotto-Saintfleur, was taken to Lakeland Regional Health and then to Tampa General Hospital, where he died three days later.
- Title
- Clearwater mayoral candidates express their views on city-wide topics
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Election day in Clearwater is Tuesday, and voters will decide who will be the city's next mayor. In a heated race for the Clearwater position, two candidates, councilmember Kathleen Beckman and local attorney Bruce Rector, are going head to head. This comes after former Mayor Frank Hibbard abruptly quit during a council meeting last March.
- Title
- Officials tracking increase in online scams
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- “There’s lots of different ways to get at consumers these days for scams,” said Leslie H. Tayne, financial attorney and credit and debt Expert Scammers can reach you by text, email, phone call and social media. Online scams continue to grow at the highest rate, where people are losing money, their personal information or both.
- Title
- Teen arrested during Spring Break in Florida #abcactionnews #florida #springbreak
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Title
- WATCH: Police detail arrest of man accused of murdering 2-year-old in Lakeland
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A Lakeland man has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse over the death of a nearly 2-year-old who was under his care earlier in March.
- Title
- Endometriosis and the struggles women face while getting diagnosed with the disease.
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and several local doctors are working to shed light on the struggles women face while getting diagnosed with the disease.
Endometriosis is when tissue grows outside the uterus in places it does not belong, causing crippling pain for millions of women in America.
The symptoms of endometriosis often get overlooked, leading to years of doctor visits as women search for answers.
- Title
- How to get the most bang for your buck using coupons
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Grocery shopping can be overwhelming these days as the price of food goes up. A lot of you have told us you're looking for new ways to save money. One of those ways could be coupons! While it may take a little extra time, experts said you can save a lot of money in the long run. "I am a mom of four. So, I have a 14-year-old, 11-year-old, and three-year-old boy, and we just had a 6-month-old girl. So, there's lots of food and diapers being spent money on," Alana Vandagriff, couponer, explained. Vandagriff said she gets the most bang for her buck using digital coupons.
- Title
- Final thoughts for the week
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Dr. MacManus is back to talk about the past week and look forward to the week ahead.
- Title
- TikTok facing a possible U.S. ban
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- The U.S. House easily passed a bill this week calling for the sale of TikTok from its China based owner. But the measure’s future in the Senate is in question. Scripps News Nation Political Correspondent Alex Miller has the latest.
- Title
- Immigration and the border in the 2024 election
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- This week on Full Circle Florida, TikTok is now closer to a possible U.S. ban. The motive in Washington and the next step. Plus, on the record on the border. A look at immigration and how it can play a role in the November election. And lottery dream on hold. The reason Florida is getting between hundreds of people and their lottery prizes. And the silence when we tried to get your questions answered. This week President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump secured enough delegates to clinch their party’s nomination. And one of the big issues over the next 8 months will be immigration. Scripps News Deputy Political Director Joe St. George has a look at where Biden and Trump differ when it comes to policy at the border. Plus, our political analyst Dr. Susan MacManus joins us to break down the further impact this topic will have on the election in November.
- Title
- Polk Co. leads the nation in people moving to area, more than any other county
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- The latest 2023 census data show that more people are moving to Polk County than anywhere else in the U.S. At The Treasured Olive, located in downtown Winter Haven, you can buy the freshest olive oil on the market. Their balsamic vinegar is imported from Italy. “We import our olive oils from all over the world. Every six months we switch from the northern to southern hemisphere, so that we always have the freshest olive oil. What you get from the grocery store isn’t really olive oil,” said Nathaniel Briggs, co-owner of The Treasured Olive.
- Title
- Here's why Haitians fleeing conflict can't claim refugee status
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Inside That's Wat'Sub, Kathleen Jeanty brings a taste of her home country to Tampa. She takes joy in sharing a piece of her culture with the community. It's even more special to her to show the positive sides of Haiti. "It's just absolutely beautiful. Lush, green, but the rest of the world hasn't seen that because we're so busy highlighting the negative of Haiti," she said.
- Title
- As possible homeless camping ban looms in Florida, summit focuses on solutions
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- It’s hard being homeless. It’s even harder to be homeless with cancer. That’s Bill Mahoney’s current situation. “It’s indescribable,” he said. “I struggle daily mentally — with the physical anguish and the mental anguish.” Mahoney considers himself lucky. He’s sheltered at Pinellas Hope in a small but cozy room with air conditioning. However, he feels for those who aren’t as lucky, those who are living on the streets, and those who might be impacted if a recently-passed bill becomes law.
- Title
- Florida lottery winners' money taken by the state, I-Team helps get it back
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Thousands of Floridians have had their lottery winnings withheld by the state because they were overpaid in unemployment — or so they were told.
- Title
- Tampa couple helps give back through Feeding Tampa Bay's Trinity Cafe
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Nearly one million people are food insecure in Tampa Bay. Here at ABC Action News, we’ve teamed up with Feeding Tampa Bay for our Food for Families initiative. A huge part of making their mission happen comes down to the volunteers. “I always tell all the groups that come this is going to be the quickest two hours of your week,” said Diane Martinez.
- Title
- Twin brothers inspired lunch ladies to launch a food pantry
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- For over a decade, two dedicated lunch ladies dreamed of starting a food pantry inside their school to ensure no kid goes hungry; their hard work is finally paying off. Cafeteria workers Kelly Vaughn and Christy Carrillo told ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska they are best friends. Less than a year ago, heartbroken by seeing kids who couldn't afford extra meals, they started a small pantry. It was two shelves and a dream.
- Title
- With Dollar Trees, Family Dollars closing, what options are available for impacted communities
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Putting food on the table is a hassle for so many right now. "It's too high. All those stores are high. It is all the same," said Thelma Robinson. "Everything's expensive. Rent. Everything. Every time with a year pass. That's more high, gas, everything," said Shirley Berrios.
- Title
- Free St. Patrick's Day celebrations across the Tampa Bay area
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- St. Patrick's Day is falling on a Sunday this year, and there are events happening across the Tampa Bay area all weekend long. On Saturday, Curtis Hixon will be packed full of people ready to celebrate Irish Heritage at River O’ Green Fest from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At 11 a.m., the Hillsborough River will be dyed green. There will also be live music, dancers, food and drinks. We spoke to Rachel Radawec with Tampa's Downtown Partnership as she was setting up.
- Title
- Forensic Genealogy helping investigators crack cold cases
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A cold case from 1985 has finally been cracked. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office pieced together the identity of a man who died decades ago using forensic genetic genealogy. "I think one unidentified individual is too many," Harrison Cowan, Medical Examiner Manager of Operations, explained. However, inside the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner office, there are 50 unidentified remains dating back to the 1970s.
- Title
- People concerned over wrong-way drivers in East Tampa
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A viewer in East Tampa reached out to ABC Action News about people driving the wrong way down Sanchez Street near East 26th Avenue.
“We constantly have cars all day long coming fast down this intersection,” said concerned grandmother LaQuandra Diggs.
So ABC Action News went to check it out, and we found car after car after car going the wrong way on a one-way street.
- Title
- WATCH: 16-year-old arrested for pulling gun during spring break in Florida
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A 16-year-old was arrested after deputies say he pulled out a gun in a crowd of spring breakers on the beach and then ran into the ocean Thursday afternoon.
- Title
- Spring Break is having a negative impact on sand dunes on Florida beaches
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- It's Spring Break, and that means a lot of money and visitors flocking to the Tampa Bay area. But we're learning about a major problem in Pinellas County with tourists trampling sand dunes. The County just built them up over the past few months following a series of strong storms hitting the Tampa Bay area.
- Title
- Police searching for 2 suspects after deadly shooting that killed a 3-year-old child in Lakeland
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- The Lakeland Police Department is searching for two suspects after a deadly shooting that killed a 3-year-old on Monday night. The shooting happened around 6:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Cove Apartments in Lakeland. Police are searching for 30-year-old Kevarius Green and 22-year-old Demarius Wilson.