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Tag: tampa

  • Heavy rain floods Lakeland street; residents call for drainage fixes

    LAKELAND, Fla. — Heavy rain Wednesday afternoon flooded parts of Easton Drive in Lakeland, damaging a brick road that city crews quickly began repairing.

    Neighbors said several inches of water collected at a the intersection of Easton Drive and Derbyshire Avenue before rushing toward homes. A neighborhood resident, Terris (whose last name is being withheld) has lived in the neighborhood for 20 years. He said this was the third time the street has flooded this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Residents say Easton Drive is known to flood, with Wednesday’s rain sending about 3 inches of water

    • Residents blame undersized pipes in the drainage system for the flooding and hope the city will replace them

    • Lakeland officials repaired the damaged brick road but said paving the street would be a more permanent solution


    “When we get a little hard rain, it’s a frequent occurrence. I’m tired of it,” he said, adding that floodwaters reached about three inches in less than an hour.

    Terris pointed to the community’s drainage system as part of the problem.

    “It’s the pipes that’s in the manholes. These smaller pipes that were built out and those smaller pipes can’t handle the water,” he said.

    While he doesn’t blame the city, Terris said he hopes officials will replace the aging pipes soon. In the meantime, he is grateful for the workers who step in to help his neighborhood recover, time and time again.

    In a statement, a spokesperson for the City of Lakeland said:

    “We are aware that Easton sustained damage from last night’s heavy rains. The affected area was the brick street section, where the underlayment was washed out due to the significant rainfall. Our crews were on site as this occurred and have already completed necessary repairs. While we understand the neighborhood’s preference to preserve the brick streets, paving the entire roadway would provide a long-term solution to prevent this issue from recurring.”

    Alexis Jones

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  • Longtime Florida high school basketball coach reacts to game relocating

    BARTOW, Fla. — The biggest game in high school basketball is leaving Polk County, and while there’s no doubt it will be a hit to the local economy, it’s also a hit to local basketball teams.

    Polk County has not only been home to the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships, several teams from the county have won the big game. So, seeing this announcement isn’t the news many wanted to hear.

    State champions are made on the court of Bartow High School. Just ask their coach, Terrence McGriff.

    “We’re the only school in the history of Polk County who won back-to-back,” McGriff said.

    The Bartow High School Yellow Jackets won back-to-back titles at the Florida High School Athletic Association Basketball State Championships in their backyard at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

    “Our goal has always been to get to the ‘white house’ — that’s what we call the RP Funding Center,” McGriff said.

    Now they have a new goal to shoot for after learning the FHSAA Basketball State Championship is moving to Jacksonville.

    “For high school basketball, Polk County is the epicenter and been the epicenter of the state for about 50 years,” McGriff said. “I think they took it to Tallahassee for four or five years in the 70’s but for 45 of the 50 years, it’s been here.”

    McGriff said he was disappointed, but not surprised, to learn FHSAA announced their move to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.

    “It wasn’t shocking to me. I serve on the committee, the state championship committee for Polk County. There had been some grumblings about them taking it for a couple of years just for greener pastures. Everything is about this right,” he said, making a money gesture.

    “And maybe it had been here, and they thought it was a little stale.”

    He said it’s a hard hit to the local economy — something hotels, restaurants and retail will definitely feel. But for teams like the Bartow Yellow Jackets, it just means traveling, and their fans will have a longer drive to watch them play for another championship. 

    But McGriff said he hopes the change will only be temporary.

    “They’ll be back because of what Polk County has to offer,” McGriff said. “The people of the community do a lot of the work for it, the set-up, going to get the sponsorships so Jacksonville did a great job to get the sponsorships. So, congratulations Jacksonville, they came with a nice paycheck but we’re consistent here.”

    The 2026 FHSAA Basketball State Championships are scheduled for Feb. 24-27 at the University of North Florida arena in Jacksonville.

    Saundra Weathers

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  • Pasco goes ‘spooky,’ offers haunted history of county

    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County is offering an opportunity to hear about the county’s ‘haunted’ history.

    On Wednesday night, author and historian Madonna Wise will share “haunted folklore and ghostly legends” about Pasco County’s past.

    “It’s a wonderful genre,” Wise said. “I think there’s an emotional connection we have to something that’s haunted, and probably a spiritual connection.”

    Wise compiled the stories for her book “A Haunted History of Pasco County.” It includes stories of ghosts, oddities and warlords from Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel.

    Paranormal investigator Nicole Ferro will join Wise for the presentation.

    It starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Richey Suncoast Theatre in downtown New Port Richey. Tickets are $20. Members of the West Pasco Historical Society only need to pay $15.

    Jeff Butera

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  • New beach boutique shop Sun Drunk opens on Corey Avenue

    ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — A St. Pete Beach entrepreneur who lost all of her product to last year’s hurricanes, opened her first brick-and-mortar store on Corey Avenue on Friday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sun Drunk celebrated its grand opening on Friday in St. Pete Beach

    • The boutique shop is located at 409 Corey Avenue

    • Sun Drunk offers beach lifestyle essentials

    • Owner Cat Lepitit called it a dream reborn after last year’s hurricanes


    “We’re back at it and stronger than ever,” owner Cat Lepitit said. “We are not giving up on that dream.”

    Lepitit called it a dream reborn. City leaders, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, along with friends and family filled the shop for a ribbon cutting.

    “When you have new lights on, on Corey Avenue, it’s a sign of hope for Corey Avenue,” said Charlie Justice, Chamber president and chief executive officer. “It’s a sign of hope for St. Pete Beach. It’s really a sign of hope for all our beaches.”

    Lepitit said Sun Drunk offers beach lifestyle essentials.

    “We have our typical bestsellers — Turkish towels, UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) shirts,” she said. “Then we added more to the store with swimwear and any cover-ups you need for the beach and jewelry. Everything you need to go to the beach in style.”

    The entrepreneur built the brand from the ground up in 2023 by selling her products from a booth at the Corey Avenue Sunday Morning Market. Lepitit has tried recruiting her market friends to join her on the block and take a chance.

    “I’m trying to grab all my vendor (friends) from the Corey Market, come over, open stores, it’s empty,” she said. “Everybody’s so scared to reopen the store. But it’s like the crash of 2008. If you don’t take a risk now, you will pass opportunity.”

    Lepitit said she decided to open the store with money that friends and family had raised for her.

    Sun Drunk will have special offers and mocktails on Saturday as part of the grand opening celebration.

    Josh Rojas

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  • St. Pete Beach tackles aging infrastructure as flooding worsens

    ST PETE BEACH, Fla. — St. Pete Beach is moving forward with a multi-year project to replace aging drainage pipes — some more than 100 years old — as flooding continues to affect major roadways and neighborhoods.

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Pete Beach is working on updating its aging infrastructure 

    • Some residents say flooding is becoming more of an issue

    • St. Pete Beach is working on a multi-year project to fix aging pipes


    Residents say the situation has become increasingly frustrating. David Nixon, who has lived in the beachfront community for 25 years, says flooding has grown worse.

    “They need to dig up the whole system,” he said, noting he has seen 4 to 6 inches of sea level rise in recent years. “It’s just a mess the way they set this up.”

    City officials acknowledge the problem and say work is already underway. Commissioner Betty Rzewnicki, who represents District 3, says parts of the project have already been completed along Pass-a-Grille Way, while planning for other neighborhoods is finished.

    “This is a multi-year project,” Rzewnicki said. “By the beginning of next year, we’ll have bids going out and work moving forward. People don’t see it until there’s a mess on the streets and construction begins, but progress has already been made in phases.”

    The upgrades include new pipes, outflow valves, and other infrastructure improvements. Rzewnicki says she understands residents’ frustrations but asks for patience as the city works through the process.

    For Nixon, however, the delays remain difficult. “They should have been in here before the season, hurricanes, and get this done,” he said.

    The project will be completed in phases, and the overall cost has not yet been determined.

    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Pinellas County considers noise ordinance updates

    SEMINOLE, Fla. — The Pinellas County Board of Commissioners is preparing to hold a public hearing on updating its noise ordinance after residents complained that short-term rentals are creating disruptions in neighborhoods.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Some full-time residents are taking issue with short-term rentals 

    •  Pinellas County is looking at adjusting noise ordinance 

    •  Some residents say that short-term rentals are turning into mini resorts.


    In Seminole, Hillary Simpson says she has short-term rentals on both sides of her home. She is building a pool house, which she calls the “hurricane hideaway,” to block the noise coming from a neighboring property.

    “It was definitely not something that we thought we would ever have to invest in,” she said.

    Simpson said the problems began in 2023, when the home next door became a short-term rental. Since then, she describes loud parties, yelling, and music lasting into the early morning hours.

    “We deal with a lot of excess noise, a lot of excess noise that’s not appropriate for young children,” she said.

    She reported the issue to police, to the renters, and to the company that owns the property, but said nothing has changed.

    “It broke our neighborhood feeling. I felt like I was living next to a hotel in downtown St. Pete. But even worse is there was no accountability,” Simpson said.

    She said other homes nearby have also been turned into rentals, changing the character of the area.

    The county has made changes to its short-term rental ordinance, setting a maximum occupancy of 10 people, requiring quiet hours starting at 10 p.m., and creating a hotline for noise complaints.

    Commissioner Kathleen Peters said she wants more accountability from property owners.

    “I would like to see the owner of the vacation rentals be responsible,” Peters said. “If they could be responsible, just like any other resort, that would make a big difference.”

    For Simpson, it comes down to fairness.

    “I’m going to be held accountable if there’s something that I’m doing that is not in line with community standards. And I want to see the same accountability for the person that’s less accessible,” she said.

    Jeff Van Sant

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  • FHSAA basketball state championships moving from Lakeland to Jacksonville

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — After decades of the games being played in Lakeland, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) announced Wednesday that state basketball championship games will be held in Jacksonville starting in 2026.

    The title games will be held at CSI Companies Court at the University of North Florida (UNF) Arena.

    In a news release, FHSAA said, “The UNF Arena provides a modern, fan-friendly venue that will showcase Florida’s top basketball talent on a championship caliber stage.”

    “We’re thrilled to begin this new chapter for our basketball state championships at the University of North Florida,” FHSAA Executive Director Craig Damon said. “The UNF Arena is a first-class facility, and Jacksonville offers an exciting opportunity to expand the reach and impact of this event.”

    The boys and girls championship games had been played in Lakeland since the mid 1990s after a short stint in Tallahassee.

    The UNF arena seats more than 5,100 fans and has hosted a variety of NCAA events, concerts and community programs.

    The 2026 FHSAA Basketball State Championships are scheduled for Feb. 24-27 (Rural) and March 5-14 (Classes 1A-7A).

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Pinellas County School Board considers closing schools due to low enrollment

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Pinellas County School District may be closing some schools. This comes after the school board received updated enrollment numbers this week.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pinellas County School District is considering closing schools due to low enrollment 
    • No schools have been named yet

    • The district plans to collect data and information from now until January
    • More Education headlines

    The superintendent told board members that, due to a decline, they’ll have to talk about closing schools.

    No schools have been named yet. The district says it will collect data and information and get public input. Then, they’ll make initial recommendations to the board on which schools to close in January.

    “I felt the need to clarify (if) there will be school closures, and Superintendent Hendrick confirmed there will be a discussion about school closures,” said School Board Vice Chair Caprice Edmond. 

    She said at the board workshop on Tuesday that she learned of the district’s plans to close some schools after reporting over 3,000 less students this year than last year.

    “If there are fewer students, that’s less money, and you have to think about what that looks like, what efficiencies can occur, what things you can make better, while making those efficiencies,” said Edmond.

    Lynn Beksha hopes the board focuses on what can be made better rather than closing schools. She understands the decision some parents make to pull their children out of public school. Her son, Jantis, is autistic and thrives homeschooling through Florida Virtual School, while her daughter, London, excels at Seminole Middle School.

    “I would hope they would look for what we need to do differently, instead of what we need to eliminate, because if we’re closing these schools, that means these kids have to go somewhere and we already have overcrowding,” Beksha said.

    Edmond shared slides from Tuesday’s workshop, showing a steady decline in student enrollment in recent years. She said it could be due to many things, including homeschooling like Jantis, but also the cost of living and a decline in birth rates. Ultimately, she said her primary concern is making sure families have a say in any decisions to close schools.

    “We really do take pride in our schools. We have seen where some school changes have occurred and the outcome has been positive. I do just think that transparency piece is important and getting community feedback on next steps is vital,” said Edmond.

    The district will be working with focus groups, conducting surveys and taking input from families from now until January, which is when they’ll announce any school closures.

    Fallon Silcox

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  • Pasco County investigating 25-foot depression in roadway

    BAYONET POINT, Fla. — County officials said a 25-foot wide depression has opened in Bayonet Point.

    Eastbound lanes of Clock Tower Parkway are closed at the intersection of Majestic Boulevard.

    The hole is about five feet deep, officials said in a news release.

    Residents are asked to avoid the area if possible.

    This is a breaking news story. Stay with Spectrum Bay News 9 on-air, online and the Spectrum News app for updates.

    Click here for our Real Time Traffic Map.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • 130 seniors left with few options one year after hurricanes

    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of seniors say they’re in a bind and could end up with nowhere to go, because of the way their storm-damaged mobile homes have been assessed.

    In March, 235 homeowners in the Gateway Mobile Home Community off 4th Street received substantial damage letters. The letters from Pinellas County gave the affected homeowners the options of moving their mobile home to higher ground, building a new home up to current flood standards, or elevating their current home. A fourth option would be to pay for home demolition and vacate the community entirely.

    The community is restricted to residents 55 and older.

    What You Need To Know

    •  130 seniors in 55+ community still affected one year later

    •  Residents given options to lift or rebuild homes or move out of community entirely 

    •  Many who recieved substantial damage letters say their homes were minimally damaged 

    • Owners of Gateway advocating for residents 


    Bonnie Sisco, who has lived in her home in the Gateway community for the past 15 years, received one of the substantial damage letters. She says her front porch and part of her roof was damaged, but flood water never made it inside of her home. Her home was repaired before she received the letter in March.

    Her inspection and assessment, she says, claims water intrusion and valued her home at $16,000.

    “My air conditioner never even went out. The flood water never made it inside,” she Sisco said.

    Sisco says due to the age of her home, it can’t be lifted or moved. Her only options would be to demolish her home, which she says is in great condition.

     


    “I put all my money into this. So if our options are to buy another place… I don’t have money to go and buy another house or pay to have this demolished,” she said. “They’re going to have a lot of homeless seniors.”

    Darna Lopez, regional sales manager for Gateway Mobile Homes, says she understands that Pinellas County needs to make things safer for the future but hopes it can be done reasonably.

    “We call on Pinellas County to reconsider its approach and adopt a more reasonable and compassionate valuation process—one that takes into account the real costs of repairs, the true condition of the homes, and the residents’ desire to remain in their homes and the community they love. We also want the County recognize the true fair market value of the homes, as they do for other types of residential dwellings, instead of valuing manufactured homes more like used cars. Our residents should not be forced out of their homes due to impractical demands or unfair assessments,” she said in a written statement.

    Lopez estimates about 130 homes are still affected. The remainder of the residents who received the letters have either moved or successfully appealed.

    Pinellas County Public Information Coordinator John Carkeet says the inspections were done under FEMA guidelines, and referred homeowners to apply for disaster recovery money that will become available in the coming months.

    “Pinellas County conducted substantial damage inspections at Gateway Mobile Home Park and other storm-impacted areas under FEMA’s federally mandated guidelines. Residents had the opportunity to request reassessments and appeals, and we continue to provide guidance on next steps. Our focus is on helping homeowners pursue  recovery plans and connecting them with resources such as the upcoming Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which will provide financial assistance for eligible residents. For more information, residents may visit recovery.pinellas.gov for recovery resources or pinellas.gov/stormpermits for storm damage permitting,” he wrote in a statement to Spectrum Bay News 9.

    Sisco has appealed to a special magistrate and has a hearing scheduled for early October.

    Angie Angers

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  • SpaceX launches nearly 30 Starlink satellites

    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — Those who woke up early on Thursday morning got a treat as SpaceX launched nearly 30 Starlink satellites. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Falcon 9 rocket sent up Starlink 10-61 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 

    The Falcon 9 rocket sent up Starlink 10-61 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:30 a.m. ET, stated SpaceX.

    The launch window opened at 5:30 a.m. ET and was scheduled to close at 9:30 a.m. ET.

    The 45th Weather Squadron is giving a 65% chance of good liftoff conditions, with the only concerns being the cumulus cloud rule. 

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    Lucky 7 launch?

    This will be the seventh mission for this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster called B1092.

    Its previous missions include the following:

    1. Starlink 12-13 mission
    2. NROL-69 mission
    3. Bandwagon-3 mission
    4. GPS III-7 mission
    5. Starlink 10-34 mission
    6. USSF-36 mission

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket landed on the droneship Just Read the Instructions that will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 28 satellites from the Starlink company will be joining thousands of their mechanical brothers and sisters in low-Earth orbit.

    Once deployed and in their orbit, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

    SpaceX owns Starlink.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 8,405 are in orbit
    • 7,576 are in operational orbit

     

    Anthony Leone

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  • Epic Universe guest dies after being on Stardust Racers ride

    ORLANDO, Fla. — A guest has died after riding the Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universe in Orlando, according to officials.

    What You Need To Know

    • The rider became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

    • No other specific information about the guest was released


    According to a statement from Universal Studios, an adult male guest visiting the park on Wednesday night became unresponsive “after” riding the Stardust Racer ride that is located inside Epic Universe’s Celestial Park.

    The person was taken to an area hospital, where officials say that person later died.

    “Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night.  The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died,” Universal stated in a statement that was sent through the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.

    No other specific information about the guest was released.

    The Stardust Racers is considered a thrill ride, according to the Universal website, and it is one that stretches up to about 133 feet with 5,000 feet of track.

    The shooting star-themed ride also offers an inverted crisscross.

    The attraction has been closed down.

    Universal stated that it is “devastated” over what happened.

    “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guests’ loved ones,” park officials stated.

    Epic Universe is just days away from marking four months since its grand opening back on May 22.

    Jaclyn Harold

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  • Epic Universe guest dies after being on Stardust Racers ride

    ORLANDO, Fla. — A guest has died after riding the Stardust Racers ride at Epic Universe in Orlando, according to officials.

    What You Need To Know

    • The rider became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers

    • No other specific information about the guest was released


    According to a statement from Universal Studios, an adult male guest visiting the park on Wednesday night became unresponsive “after” riding the Stardust Racer ride that is located inside Epic Universe’s Celestial Park.

    The person was taken to an area hospital, where officials say that person later died.

    “Universal is cooperating with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office following a tragic event involving a guest at Epic Universe on Wednesday night.  The guest became unresponsive after riding Stardust Racers and was transported to the hospital, where the guest later died,” Universal stated in a statement that was sent through the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.

    No other specific information about the guest was released.

    The Stardust Racers is considered a thrill ride, according to the Universal website, and it is one that stretches up to about 133 feet with 5,000 feet of track.

    The shooting star-themed ride also offers an inverted crisscross.

    The attraction has been closed down.

    Universal stated that it is “devastated” over what happened.

    “We are devastated by this event and extend our sincerest sympathies to the guests’ loved ones,” park officials stated.

    Epic Universe is just days away from marking four months since its grand opening back on May 22.

    Jaclyn Harold

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  • Disney announces 2025 EPCOT Candlelight Processional narrators, details

    LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Disney World announced new details on Thursday for this year’s Candlelight Processional as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.

    What You Need To Know

    • Disney World’s Candlelight Processional is part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays that will take place Nov. 28-Dec. 30
    • There will be new and returning celebrity narrators this year


    The 2025 Candlelight Processional will take place Nov. 28-Dec. 30, according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog.

    The story of Christmas will be told by a celebrity narrator each night, and there will be new and returning faces this year — from film and television stars to award-winning performers.

    Here is the 2025 Candlelight Processional lineup set to take the stage at America Gardens Theatre:

    (Showtimes: 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. ET nightly)

    • Nov. 28-29: Constance Wu (New)
    • Nov. 30-Dec. 2: Jordan Fisher
    • Dec. 3-4: Jennifer Garner (New)
    • Dec. 5-6: Ashley Eckstein
    • Dec. 7-8: Ralph Macchio
    • Dec. 9-10: Leslie Uggams (New)
    • Dec. 11-13: Marlee Matlin
    • Dec. 14-15: Henry Winkler (New)
    • Dec. 16-17: Lauren Daigle (New)
    • Dec. 18-19: Gary Sinise
    • Dec. 20-22: Brendan Fraser
    • Dec. 23-24: Luis Fonsi
    • Dec. 25-26: Joel Smallbone (New)
    • Dec. 27-28: Brie Larson (New)
    • Dec. 29-30: Sheryl Lee Ralph (New)

    Park guests also have the option to reserve a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, which includes a meal and guaranteed seating for one of the three nightly performances. Choose from breakfast, lunch or dinner (depending on the restaurant), an entree and dessert or buffet, and a nonalcoholic beverage or alcoholic beverage (for guests 21 and older). After the meal, guests will get a reserved seating badge for their reserved package showtime. Disney officials recommend arriving early for the best view within the reserved section. Dining package bookings open on Oct. 14.

    Disney said that additional details for the 2025 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will be announced soon.

    Anna Wronka

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  • NASA says Northrop Grumman’s resupply craft to ISS had engine issue

    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — Northrop Grumman had delayed its Cygnus XL cargo craft arriving at the International Space Station after it suffered an engine issue, stated NASA.

    What You Need To Know

    • The cargo craft’s engine stopped during two burns

    In a blog post, NASA stated on Tuesday that the Cygnus XL craft that was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday evening will not arrive at the floating laboratory on Wednesday as scheduled.

    “Early Tuesday morning, Cygnus XL’s main engine stopped earlier than planned during two burns designed to raise the orbit of the spacecraft for rendezvous with the space station, where it will deliver 11,000 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo to the orbiting laboratory for NASA. All other Cygnus XL systems are performing normally,” NASA stated.

    Spectrum News reached out to the U.S. space agency for further comment, such as whether the cargo craft will still be able to rendezvous with the International Space Station. 

    NASA replied that it would follow up as soon as there is more information to share.

    NASA astronaut Jonny Kim was supposed to use the space station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to catch the Cygnus XL and have it dock with the Unity module, where it would stay until March 2026.

    Anthony Leone

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  • Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms in the Atlantic

    Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the central Atlantic. It’s the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gabrielle has formed in the central Atlantic

    • It’s expected to become a hurricane this weekend or early next week

    • It’s not a threat to the U.S. at this time


    Gabrielle has maximum winds of 45 mph and is currently moving north-northwest at 22 mph. It’s not expected to strengthen much in the next 48 hours as it moves through unfavorable conditions with strong upper-level winds keeping Gabrielle disorganized.

    This weekend, Gabrielle should enter a more favorable environment for strengthening, and it’s forecast to become a hurricane by this weekend or early next week.


    The cone of uncertainty displays where the center of a storm could be located. It does not predict which areas may feel the storm’s impact. Anyone outside but near the cone should be on alert and make storm preparations.

    Gabrielle is out in the central Atlantic, far from land. Although it’s moving north-northwestward, the motion is uncertain during the next several days until a better defined center forms. 

    As of now, it doesn’t look like a threat to the Caribbean or the U.S., but it could move near Bermuda next week.


    Spaghetti models or plots show a series of individual computer forecast models together on one map. They are useful to give insight into whether multiple models are in agreement on the path of the storm but they do not address the storm’s forecast intensity, winds, flooding and storm surge potential or other data. Tap here for more details on how to best use these models.

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

    Spectrum News Weather Staff

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  • Manufacturing leaders praise new SPC soldering program, more workers needed

    TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — There is a huge push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and local Tampa Bay companies are growing their workforces to meet that goal. 

    What You Need To Know

    • St. Petersburg College (SPC) recently launched a new soldering program. The college partnered with companies like Jabil to make this new class happen

    • All 12 students in the first class were hired immediately upon completion of the program

    • Mariah O’Neal was one of those graduates and she began a job with Jabil as a solder technician assembler in September

    • View upcoming soldering certification courses through Workforce Education


    Jabil, a multinational manufacturing company headquartered in St. Pete, is doing this. 

    “To make manufacturing more accessible in the U.S., we have to reteach the skills that we’ve lost,” Frederic McCoy said. McCoy is the Jabil Executive Vice President of Global Operations. “You know, there’s been a 20 years of migration of manufacturing out of this country and we really need to rebuild the manufacturing skills around planning and purchasing and soldering, and all the other skills that are required to to run a world class manufacturing operation.”

    Recently, St. Petersburg College launched a new soldering course, with all 12 students being hired upon completion of the course. 

    Mariah O’Neal was one of them and loves soldering. 

    “It’s hands on. That is what my favorite thing is,” O’Neal said. 

    She just got a job at Jabil as a solder technician assembler, working for aerospace and defense. 

    “Once I get to solder, I just immersed myself into it,” O’Neal said. 

    O’Neal graduated from SPC’s Tarpon Springs campus. 

    “This class is important because it lays the foundation for anyone to just get their foot in the door in these major manufacturing companies,” Keith Walker said. Walker is a St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus Master IPC Trainer. 

    Walker taught the class and works for Honeywell. He said the soldering program is necessary right now. 

    “We’re going to be able to essentially help close the gap. A gap that’s been developing in our area in manufacturing for years,” Walker said. 

    “Finding skilled workers today has been quite difficult,” McCoy said. “You know, the economy has shifted here in the U.S. and, it’s now shifting back towards more manufacturing from services. We’re excited to enable that.” 

    Jabil, for example, said it will be doubling the size of its business in Pinellas County from a manufacturing standpoint over the next 12 to 18 months. They will be having a big focus on renewable energies, defense and aerospace and energy storage markets. 

    “Bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. has presented a lot of challenges,” McCoy said. “We just don’t have the expertise, the supply chain and the management understanding of how to manufacture at scale, like we used to do. So rebuilding those skills is critical for us and for our customers and for, I think, the U.S. economy.” 

    This is something O’Neal will be on the forefront of in her new role. 

    “It’s very rewarding coming from a program that you can finish within six months and be able to come out and do something that you love,” O’Neal said. 

    McCoy added that the partnership with SPC is the first step. They are working with SPC on automation and technical training courses as well. 

    SPC said there are scholarships available for the soldering program.

    Erin Murray

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  • Florida football assistant coach Jabbar Juluke suspended for pregame scuffle

    GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Southeastern Conference and University of Florida have announced a three-game suspension of Jabbar Juluke, associate head football coach and running backs coach at Florida, for his involvement in an altercation prior to the Florida-LSU football game on Saturday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida associate head coach and running backs coach Jabbar Juluke has been suspended for three games

    • The suspension followed his involvement in an altercation before the UF-LSU game Saturday

    • SEC officials and the Gators did not explain specifically what Juluke did

    • He will miss games against No. 4 Miami, No. 8 Texas and No. 10 Texas

    Juluke will miss a tough stretch of the Gators’ schedule, as the next three games are at No. 4 Miami, at home against No. 8 Texas and at No. 10 Texas A&M.

    In a news release, the SEC and school didn’t describe Juluke’s specific role in the altercation, but players from both teams could be seen yelling at each other before the game. LSU won, 20-10.

    “Coaches are expected to be leaders and to de-escalate tense situations, and that did not happen in this circumstance,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said. “This suspension is appropriate, and any future misconduct by Jabbar Juluke will result in more severe disciplinary action.”

    Juluke apologized for the incident.

    “There’s no excuse for my behavior, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said.

    “I know more is expected of us as coaches, and I commit to living up to that expectation.”

    Head coach Billy Napier, whose team is off to a 1-2 start, said Juluke will learn from what happened.

    “Coach Juluke’s actions prior to our game against LSU are not up to the standard of our program. Coach Juluke is a man of character and has taken full responsibility for his actions,” Napier said.

    Spectrum Sports Staff

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  • City seeks input on $51 million south St. Pete redevelopment project

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Before moving forward with an estimated $51 million redevelopment project just south of downtown St. Pete, the city wants input from residents.

    The City of St. Pete plans to completely restructure the Enoch Davis Center and the James Weldon Johnson Community Library, both located on 18th Ave. S.

    The Davis center first opened in 1981 with a 16,000 sq ft facility, and has a fitness center, multipurpose areas, as well as a number of human services. The library sits just next door.

    What You Need To Know

    •  Community input meeting set for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Davis center 

    •  City is in planning and input phase, then will move forward with securing funding 

    •  $1.5 million grant through Rep. Kathy Castor will help pay for initial phpase 

    • WEIGH IN: Take community input survey


    George Smith, Economic Development Manager for the City of St. Pete, says right now the city is in the planning phase and a big part of that is getting community input. A community meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Davis center, so residents and come and share their ideas on what the future of the two facilities should look like. Residents are also invited to fill out a community survey.

    “Would it be one facility that’s one building with dual entrances? It’s really up to the community to provide that type of input,” Smith said. “We then take that information back to the architect who’s been an integral part of this planning process.”

    Lifelong St. Pete resident Cheryl Holliday says she wants to see more resources and programming for seniors at the new center.

    “My vision is to see more services for seniors, more services for kids so they can stay out of trouble,” she said.

    After gathering input, the city will move forward with securing funding. Smith says they plan to pull from federal and state funds, as well as local tax dollars. The Davis center sits within the South St. Pete CRA, which makes it eligible for tax increment funding.

    Smith estimates the project could take three years. 

    The project team includes Place Architecture, Late Flato, Dix.Hite, and 720 design.

    Angie Angers

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  • ACC schools eye scheduling, TV viewership to bump up bottom line

    Mike Norvell got everything he wanted with his Florida State team opening against tradition-rich Alabama — and winning — on network television.

    “We’re going to play an aggressive schedule,” the coach said. “We want those showcase games.”

    What You Need To Know

    • The Atlantic Coast Conference launched a revenue-distribution model that factors in viewership in football and men’s basketball for this season

    • The new system distributes 60% of league TV money based on a five-year rolling viewership formula; the other 40% goes equally to all league schools

    • Duke coach Manny Diaz says schools have to look closely at scheduling as they chase “opportunities now to be seen”

    • The change comes after a March settlement of lawsuits between the league and member schools Clemson and Florida State

    They pay off more than ever in the Atlantic Coast Conference, too.

    The league now incorporates TV viewership into its revenue-distribution plan for member schools. That means teams playing in high-ratings matchups profit beyond the typical payouts from the ACC’s media rights deal — a departure from decades of equal distribution — as schools seek additional revenue streams now that they can pay athletes directly.

    That is forcing coaches and administrators to rethink scheduling. Chase better nonconference matchups? Play Friday nights with less competition in other time slots?

    It’s all part of the discussion, even once-marginalized details.

    “You have to,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “You’re looking for opportunities now to be seen.”

    The plan

    The change launched from a March legal settlement, which ended a barrage of lawsuits between the league and member schools Florida State and Clemson tied largely to costs for schools to potentially leave the ACC.

    This is the first year with the league distributing 60% of TV revenue based on a rolling five-year viewership formula, with the remaining 40% dispersed equally among schools. Football represents 75% of that viewership payout and men’s basketball 25% as the top revenue-driving sports.

    Additionally, a person with knowledge of the plan told The Associated Press that the current year carries 35% of the value in the five-year formula; the previous four years combine at lower weights for the remaining 65%. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t publicly discussed all model details.

    That means strong TV numbers could reverberate for years. It’s similar to units earned by school victories in the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, which pay out for six years to offer compounding value.

    The league’s marquee brands, such as FSU, Clemson and Miami in football or Duke and Louisville in men’s basketball, are poised to profit.

    North Carolina could benefit on both fronts. Beyond their tradition-rich men’s basketball program with six NCAA titles, the Tar Heels have a football spotlight with six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick as their first-year coach.

    Athletic director Bubba Cunningham said internal estimates of the potential impact offered a simple conclusion.

    “We will get more money because of our media interest as we go forward, yes,” he said.

    ‘Control what we can control’

    The ACC got off to a quality start under the new model.

    Broadcasters ESPN and ABC announced their best Week 1 on record earlier this month. The top six games featured ACC teams, headlined on ABC by now-No. 4 Miami beating now-No. 24 Notre Dame (10.8 million viewers), now-No. 7 FSU’s win over now-No. 14 Alabama (10.7 million) and Clemson’s loss to now-No. 3 LSU (10.4 million).

    Then came ESPN broadcasts of UNC’s loss to TCU in Belichick’s Labor Day debut (6.1 million), Virginia Tech’s Sunday loss to South Carolina (5.4 million) and now-No. 18 Georgia Tech’s Friday win at Colorado (3.7 million).

    Those games will factor into league payouts through the 2029 season before dropping out of the five-year rolling formula.

    Scheduling nonconference football games typically goes years into the future, and there’s always the possibility the ACC changes its eight-game league schedule as other power conferences go to nine to shrink the number of nonconference openings.

    Yet the incentive to schedule must-watch matchups would remain.

    “Ultimately,” Norvell said, “we’ve got to control what we can control in the process of it.”

    Strategic discussions

    Clemson athletic director Graham Neff understands that well.

    The Tigers have two football national championships and nine ACC titles under Dabo Swinney, while men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell is the league’s longest-tenured coach and led Clemson to the Elite Eight two seasons ago. So the school was already chasing brand-publicizing opportunities like its 12-year football deal with Notre Dame starting in 2027 or its men’s basketball’s invitation to the prestigious Thanksgiving-week Maui Invitational in Hawaii next season.

    “TV viewership and the finances that drives is now more than ever part of that conversation,” Neff said. “It’s just not necessarily the driver of that conversation.”

    Still, Neff called the change to the revenue-distribution model “really innovative” and said he’s pleased to see how scheduling strategies have been at the forefront of league conversations. He also pointed to another benefit: providing better games for ESPN, which has a media rights deal with the ACC through 2036 that includes the ACC Network.

    Neff called it a “positive partnership play.”

    “It incentivizes investment in those sports just for competitive success, but it provides great value back to our media partner in ESPN,” Neff said. “If now all decision-makers like ADs and coaches are more frontal lobe about scheduling and prominent matchups and TV slots and days, in theory that’s more strategy and providing more value as a league to ESPN.”

    Revamped revenue

    The viewership wrinkle is one of multiple moves in the ACC’s yearslong fight to counter a revenue gap behind the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. Notably, the league launched its “success initiative” last year allowing schools to keep money generated by their postseason success.

    That plan could mean $20 million to $25 million more per school in a big year. And at the time of the legal settlement, a person familiar with the situation told the AP that the upside of the viewership-model change could be $15 million or more for top-earning schools, and potentially about $7 million less for others.

    Both changes accomplished a similar goal for Commissioner Jim Phillips: The additional money would theoretically be accessible to any league member, incentivizing a school to field a program that viewers want to watch because of its elevated success.

    “I think everyone understands now that we don’t say this is a business under our breath anymore,” Diaz said. “We recognize this is a legit business. So to me, whatever’s good for the business of Duke football or Duke athletics or college football in general, everybody’s got to be on board to do those things.”

    Associated Press

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