We find it interesting even when we are back home.

• Curfew could be coming for Manatee County teens, if commission approves  
  A curfew for Manatee County teens could be on the horizon if approved Tuesday by county commissioners.
  
  
• Better Together looking for host families in Bay area  
  Hosts provide short-term care for children while parents work through crisis situations, as well as one-on-one mentorship.
  
  
• Pasco Schools to approve new funding for Heroes in the Classroom  
  Pasco County School Board is expected to give final approval today for dedicated funding that will support Heroes in the Classroom.
  
  
• Pinellas school officials host meeting about declining enrollment  
  Pinellas County saw enrollment decline by 3,651 students from last school year to the current school year.
  
  
• Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau completes $54 million project  
  The expanded convention center provides a new platform for the community — one that business owners hope will help them grow.
  
  
• Judge scolds Justice Department for 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case  
  Those problems, according to the judge, include "fundamental misstatements of the law" by a prosecutor to a grand jury that indicted Comey.
  
  
• Applications open for Tampa's $2 million hurricane recovery program  
  Tampa residents seeking assistance with hurricane recovery can now apply for the city’s Homeowner Hurricane Assistance program.
  
  
• Cloudflare outage disrupts ChatGPT, X, other internet services  
  Some sites experiencing issues include Shopify, Dropbox, Coinbase, online game League of Legends, Moody’s and NJ Transit.
  
  
• A+ Teacher and her family dedicated to education in Pasco  
  Kelly Rutherford has been a Pasco County teacher for 35 years.
  
  
• 360 Eats expands meal program to bridge food waste and hunger in Pinellas  
  The 360 Eats food truck will now be stationed outside the St. Pete Free Clinic every Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 2
  
  
• 50-cent thrift store book nets special find for veteran's family  
  Theresa Sutton was putting books away at a thrift shop in Lakeland when a book caught her eye. It was an Aviators log book, dated 1945.
  
  
• FEMA acting chief David Richardson departs after 6 months on the job, officials say  
  His leadership was questioned after he delayed responding to deadly floods in Texas.
  
  
• 122 missing children found in two-week operation, AG Uthmeier says  
  The investigation focused on four targeted areas — Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Fort Myers.
  
  
• Trump plans to meet with Mamdani, says he'll 'work something out' with New York City's mayor-elect  
  Trump has for months slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him as a "communist."
  
  
• Higher prices for Thanksgiving staples may await shoppers  
  Butterball's CEO says turkey prices will be less this year, but the U.S. Agriculture Department says a wholesale turkey price is up 40% over 2024.
  
  
• Tampa Bay area veterans gifted laptops to help navigate VA benefits  
  Nearly 50 laptops were donated to veterans living in a Tampa apartment complex as part of Seniors in Service's Operation: Veterans Connect.
  
  
• Why you may be paying more next time you buy these Italian-made pastas  
  The Department of Commerce accuses more than a dozen Italian brands of "dumping."
  
  
• Allen outduels Mayfield as Bills beat Buccaneers 44-32  
  Tampa Bay (6-4) has lost two straight and four of seven.
  
  
• Land O’ Lakes drivers looking for fix at busy intersection  
  A Land O’ Lakes business owner says the increasing congestion in Pasco County is making it hard for customers to get to and from her salon.
  
  
• With FAA orders lifted, Tampa International Airport traffic resuming regular schedule  
  The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted all restrictions on commercial flights, including at Tampa International.
  
  
• Senior cannabis use hits all-time high  
  Research published in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal shows a significant increase in older adults using cannabis.
  
  
• Musical hero brings joy to assisted living center residents through karaoke  
  Paul Mazzapica leads team bringing joy to assisted living center residents through karaoke. The volunteers are from Countryside Christian Church.
  
  
• Pinellas County teens sleep outside to learn about homelessness  
  They could only bring three items with them, such as a box or a tarp.
  
  
• SNAP recipients set to receive food payments by Monday at latest, USDA secretary says  
  One Central Florida mother who receives SNAP benefits says feeding herself and her 14-year-old son was challenging during the government shutdown.
  
  
• Court date for lawsuit challenging Florida’s bear hunt set for Nov. 24  
  Conservation group Bear Warriors United wants to stop the hunt until further studies can be completed about bear populations in Florida.
  
  
• In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files  
  Writing on social media on Sunday night, Trump said: "We have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax."
  
  
• Burn ban in effect for parts of Citrus County  
  The ban is for residents living in unincorporated areas of Citrus County.
  
  
• Canucks score 5 3rd-period goals to beat Lightning 6-2  
  The Canucks overcame an early deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2 on Sunday night.
  
  
• Free camp helps kids in Tampa learn how to cope with the loss of a loved one  
  The bereavement camp, Camp Kangaroo, returned to Tampa this weekend.
  
  
• Pinellas Park provides free community meal with annual Giveback event  
  Organizers say this year's efforts take on a bit more meaning with the recent government shutdown.
  
  
• Tarpon Springs considers shuttle service to boost tourism and business  
  Some of the shuttle stops would include the downtown area and the Sponge Docks.
  
  
• Enterprising Latinas celebrates 11 years and future expansion at its site in Wimauma  
  The expansion will include a daycare center, culinary lab and more.
  
  
• At Trump’s urging, Bondi says U.S. will investigate Epstein’s ties to Clinton and other political foes  
  The president, who was friends with Epstein for years, didn’t explain what supposed crimes he wanted the Justice Department to investigate.
  
  
• New federal rules will outlaw most THC products, sending shockwaves through Florida’s hemp industry  
  The bill signed into law by President Donald Trump to reopen the government includes a provision regulating hemp products.
  
  
• Winning ticket for $980 million jackpot sold in Georgia, Mega Millions says  
  The numbers selected Friday were 1, 8, 11, 12 and 57 with the gold Mega Ball 7.
  
  
• USF loses ground in AAC championship game bid in loss to Navy 41-38  
  After another big home win put the Bulls back in the Top 25 for the fifth time this season, South Florida may fall back.
  
  
• Trump cuts ties with 'Wacky' Marjorie Taylor Greene, once among his top MAGA-world defenders  
  The Friday night post on Truth Social seemingly marked a final break in a dispute that has been simmering for months.
  
  
• Evacuation order lifted after fire at Pinellas Park business  
  Residents living within a quarter-mile radius of 6400 53rd Street were asked to leave the area.
  
  
• St. Pete City Council weighs in on mayor’s Gas Plant strategy  
  At a meeting on Thursday, five out of eight St. Petersburg City Council members were critical of the mayor's strategy.
  
  
• 911 services restored in some Citrus, Marion counties  
  Officials in both counties reported that issues with their 911 systems have been resolved.
  
  
• Manatee County expands its Emergency Vehicle Preemption System  
  The county is expanding a program that modifies traffic signals so lights turn green for first responders, saving crucial time in emergencies.
  
  
• In matchup of 6-3 teams, Buccaneers visit Bills for Sunday showdown  
  The four-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers still lead their division, but have dropped two of three.
  
  
• Trump asks DOJ to probe Epstein ties to Clinton, Summers, Hoffman, JPMorgan  
  Attorney General Pam Bondi said Friday she had assigned the case to a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
  
  
• Hillsborough County students inducted into John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society  
  Already comfortable in their blue flight suits, students from Stewart Middle Magnet School were officially inducted Friday.
  
  
• Strawberry Festival announces 2026 music lineup  
  The Florida Strawberry Festival has announced its musical lineup for the 2026 event.
  
  
• SpaceX sends up the first of two double Starlink launches  
  SpaceX launched a total of 58 Starlink satellites from two Falcon 9 rockets during the same launch window.
  
  
• A year after storms, Ruskin Seafood Festival celebrating resilience  
  A year after hurricanes destroyed their entire office and left the community in tatters, the Ruskin Seafood Festival is celebrating resilience.
  
  
• Amazon changes name of its Project Kuiper satellites to Amazon Leo  
  It is a nice play on words for low-Earth orbit and the Zodiac constellation Leo.
  
  
• Pioneer Florida Museum and Village to hold Civil War reenactment  
  There will be living history presentations such as traditional blacksmith and carpentry demos.
  
  
• Citrus County providing food assistance for those senior residents enrolled on SNAP  
  The shutdown put a pause on SNAP but today, the Department of Agriculture Secretary said recipients should receive their benefits soon.
  
  
• Despite hurricanes, Tampa sees more businesses expanding and moving to Tampa Bay area  
  According to the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, 29 companies have chosen to expand or move to the Tampa Bay area over the last year.
  
  
• With shutdown over, attention turns to bipartisan proposals, vocal Republicans on ACA credits  
  The agreement that appears likely to pass makes no commitment on extending the premium tax credits but promises a vote in the Senate.
  
  
• At least two people are still hospitalized after Ybor City crash  
  Lifelong friends are still in the hospital after being struck by a speeding driver.
  
  
• Emails reveal Epstein's ties to the rich and powerful despite sex offender status  
  Some supported him during legal troubles, while others sought introductions or advice.
  
  
• Plant City Chamber of Commerce offers Ag tours for people to learn about the industry  
  The tour visited four locations: Grove Equipment Service, Underground Farms, Fresh Pak Produce and the Farmhouse at Gillman Farms.
  
  
• Uthmeier to seek death penalty in Hernando County child sex abuse case  
  Nathan Douglas Holmberg, 36, was indicted this week on 25 counts related to sexual abuse of a child.
  
  
• Judge: No bond for suspect in fatal Ybor City crash  
  The man accused of crashing his car into a group of Ybor City pedestrians, killing four, will not receive bond on the vehicular homicide charges.
  
  
• St. Augustine’s Fountain of Youth Park offers more than just a legendary sip  
  Fountain of Youth tells the story of early Florida.
  
  
• States scramble to send full SNAP food benefits to millions of people after government shutdown ends  
  The federal food program serves about 42 million people, about 1 in 8 Americans, in lower-income households.
  
  
• Treatment center says FSU's Pritchard has completed 'intensive rehabilitation' after gunshot to head  
  Freshman linebacker Ethan Pritchard was moved to Brooks Rehabilitation in early October after being shot in the back of the head on Aug. 31.
  
  
• Rays plan return to Tropicana Field after hurricane repairs  
  The team announced Wednesday it will return to an updated Tropicana Field for the 2026 season.
  
  
• Florida lawmakers react to the end of government shutdown  
  Reaction amongst local lawmakers is split over the end of the shutdown.
  
  
• Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson hospitalized for rare neurological disorder  
  The 84-year-old was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy in April and is under observation.
  
  
• Trump signs government funding bill, ending shutdown after record 43-day disruption  
  House Republicans used their slight majority to get the bill over the finish line by a vote of 222-209.
  
  
• Lakeland to hold public meeting for Lake Bonnet drainage basin  
  The project aims to reduce flooding in the May Manor Mobile Home Park and surrounding areas.
  
  
• No bond for suspect in fatal Ybor City crash, states scramble to send full SNAP benefits and FSU's Pritchard leaves rehab after gunshot wound  
  Here's what you need to know to start your evening.
  
  
• ULA launches ViaSat-3 mission after valve issue  
  The ViaSat-3 Flight 2 mission took off from the Atlas V 551 rocket from Space Launch Complex-41.
  
  
• Manatees munch on lettuce while rehab home grows around them at ZooTampa  
  Florida on a Tankful visits ZooTampa’s Manatee rescue and rehabilitation facilities as they undergo a major overhaul on their way to a spring opening.
  
  
• SeaPort Manatee handled a record number of cargo in 2025  
  A planned expansion has officials thinking even bigger for next year.
  
  
• Work continues on the Orange Belt Trail in Pasco County  
  The Orange Belt Trail is a planned multi-use trail that will connect with other trails from Trinity to Trilby.
  
  
• Lakeland charter school plans expansion that will add 38 classrooms  
  School officials say they plan to add grades to boost enrollment.
  
  
• Division One college basketball returns to Pinellas County for the first time in over two decades  
  It's the second time since 1999.
  
  
• Pilot: Convenience compromised for travelers, not safety  
  The FAA raised air traffic reductions to 6% on Tuesday at the nation’s 40 busiest airports and that number could climb to 10% by Friday.
  
  
• House Democrats release Jeffrey Epstein emails discussing Trump  
  The GOP-led Oversight Committee responded to the new emails by releasing 23,000 pages of Epstein files.
  
  
• St. Pete pilot flies in free meals to thank unpaid air traffic controllers  
  Pilot Sammy Wang flew pizza and sandwiches into Tampa International Airport to provide food for air traffic controllers, and to show his appreciation.
  
  
• PHOTOS: Glimmers of the northern lights captured on Florida cameras  
  Share your photos with Spectrum News.
  
  
• University Area CDC bus tour highlights transformation and hope in Tampa  
  The University Area Community Development Corporation's initiatives are breathing life into the community block by block.
  
  
• Solar storms bring colorful northern lights to unexpected places in the U.S.  
  A rare, powerful solar storm could light up the sky across the U.S. again Wednesday night.
  
  
• Florida head start group temporarily closing several centers due to government shutdown  
  The Redlands Christian Migrant Association — or RCMA — is a head start program that serves dozens of children and families around Florida.
  
  
• Son of Ybor crash victim says he wants to see justice for his mother  
  The son of Lisa Johnson, one of four people killed in Saturday's deadly crash in Ybor City, remembered her as a wonderful mother and grandmother.
  
  
• U.S. Mint in Philadelphia to press final penny as the 1-cent coin gets canceled  
  Trump has ordered the penny's demise as costs climb to nearly 4 cents per penny and the 1-cent valuation becomes somewhat obsolete.
  
  
• Women sports worlds collide at The Annika  
  Caitlin Clark brought a whole new fanbase to The Annika.
  
  
• Vicky Bakery's pumpkin-inspired flan and pastelitos  
  A family-owned business serving up classic Cuban treats in Miami since 1972 is now in Orlando.
  
  
• USF makes its debut on College Football Playoff bracket  
  USF latest football milestone made its debut Tuesday night when the Bulls were included in the College Football Playoff bracket.
  
  
• New charges for Ybor City crash suspect, House to take up funding bill to end shutdown and 'mysterious' lane closure in St. Pete puzzles drivers  
  Here's what you need to know to start your evening.
  
  
• Florida Museum of Photographic Arts 'The Soldier’s Lens' exhibition shows life at war and peace  
  On The Town at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts for “The Soldier’s Lens" exhibition, to see pictures of everyday life in the armed services.
  
  
• Drivers getting around 'mysterious' St. Pete lane closure  
  A middle lane is closed on a busy downtown street, but it has been hard for drivers to tell why. We asked FDOT.
  
  
• Flight cancellations and delays impact Tampa Catholic Church choir's travels to perform for the Pope  
  A Bay Area choir is on their way to sing for the Pope in Italy, but all of the delays and flight cancellations almost stopped the music for the group.
  
  
• Veteran on quest to honor first Black woman to work at Bay Pines VA  
  A book filled with articles, pictures and priceless items details the life of the first Black woman to work at Bay Pines VA.
  
  
• Flight schedules could be back to normal by Thanksgiving, Duffy says  
  The transportation secretary said it depends on air traffic controllers coming in to work.
  
  
• Sally Kirkland, stage and screen star who earned an Oscar nomination in 'Anna,' dies at age 84  
  She was also known for sharing the screen with Paul Newman and Robert Redford in "The Sting."
  
  
• Supreme Court extends its order blocking full SNAP payments, with shutdown potentially near an end  
  SNAP helps about 1 in 8 American buy groceries.
  
  
• Tampa natives turn lifelong friendship into $3 million affordable housing project  
  They celebrated a major milestone as the city officially cut the ribbon on their first multifamily development.
  
  
• Businesses, city leaders weigh pros and cons of closing Ybor City's 7th Avenue after deadly crash  
  Some business owners say they wouldn't mind seeing the street closed off during busy hours like on weekend nights — or even permanently.
  
  
• In Veterans Day speech, Trump vows to end backlog of VA benefits, stop political correctness in military  
  The president has heavily waded into politics in multiple speeches to troops since his return to office.
  
  
• Bucs trying to figure out how to go from being a good team to a great one  
  The Bucs had several lapses in a 28-23 loss at home to the New England Patriots.
  
  
• A+ Teacher recognized for giving her all in the classroom  
  Sharmae Lamar has been a teacher in Pinellas County for seven years.
  
  
• Veterans Day freebies and discounts  
  A variety of businesses are offering freebies and discounts for veterans and active service personnel for Veterans Day 2025.
  
  
• Florida open carry ruling prompts legal uncertainty  
  Some Florida legislators have expressed concern that state law could allow people to legally carry long guns in gun-free zones.
  
  
• Tampa Bay middle school students share appreciation of veterans through letters  
  The Cambridge Christian initiative aims to teach students about service and appreciation.