Latest news with #FloridaStateFair
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Kathy Castor says eliminating FEMA would be ‘dangerous' for Florida families
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — During a televised cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she plans to 'eliminate' FEMA but didn't go further into how that could play out. Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents people in Tampa and St. Petersburg, wants the Trump Administration to rethink those plans, especially since FEMA is still assisting families after back-to-back hurricanes. Sierra Club warns of pollution causing murky water in Kings Bay 'Eliminating FEMA would be dangerous and costly for Florida families and businesses,' Castor said. FEMA is a federal agency that helps states prepare and respond after disasters, like hurricanes. The agency not only helps families with individual assistance, but it also reimburses municipalities for debris removal. 'There's no way that a community facing catastrophe has the ability to keep a search-and-rescue team on task all year long or have a medical assistant team on task all year long,' Castor said. 'To think you're asking the state to maintain and carry those costs for months, and months, and months. That just doesn't make sense. That's not financially wise.' While at the Florida State Fair last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his support for overhauling FEMA and allowing states to take more control. 'You've got folks with Milton and Helene who are still battling FEMA,' DeSantis said. Rep. Castor says that's not a good idea based on years of complaints from Floridians who are seeking jobless benefits. 'We know from the experience of Florida's unemployment compensation system that they have never been able to deliver aide in a timely basis,' Castor said. The latest numbers from Thursday show that FEMA has distributed $1.5 billion for individual assistance in Florida from Debby, Helene, and Milton. $1.6 billion has been approved in public assistance under those same storms. President Trump has floated the idea for a major overhaul on how FEMA operates. He even created a FEMA review council through an executive order. As for changes, Castor would like to see at least one difference. 'They really should improve their customer service, especially on the individual emergency aid where they often tell people they're denied when they're not denied,' Castor said. In a statement, Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents coastal areas from Holiday up to Homosassa said: 'FEMA's response to our recent hurricanes has been abysmal, with too many of my constituents still waiting for help and answers coming painfully slow. I agree with President Trump and Secretary Noem that we need to take a serious look at shifting federal funding and decision-making back to the states. I believe in local control – because local leaders are more accountable to those they serve. For example, we've seen that the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) has been much more effective in meeting the unique needs of Floridians than FEMA. With more flexibility and funding, I believe FDEM could do an even better job meeting the needs of those who are suffering and that is a concept worth exploring.' Rep. Gus Bilirakis Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Couple Goes Viral After Caricaturist Helps Man Pull off Surprise Proposal at Florida State Fair (Exclusive)
A man popped the question via a caricature. Dave, 28, took his girlfriend, Lexi, 27, on a date to the Florida State Fair on Sunday, Feb. 16. Lexi thought they were just there to enjoy the various food, rides and games, but in reality Dave had been planning an artistic proposal. The couple — who met in 2014 when they were both working at Surf Style in Clearwater, Florida — sat down next to each other and smiled for artist Damion Dunn, who would create a caricature portrait of them. Based on a video recently posted by Dunn on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, this wasn't the first time Dave and Lexi had posed for him. The pair visited him in 2022 and 2023, but their 2025 visit would take their relationship to the next level. In a video with more than 450,000 views shared by Lexi via TikTok on Feb. 18, Dunn hands the couple their drawing. In the piece, Dave is down on one knee proposing to Lexi with a giant diamond ring. "When the artist showed the drawing, I thought it was so cute but I was also so confused as well like, 'We're not engaged yet,' " Lexi tells PEOPLE. "I saw my best friend and her husband recording too and I was thinking to myself, 'Is what I think that's going to happen, happening right now?' '' Shortly after Lexi saw the artwork, Dave recreated the scene by dropping down on one knee and pulling out a red rose ring box from his pocket. When he asked her to marry him, Lexi instantly began crying and nodding her head. "When he got down on one knee it finally clicked to me that, 'OMG this is happening!' " Lexi says. Related: To All the Boys I Loved Before IRL: Woman Gave Out 5 Love Letters, 1 Recipient Became Her Husband (Exclusive) After Dave slipped the diamond ring on Lexi's finger, the duo hugged and kissed each other. Dave had been planning the surprise for about a month. "He messaged me about a month before the fair started, asking if I would be down to help him propose to his girlfriend," Dunn explained on Instagram. "Not only was I honored. I also felt excited and a little nervous to be a part of his proposal. I wanted [to] give them something nice as well as something worth his trust in me." Dunn included nods to the couple's relationship and previous caricatures into their new artwork, such as the date of their first date — Sept. 15, 2017 — next to the date of their engagement written in heart frames hanging from the top of the piece. "I had a feeling it was coming soon because the day before my best friend, Aryn, insisted we got our nails done and helped guide me which color to pick, but I did not think it was going to happen at the fair the way it happened," Lexi says. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The bride-to-be posted a second video on TikTok of the proposal, this time with the audio and not just music. After Dave and Lexi's post-proposal embrace, Dunn joked, "Are you guys gonna pay cash or card?" "He was for sure being funny! We have been getting a drawing from him since 2022 and that's his sense of humor that makes us keep coming back to him," Lexi says. "I thought it added to the proposal as well because that fits our relationship so perfect." "I just hope you guys continue to come back to me so we can continue the tradition," Dunn said on Instagram. "I'm trying to draw those future babies 🤣." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
'Family Day' at the State Fair draws increased law enforcement with the crowds
The Brief "Family Day" at the Florida State Fair brought in many families for a day of fun. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was all hands on deck to ensure all the families in attendance were safe while enjoying the fair. For the last two years, children under 17 have needed an adult with them at night after 6 p.m. to cut down on bad behavior. TAMPA, Fla. - It was a busy Friday night at the Florida State Fair as families visited Tampa for "Family Day." The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they added new safety measures to help keep everyone safe during the event. Many Hillsborough County Schools students get the day off for Family Day of the fair, giving families like the Artis family time to spend with their four children. What they're saying READ: Beloved black swans, eggs stolen from Polk County mobile home park: 'Devastating' "We do a lot of arts and crafts. We do painting, so they were painting today. They were drawing today, we also cook," said Stephanie Artis. Artis, her wife Michelle, and their children enjoyed the fair for a third year, joining many others in the fair rides, sights, food and overall environment. There were also 300 law enforcement officers. "It makes us feel comfortable. It makes you feel safe," said Michelle Artis, Stephanie's wife. WATCH: 'Powering on' the State Fair Dig deeper HCSO said it amplified the presence of its deputies and other law enforcement officers with new safety measures. "Every year, we put more into it. This year, we'll have our drone team out here. We'll have drones deployed. We'll have our mounted enforcement team. We'll have our bicycle response team," said Col. Anthony Collins with HCSO. For the last two years, children under 17 have needed an adult with them at night after 6 p.m. to cut down on bad behavior. Deputies said 14 people were kicked out during 2024's Family Day, down from 56 kids in 2023 and 137 in 2022. Deputies said their community action teams are a big help. READ: Hurricane Milton crane collapse: Why city leaders say it wasn't taken down before the storm "Whether it's a pastor, whether it's one of the youth-based programs like the teacher is here, the school resource deputies who work with the youth day in and day out, they're here," said Collins. "They have relationships established already with the youth. I think it just speaks volumes, and that's why we've seen those numbers reduced over the last several years." The backstory The policy changes came in 2023 after a jury awarded $15 million in damages to the family of 14-year-old Andrew Joseph III. In 2014, Johnson was hit and killed by a car on I-4 after deputies kicked him and nearly 100 other students out of the fair. READ: Father of student hit, killed outside fair asks for stricter rules The court found that HCSO was mostly at fault in Andrew's death. "We've had two people ejected today, very minor, no arrests," said Collins. What's next Deputies hope to keep it that way with their extra presence. "We felt that. That's the first time we saw them on horses. I'm a prior law enforcement officer, so that's crowd control. So that's a good look, taking precautions," said Artis. HCSO said they have about 1,400 positions staffed throughout the entire event. The last day for the fair is Monday, February 17. The Source FOX 13's Briona Arradondo collected the information in this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Axios
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
We survived taste-testing this year's weirdest Florida State Fair foods
We set out once again to taste-test the chaotic new food and drink choices at the Florida State Fair. State of play: We both skipped breakfast and met up around 1pm with stomachs growling. Yacob's fiancée, Maya, came along to be an extra set of tastebuds. We started to feel woozy after nine stops — exactly where we fell off last year. Perhaps our bodies are trying to tell us something… Yes, but: For you, our readers, we pressed on, making it through 13 of the 27 items highlighted in this year's visitor's guide. That's basically half! Here's the rundown: 🍝 Baked ziti on a stick The concessions worker told us to let the ziti cool down a bit before walking around with it, which seems contrary to the on-the-go spirit of foods on sticks. Good pasta, though. The verdict: 🎡🎡 /5. Find it at All American Concessions. 🍩 Chocolate-dunked Bavarian doughnut Absolutely delicious, no notes. (We mean that literally: Our Google Doc does not mention this doughnut.) But it was rare, we were there, we remember it all too well (in a good way). The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡🎡🎡 /5. Find it at Peachey's Baking Co. 🍬 Cotton candy tea Reviews include"tastes like cough syrup" (Maya) and "gross" (Yacob). Kathryn, a 32-year-old child who still loves cotton candy, was pleasantly surprised by the authenticity of the flavor. The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡/5. Find it at Tiki Tea. 🥒 Fried pickle mac and cheese Yacob crowns this the biggest letdown. It had, on paper, all the makings of a pungent burp — like last year's glorious cheddar pickle crunch pizza. But it served up stale breading, bland cheese and collective heartbreak. The verdict: 0/5. Find it at Chester's Gators & Taters. 🥓 Gourmet chocolate bacon cheesecake on a stick Kathryn went at this one alone and had to stop herself from eating the entire slice. But on principle, the bacon-and-sweets craze has gone too far. The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡🎡/5. Find it at Funky Flamingo. 🐔 Hot honey chicken grilled cheese Nestled between buttery, crisp buns lies the perfect harmony of sweetness and spiciness, complemented by tender chunks of chicken and melted cheese — a mouthwatering sandwich you'll crave again and again. The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡🎡🎡/ 5. Find it at Sunshine Concessions. 🌶️ Jalapeño popper fries It's a bucket of fries topped with a drizzle of cream cheese and a scattering of jalapeños — and surprisingly, it works. The cream cheese tones down the heat, making it easier to stretch your lemonade. But fair warning, this is heavy, rocks-in-your-stomach kind of food — definitely something to share. The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡/5. Find it at Lemonade and More. 🥟 Pierogi sliders She's cheesy, she's hearty, she's messy. She's a three-bite burger with potato and cheese pierogies as buns that you didn't know you needed. Normally we'd complain about small portions, but it's the perfect snack to leave room for, well, *gestures wildly*. The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡🎡/5. Find it at Macken's Sliders. 🥨 Pretzel-rolled corn on the cob What do you get when you take corn, drench it in mayonnaise and roll it in a crushed pile of arguably the blandest chip on the planet? An uninspired take on elote that has no place on this list. The verdict: 🎡 /5. Find it at Miller & Co. Concessions. 🥮 Salted caramel cinnamon bun This cinnamon bun brought to mind Paul Hollywood and his grand tradition of sticking his fingers in baked goods and declaring them "underbaked" or "stodgy." Yummy topping, though. The verdict: 🎡🎡/5. Find it at Cinnamon Saloon. 🌯 Soul food egg roll The soul-food to egg-roll ratio was off — Maya bit in and got nothing but shell. Yacob started strong with a 4 on his first bite, but between the grease slick and a collard green landslide, the rating plummeted to a sad, greasy 2. The verdict: 🎡🎡 /5. Find it at Eggroll Love. 🍓 Strawberries and cream cinnamon roll In the battle of the cinnamon rolls, this one was king. We just wish it had fresh strawberries, which we're realizing makes us sound like avocado toast millennials, but we digress. The verdict: 🎡🎡🎡 /5. Find it at Grandma Brown's Cinnamon Rolls. 🍦 Strawberry shortcake crunch It's vanilla soft serve in a waffle cone — simple, sure, but there's comfort in the familiar. Or, as Kathryn said, it's just basic as hell. The verdict: 🎡🎡/5. Find it at Polar Bear Concessions.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New St. Pete clay business looks to break the mold at Florida State Fair
Businesses like St. Pete Ceramics say the Florida State Fair is a great opportunity to introduce their talents and services to thousands of new people.
