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  • U.S. applications for jobless benefits jump by 22,000 to 231,000 last week

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    WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week but remains in the same historically low range of the past few years.

    What You Need To Know

    • The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits jumped last week but remains in the same historically low range of the past few years

    • Applications for jobless aid for the week ending Jan. 31 rose by 22,000 to 231,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday

    • That’s significantly more than the 211,000 new applications that analysts had forecast

    • Applications for unemployment benefits are seen as representative of U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market

    Applications for jobless aid for the week ending Jan. 31 rose by 22,000 to 231,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s significantly more than the 211,000 new applications that analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet had forecast.

    Applications for unemployment benefits are seen as representative of U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.

    The four-week average of jobless claims, which balances out some of the week-to-week gyrations, rose by 6,000 to 212,250.

    The total number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the previous week ending Jan. 24 grew by 25,000 to 1.84 million, the government said.

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    Associated Press

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  • Florida State Fair kicks off in Hillsborough County

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida State Fair officially opens on Thursday at the state fairgrounds outside Tampa, launching a 12-day run expected to draw nearly half a million visitors through Feb. 16.

    As one of the largest annual events in Hillsborough County, the fair brings major crowds, and this year, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is rolling out several new safety measures aimed at keeping the event fun and secure.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida State Fair will welcome more than 400,000 people over the next two weeks

    • Fair opening day offering free admission for first responders, active duty or retired military members, medical workers and teachers 

    • Sheriff’s office will have 1,000 deputies working security for the fair, including new drones to monitor crowds 

    • Traffic near the Florida State Fairgrounds east of Tampa is expected to be heavy through Feb. 16 when the fair ends 
    • BN9 FLORIDA STATE FAIR GUIDE 2026


    Sheriff’s officials say they are prepared to manage traffic, crowd control and safety throughout the fair’s run. More than 1,000 deputies will be working the fairgrounds, patrolling on foot, by bike and on horseback.

    For the first time, deputies will also use drones to help monitor crowd activity. Officials say the technology will help reduce response times to incidents such as unruly behavior or lost children.

    Another major change this year is a new age supervision policy that goes into effect daily at 5 p.m.

    “Children shouldn’t attend the fair unsupervised; they should attend with an adult,” Chronister said. “At 5 o’clock it is mandatory that they are with an individual that is at least 21 years of age, and that particular chosen individual can’t supervise more than four children.”


    “Children shouldn’t attend the fair unsupervised, they should attend with an adult,” Chronister said. “At 5 o’clock it is mandatory that they are with an individual that is at least 21 years of age, and that particular chosen individual can’t supervise more than four children.”

    Deputies say one of their most common calls during the fair involves children becoming separated from their families. 

    The sheriff’s office recommends parents take a photo of their child at the start of the day. 

    If a child becomes lost, the photo can help deputies quickly identify them and reunite them with their family.

    Opening day also comes with special promotions, including Heroes Day free admission for first responders, active or retired military, medical workers and teachers.

    It’s also Bounce Back Deal day, where any guest entering the fair with a full admission-priced ticket receives a free ticket for use any day through Feb. 16. 

    View more information on fair promotions and discounts.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Dover residents without water after wells nearby run dry

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    DOVER, Fla. — Some residents in Dover have been without running water for days as falling groundwater levels have dried up private wells across the area.

    Most of the affected homes rely on well systems, and officials say the water table dropped sharply following a recent cold snap combined with an unusually dry rainy season. Hillsborough County officials also point to increased water use by nearby farms during the freeze, as growers worked to protect crops from cold damage.

    “Whenever there is a cold or a freeze event like this, a lot of times the agriculture industry needs to do bigger draws to preserve their crops,” said Anthony Halcyon, the Hillsborough County Senior Environmental Scientist. “Unfortunately, wells like this are the first to feel this kind of effect.”

    For residents like Gerardo Silva, the impact has been immediate and frustrating. Silva has been without water since Sunday.

    “Turn the faucet on — nothing. I mean nothing,” Silva said.

    In times of need, neighbors are stepping in to help. Silva’s friend, Terry Wascaser, ran a hose from a nearby home in an effort to prime Silva’s water pump and restore pressure.

    “We’re trying to hook up water from over there,” Wascaser said.

    Wascaser says the problem is widespread throughout the Dover area.

    “The worst affected area was this Dover area after the irrigation for the strawberries,” he said. “They suffered a lot more than other areas.”

    Without running water, daily routines have become a challenge for many families.

    “I had to go somewhere else to shower,” Silva said. “It’s like, how do we wash our hands after using the restroom? How do we flush our toilets? You have to figure out how to exist without running water — that’s hard.”

    Hillsborough County has responded by setting up an emergency water station for residents without access to water.

    “Our plan is to man the facility (Thursday) and (Friday). Then we’re going to do a touch point (Friday) afternoon to see if we need to continue it further,” Hillsborough County Division Director Plan Operations London Womack said. 

    After days of frustration, Silva finally received some encouraging news when water began flowing again.

    “You got a little bit of water, bubba,” a friend said as the pressure in Silva’s pump increased.

    While the immediate crisis has eased for some, many residents are still hoping for rain — and a longer-term recovery of the aquifer. According to the Southwest Florida Water Management District, aquifer levels rebounded 27 feet on Wednesday from Tuesday’s low.

    The district is encouraging residents with dry wells to contact them and fill out a dry well complaint form. Officials say they will then work directly with homeowners to identify next steps and possible solutions.

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    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Tampa Bay History Center explores 14,000 years of Florida history

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    TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay History Center tells the stories of our area, starting with the first settlers.


    The history center teaches about the arrival of Europeans, North Africans and more Native Americans.

    “And what happens with Spanish Florida, English Florida and then eventually American Florida,” said Rodney Kite-Powell, Director of the Touchton Map Library.

    The native Seminole people survived multiple wars and removal efforts. They call themselves “The Unconquered.”

    The Tampa cigar industry brought new immigrants — Cubans, Spaniards, Afro-Cubans and Sicilians.

    “At its peak in the 1920s, it was about 500,000,000 cigars produced every year, all by hand,” said Kite-Powell.

    The next museum level offers a new historical timeline: war stories. Five-hundred years of Black history and a look at the pioneer life of Florida Crackers.

    At the Treasure Seekers gallery, young learners find out how explorers and pirates got here.

    Spoiler alert — it’s math.

    There’s recovered treasure, but all that glitters is not gold.

    They also have a rare map on display of St. Augustine in 1588.

    “The earliest view of any city in today’s United States,” said Kite-Powell.

    It’s courtesy of the center’s Touchton Map Library and includes a 1511 map showing the tip of South Florida, two years before Ponce de Leon arrived to explore Florida.

    They also have a 1524 map of Florida, the first time Florida is called “La Florida.”

    Together, these artifacts tell the story of the Sunshine State’s 14,000-year history.

    “But also how tied in the broader story of American History Florida really is,” said Kite-Powell.

    Florida history — our history — is American history.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Guthrie posts message to mother’s kidnapper asking for proof she is alive

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    TUCSON, Ariz. — NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie sent a public message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper on Wednesday saying that her family is ready to talk but wants proof that she is alive.

    What You Need To Know

    • NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie has sent a public message to her mother’s kidnapper saying that her family is ready to talk but wants proof that she is alive

    • Guthrie said in a recorded video posted on social media Wednesday that her family has heard about a ransom letter in media reports

    • Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday around 9:45 p.m. when she was dropped off at home by family after having dinner with them

    • She was reported missing midday Sunday after she didn’t appear at a church

    Guthrie said in a recorded video posted on social media that her family has heard media reports about a ransom letter for Nancy Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken from her home in Arizona against her will.

    “We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”

    She was last seen around 9:45 p.m. Saturday, when she was dropped off at home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said. She was reported missing midday Sunday after she didn’t appear at a church.

    The family posted the message after police conducted a search in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.

    Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, said investigators had been at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days and then turned it back over to the family with the understanding they could go back if they needed to.

    “This is a follow up investigation,” he said in reference to officials returning Wednesday.

    Adger said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the video released by the family.

    Multiple media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes Tuesday that they handed over to investigators. The sheriff’s department had said it was taking the notes and other tips seriously but declined to comment further.

    The family’s message for Nancy Guthrie

    Savannah Guthrie was at times emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She smiled and looked into the camera when addressing her mother directly, saying that the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.

    This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff s Department, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff s Department via AP)

    “Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.

    Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.

    “Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.

    Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron who both also spoke. Annie called their mother their beacon and said they need her.

    “Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.

    No suspect identified

    Authorities on Wednesday offered no detailed update on their search. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ office said detectives still were speaking with anyone who had contact with Nancy Guthrie last weekend but that no suspect or person of interest had been identified.

    Nanos suggested there was video from some cameras, though he didn’t elaborate, adding: “That’s all been submitted and we’re doing our best with the companies that own those cameras or built those cameras.”

    There were signs of forced entry at the home in the Catalina Foothills neighborhood. Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials do not believe she left on her own. A sheriff’s dispatcher talking to deputies during a search Sunday indicated that she has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from broadcastify.com.

    Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue posse in Maricopa County, isn’t involved in the search for Guthrie but said desert terrain can make looking for missing people difficult. He said it can be hard to peer into areas that are dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and other desert brush.

    “Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said.

    St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church hosted a candlelight service for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie in Tucson, Ariz. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Mamta Popat/Arizona Daily Star via AP)

    St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church hosted a candlelight service for Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie in Tucson, Ariz. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (Mamta Popat/Arizona Daily Star via AP)

    Supporters around the country

    A couple hundred people attended an evening vigil for Nancy Guthrie at a Tucson church where they heard prayers and placed lit candles on an altar. A priest prayed for God to comfort Guthrie and to bring her home to those she loves.

    Afterward, Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness he was experiencing over Guthrie’s disappearance. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at a local news station and they shared losing their fathers at a young age. His own sister was kidnapped when he was young.

    Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.

    “We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.

    On the other side of the country, Victory Church in Albany, New York, said it’s offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to finding Nancy Guthrie.

    “Me and my wife, we watch Savannah every single morning. We’ve heard of her faith. We’ve heard of her mom’s faith. And she’s got such a sweet spirit,” Pastor Charlie Muller said.

    The White House said President Donald Trump called and spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.

    “I spoke with Savannah Guthrie, and let her know that I am directing ALL Federal Law Enforcement to be at the family’s, and Local Law Enforcement’s, complete disposal, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “We are deploying all resources to get her mother home safely.”

    For a third day, “Today” opened with Guthrie’s disappearance, but Savannah Guthrie was not at the anchor’s desk. NBC Sports said Tuesday that she will not be covering the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics “as she focuses on being with her family during this difficult time.”

    The “Today” host grew up in Tucson, graduated from the University of Arizona and previously worked as a reporter and anchor at Tucson television station KVOA. Her parents settled in Tucson in the 1970s when she was a young child. The youngest of three siblings, she credits her mom with holding their family together after her father died of a heart attack at 49, when Savannah was just 16.

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    Associated Press

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  • Florida Agriculture Commissioner says cold caused up to $1.5B in crop damages

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — Information from the Florida Department of Agriculture shows that the state’s recent bout of cold weather may have caused more than $1 billion in losses for the state’s farmers. 

    “We’ve really gotten devastated in Florida,” Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said. “We don’t know the full extent yet of all the damage. Early assessments were the first night, we probably did OK. We were able to come through that. But three nights in a row, well below 32 for many, many hours really has devastated agriculture.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson says early assessments show the state’s farmers lost anywhere from $500 million to $1.5 billion to crop damage during the recent bout of cold weather
    • The owner of Blumemberry Farms in Sarasota estimates her losses at $45,000

    • Colleen Blumenthal said her team was able to harvest a lot right before temperatures dipped, but much of what they couldn’t get to was lost — including about 80% of her tomato crop and half of her farm’s green beans

    • Simpson said he’s in talks with federal officials about securing financial relief for Florida farmers


    Walking the fields of Blumenberry Farms in Sarasota, visitors will find as many as 70 different crops. After the recent cold snap hit, owner Colleen Blumenthal said much of the view is very different.

    “This was completely full with really ripe, luscious green beans,” she said. “But once the weather got below 35, they just died on the vine.”

    Blumenthal said about half of her green beans were lost to the recent cold weather, along with 80% of her tomatoes. She said she’s looking at up to $45,000 in losses across all crops.

    Simpson said that is a situation farmers are facing statewide, with early assessments showing anywhere from $500 million to $1.5 billion in damages.

    “You’ve got to remember, this time of year we’re growing 70-80% of all the fresh vegetables that are sold on the eastern seaboard of the United States,” Simpson said. “So, this is the bread basket of the country right now.”

    He said he’s in talks with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the White House to secure financial relief for the state’s farmers. 

    “I believe the President (Donald Trump) is going to be very supportive of resources coming back in to support our farmers,” Simpson said. “My big thing was, let’s try to do this in real time.”

    In the meantime, local farms like Blumenberry are making assessments of their own.

    “It’s possible we might be able to harvest those,” farm manager Aaron Drucker said, gesturing to green tomatoes that may not have frozen in the cold. “As far as these plants continuing to thrive and create more tomatoes? Unlikely.”

    According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, agriculture brought nearly $9 billion to the state’s economy in 2022. 

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    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Pause or move forward? St Pete City Council to mull next move for Gas Plant site

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch expressed his interest in moving forward with selecting a developer for the Historic Gas Plant District site, a city council member is asking the administration to pump the brakes.

    St. Pete City Council member Brandi Gabbard filed a resolution asking the city administration to pursue a ‘planning-first framework’ before choosing a developer. The item will be discussed by city council members during Thursday’s meeting.

    What You Need To Know

    • City council member asks for ‘planning-first framework’ before moving forward with choosing Gas Plant site developer 

    •  Mayor Ken Welch issued a memo stating now is the time to move forward

    •  Rays reaffirm commitment to move to Tampa

    • As of now, the Rays lease expires after 2028 season 


    In response to the resolution, Welch issued a memo asking city council members to stay committed to action and progress.

    “There are some who believe we should continue to further delay this development, but I want to be clear as I reaffirm my position — we should move forward to fulfill the decades-long promise of equitable and beneficial development of this site. The time for action is now,” Welch wrote.


    Welch referenced at least four different rounds of proposals and community input sessions over the last decade, dating back to the HKS Master Planning in 2016, which took place under a former administration.

    “With respect to timing, pausing all progress for yet another planning exercise — after proposals have been submitted — risks repeating a familiar and painful pattern for this community: plans discussed, promises acknowledged, and action deferred. St. Pete, including the families and descendants impacted by the original displacement, has already waited generations for meaningful progress. I do not believe further inaction serves them or the City,” Welch continued.

    Welch has family ties to the Historic Gas Plant District, as does City Council member Corey Givens Jr., who supports what he calls a planning-first — not proposal-first — process.

    “I have no problem telling the developers what we want to see at the Historic Gas Plant site — I don’t think it should be the other way around,” he said. “I care about honoring the history of that site, and I think we have to be intentional. Part of honoring the history of the site means taking a community-driven approach to doing so. That doesn’t mean proposal first, it means planning first, and we need the community to be a part of that process.”

    The city of St. Pete has received 9 new proposals from groups that wish to redevelop the 86-acre site. 

    A discussion regarding the resolution is set to take place during Thursday’s city council meeting, which is set for 9 a.m.

    A spokesperson for the city says it is in the administration’s purview to select a developer. But in order to get a funding vote to pass later down the line, the mayor would need city council support.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Senate Banking panel GOP chair: Powell didn’t commit crime

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    WASHINGTON — Democrats and one Republican on a key committee are seeking to hold up advancing President Donald Trump’s choice to be the next Federal Reserve chair until the administration’s investigation into the current one is put to rest.

    It comes as the top Republican on the panel expressed confidence that Kevin Warsh’s nomination will move forward soon, even as he said current Fed Chair Jerome Powell did not commit a crime. 

    What You Need To Know

    • This week, all Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs — which plays an essential role in the process of confirming nominees for the Federal Reserve — sent a letter to the panel’s Republican chair, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, urging him not to hold a hearing on the president’s pick for the next head of the Fed until investigations launched under the Trump administration into Powell and Fed Governor Lisa Cook have been closed

    • It echoed what one Republican on the committee, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whose support is likely critical, expressed after Trump announced his pick of former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to be the next chair last week

    • Powell’s announced last month that the Justice Department is investigating him regarding renovations to the Fed’s office buildings and his testimony to Congress about it

    • Scott said in an interview this week that he does not believe Powell committed in crime in his testimony; He also expressed confidence Warsh’s nomination would move forward 
    • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to rule out the possibility that the administration would seek to sue Warsh if he doesn’t lower interest rates during an appearance in front of the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill Thursday

    This week, all Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs — which plays an essential role in the process of confirming nominees for the Federal Reserve — sent a letter to the panel’s Republican chair, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, urging him not to hold a hearing on the president’s pick for the next head of the Fed until investigations launched under the Trump administration into Powell and Fed governor Lisa Cook have been closed. 

    “The nomination comes after months of repeated efforts by President Trump and his Administration to influence the Fed by intimidation, including by opening criminal investigations into Fed Governor Lisa Cook and Fed Chair Jerome Powell,” the 11 Democrats on the committee wrote in the letter. “These ongoing efforts by the President to control the Fed — which must be able to exercise independent judgment — undermine public confidence in any nomination for chair at this time.”

    It echoed what one Republican on the committee, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, whose support is likely critical, expressed after Trump announced his pick of former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to be the next chair last week. 

    “My position has not changed: I will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including for the position of Chairman, until the DOJ’s inquiry into Chairman Powell is fully and transparently resolved,” Tillis wrote on X despite noting that he believes Warsh is a “qualified nominee with a deep understanding of monetary policy.”

    Tillis — who announced his retirement from Congress at the end of his term after a high-profile spat with the president — initially pledged to to oppose any nominee for the Fed, including Trump’s upcoming pick for chair, in the wake of Powell’s announcement last month that the Justice Department is investigating him regarding renovations to the Fed’s office buildings and his testimony to Congress about it. The revelation caused a firestorm on Capitol Hill. The administration has also sought to fire Cook over mortgage fraud allegations — which she denies — in a case that is now in front of the Supreme Court.

    Trump has consistently criticized Powell since he returned to the White House, making clear his disapproval of the Fed chair for not lowering interest rates as much or as quickly as he would like. The president has held off on moving to try to oust him, however, often citing the fact that Powell’s term as chairman is up in May. 

    Despite noting he is glad the country is set to get a new Federal Reserve chair, Scott said in a notable statement Wednesday he did not believe Powell committed a crime during his testimony in front of the committee the South Carolina Republican chairs about the central bank’s renovation project. 

    “I found him to be inept at doing his job, but ineptness or being incompetent is not a criminal act,” Scott told Fox News in an interview regarding Powell. “I believe what he did was make a gross error in judgment. He was not prepared for that hearing. I do not believe that he committed a crime during the hearing.”

    Scott went on to express confidence that Warsh’s nomination will be able to move forward despite the demands from Tillis and the panel’s Democrats. 

    “I believe that we’re going to resolve that issue, we’re going to move forward, and Thom Tillis will be voting for Kevin Warsh as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve,” he said. 

    Trump announced his pick of Warsh days ago after weeks of speculation about whom he would tap for the role as the president has left no doubts that he hopes the person would seek to lower interest rates. 

    Trump has said that he didn’t ask Warsh to commit to cutting rates ahead of time — referring to such a request as “inappropriate” — but has made clear he believes his pick wants to and will. 

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, however, declined Thursday to rule out the possibility that the administration would seek to sue Warsh if he doesn’t lower interest ratesduring an appearance in front of the Senate Banking Committee on Capitol Hill Thursday. 

    “That is up to the president,” Bessent said during a Senate Banking Committee hearing.

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    Maddie Gannon

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  • 2 Ohioans named to McDonald’s All-American game

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    OHIO — The 49th annual McDonald’s game brings two Ohioans to the Phoenix hardwood.

    What You Need To Know

    • Anthony Thompson of Western Reserve High School and Geneva and Saniyah of Spire Academy were both named to the games on Feb. 4

    • Hall, a combo guard, averages 20 points per game for her coach Mike Dooley and signed with the University of South Carolina in Nov. 2025

    • Independent scouts and analysts handpicked the rosters from more than 700 nominations

    Anthony Thompson of Western Reserve High School and Geneva and Saniyah of Spire Academy were both named to the games on Feb. 4.

    Thompson plays small forward for coach Michael Brown and averages 22 points per game. He signed with Ohio State University in Oct. 2025.

    Hall, a combo guard, averages 20 points per game for her coach Mike Dooley and signed with the University of South Carolina in Nov. 2025.

    Independent scouts and analysts handpicked the rosters from more than 700 nominations.

    “Nearly five decades into the McDonald’s All American Games, I continue to be amazed by the talent who raise the bar every year, and the fans who show up and show out to support them,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Vice President of Marketing, McDonald’s USA. “We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2026 into this storied legacy and cheer them on as they write the next chapter of basketball history.”

    Ohio residents can watch Hall and Thompson show off their skills in Phoenix on ESPN. The girls’ game is set for 7 p.m., March 31 with the boys’ game following at 9 p.m.

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    Ryan Johnston

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  • Celina Police warn of AI voice cloning scam

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    CELINA, Ohio — Artificial intelligence has many perks, including for scammers who continue to push AI into schemes. 

    In a newer scheme, criminals are using AI to clone to the voice of loved ones.

    What You Need To Know

    • Scammers use audio clips, gathered from social media, voicemail greetings or videos to create a convincing voice replica

    • The scams are designed to create panic and sound very real, with calls sounding like they are from a child, grandchild or other family member 

    • Police are urging Ohioans to protect themselves

    Scammers use audio clips, gathered from social media, voicemail greetings or videos to create a convincing voice replica.

    The scams are designed to create panic and sound very real, with calls sounding like they are from a child, grandchild or other family member who is in trouble and needs money immediately.

    Examples of scenarios include:

    • “I’ve been in an accident and need bail money.”
    • “I’m stuck somewhere and need you to send money right away.”
    • “I was arrested and can’t talk long – please don’t tell mom/dad.”

    The caller may beg the victim to stay on the phone and not to tell other family members.

    Police are urging Ohioans to protect themselves.

    Steps to take include:

    • Pause and verify. Hang up and call your loved one directly using a number you already have
    • Ask a personal question only they would know the answer to
    • Create a family “safe word” to use in real emergencies

    Law enforcement is also asking for caution when sharing voice recordings online and for users to check social media privacy settings. 

    Money, gift cards or wire transfers should never be sent based solely on a phone call.

    If you receive a suspicious call:

    • Do not provide personal or financial information
    • Report the incident to local law enforcement
    • Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov

    “These scams rely on fear and urgency,” Celine police said. “Taking a moment to slow down and verify can prevent financial loss and emotional distress.”

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people, planet. Here’s how to start

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    OHIO — If you want healthy food, experts say to eat what’s local, organic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxing on the soil and they don’t travel as far.

    It doesn’t get more local, organic and in-season than a backyard vegetable garden.

    What You Need To Know

    • At this time of year, many backyards across the country are still covered in snow

    • Vegetable gardens benefit the surrounding ecosystem by adding diverse plant life, especially where they replace grass or cover a deck or patio

    • Homegrown vegetables and fruits are responsible for fewer emissions than their store-bought counterparts
    • Gardening promotes physical health because it requires a lot of movement

    At this time of year, many backyards across the country are still covered in snow. But it’s the perfect time to start planning for a garden because you’ll want to have supplies ready to start planting just after the last frost date in your area.

    Below are some tips on how to plan a backyard garden and reasons why you should do it.

    Homegrown vegetables have fewer emissions

    Vegetable gardens benefit the surrounding ecosystem by adding diverse plant life, especially where they replace grass or cover a deck or patio. They also can provide flowering plants for pollinators.

    The plants capture and store carbon in the soil, promote healthy soil by preventing compaction and can make the air cooler on rooftops and patios, according to Ellen Comeau, who chairs the advisory council for the Cuyahoga County Master Gardener Volunteers with the Ohio State University Extension program.

    Homegrown vegetables and fruits are responsible for fewer emissions than their store-bought counterparts because grocery store produce typically travels long distances on trucks.

    “There’s this whole idea of a zero-kilometer meal, that I don’t have to travel anywhere, except my backyard, to make food. That certainly helps the climate,” said Carol Connare, editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

    Gardening has health benefits

    The health benefits from gardening are multifaceted, “social, emotional, nutritional, physical,” said Katherine Alaimo, an associate professor of food science and human nutrition at Michigan State University.

    Gardening promotes physical health because it requires a lot of movement. The food is typically picked at the height of ripeness and eaten fresh so it tends to have more nutrients than grocery store produce.

    Alaimo said most gardeners don’t use pesticides and grow their food organically. And of course, when you grow more produce, you eat more produce.

    “That’s going to reinforce people eating more fruits and vegetables even in the off season when they’re not growing food. So they try new foods, they potentially increase creativity and their cooking skills,” she said.

    Alaimo said gardening also connects people with nature, provides a sense of responsibility and accomplishment and encourages sharing harvests with friends. All of that can contribute to reduced stress, lower blood pressure and higher energy, she said.

    Picking the right spot and budgeting

    Sunlight is the biggest factor in choosing where to put your garden. Most produce wants at least six hours of sunlight per day. If sunny spots are few, save them for fruiting plants because leafy greens can tolerate more shade.

    It also helps to have a nearby water source because you’ll get more food for less effort if you’re not lugging buckets of water a long way.

    If you’re growing in the ground, Comeau said to start with a soil test to determine its acidity and nutrient makeup. Soil samples, once bagged or boxed, can typically be sent to a cooperative extension office at a university. The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers a list of extension offices by state. The results will give you an idea of what to grow and whether you need fertilizer or other amendments.

    If you have barren soil or a concrete patio, you can buy or build raised beds with purchased soil. Connare said raised beds have advantages such as controlling the soil, but the disadvantages include the cost and the likelihood of compacting soil and eventually needing to replace it.

    After finding the right spot, Comeau said the next step is figuring out how much you have to spend. That determines how big the garden is, whether you sow seeds or buy baby plants known as starts and how many supplies you can afford.

    Another major investment: fencing for pests. That means digging fences into the soil to stop burrowing animals like groundhogs, making them tall to deter deer or installing netting for climbing critters.

    Choosing what to grow and when to start

    What you can grow depends on what falls into your region’s plant hardiness zone. Californians can grow olives more easily than Ohioans, for example.

    Connare recommends finding out what plants are working for your neighbors.

    “They might be able to tell you, ‘I can’t grow a Cherokee tomato here to save my life, but these tie-dye ones do great,’” she said.

    Once you’ve narrowed down what can grow, pick what appeals to you. Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening, said he used to advise people to focus on what grows the fastest and easiest, but now he also emphasizes choosing what you like to eat.

    Connare also recommends adding flowers to attract pollinators. Local garden centers are good sources of knowledge about what native plants will attract beneficial insects.

    Espiritu said to figure out the last frost date in your area and plan around that. Many fruits and vegetables are best planted after the frost threat has passed, but some can go in earlier. Cool-season crops like leafy vegetables can tolerate slightly colder temperatures. Seeds can get started indoors weeks before the last frost date.

    Comeau said seed packet labels often provide instructions.

    “The label will tell you when you can start it and when it can go into the ground. Some obviously go right into the ground and some can be started ahead of time,” she said.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Former lumber yard site to offer affordable housing in St. Petersburg

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new affordable housing community is coming to St. Petersburg’s Warehouse Arts District, and city leaders say a state law designed to speed up housing development helped make it possible.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Fairfield Avenue Apartments — a 264-unit community — officially broke ground Wednesday on land with more than 50 years of local history

    • City officials say the project is moving forward using Florida’s House Bill 1339, which allows qualifying affordable housing developments to be approved administratively on industrial-zoned land, significantly reducing approval timelines

    • City leaders say the Fairfield Avenue Apartments will add hundreds of affordable housing units within close proximity to downtown jobs and transit once construction is completed


    The Fairfield Avenue Apartments — a 264-unit community — officially broke ground Wednesday on land with more than 50 years of local history.

    The property once housed Tibbetts Lumber and, before that, Cox Lumber — businesses that helped build much of the surrounding city.

    “My grandfather immigrated here in the 1940s, (and) had bought a little tiny lumber company,” said Jeff Brandes of the Tibbetts-Brandes family. “(Those businesses) really grew this community and grew along with it and helped build many of the houses that you and I live in today.”

    Over the years, the site has served several purposes — starting as an orange grove, later becoming a Seaboard rail line, and eventually operating as a lumber yard. Now, it will be transformed into housing intended for working residents priced out of living near their jobs.

    Brandes said conversations with local hospitals highlighted the need.

    “I was talking to the leadership of the hospitals and at All Children’s in Bayfront and talking about how what a struggle they were finding for housing some of their employees that were making $20 or $30 an hour, but they still couldn’t find a place to live anywhere near downtown Saint Petersburg,” he said.

    City officials say the project is moving forward using Florida’s House Bill 1339, which allows qualifying affordable housing developments to be approved administratively on industrial-zoned land, significantly reducing approval timelines.

    “Now, the state passed legislation a few years ago to permit the development of affordable housing on industry zoned land like this. And St. Pete, again, was the first city to take advantage of that opportunity,” said Mayor Ken Welch.

    Brandes, who founded the Florida Policy Project, said seeing the project move from policy to reality is meaningful.

    “Well, it’s exciting to be able to talk to people, not somebody who’s theoretical, but who’s doing it practically, too,” he said. “I mean, it’s great to be part of that process. And knowing the struggles of putting a development like this together, but also the looks on people’s faces when they get their keys for the for the for their apartments. That’s what I’m really excited about.”

    City leaders say the Fairfield Avenue Apartments will add hundreds of affordable housing units within close proximity to downtown jobs and transit once construction is completed.

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    Fadia Patterson

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  • All Children’s shares latest on $7.5 million pediatric cancer research grant

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — To Mia Morrison, 5, the rooms on the seventh floor of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital have become almost a second bedroom. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator was created in 2025 by the Florida Legislature as part of the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program

    • The state initiative was designed to advance pediatric cancer research and care in Florida

    • For five years, the hospital and three others will receive $7.5 million a year

    • Mia Morrison is 5 and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia


    She is comfortable here, even though this is where she gets ongoing cancer treatments. 

    “Mia is actually on a clinical trial right now for an immunotherapy drug that she received. It has already done incredible things for the outcome of children with B-cell ALL. And so we are always very excited to hear about new trials, participate in new trials,” said Callie Morrison, Mia’s mother.

    New and expanded trials are a big part of the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator grant, giving this hospital and three others in Florida $7.5 million a year for the next five years. 

    “We are trying to attract and grow the research in Florida so people do not have to leave Florida to go get that care,” said Dr. Cassandra Josephson, director of the Cancer and Blood Disorders Institute at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

    Mia has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and this grant will help her and others in five main ways. 

    First, it expands current clinical trials, it also will develop a statewide clinical trial database, create a network to move research discoveries into the trial-phases faster, implement more immune system studies, and will create more testing for the next generation of gene and cellular therapies. 

    “Getting more kids to be on study and to be enrolled in studies is part of this grant. And that will lead to bigger cures and bigger survival rates in different places,” said Josephson. 

    It also will help more complex cases, like Mia. 

    She is non-verbal living with autism. Callie said that being neurodivergent sometimes creates barriers with being included in long-term trials. 

    “So the fact that we have this grant, this renewable grant that we have access to for the next five years, I can’t wait to see what the opportunities are for kids like Mia,” said Morrison. 

    Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital was one of four specialty hospitals in the state for this five-year grant. 

    Nicklaus Children’s in Miami, Nemours Children’s in Orlando, and Wolfson Children’s in Jacksonville were also awarded this funding.

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    Erin Murray

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  • José Ramírez will get final payment from Guardians in 2051

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    CLEVELAND — José Ramírez will receive his final payment in 2051 under the third baseman’s $175 million, seven-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians.

    What You Need To Know

    • He gets a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite on road trips

    • Ramírez’s deferred money from each season will be payable in 10 equal installments each Dec. 15 starting in the 10th year after it was earned

    • The 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has played his entire 13-year big league career in Cleveland

    His deal, announced Friday, includes annual salaries of $25 million, of which $10 million annually will be deferred.

    Ramírez’s deferred money from each season will be payable in 10 equal installments each Dec. 15 starting in the 10th year after it was earned. His 2026 money will be paid from 2036-45 and his 2032 money from 2042-51.

    He gets a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite on road trips.

    Ramírez earned $72 million from 2022-25 under a $141 million, seven-year deal that had $69 million remaining: $21 million this year, $23 million in 2027 and $25 million in 2028.

    The 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has played his entire 13-year big league career in Cleveland.

    A seven-time All-Star, Ramírez had a career-high 44 stolen bases last season and became the fourth player with multiple seasons of at least 30 home runs and 40 steals. He had a .283 batting average.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Red Cross donations go uncollected because of the winter storm

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    OHIO — The Red Cross needs donations after winter storm Fern affected the collection of 20,000 blood donations.

    Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of 2026.

    Winter storms have made the transportation of vital blood products, which could affect deliveries to hospitals across Ohio.

    Some hospitals have been forced to cancel elective procedures because of the shortage. Trauma surgeons and doctors could face the possibility that blood could run out, according to the Red Cross.

    You can book an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Blood Donor App, visiting Red Cross’s website or calling 1-800-733-2767.

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    Ryan Johnston

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  • Unique way of learning taking place in Thonotosassa

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    THONOTOSASSA, Fla. — When you think of education, you often think of textbooks and notebooks, but one academy is taking a different approach.

    What You Need To Know

    • Montessori is more of a hands-on approach, but this academy takes learning outdoors
    • The academy is also looking to expand services into Dade City next year


    Freedom Montessori Academy is giving students an opportunity to learn outdoors. And they are expanding their reach.

    Learning is all about being hands on at Freedom Montessori Academy.

    The school’s process is a method of education based on self-directed activity and hands-on learning. The academy is a tutoring service that serves 15 students in the Thonotosassa area.

    Eleven-year-old Adelyn Iott says this supplemental approach has been a big help for her.

    “It’s just really hands on, and you understand it better,” she said.

    Madison Whitmer says the teaching methods help her concentrate.

    “My school I had computers after I did it, so I had a headache when I got home, here I don’t have a headache because we don’t use electronics,” she said.

    The majority of the work isn’t done indoors but outside on the farm.

    Melanie Smith, the founder of the academy, was an educator for more than 20 years prior to this. She decided to take that experience and give students a personalized way of learning.

    Students go at their own pace, in a unique learning environment.

    “I think it’s nice in this setting that they understand how long it takes for a plant to grow that they eat in in 10 seconds,“ said Smith.

    From building a labyrinth, to planting seeds, Smith believes it’s part of raising curious kids that will use these skills in life.

    “Every child is unique and every child’s brain is developing at a different level, and they need that time to think for themselves, this is what this is about,” said Smith.

    It shows students like Iott that learning can happen anywhere.

    “Outdoor experience, life survival, how to take care of plants, how to build stuff,“ said Adelyn.

    Making education fun and something that doesn’t always happen indoors.

    The academy will be expanding to a location in Dade City next year.

    And the farm will soon be home to a nonprofit aimed at providing farm education to veterans and breast cancer survivors.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Falcon 9 issue may push back Crew-12 launch

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — An issue with a Falcon 9 rocket during a launch in California may push back the Crew-12 mission.

    What You Need To Know

    • An issue with the Falcon 9 rocket during re-entry has forced SpaceX to hold off on launches until the cause has been resolved

    During SpaceX’s Starlink 17-32 mission on Monday morning, an issue came up with the company’s Falcon 9 rocket after it took off from Space Launch Complex 4 East from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

    “During today’s launch, the second stage experienced an off-nominal condition during preparation for the deorbit burn. The vehicle then performed as designed to successfully passivate the stage,” SpaceX stated.

    The rocket was able to send up the 25 Starlink communication satellites to low-Earth orbit, the Texas-based company stated.

    However, the issue has forced SpaceX to hold off on future launches.

    “Teams are reviewing data to determine root cause and corrective actions before returning to flight,” SpaceX stated.

    NASA has not yet stated how this will impact its Crew-12 flight to the International Space Station, as the U.S. space agency has contracted SpaceX to send astronauts to and from the space station.

    “The next mission to the orbital outpost, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12, is targeted to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, no earlier than Feb. 11,” NASA stated in a blog post on Monday.

    The mission will see NASA’s Cmdr. Jessica Meir, pilot Jack Hathaway, and mission specialists Sophie Adenot of European Space Agency and Andrey Fedyaev of Roscosmos spending months on the floating laboratory.

    The Crew-11 mission was cut short due to a medical issue.

    Spectrum News reached out to both NASA and SpaceX for comment, with only NASA stating it will send out a statement later Tuesday.

    The FAA has not issued a statement about the Falcon 9 issue.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Disney parks chief D’Amaro named to succeed Bob Iger as CEO

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    FLORIDA — Disney has named its parks chief Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as the entertainment giant’s top executive.

    What You Need To Know

    • Disney has named its parks chief Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as the entertainment giant’s top executive

    • D’Amaro has been Disney Experiences Chairman, spearheading efforts for the company’s theme parks, cruises and resorts

    • The decision on the next chief executive at Disney comes almost four years after the company’s choice to replace Iger went badly, forcing Iger back into the job

    D’Amaro has been Disney Experiences Chairman, spearheading efforts for the company’s theme parks, cruises, and resorts.

    The decision on the next chief executive at Disney comes almost four years after the company’s choice to replace Iger went badly, forcing Iger back into the job.

    Only two years after stepping down as CEO, Iger returned to Disney in 2022 after a period of clashes, missteps, and a weakening financial performance under his hand-picked successor, Bob Chapek.

    Chapek had been viewed by many as too gruff and buttoned up, focusing intently on business and not taking enough care with the creative and imaginative elements that have helped Disney flourish over decades.

    Iger, for his part, strengthened the Disney brand through his acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, oversaw the expansion of the company in China and India, and had a laser-like focus on technology that both made the Disney product better and more accessible. Iger, at the same time, is approachable, media savvy, and has deftly managed a company that is like no other.

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    Associated Press

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  • Ruskin teacher helps juggle school’s Head Start program and food pantry

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    RUSKIN, Fla. — Magali Garcia-Rosado has been a teacher for 25 years. She says she loves helping young students learn and grow.

    “My kids are everything to me,” Garcia-Rosado said. “They come into the classroom and they’re always talking about how happy they are, they’re talking about giving warm hugs. They are curious learners.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Magali Garcia-Rosado is the Head Start teacher at Ruskin Elementary 

    • Garcia-Rosado also runs the school’s food pantry 

    • Would you like to nominate an A+ Teacher? Click here

    Garcia-Rosado said she loves the interaction with the little ones and watching them grow every day.

    “I love to see the process of learning,” she said.

    Garcia-Rosado is the Head Start teacher at Ruskin Elementary. She’s been there for seven years. A parent reached out to nominate Garcia-Rosado to be featured as an A+ Teacher, saying she is always there for her students and their families. 

    “It makes me feel very humbled that my families see me as someone who supports not just the children but also them,” she said. “Because I am a firm believer that I am working with the parent. The parent is the first teacher and I come along to support them.”

    Garcia-Rosado also helps run the school’s food pantry. Families can get food there every Wednesday. That’s one of her many contributions to the school.

    “She focuses on the whole child so not just academics, but social, emotional growth as well,” said Ruskin Elementary Principal Jeanine Saddler. “I have never seen anything like it in a Head Start or Pre-K classroom.”

    Garcia-Rosado is certainly making a difference.

    “When we see the children learning, it just humbles me and it gives me such great joy to see that everything that we have worked towards, we begin to see it,” said Garcia-Rosado.

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    Jorja Roman

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  • Snow to fall in southern Ohio Tuesday

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    CINCINNATI — An area of low pressure will pass through the Ohio Valley on Tuesday and bring a round of accumulating snow to parts of the state. Many counties along the Ohio River and generally south of Interstate 70 are under a Winter Weather Advisory.

    What You Need To Know

    • Accumulating snow is likely mainly south of Interstate 70 Tuesday

    • Snow will be most impactful mid-morning through the afternoon

    • Totals of 1-3″ with isolated higher amounts are possible

    Snow will quickly overspread southern Ohio from west to east during the morning hours and will continue through the afternoon, tapering off in most locations before sunset on Tuesday evening.

    Road conditions are expected to deteriorate after the snow starts to fall. This may affect travel on city streets, country roads and area highways for several hours, including the afternoon commute.

    Accumulations will range between 1 and 3 inches in the advisory area. Isolated higher amounts of 4 or 5 inches will be possible in a few spots. Further north, snow totals will taper off to less than 1 inch.

    As temperatures approach the freezing mark by afternoon, road conditions may improve some. Regardless, use caution and give yourself extra time to reach your destination, and leave plenty of space for snowplows and road crews to get their work done.

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    Meteorologist Joe Astolfi

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