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Tag: VOD

  • Red flags for teen dating violence: UNCG student shares her story

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — Teen dating violence often begins with behaviors that may seem small at first — jealousy, pressure or attempts to control a partner. However, experts say those warning signs can quickly escalate into emotional, physical or sexual abuse. 

        What You Need To Know

    • Teen dating violence often begins with behaviors that may seem small at first — jealousy, pressure or attempts to control a partner — but experts say those warning signs can quickly escalate into emotional, physical or sexual abuse

    • For University of North Carolina at Greensboro senior Elizabeth Dorton, those red flags appeared when she was just 15

    • The FBI found 73% of abusive teen relationships involved a boyfriend and girlfriend
    • Simple assault was the most commonly reported offense among victims 15 and older, while rape was most frequently reported among victims 14  and younger
    • If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship, help is available through local crisis centers and the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)


    For University of North Carolina at Greensboro senior Elizabeth Dorton, those red flags appeared when she was just 15.

    Sitting on a bench on campus, Dorton shared a story she has rarely spoken about publicly. What started as a friendship with a fellow robotics teammate during high school soon turned into something more.

    “I was on a robotics team, it was somebody who was also on the team,” Dorton said. “Our friendship started there, and then it turned into more than just a regular friendship.”

    She said jealousy and isolation quickly followed.

    Dorton recalled repeated threats tied to something as simple as wanting a septum piercing.

    “He consistently told me if I had ever gotten that specific piercing, he would take, like the nine volt battery and hold it up, which closes the circuit and then it’s like an electrical current runs through it,” Dorton said.

    She said the threats eventually escalated into sexual violence, leaving her feeling trapped and alone.

    “Even though because I was never hit, that doesn’t mean that I deserved any of that … and it wasn’t my fault that that happened,” Dorton said.

    According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, nationwide data from 2020 through 2024 shows more than three-quarters of victims in violent teen relationships were female, accounting for 79.2% of reported cases.

    The report also found 73% of abusive teen relationships involved a boyfriend and girlfriend. Simple assault was the most commonly reported offense among victims 15 and older, while rape was most frequently reported among victims 14 and younger.

    Sydney Wray, a trauma therapist with House of Sparrow Counseling, said sexual coercion, emotional manipulation and digital monitoring are among the most common forms of abuse she sees in teens.

    “Studies have shown that an abusive relationship, both in teens and adults, the victim’s brain mimics a drug addiction, so in a lot of ways they’re addicted to their abuser,” Wray said.

    She said parents play a critical role in prevention by creating safe spaces for teens to speak openly about their struggles.

    “Make sure that you just provide them non-judgmental support and show them what healthy love looks like,” Wray said.

    Dorton said therapy helped her understand the relationship was unhealthy. She said she didn’t tell her parents about the abuse until two years after it ended.

    “I was scared that they would be upset with me or that I would get in trouble for some reason,” Dorton said.

    By sharing her experience, Dorton hopes other teens recognize the warning signs sooner and know they have options.

    “Once you recognize, maybe this is not what I want or this is not like how we used to be, that’s the first step. The next step is knowing that you can leave, you can go,” Dorton said.

    Mental health professionals say parents should watch for warning signs including teens constantly checking their phones, withdrawing from friends or family, or appearing fearful of upsetting a partner.

    “One of the biggest warning signs that your teen is in an abusive relationship or an unhealthy relationship is the constantly checking their phone or worrying about their partner and saying, I don’t want to do this or I can’t do that. Not wanting to see friends, not wanting to see family, isolating themselves, staying in their room,” Wray said.

    If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or unsafe relationship, help is available through local crisis centers and the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). 

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

     

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    Ashley Van Havere

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  • Political Connections Florida February 26 2026

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    The Florida legislature has approved a bill that strengthens the rules about candidates swapping parties and a bill creating a remembrance day for political activist Charlie Kirk is one step closer to becoming law.


    Bill clarifying party affiliation requirements for candidates passes both chambers

    The Florida legislature has approved a bill that strengthens the rules about candidates swapping parties ahead of political races.

    That measure passed with flying colors in both the Florida House and Senate.

    In a nutshell, it requires some allegiance to a party before ever running as a partisan candidate.

    “This ensures transparency for the voters to know who they are really voting for,” said State Sen. Kristen Arrington, D-Kissimmee.

    House Bill 91 is now ready for Gov. Ron DeSantis’ final consideration.

    It tightens a long-standing rule that requires party affiliation for at least 365 consecutive days prior to the candidate qualifying period.

    “When we put a party ID on a ballot, it should mean that you’re a person who’s a member of that party, has been a committed member of that party,” said Florida Republican Party Chair Evan Power.

    The bill is essentially designed to address two key issues.

    “One — individuals who changed their party affiliation for convenience a few days before an election, and secondly… those who changed their name in order to disguise their background,” said State Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Pensacola.

    It creates a pathway for candidates to challenge someone in court if they fail to meet the requirement.

    “That is an opportunity that we will have as a state party, to hold that individual accountable and make sure that the election process is done in a correct and fair manner,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried.

    This bill will go into effect immediately if and when DeSantis signs it, meaning it could shape this year’s upcoming election.

    Bill to create remembrance day for Charlie Kirk presses forward

    The bill creating a remembrance day for political activist Charlie Kirk is one step closer to becoming law as the Florida House approved the measure 82 to 31.

    If signed into law, the day of remembrance would fall on Oct. 14, Kirk’s birthday.

    The bill sparked a lot of debate on the House floor.

    Democratic State Rep. Ashley Viola Gantt argued Kirk had zero ties to Florida and offered a new take on how his assassination should be viewed.

    “If we want to talk about free speech, let’s talk about being precise with our words. When we hear assassination, that’s typically related to a person and a political position. Charlie Kirk died from gun violence. We continuously advocate for gun policies, legislation that would ensure that people who probably shouldn’t have a gun, don’t have a gun,” Viola Gantt said. “So was his passing tragic for those who love him. Absolutely, there’s no denying that. But he was not assassinated and words being accurate matters. It was a death by gun violence, that is an issue here in the country that we should all be on the same page of addressing.”

    Supporters argued Kirk should be honored for promoting respectful debate.

    Republican State Rep. Chase Traymont said those against this measure simply don’t want it because Kirk did not validate their views.

    “The refusal to embrace the true meaning of tolerance is what has led to so many people being intolerant of this particular man who not only refused to validate your ideas, but actually dared to challenge those ideas,” Traymont said. “Not through violence, not through protesting, not through boycotting, not through cancellation. He challenged it through civil conversation. Let’s have a conversation. Let’s talk it. That’s what he said, and that’s what he did. This day of remembrance isn’t about demanding agreement — it’s about defending that conversation, and that conversation should always trump confrontation.”

    The Florida Senate companion bill is on its second reading.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • St. Pete wants to expand the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A St. Petersburg City Council committee took the first steps on Thursday to potentially give voters the chance in November to approve an expansion of the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub.

    What You Need To Know

    • A St. Pete City Council committee unanimously approved ballot language for a 25-year lease for Hub 2 on Thursday

    • The city wants to expand the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub with a new $30M facility

    • Plans call for a 52,000 square foot research and collaboration facility which would be mostly funded by grants

    • The next step is a public hearing and council approval of an ordinance, which would trigger the referendum to be on the November ballot


    “Our port is a unique asset,” said Alison Barlow, Innovation District CEO. “We want to capitalize on that.”

    The new facility, Hub 2, would cost $30 million and be constructed on a parking lot just west of the current building at 450 8th Avenue Southeast, which opened in 2022. The city must seek voter approval to lease the land, which is a requirement for public waterfront property development.

    Plans call for a 52,000 square foot research and collaboration facility. The current capacity of the Hub is about 32,000 square feet. Hub 2 would feature communal workspaces, a waterfront connection to the Port of St. Petersburg, a rooftop terrace and a lobby with the only NOAA 360 sphere in Florida, according to Barlow.

    “It uses high-tech cameras and shows different weather patterns,” Barlow said. “You can do different storytelling. You can do all kinds of really neat educational programs.”

    The city’s Economic and Workforce Development Committee unanimously approved a 25-year lease for the ballot on Thursday, aligning port facilities with neighboring Albert Whitted Airport. Council Member Gina Driscoll chairs the committee, and the Hub is located in her district. Driscoll called it a tremendous opportunity to expand the marine science sector.

    “This is going to create jobs,” she said. “It’s going to bring new companies here, new research, and it’s going to help the companies that we do have here to be able to expand and stay in St. Petersburg.”

    The average salary for full-time employees at the Hub is $91,500. Driscoll said the City Council must take a few more steps to place the referendum on the 2026 ballot.

    “Next, this item will go to a public hearing,” she said. “If this passes as an ordinance, the ordinance triggers the referendum, and it will be on the ballot in November.”

    Barlow said the Innovation District only plans to ask voters to approve the lease, as she expects to pay for Hub 2 with multiple grants and some tenant investment.

    “That is our goal,” she said. “Maybe some private investment.”

    Peyton Donald and Ashley Player were one of the first startups to move their business, Seven Serpents, into the Hub in 2022. Seven Serpents is just one of 20 businesses packed into the Hub, which includes SubUAS and Pole Star Defense.

    Donald is the president of Seven Serpents, which offers training for special forces in the U.S. military, and said more space is desperately needed

    “It’s a great environment to work. Unfortunately, there’s not enough individualized space for all of the companies,” he said. “There’s not enough facilities here in the St. Pete area. We’ve searched all over the place.”

    Player is the company’s vice president and said it has taken Seven Serpents years to expand into bigger spaces at the Hub.

    “We started out in the co-working space. So hot desking,” she said. “Then we moved into this office, which was a nice change. And we’re about to move into a bigger office.”

    The only space currently available at the HUB is a 10 by 10 office, according to Barlow.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Sprowls Horizon Sports Park hosts its grand opening this weekend

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Sprowls Horizon Sports Park in Pinellas Park is hosting its grand opening this weekend after years of planning. 

    The complex has six baseball and softball fields, a field hockey rink, a playground and more.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sprowls Horizon Sports Park is home to baseball and softball fields, a multi-purpose field, a field hockey rink and more

    • Sprowls Horizon Sports Park General Manager Michael Nielsen said the park will bring in 160,000 people a year

    • The baseball and softball fields are booked every weekend through the end of 2026

    Baseball coaches like Sean Rodriguez are thrilled that the kids they coach will have the opportunity to play at the park. 

    “To say they got to experience their youth on fields like this, it’s going to make it that much more memorable,” he said. 

    Rodriguez is a co-owner of R3 — With God No Fear. 

    He had a 13-year major league baseball career, including spending 2010 through 2014 with the Rays.  

    Rodriguez said they’ve been looking for fields where they could consistently practice for three years. 

    This sports park is giving them exactly what they’ve been looking for. 

    “I was walking and just messing around with some of my parents, and they were like, man, this is beautiful,” he said. “I was like, yeah, I’m trying to find Jesus because this has got to be heaven.”

    Pinellas Park Community Development Administrator Nick Colonna said the park will be an anchor for the city.

    “We offer good food,” he said about the city. “We offer great manufacturing base. We offer a lot of great retail. We offer farms. We offer a lot. Now, we offer a regional sports complex that brings in people that have never seen the region and the city.” 

    Sprowls Horizon Sports Park General Manager Michael Nielsen said the park will bring in 160,000 people a year. 

    The park is already booked every weekend through the end of 2026.

    “With tournaments every single weekend, including national and regional, and local tournaments, you have people coming from Delaware, Colorado, California, all to see this wonderful city, but also highlighting something for the local community and bringing in people from Tampa or even Lakeland to enjoy the site,” he said.  

    There will be a ribbon-cutting on Saturday to recognize the opening of the park. 

    The park will open at noon every day. 

    Nielsen said rental for the baseball and softball fields is $90 per hour.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Attorney asks Stetson Law School to denounce Pam Bondi

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is under fire about the way she handled the Epstein file release. And the people speaking out are some of her fellow attorneys and judges who are alumni of Stetson Law School.

    What You Need To Know

    • Attorney General Pam Bondi faces criticism for her handling of the Epstein file release

    • Stetson Law alumni, including judges and attorneys, call for the school to denounce Bondi

    • A letter initiated by attorney Johnny Bardine has gathered hundreds of signatures

    In a letter written to Stetson Law School officials, Bondi’s ethics were called into question and it asks the school to publicly denounce her.

    Like Bondi, attorney Johnny Bardine is a graduate of Stetson Law. He’s also the author of the letter that’s garnered about four hundred signatures and counting.

    “I was surprised by how many there were in a short amount of time,” he said. “We count among our numbers three retired members of the judiciary and a former county commissioner and hundreds more attorneys that span political differences.”

    He read part of the letter that was sent out on Feb. 23, 2026:

    “We write to you with grave concern about the conduct of one of our most prominent graduates, Pam Bondi,” he read.

    In the letter, attorney Bardine asks the law school to issue a public statement reaffirming the college of law’s commitment to ethical practice, transparency and the rule of law. It also requests the school to express formal disapproval of Bondi’s actions and to support efforts to hold positions of legal authority to the highest ethical standards.

    Bardine said there were several tense moments during a congressional hearing where Bondi testified.

    “You don’t tell me anything you washed up loser lawyer. You’re not even a lawyer,” Bondi said while being questioned in that hearing. “I have spent my entire career fighting for victims, and I will continue to do so. I am deeply sorry for what any victim has been through. Especially as a result of that monster.”

    Bardine says Bondi’s words didn’t appear to match her actions. There were several tense moments during the hearing, but there was a moment Bardine said he knew he had to say and do something.

    “In particular, in that testimony there was the moment in which she wouldn’t turn around and acknowledge the Epstein survivors and the sort of glib look on her face really struck a chord which is sort of immediately empathetical to the Florida oath of attorney which requires we handle ourselves with ethics and candor,” Bardine said.

    President Trump came to Bondi’s defense the day after the hearing in a Truth Social post saying she was under intense fire and was fantastic at the hearing on the never-ending saga of Jeffrey Epstien.

    Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds told Spectrum Bay News 9’s partners at the Tampa Bay Times Bondi did the best she could with millions of pages of documents. He said the messaging kind of got a little off, but the files are out there.

    As an attorney and a Stetson Law graduate, Bardine says more is expected from anyone who took the oath.

    “At a minimum, attorneys are trusted to follow the law, and not one attorney is above the law. And prior to her testimony she had fallen short of the law. She’d been dilatory releasing these files and when she did, they were sloppily redacted,” Bardine said.

    At a 2013 Stetson Law School graduation, Bondi delivered a speech to graduates with a message about ethics and the law.

    “The value of Stetson is so much more than the degree you’re about to receive. My studies at Stetson taught me to understand, respect and love the law and speak up for what’s right,” Bondi said in that speech.

    The message she gave to students about doing the right thing is what Bardine said his letter is calling on Stetson administrators to do.

    “In a perfect world, I think the dean makes a statement that says this is not who we are. This is not who we stand for. Stetson has a long legacy of prizing ethical conduct and professional responsibility,” Bardine said.

    Spectrum News reached out to Stetson Law School about the letter that’s asking them to denounce Bondi, and they said they have no comment. Spectrum News is also still waiting to hear back from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. As for Bardine, he says he plans to continue collecting signatures and press officials at Stetson.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Veteran students hope for changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Logan Cappelli is a Coast Guard veteran and also a student at St. Pete College in Pinellas County and thanks to the Post-9/11 GI Bill, or Chapter 33, Cappelli has had the financial support he needed to attend SPC since 2024.  

    What You Need To Know

    • HR 1965, better known as, The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act, was introduced to legislation in early March 2025 

    • The bill would raise stipend amounts to $1,400 for books and supplies. The program is estimated to assist almost 1 million participants with $13.4 billion in benefits 

    • The amount of money provided through this stipend has not changed since 2009; the new stipend raise will respond to changing inflation and costs for tuition

    • Current Post-9/11 GI Bill regulations require veterans to take at least one in-person class to receive full benefits, a rule veteran students like Logan Cappelli find outdated as programs shift online


    Focused on providing needed benefits to eligible service members and veterans who served on or after the events of September 11, 2001, it supports veterans by paying tuition, offering a book stipend, and a living expense stipend.

    “It definitely pays for a lot of things that I wouldn’t be able to pay for,” Cappelli said.

    However, the GI Bill isn’t perfect, and Capelli said many parts feel outdated or tied to regulations that aren’t realistic anymore. That includes the requirement to take at least one in-person class to keep GI benefits.

    Many of Cappelli’s classes for his major are offered virtually online.

    “I ran into a problem in the summer where I couldn’t take any classes because none of them were going to be in person,” said Cappelli. 

    Additionally, Cappelli thinks stipends for education support need to provide more money to keep up with rising costs.

    The Post-9/11 GI Bill book stipend has stayed at $1,000 since 2009. But with an inflation increase of over 50 percent the last 17 years, that money is now worth a total of $1,500.

    “One textbook could be $300 or more just for one textbook,” Cappelli said. “So, I definitely don’t think that it’s kept up with modern times. Nor do I think I’d be able to afford my Wacom tablet with it.”

    That’s what New Mexico Rep. Gabe Vasquez wanted to target when he introduced the Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act in 2025. The new legislation would raise the book and supplies stipend to $1,400 and tie future adjustments to inflation.

    He sent Spectrum News the following statement:

    “Currently, the GI Bill’s annual book stipend no longer reflects today’s costs and falls woefully short of meeting the financial needs of our veterans today. At a time when millions of veterans are already working to make ends meet, Congress should not allow outdated policy to become yet another barrier to their success.”

    SPC Veteran Student Advisor, Trevor McGilvery, said a vast majority of veterans at the college in Pinellas County use the GI Bill for education assistance.  

    He said this potential increase could make a big difference for many veterans or service members looking to go back to school.

    “The last thing I want any of my students to have to do is take out a loan to pay for books or a computer or any of their mandatory educational supplies when the GI Bill, its original purpose was to ensure that they didn’t have to do that,” McGilvery said. 

    Spectrum News reached out to the Department of Veterans Affairs as well. They directed us to their testimony to the House committee last summer, which stated:

    “While this stipend has remained constant since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was initially enacted in 2009, the cost of books has increased every year. Thus, VA fully supports an annual adjustment to the stipend, similar to the adjustments that are made for tuition and fees payments.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Florida Strawberry Festival 2026: Dates, entertainment, food and more

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. — The 91st annual Florida Strawberry Festival will make its return to Plant City on Thursday. Guests can celebrate the history of the Florida strawberry while enjoying plenty of entertainment, rides, agriculture, fine arts and food — including the St. Clement “Make Your Own” Shortcake Booth.

    Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival.

    What You Need To Know

    • View the guide to the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival below
    • Follow Spectrum Bay News 9 for coverage and download our app to track the weather before heading out


    When is the Florida Strawberry Festival? ⏰

    The Florida Strawberry Festival is scheduled to take place from Feb. 26 through March 8.

    Festival Hours:

    Administrative Office:
    Open Daily

    Amscot Main Ticket Gate, Gate 1:
    Open Daily

    Solution Source Construction Box Office Hours:
    Open Daily

    Midway Hours:

    SUN ‘n FUN Kiddie Korral:
    Open Daily

    Tuesday-Friday:

    • 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (*On Friday, March 6, Midway closes just before 10 p.m. and reopens from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. for Moonlight Magic. Moonlight Magic wristband purchased for $30 includes gate admission.)

    Weekends & Monday:

    Ticket Prices 🎟️

    • Adults (ages 13+): $15
    • Children (ages 6-12): $5
    • Children (ages 5 and under): Free with paid adult admission

    Discount Gate Admission:

    (Available Feb. 1 through March 8 at these participating Publix Super Market stores throughout Central Florida.)

    • Adults (ages 13+): $10
    • Children (ages 6-12): $4
    • Children (ages 5 and under): FREE with paid adult admission

    Purchase tickets for the Florida Strawberry Festival.

    Special Days and Discounts 🍓

    THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2026

    Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day | Lazydays RV Ride-A-Thon Day

    Patrons 60 years of age or older will be admitted at a discounted gate admission ticket for $10. From noon – 11 p.m. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $25 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. Visit the Lazydays RV display on the festival grounds to receive a $5 off voucher. Take this voucher to any Midway ticket booth to receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for this one low price of $20. Vouchers will be available at the Lazydays RV display on Feb. 26 and March 5.

     

    FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2026

    Publix Food & Fun Friday | Special Smiles Day

    Present any Publix branded or GreenWise non-perishable and receive a voucher for $5 off the $30 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $25. Special Smiles Day is sponsored by Rotary Club of Plant City and welcomes all individuals with special needs from 9 a.m. to noon. This unique event is reserved for celebrating and serving our most treasured guests in a safe, fun and sensory considerate environment. All Special Smiles attendees and one companion will be admitted FREE. Entry at Gate 5.

     

    SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026

    Mid Florida Credit Union Free Kids Day | Circle K Super Saturday Wristband Day

    Kids through high school age admitted FREE. Just stop by any Festival ticket booth and receive a complimentary voucher on this special day. From 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Present a Circle K register receipt and receive $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $30. One receipt required per wristband.

     

    SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST, 2026

    Coca-Cola Family Day

    Present any empty Coca-Cola brand can or plastic bottle product at the entry gate to receive a voucher for $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. for only $30. One voucher required per wristband. Can or bottle is not valid for gate admission. Only one can per person.

     

    MONDAY, MARCH 2ND, 2026

    TITAN’s Grand Parade Day | Chick-fil-A Ride-A-Thon Day

    Grand parade begins at 1 p.m. and passes by Festival grounds at approximately 2 p.m. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. – Present a Chick-fil-A register receipt or any proof of purchase and receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $20. Home Depot Kid’s Workshop starts at 3 p.m. located near The Bank of Tampa Berry Big Wheel.

     

    TUESDAY, MARCH 3RD, 2026

    Tampa Bay History Center TWOSDAY | FREE Kids Day

    All kids up to age 17 are admitted free with a paid Adult. From noon – 11 p.m. Ride any single ride for only $2 or ride all day with a $25 wristband.

     

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4TH, 2026

    Grow Financial American Heroes Day | Hungry Howie’s Ride-A-Thon Day

    All active, reserve, and retired military veterans, law enforcement, first responders and healthcare professionals are admitted free with valid ID. Ride-A-Thon from noon – 11 p.m. Present a Hungry Howie’s register receipt or any proof of purchase and receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $20.

     

    THURSDAY, MARCH 5TH, 2026

    Florida Blue Senior Citizens Day | Lazydays RV Ride-A-Thon Day

    Patrons 60 years of age or older will be admitted at a discounted gate admission ticket for $10. From noon – 11 p.m. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $25 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price. Visit the Lazydays RV display on the festival grounds to receive a $5 off voucher. Take this voucher to any Midway ticket booth to receive $5 off the $25 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for this one low price of $20. Vouchers will be available at the Lazydays RV display on Feb. 26 and March 5.

     

    FRIDAY, MARCH 6TH, 2026

    Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway | Moonlight Magic Night

    The Tampa Bay Times Day on the Midway noon -10 p.m. Receive $5 off the $30 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $25. Moonlight Magic – Ride most mechanical rides for one special price of $30 per person. All patrons entering the Midway will be required to purchase a $30 wristband., 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.

     

    SATURDAY, MARCH 7TH, 2026

    Farm Worker Appreciation Day sponsored by Astin Farms | Circle K Super Saturday Wristband Day

    Farmworkers receive free admission with a voucher from Astin Farms. Super Saturday Wristband Day from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Present a Circle K register receipt and receive $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides for only $30.

     

    SUNDAY, MARCH 8TH, 2026

    Coca-Cola Family Day

    Present any empty Coca-Cola brand can or plastic bottle product at entry gate to receive a voucher for $5 off the $35 wristband and ride most mechanical rides from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. for only $30. Can or bottle is not valid for gate admission.

    Information provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival

    Location 🗺️

    The Florida Strawberry Festival is located at 2209 W. Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563.

    Festival Parking 🚗

    There are 11 festival parking lots (cash only) surrounding the grounds. These are manned by local churches and nonprofit organizations who benefit from the profits. The lots are easily accessible to gates 1, 16, 14, 13, 10 and 5, depending on where the lot is located.

    • All festival lots are $10, including the Red, Gray, Pink, Purple, White, Tan, Yellow, Green, Orange and Magenta Parking Lot. Additional parking lots can be located off Ritter Street, Highway 92 or Highway 574.

    In the Red lot only:

    • Cars, pickup trucks and vans under 20 ft: $10 cash
    • Vehicles over 20 ft. to 39 ft.: $20 cash
    • Vehicles or buses over 40 ft.: $20 cash

    The T-Mobile tram runs daily from the Red parking lot to the Festival’s entry Gate 10 and 14 as well as the corner of BerryFest Place and Oak Avenue near Gate 1 and Gate 5. There will also be parking available in independent lots around the festival grounds.

    View additional information about directions and parking (including a parking map) for the Florida Strawberry Festival.

    Food 🍰

    The Florida Strawberry Festival is known for its variety of food options. Here are some highlights to expect this year, which include many new offerings such as the viral Strawberry Dubai funnel cake, and of course plenty more strawberry-themed treats:

    Fresh Strawberries:

    • Parkesdale Farms – South side of Parke Exhibit Building
    • Wish Farms – Northeast corner of Parke Exhibit Building and just outside Gate 1/ Amscot Main Ticket Gate

    World-Famous Strawberry Shortcake:

    • St. Clement “Make Your Own” Shortcake Booth – In the middle of the Parke Exhibit Building, next to the Parkesdale Farms booth
    • Transforming Life Church – Inside the Entenmann’s Strawberry Tent
    • East Historical Society Shortcake Booth – South of the TECO Expo Hall near Pioneer Village

    Strawberry shortcake station from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla. (Spectrum News)

    Strawberry shortcake station from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla. (Spectrum News)

    Here are some of the new foods that guests can enjoy at the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival:

    Strawberry BBQ Eggroll:

    • Double T Enterprises (formerly Piggy Palace, inside Gate 10)

    Strawberry Shortcake Snoball and Royal Strawberry Snoball:

    • Pelican’s Snoballs (on the west side of the Arthur Boring Civic Center)

    Penne Pickle Pasta:

    • Spaghetti Eddie’s (outside the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Pavilion)

    Hot Honey Apple Fries:

    • Crumpet Concessions (by the Central Florida Exterior Comfort Zone)

    Strawberry Decker:

    • Plant City High School Raider Regiment (inside the Stadium Exhibit Building)

    Strawberry Campfire Crunch Melt:

    • Sunshine Concessions (north of the Wish Farms Soundstage)

    Strawberry Crunch Funnel Cake:

    • Prowant Specialty (on the west side of the GT Grandstands)

    Strawberry Cinnamon Bun à la Mode:

    • Cinnamon Bun Saloon (south of the Parke Exhibit Building)

    Strawberry Crunch Nachos:

    • Sweet Missions (in the Softub Carriage House)

    Deep Fried Uncrustable:

    • Plant City Black Heritage Concessions (north of the Tampa Electric EXPO Hall)

    Poor Porker:

    • Sandy Ann’s Fried Pies (by the Stingray Chevrolet display)

    Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Slush:

    • Moose Joose Slush (outside the Tampa Electric Expo Hall)

    Dubai Chocolate Truffles with Pistachio Cream:

    • Orme’s Deep Fried Treats (near the Stingray Chevrolet display)

    Strawberry Dubai Funnel Cake:

    • Best Around Concessions (north of the BayCare Center)

    Strawberry Dubai funnel cake from the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Fla. (Spectrum News)


    Dubai Strawberry Chocolate Cups:

    • Super Crunch (inside the TECO Expo Hall)

    Chicken Teriyaki Mac and Cheese, White Cheddar Truffle Mac and Cheese and Buffalo Mac and Cheese:

    • Brody’s Mac & Cheese (west of the GT Grandstands)

    View additional details about food at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

    Headline Entertainment 🎶

    The Florida Strawberry Festival has been long known for its popular entertainment lineups. This year, attendees of all ages can expect to see dozens of performers take the stage. Some performances are free with the price of admission.

    Here is the 2026 Florida Strawberry Festival entertainment lineup:

    🍓DATE 🍓TIME 🍓LINEUP   🍓COST  
    Thursday, Feb 26 10:30 a.m. Jimmy Stuff & His Orchestra FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION
    Thursday, Feb 26 3:30 p.m. The Oak Ridge Boys $40
    Thursday, Feb 26 7:30 p.m. Alabama $65
    Friday, Feb 27 3:30 p.m. Jo Dee Messina $40
    Friday, Feb 27 7:30 p.m. Jamey Johnson $45
    Saturday, Feb 28 3:30 p.m. Lonestar $35
    Saturday, Feb 28 7:30 p.m. Ty Myers $50
    Sunday, March 1 6:30 p.m. Riley Green featuring Hannah McFarland $110
    Monday, March 2 3:30 p.m. Gene Watson $30
    Monday, March 2 7:30 p.m. Legends of Love featuring Brian McKnight, Ginuwine & Ruben Studdard $40
    Tuesday, March 3 3:30 p.m. Sandi Patty $30
    Tuesday, March 3 7:30 p.m. Lauren Daigle $70
    Wednesday, March 4 3:30 p.m. John Foster $25
    Wednesday, March 4 7:30 p.m. Brantley Gilbert $50
    Thursday, March 5 10:30 a.m. Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION
    Thursday, March 5 3:30 p.m. The Bellamy Brothers $30
    Thursday, March 5 7:30 p.m. Dierks Bentley $70
    Friday, March 6 3:30 p.m. The Marshall Tucker Band $35
    Friday, March 6 7:30 p.m. Forrest Frank $70
    Saturday, March 7 3:30 p.m. Pitbull Toddler FREE WITH PAID ADMISSION
    Saturday, March 7 7:30 p.m. The Offspring $70
    Sunday, March 8 7:30 p.m. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts $45

     

    View additional Florida Strawberry Festival entertainment details and tickets.

    On Grounds Entertainment 🎪

    The Florida Strawberry Festival has dozens of free on grounds entertainment, acts, and performers for all ages to enjoy.

    Here’s the schedule of events:

    EVENT TIMES
    Granpa Cratchet Daily at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. & 7 p.m., Puppet Mobile Daily at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
    K9s in Flight Daily at 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.
    Rannels Rustic Wood Carving Show Daily at 11:30 a.m.,1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.
    Robinson’s Racing Pigs Daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. 
    “Mr. & Miss Berry” Daily at 11- 11:30 a.m., 3:30-4 p.m. & 5:30- 6 p.m.
    Gizmo D Robot Daily at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
    & 6 p.m.
    Runa Pacha Daily at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.
    Kids Coloring Corner Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Pretty Bird Paradise Daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    The Berry Big Wheel Celebrating America’s 250 Daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. *Ticket required to ride.

    Information provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival

    View more free entertainment at the Florida Strawberry Festival.

    Florida Strawberry Festival official mascots, Mr. & Miss Berry (Courtesy of Florida Strawberry Festival)

    Agriculture 🐮

    The Florida Strawberry Festival will hold livestock shows each day, which give youth the opportunity to showcase the animals and plants they have been raising for months, some even years. Animals in the shows include cows, sheep, pigs, rabbits and chickens.

    Here is this year’s livestock show schedule:

    EXHIBIT TIME DATE LOCATION
    Poultry & Rabbit Exhibit Days   ALL DAYS Astin Pavilion
    Swine Exhibit Days   Thursday, Feb 26 -Friday, Feb 27 Astin Pavilion
    – Swine Show (Mosaic) 6 p.m. Thurday, Feb 26  
    – Swine Sale (Mosaic) 6 p.m. Friday, Feb 27  
    Dairy Animal Exhibit Days   Friday, Feb 27 – Sunday, March 1 Astin Pavilion
    – Dairy Judging Contest 1 p.m. Friday, Feb 27  
    – Dairy Showmanship 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb 28  
    – Dairy Show 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb 28  
    – Dairy Adult Showmanship 11 a.m. Sunday, March 1  
    – Dairy pee Wee Showmanship 11:30 a.m. Sunday, March 1  
    – Dairy Costume Ball 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1  
    Plant Exhibit Days   Sunday, March 1 Swindle Pavilion
    – Plant Silent Auction 11 a.m. –
    1 p.m.    		 Sunday, March 1  
    – Plant Sale 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1  
    Lamb Exhibit Days   Monday, March 2 – Tuesday, March 3 Swindle Pavilion
    – Lamb Jumping Contest 3 p.m. Monday, March 2  
    – Lamb Costume Contest 7 p.m. Monday, March 2  
    – Lamb Showmanship 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 3  
    – Lamb Show 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3  
    Steer Exhibit Days   Wednesday, March 4 – Friday, March 6 Astin Pavilion
    – Steer Show (Mosaic) 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 4  
    – Steer Sale (Mosaic) 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5  
    – Steer Showmanship (Mosaic) 6 p.m. Friday, March 6  
    Beef Animal Exhibit Days   Saturday, March 7 – Sunday, March 8 Swindle Pavilion
    – Beef Breeds Showmanship 6 p.m. Saturday, March 7  
    – Beef Breeds Show 11 a.m. Sunday, March 8  
    Livestock Judging 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7 (Registration – 9 a.m.)  

    *All shows and sales are held in the Patterson Arena located in the Grimes Family Agriculture Center
    Information provided by the Florida Strawberry Festival

    Festival App 📱

    The Florida Strawberry Festival has a mobile app where visitors can access food locations, event schedules, the grounds map and more. Guests can also purchase and download gate admission and headline entertainment concert tickets to their mobile wallets. The app is available on Apple iOS and Google Play.

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  • 8 takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address

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    WASHINGTON — In his first State of the Union address of his second term, President Donald Trump on Tuesday night declared that “our nation is back — bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before.” He also proclaimed that the state of the nation is “strong.”

    Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress — at 108 minutes, a new record long for a State of the Union — touched on a wide range of topics, including the economy, immigration, foreign affairs and the country’s upcoming 250th anniversary. At times, he lashed out at congressional Democrats for not applauding his policies, while Republicans cheered on the president at every turn.

    Here are eight takeaways from the address. For an in-depth recap, visit Spectrum News’ live blog.

    Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., reacts as President Donald Trump gives his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

    Trump defends immigration crackdown, clashes with Dems in attendance

    The president took several opportunities to highlight what his administration has done to reduce illegal immigration. He contended that “zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States” over the past nine months through the border.  

    Trump later asked attendees to stand if they believed “the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens” and condemned Democrats for not showing their approval for the statement.  

    “You should be ashamed of yourselves for not standing up,” Trump said. “That is why I’m also asking you to end deadly sanctuary cities that protect the criminals and enact serious penalties for public officials who block the removal of criminal aliens — in many cases, drug lords, murderers all over our country.” 

    Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was at one point shown pointing her finger back at Trump and appearing to say, “You should be ashamed” in response.  

    Trump blames Democrats for affordability concerns

    After blaming former President Joe Biden for inflation, Trump put the onus on Democrats for affordability concerns.

    “You caused that problem,” Trump said to Democrats, prompting Republican lawmakers to stand and applaud. 

     He called Democratic-led criticism about affordability a “dirty, rotten lie.” 

    The president touted his economic record over the last year. He said inflation has fallen to its lowest level in more than five years, dropping to 1.7% in the last quarter of 2025. He also said gas prices had fallen to below $2 per gallon in some parts of the country. 

     He took credit for declining mortgage rates and a rising stock market.  

    Trump calls Supreme Court tariff decision ‘very unfortunate,’ pledges to use alternatives to impose import duties

    Trump took a measured tone when talking about the Supreme Court ruling issued Friday that invalidated his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping tariffs on most U.S. trading partners around the globe. 

     “Just four days ago, an unfortunate ruling from the United States Supreme Court. It just came down, very unfortunate ruling,” Trump said.  

    The language was strikingly different from how he described the decision, as well as the justices whom he had appointed and who ruled against his tariffs, in a news conference on the day the decision was announced. 

    Four justices were in attendance at the State of the Union: Chief Justice John Roberts, who authored Friday’s opinion, and Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett. Roberts and Barrett – along with Justice Neil Gorsuch – sided with liberal justices in ruling against Trump’s usage of IEEPA to levy the import duties.  

    Trump has said he plans to impose a 15% global tariff on top of existing import duties, and on Tuesday he contended that “congressional action will not be necessary.” One of the statutes that the Trump administration has said would be used to impose tariffs puts a 150-day cap on their implementation “unless extended by an Act of the Congress.” 

    President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

    President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

    Trump said tech companies will have to ‘provide for their own power needs’

    The president said his administration planned to address concerns over the amount of power used by data centers with a “unique strategy” to make tech companies construct their own electricity infrastructure.  

    “We’re telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs,” he said. “They can build their own power plants as part of their factory so that no one’s prices will go up, and in many cases, prices of electricity will go down for the community.”  

    The president noted that many Americans have been growing increasingly concerned about the power demands of companies involved in artificial intelligence.  

    Trump did not provide details about the logistics of the plan other than calling it a “new rate payer protection pledge.” 

    Trump says Iran has yet to say they will never have a nuclear weapon

    On Iran, Trump noted that his administration is currently in negotiations with the country’s leadership but said they have yet to say “those secret words” that they “will never have a nuclear weapon.” 

    Trump went on to say that his “preference” is to solve the situation with Iran through diplomacy but suggested other options are on the table if that doesn’t work. 

    “But one thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s No. 1 sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “Can’t let that happen.” 

    Trump has been urging Iran to make a nuclear deal with the U.S. and officials from both sides have been involved in talks in Geneva. The president responded to a reporter’s questions at an unrelated event last week by confirming that limited strikes against Iran were an option and has been sending U.S. resources to the area.  

    Trump’s comments on Iran came as he was talking about his efforts to end wars and usher in peace around the world. He started by touting his administration’s strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites this past summer. 

    Trump blames Democrats for partial shutdown of Department of Homeland Security

    As Democrats and Republicans continue to wrangle over immigration enforcement reform to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security, Trump blamed Democrats for the partial government shutdown, which was in its 11th day. 

    “They have closed the agency responsible for protecting Americans from terrorists and murderers,” Trump said.  

    He demanded the “full and immediate restoration of all funding” for DHS, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and “for helping people clean up their snow. We have no money because of the Democrats.” 

    The Northeast has been hit with blizzard conditions in recent days. FEMA helps reimburse local governments for snow removal costs during designated periods of record snowfall. 

    Shortly before the speech Tuesday, legislation to fund the department failed to advance in the Senate yet again as every Democrat present except Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted against it. There has been little sign of movement toward an agreement to reopen DHS since it shut down 10 days ago.

    Trump again expresses voter fraud claims, calls for new requirements

    The president used his address to reiterate his long-held and frequently mentioned qualms with elections in America while pressing lawmakers to pass a Republican bill seeking to implement new proof of citizenship and photo identification requirements to vote.  

    Without citing evidence, Trump claimed that “cheating is rampant” in U.S. elections before going on to call for all voters to show a photo ID and proof of citizenship to vote and an end to most voting by mail.  

    “Why would anybody not want voter ID? One reason: because they want to cheat,” Trump claimed, again without citing evidence.  

    He asserted such a prospect was widely popular, which comes as the White House has been sharing polling on the voter ID issue. 

    Republicans and Trump have been pushing a bill called the SAVE America Act that would require a person to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and “present an eligible photo identification document before voting.” It passed the House but faces a more difficult path in the Senate, where it would need some Democratic support to overcome the chamber’s filibuster rule.  

    Trump has long claimed there was fraud in the 2020 election despite audits, courts and the president’s former attorney general not finding evidence of widespread fraud. 

    President invokes America 250 to begin, conclude remarks

    In closing out his State of the Union, Trump returned to the theme that he focused on at the start of his remarks: the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.  

    “Less than five months from now, our country will celebrate an epic milestone in American history,” Trump said during the first few minutes of his speech.  

    The U.S. has planned a number of events this year to mark the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 

    “The revolution that began in 1776 has not ended,” Trump said in concluding his remarks. “It still continues because the flame of liberty and independence still burns in the heart of every American patriot, and our future will be bigger, better, brighter, bolder and more glorious than ever before.”

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Christina Santucci, Susan Carpenter, Maddie Gannon

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  • Crowded Republican field lines up to take on Democrat Don Davis

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    It’s a small group at the Nashville Exchange in Nash County on a Monday night, a little more than two weeks before the North Carolina primary election. But each person here is a dedicated Republican and an almost certain voter.

    What You Need To Know

    • Five Republicans are running in North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District primary

    • The district was recently redrawn to benefit the Republican Party

    • The winner of the Republican primary will challenge Democratic Rep. Don Davis


    They are hearing from two of the Republicans running in the state’s 1st Congressional District. It’s a race with national attention because the party thinks it can flip the seat red for the first time in more than 140 years.

    Issues in this district include farming, where tobacco is very prevalent, health care, there’s been a number of hospital closures, and poverty. While there’s been a decline in the poverty rate, eastern North Carolina has some of the highest rates in the state.

    There’s a flood of Republicans running in the primary, which is March 3. The number of candidates makes it hard to predict who could win.

    President Donald Trump, an influential voice in Republican primaries, has not endorsed a candidate.

    “He’s really proven over and over to be a kingmaker in Republican politics,” said East Carolina University political science professor Peter Francia. “If he had decided to endorse one of the candidates, then I think we would be able to say with a lot of confidence that that candidate had a really good chance of winning.”

    Related: A closer look at N.C.’s only toss-up congressional House race

    Of the five Republicans running, the candidate who’s probably received the most attention is Laurie Buckhout.

    Democratic Rep. Don Davis is seeking reelection in the 1st Congressional District. (AP File Photo/David Yeazell)

    She ran for the seat in 2024, losing to Democratic Rep. Don Davis by two points. Despite the loss she has name recognition. She’s a retired Army colonel who recently served as acting assistant secretary of war for cyber policy in the Trump administration.

    Asa Buck is the longtime sheriff of Carteret County and is well-known in parts of the district.

    State Sen. Bobby Hanig represents some of this U.S. House district in the General Assembly and runs a pool cleaning and maintenance business in Currituck.

    Eric Rouse is a construction business owner who lives in Kinston and is a Lenoir County commissioner.

    And Ashley-Nicole Russell is a family law attorney with offices throughout the state.

    “The high number of candidates means there’s always the potential that a candidate doesn’t reach 30%, and in that case we have a runoff,” Francia told Spectrum News 1. “But my suspicion is that there will be a candidate who exceeds 30%.”

    Spectrum News 1 spoke with a number of voters at a poll site in Nash County.

    “I’ve met Laurie a couple of different times and I feel like her service to our country and I know that she has worked for Trump and I believe she is dedicated and loyal,” said JoAnn Everette, who said she voted for Buckhout.

    “Reducing it down to the top two would have been Laurie Buckhout and Asa Buck. I consider both of them to be near equals in different categories,” said Jerry Barnes. “The deciding factor for me was based on who stood the best chance in beating Don Davis and I felt that was Asa Buck.”

    The winner of the Republican primary will take on Davis, who’s vying for his third term.

    Davis is arguably one of the most moderate Democrats in the U.S. House and has a record of winning in the district.

    This November could be Davis’ toughest election because Republicans in the state legislature recently redrew the district boundaries to heavily favor their party’s candidate. It was part of the rare move of mid-decade redistricting that a number of states have taken in the country, started by Texas at Trump’s urging.

    “In this new map I think any political expert would tell you that the Republicans have a very good chance of winning the district this time around,” Francia said about the new 1st Congressional District.

    The district is wide, stretching from the Virginia border to the Democratic area of Rocky Mount and now the Republican stronghold of the Outer Banks.

    “In the 40 years that we’ve lived here we’ve been redistricted a lot of times, so it’s just a matter of OK, what’s coming up next,” said Republican voter Cynthia Carpenter.

    With so many candidates in the Republican primary, this race could be close as the GOP smells a chance to flip a blue seat to try to keep control of the U.S. House in November.

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

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    Reuben Jones

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  • FFA grows in popularity while the farming industry faces challenges nationwide

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    TRIAD, N.C. — The student organization Future Farmers of America is growing in popularity. The program has more than one million participants nationwide and is celebrating National FFA Week this week, but it comes at a time when farming is facing its share of challenges. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The N.C. Chamber estimates agriculture alone has an $111 billion dollar impact on the state’s economy

    • N.C. has fifth largest FFA membership in the country

    • USDA: number of farms nationwide was at its lowest total in a century in 2024

    • U.S. Senate report: farming has the oldest workforce in the nation, with the average age being nearly 60 years old


    “People kind of don’t realize how big agriculture is,” said Makayla VanMeter, vice president for the senior team of the Davie County High School FFA.

    Agriculture is one of the leading industries in North Carolina. The N.C. Chamber estimates agriculture has an $111 billion impact on the state’s economy. Student leadership organizations like FFA are educating the next generation about the importance of this field.

    “I feel like a lot of people aren’t educated on things that happen in agriculture and how our food is produced and how our animals are handled,” said Lillian Ragan, northwest regional and chapter officer for the Davie County High School FFA. “I think that it’s just something important for everyone to know, whether you’re going into the industry or not.”

    Nearly 90 students participate in the FFA program at Davie County High School in Mocksville. The school has a greenhouse and a barn with a variety of livestock including cows, chickens and pigs. It all helps students learn about topics like animal science, horticulture and agricultural mechanics.

    “It just shows awareness of how deep agriculture is in Davie County, and that it’s not going to go away any time soon,” VanMeter said.

    In Randolph County, the Asheboro High School Zoo School has the only FFA chapter headquartered at a zoo. It’s home to 1,700 animals and 2,800 acres of land. Students are able to work alongside zoo employees on one-of-a-kind projects and take unique courses like animal behavior, zoology and natural resources.

    “When it comes to animals, [we have a] higher diversity, instead of cows, chickens, birds,” said Alex Soto, vice president of the Asheboro Zoo School FFA Chapter. “I get to look at alligators, polar bears and discuss things about those.”

    Both programs are part of more than 370 FFA chapters in 99 counties statewide.

    North Carolina has the fifth largest FFA membership nationwide at just under 49,000 members, but the program’s popularity comes at a time when the agriculture industry is facing challenges.

    A U.S. Department of Agriculture report shows the number of farms nationwide was at its lowest total in a century in 2024 at just under two million. It also shows the amount of acres of farmland has shrunk from 900 million in 2017 to 876 million acres in 2024.

    According to a U.S. Senate Committee on Aging report, farming has the oldest workforce in the nation, with the average age being nearly 60 years old. It shows 40% of U.S. farmland is owned by farmers who are 65 years or older. Experts believe the global population will increase to more than two billion by 2050. If that happens, the report says farmers will need to increase production by 70% to meet the demand. 

    “It’s hard for students to get into the agricultural industry because of the cost associated with it,” said Jesse Ledbetter, agricultural education teacher at Davie County High School. “It’s important for us, as teachers, to show them how they can be profitable and the opportunities through different types of niche markets.”

    Organizations like FFA are helping address these issues. The program prepares high school and middle school students for more than 350 careers in agriculture.

    “It teaches you work ethic,” Ledbetter said. “It teaches you time management. It teaches you how to be efficient and resourceful. I think that the goal of our program is to help those students in any career choice.”

    FFA has more than 794,000 alumni members across the country that help support and mentor current members.

    The Davie County High School FFA chapter will host a plant sale fundraiser at the school on April 18. 

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

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    Zach Tucker

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  • Could a retractable wall in Tampa Bay prevent storm surge flooding?

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The immediate past president of the Shore Acres Civic Association, Kevin Batdorf, has pitched lawmakers on a big idea to install a retractable wall at the entrance of Tampa Bay to protect against storm surge flooding from hurricanes.  

    Batdorf lives in the lowest lying neighborhood in St. Petersburg, Shore Acres, which has experienced repeated flooding from storms in the past five  years. Batdorf said he’s constantly looking for solutions to mitigate the rising problem.

    “Create a floodgate system that crosses from Pinellas County to Manatee or Hillsborough County at the narrowest point that rises 12-to-15 feet high when a storm is coming,” he said. “It would prevent the water from coming into Tampa Bay and save billions of dollars of damage.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Kevin Batdorf has pitched lawmakers on a big idea to install a retractable wall at the entrance of Tampa Bay

    • Batdorf wants the 14 mile long wall to be 12-to-15 feet high to prevent storm surge flooding from hurricanes  

    • State Senator Nick DeCeglie said “it’s a great concept” but he’s skeptical it could actually be implemented

    • Sen. DeCeglie said he’s focused on more realistic solutions which include stormwater and seawall infrastructure improvements


    “In the Netherlands, they had a similar situation to us,” he said. “Meaning they were inundated by rising tides, changing climate. So they had their engineers come up with a solution.”

    State Senator Nick DeCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, represents District 18, which covers most of Pinellas County. Senator DeCeglie said “it’s a great concept” but he’s skeptical a 14 mile long retractable wall in Tampa Bay could actually be implemented.

    “Something like this would be billions and billions of dollars,” he said. “My question is immediately, what about the coastal communities? How does the water interacting with a dam, essentially, how does that impact areas North of the Bay? South of the Bay? That water has to go somewhere.”

    DeCeglie said he’s focused on more realistic solutions and has been working on a permitting bill this session to make it easier for homeowners to install flood barriers.

    “What we can actually accomplish in the near mid and long term is infrastructure improvements,” he said. “Whether that be stormwater, whether that be seawalls.”

    Batdorf said he realizes there are big challenges with his idea from jurisdictional, funding and environmental.

    “I think it’s going to be the State of Florida and the federal government that are going to have to come in and do the engineering and frankly, pay for it,” he said. “FEMA’s paying out billions of dollars in claims, there’s money available to stop paying those claims.”

    “There are going to be environmental concerns and I get that it’s going to disturb the environment by installing it,” he added. “But I think it’s going to enhance the environment for sea life. Once it’s built, becomes a natural reef.”

    Batdorf points out Tampa General Hospital and the City of St. Petersburg have purchased an Aqua Fence to prevent flooding and he wants to do the same for residents on a much larger scale.

    “This idea is just common sense. If there’s a wall of water coming in, you put something up to stop it from coming in,” he said. “You see all these other entities putting up barriers to keep water out. Here’s a barrier to keep it out of everybody’s home.”

    Batdorf has announced he’s going to run in the St. Petersburg mayor’s race but has not yet officially filed.

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    Josh Rojas

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  • Anna Maria City Pier set for comeback after $2 million county approval

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Manatee County commissioners have approved a grant of up to $2 million to help rebuild the Anna Maria City Pier. In total, it’s a $7 to $8 million project.

    Anna Maria City Mayor Mark Short said right now, the city is paying for the work, but will soon receive money from FEMA, the state and the county.

    Members of the community can’t contain their anticipation for when the rebuilt pier will be complete.

    What You Need To Know

    • Manatee County commissioners approved a grant of up to $2 million to help rebuild the Anna Maria City Pier — part of a $7 to $8 million total project
    • The mayor says the pier is coming back stronger built with solid cement pilings and reinforced connections designed to better withstand major storms
    • Local business owners and residents say the pier is a vital landmark and gathering place, and its return will boost both community spirit and local businesses

    Kitchen Manager Michael Rain has been working at The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria for 17 years.

    “I love it,” he said. “Love the people I get to meet that work here. They’re fun.”

    What wasn’t fun, he said, was dealing with the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Right across the street from his restaurant, the iconic Anna Maria City Pier was significantly damaged.

    But now it’s being rebuilt, with help from the Manatee County commissioners’ grant.

    The pier is special to many people in the community, including Rain.

    “I grew up coming out here visiting my cousin, fishing on the pier. So that’ll be exciting,” he said.

    He says a rebuilt pier will also be good for business.

    “I believe so, especially locals from in town,” he said. “You get to come out and it gives them just one more thing to do while out here.”

    Short said they’re not just rebuilding the pier, but it is coming back stronger than ever.

    Short said the walkway this time around is being built with solid cement pilings. The prior walkway, built after Hurricane Irma, was constructed with precast pilings that had a hole in the middle. In addition, they will all be connected by cement bents and stringers.

    He said they’re focused on making this new pier more resilient than the last.

    “Now, there’s never a guarantee,” Short said, adding the rebuilt pier is on track to be completed by the end of the year. “We do believe that this walkway will survive a significant storm.”

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Surplus food from the St. Pete Grand Prix to be distributed to those in need

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With the festivities around the St. Pete Grand Prix come a lot of food, but not all of it gets prepared and served.

    That’s where Positive Impact St. Pete steps in. They’ll be taking the surplus food and getting it to those in need.

    Executive Director Karen Rae said that before the partnership, much of the food her organization now collects would have been thrown away.

    “It’s such a blessing to be able to take food that otherwise would go to waste and provide it to our neighbors who may not have food on their dinner tables if not for this partnership,” she said.

    Rae said this is the third year they’ll collect the extra food and that they’ll be able to serve hundreds more families than they’re typically able to in the immediate days after the race.

    Still, she hopes the community understands the need is constant.

    “It’s one of our biggest weekends, but food insecurity affects families year-round,” she said. “So we are out here every single week, year-round, ensuring our neighbors have groceries.”

    This is a relationship Rae hopes continues for many years to come.

    The organization distributes food every weekend at Tangerine Plaza in St. Pete.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Polk County receives federal funding for Kathleen Road extension

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Planning is moving forward on the long-awaited Kathleen Road extension in Lakeland.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County continues to plan the extension and widening of Kathleen Road in Lakeland to US 98

    • For years, drivers have been hoping for an extension of Kathleen Road to relieve traffic congestion

    • A new U.S. House appropriations bill now includes $3 million to complete the design and permitting process for the extension project


    Residents say it is needed as the area continues to grow.

    “Well, we’ve been hearing about 15-20 years, that they were going to go four lanes,” said Marie Yale, owner of K&K Nursery, located just off of Kathleen Road.

    Kathleen Road is a north-south route through north Lakeland. Much of the road is two lanes.

    For years, drivers have been hoping for a widening and extension of Kathleen Road to U.S. 98 to relieve traffic congestion.

    That was especially the case when construction at the new Fox Branch Ranch development started in 2024.

    A new U.S. House appropriations bill now includes $3 million to complete the design and permitting process for the extension project. Polk County officials confirmed they are receiving those funds.

    Rep. Laurel Lee (R, FL-15) said in the funding request, “This is needed to reduce congestion on an already failing roadway. The State would receive a substantial benefit from the widening and extension of this roadway to the north,” according to her website.

    Yale is hopeful it will help as long as construction doesn’t impact her business.

    “I would hope they would take us into consideration to help people get to us so that we can stay in business,” Yale said.

    Polk County officials confirmed the project is still in the planning phase. Construction likely won’t start for another three or four years, but officials say the federal funding helps move it forward. The project is also in the county’s long term transportation plan.

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    Tim Wronka

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  • Residents express concerns over plans for Polk agriculture center

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — County leaders presented plans to the community Tuesday night for an agriculture center.

    While the county believes the facility will be an economic boost, others are not totally on board with the idea.

    What You Need To Know

    • Polk County commissioners presented plans for a new agriculture center

    • The center will be located near the Mosaic Peace River Park in Bartow

    • Some residents are concerned over the effect it will have on the existing disc golf course


    One of those is Eric Bailey, who has a passion for disc golf. He picked up the sport about three years ago.

    “It gets you out in the environment, we’re out in wildlife,” he said.

    Every weekend, you’ll find him at the Mosaic Peace River Park on the disc golf course.

    “This is one of the top courses in the state of Florida. It brings a lot of challenges, it’s open to creativity with our shots,” he said.

    But this space will soon look a lot different. It will be home to Polk County’s newest agriculture center.

    Bailey says the change worries him. “This property is already occupied by a disk golf course, nature, birdwatchers,” he said.

    Polk County Commissioner Rick Wilson said the facility will include a new arena, livestock stables, trails, and RV parking. They won’t be getting rid of disc golf — it will just be in a new space.

    “They’ll still be on the property,” Wilson said. “We’re going to build a nice place for them because they are good for the community and good for what we got going on here.”

    Wilson said the county has outgrown the current agricultural center, which is actually in a state-owned building. 

    He said a new complex will provide an economic boost for the county. “This is a good starting point. This can be utilized with a lot of different areas and agricultural,” he said.

    The county will fund the project, and Wilson says they’ll also be looking for federal grants to move forward.

    Bailey said that he is not opposed to a new center, although he hopes the area doesn’t lose the appeal it currently has.

    “It’s not just to support disc golf or wildlife, agriculture, everything that’s out here is important to everybody,” he said.

    The county’s decision means change is coming, but it doesn’t mean Bailey won’t be able to enjoy disc golf.

    Wilson says their goal is to have the center constructed by the end of 2028.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • A+ Teacher shares classroom experiences with parents

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    NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Avery Ortiz teaches first grade at Moon Lake Elementary. She has been teaching there for four years.

    Before graduating from St. Petersburg College, she started at the school as an instructional assistant and then became an intern. She says she was hired as a teacher after graduating.

    What You Need To Know

    • Avery Ortiz teaches first grade at Moon Lake Elementary. She has been teaching there for four years

    • Ortiz started at the school as an instructional assistant and then became an intern – all before being hired as a teacher
    • Would you like to nominate an A+ Teacher? 🍎 Click here

    “I love watching the kids grow throughout the entire year. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing how much they can learn in one school year and getting to watch kids learn how to read is the most rewarding journey,” said Ortiz.

    “I love being here. It’s my favorite part of my day.”

    Ortiz faced a challenge earlier this school year when she broke her leg and had to miss some days in the classroom. She said she couldn’t wait to get back.

    “I couldn’t imagine not being with them. For two weeks, especially first-graders, that’s a really long time to be without them. And the entire time I kept thinking, they need me and I need to be back,” said Ortiz.

    A parent nominated her to be featured as an A+ Teacher, saying her child is now happy to be at school thanks to Ortiz.

    “I do it all for the kids and honestly just making sure that they feel loved and safe in the classroom is my biggest job. And I’m glad to know that I am doing that for the kids,” said Ortiz.

    Would you like to nominate an A+ Teacher for a future story? Click here and fill out the submission form.

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    Jorja Roman

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  • Final word on Pinellas schools closings and consolidations Tuesday

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Parents and students at a handful of Pinellas County schools should have a final answer Tuesday night on whether their school will be closing or consolidating at the end of the school year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Final answer likely Tuesday on closures and consolidation of a few Pinellas County schools

    • Cross Bayou Elementary is the only elementary school recommended for closure
    • District says the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8
    • Low enrollment, aging building cited as reasons for potential closure 

    • Pinellas County Schools: Planning For Progress (.pdf)

    School board members in Pinellas County are slated to vote Tuesday on five recommendations made by Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and district staff.

    They include closing Cross Bayou Elementary School, closing Disston Academy, combining Bay Point Elementary and Bay Point Middle into a K-8 school, expanding Oldsmar Elementary to a K-8 school, and expanding the employee child care program to McMullen-Booth Elementary.

    Hendrick said the move to close or consolidate schools is in an effort to cut operational costs and reduce the amount of student seats available due to declining enrollment.

    Cross Bayou Elementary is the only elementary school recommended for closure. District staff said the aging building is in need of roughly $5.1 million in capital improvements in the coming years, including a new roof. If approved, the district hopes to sell or lease the property as-is after students depart for the final time in May. They expect to save about $3 million a year by closing the school.

    This school year, Cross Bayou Elementary has 245 students with a maximum capacity of 610 students. This is a big drop from its peak of 427 students during the 2018-2019 school year. The school also houses the district’s Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8.

    If the closure is approved Tuesday, most students would be rezoned to nearby Pinellas Central and Bardmoor elementary schools.

    During a parent and family meeting earlier this month set at the school, more than 100 parents attended and many pleaded with district staff to keep the school open. They cited concerns with their students entering into larger schools and relocating the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program.

    The school community, parent Jovanniece Morales says, is so accepting of students with different needs. Those students included her young son with vision problems.

    “He’s done great since the teacher found out, and we all found his vision’s gotten worse, everybody’s been very helpful to make him feel welcome,” she said. “Like if we need to raise money to fix the roof, we’ll do that. We’ll raise the money to fix the roof.”

    Parent Michael Gerke is also a school volunteer and says he knows most of the kids at Cross Bayou. He says school board members need to understand how unique Cross Bayou is. 

    “They’re just in a really hard decision right now with what they want to do, and what they think is best,” Gerke said of Tuesday’s decision. “I do think they care — I don’t want to speak ill of them. I just think they picked the wrong school because of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing program and everything these kids face with everyday challenges.” 

    Tuesday’s vote is set to take place at a school board meeting set for 5 p.m.

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    Angie Angers

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  • Neighbors concerned about gas station traffic on St. Petersburg street

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Neighbors in a St. Petersburg neighborhood say drivers are speeding down their residential street to get to and from a gas station and that includes sometimes ignoring speed bumps. 

    Hartford Street runs north-south parallel to 34th St N, just south of 38th Ave N.

    At the north end of the street is a Wawa.

    What You Need To Know

    • Neighbors on Hartford Street in St. Petersburg are concerned about traffic from Wawa

    • They say drivers often ignore speed bumps

    • City says they are working with residents on a solution


    “This street essentially has become Wawa’s driveway,” said one neighbor, who goes by Scotty.

    Even with speed bumps and speed limit signs added – he says drivers often ignore them getting to and from Wawa.

    “I’ll see people not stopping at all for this speed bump,” Scotty said. “Once you get to know this speed bump, you know it doesn’t stop you. And they can’t make it higher because of regulations.”

    He and his neighbor, Ivylyn Harrell, worked with the city of St. Petersburg to install the speed bumps in 2017, three years after the Wawa opened.

    Harrell, who has lived on Hartford Street for decades, says the street used to be a dead end with no traffic. Now – more than 600 cars are on the street every day, according to a city study.  She’s worried about the safety impact.

    “And these cars are driving so fast. I look through my kitchen window. My heart goes in my stomach because I’m afraid one of these kids are going to get hit,” Harrell said.

    The residents are also concerned with growing e-bike use on the road as well.

    They feel the solution is simple: New signs by the Wawa to direct drivers another way to exit instead of speeding down their street.  

    The city also added that traffic can’t be routed a different way now because Wawa was granted the current setup during the formal site plan approval process. Officials say they will continue to work with the residents on Hartford Street.

    “Nobody is complaining about Wawa,” Scotty said. “We all love it. We just wish there is more to be done to divert the traffic away coming out.”

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    Tim Wronka

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  • Citrus County celebrates purchase of Pirate’s Cove with ribbon cutting ceremony

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    OZELLO, Fla. — Conservation efforts of a secluded corridor in Citrus County got a major boost on Tuesday.

    What You Need To Know

    • A special-ribbon cutting ceremony was held by Citrus County officials with the purchase of Pirate’s Cove

    • For years, the 3.6-acre waterfront property has been the topic of construction for developers
    • Citrus County moved to purchase the land, intending to conserve the natural landscape 
    • For many residents, the area serves as a reminder of the old Florida where they grew up


    Citrus County is celebrating the purchase of Pirate’s Cove, a 3.6-acre waterfront property. For years, the area has been the topic of construction for developers. But now the location will remain a spot to preserve Florida’s natural beauty.

    “Pirate’s Cove is now a forever part of the Citrus County story,” said Citrus County Commissioner Jeff Kinnard.

    The recent purchase has one objective in mind: preserving a piece of old Florida.

    “In a county and state that are growing as fast as we are, places like Pirate’s Cove are becoming rare,” said Kinnard. “This property represents the Florida many of us grew up with — the untouched, rugged, and serene landscape that defines our heritage.”

    “This is a big part of my history and who I am,” said Homosassa resident Nicole Williams. “I’ve learned a lot down here.”

    Williams is a lifelong Homosassa resident. She says Pirate’s Cove played a significant role in her childhood. Something, she says, she has passed on to her children.

    “Preserving this historical spot, specifically, has been a big part of raising our kids,” she said. “We’ve used the launch, we’ve fished out here, we’ve done a lot of weekend activities. So just important all the way around.”

    For years, the cove has been the topic of discussion for developers. With interests in construction. But with the county buying the land, Pirate’s Cove will remain as nature intended.

    “I do think it’s important that when you wake up here in Citrus County, you remember why you came here, and that’s because of the beautiful landscape,” said Williams.

    A beautiful landscape now protected for years to come.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Teamwork required to save the world from asteroids at Galacticoaster

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Legoland Florida Resort’s latest indoor offering is out of this world — the Galacticoaster.

    What You Need To Know

    • On The Town at Legoland Florida Resort for the opening of new indoor space coaster

    • Galacticoaster opens Friday, Feb. 27

    • Groups of four create a spaceship to take into space and destroy an “Asteroid of Probable Destruction”

    • $90 million investment for Galacticoaster and Lego Galaxy


    “It’s kind of hard to do space outdoors in Florida,” said Blake Boyter, senior project manager for the indoor coaster.

    Boyter spent four years on Galacticoaster.

    “The weather doesn’t really cooperate with you,” Boyter said. “There’s too much daylight — so we knew we had to put it in a box.”

    The 10-minute experience begins with a warning to guests — Earth is in trouble!

    And only the way to help is to build a spaceship.

    “We are saving ourselves from an asteroid of probable destruction,” said Legoland spokesperson Julie Estrada.

    After a debriefing about the world in peril, guests in groups of four gather around their own kiosk screen to build their plane — there are more than 600 possible combinations — from wings made of hamburgers and disco balls decorations.

    “As soon as you board Galacticoaster and before you turn the corner, you see yourself in the space craft that you designed,” said Estrada.

    It’s all part of a $90 million investment in the family coaster and the surrounding galaxy.

    Master Model Builder Ryan Wood helped design it and install the scenery.

    “And what you are going to see in this new Lego Galaxy is Lego models, fiberglass models,” said Wood.

    That includes the greatest space character of the Lego movie – Benny,  in his retro whip.

    Benny would be proud, because in the 90 seconds of winding, spinning and reversing on the indoor coaster filled with twinkling stars, floating Lego bricks and a fiery asteroid, you do save the Earth. Teamwork makes the dream work.

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    Virginia Johnson

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