We find it interesting even when we are back home.

• Live updates: Trump signs executive orders, pardons Jan. 6 rioters  
  Recap Spectrum News' live coverage of Donald Trump's second inauguration.
  
  
• Senate confirms Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving Trump the first member of his Cabinet  
  Rubio, the Republican senator from Florida, is among the least controversial of Trump’s nominees and vote was decisive, 99-0.
  
  
• Trump seeks to remake border security but his efforts will face challenges  
  It's unclear how Trump would carry out some of his executive orders, including ending automatic citizenship for everyone born in the country.
  
  
• Ramaswamy won't serve on Trump's government efficiency commission as he mulls run for Ohio governor  
  Donald Trump takes the oath of office for the second time and is sworn in as our 47th president Monday.
  
  
• A look back at Trump's bigger campaign promises. Spectrum News will be tracking his progress.  
  His vows include mass deportations, tariffs and Jan. 6 pardons, but also eliminating taxes on some types of income.
  
  
• Biden pardons his siblings, Fauci, Milley, Jan. 6 committee members  
  The decision by Biden comes after Donald Trump warned of an enemies list filled with those who have crossed him politically.
  
  
• Millions across the U.S. brace for plummeting temperatures and winter storms  
  Heavy snow and sleet is expected across the Gulf Coast and I-10 corridor from Texas to Florida.
  
  
• Recently opened Crystal River KOA Journey helping showcase women in Florida tourism  
  A new business opened its doors in Crystal River late last summer.
  
  
• After assurances from Trump, TikTok says it's restoring service in the U.S.  
  The company credited the turnaround in a brief statement on Sunday to assurances from President-elect Donald Trump.
  
  
• U.S. cities largely saw a drop in violent crime in 2024, yet many still feel unsafe  
  As U.S. police departments release preliminary or finalized 2024 crime numbers, many are reporting historic declines in homicides compared to 2023.
  
  
• Thousands march in Washington days before Trump takes office  
  Thousands of people from around the United States were rallying in the nation’s capital Saturday for women’s reproductive rights and other causes.
  
  
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium announces temporary furloughs, salary reductions  
  Effective Monday, several positions at the aquarium will be placed on furlough for two-three months.
  
  
• Menendez brothers' resentencing hearing pushed to March because of Los Angeles-area wildfires  
  A new sentencing hearing for brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez in the killing of their parents has been delayed for two months because of the wildfires.
  
  
• The moments likely to shape how history remembers Biden's presidency  
  Biden will leave the White House Monday, capping his single term in the Oval Office and his more than five-decade career in Washington.
  
  
• The rise — and potential fall — of TikTok in the U.S.  
  The moment TikTok fans have dreaded is here, but uncertainty over the app’s future lingers.
  
  
• Federal appeals court declares DACA program illegal  
  Approximately 535,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children receive deportation relief and work permits through the “Dreamer” program
  
  
• Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok if it's not sold by its Chinese parent company  
  The justices unanimously ruled against the video-sharing app.
  
  
• Israel's Cabinet approves deal for ceasefire in Gaza and release of dozens of hostages  
  The ceasefire will go into effect Sunday.
  
  
• Traffic closures begin Friday night ahead of Children’s Gasparilla parade  
  On Saturday, little pirates will take over Bayshore Boulevard for the Children’s Gasparilla parade.
  
  
• Manatee County Fair begins with the theme to 'Keep Agriculture Alive'  
  The Manatee County Fair begins Friday with the theme: Keeping Agriculture Alive.
  
  
• Organization hosts cooking class to assist veterans  
  Army veteran Rosa Washington showed other veterans how to cook using an air fryer.
  
  
• Bay area mayors head to D.C. for National Conference of Mayors meeting  
  Tampa, Clearwater and Largo mayors are in attendance.
  
  
• Keswick Christian senior thrives on sports and faith  
  Carihana Jantomaso is redefining what a student-athlete is at Keswick.
  
  
• DeSantis appoints AG Ashley Moody to replace Marco Rubio in U.S. Senate  
  Rubio will remain in office until his official confirmation as U.S. Secretary of State.
  
  
• SpaceX loses upper stage of Starship; catches rocket booster in 7th test flight  
  All communications with Starship's upper stage have been lost.
  
  
• Biden sets record by commuting sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted on nonviolent drug charges  
  The president says he's seeking to undo "disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today"
  
  
• The Big Stories: DeSantis appoints Moody to Rubio's Senate seat, and Trump's administration looking for ways to 'preserve' TikTok  
  Political Connections airs each night at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.
  
  
• Texas judge says states can revive challenge to abortion pill access nationwide  
  The states of Idaho, Kansas and Missouri can now move ahead with their efforts in U.S. District Court in Amarillo, Texas
  
  
• Guentzel scores only goal in shootout, Bolts beat Ducks 4-3  
  Jake Guentzel also scored in the second period for the Lightning.
  
  
• Citrus County making its final push collecting debris leftover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton  
  Close to 25,000 tons of debris has been collected since Hurricane Helene hit the Nature Coast in late September.
  
  
• Mortgage rate tops 7% for first time since May 2024  
  It's the fifth consecutive week mortgage rates have risen, according to Freddie Mac.
  
  
• Netanyahu says deal to release Hamas-held hostages has been reached  
  Netanyahu said he will convene his security cabinet Friday.
  
  
• Blinken defends U.S. policy on Gaza as his final State Department briefing is interrupted by protests  
  Two people accused him of complicity in Israeli violence against Palestinian civilians.
  
  
• Netanyahu postpones Cabinet vote on Gaza Strip ceasefire deal  
  Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory.
  
  
• Tampa nurses rally in support of safe staffing, better scheduling practices  
  Justin Wooden who works as an ICU nurse at Tampa's VA hospital says after the new patient tower was added, no new nurses were hired to keep up.
  
  
• Habitat for Humanity expands into Hernando County; first homeowner named  
  Construction on the first Hernando County home will take four to five months to complete.
  
  
• Groups working to raise awareness about Israel-Hamas war react to ceasefire  
  The news brought up mixed emotions for people on either side of the conflict.
  
  
• If TikTok gets banned, what happens next?  
  If no action is taken by the federal government, TikTok executives have signaled that they will shut down all operations in the U.S.
  
  
• After Milton floods home and restaurant, Fowler Avenue business owner fights to recover  
  Some businesses in the surrounding area have closed for good.
  
  
• Blue Origin successfully launches New Glenn rocket; 1st-stage booster fails its landing  
  The 320-foot (98-meter) tall New Glenn rocket took off from Launch Pad 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at around 2:03 a.m. EST.
  
  
• Biden touts Gaza ceasefire, hostage release deal struck just days before he leaves office  
  Biden acknowledged that the terms of the deal will be implemented under President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration.
  
  
• Gov. DeSantis outlines immigration crackdown ahead of special session  
  GOP legislative leaders are urging DeSantis to pump the breaks.
  
  
• Latino voters in Florida saw electorate shifts in 2024 elections  
  In Florida - and Florida alone – Hispanics favored Donald Trump.
  
  
• New bill seeks to ease food insecurity in Florida  
  Over 90,000 people in Central Florida are food insecure.
  
  
• Tarpon Springs working on new branding, with downtown focus  
  The marking effort – which is in the early stages – includes everything from social media, banners, to tourism videos.
  
  
• Marco Rubio warns China is America's 'biggest threat,' affirms value of NATO alliance  
  The secretary of state nominee focused much of the first three hours of his Senate confirmation hearing on warning about China.
  
  
• The Big Stories: Rubio, Bondi face lawmakers in confirmation hearings, and DeSantis outlines immigration plan  
  Political Connections airs each night at 7 p.m. on Spectrum News.
  
  
• Bondi in her confirmation hearing says Trump was 'targeted' by Justice Department investigations  
  The Senate Judiciary Committee held the confirmation hearing for the president-elect's attorney general pick Wednesday.
  
  
• Homeland Security secretary says Hong Kong residents in U.S. can stay through Feb. 2027  
  Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas cited human rights concerns for Hong Kong residents if they are deported.
  
  
• A possible TikTok ban is just days away. A list of other apps available.  
  Many U.S. users are looking for alternative social media platforms to provide the type of entertaining videos that popularized the video app.
  
  
• St. Pete purchases AquaFence to protect critical wastewater station from storms  
  The city's water resources director says they got the idea from Tampa General Hospital, after seeing their success last storm season.
  
  
• Commission decision on short-term rentals leave some Indian Rocks Beach residents frustrated  
  A pair of city commission votes on short-term rentals in Indian Rocks Beach left many residents frustrated Tuesday night.
  
  
• FDA bans red dye No. 3 from foods  
  The move comes nearly 35 years after the dye was barred from cosmetics such as lipsticks because of potential cancer risk.
  
  
• U.S. inflation picked up in December, though underlying price pressures ease slightly  
  Wednesday's report from the Labor Department showed that the consumer price index rose 2.9% in December from a year ago.
  
  
• SpaceX successfully launches 2 lunar landers called Blue Ghost and HAKUTO-R  
  Onboard the Falcon 9 rocket are two separate lunar landers from two different companies that will explore the moon.
  
  
• Lightning fall behind early in 6-2 loss to Bruins  
  The Bruins opened up a four-goal lead and held on to beat the Lightning 6-2
  
  
• Legislative leaders rebuke DeSantis' special session order  
  A memo by two legislative leaders underscores an unprecedented reluctance toward DeSantis' will.
  
  
• Duke Energy contractors work to trim thousands of miles of trees near power lines  
  A spokesperson with Duke Energy says about 5,000 miles of tree trimming is completed each year.
  
  
• 'I’m not a perfect person': Hegseth grilled in confirmation hearing to lead Pentagon  
  Hegseth has been wrapped in controversy since Trump tapped him to be defense secretary in his second administration.
  
  
• Southern California faces new wildfire warnings as near hurricane-force winds regain strength  
  A beefed-up firefighting force was in place to attack flareups or new blazes.
  
  
• Big Cat Rescue sells off Tampa property, animals moved to Arkansas  
  Tampa's Big Cat Rescue made the nearly $20 million transaction in December.
  
  
• Michelle Obama will skip Trump inauguration  
  Former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush will be there.
  
  
• Your omelet is now more eggs-pensive: Egg prices jumped 25% in December  
  Avian flu cases caused average egg prices to increase to $4.33 at the end of 2024.
  
  
• St. Pete to host Hurricane Recovery Rental Housing Fair  
  The city partnered with the Bay Area Apartment Association to host the fair.
  
  
• Biden to sign executive order for developing AI infrastructure  
  It calls for building data centers and clean electricity to power them on sites operated by the Energy and Defense departments.
  
  
• City of Tampa names new housing development director  
  Jeffrey McKittrick will lead and implement the affordable housing initiatives started by Mayor Jane Castor's administration.
  
  
• Hamas has accepted draft agreement for Gaza ceasefire and release of hostages, officials say  
  Mediator Qatar said the negotiations were at the "closest point" yet to sealing a deal. .
  
  
• In report, special counsel defends Trump investigation, believes president-elect would have been convicted  
  Jack Smith's investigative report into Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election was released early Tuesday
  
  
• Tampa's Racial Reconciliation Committee meets for first time in 2025  
  The city of Tampa’s Racial Reconciliation Committee will meet on housing, economic development, entrepreneurship and opportunities for young people.
  
  
• Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy  
  If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something.
  
  
• Florida condo owners hope for financial relief from special session  
  Condo owners up and down the coast have seen rising prices and insurance rates.
  
  
• Drivers hope changes to Westshore Interchange will improve traffic  
  Florida Department of Transportation officials say the project should make the interchange safer and more efficient.
  
  
• Despite petition, Florida manatees to stay in 'threatened' designation  
  Florida manatees will still receive protections as a threatened species, however, not as many as endangered species can receive.
  
  
• Biden says U.S. has 'wind at our back' in final foreign policy speech as president  
  Biden argued he is leaving the incoming Trump administration in a better place on the world stage.
  
  
• Judge clears the way for release of special counsel Smith's report on Trump's 2020 election case  
  The ruling could open the door for the public to learn additional details about Trump’s failed effort to cling to power after the 2020 election.
  
  
• Public hearing held Monday over a 3,000 acre Energy Park development in Dover  
  The County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the future of the former phosphate mine.
  
  
• 24 dead as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this week  
  The fires that began Tuesday just north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 structures.
  
  
• Runners experience Disney magic in park’s annual Marathon Weekend  
  The chilly temperatures did not stop over 30,000 runners from participating in one of the largest races in Central Florida.
  
  
• Canada's Trudeau urges U.S. consumers to consider the harm of Trump's tariff threats  
  Canada is considering slapping retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets and some steel products.
  
  
• Walmart says customers should discard recalled chicken broth  
  The FDA says the containers had packaging problems that could lead to broth spoiling.
  
  
• Moffitt Cancer Center listed as one of the Best Hospitals for Black America  
  According to blackdoctor.org, Moffitt Cancer Center is one of the Best Hospitals for Black America.
  
  
• Vance says Jan. 6 participants who committed violence 'obviously' shouldn't be pardoned  
  More than 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the siege that left more than 100 police officers injured.
  
  
• Southern areas hit by winter storm thaw out as power slowly returns  
  Warmer weather is melting snow and ice as crews restore power.
  
  
• Trump's Cabinet picks are set for Senate hearings. Here's the schedule  
  The nominees will go before the committees overseeing the agencies that Trump wants them to run.
  
  
• Noesen's overtime goal lifts Devils past Lightning 3-2  
  Tampa Bay lost their fourth straight on the road.
  
  
• 1,000 years of St. Pete exposed on Tocobaga shell mounds  
  There's an interesting piece of land in St. Pete. Part of it is a state park, part of it is a family's property. But it's also a window into the past.
  
  
• States are preparing to help or thwart Trump's second-term plans  
  In many cases, political party identification has come to define public policy, percolating from the nation’s capital down to the 50 statehouses.
  
  
• No. 8 Florida follows victory over top-ranked Tennessee with win over Arkansas  
  Alijah Martin scored 14 points and three teammates also scored in double figures as No. 8 Florida defeated Arkansas
  
  
• Special counsel Jack Smith has resigned after submitting his Trump report, Justice Department says  
  The filing late Friday is the latest in a court dispute over whether any portion of Smith’s report can be released before Trump takes office Jan. 20.
  
  
• Biden honors Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom  
  The White House said Biden bestowed the award to the pope during a phone call in which they also discussed efforts to promote peace.
  
  
• Families in shock begin to visit their charred homes in Los Angeles area  
  Metropolitan LA woke up Friday to another day of strong winds and the threat of new flareups.
  
  
• Firefighters race to contain Los Angeles wildfires with menacing winds forecast to return  
  A fierce battle against the flames is underway in Mandeville Canyon.
  
  
• At least 27 deaths reported due to LA County fires  
  The county coroner’s office said identification could take several weeks.
  
  
• Polk County leaders put new road closure regulations in place  
  A developer had proposed closing West Lake Marion Road for 220 days to construct a roundabout for a new development.
  
  
• Wall Street recoils after good news on the economy raises inflation worries  
  Good news on the job market may prove to be bad for Wall Street by keeping inflation and interest rates high.
  
  
• Winter Haven woman says SNAP benefits were stolen  
  A Polk County woman says her money was stolen in early December and that a claim was filed.
  
  
• Federal probe of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre says 'no avenue' for criminal case in connection to attack  
  The more than 120-page report released on Friday outlined the scope and impact of the attack that left as many as 300 people dead.
  
  
• Pasco County 'Aviator Bros' take behind-the-scenes look at Tampa International after winning nationwide airport design contest  
  Three Pasco County brothers had a rare opportunity to tour Tampa International Airport after winning first place in an annual FAA contest.
  
  
• Trump gets no-penalty 'unconditional discharge' at hush money sentencing  
  The sentence means the president-elect will serve no jail time or probation, and no fines will be imposed.
  
  
• SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with Starlink satellites  
  The launch carried 21 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.