Tampa Bay

Researchers call it "sea sawdust," and it has a friendly relationship with the organism that causes red tide.

Doctors say a higher-than-normal amount of respiratory syncytial virus cases — which primarily affect children — are keeping them busy. But they say things are under control.

Fish kills and respiratory irritations suspected to be related to red tide have been reported from Pinellas County down to Lee County.

Conditions for red tide are improving in Tampa Bay after the fisheries there were devastated but remain high along the Gulf Coast.

Fish kills have been reported the past week along beaches in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

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

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.

As red tide continues to plague Florida’s west coast, it also seems to continue expanding north.

They say the state is directing resources for the cleanup, including money and spotter planes. But they maintain that a state of emergency declaration — which some have called for — won't change anything.

Red tide is still being found in Tampa Bay and along the beaches from Pasco to Sarasota counties.