Pinellas

The closure of Diagnostic Clinic Medical Group highlights the growing shortages of care options for Florida residents. The closures will impact an estimated 30,000 patients, an insurance provider says.

Tampa Period Pantry has 10 locations outside businesses in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The goal is to help people stay healthy and comfortable during their periods.

Advocates say helping people who've struggled with addiction find jobs and advance their education is critical to maintaining their recovery.

A 2022 law allows local governments to create smoking zones and fines, enact stricter laws on butt disposal and outright bans. Cities and counties previously lacked that authority.

Winds from the north expected during a major cold front coming through Thursday should push the red tide offshore or back to the south, away from the beaches.

A health advisory is being issued for many Pinellas beaches this weekend, with onshore breezes expected to make many red tide conditions worse.

St. Petersburg officials ask the governor for help in combating red tide. That comes on top of a similar request by one of the top Democratic contenders for governor.

The beaches along Pinellas County should be mostly clear this weekend, officials reported, but a health alert was issued for Picnic Island and Davis Islands in Hillsborough.

A red tide bloom in the Gulf has reached the coast as far north as Pinellas, causing fish kills and respiratory irritations, according to state wildlife officials.

DeSantis said 3,000 doses of the vaccine will be given out in Pinellas Park and an additional 5,000 doses will be provided to Pinellas County next week.