Latest news with #ReginaGonzalez
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Airbnb pulls the plug on summer parties
The Brief Airbnb is using a machine to flag certain booking attempts in order to crack down on parties. Depending on what it finds-- it will then block or redirect users to an alternative accommodation on the platform. If your reservation was flagged, but you weren't intending on having a party - you can contact support and sign a contract promising not to do so, called an anti-party attestation. TAMPA, Fla. - Heads up for anyone planning to rent a house this holiday weekend; Airbnb's anti-party system will be in effect for Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends. How it Works The system uses machine learning to flag certain booking attempts by looking at a range of factors, like the type of listing booked, how long the stay is, if the booking is last minute and if the potential booker has had complaints about parties or concerning behavior before. Depending on what it finds-- it will then block or redirect users to an alternative accommodation on the platform. READ: Father arrested for shooting 3 sons in Ruskin: Deputies What they're saying "We've already seen a remarkable amount of progress through introduction of this technology," said Airbnb's Emilie Simons. "Since 2020, there's been a 46% decrease in reported parties in Florida. Just last year in 2024, across these major summer holiday party weekends, Fourth of July and Memorial Day, about 7,400 people were deterred from having a party. " In Florida, last year's overall rate of listings reported for a parties was 0.08%, so the defense technology appears to be working. READ: Troubled teen stabs man 113 times at Bartow group home saying 'voices in my head told me to': PCSO According to Airbnb, parties are still extremely rare. Year-round, they do have a community disturbance policy in place where hosts and guests can face consequences if they violate it. The company warned if you beat the system – and decide to throw a house party in an Airbnb anyway – you could get the boot from the platform altogether. What you can do If your reservation was flagged, but you weren't intending on having a party - you can contact support and sign a contract promising not to do so, called an anti-party attestation. The Source This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. 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 Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinellas leaders to weigh plan for $813M in hurricane relief funds
The Brief Pinellas County leaders have drafted a plan to spend $813 million in federal funds. The county received the money to assist victims of recent hurricanes. Commissioners will discuss the plan during Tuesday's meeting. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Pinellas County commissioners are expected to talk Tuesday about a plan to spend more than $800 million in federal hurricane relief funds. The backstory Pinellas County received $813 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help communities impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton. In recent weeks, the county invited residents to public meetings addressing how the money should be spent. PREVIOUS: Families turning to $813M Pinellas County program for post-hurricane help: 'I'm stuck' Dig deeper According to the county's draft plan, leaders are prioritizing the following areas in hopes of meeting the needs of homeowners and renters: Homeowner rehabilitation/construction Strategic relocation and revitalization Homeowner reimbursement Small rental rehabilitation/reconstruction Homebuyer assistance For a closer look at the proposed spending plan, click here. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What's next Tuesday's commission meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. There will be a 30-day public comment period, as well, including virtual meetings on May 13 and May 15. Then this summer, HUD will have 45 days to review the county's plan. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa opens Homeowner Disaster Relief Program for hurricane victims. Here's what you need to apply
The Brief Applications for the City of Tampa's Homeowner Disaster Relief Program opened on Monday. The city set aside $3.2 million in state funds for people whose homes were damaged by the 2024 hurricanes. City officials have laid out specific eligibility requirements. TAMPA, Fla. - The City of Tampa is now accepting applications for financial assistance to help homeowners in the aftermath of the devastating 2024 hurricane season. By the numbers Last Friday, Mayor Jane Castor and other city officials announced the city would reallocate $3.2 million in state funds for people whose homes were damaged during Helene and Milton. There are three categories of assistance: Insurance Deductible Assistance (up to $10,000) Mortgage Assistance (up to $5,000) Cost of Repair Assistance (up to $20,000) Residents may apply for some, or all, types of assistance – but the maximum reimbursement per household is $20,000. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What you can do To qualify, residents must be homeowners within the Tampa city limits, and earn up to 140% of the area's median income – which is estimated at about $133,000 for a family of four. City officials say 30% of the funds will be set aside for those earning 50% or less than the annual median income, and another 30% is reserved for those earning 80% or less. Those not eligible include: Manufactured/mobile homes Properties outside the city's municipal boundaries Second homes (such as rental properties) Homes that have liens or judgments on them Those who haven't documented any damage from either storm If your application is accepted, it will likely take about 30 days before you actually receive the money. To find out if you're eligible, and for full details on submitting an application, click here. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. 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
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norovirus outbreak on cruise out of Florida sickens more than 100 people: CDC
The Brief The CDC says 107 passengers and 12 crew members onboard Holland America Line's MS Rotterdam have contracted norovirus. The ship sailed out of Port Everglades on Feb. 2. Norovirus is highly contagious, according to the CDC, and is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S. TAMPA, Fla. - More than 100 passengers and crew onboard a cruise ship that sailed out of Florida have gotten sick with norovirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By the numbers The CDC says Holland America Line's MS Rotterdam embarked on a 12-day voyage from Port Everglades on Feb. 2. The latest numbers show 107 of the ship's 2,614 passengers and 12 of the 969 crew members have contracted norovirus. In response, Holland America told the CDC that it's increasing cleaning and disinfecting, while isolating infected passengers and crew to help prevent further spread. READ: Florida 'brothel' allegedly run by illegal immigrants shut down after victim's desperate phone call Big picture view Norovirus is also referred to as the "stomach flu" or the "stomach bug," but is not related to the flu, according to the CDC. It's highly contagious and is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, along with foodborne illness, in the U.S. The federal agency says more than half of norovirus outbreaks have been linked to restaurants or other food-related environments, and can happen when people who are infected come into contact with food or drinks. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Dig deeper So far in 2025, seven cruise ships sailing out of the U.S. have reported outbreaks of illness to the CDC. Just last week, Royal Caribbean reported the spread of a gastrointestinal illness onboard the Radiance of the Seas, which sailed out of Tampa. As of Tuesday, the final number of cases reported to the CDC totaled 160 passengers and eight crew members. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez. 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
