Manatee County

Spring breakers may be exposed to another outbreak of red tide, which is being pushed by southerly winds to some of the region's most heavily visited beaches.

Red tide is now affecting beaches along the central Pinellas coast. Winds from the south are expected to continue pushing the blooms northward.

Under a deal agreed to by the Florida Ethics Commission, Vanessa Baugh will pay an $8,000 fine and accept a public reprimand.

Court records don't show details of the settlement between the commission and Vanessa Baugh.

Neal Land & Neighborhoods said the hospital will be part of a medical district planned for its North River Ranch development in Parrish.

A survey of Sarasota and Manatee health professionals and first responders reflects how the COVID pandemic has deeply affected people who help others and the need for more trauma-based services.

While some districts statewide are pausing out-of-state travel, one Tampa Bay area district is making all field trips voluntary for students.

Parrish, in Manatee County, is included in a list ProPublica compiled that analyzes billions of rows of EPA data to map the spread of cancer-causing industrial air emissions down to the neighborhood level.

The policy lasts through Aug. 25, and will be considered again at a school board meeting next week.

Pinellas will continue to strongly recommend masks, but parents do not have to fill out forms if they choose to not wear one.