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Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Missing Pasco County boy, woman found safe
LUTZ, Fla. - The Pasco Sheriff's Office says a missing 6-year-old boy and 52-year-old woman have been found safe. No further details were released. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from the Pasco Sheriff's Office. 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
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House eyes major cuts to NOAA ahead of hurricane season
The Brief The Trump Administration is considering cutting NOAA's budget by $1.6 billion or 27%. Scientists and environmental advocates are concerned that slashing NOAA's budget will affect Florida's ability to respond to hurricanes. Gov. Ron DeSantis has said it will not affect the state's ability to respond to storms. TAMPA, Fla. - The Trump Administration is considering major funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), raising concerns among scientists, environmental advocates and former forecasters as hurricane season approaches. Last week's draft budget proposal outlines a potential $1.6 billion, or a 27% reduction in NOAA's funding. While no final decisions have been made, the discussions have sparked fears over the potential impact on climate, weather and ocean research. NOAA oversees the National Weather Service (NWS), a critical agency for monitoring and predicting hurricanes and other severe weather events. What they're saying "The National Weather Service is staffed for fair weather," retired meteorologist Daniel Noah said. "When we had hazardous weather like hurricanes coming toward us, we would all have to work overtime. So, if we reduce the staff any further, it makes me a little nervous for this year's hurricane season." READ: Tampa residents hope recent reckless biking arrests will send message to other bicyclists Environmental groups say the cuts would go far beyond hurricane forecasting. "The important work of NOAA has been under attack since Inauguration Day," said Gib Brogan of Oceana, an environmental nonprofit. "This challenges and undermines the decades of work that individuals that have committed their lives to this. The people who are experts in sea turtles and habitat conservation, fisheries management, climate science and more for our oceans." Brogan warned that slashing NOAA's research capabilities would "undoubtedly undermine the ability of weather forecasters to predict the coming storms or overall patterns that are affecting our weather." Agricultural industries could also feel the strain, as many farmers rely on NOAA's seasonal weather predictions. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The other side Despite the pushback, the White House maintains that cutting waste is a top priority. "DOGE is able to take out the waste, fraud and abuse, which appears to be rampant based on what we're seeing," said White House Senior Counsel Peter Navarro. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis voiced support for DOGE cuts last week, saying he believes the National Weather Service will be fine. "I think you're going to see it be okay with the National Hurricane Center. I really do," DeSantis said. The Source FOX 13's Evyn Moon collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: 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
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Tampa leaders discuss safety plans ahead of Women's Final Four events
The Brief Tampa Bay leaders discussed their safety plans ahead of the Women's Final Four events this weekend. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said there will be an elevated presence of law enforcement throughout Tampa, but especially in places with large crowds. With the influx of people coming to the area, Bercaw emphasized that the roads will be backed up, so people should plan accordingly. TAMPA - Tampa Bay leaders shared their plans on Wednesday afternoon to keep everybody safe during all the Women's Final Four events this weekend. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said there will be an elevated presence of law enforcement throughout Tampa, but especially in places with large crowds. With the influx of people coming to the area, Bercaw emphasized that the roads will be backed up, so people should plan accordingly. What they're saying "As with any major event, we anticipate increased traffic," Bercaw said. "There will be more vehicles and pedestrians downtown, and we encourage everyone to allow extra time for planning and for traveling and coming up with alternate routes." Law enforcement will be out in full force on foot, boat, bike, horseback and in the air. READ: $5,000 bonus checks sent out to new law enforcement officers across Florida As we move towards the summer and with high temperatures expected this weekend, Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp said that people need to think about hydration when outside for long periods of time. "We want everyone to make sure they stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids while you're here," Tripp said. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was provided by the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue. 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
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida house speaker pitches sales tax cut
The Brief Florida state leaders are debating cutting sales tax by three-quarters of a percent. The current state sales tax is 6%. Leaders say state spending can be cut to suit any drop in revenue the state experiences. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Could shopping get cheaper in Florida? State leaders are discussing cutting sales taxes, which are currently 6%. The state house speaker wants to lower it by three-quarters of a percent, hoping to save shoppers $5 billion a year. What they're saying "This will not be a temporary measure, a stunt or a tax holiday. This will be a permanent recurring tax reduction." said Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami). Cutting sales taxes by three-quarters of a cent would make a $100 purchase 75 cents cheaper, while a $10 purchase would be about seven cents cheaper. "This year, we'll try a novel concept and make Florida more affordable by giving the people of Florida their own money back to them," said Perez. Sales taxes make up 40% of all the state's revenue, which goes to pay for the state's roads, law enforcement, education and environmental protection. Budget chairs have started identifying potential cuts, but none are public yet. The other side "There's nothing wrong with it in concept," said House Minority Leader Rep. Fentrice Driskell. "(But), where are we going to make up those funds? Right now, we don't have those details, and I'm not willing to make that trade-off if it means that we give less services to Floridians." Some allies of Governor Ron DeSantis point out that a quarter of sales tax revenue comes from visitors, so why lessen the burden on them? Let them help pay for Florida's budget. The governor is fighting for his own property tax reform. PREVIOUS: Gov. DeSantis' idea to eliminate property taxes may come with risks "Some of the foreigners, I mean, you have the ability in some of those areas that draw a lot of people to shift the tax burden away from your own people," said DeSantis. What's next Sales taxes here are already half a point lower than the national average. Perez insists state spending can still be scrimped to meet the drop in revenue. Experts say they would have to. "It's a meaningful cut," said Jared Walczak of the Tax Foundation. "So the state would at least have to grow government at a much slower pace than it already has as an already low-tax state. There probably do need to be some cuts to accomplish this." The house speaker says that potential cuts could be identified when budget committee chairs reveal the results of a deep dive into state spending on Friday. Florida is projected to have a $2 billion surplus this year, but some projections predict a budget deficit by 2028. The Source FOX 13's Evan Axelbank collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: 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
18-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
6 Tampa parks, community centers, pools remain closed after hurricanes cause extensive damages
The Brief Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and other city officials said crews are working hard to reopen parks, pools and community centers damaged by Helene and Milton. The latest to reopen was DeSoto Park Community Center, which needed its entire HVAC system replaced after the hurricanes. So far, six parks, community center and pools remain closed, but officials hopes they can be reopened by this summer. TAMPA, Fla. - With many Tampa parents planning for spring break and summer, Mayor Jane Castor and other city officials said crews are working hard to reopen parks, pools and community centers damaged by the hurricanes last Fall. Tampa Parks and Recreation reopened the DeSoto Park Community Center on Monday. The entire HVAC system had to be replaced due to storm damage. READ: 98-year-old among hurricane victims struggling 6 months after storms By the numbers With around 200 parks and community centers in the city, Castor said repair and clean-up efforts have been expensive. "We estimate close to $10 million in damages to the actual centers," said Castor at a Monday morning news conference. What they're saying The mayor said the Kwane Doster Community Center in Port Tampa is expected to reopen by the end of this week, but not the Roy Jenkins Pool on Davis Islands. The facility is old and sustained extensive damage. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The iconic Ballast Point Pier was heavily damaged and is closed while engineers and city leaders take a close look at how to fix and reopen it. "The assessments we have received say it needs to be rebuilt and that means a great deal of time and funding," said Castor. Dig deeper At Ballast Point, the fitness center also remains closed, but the playgrounds and Leon's Lobstah Shack at the park are open. The Freedman Tennis Complex and Bobby Hicks Pool are also open. The mayor said six parks, community centers and pools remain closed, but she hopes they can be reopened by this summer. MORE: One of Treasure Island's major parking lots remains closed as spring break season gets underway Castor said Hurricanes Helene and Milton made for the most expensive disaster ever in Tampa. She used a familiar piece of the city's skyline to illustrate how much debris was collected. "Most people know the Beer Can Building downtown, Rivergate Tower. We picked up enough debris to fill that four times over," the mayor said. The Source The information in this story was gathered during a news conference with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and other city officials. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: 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
