Pinellas County

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

Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to criticism that he's failed to declare a state of emergency, saying the state dedicated funding source to fight red tide and blue-green algae last year.

Organizers say the summit is the first step in a long road to recovering from the pandemic's effects on mental wellness. It follows a recent town hall focused on mental health and vaccine hesitancy.

Fish kills continue to pollute the waters around downtown St. Petersburg and smaller die-offs were reported in Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Thousands of fish continued to litter the St. Petersburg waterfront Monday, even after 15 tons had been scooped out of Tampa Bay by city crews.

Tons of dead fish have washed ashore in the wake of Tropical Storm Elsa. On Sunday, Pinellas health officials recommended that anyone with respiratory problems consider avoiding county beaches.

High concentrations of red tide were reported in Pinellas County in the Gulf of Mexico at Madeira Beach, and along Bay Pines and Abercrombie Park on Long Bayou.

The Department of Health in Pinellas County sent out the alert on Friday as a red tide bloom that has been found in Tampa Bay and along the county's beaches spread north to Sand Key.

Commissioners say they will hold a vote May 11 after hearing from residents.

County officials are urging residents eligible now to make appointments for this week before the state opens up availability to people 60 and older.