This morning we’re live at Papa’s NY Diner in @MyClearwater as part of our #VoiceOfTheVoter coverage…talking to people about what matters in upcoming state, local and national elections. @abcactionnews @HLeighWFTS #Clearwater

Heaviest rain arrives on Saturday and ends on Sunday. There will be localized spots with much higher totals than this. Gusty winds expected along with the potential for some severe weather. This is the El Nino setup we've been talking about for months. The rainfall will help.

RIGHT NOW: @RaysBaseball are making this announcement in @StPeteFL at #TropicanaField. Their new ballpark will be in the same general area as the existing ballpark with an emphasis on honoring the #GasPlantDistrict’s history.

Stuart Sternberg told the crowd gathered at #TropicanaField he didn’t originally want to be playing in the Trop in 2027 adding, “I was wrong about that.” #Rays @StPeteFL @RaysBaseball

Janet Long, @PinellasGov Commission chair : “our rays are here to stay. FINALLY!” @RaysBaseball are officially announcing they will stay in #StPete in the same general area of the existing #TropicanaField

This article truly made me love flamingos even more. 🦩 what a great article by @TB_Times reporter @stephhayes. Be on the lookout for flamingos, Tampanians! tampabay.com/hurricane/2023…

Pardon our mess and any temp closures as we clean storm debris and reopen all 200ish #TampaParksandRec locations throughout the @CityofTampa! Today we feel grateful to have avoided the worst of #HurricaneIdalia and wish a speedy recovery to everyone impacted. #FloridaStrong

What to do with your STORM DEBRIS:
- Idalia brought min debris impacts to St. Pete
- Place vegetative debris in trash can or drop remaining debris at one of City Brush Sites stpete.org/brushsites
- 1000 62 Ave NE location is OPEN
- Reg trash & recycling schedules resume today

Hernando County Sheriff's Office shared photos of a snake found in the middle of flooded roads. "If there is flooding in your area, please shelter in place and do not wade in the water," they said. "You never know what could have washed in with the flooding."

As we approach what would have been Jennifer Odom's 43rd birthday next month, authorities in Hernando County say they've made an arrest in her murder.

abcactionnews.com/news/region-ci…

The price of #ChidlCarefor two children exceeded average housing costs in the Midwest, the Northeast and the South. It also exceeds annual in-state tuition across the country. ⁦@abcactionnews⁩ abcactionnews.com/news/in-depth/…

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race cannot be a factor in college admissions, overturning a precedent set in Grutter v. Bollinger in 2003.

Full story here: wfts.tv/3JEcwlk

About 20 million people will come out completely debt free if the student loan program survives the ruling. wfts.tv/441x5Ak

The Florida Department of Health issued a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory after four confirmed cases of malaria were reported in Sarasota County. @abcactionnews abcactionnews.com/news/state/flo…

With work underway on the sinkhole that opened in Lakeland last week, legal experts are weighing in on the sinkhole problem in Florida and what homeowners need to know. abcactionnews.com/news/region-po…

Eric Hovland, an Associate Curator at The Florida Aquarium who goes by “The Shark Guy,” said seeing the hammerhead is a good sign we're taking care of our waterways. wfts.tv/42DXN0C

A large sinkhole has opened up on the southside of Lakeland. Polk County Fire Rescue said they are still assessing the situation and will have more information when it becomes available.

abcactionnews.com/news/region-po…

An 11.3 GPA!!! Wow, what a smart you g lady.

"You can fly just like a bird!" Yet, the future of #PoweredParagliding in #RedingtonShores is up in the air. #Paramotor pilots hope the town leaders can help them reach a compromise to keep flying along the sandy shoreline. @abcactionnews #TampaBay STORY: abcactionnews.com/news/region-pi…

Some #Trans families are choosing to leave #FL. · GoFundMe has observed a 520% increase year-over-year (May 2022 to May 2023) in fundraisers created to support relocation out of FL. @abcactionnews interviewed one family now packing their bags.