Wendy Ryan

Tampa

Anchor and Reporter at WFTS-TV (Tampa, FL)

Wendy Ryan anchors the 5, 6 & 11pm newscast and she’s part of the I-TEAM with her Emmy nominated Dirty Dining franchise.

Articles

Gulfport nonprofit enriches lives, offers freedom for everyone to be themselves

1 week ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

GULFPORT, Fla. — When young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities get to be 18 to 22 years old, they often “age out” of continued education. But for the last decade, the nonprofit group, “My Project Free,” has been providing services in Gulfport. “It's been a really great opportunity for me to meet new friends and really come out of my shell and try different, like, artistic things that I didn't have a chance to do before,” said Isabella Vitale.
Local woman speaks out after suffering sexual abuse as a child for years

2 weeks ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following contains retellings and descriptions of child sexual abuse that may trigger some who have survived similar situations. Discretion is advised. A Tampa woman said as a kid, she was sexually molested by her stepfather for several years. Brenna Crippen sat down with ABC Action News anchor Wendy Ryan to share her story. “There were days I didn't want to live, let alone come home,” said Crippen.
Family-owned potato farm in Parrish gives back to Tampa Bay community

4 weeks ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

PARRISH, Fla. — The Jones Potato Farm in Parrish is a family-owned business planting crops for decades. Along with their commercial success all over Florida, they’ve also been supplying Feeding Tampa Bay with free potatoes for several years. “We have a mantra that we like to say, 'No good potato left behind.' And so that's part of our program, is to make sure that, you know, everybody has an opportunity to have good meals that come off our farm,” said Alan Jones, owner of Jones Potato Farm.
Research warns cellphones are diminishing Gen Z’s creativity & critical thinking

1 month ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

TAMPA, Fla. — According to a study by the University of Cambridge, smartphones are destroying the creativity of Gen Zers. It is leaving them with shattered attention spans, unable to think critically, or unable to filter out noise from meaningful information. “They're just connecting with people, who think the same way that they do. And if that person doesn't think the way they do, they might just simply unfriend them,” said Katie Trowbridge, a veteran educator and founder of Curiosity 2 Create.
ABC Action News Gives donation benefits education in Pinellas County post hurricanes

1 month ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused significant damage in Pinellas County. Besides homes being destroyed, schools were also damaged, impacting students and teachers. But thanks to our ABC Action News Gives Campaign, our generous viewers and the Scripps Howard Fund we were able to help.
Breaking the Silence: Therapist discusses mental health in the Black community

1 month ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

TAMPA, Fla. — Crystal Clark is a licensed mental health therapist and says the resistance to mental health assistance in the Black community goes back many years. “There is a lot of shame when it comes to getting counseling. And that could be among all races, honestly. But yes, with the Black community, it's probably a lot more,” said Clark. “I see the struggle with the stigmas because Black people, like in the past, felt like, what goes on in this house stays in this house," she continued.
Local women’s running group builds friendships, benefits mental health, & personal goals

2 months ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

DUNEDIN, Fla. — In 2020, as the Pandemic hit, Sonja Craparo decided to start a running club called the Dunedin Women Runners. “Because of Covid, you know, people were Zoom fatigued, FaceTime fatigued. They weren't able to make that face-to-face, and this group kind of brought that all together,” said Sonja Craparo, founder of Dunedin Women Runners. In just five years, she said they’ve gone from a handful of ladies to over 1000 participating, with all levels welcome.
ABC Action News Gives helps University Area neighbors recover after hurricanes

2 months ago | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

TAMPA, Fla. — The University Area suffered severe flooding after Hurricane Milton. Countless individuals in the community lost their homes and cars. But that is where you, our viewers, stepped up to help. Back in October, ABC Action News Anchor Wendy Ryan presented the University Area Community Development Corporation a $5,000 donation on behalf of the ABC Action News Gives campaign, our viewers and the Scripps Howard Fund.
Boley on Broadway uplifts spirits, transforms lives one performance at a time

Dec 4, 2024 | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Boley Center works with at-risk populations, providing them with affordable housing and behavioral health services so that they can become self-sufficient in the community. For three years, the center has teamed up with Destination Theatre to produce a Broadway production of Boley. “Before I started performing with the Boley centers and Broadway show, I was really timid, shy, depressed, and full of anxiety,” said Sharika Reeves, a Boley client.
East Coast Floridians help Tampa Bay residents impacted by hurricanes

Nov 22, 2024 | abcactionnews.com | Wendy Ryan

TAMPA, Fla. — After Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated parts of the Tampa Bay area, a group from Florida’s east coast wanted to help storm victims. One person who really wanted to give back was Annie Berry, who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I own a hair salon in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and I know the type of clients I have and how much they want to give and participate. So, I knew I had a vehicle to make something happen,” said Berry.