Pinellas County Schools continue ridership campaign where students reserve spot on school bus

ABC Action News 4/19 4:02A Larissa Scott

The school bus driver shortage has been an issue prevalent across the country. Over the past year, ABC Action News has been reporting on the effort to recruit, hire and train more school bus drivers to fill open positions in Tampa Bay, including...

Free tree giveaways happening across the Tampa Bay area to celebrate Earth Day

ABC Action News 4/19 3:54A Keely McCormick

Monday is Earth Day, and there are several free events and tree giveaways happening in the Tampa Bay area. We spoke to Carolyn Cheatham Rhodes, an urban forester, about the important role trees play in our everyday lives. They're home to insects...

Hillsborough and Pinellas County school districts transition to digital SAT exam format

ABC Action News 4/19 3:48A Larissa Scott

The move to make the SAT exam digital has been a long time in the making. The change has really been happening over the past year, said Brian Hoover, Supervisor in Accelerated Programs for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Hillsborough County...

Tampa leaders looking for public feedback on Selmon Expressway expansion study

Spectrum News | Bay News 9 4/19 2:40A Sarah Blazonis

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority is looking into possibly adding lanes from the I-4 Connector to U.S. 301.

Iran fires at suspected Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site

Spectrum News | Bay News 9 4/19 1:08A Associated Press

Tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel.

Drag racing prodigy Sedona Gotsis tears up the track at just 11 years old

ABC Action News 4/18 11:46P Sean Daly

"A Girl Just Passed You!"That's what it says on the tail of the most buzzed-about Junior Dragster racing car in Tampa Bay. Sedona Gotsis is the driver of that candy-apple red ride, which hits speeds of 80mph. Not only is the Odessa talent a girl,...

Easterseals Florida using simple toys to make serious strides for families living with autism

ABC Action News 4/18 11:40P Robert Boyd

April is Autism Awareness Month, and one family in Tampa is striving to be a voice in their community when it comes to raising a child living with autism. When Mariely Rivera-Rohena with Easterseals Florida arrives at a familys home, it's like...

Ryan Pepiot pitches 6 strong innings as Rays beat Angels 2-1

ABC Action News 4/18 10:09A Associated Press

Ryan Pepiot allowed one run and three hits in six strong innings, Amed Rosario hit an RBI triple in Tampa Bay's two-run first and the Rays beat the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 on Thursday to split their four-game series. Pepiot (2-2) struck out seven...

HVAC technicians suggest repairs, maintenance to AC before high heat of summer

ABC Action News 4/18 10:02A Mary O'Connell

Theres nothing worse than finding out your AC is broken in the dead heat of a Florida summer. HVAC technicians suggest getting repairs now before temperatures start to rise. Jean Trask knows the pain of what its like to be without air...

City of Tampa Enters Implementation Phase of DOJ Grant to Reduce Violent Crime

TAMPA.GOV News 4/18 9:44A Eddy Durkin P44428 (Police Depar

City of Tampa Enters Implementation Phase of DOJ Grant to Reduce Violent Crime Eddy D. Thu, 04/18/2024 - 03:44 pm In 2022, the City of Tampa was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office...

Nonprofit and local band team up to help end hunger

ABC Action News 4/18 8:39A Jillian Ramos

An event this weekend hopes to help provide food for families in need by bringing together a band, a nonprofit and a hardworking group of volunteers. The Glen Fox Band is raising money to help the nonprofit End 68 Hours of Hunger, which packs...

SpaceX readies for another Starlink mission two days in a row

Spectrum News | Bay News 9 4/18 8:30A Anthony Leone

The launch window opens at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Drivers skeptical as Florida construction projects look to alleviate congestion on roads and...

ABC Action News 4/18 8:28A Lydia Vazquez

If you've driven anywhere in the Tampa Bay area during rush hour, you know that rushing anywhere during that time will only leave you sitting on the road for an hour. "Here in St. Pete, I-275, we...

Trends from other states show what Florida can expect with a 6-week abortion ban

ABC Action News 4/18 8:10A Katie LaGrone

Long considered a primary access point for abortions in the south, Florida is less than two weeks away from joining a short list of U.S. states restricting abortion care to 6 weeks. We don't really know what's going to happen until it actually...

City of Tampa to hold 14th annual Ecofest at MOSI for Earth Day

ABC Action News 4/18 6:41A Heather Leigh

April 22 is Earth Day, where people show support for environmental protection. This weekend, the City of Tampa will hold its 14th annual Ecofest at MOSI, hosted by Learning Gate Community School. It's a way to teach kids how to take care of our...