Tampa earns national recognition as Tree City USA

TAMPA.GOV News 4/9 8:19A Tony Delavan (Technology & Innov

Tampa earns national recognition as Tree City USA Tony D. Thu, 04/09/2026 - 02:19 pm About 600 trees were given away in three hours at Mayor Jane Castor’s 4th Annual Tree Giveaway in April 2025. Tampa...

Tampa Police Make Arrest in School Bomb Threat

TAMPA.GOV News 4/9 6:12A Eddy Durkin (Police Department)

Tampa Police Make Arrest in School Bomb Threat Eddy D. Thu, 04/09/2026 - 12:12 pm TAMPA, FL. (APRIL 9, 2026) - - Tampa Police completed an an overnight investigation that led to the arrest of a 15-year-old male for making threats to a local high...

AG Uthmeier opens investigation into ChatGPT, OpenAI

ABC Action News 4/9 5:50A Leilyn Torres

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Florida is opening an investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT. In a social media post on X, AG Uthmeier cited concerns about OpenAI's activities have hurt kids and endangered Americans. He...

Crews battle to knock down brush fire in Largo: LFR

ABC Action News 4/9 4:54A WFTS Digital Staff

Largo Fire Rescue (LFR) said on Thursday crews are on the scene of a brush fire in the 8300 block of Ulmerton Road. Crews are working to suppress the fire with reports of knockdown progress, according to LFR. There are no reports of any images or...

Gas price relief for drivers hinges on Strait of Hormuz reopening amid US and Iran military...

ABC Action News 4/9 4:52A Blake Phillips

Gas prices are starting to tick down in Florida, but drivers continue to feel the financial impact at the pump as relief hinges on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran. According to AAA...

Arson suspect apprehended in Hernando house fire: HCFR

ABC Action News 4/9 4:40A Brian McBride

An arson suspect was apprehended in Hernando County on Wednesday after firefighters battled a residential blaze, authorities said. According to a Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR) report, at about 3:30 p.m., firefighters responded to the 25000...

Gas prices surge: Hypermiling tips to squeeze every mile out of your tank

ABC Action News 4/9 4:22A Michael Paluska

Gas prices are squeezing drivers. A Pasco County driving expert shares hypermiling tips to boost fuel efficiency, save money at the pump and stretch every tank farther. Gas prices are hammering families, with wallets and bottom lines impacted by...

Family turns heartbreak into plea for answers in father's hit-and-run death in Wesley Chapel

ABC Action News 4/9 3:43A Andrew Kinsey

It has been nearly five months since someone hit and killed Daniel Avena, a father of three along a busy road in Wesley Chapel. Tampa Bay 28 anchor Andrew Kinsey, who has been helping families get their message out there, now turns to urging the...

Westbound Hillsborough Avenue closed after Yummy House restaurant fire: TFR

ABC Action News 4/9 3:27A Kiley Vaughan

Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR) said crews are on the scene of a structure fire at the Yummy House restaurant on Hillsborough Avenue. TFR said it was a kitchen fire that is under control as of 9 a.m. on April 9. There were no injuries reported and all...

'Puppy hugging experience' helps dogs become heroes at Palmetto nonprofit

ABC Action News 4/9 1:20A Sean Daly

Three words: PUPPY HUGGING EXPERIENCE. That's what you and your family are invited to do at Dogs Inc , a remarkable Palmetto nonprofit that turns canines into community heroes. WATCH: 'Puppy hugging experience' helps dogs become heroes at...

Susan Solves It: Questions to ask if considering solar for your home

ABC Action News 4/9 1:20A Susan El Khoury

Solar panels are popping up on homes all over the Tampa Bay Area, but problems and concerns about these systems are among the top topics Tampa Bay 28 receives emails about from viewers. Tampa Bay 28's Susan El Khoury goes over some solar 101s and...

Lightning look to get win in Montréal as division standings squeeze closer

ABC Action News 4/9 1:19A Kyle Burger

The Atlantic Division standings have tightened toward the end of the regular season, and the Bolts sit in second place despite a pair of losses to open the road trip. Tampa Bay fell in a 4-2 game in Buffalo on Monday before the Ottawa Senators took...

Lightning in a rut as they head into the playoffs

ABC Action News 4/9 1:18A WFTS Digital Staff

The Tampa Bay Lightning are headed into the playoffs in a bit of a rut. Tampa Bay 28 sports anchor Kyle Burger and Jay Recher talk about the Bolts' struggles as they head into the postseason. Watch the full episode: Lightning in a rut as they...

News to Know for April 9

ABC Action News 4/9 1:03A Kiley Vaughan

Good morning from the Tampa Bay 28 News team. Today is Thursday, April 9, and on this day in 1959, NASA introduced Americas first astronauts to the press. Nearly 70 years later, as Artemis II makes history, we can look back at just how far we've...

Man shot in leg in Ybor, investigation underway: TPD

ABC Action News 4/9 12:18A Kiley Vaughan

The Tampa Police Department (TPD) said officers are investigating after a man was shot in Ybor on Thursday morning. Police said the man was shot on North 22nd Street East, just north of Interstate 4, at about 1 a.m. on April 9. The man went to...