Malique Rankin

Jun 20, 2024 | wtsp.com | Malique Rankin

ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — In Pinellas County, a project to bury powerlines along Gulf Boulevard has been in the works since 2012. $70 million has been allocated from Pinellas County's penny tax to put utility lines underground from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater. Each beach municipality manages its stretch of Gulf Boulevard. In the southernmost cities burying powerlines, a city official says some of the county dollars have been mismanaged.

Jun 19, 2024 | wtsp.com | Malique Rankin

TAMPA, Fla. — It's been over two months since the city of Tampa changed its parking requirements for e-scooters. Now, your ride will continue to rack up a bill until you bring the scooter to a designated parking area. If you don't, you will face a fine. That change has positively improved the Hillsborough River's ecosystem because it's harder for people to chuck the e-scooters into the water.

Jun 14, 2024 | wtsp.com | Malique Rankin

TAMPA, Fla. — Right now, residents of a South Tampa neighborhood prone to flooding say the city needs to do more. With the rain we saw recently, main roads were left impassable. The daily summer showers are just around the corner. The people who live off of Manhattan Avenue say they have to plan their day around that rain because the roads here flood so severely. Earlier in the week, the streets were flooded at least halfway up to tires as cars tried to move through.

Jun 13, 2024 | wtsp.com | Malique Rankin

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $116.5 billion budget into law on Wednesday while also vetoing nearly $950 million in spending. In his 39-page veto letter, the governor said, "Governments should strive to do more with less. It can be done, and my action today cements that lesson for the nation."  Some of the vetoed items included $26 million for cultural and museum grants, according to The News Service of Florida.

Jun 12, 2024 | wtsp.com | Malique Rankin

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — On May 1, Tanner Demarzo's life was changed forever. He was driving his motorcycle when a truck making a U-turn didn't stop for him. "He didn't even stop and look," Demarzo said. "He just went right in front of me, and I had no time to brake.