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 spending time outdoors – as close to water as possible! – with her husband, two kids and dog. She also loves cheering on the local sports teams – and her Chicago ones, too! (Go Cubs, Bears, Bulls & Blackhawks!)
The latest from Ariel Plasencia
Tampa water quality: New first-of-its-kind treatment facility to remove forever chemicals
The city of Tampa is building a new facility that will use Suspended Ion Exchange (SIX) treatment technology to remove PFAS and organic matter from the local water supply.
Hillsborough County dog heat deaths: 3 pets die in less than two weeks
Three dogs have died after being kept outside in three different cases over two weeks, prompting urgent warnings from Hillsborough County Animal Control and local veterinarians.
How a Tampa restaurant is helping Venezuela earthquake victims
The devastation of two earthquakes in Venezuela is impacting the Bay Area, where locals are sharing firsthand accounts and others are stepping up to provide relief.
3-year-old dies after being found inside parked car in Riverview, HCSO investigating
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, a father found his 3-year-old child unresponsive inside a car on Saturday night.
Manatee County couple loses everything in fire — but two items survive
A retired veteran and his wife — both 78 years old — narrowly escaped their burning Ellenton home Saturday morning after waking up to the sound of crackling flames.
Bay Area kids heal, make connections at burn survivor camp
A week-long camp in the Bay Area is providing a safe space for young burn survivors to share their stories and build confidence together.
Hillsborough County agencies share resources for physical, emotional, and financial elder abuse
Hillsborough County seniors gathered at the Brandon Senior Center on Wednesday to hear experts share tips and resources for spotting physical, emotional, and financial elder abuse.
Hillsborough County youth fire academy works to build future workforce
The Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Foundation’s Alan D. Anderson Summer Youth Fire Academy is giving 35 local teenagers hands-on experience during a two-week program in June.
What to know before buying a robotic lawn mower
Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) studied some of the earliest robotic lawn mowers, which cut at 2.4 inches, to see if they could maintain St. Augustine grass when run daily.
Tampa, Sarasota and Lakeland rank among nation’s deadliest metro areas for pedestrians, study finds
A recent report on pedestrian safety ranks three Bay Area metros among the deadliest in the nation.