Ariel Plasencia
Ariel Plasencia joined FOX 13 in April 2023 and is excited to be reporting in the Sunshine State.
Ariel spent the last four years in Dallas, TX covering news, sports (yes, including the Cowboys), and traffic. From stories on TCU’s run in the College Football Playoff National Championship to issues with the power grid to all things barbecue, Ariel wore many (cowboy) hats during her time in the Lone Star State.
Before Texas, she worked as a reporter and anchor in North Carolina.
A Chicago native, Ariel grew up in cold, windy weather and studied math at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She received her master’s degree in journalism at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
When she’s not working, Ariel enjoys watching her Chicago sports teams (go Cubs, Bears, Bulls & Blackhawks!) with her husband and dog.
The latest from Ariel Plasencia
Tampa nonprofit supports community one bike at a time
One Tampa nonprofit is providing bikes to unprivileged children this holiday season.
City of Tampa begins mailing out substantial damage letters to certain homeowners in flood hazard areas
The city of Tampa is starting to mail out some 1,900 substantial damage letters to certain homeowners in flood hazard areas, officials announced Monday.
Florida man denied entry to USAA building puts on helmet and drives car into facility: TPD
A Florida man with his sights set on entering a USAA building in Tampa wasn’t going to let anything stop him from gaining access.
Man accused of gunning down ex-girlfriend in front of her kids at St. Pete cemetery in 2021 captured in Mexico
Police say a TikTok post led to the arrest of St. Petersburg’s most wanted criminal who is accused of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend while she held their baby on her lap and her four-year-old sat nearby in 2021.
Inside Tampa woman's mission to spread Christmas in her community
As Jack Guthrie decorated her house for Christmas, the Tampa resident couldn’t help but think of some of her fellow Bay area neighbors, whose holiday season will look much differently this year thanks to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
TPA expects nearly 100K travelers to hit the skies ahead of Thanksgiving
Turkey Day travel is in full swing at Tampa International Airport (TPA).
Tampa shoppers to see increased police presence ahead of holidays
Holiday shoppers will notice an increased police presence at shopping centers, malls and stores, the Tampa Police Department announced on Tuesday.
Tampa's Bayshore Blvd pumping stations slated for $17M upgrades
One of Tampa’s oldest wastewater pumping stations is undergoing $17 million in upgrades.
Pest companies respond to increased calls for insect, rodent issues post-hurricanes
Tampa Bay area pest companies have been busy after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Tampa judge still deciding whether or not to set bond in Hard Rock explosives case
A judge will decide by Thursday morning whether to set bond for the Tampa father accused of placing two explosive devices in the bathrooms at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in September.