Rays shortstop Taylor Walls to start season on injured list because of oblique problem

ABC Action News 3/19 9:53A Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls will open the season on the injured list because of his right oblique. Walls, 29, batted .220 with a .280 on-base percentage, four homers, 38 RBIs, and 14 steals in 101 games for the Rays last season. His...

Kucherov, Lightning face struggling Canucks after dominant win in Seattle

ABC Action News 3/19 9:22A Kevin Lewis

Tampa Bay Lightning (41-21-4) vs. Vancouver Canucks (21-38-8) Thursday, 10 p.m. Rogers Arena The Lightning got back to their winning ways with a 6-2 blowout win Tuesday night in Seattle. Winger Nikita Kucherov stuffed the stat sheet with a hat...

Children's Ibuprofen recalled after 'gel-like mass' found in product: FDA

ABC Action News 3/19 8:04A Leilyn Torres

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a nationwide recall for children's ibuprofen. The FDA said Strides Pharma first issued the recall in early March on over 89,000 bottles of Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension, USP, 100mg, after the...

DeSantis signs bill to block proposed cruise port in Manatee County

ABC Action News 3/19 7:50A Kiley Vaughan

Governor Ron DeSantis signed two pieces of legislation aimed at preserving Floridas coastline at a press conference in Bradenton on Thursday. DeSantis signed Senate Bill 302 and House Bill 1417 at Pier 22 on March 19. WATCH THE FULL PRESS...

Hillsborough County extended emergency burn ban for 10th straight week

ABC Action News 3/19 7:15A WFTS Digital Staff

Hillsborough County announced Thursday an extension again to its emergency burn ban on all outdoor open burning in all areas of the county. This marks the10thconsecutive week of the burn ban. Officials said despite the recent rain and cooler...

Tarpon Springs PD warns of scammer impersonating police chief

ABC Action News 3/19 6:23A Leilyn Torres

Tarpon Springs Police Department (TSPD) said Thursday it has received a report a scammer is impersonating the police chief. TSPD said the scammer is impersonating Chief Jeffrey Young and called a citizen, claiming they were under investigation....

Church land fuels affordable housing solution in Tampa Bay as Habitat expands projects

ABC Action News 3/19 5:26A Michael Paluska

As land and building costs surge across Florida, Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside is turning to an unlikely resource to build affordable housing: churches. The non-profit has purchased three church properties in the last two years and is...

St. Petersburg artist turns damaged Tropicana field roof into art

ABC Action News 3/19 4:23A Keely McCormick

What was once a symbol of hurricane destruction is now inspiring creativity. Local artist, Dee Sheppard, is transforming pieces of the old Tropicana Field roof, torn off during Hurricane Milton, into unique works of art. With opening day fast...

Sex offender arrested in Pinellas Park trying to meet 15-year-old girl: PPPD

ABC Action News 3/19 3:14A Brian McBride

A convicted sex offender was arrested on Wednesday after he traveled to Pinellas Park to meet a 15-year-old girl, police officials said. The Pinellas Park Police Department (PPPD) charged 41-year-old Ryan Tramutola with traveling to meet a minor...

Tampa man among 2 killed in Osceola County crash: FHP

ABC Action News 3/19 2:49A Kiley Vaughan

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said two men died in a collision on State Road 60 in Osceola County on Wednesday night. FHP said a Honda CR-V, driven by a 54-year-old Tampa man, was traveling eastbound on SR-60 at around 11:40 p.m. on March 18....

Clearwater Ferry operator involved in April 2025 crash to appear in court today

ABC Action News 3/19 2:13A Leilyn Torres

The Clearwater Ferry captain who was operating the boat at the time of the crash in April 2025 is set to appear in court today. Dennis Kimerer is set to appear in a pretrial hearing on a second-degree charge he faces for allegedly violating a...

Six-year-old Lightning fan gets magical surprise after Tampa Bay 28 story

ABC Action News 3/19 2:03A Sean Daly

Six-year-old Brody Odom is a big fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning. And, it turns out, Mickey Mouse is a big fan of Brody's. After a "Lightning Fan Zone" story aired on Tampa Bay 28, Brody received quite the magical surprise. The young boy with Down...

World's Longest Cigar will be rolled in Ybor City Saturday as part of Tampa Cigar Week

ABC Action News 3/19 2:02A Sean Daly

Odelma Matos is the Queen of Ybor City, a 4th-generation Cuban cigar roller whose image adorns every inch of wall space at La Faraona Cigar Factory and Lounge. WATCH: World's Longest Cigar will be rolled in Ybor City Saturday as part of Tampa...

New farm based around agriculture, wellness and recovery opens in Tampa

ABC Action News 3/19 2:02A Robert Boyd

Most of us living in Tampa Bay have probably seen the famous Sulphur Springs Water Tower, but did you know whats underneath the water tower? Its a brand-new non-profit organization using nature to help people with wellness and recovery. From cold...

Bolts get back to their winning ways with the Playoffs just around the corner

ABC Action News 3/19 2:00A WFTS Digital Staff

The Lightning get back to their winning ways with the Playoffs just around the corner. Tampa Bay 28 Sports anchors Kevin Lewis Kyle Burger break down whats driving them to success, plus learn about Yanni Gourdes secret DIY skills & meet one of...