We find it interesting even when we are back home.

• Tropicana Field bartender worries Rays will leave area  
  The bartender has been so concerned she spoke out publicly at a Pinellas County meeting on Tuesday.
  
  
• Florida Board of Education looks to crack down on false threats  
  The board furthered efforts to educate parents and students about the consequences of using reporting tool FortifyFL with ill intent.
  
  
• New report says Citizens Insurance leads the state in non-payment  
  The report says Citizens — Florida's largest property insurer — closed 50% of claims without payment in 2023.
  
  
• Fatal crash closes busy Riverview intersection; FHP investigating  
  Video from Sky 9 showed several vehicles at the scene, including a school bus.
  
  
• Sarasota farm workers planting crops, trying to recover after hurricanes  
  Jessica's Organic Farm received damages from the hurricanes, losing crops and thousands of dollars.
  
  
• Thanksgiving dinner will cost less this year, farm bureau says  
  Turkey prices are 5% lower than last year.
  
  
• Harbor Lights mobile home park still in the dark after Hurricane Helene  
  Some residents in the 55+ community say the issues lies with outdated electric boxes that were not in compliance with FEMA.
  
  
• St. Pete Beach leaders asked to pick up the pace with permitting  
  Residents and business owners are demanding that leaders get a more effective process when it comes to issuing permits to repair properties.
  
  
• House Democrats send letter to Biden urging clemency for thousands of prisoners  
  They asked him to pardon elderly and chronically ill individuals who do not pose a safety threat and to spare prisoners from the death penalty.
  
  
• Trump chooses former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker as NATO ambassador  
  The president-elect has repeatedly expressed skepticism about the alliance.
  
  
• U.S. vetoes United Nations resolution demanding cease-fire in Gaza because there's no link to hostage release  
  The cease-fire demand was not linked to an immediate release of hostages taken captive by Hamas in Israel in October 2023.
  
  
• Hernando County commissioners holidng FEMA rules town hall  
  Hernando County commissioners will hold a town hall Wednesday night to discuss FEMA rules and flooding issues caused by Hurricane Milton.
  
  
• Christmas tree lighting Wednesday night in Ybor City  
  The 14th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is happening on Wednesday night in the historic district.
  
  
• Brayden Point’s OT winner helps Lightning rally past Penguins, 3-2  
  Brayden Point’s OT winner helps Lightning rally past Penguins, 3-2
  
  
• Bradenton Police increase reward for information leading to arrest in deadly shooting  
  The family of Yolanda Baxcajay-Flores is seeking answers after she was shot and killed in her car on Nov. 12.
  
  
• Pinellas BOCC delays Rays bond vote again; keeps stadium project 'jeopardized'  
  The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners voted once again Tuesday to delay a vote on the financing portion of the Rays new stadium.
  
  
• Trump picks Dr. Oz to run Medicare and Medicaid, Linda McMahon for Education, Lutnick for Commerce  
  Oz unsuccessfully ran for Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican in 2022, losing to Democrat John Fetterman, and is an outspoken supporter of Trump.
  
  
• Congress divided over whether to release House report on Trump AG pick Gaetz  
  The House Ethics Committee is expected to meet Wednesday to discuss how it should move forward on the report.
  
  
• Prosecutors oppose tossing Trump's hush money conviction but are open to sentencing delay  
  But the Manhattan district attorney's office expressed some openness to delaying the case until after his impending second term.
  
  
• Tampa police investigating 2nd body found near Causeway in three days  
  Tampa police are investigating if there are any connections between two bodies being found this week in the same area.
  
  
• NASA and Russia’s space agency disagree on severity of air leak on International Space Station  
  NASA says the leak could cause a “catastrophic failure” on the ISS.
  
  
• Rod & Reel Pier employee awaits for business to be rebuilt after Hurricane Milton destroys building  
  When Hurricane Milton hit Anna Maria Island, it completely wrecked the pier, leaving no trace of the restaurant.
  
  
• Community packs meeting on South Howard Flood Relief Project  
  People who live and work in neighborhoods along South Howard Avenue attended a meeting on a major flood relief project.
  
  
• SeaWorld Orlando, multiple partners help rescue distressed manatee in North Carolina  
  The manatee was first reported in late October to the North Carolina stranding network, according to SeaWorld.
  
  
• Universal Orlando reveals 1st look inside ‘Harry Potter’ attraction at Epic Universe  
  Guests will be able to enter the British Ministry of Magic in Universal’s new ride.
  
  
• Bucs set to begin stretch run Sunday at Giants  
  Tampa Bay could still make a playoff push.
  
  
• Pinellas commissioner has 'productive' meeting on stadium as Rays' Tampa game plan draws ire in Clearwater  
  Chris Latvala spoke out last week about the Rays temporary season in Tampa next year. But on X, he called the meeting with Ken Welch "productive."
  
  
• DeSantis aims to appoint Marco Rubio's Senate replacement by early January  
  Some Republicans want the governor to appoint Lara Trump, the president-elect's daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
  
  
• PHOTOS: Rays release post-Milton photos of inside Tropicana Field  
  The Tampa Bay Rays on Monday released photos from inside Tropicana Field that were taken after Hurricane Milton tore the roof off of the venue.
  
  
• SpaceX launches communications satellite for India  
  The NSIL GSAT-N2 mission took off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
  
  
• Trump appears to be planning to attend SpaceX 'Starship' launch scheduled for Tuesday in Texas  
  Trump's visit comes as billionaire Musk has been a near-constant presence at Trump's side as he builds out his administration.
  
  
• Wall Street rises following last week's slide  
  Several big companies are lining up to report their latest quarterly results this week.
  
  
• Authorities: Teen arrested, charged with threatening Pinellas commissioner  
  Pinellas County Sheriff’s detectives have arrested a 17-year-old and charged him with threatening a county commissioner.
  
  
• U.S. to add features such as blind spot warnings and pedestrian detection to vehicle crash ratings  
  Starting with the 2026 model year, regulators will add new driver-assistance technologies and tests for protecting pedestrians.
  
  
• Hillsborough Sheriff's Office releases body cam footage in deputy shooting  
  The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has released the body-worn camera footage of the deputy-involved shooting that occurred Saturday evening.
  
  
• Weeks after storms, Pasco County man explores damaged home  
  Jeffrey Murray was unable to return to his home for weeks because of flood waters covering his driveway.
  
  
• Trump names Brendan Carr, senior GOP leader at FCC, to lead the agency  
  He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission.
  
  
• Moscow warns U.S. over allowing Ukraine to hit Russian soil with long-range weapons  
  Washington is easing limits on what Ukraine can strike with U.S.-made weaponry, U.S. officials told The Associated Press.
  
  
• Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy as financial losses pile up and debt payments loom  
  Spirit said it expects to operate as normal as it works its way through a prearranged Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.
  
  
• AP sources: Biden for the first time OKs Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles in Russia  
  The decision is a major U.S. policy shift and comes as Biden is about to leave office.
  
  
• Wildfire threat continues in much of U.S. Northeast as dry conditions persist  
  The wildfire had burned 7 1/2 square miles (19.4 square kilometers) across the two states as of Friday.
  
  
• Nelly Korda rallies at Annika for her seventh LPGA win of the year  
  Korda ran off five straight birdies on the back nine to close with a 3-under 67.
  
  
• SpaceX launches Australian communications satellite  
  Falcon 9 rocket took off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.
  
  
• Trump names fossil fuel executive Chris Wright as energy secretary  
  Wright, CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development
  
  
• Bela Karolyi, coach of Olympic champion gymnasts who was criticized after Nassar scandal, dies at 82  
  USA Gymnastics said Karolyi died Friday. No cause of death was given.
  
  
• USF runs roughshod past Charlotte, 59-24  
  USF forced four Charlotte turnovers.
  
  
• Andrei Vasilevskiy makes 29 saves, Bolts beat Devils 4-0  
  Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded his 36th career shutout and second this season.
  
  
• 'It's not easy': Mother mourns with Good Samaritan who jumped to save children from fiery crash  
  Before Nov. 7, Logan Deines and AJ Slater were strangers. Now, they say they’re bonded forever through the immense pain and appreciation they share.
  
  
• Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Council helps Latino students pursue graduate level careers with scholarship  
  Karla Rosales, the scholarship recipient of 2023, said the award has helped her on her educational journey.
  
  
• Florida upsets No. 21 LSU 27-16 for 1st series win since 2018  
  The Gators will have to win one of their final two games, against Ole Miss and at Florida State, to become bowl eligible.
  
  
• Jake Paul beats 58-year-old Mike Tyson as the hits don't match the hype  
  The fight wasn't close on the judge's cards, with one giving Paul an 80-72 edge and the other two calling it 79-73.
  
  
• Lakeland student credits Academy Prep chess class for life-changing impact  
  The eighth grader is now the school’s chess champion, applying the skills he gained in and out of class.
  
  
• Bay area resident fights dementia, increases awareness in Pasco's Walk to End Alzheimer's  
  Walk participant Vinny Celano was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia two years ago, but he says the disease isn't slowing him down.
  
  
• Bullet strikes Southwest Airlines plane without injuries at Dallas airport  
  No injuries were reported and law enforcement was contacted after the bullet struck the right side of the aircraft just under the flight deck.
  
  
• Israeli troops reach deepest point in Lebanon since Oct. 1 invasion, Lebanese media say  
  The reports say Israeli troops captured a strategic hill in the southern Lebanese village of Chamaa, near the Israeli border early Saturday.
  
  
• Pinellas officials say beaches lost 1M cubic yards of sand during Helene and Milton  
  Leaders stressed the need for beach renourishment from the Army Corps of Engineers.
  
  
• Homeowners meet with New Port Richey city officials to discuss next steps for home repairs after hurricanes  
  Homeowners in Edgewater Gardens are concerned about red stickers that have been showing up on their front doors after the recent hurricanes.
  
  
• Clayton scores 25 points as No. 20 Florida, Todd Golden beat Florida State 87-74 on the road  
  Clayton scores 25 points as No. 20 Florida, Todd Golden beat Florida State 87-74 on the road
  
  
• Pinellas County leaders looking for ways to help restore beaches post hurricanes  
  Even before the impacts of the recent hurricanes, emergency efforts to restore the beaches were ongoing.
  
  
• Democrats, public health community alarmed over Trump's nomination of RFK Jr. to lead HHS  
  But congressional Republicans who have made public statements are supporting the president-elect's pick for health secretary.
  
  
• National League of Cities summit in Tampa tackles homelessness  
  More than 650,000 Americans were homeless in 2023, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  
  
• Displaced Madeira Beach mother, daughter seek normalcy after hurricanes  
  A Madeira Beach family is working to regain normalcy after the hurricanes.
  
  
• General Motors lays off about 1,000 workers, cutting costs to compete in a crowded automobile market  
  GM said it has to operate efficiently and have the right team structure to focus on its top priorities.
  
  
• EV and battery makers urge Trump to keep clean vehicle tax credits  
  President-elect Trump said he plans to terminate what he calls the "green new scam" once he takes office.
  
  
• Biden to meet South Korean, Japanese leaders amid growing worries about North Korea  
  The meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru comes as North Korea has deployed thousands of troops to Russia.
  
  
• Burgum, Collins, Blanche among Trump's latest administration picks  
  Burgum is being nominated as interior secretary, Collins as VA secretary and Blanche for the No. 2 role in the Justice Department.
  
  
• Open for business: Gulfport cleans up after storms, welcomes back visitors  
  At Tommy’s Hideaway, a pizza and pub shop, customers are steadily streaming in.
  
  
• Life returning to Treasure Island as businesses reopen  
  Treasure Island continues to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
  
  
• Betty White, Allen Toussaint will get commemorative stamps in 2025  
  The U.S. Postal service introduced 14 new stamps, series and postage-included postcards Friday.
  
  
• Lightning stop the Jets’ seven-game win streak with a 4-1 victory  
  Andrei Vasilevskiy made 23 saves in his 300th NHL win on Thursday night.
  
  
• St. John Vianney Catholic School to permanently close at end of school year due to damage sustained from Hurricane Helene and Milton  
  The Diocese of Saint Petersburg made the announcement at a meeting with parents Wednesday night.
  
  
• Gov. DeSantis calls for swift special elections to replace Trump’s Florida Cabinet picks  
  Trump's House picks will be replaced via a special election, while Sen. Marco Rubio's replacement will be appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  
  
• Rays to play at Tampa's Steinbrenner Field in 2025  
  Hurricane Milton ripped away parts of the Tropicana Field roof when it moved through the Bay area on Oct. 9.
  
  
• Advance Auto Parts is closing hundreds of stores in an effort to turn its business around  
  Advance Auto Parts is closing more than 500 stores and shedding another 200 independent locations.
  
  
• TV funnyman Conan O’Brien is tapped to host next Oscars  
  The Oscars will air live on ABC on March 2, 2025.
  
  
• City council to tackle Trop repairs, future funding next week  
  Some city council members expected the stadium to be a talking point at a city forum on Wednesday night, but the meeting wrapped before it came up.
  
  
• St. Pete Beach officials give update on debris removal progress  
  St. Pete Beach City officials said they, along with other municipalities, have until Dec. 23 to have the debris removed.
  
  
• Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures  
  Economists expect the Fed to announce another quarter-point rate cut in December.
  
  
• Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival returns to Clearwater  
  The festival had been on pause for seven weeks due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
  
  
• After delays, SpaceX successfully launches 2 dozen Starlink satellites  
  The California-based company’s Falcon 9 rocket sends up Starlink 6-68 mission.
  
  
• E. coli cases climb to 104 in McDonald’s outbreak tied to slivered onions  
  At least 34 people have been hospitalized.
  
  
• Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval returns for 2025  
  The event features a nightly parade with New Orleans-inspired cuisine and live performances.
  
  
• Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones' Infowars  
  The Onion, based in Chicago, consulted on the bidding with some of the Sandy Hook families that sued Jones for defamation and emotional distress.
  
  
• Tesla tops list of brands with highest fatal accident rate in new study  
  For its analysis, iSeeCars used the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System data.
  
  
• Trump taps Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to serve as secretary of state  
  The Florida Republican held outsized influence during Trump’s first term on the then-president’s Latin America policy.
  
  
• Senate Republicans vote to make John Thune their leader  
  Thune, a top deputy of outgoing Republican leader Mitch McConnell, will oversee the first GOP Senate majority in four years.
  
  
• Wander Franco charged with illegally carrying gun in altercation that led to his arrest  
  Franco, 23, who awaits trial in a sexual abuse case involving a minor, was arrested after an argument broke out in an apartment complex parking lot.
  
  
• Several Ridge Manor homeowners still underwater a month after Milton  
  Some residents are puzzled by the flooding the has plagued the community for weeks.
  
  
• Visit Florida reports record summer tourism in the state  
  The data covers the summer months through September, right as the west coast of Florida was dealing with Hurricane Helene and preparing for Milton.
  
  
• The Annika's Women's Leadership Summit features Caitlin Clark  
  Clark talked about leadership and empowerment.
  
  
• Frenchy's Rockaway Grill could reopen before Thanksgiving  
  The iconic beachfront restaurant was in the middle of a remodel when Helene hit in September.
  
  
• Weeks after Helene, Indian Rocks Beach residents wait on letters to start repair process  
  The city's mayor says she heard from the county substantial damage letters are expected to be sent this week or next.
  
  
• Circle B Bar Reserve reopens following flooding from Hurricane Milton  
  The park is open for visitors to roam with the exception of two trails.
  
  
• 'Why aren't they coming?': Redington Shores homeowner still waiting for inspection after hurricanes  
  Redington Shores homeowner awaits rebuild permit from Helene & Milton
  
  
• Reid's 16 points lead USF past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 85-69  
  Reid's 16 points lead USF past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 85-69
  
  
• Biden meets with Israeli president Herzog at the White House as he prepares to hand over the reins to Trump  
  Meeting coincided with the deadline set by the Biden administration last month for Israel to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza
  
  
• Trump poised to name Marco Rubio as Secretary of State pick  
  The U.S. senator from Florida sits on the Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations committees.
  
  
• FEMA deadline arrives today for Hurricane Debby aid  
  The deadline for FEMA applications related to Hurricane Debby is Nov. 12.
  
  
• Board selects Michael Stephens as next CEO for Tampa International Airport  
  The finalists for the top spot were two current airport executives: Michael Stephens and John Tiliacos.
  
  
• Trump asks Florida Rep. Mike Waltz to be his national security adviser  
  The nod came despite simmering concerns on Capitol Hill about Trump tapping members of the House, where the final tally is still uncertain.