ReportWire

Tag: local-politics

  • Curfew could be coming for Manatee County teens, if commission approves

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A curfew for Manatee County teens could be on the horizon if approved Tuesday by county commissioners.

    A public hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center, located at 1112 Manatee Ave in Bradenton. Following the hearing, county commissioners are expected to vote on the ordinance.

    As proposed, the curfew would prohibit teens under 17 from being in public from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from midnight to 5 a.m. on weekends. Exceptions to the ordinance include teens who have a late-night job, school event or are with a parent or guardian.

    What You Need To Know

    • Curfew would prohibit teens under 17 from being in public from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from midnight to 5 a.m. on weekends.

    • Exceptions include being with a parent or guardian, returning from or going to work, or attending a registered/supervised event

    • Some residents worry this could disproportionately affect minority groups 


    • MORE: Read the full ordinance


    Teens caught breaking curfew will get a warning and a police escort home on the first offense. If they are caught a second time, they could receive a $50 fine. Parents could also incur a separate $50 fine.

    Commissioner Amanda Ballard proposed the ordinance earlier this year, after she was contacted by residents in the county’s urban core who have been dealing with property crime like car break-ins. Ballard said some of those crimes were committed by teens in the middle of the night.

    “I’ve heard some people say they’re a little afraid teens with be targeted,” Ballard explained. “But I’ve heard a lot of residents also say please provide a little accountability because I don’t feel safe in my own neighborhood. So there’s a little bit of a balance there, but ultimately this is going to keep the community safe and provide a little accountability.”

    Ballard said this also will aid law enforcement in how they police crime late at night.

    “This is really another tool in their tool belt to prevent those property crimes because when they see those teens on the street and they have a feeling something might be going wrong, they don’t have the ability to intervene and step in until the negative thing has happened,” she explained.

    NAACP President Tracey Washington says she supports the idea of a curfew, but has a number of concerns.

    “We have to look at who is being affected,” she said. “I want to keep our children safe. The people who are affected the most is probably the African American and Hispanic communities. What happens to our children when they see law enforcement and they’re fearful? They’re going to run. We know this. But what happens when they run?”

    Washington said she wishes the county would have asked for community input before drafting the ordinance.

    “I’m just afraid of what will happen if a child is out there by themselves … and something goes wrong,” she stated.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Pasco Schools to approve new funding for Heroes in the Classroom

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — The Pasco County School Board is expected to give final approval Tuesday for dedicated funding that will support Heroes in the Classroom, an incentive program designed to bring retired first responders and military veterans into Florida’s teaching workforce.

    Launched in 2023, the state-backed initiative offers a $4,000 first-year bonus to eligible veterans and former first responders who transition into education. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Heroes in the Classroom was approved by Florida Legislators in 2023, and administered by the Florida Department of Education

    •  Pasco Schools began the program in March of 2025

    •  Teachers are required to show service records and hold a valid teaching certificate 

    • Recipient teachers receive a $4,000 bonus in their first year on the job 


    District leaders say the incentive is already helping address teacher shortages while bringing uniquely skilled professionals into local classrooms.

    One of the program’s early success stories is Taylor Liamero, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran who spent nearly six years on active duty. 

    Straight out of high school, Liamero served in the Middle East, Europe, and later at a base in Virginia — experiences she says shaped her desire to continue serving her community in new ways.

    Now, instead of military missions, her daily assignments involve coaching and teaching students at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel.

    “It’s something I always wanted to do,” Liamero said. “I’ve always loved coaching and athletics — from my time in the military and even before that as a young athlete. It just felt like something I needed to take a shot at.”

    District leaders say Heroes in the Classroom is part of a broader effort to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention.

    Kelly Smith, program coordinator for Teacher Pathways with Pasco County Schools, said the district has made major progress in reducing vacancies.

    “When I first came on as a recruiter many years ago, we were in the triple digits starting the school year,” Smith said. “We’ve been very low in our vacancy count, and year over year we continue to make improvements.”

    Smith says incentives like the veterans program help set Pasco apart from other districts competing for new educators.

    For Liamero, the initiative gave her the chance to begin a career she now says feels like the right long-term fit.

    “Now that I’m doing it,” she said, “I can’t imagine doing anything else—ever.”

    To participate in Heroes in the Classroom, applicants must provide proof of eligible military or first-responder service and hold a valid teaching certificate or meet certification requirements

    More details are available here.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Housing advocate Rae Huang announces candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles

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    LOS ANGELES — Community organizer and minister Rae Huang formally announced her candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles on Sunday, offering voters an option to the left of Mayor Karen Bass and potentially complicating prospects for Bass avoiding a runoff.

    “This campaign is not about me,” the 43-year-old Huang said Sunday afternoon at Arts District Brewing Co. in downtown Los Angeles. “It is about us, all of us, all Angelenos, it is about the future that we will and must build together this new season for our city.

    “In this new season, we are going to make housing affordable for all. We are going to make transit free, safe and fast. We are going to make sure that wages and work are dignified.”

    Huang is deputy director of Housing Now California, a coalition of over 150 organizations that fights tenant displacement. She is also a member of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, and if elected would be Los Angeles’ first Asian-American mayor.

    Huang is a long shot to win with little name recognition or political experience, but if her campaign gains traction she could siphon enough votes from Bass to keep the mayor from a majority in the June 2 primary. If no candidate receives over 50%, the top two finishers will meet in a runoff in November.

    Bass has drawn criticism for her handling of the devastating Palisades fire in January. When the fire broke out Bass was in Ghana as part of the four-member presidential delegation attending the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as president.

    Bass has also drawn criticism for not doing enough to address high housing costs.

    Doug Herman, a spokesperson for the Bass campaign, told City News Service in an email that “Under Mayor Bass’ leadership, there has been unprecedented progress on the issues that matter most to Angelenos.”

    “Homelessness has declined for the first time in two consecutive years, neighborhoods are safer with significant drops in crime, and the Palisades fire recovery continues far ahead of pace with the fastest recovery and rebuilding in California history,” Herman said.

    “In addition, there was no better defender of Los Angeles than Mayor Karen Bass when Trump’s ICE raids started and we won a court ruling to help stop the illegal raids and unconstitutional arrests. That’s what we need to move Los Angeles forward.”

    Former LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner declared his candidacy on Oct. 13.

    “Rev. Huang and I share many concerns about the direction of Los Angeles, including our city’s lack of affordable housing. I look forward to getting to know her during the campaign ahead,” Beutner told City News Service on Sunday.

    The 72-year-old Bass, a former congresswoman and Assembly speaker and a onetime community organizer herself, defeated businessman Rick Caruso in 2022 to become mayor.

    Caruso has not announced whether he will run for mayor again in 2026.

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    City News Service

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  • Democrats, Republicans react to prospect of Border Patrol in Charlotte

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte is awaiting the arrival of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as early as this weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are expected to arrive to Charlotte as early as this weekend 

    • Local and state Democratic leaders voiced their opposition to the presence of federal agents

    • Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Tim Moore said this is a targeted operation to catch criminals 

    • Everyone has constitutional rights if they encounter federal agents, according to an attorney


    Local and state Democratic officials and community organizations held a press conference Friday opposing Border Patrol agents coming to Charlotte, which they said would create fear in the immigrant community. 

    Among the speakers was council member-elect JD Mazuera Arias, who is representing East Charlotte.

    “This is personal. I know what fear feels like. I know what it feels like to have it in your bones,” Mazuera Arias said. 

    He said he is a former undocumented immigrant who grew up with a legal status in Charlotte. 

    “I heard from constituents all over District 5, which is East Charlotte, one of the most predominant immigrant districts in our city, say, ‘what does this mean for us? Is this true? Should we go? Should we stay at home? Should we take our kids to school?’” Mazuera Arias said. 

    In a statement, the office of U.S. Rep. Mark Harris, a Republican who represents a portion of Charlotte, said, “Congressman Harris continues to stand with law enforcement and supports deporting every criminal alien Joe Biden and radical progressive Democrats have let loose into our country.”  

    President Donald Trump has defended sending military units and immigration agents to other cities run by Democrats, saying the deployments are needed to fight crime and carry out his promise of mass deportations. 

    However, Mazuera Arias doesn’t see it that way.

    “We have seen the horrors that took place in the city of Chicago and seeing people, CBP came and disrupted those people’s lives. So for me, it’s not about fixing crime or public safety, it’s about fear tactics,” Mazuera Arias said. 

    Carolina Migrant Network is a nonprofit providing free legal representation for undocumented immigrants in removal proceedings and detention facilities.

    Communications director Daniela Andrade said they’ve received calls about Border Patrol agents in the city. 

    “I’m not aware that they have encountered them directly as of now. But what I can say is that the reports that we have been receiving is people just fearful and reporting and ready to protect each other,” Andrade said.

    Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Moore, a former state House speaker who now represents a district west of Charlotte, said this is a targeted operation. 

    “This is not going to be a matter of you’re going to have Border Patrol, like patrolling the streets, … this is a limited law enforcement activity where they have and presumably they know who it is they’re looking for. And these folks … are probably dangerous criminals,” Moore said. 

    He added community members shouldn’t feel fearful.

    “Unless someone is a criminal, they don’t need to be fearful of anything. But if they are criminal, they should be fearful. If somebody is out here selling drugs, you know, engaging in human trafficking out here, spreading fentanyl that’s killing people. I hope they are feeling fearful and I hope they get arrested,” Moore said. 

    Mazuera Arias is sending a message to immigrant neighbors.

    “You are not alone. You are seen. You are valued and you belong here,” Mazuera Arias said. 

    The Carolina Migrant Network said it is posting updates and partnering with community agents to see how they can support people affected by a potential immigration crackdown. 

    Immigration attorney Jamilah Espinosa said she recommends families have an action plan in case an undocumented relative is detained. 

    She added regardless of immigration status, everyone has constitutional rights and should remain calm and respectful when encountering federal agents. 

    “You have the right to decide that you’re not going to answer their questions. Also understanding the difference between public and private settings, they are able to enter public settings. If you are a private business, you can ask them to leave,” Espinosa said.

    The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office said they are not participating in any immigration enforcement operations. 

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Border Patrol heads to Charlotte, Mecklenburg County sheriff confirms

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    Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol plan to deploy to Charlotte as soon as this weekend, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.

    What You Need To Know

    • Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says he has confirmation that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol personnel are planning to come to Charlotte

    • Reports circulated Wednesday that federal immigration agents operating in Chicago would move to Charlotte 

    • The sheriff’s office and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department say they are not involved in any activities that Customs and Border Protection might be planning in the city

    • Activists, faith leaders, and local and state officials in the city have been preparing the immigrant community, sharing information about resources and trying to calm fears

    There were reports Wednesday that the federal agents stationed in Chicago would move to Charlotte to continue enforcing the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.

    “Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry L. McFadden was contacted by two separate federal officials confirming that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel will be arriving in the Charlotte area as early as this Saturday or the beginning of next week,” the sheriff’s office said in a release.

    The sheriff’s office said federal officials have not shared details of what CPB will do in the Queen City and has not asked the office for help.

    “We value and welcome the renewed collaboration and open communication with our federal partners,” McFadden said in a news release. “It allows us to stay informed and be proactive in keeping Mecklenburg County safe and to maintain the level of trust our community deserves.”

    Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin declined to comment, saying, “Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations.”

    President Donald Trump has defended sending the military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and even the nation’s capital, saying the unprecedented operations are needed to fight crime and carry out his mass deportation agenda. Charlotte is another such Democratic stronghold, and the state will have one of the most hotly contested U.S. Senate races in the country next year.

    Activists, faith leaders, and local and state officials in the city had already begun preparing the immigrant community, sharing information about resources and attempting to calm fears. A call organized by the group CharlotteEAST had nearly 500 people on it Wednesday.

    “The purpose of this call was to create a mutual aid network. It was an information resource sharing session,” said City Councilmember-Elect JD Mazuera Arias.

    “Let’s get as many people as possible aware of the helpers and who the people are that are doing the work that individuals can plug into, either as volunteers to donate to or those who are in need of support can turn to,” said CharlotteEAST executive director Greg Asciutto.

    The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department also sought to clarify its role, saying it “has no authority to enforce federal immigration laws,” and is not involved in planning or carrying out these enforcement operations.

    Mazuera Arias and others said they had already begun receiving reports of what appeared to be plainclothes officers in neighborhoods and on local transit.

    “This is some of the chaos that we also saw in Chicago,” state Sen. Caleb Theodros, who represents Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, said Thursday.

    Theodros was one of several local and state officials who issued a statement of solidarity this week.

    “More than 150,000 foreign-born residents live in our city, contributing billions to our economy and enriching every neighborhood with culture, hard work, and hope,” it read, adding: “We will stand together, look out for one another, and ensure that fear never divides the city we all call home.”

    Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol chief who led Customs and Border Protection’s recent Chicago operation and was also central to the immigration crackdown in Los Angeles, had been coy about where agents would target next.

    The Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in the Chicago area was announced in early September, over the objections of local leaders and after weeks of threats on the Democratic stronghold.

    It started as a handful of arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the suburbs but eventually included hundreds of Customs and Border Protection agents whose tactics grew increasingly aggressive. More than 3,200 people suspected of violating immigration laws have been arrested across Chicago and its many suburbs dipping into Indiana.

    The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees both immigration agencies, has offered few details on the arrests, aside from publicizing a handful of people who were living in the U.S. without legal permission and had criminal records.

    The group Indivisible Charlotte and the Carolina Migrant Network will be conducting a training for volunteers on Friday.

    “Training people how to recognize legitimate ICE agents, versus obviously those who don’t look legitimate,” said Tony Siracusa, spokesman for Indvisible Charlotte. “They’re not always wearing vests that say ‘ICE.’ And what your rights are.”

    The groups will also discuss areas where they can conduct “pop up protests.”

    “Obviously, we’re not doing anything that is going to encourage people to go get arrested by federal agents,” he said.

    Siracusa said locals are “not freaking out, but very definitely concerned. Nobody asked for this help. Nobody asked for this, at least no one of any official capacity.”

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Rays plan return to Tropicana Field after hurricane repairs

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays are heading home.

    The team announced Wednesday it will return to an updated Tropicana Field for the 2026 season after playing its entire 2025 home schedule at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa while damage to the Trop caused by Hurricane Milton in October 2024 was repaired.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Rays announced Wednesday it will return to an updated Tropicana Field for the 2026 season

    • Repairs to the stadium’s roof and other internal areas are ongoing

    • Rays are planning to play their home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 6 after starting the season on the road 
    • 2026 Single-game tickets go on sale Thursday

    “We are excited to return home to Tropicana Field in April and to once again join our fans and neighboring businesses in downtown St. Petersburg in celebrating the return of Rays baseball,” team CEO Ken Babby said in a statement.

    Repairs to the stadium’s roof and other internal areas are ongoing, and the Rays are planning to play their home opener against the Chicago Cubs on April 6 after starting the season on the road.

    The team announced several new ticket options that go on sale Thursday, as well as ballpark upgrades including an expanded main videoboard, new video displays behind home plate and along both foul poles, a new sound system and updated suite interiors.

    The club is planning events to celebrate former Rays third baseman Evan Longoria to commemorate his time with the franchise, including induction into the team hall of fame.

    The Rays finished with a 41-40 record at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees, and sold out 61 of 81 games while drawing 786,750 fans. Playing home games in an open-air ballpark for the first time, the Rays experienced 17 rains delays over 16 games for a total of 17 hours, 47 minutes.

    Tropicana Field’s roof was torn to shreds by Hurricane Milton. The stadium that opened in 1990 featured what the team called the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, with the panels made of “translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass” supported by 180 miles of cables connected by struts.

    The team has new owners, who are starting a search for a new ballpark that could open in 2029.

    The Rays have struggled with poor attendance at the Trop, although they have at times been successful on the field with World Series appearances in 2008 and 2020.

    Tampa Bay went 77-85 this year and missed the playoffs.

    The team also announced infielder Bob Seymour has been released to pursue a playing opportunity in Asia, and left-hander Nate Lavender was returned to the New York Mets after clearing outright waivers.

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    Associated Press

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  • Winter Haven bakery providing free meals to SNAP recipients

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — One bakery is expanding its support efforts as the government shutdown impacts food access for many families.

    What You Need To Know

    • Honeycomb Bread Bakers in Winter Haven is offering free meals to SNAP recipients.

    • Owner Benjamin Vickers says the process is meant to be simple and judgment-free — customers just need to show their benefit card to receive a meal.

    • The initiative will continue for the duration of the shutdown.


    For the past four years, Honeycomb Bread Bakers has been serving up coffee, pastries and meals to folks in Winter Haven. No matter people’s economic situation, owner Benjamin Vickers says he feels a great responsibility to continue serving his community.

    Vickers says ensuring that no one goes hungry is part of the bakery’s core values. So when he learned that SNAP benefits would be impacted by the shutdown, he says he knew he needed to act.

    “Our commitment is if you are a SNAP recipient, you can order off our regular menu, you can feed your whole family if you need, you can get coffee, you can get loaves of bread, you can get a hot breakfast and that meal will be comped if you’re a SNAP recipient,” Vickers said.

    He says all customers have to do is show their benefit card to an employee. The goal is for the process to be simple and judgment-free.

    “Because they are normal guests to us and the only difference is that through donations from our community, we’re able to offer that at no cost,” he said.

    Vickers says the initiative will last for the entire duration of the government shutdown. While it may come at a cost to the shop, he says it’s a price he’s willing to pay to be a good neighbor.

    “We should all be looking at our neighbors and thinking what do we owe each other, and I’m really proud to be able to do this. It’s a shame it’s up to me, though,” he said.

    Vickers says the initiative’s only stipulation is that SNAP recipients take part once a day — but if families need more food, they’ll still be taken care of.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • Lakeland voters approve raising term limits for city leaders

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    LAKELAND Fla. — City commissioners will soon be able to serve in office for much longer. 

    Voters approved modifying term limits so that elected officials are no longer limited to three complete terms.

    The move has received praise from local leaders, including former Lakeland Mayor Howard Wiggs, who said he knows firsthand how it feels to be rushed out of office.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lakeland voters passed Amendment 2, allowing city leaders to serve up to 20 years — 12 as commissioner and eight as mayor.

    • Former Mayor Howard Wiggs backed the change, saying short term limits made it difficult for leaders to complete their agendas.

    • Former Congressman Dennis Ross noted that 80% of registered voters didn’t participate, raising concerns about voter apathy.

    “I was at least one example of folks who were termed out and couldn’t serve but one term as mayor,” he said.

    Wiggs was term-limited back in 2018. He says during his four years as mayor, he felt pressured to hurry through his agenda.

    “You can’t cram everything in a four-year term, and so when you try to do that, I think it’s the citizens that really suffer the most,” he said. “You don’t have the leadership that you need, you’re trying to do more things than you probably should try to do because you just don’t have enough time.”

    That’s why he says he supported modifying Lakeland’s term limits. Currently, leaders can serve a total of three terms, equaling 12 years. Amendment 2 will increase that to 20 years — 12 as commissioner and eight as mayor.

    Some argue the change could cause city officials to lose touch with voters the longer they’re in office. But college professor and former congressman Dennis Ross says that concern wasn’t reflected at the polls.

    “Eighty percent of registered voters didn’t care, and that’s what’s disconcerting to me,” Ross said. “I believe term limits should be at the polls, and I think the only effective way of having good term limits is getting more people out to vote. And this is representative of why we probably need to have term limits, because people aren’t interested in voting.”

    As for Wiggs, he believes more people will eventually support the extended terms. He said it’s not about what’s best for leaders “but rather doing what’s best for the citizens,” he said.

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    Alexis Jones

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  • USF unveils new plans for “Fletcher District”

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    TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida has released its plans for a new housing and entertainment area it’s calling the Fletcher District.

    The area is the university’s planned mixed-use destination featuring student and multifamily housing, restaurants, retail, a hotel and conference center, an academic research facility and recreation space.

    What You Need To Know

    • USF releases plans for its “Fletcher District”

    • 138-acre Entertainment/housing area would be located on the former USF golf course 

    • Phase One construction is planned to begin in spring 2026, with the project opening in time for fall 2028 
    • Go inside the Fletcher District public-private partnership

    “The Fletcher District will be a vibrant new hub of activity for our students, other members of the university community and the surrounding area,” USF President Rhea Law said. “The project provides a unique opportunity to transform an underutilized part of our campus into a prime destination to live, work, learn and play.”

    The first phase of the project is located at Fletcher Avenue and North 46th Street, the former location of the USF golf course.

    The project will be developed as a public-private partnership and managed with private developers. Though phase one uses approximately 27 acres, the full site is 138 acres, which could be used for future development. The Phase One cost is an estimated $268 million.

    The nearby USF Forest Preserve will not be developed.


    “This isn’t just a real estate development because we had some land that wasn’t performing. It is going to be mission-led, it is going to be mission-driven. The profits that we receive from this will be reinvested in student success. This will help us attract students, world-class faculty and staff,” said USF Board of Trustees Vice Chair Mike Griffin, who was also reappointed to another term on the board during Thursday’s meeting. 

    Officials said the Fletcher District is a separate project from the university’s football stadium, which is under construction. However, the two projects will be located within walking distance.

    Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chair Ken Hagan also attended Thursday’s meeting and spoke of the project’s impact.

    “USF is one of the county’s largest and most important economic engines,” Hagan said. “On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, I am very pleased to be here to show the county’s unconditional support for USF, and as you’ve seen today, this truly transformative project. Along with the on-campus stadium, this project is a critical piece of this overall transformation and Hillsborough County is very proud to partner in this growth.” 

    Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026, with the project opening in time for fall 2028.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Advocates highlight Lung Cancer Awareness Month in D.C. 

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    WASHINGTON, D.C. — November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and advocates warn that the federal government shutdown is disrupting potentially lifesaving research.

    What You Need To Know

    • November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month

    • The LUNGevity Foundation held a press conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday

    • The organization planted 60,000 flags on the National Mall to represent the 120,000 Americans killed by the disease annually


    “A lot of the research that was ongoing or is about to start, or hopefully will start, is brought to a halt. And unfortunately, science isn’t something you can just turn on and off, so it really needs that sustainability and the continuity that federal funding provides to them,” said Andrea Ferris, president and chief executive officer of LUNGevity Foundation.

    On Wednesday, the LUNGevity Foundation held a news conference on the National Mall to advocate for research funding. Terri Ann DiJulio, a member of the LUNGevity Foundation’s board of directors, was first diagnosed with lung cancer when she was just 42 years old. She said early detection is key. 

    “We need research funding, not only to develop better treatment options, but to create better, more accessible detection tools to find lung cancer earlier, when it’s most treatable and when people have the most, greatest chance for a cure,” DiJulio said. 

    The Trump Administration has cut thousands of employees at the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the National Institutes of Health. Meanwhile, Democrats are seeking an extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies as part of any government funding deal. 

    “Right now, we’re in the fight of our lives with the extension of the ACA tax credits that provides literal lifesaving health care coverage for health care patients,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said.

    “So, we already have the difficulty and challenge of getting people to be aware of the opportunity to get screened for lung cancer. If you don’t have health care coverage, then you’re not going to be able to have access to that because you won’t be able to afford the cost of it.”

    A group of bipartisan House lawmakers, including Wasserman Schultz, have co-sponsored the Lung Cancer Screening and Prevention Act requiring Medicare to cover more screenings, and the Mobile Cancer Screening Act to expand access to rural and underserved communities. 

    The disease kills roughly 120,000 Americans every year, according to the LUNGevity Foundation. 

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    Corina Cappabianca

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  • Jerry Demings sits down 1-on-1 with Spectrum News

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    Since Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has filed to run for governor in the Sunshine State, many are wondering why he wants Florida’s top job. He sits down with Spectrum News 13’s Ybeth Bruzual to share his thoughts.

    The Orlando native shared memories of the Pulse Nightclub terror attack, how faith and family guided him to run for governor, how the Florida DOGE fueled his fire to run, how he plans to flip a red state blue, plus why his message to Floridians is different from Zohan Mamdani’s, who has won the New York mayor’s race and is a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist.

    “It can’t happen without the people believing that I’m the right person at the right time,” Demings said. “I believe that because of the sum total of my experiences, the relationships that I have across the state, some of the dynamics of the politics is happening within the state right now, we will be able to appeal to a broader, much more diverse audience of voters within our state. And so I’m just excited to go on the campaign trail to be able to talk to people and convince them that I’m the right person at the right time.”

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    Ybeth Bruzual

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  • St. Pete prepares to distribute $160 million HUD grant for hurricane recovery

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    ST. PETE, Fla. — The city of St. Petersburg will soon begin accepting applications for those seeking part of a nearly $160 million grant recently awarded to St. Pete from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

    St. Pete homeowners who were hit by Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricane Helene in 2024 and meet the program income requirements could qualify. Aubrey Phillips, Strategic Initiatives and Grants Director for the city of St. Pete, says the guidelines for who is eligible are set by HUD, not the city.

    For this program, those who make 80% or less of the area median income can apply. That’s roughly $83,450 for a family of four.

    At this time, homeowners solely affected by Hurricane Milton are not eligible.

    “The city has contacted HUD to seek clarification and guidance about how we can handle that given that the storms were so close together,” Phillips said. “Many residents were impacted by both storms. So we’re awaiting that guidance and if we are allowed to serve residents only impacted by Milton, we’ll do that.”

    The program called Sunrise St. Pete will hold two webinars Wednesday for those who want to learn more about obtaining funds. Sessions are offered at noon and at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 5.

    “It’s been just over a year since the storm hit but people are still recovering,” Phillips explained. “Whether it’s they made the repairs, but they really took a hit financially because of that, or if they haven’t even been able to make repairs, they can get help with that.”

    Phillips said once the application period opens in a couple of weeks, residents can apply online or work directly with one of their caseworkers.

    Financial help is available for repairs, rebuilding or elevating homes if repair work hasn’t been done yet. Homeowners can also apply to be reimbursed up to $50,000 for repairs already completed if they were fully permitted and code compliant. The funding can also be used for disaster relief payments to help residents with rent, mortgage and utilities.

    Liane Jamason sold her home in Shore Acres after it was flooded during Hurricane Helene. She feels there’s too much red tape in the process of getting residents the help they really need.

    “I just think it’s too little too late,” she said. “It’s been 14 months since the hurricanes and 24 months since Idalia. People have forgotten we had another hurricane before that. It’s like where have these funds been? A lot of people have had to make very difficult decisions or sell our homes because there was no money available.”

    Phillips says HUD has guidelines on the order in which applications will be prioritized.

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    Angie Angers

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  • PSC approves Tampa Electric rate hike

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    HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – Tampa Electric customers will soon start paying more for electricity.

    The Florida Public Service Commission approved rate hikes this week for Tampa Electric.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tampa Electric customers will soon start paying more for electricity

    • The Florida Public Service Commission approved rate hikes this week for Tampa Electric

    • The rate hikes will take effect in January

    The increase will come out to about $5.50 more each month. Those rate hikes will take effect in January.

    Customers have already spent much of the past year paying more for costs associated with storm recovery.

    Those costs will remain in place through next summer so you may see your bill go down a bit in September of 2026.

    Meanwhile, Duke Energy customers are getting better news.

    The PSC approved the utility’s request to lower customer’s bills next year. Duke said starting in march, customers can expect a $44 decrease per 1,000 kilowatt hours used.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Mecklenburg Co. voters pass sales tax increase for transit improvements

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters in Mecklenburg County have passed a one-cent sales tax increase to fund transportation improvements over 30 years. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Voters in Mecklenburg County passed a sales tax increase in Tuesday’s election to fund transportation improvements over the next 30 years

    • The sales tax will increase from 7.25% to 8.25% starting July 1, 2026

    • The additional tax revenue will go to rail projects, road improvements, bus and microtransit service

    • Prior to Election Day, supporters said it would bring better transit options while opponents argued the cost would impact low-income families 


    Beginning July 1, 2026, the sales tax will increase from 7.25% to 8.25%, which the city of Charlotte estimates will be about $19 more a month per household. 

    The tax will fund the 2055 Transit System Plan, according to Charlotte Area Transit interim CEO Brent Cagle, which includes rail construction, road improvements, and better bus and microtransit service. 

    “It increases frequency, reliability, security and options accessibility throughout transit, so it’s really a holistic plan to address mobility needs,” Cagle said. 

    Charlotte estimates the increased tax revenue will generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. Forty percent will go to rail projects, another 40% to roads, and 20% to buses and microtransit service.

    The plan includes a new commuter rail connecting Uptown to North Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, expanded streetcar and light rail with access to the airport. 

    Officials say it will improve traffic flow on roads and add more bike lanes, sidewalks and traffic signals to communities. Buses will also have expanded service hours and come to the busiest stops more often and microtransit will be expanded across the county.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Nancy Pelosi expected to announce she won’t run for reelection in 2026

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    Sources close to Nancy Pelosi expect the 85-year-old Democratic party stalwart to retire from politics next year.

    Pelosi will make a speech addressing her future after Californians vote on whether to redraw the state’s electoral map to create more Democrat-held seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to NBC News.

    RELATED: Election 2025: Everything Bay Area voters need to know before Nov. 4 election

    The state’s ballot measure Proposition 50 seeks to offset mid-decade redistricting efforts in red states including Texas intended to maintain a Republican majority in Congress.

    Pelosi has represented the majority of San Francisco since 1987. Multiple Democratic insiders reportedly said they don’t expect her to seek reelection in 2026.

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President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on May 3, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

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“She’s going to go out with Prop 50 overwhelmingly passing, and what a crowning achievement for her to do that,” one of those sources told NBC News.

Pelosi hasn’t addressed primary challenges from younger Democrats bidding for her seat in the midterm election, though she appears to have the resources to go on the offensive. Her team hasn’t addressed speculation about her plans for 2026 and beyond. She filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission in November 2024.

The former Speaker of the House has long been among the most powerful figures in Democratic politics. Pressure from Pelosi is believed to have led to former President Joe Biden abandoning his 2024 reelection bid.

Months earlier, Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

She’s also been an effective antagonist against President Trump, who won that election to serve a second term in office.

Trump has also had tough words for his Democratic rival whom he called “crazy” during a 2023 speech. In the same speech, Trump made fun of her husband, Paul Pelosi, who’d recently been attacked and seriously wounded by a hammer-wielding man who broke into the couple’s San Francisco home.

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Brian Niemietz

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  • How not extending ACA subsidies will affect N.C. residents

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An issue at the center of this government shutdown is extending the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans.

    Open enrollment began Nov. 1, and people are seeing premiums skyrocket for 2026. 

    What You Need To Know

    • An issue at the center of this government shutdown is extending the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans

    • Open enrollment began Nov. 1 and people are seeing premiums skyrocket for 2026

    • These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. If they’re not extended, 157,000 North Carolinians will become uninsured and another 888,000 will see their health care premiums double, according to Gov. Josh Stein



    Charlotte residents Steve Goodson and his husband, Carlos Mendez, are no exception.

    “Anyone dependent on the ACA is looking at undue stress right now,” Goodson said.

    In 2021, the Biden administration approved enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance plans, meaning people were given more money from the government for health care costs than in the past.

    “To really make sure that people were able to access care that they needed, that they were able to, you know, get vaccinated for COVID and things like that. So they just wanted to make sure that everybody was healthy in the midst of this pandemic,” said Julieanne Taylor, program director of Family Support and Health Care Program for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.

    These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of this year. If they’re not extended, 157,000 North Carolinians will become uninsured and another 888,000 will see their health care premiums double, according to Gov. Josh Stein.

    “With the premiums going up, we have to collectively reassess going to the doctor,” said Mendez, an ACA insurance recipient.

    According to the North Carolina Department of Insurance, the average rate for individual ACA coverage will increase by over 28% in 2026.

    As the government shutdown enters its second month, Taylor said this could have a huge impact on residents.

    “It may keep people from renewing their coverage. I mean, as we know right now, prices are just very expensive. It’s expensive for food, it’s expensive for housing and so this is just one more thing,” Taylor said.

    Goodson and Mendez said if their premium doubles, it won’t be easy in the long run.

    “Initially we would deal with it, but I think a year from now, resources would get very limited. But it could perhaps impoverish us over a few years,” Goodson said.

    On the other side of the issue, according to the Cato Institute, these subsidies cost almost half a trillion dollars and have produced enrollment fraud and many believe temporary emergencies should not justify permanent solutions.

    Taylor says health insurance navigators are available across North Carolina to help, if you need assistance picking a plan or understanding the changes to ACA insurance plans. Visit here for more information.

    Since being interviewed for this story, Carlos says he has signed up for healthcare through ACA Enrollment and the cost went up by 26% for 2026.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Arin Cotel-Altman

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  • Election Day: A quick voting guide for N.C. municipal elections

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    Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and will remain open until 7:30 p.m.

    What You Need To Know

    • The General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4

    • There are more than 1,000 seats up for election across the state 

    • In addition to voting for elected officials, some will get to vote directly on local legislation through referendums 

    • Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.




    There are more than 1,000 seats up for election and several referendums to be voted on.

    The map of where municipal elections are happening can be accessed online here. 

    To participate in a municipal election, people have to live and be registered to vote there. People can check their registration status and view more voter details, including jurisdictions, polling place and more, by clicking here.

    Voter Requirements

    • Be a U.S. citizen

    • Be at least 18 years old by election day 

    • Not serving a felony sentence





    People will also be asked to show a photo ID when voting. The list of acceptable IDs can be found here. If someone does not have a photo ID, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form.

    More information on what to expect when voting on Election Day, click here.

    Here are some elections across the state to look out for:

    Mayoral race in Greensboro

    After the primary election narrowed the field from four to two candidates, Marikay Abuzuaiter, who secured 39.89% of the primary vote will face Robbie Perkins, who received 32.49%. Abuzuaiter is the current at-large council member and Perkins previously served as Greensboro’s Mayor from 2011 to 2013, prior to the incumbent Nancy Vaughan, who did not run for reelection.

    Mayoral race in Durham

    Leonardo (Leo) Williams and Anjanée Bell were the top two candidates out of the five that ran in the primary, receiving 55.35% and 29.78% of the vote, respectively.

    Williams has been Durham’s mayor since 2023, and Bell is the daughter of William V. “Bill” Bell, who was the city’s longest serving mayor, holding the office from 2001 to 2017.

    Cary Town Council race

    This year, the at-large representative seat and seats for districts A and C are up for election. The map of the town’s districts can be viewed here.

    Carissa Kohn-Johnson is the current at-large representative and will face Marjorie K. Eastman, who is challenging her for the seat.

    Jennifer Robinson, who has served as the representative for District A since 1999, is challenged by Brittany Richards.

    Jack Smith, the current representative for District C, opted not to run for reelection, leaving Bella Huang and Renee Miller in competition for the seat.

    A North Carolina voter fills out her ballot. (Associated Press)

    Referendums:

    Voters in some municipalities will get the chance to vote on legislation directly. The full list of referendums that will be on this year’s ballots can be viewed here.

    Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte, proposed a new sales tax that would add one cent to every dollar of local sales. The proceeds from this new tax would go toward paying for public transportation. Eligible voters will be able to mark if they are for or against this tax on their ballots.

    Nearby in Union County, residents of Stallings and Indian Trail will get to vote on a new room occupancy tax of up to 5% which if approved, would apply to all guests staying at hotels and other short-term rentals in the towns.   

    The counties of Cleveland, Columbus and Richmond are considering allowing mixed drinks to be sold in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theaters, and convention centers and allowing malt beverages and unfortified wine to be sold in qualifying locations. It will be up to voters to decide whether or not to allow these sales.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Election Day Tuesday: Races in Polk, Manatee and Pinellas counties

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Parts of the Bay area will have Election Day races Tuesday, most notably the city of Lakeland.

    The Lakeland mayor’s spot, along with two commission seats, will be determined on Tuesday.


    In addition, municipal elections are taking place in Auburndale, Winter Haven and Fort Meade.

    Meanwhile, in Manatee County, Holmes Beach residents will vote in a general election.

    In the city of Seminole (Pinellas County), Mayor Leslie Waters is facing candidate Marcus Barber. Waters has served as mayor since 2013 and in various other government positions in the city since 2009.

    Barber is a former city employee.

    Here’s a closer look at the races:

    POLK COUNTY

    Lakeland Mayor

    Auburndale Municipal Election (City Commission Seat 3)

    Fort Meade Municipal Election (City Commission Seat 3)

    • Glen R. Anderson
    • Frederick Lamar Hilliard
    • Jim Watts

    City Commission Seat 5 At Large

    In addition to the mayor and commission seats, Lakeland voters also will decide on three charter amendments:

    Charter Amendment #1

    Proposed charter amendment modifying Commission district boundaries to be as equal in population as practicable.

    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to modify City Commission district boundaries to be as equal in population as practicable consistent with State law? (Yes/No)

    Charter Amendment #2

    Proposed Charter amendment modifying term limits applicable to City Commissioners and Mayor.

    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to modify term limits applicable to City Commissioners and Mayor, other than members in office on January 1, 2020, from the current term limits of no more than 3 complete terms in any combination of the positions of Mayor and Commissioner to new term limits of no more than 3 complete terms as a Commissioner and 2 complete terms as Mayor? (Yes/No)

    Charter Amendment #3

    Proposed Charter amendment eliminating obsolete provisions; renumbering sections; amending other miscellaneous provisions.

    Shall the Lakeland City Charter be amended to eliminate obsolete provisions; specify that mayor or commissioner elected to fill vacancy shall take office upon receiving election certificate; authorize any commissioner to call special commission meeting; require neighborhood posting of special assessment notices rather than newspaper ad; provide that ordinances subject to referendum petition shall not be suspended pending referendum and petitions shall be voted on at regular elections; conforming civil service provisions to current practices? (Yes/No)

    PINELLAS COUNTY

    City of Seminole Mayor Election

    MANATEE COUNTY

    Holmes Beach City Commission (Vote for up to Three)

    • Steven Oelfke
    • Jessica Patel
    • Terry W. Schaefer
    • Carol Soustek

    Anna Maria
    Commissioners John Lynch, Kathleen Morgan and Charlie Salem qualified earlier this year to run for reelection without opposition Nov. 4.

    Bradenton Beach

    Bradenton Beach Commissioner Jan Vosburgh will remain in her position due to no candidates vying to replace her. Mayor John Chappie and Commissioners Ralph Cole and Debbie Scaccianoce will retain their seats after qualifying for reelection without competition.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Mecklenburg voters to decide on sales tax increase for transit improvements

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Voters in Mecklenburg County are considering a one-cent sales tax increase on Election Day to fund transportation improvements over 30 years. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Voters in Mecklenburg County will decide on a sales tax increase to fund transportation improvements over the next 30 years

    • If passed, the sales tax would increase from 7.25% to 8.25%

    • The additional tax revenue would go to rail projects, road improvements, bus and microtransit service

    • Supporters say it would bring better transit options while opponents argue the cost would affect low-income families 


    If passed, the sales tax would increase from 7.25% to 8.25%, which the city of Charlotte estimates would be about $19 more a month per household. 

    Charlotte Area Transit interim CEO Brent Cagle said it would fund the 2055 Transit System Plan, which includes rail construction, road improvements, and better bus and microtransit service. 

    “It increases frequency, reliability, security and options accessibility throughout transit, so it’s really a holistic plan to address mobility needs,” Cagle said. 

    Charlotte estimates the increased tax revenue would generate $19.4 billion over 30 years. Forty percent would go to rail projects, another 40% to roads, and 20% to buses and microtransit service. 

    Related: Election Day Preview: A look at who’s running in Durham, Fayetteville and Greensboro

    The plan includes a new commuter rail connecting Uptown to North Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson, expanded streetcar and light rail with access to the airport. 

    It would improve traffic flow on roads and add more bike lanes, sidewalks and traffic signals to communities. Buses would also have expanded service hours and come to the busiest stops more often and microtransit would be expanded across the county. 

    Transit rider Juan Contreras Juarez, who volunteers for the Yes for Meck campaign, supports the plan. 

    “I think in general, understanding that there’s a bus that comes every 15 minutes would take a lot of stress from the families. They depend on the bus system. There’s a lot of anxiety that comes with it. You go to your bus stop, you’re hurrying because if you miss it, the next bus is in 30 minutes,” Contreras Juarez said. 

    Opponents, including Action NC, say a permanent tax unfairly affects people who can least afford to pay and that more than $200 per year would be a burden to the working class and low-income families. 

    Cagle argues these groups make up the majority of transit riders. 

    “We also think about who benefits from this the most: our riders and how do we benefit them. And they will benefit from this,” Cagle said.

    Craig Reynolds opposes the sales tax and is working with Action NC on their campaign. 

    In his perspective, there are no guarantees with the plan and the current half-cent sales tax has not delivered. 

    “My main point is just look at the failed promises that have happened over the last 27 years,” Reynolds said. 

    He also takes issue with the new regional transit authority that would oversee spending of this investment. 

    “My concern is there’s lack of accountability in this plan. If you look at it, this is an appointed authority of 27 members. It’s not elected, but yet it has the ability to tax citizens. It has the ability to take their property through eminent domain,” Reynolds said. 

    Charlotte City Council member Ed Driggs is reviewing applications for the board. The Republican and self-described fiscal conservative worked to put this item on the ballot. He’s chair of the Transportation, Planning and Development Committee of the city council and is part of the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization. 

    He said the board can improve transit safety, which has been in the spotlight since the killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on the light rail in August.

    “They will be able to have a police force of their own and that will help provide a better level of security and they will also have more resources to invest,” Driggs said. 

    Cagle said if the referendum doesn’t pass, the 2055 Transit System Plan cannot be implemented.

    “We are utilizing all of the existing funding. and this transit system plan cannot be implement, cannot be implemented without additional funding,” Cagle said.

    If it fails, CATS will also need to evaluate current spending and ensure the transit system meets financial metrics. A future referendum would then be placed in the hands of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners. In addition, the PAVE Act, which gave approval for this item to be on the ballot, would have to be amended due to the timeline outlined in it. 

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Local food pantries feel impact amid SNAP benefit delays

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    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — While two federal judges ruled Friday that the federal government must use emergency funding to partially support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), it’s still unclear when millions of families will receive their benefits for November.

    What You Need To Know

    • With delays in November SNAP benefits, pantries like Bibleway Resource Center are already feeling the strain as more families seek assistance.

    • The pantry is working hard to stretch limited resources but is nearing capacity due to rising need.

    • Pantry leaders are urging the public to donate nonperishable food items or host drives to help fill the gap as they prepare for potentially worsening conditions.


    As a result, local food pantries are already feeling the strain of increased demand. Bibleway Resource Center in Auburndale feeds about 500 people across Polk County each week. Food giveaways typically begin with prayer outside the center, but on Friday, Latesa Faison, who oversees the pantry, said it felt like God heard every word.

    “God has blessed our two fish and five loaves this morning and stretched their food a lot longer,” she said.

    Over the past four years, Faison said she and volunteers have leaned on their faith and the community for donations. She said this time is no different as many families worry about losing their SNAP benefits.

    “We’ve been getting calls like 20 to 30 calls a day,” Faison said. “But I can only take in so many to be able to provide for the end of the week for people, but we try to put peanut butter, jelly, bread — whatever it takes to make a meal for the people so it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

    Resident Isidro Perales said he’s grateful the food pantry is able to give his family what they can. He said his mother recently got sick, and he doesn’t know how she’ll manage without assistance.

    “It’s a little worrisome because if she doesn’t need it, she won’t take it. She doesn’t like to take anything from anyone who might need the help. But as times are getting harder, she’s been having to need it,” Perales said.

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 15% of Polk County families depend on SNAP benefits — the highest percentage in the Bay Area. Of those recipients, studies show that more than 40% are children.

    Faison plans to do her best to help fill the gap, but said she can’t do it alone.

    “Our community can help by coming together, doing a food drive,” she said. “They can drop off peanut butter and jelly here, or canned goods, and that can help us make meals for the people that come constantly needing food.”

    In the meantime, she’s holding on to her belief that God will provide — something she says has carried the center through time and time again.

    To learn more about how you can help support Bibleway Resource Center, visit the pantry’s Facebook page.

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    Alexis Jones

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