Tampa International Airport will privatize most Transportation Security Administration operations, just months after President Donald Trump unveiled a 2027 budget proposal that called for handing more airport security over to private companies.

In a statement to Tampa Bay 28 TPA said it opted in to the program:

"TPA has opted in to the TSA Gold+ program, which is the TSAs new public-private partnership screening program. The TSA will continue to have regulatory oversight of TPAs screening operations, just as it does now, but with a private workforce instead of a federal workforce conducting screening.

TPAs decision to join TSA Gold+ reflects the Airports strong commitment to modernization, innovation, and operational resilience in aviation security. The change to privatization not only reduces disruption risks caused by lapses in federal appropriations or government shutdowns but also allows greater flexibility in exploring new screening checkpoint infrastructure and technology to enhance the customer experience."

The news was first reported by aviation newsletter Gate Access.

The change is targeted for May 31, 2027, a TSA employee in Tampa said they were told during a town hall Monday led by Adam Stahl, acting TSA deputy administrator. Many now face the difficult choice of applying to work at the private contractor, finding other government jobs, transferring to another airport, resigning or taking retirement earlier than they might have planned.

Some employees were sad, some were crying and others were visibly upset, the staffer said, noting that workers were told in May that the airport had put in an application for the TSA Gold+ program. Others put in their retirement paperwork right away.

TSA officers in Tampa will get the first right of refusal for jobs when a private security vendor is selected, the employee was told.

The latest White House budget proposal, released in April, would require small airports to enroll in TSAs Screening Partnership Program, under which TSA pays for private screeners. The administration says the move would save $52 million and begin reform of a troubled Federal agency.

The Gold+ program expands upon an existing program that has been used by a handful of airports featuring privatized screening by also allowing them to manage the screening technology.

There are 20 airports in the United States that have private companies operating the security checkpoints supervised by the TSA under the Screening Partnership Program. San Francisco International, Kansas City International, Orlando Sanford and 17 smaller airports participate.

Privatizing TSA airport screening became a talking point among lawmakers and the president over the last year after government shutdowns disrupted air travel. When TSA employees werent being paid some didnt come to work, leaving some travelers stuck in hours-long lines at airports.

Privatization has been a major concern for the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents about 47,000 TSA officers nationwide. The union expected the White House would propose such a move, which was outlined in Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations conservative blueprint for the second Trump term, an AFGE spokesperson told CNN earlier this year.

AFGE union leaders said in a March news conference that the administration was trying to use the chaos that erupted at airports during the shutdown to show that TSA is in mission failure.

Its very important that people understand what privatization is, Johnny Jones, secretary treasurer for AFGE TSA Council 100, said at the news conference. It has nothing to do with your security or your safety. It has everything to do with somebody making a profit.

CNN has reached out to TSA for more information.

As she fills up bins and baskets in her cozy St. Pete produce market with 57 kinds of delicious fruits and vegetables, Kelli Casto is wearing a shiny blue dress.

She looks not unlike a blonde Marvel Avenger.

So you ask her: What would your comic-book character be called?

"I'm the Harvest Hero," she says, laughing.

Kelli's unique store (527 49th St S, St. Pete) is part of her ongoing Produce PAC mission: feed a community in more ways than one.

In the wee small hours of the morning, Kelli works with 7 different area farms to gather produce to fill up her shop and send out food via delivery.

She keeps her fruit and veggie prices lower than those found in grocery stores.

"Everyone, no matter who you are, should be able to afford fresh, healthy produce," she says.

She also uses her fresh bounty to hand-make a variety of cold-pressed juices, a popular new item that helps people replace sugary drinks and sodas.

"Oh, I'm the Juice Queen," she says, coming up with another superhero name.

But supporting farmers and local residents is just the start of her mission.

Each week, Kelli takes part of the proceeds and provides free produce to dozens of area seniors in need, making sure they get healthy food, too.

"I love our seniors," she says. "All that wisdom. Sometimes our community forgets about them."

For more on Produce PAC, go here.

For more Sean Daly stories, go here.

Good morning from the Tampa Bay 28 News team.

Today is Tuesday, and after many days of storms, it looks like the showers are starting to taper off as Bertha moves away from us. Meteorologist Ally Blake says skies are trending drier as we make our way through the week, and while we'll probably still see some scattered July storms after the tropical storm passes, they'll be a lot less widespread.

Good Morning Tampa Bay is streaming NOW through 10 a.m. Watch for free on your favorite mobile and streaming TV platforms.

Mix of sun and clouds today. Meteorologist Ally Blake says showers are possible before noon west of I-75 as Bertha moves away from us.

Watch the One Minute Weather Forecast with Meteorologist Ally Blake:

New Experian data shows personal loans are becoming more common, with experts saying they can help consolidate debt but should be used carefully. Tampa Bay 28 Reporter Susan El Khoury advises comparing interest rates, borrowing only for necessary expenses, and having a repayment plan before taking out a personal loan.

Affordable St. Pete produce market keeps prices down and boosts the community. Tampa Bay 28's Sean Daly learned more about Kelli Casto's Produce PAC, which supports area farmers and helps seniors in need.

A Hillsborough County land use hearing focused Monday on ex parte communications between the Pebble Creek Golf Course owner and county commissioners, as the nearly three-year rezoning dispute continues.

The golf course owner apologized for bringing residents back to another public hearing.

"The land owner could not be here tonight but he did ask me to place into the record his apology in the form of a letter for causing this inconvenience of coming back here today," Jacob Cremer, an attorney for developer GL Homes, said.

WATCH: Pebble Creek rezoning case returns to public hearing over ex parte email concerns

GL Homes first proposed rezoning the Pebble Creek Golf Course for housing in 2023. County commissioners denied the request, but the case went through the courts before being sent back for reconsideration.

Residents say they are frustrated the process is still dragging on.

"It has been 3 years, so it's upsetting in that sense," Emma Szymborski, a Pebble Creek resident, said.

Some residents urged the hearing officer to recommend denying the application, arguing ex-parte communications compromised the fairness of the process.

"I'm asking the board to recommend denial for this application based on the presumption of prejudice arising from ex-parte communications with local public officials, lack of disclosure and improper influence," Szymborski said during public comment.

"What we really want to get across is having fair due process," Szymborski said.

The hearing stems from a June decision by Hillsborough County commissioners to send the case back for further review after emails between the golf course owner and a county commissioner raised legal concerns. County staff reviewed those emails, and through a public records request, I obtained them as well.

The specific phrase at the center of the hearing reads: "I believe the GL Project offers the best solution for residents."

"The limited portion of the email communication being addressed today references what may be the best solution for the community I respectfully disagree," Leslie Green said during public comment.

"It's unfair for one side to be able to talk to a commissioner at this time. We are not given that same opportunity," Green, founder of Save Pebble Creek, said.

Because Monday's hearing was limited to that email exchange, residents like Green said broader concerns including traffic, environmental impacts and contaminated soil were not allowed to be part of the discussion.

"It's horrible that this is a remand only for a couple of lines of that email one thing is there's a lot of things that are not resolved," Green said.

The GL Homes attorney declined to comment after the hearing.

The land use hearing officer has 15 business days to decide whether to recommend the issue move forward to the board of county commissioners. If she does, the next hearing is scheduled for Sep. 22, where residents will be able to participate in public comment before county commissioners are expected to make a decision.

Safety Harbor City Park will stay lit this season after the City Commission voted Monday to approve up to $50,000 to replace light bulbs on the rest of the fields.

City Hall was packed with Little League members as Commissioners approved the re-lamping measure, ensuring kids can play ball this summer.

"The best thing for right now is for us to get the lights fixed for the kids," Coach Sean Hackett said.

WATCH: Safety Harbor City Commission approves $50,000 lighting replacement to keep park open at night

Parent Cristina Radford said she wants to see the kids back on the field.

"So they can get out there and play with their friends and make new friends and learn life lessons and stay off those tablets," Radford said.

But City leaders and staff made clear the $50,000 fix is only a short-term solution. Manufacturers are set to stop making the bulbs in a couple of years, and a full overhaul of the entire lighting system would cost nearly $1 million.

Little League members say they are still not in the clear long term.

Some Commissioners wanted to begin exploring options to start the ball rolling on the overhaul. Commissioner Kevin Shanks called the program a priority.

"Regardless of the [property tax] amendment whether it passes or not I think it's valuable enough program that we need to support it," Shanks said.

Other Commissioners were hesitant to commit to any funding moves until voters weigh in this fall on potential property tax reform.

"I think with what cities throughout the state are being faced with, there's a lot of things to get done in the city, it's just one big moving target," Commissioner Andy Steingold said.

A multi-vehicle crash shut down three southbound lanes of Interstate 75 in Manatee County on Monday night, causing traffic delays near State Road 64 in the Bradenton area.

The Florida Department of Transportation said all lanes have since reopened.

A dispute over a tobacco purchase escalated into an alleged battery and retail theft in Davenport after a group left a store with stolen merchandise, according to investigators.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) said the incident happened around 2 p.m. Sunday, July 19.

Deputies said a man attempted to buy tobacco products but was refused the sale after he could not provide identification. Investigators said the man became upset, and the people with him joined in the disturbance.

PCSO said a woman in the group spat in the face of a store employee during the confrontation.

As the group left the store, deputies said they stole multiple items before driving away in a white Chevrolet SUV.

The Polk County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with information to contact Detective Hector Melendez at 863-236-3900 or email HMelendez@polksheriff.org.

Florida families are losing hundreds of dollars in SNAP benefits to fraud, with multiple victims in the Tampa Bay area saying unauthorized charges on their accounts are being traced to the same California address and the state is offering no way to get that money back.

Cheyenne Smith, a stay-at-home mother of four, whose husband works as a truck driver, said she first noticed something was wrong when an unauthorized charge came off her card. She canceled it immediately.

"Not even five minutes after that, and you can look on the time stamps, it literally went through for the second transaction of $325.18. But how can that happen when I canceled the card?" Smith said.

WATCH: 'It's either eat or pay bills': Florida families desperate for answers after losing SNAP benefits to fraud

The fraud did not stop there.

"It's happened over a span of a week. I've went through three cards," Smith said.

"The locks, the canceling the card, the changing my PIN, nothing worked. Because they're just messing with it over and over again," Smith said.

Smith said the fraudulent charges appeared to be DoorDash transactions originating from Glendale, California. When she contacted DoorDash directly, she said the company told her the transaction did not exist.

"So, when I called DCF... It says sorry, we're too busy, and it hangs up on you. And you literally have to call multiple times a day for days, and maybe, if you're lucky you can get through," Smith said.

Her family is now facing the consequences.

"I rely on my food stamps, you know, to get through the month. It doesn't last all month, but it supplements," Smith said. "It really does hurt my family. Immensely."

"I got food right now, but come, you know, next week and the week after the fridge is not going to look this colorful," Smith said. "This is going to be gone in, you know, no time."

Smith is not alone.

Shayna Houser Parra, who lives in Plant City, told the I-Team her SNAP benefits card declined while she was grocery shopping with her kids.

"Everything on the app was red, like flagged," Houser Parra said. "All my money was gone, it said insignificant funds."

"We walked out empty-handed," Houser Parra said, recalling how she cried the whole drive home. "I'm going to cry now."

Houser Parra has five children her oldest is 9, her youngest is 9 months, and her 7-year-old has autism. Her husband works as a General Manager for Dollar General.

"We still haven't had all our bills covered this month because of this. It's either eat or pay bills," Houser Parra said. "We have been to a few food pantries this month that we've actually been turned away, because they've ran out."

Houser Parra said scammers also locked her out of her own account entirely.

"My biggest fear of all is I still can't log into this app," she told the I-Team. "They changed my email. They changed my password, my login. Everything, my pin."

The two mothers, plus a third in Port Richey, found each other on Facebook, where Houser Parra said she initially mistook screenshots of another victim's account for her own, until she noticed a different date. All three victims identified so far had fraud occur within the same month, and all traced to the same California address.

"I realized I'm not the only victim," Houser Parra said.

Smith said the connection between victims would have gone unnoticed without social media.

"You're not hearing about it, like, unless I Google the address that the delivery is being made to, I would have never found the other two mothers that this happened to in the Tampa Bay area," Smith said. "It was a shock."

The Florida Department of Children and Families directs fraud victims on its website to file a report with local law enforcement, treating these as individual cases.

A 2-year federal program that reimbursed victims of SNAP benefit theft ended in 2024. According to a document the I-Team obtained from the USDA, state agencies were told they could "choose to replace stolen benefits using state funds." Florida has not done so.

That same document encouraged state agencies to transition to SNAP EBT chip cards to safeguard against fraud. That transition has also not happened in Florida.

Houser Parra questioned why the state has not acted.

"I know for a fact, you know, we're not the only people and the state's not wanting to help us, so my question is, why is the state just so willing to lose money?" Houser Parra said.

Both Houser Parra and Smith told the I-Team they are speaking up for others who will not.

"There's people that are not talking about this. There's people that are too ashamed," Houser Parra said.

Smith said the families affected deserve to be heard.

"We still matter," Smith said. It's not fair, essentially. But life's not fair, but it should be a matter of importance. And it's not."

The I-Team first contacted DCF more than a week ago and has not received any answers about what is being done to investigate allegations of fraud. The I-Team also contacted Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia's office.

In an email Monday evening, the CFO's communications director told the I-Team, "DCFs Office of Public Benefits Integrity refers these cases to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. We provide assistance to local law enforcement agencies with financial crimes when they request it. We encourage anyone who believes they are a victim of fraud to report it to their local law enforcement agency immediately."

The I-Team has followed up with more questions.

If you have had a recent unauthorized charge to a SNAP account, the I-Team wants to hear from you.

A man was shot in the leg in St. Petersburg on Monday, and detectives are investigating what led to the shooting after the victim suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the shooting happened in the 4500 block of 31st Avenue North.

Police said the victim was shot in the "leg area."

Leading up to the 2026 Florida primary (August 19) and general election (November 3), Tampa Bay 28 contacted qualified candidates for Holmes Beach Mayor. We asked candidates the same three questions and asked for responses to be provided by July 17. These are the candidates' responses to the questionnaire.

Dan Diggins began serving on the City Commission in November 2022 and was re-elected in 2024 to an additional two-year term expiring November 2026. He was elected by the City Commission to serve as Commission Chair 2024-2025 and in 2025-2026 was elected to serve as Vice-Chair. Commissioner Diggins serves as Commission Liaison for the Island Transportation Planning Organization, and serves as a member and the City's Liaison for the Tourist Development Council. Commissioner Diggins has an Engineering Degree from the University of Massachusetts.

I provide extensive experience in emergency response, executive leadership and extensive knowledge of city operations.

I have been active in city business for many years as a commissioner and know and understand our challenges.

Traffic congestion at a beach community is a major issue. As an aviation transportation expert in my previous career I understand how to match capacity with demand. This is best done by implementing new procedures and structural changes to our roadways that allow a better flow of traffic on and off the island.

President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, inside look at Tampa General Hospital's Aeromed team, and Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips has the latest on when rain showers will end.

Tampa Bay 28 Chief Meteorologist Denis Phillips says rain is expected to continue tonight due to TD-2.

Scallop season is more than a summertime tradition along Pasco County's Gulf Coast. It's also a significant economic driver that brings tens of thousands of visitors and millions of dollars to local businesses each year.

For lifelong Pasco County resident Marla Fisher, scalloping has been a family tradition since childhood.

"My whole childhood, for I would say over a decade, I've been scalloping with my parents," Fisher said.

WATCH: Scallop season brings millions of dollars to Pasco County's economy

Now an adult and a marketing coordinator for Florida's Sports Coast, she still enjoys snorkeling through the Gulf's seagrass beds in search of bay scallops.

"Definitely the taller sea grass is where they hide in my experience," Fisher said. "I think a lot of people look in those sandy areas because it's easier to see, but you kind of have to dig."

While families enjoy the annual tradition, businesses along the coast welcome the influx of visitors during the county's 40-day scallop season.

That's one reason Roger Aguilar opened Riviera Water Sports in Port Richey.

"The important thing about scallop season is it turns this town ... everybody gets together," Aguilar said. "It's a family thing."

Aguilar believes Pasco County's Gulf Coast has even greater tourism potential.

"It's underutilized," he said. "It's like a gem."

Pasco County's tourism brand, Florida's Sports Coast, has embraced scallop season as a way to showcase the area, even inviting international travel influencers to experience the fishery and promote the destination.

"Why not bring in other influencers from different parts of the world to enjoy and highlight that across the world?" said Natalia Melo, Florida Sports Coast's Public Relations Coordinator

The strategy appears to be paying off.

Pasco County estimates last year's scallop season attracted more than 34,500 visitors, who spent nearly $7.5 million and generated almost $11 million in total economic impact for the local economy.

The benefits extend beyond the water. After a day of harvesting scallops, many visitors stop at local restaurants to enjoy fresh seafood or have their catch prepared.

At Sasha's On the Park inside the historic Hacienda Hotel in New Port Richey, scallops are a popular menu item during the season.

"Pan-seared is one of my favorite things to do," sous chef Nicolle Torres said. "It is the easiest way."

Torres said she sees the excitement every year as scallopers return after a day on the Gulf.

"The returning customers, it's really amazing the community that has been built within the years in the New Port Richey area," she said.

Of course, summer weather can interrupt even the best scalloping plans, with afternoon thunderstorms often forcing boaters off the water.

But once the skies clear, Aguilar said, families are eager to head back out.

"It's like it's football season; no, it's scalloping season," she said. "Everybody on the weekends just goes scalloping in the morning, then goes home in the afternoon and cooks what they were able to get that day. And it's just bringing everybody together."

When two Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies were shot in the line of duty on July 16, they were taken to Tampa General Hospital by helicopter.

Deputies Sopharmony Muon and Colton Daniels were shot when a suspect ambushed them during an attempted arrest on Shell Point Road in Ruskin. Deputy Muon was struck in the face. Deputy Daniels was struck in the neck. Both were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, where their families were reunited with them. The suspect, Chris Dmuchoski, 34, was also transported to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

WATCH: How Tampa General's Aeromed helicopter gets critical patients to the hospital faster than an ambulance

That flight was one of nearly 2,000 the Aeromed program completes each year.

Auri Miller, TGH Aeromed Program Director, said the program has been operating since April of 1989.

"Our Aeromed transport program is Tampa General Hospital's helicopter EMS program, and we additionally have a ground ambulance transport program as well associated with Aeromed, so we're responsible for responding to both critical trauma events, critical medical events that may either be generated from our pre-hospital partners through 911, or our inter-hospital partners such as other hospital systems needing to transport patients here to Tampa General," Miller said.

The speed advantage of air transport over ground is significant, Miller said.

"On the aircraft, we have no stoplights, no stop signs, and it's a straight shot," Miller said. "The way we really determine on what that time is going to be like is we take that distance from where we are picking up our patient to the hospital, and let's say that that distance is 20 miles. We know that we're going to get that patient there in 10 minutes. Whereas if you're coming by ground, that might be upwards of anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, and that can make a significant difference for our patients."

"Time is tissue. Time is brain. That's really what's making a significant impact on our patient outcomes," Miller said.

The helicopter functions as a mobile ICU. The aircraft carries two units of whole blood on every transport, regardless of whether crews have advance information indicating a patient will need it. The crew is also equipped for advanced airway management, chest tube interventions, medication infusions, and other critical procedures. This is all in a miniaturized format due to space constraints.

Miller said the decision to send the helicopter versus a ground ambulance comes down to how sick the patient is.

"Our air medical program have advanced procedure capabilities. They have advanced formulary capacity. So it's really just dependent on the acuity or how sick the patient is," Miller said.

Each flight is staffed by three people: a pilot focused solely on aviation, a flight nurse who is also a dual-credentialed flight paramedic, and a flight paramedic partner.

Miller said the minimum requirement to even apply for a flight nurse or flight paramedic position is five years of experience, specifically in ICU or emergency medicine.

"If we are so fortunate to get a position, then our orientation lasts anywhere from six months to eight months as we go through all of those specialized training," Miller said.

When the crew is in the aircraft with a patient, Miller said there is no time for hesitation.

"When we are in here, absolutely not. It is time to do our jobs. It is just automatic, and that's where that years of experience and that training is so crucial, so that it just really becomes automatic. We know what's wrong, we know how to address it," Miller said.

After every flight, the full crew conducts a debrief that includes the medical crew, the pilot, and communication specialists.

The program operates out of TGH and three other bases across Florida. Miller said Tampa General remains the academic medical center for the region, drawing the most critically ill patients from across the area, a demand that has grown alongside Tampa's population.

Miller said the program is also the second in the nation, and the first in Florida, to provide emergency medical care to canine officers.

"Our Aeromed program is critically important to making a difference to saving lives, and it's not just only the care that we are providing in the ambulance, but it really also is our collaboration and our partnerships with the other pre-hospital agencies, our other hospital partners as well, through training and education, we're only improving the care that all of us are providing to our patients," Miller said.

A large cave-in above a wastewater mainline will close two lanes on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa beginning Tuesday, affecting traffic between Brorein Street and Platt Street while crews complete emergency repairs.

The City of Tampa announced Monday that a large cave-in developed above a 15-inch wastewater mainline near 243 Bayshore Blvd. To make emergency repairs, one turn lane and one inside travel lane will be temporarily closed between Brorein Street (bridge) and Platt Street.

The outside lane providing access to South Bayshore Boulevard will remain open to maintain traffic flow during the repair work.

Repairs are scheduled to begin Tuesday, July 21, with the goal of reopening the roadway by Wednesday, July 22, weather permitting.

Traffic control devices and signs will be in place to direct drivers through the work zone. City officials encourage motorists to use alternate routes when possible and allow extra travel time during the repairs.

To track road closures, click here.

Back-to-school shopping can be expensive, but starting July 20, relief is available. We have officially entered the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday in the state of Florida, running now through August 20.

One of the biggest things we talk about is having a plan and having a budget and doing whats realistic and right for your family, said Daniel Davis, Marketing and Product Specialist with GTE Financial.

WATCH: Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday begins, financial expert offers advice

Davis said when it comes to the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, families need to know whats tax-free and whats not.

Theres actually different thresholds of what you can save tax-wise based upon what you are purchasing for your back-to-school, said Davis.

For instance, clothes, shoes and backpacks are tax-free as long as you keep the item under $100, while school supplies are tax-free under $50 and computers and accessories are tax-free as long as they are below $1,500.

So if you are going to go buy the top-of-the-line computer thats over $2,000, you may not be experiencing those savings, but if you sit down with your family and you make a plan and you believe that a $1,400 computer can serve the same needs, then that might be a better option for you, said Davis.

If youre looking for something that doesnt fall under the tax-free status, that doesnt necessarily mean there still isnt savings to be found.

Because a lot of stores will run discounts concurrent to this to give you the best bang for your buck as well, said Davis.

For those new to the state of Florida, the holiday could be a huge learning lesson when it comes to how much a seven percent sales tax can add up over the course of the year.

States like Delaware, for example, they dont tax on clothes, so those people get that relief year-round. This is a great opportunity for us to match, especially for the people who want to move here, said Davis.

Davis also said the timing of this years holiday couldnt be more perfect.

Because it extends past the start of school this year, so if you do forget something, you can still take advantage of those tax savings, said Davis.

Sarasota police are investigating a shooting that happened during a youth football event at Booker High School on Saturday.

Police confirmed on July 20 the shooting happened in the parking lot of the campus on July 18, during an event that was not school-sponsored.

The Sarasota County Schools Police Department and Booker High School are both cooperating with the Sarasota Police Department's investigation.

Booker High School Principal Jamal Crook released a statement Sunday, saying in part: "Behavior that jeopardizes the safety of others or undermines those expectations will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The investigation remains ongoing, as police believe there are more witnesses who can provide information.

Police ask anyone with information or video from the event to call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-915-4307 or Sarasota Crime Stoppers at 941-366-TIPS (8477).

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said a man was arrested and charged after witnesses reported seeing him abuse his dog.

HCSO said deputies responded to a call reporting an animal abuse incident shortly before 10 p.m. on July 19.

Witnesses told deputies they saw 23-year-old Romar Carter repeatedly kicking and striking his dog with a leash, per the report.

Deputies said they located Carter's dog, Moon, in a backyard kennel with visible injuries.

HCSO said Carter was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty and Hillsborough County Animal Services took custody of Moon.

Animals depend on us for care and protection, and there is no excuse for this kind of cruelty, said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

For the first time since the 1980s, the West Pasco Girls Fast-Pitch Softball Association is hosting the Dixie Softball World Series.

Dozens of teams across 10 states will compete at Starkey Ranch beginning on Saturday, July 25, through Tuesday, July 28.

West Pasco is sending two teams to the tournament: the Belles in the 13-15 division and the Debs in the 16-19 division.

For two Debs standouts, the tournament is more than a title chase. It is the final chapter of a 15-year run.

"We have sisters on the field that aren't even sisters. We created that bond," Kyanna Olampo said.

WATCH: West Pasco girls softball league hosting Dixie Softball World Series

That sisterhood started when Kyanna Olampo and Kiley Collins first picked up a glove.

"Kiley has been there since we started playing softball," Olampo said.

"We've been pitcher and catcher with each other for 10 or 12 years now, I'd say," Collins said.

With both players aging out of the league, they will take the field together one last time in the Dixie Softball World Series.

"To a lot of outsiders it might not be a big deal, but to us, especially girls that have been playing longer than 2-3 years, it's quite a big deal. It's like our home run. This is like the College World Series for us," Collins said.

For Olampo, a championship would mean even more.

When she was just 3 years old, she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

"I lost all my hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, everything," Olampo said.

After two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy, she returned to the diamond at just 6 years old.

"I played right after my treatment was over, basically," Olampo said.

Collins said she did not learn about her teammate's battle until years later.

"I actually didn't find out she was a cancer survivor until I was about 13 or 14. 'Oh my gosh, you've been keeping it from me,'" Collins said.

"She's come a long way and doesn't let it show," Collins said.

Now, the teamates have one last chance to finish their Dixie careers the way they have always dreamed.

"This is it for us," Collins said.

The grandmother of a 3-year-old Hillsborough County girl says her family is still struggling to understand how someone they trusted is now accused of killing the toddler.

"We were always nice. She never showed any sign of being abusive or mean," Karen Figgs told Tampa Bay 28's Chad Mills. "It was just a shock for all of us."

WATCH: 'She was our angel': Family remembers 3-year-old after caretaker charged with murder

According to the family, Ka'mora Figgs, 3, died on April 25 after being taken to HCA Florida Brandon Hospital with what the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office described as several inflicted injuries. Karen Figgs said the family was told Ka'mora suffered blunt force trauma and internal bleeding.

Investigators say the child was in the care of 29-year-old Grace Wingate at the time.

The State Attorney's Office of the 13th Judicial Circuit said Wingate is accused of beating the 3-year-old to death inside her Brandon apartment on Quails Nest Drive.

According to Ka'mora's family, Wingate had been dating the child's mother for about a year. They said Ka'mora's mother left the little girl in Wingate's care while she went to an appointment and never imagined something like this could happen.

The Medical Examiner ruled Ka'mora's death a homicide.

On July 16, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested Wingate on charges of first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect causing great bodily harm.

During a Friday court hearing, a judge ordered Wingate held without bond.

"This is a heartbreaking and disturbing case. A child lost her life at the hands of the person entrusted to protect her," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "We will not tolerate violence against anyone in our community, especially innocent children, and we will work relentlessly with the State Attorney's Office to ensure she faces the maximum consequences the law allows."

Karen Figgs said her granddaughter loved to sing and dance. She loved Ms. Rachel, Minnie Mouse, and the color yellow. She described Ka'mora as a smart little girl with a larger-than-life personality.

She is our angel. She is our angel, Karen Figgs said. Im expecting her to be home when I get home, or look for my 3:30 phone calls when my daughter goes to pick her up from daycare. I dont get those anymore.

The family says they now hope Wingate receives the maximum punishment allowed under the law.

A GoFundMe has been established to help the Figgs family with expenses.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Prices on everyday expenses keep going up. Ive listened to many people in the community recently about it.

Everything has increased. Its terrible, said Sandy Sherk, who lives in Pinellas County.

You have eggs thats going up, milk is going up, everything. So its been a struggle here, said Samara Adderley, who lives in Hillsborough County.

WATCH Latest CPI report shows inflation cooled, but experts warn prices are still high

Everything has gone up, like some stuff are almost double, said Kerisse Sentino, who lives in Hillsborough County.

Its why Ive been keeping track of updates to the inflation rate.

The latest Consumer Price Index report shows that the inflation rate dropped to 3.5% from 4.2%.

However, just because inflation cooled does not mean most of your everyday expenses are any cheaper.

Prices are still going up; theyre just not as fast as they were before If you couldnt afford groceries last month, you still cant afford them this month because prices still went up, said Thomas Stockwell, Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Tampa.

The recent decrease in the inflation rate is largely credited to fuel and energy costs.

We saw that reflected at the gas pump this past month with lower prices. However, as the war with Iran moves back to rocky territory, the price of gas is starting to increase again.

Theres a decent chance that we see those energy prices go right back up next month, said Stockwell.

Which means budgets will remain tight for now.

Some people cant afford it. Some people cant even afford food, said Sentino.

Its just very difficult to budget, said Sherk.

People told Tampa Bay 28 theyre looking for relief.

[Its] pretty difficult when youre paying rent, when youre paying a car note, car insurance, everything has been going up. And you barely have enough for groceries, said Adderley.

While a lower inflation rate is a move in the right direction, experts warn we still need more time to monitor if this downward trend will continue.

Keep in mind the Federal Reserve thinks 2% inflation is what stable inflation is so were still above that 2% mark but it is a move in the right direction, said Stockwell.

This is one data point. And one data point does not mean that all of a sudden all of our lives are going to get better and prices are going down. We are still fighting the war on inflation, he added.

Good morning from the Tampa Bay 28 News team.

Today is Monday, and it's a brand new week in Tampa Bay. I have some exciting news for those of you who live in St. Pete. Tampa Bay 28 St. Petersburg and South Pinellas reporter Casey Albritton will be at the Speer YMCA tonight to speak to you about what you think needs to be covered in your area. Anchor Wendy Ryan will join Albritton at the 5 p.m. event, so come on out and speak to them about stories that matter to you.

Good Morning Tampa Bay is streaming NOW through 10 a.m. Watch for free on your favorite mobile and streaming TV platforms.

Tropical depression #2 continues to spin in the Gulf. Meteorologist Ally Blake says it'll bring multiple rounds of rain to the area.

Watch the One Minute Weather Forecast with Meteorologist Ally Blake:

A new Zillow report found 242 U.S. cities now have starter homes worth at least $1 million, including 11 cities in Florida. Tampa Bay 28 Reporter Susan El Khoury advises buyers to compare multiple markets and watch inventory trends as housing conditions slowly improve in some areas.

The roar that erupted from Bay Park in downtown Sarasota on Sunday night could have been heard from MetLife Stadium itself.

The watch party, put on by Sarasota Paradise a Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club preparing for its inaugural USL League One season drew hundreds of fans to the waterfront park.

Spain defeated Argentina in overtime to claim the World Cup championship, and local soccer fans experienced every nail-biting moment together at a watch party that felt thousands of miles closer to the action than it actually was.

WATCH: Spain wins World Cup as Sarasota fans celebrate at downtown watch party

When the final whistle blew, Spain supporters erupted in celebration. Flags waved, fans screamed, and strangers embraced in pure joy.

Kate Vasquez, a Spain supporter, ran through the park with her flag as fellow fans celebrated around her.

"I'm like overwhelmed, I don't even know how to feel," Vasquez said moments after the win. As another fan rushed up to hug her, she added: "I mean just Spain connects everyone."

For Argentina fans, the loss stung but sportsmanship prevailed.

"They deserve it. They played hard," said Courtney Jensen, an Argentina supporter. "Spain definitely had a lot more possession a lot of the time, but I don't know what it was this time."

In lawn chairs and beach chairs, fans from opposing teams sat side by side throughout the match. The watch party, organized by Sarasota Paradise, a Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club, drew fans wearing jerseys from both countries.

Young friends Chase Berthold and Miles McAfee supporting Argentina and Spain, respectively exemplified the spirit of the event.

"Even though we're on different teams, we're still friends," Berthold said.

Between goals and commercial breaks, fans mingled, debated, and celebrated their shared love of the sport.

"Even if you are rooting for different teams, the love of the game is still there at the end of the day," said Emery Camp of Sarasota Paradise.

Berthold reflected on the emotional power of the World Cup: "It's amazing to see how many people will come and how emotional it gets because that just shows that even knowing like you're not part of the team, all the people are connected from all the way around the world."

With the World Cup hosted on U.S. soil, fans said the tournament felt more accessible and exciting than ever.

"I feel like this year's World Cup really showed a new side of soccer here in the United States," said Antonio Bentley, a Spain supporter.

John Muczyski agreed: "It's in the United States, so it's really amazing."

As Spain fans ran home in celebration and Argentina supporters left disappointed, both sides agreed on one thing: the World Cup's ability to unite people across borders, teams, and backgrounds.

In Sarasota, that unity was on full display Sunday night a reminder that even in defeat or victory, the beautiful game brings people together.

A man accused of using stolen personal information to purchase more than $20,000 in jewelry at stores in Brandon has been arrested in New York following a multi-state investigation.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), the thefts happened on May 6 at Jared Jewelers on West Brandon Boulevard and Kay Jewelers at the Brandon Exchange.

Detectives said the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Wallace Lake, used stolen identification information to make the purchases before leaving with the jewelry.

Investigators later identified Lake as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest on charges including grand theft in the second degree and multiple fraud-related offenses.

Here are the top headlines from the day, from here in Tampa Bay and around the world. Tampa Bay 28 Meteorologist Jason Adams gives Florida's most accurate forecast to help you plan your evening and the rest of your week.

Florida's Most Accurate Forecast for Tampa Bay from Tampa Bay 28 Meteorologist Jason Adams for Sunday, July 19, 2026 Showers again Monday, drying out from Tuesday.

An 85-year-old man died after losing control of his pickup truck and crashing into a retention pond in Pinellas County on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the man from Tarpon Springs was driving a Chevy Silverado westbound on County Road 296 west of Belcher Road around 1 p.m.

The driver lost control of the truck. The vehicle rotated, left the roadway, and entered a nearby retention pond.

The driver was recovered from the water and transported to an area hospital, where he later died, troopers said.

Heavy flames tore through the roof of a commercial building on Combee Road in Lakeland Sunday morning, prompting a two-alarm response from Polk County Fire Rescue crews.

According to Polk County Fire Rescue, crews were dispatched to the fire at 10:32 a.m. and arrived three minutes later, finding flames coming through the roof of the structure.

Firefighters entered the building and confirmed heavy fire activity in multiple bays of the business. Crews had water on the fire by 10:38 a.m., officials said.

During a search of the building, firefighters confirmed no one was inside.

The fire was brought under control at 11:19 a.m. Crews then began overhaul operations and worked to extinguish remaining hot spots.

No injuries were reported.

Dozens of protesters gathered at Tampa City Hall Sunday, calling for justice following two fatal shootings involving ICE agents one in Maine and one in Houston.

The victims, Joan Guerrero in Maine and Lorenzo Salgado in Texas, were both killed during ICE traffic stops this past week.

WATCH: Dozens rally in downtown Tampa demanding justice after ICE shootings in Maine and Texas

The rally was organized by the Tampa Immigrant Rights Committee. The group also sought to draw attention to Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were shot and killed by ICE officers earlier this year.

Yunqing Zheng, a member of the Tampa Immigrant Rights Committee, said the inconsistency in how ICE agents operate was a central concern for those who turned out.

"It seems like every ICE agent is following different sets of guidelines, different sets of rules. It's been very inconsistent across the board," Zheng said.

Zheng said the group's goal was to bring visibility to all four victims.

"We're out here rallying to demand justice for them and to bring attention to their stories as well as the violence that ICE is carrying out," Zheng said.

The shootings this past week have sparked a national debate over ICE and traffic stops. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said verbal guidance has been issued to ICE field offices.

"Vehicle stops are continuing. Verbal guidance has been given to all field offices across the country by the Department of Homeland Security. The president and the Secretary of Homeland Security are on the same page that vehicle stops are a necessary tool that ICE agents need," Leavitt said.

Organizers of the Tampa protests said no future protests are currently planned.