USF scientists begin searching for Piney Point environmental impacts in Tampa Bay, Port Manatee
Environmental experts remain concerned about the Piney Point leak and its lasting impact on marine life. A team of USF scientists will head out on a research vessel Wednesday to collect water samples.
Environmental experts remain concerned about the Piney Point leak and its lasting impact on marine life. A team of USF scientists will head out on a research vessel Wednesday to collect water samples.
Environmental concerns mount as millions of gallons of wastewater head towards Tampa Bay
Wildlife advocates say they’re worried about a chain reaction coming for marine life, and they said they fear their hard work to restore the bay’s quality and what lives there will be shattered.
Wildlife advocates say they’re worried about a chain reaction coming for marine life, and they said they fear their hard work to restore the bay’s quality and what lives there will be shattered.
Piney Point: Residents cleared to return home as wastewater levels drop
As crews continue to drain contaminated water from the former Piney Point phosphate plant, the risk of a sudden collapse and subsequent flood is diminishing. Officials now say it will be safe for evacuated neighbors to return home Tuesday evening.
As crews continue to drain contaminated water from the former Piney Point phosphate plant, the risk of a sudden collapse and subsequent flood is diminishing. Officials now say it will be safe for evacuated neighbors to return home Tuesday evening.
Who's to blame for the Piney Point wastewater mess -- and its $200M price tag?
State and local government officials say they’ll hold the Piney Point site owner, HRK Holdings, responsible for the environmental cleanup following the leak of polluted water into Tampa Bay and surrounding waters. But that may be easier said than done.
State and local government officials say they’ll hold the Piney Point site owner, HRK Holdings, responsible for the environmental cleanup following the leak of polluted water into Tampa Bay and surrounding waters. But that may be easier said than done.
Florida lawmakers plan $200M to clean up, close Piney Point reservoir
Florida lawmakers have proposed spending $200 million to clean up and close the wastewater reservoir that triggered evacuations of homes and businesses amid fears it would burst open and cause massive flooding.
Florida lawmakers have proposed spending $200 million to clean up and close the wastewater reservoir that triggered evacuations of homes and businesses amid fears it would burst open and cause massive flooding.
Fishing guides expect months of impacts after Piney Point wastewater leak
As the Piney Point wastewater pond drains, environmental concerns grow. Fishing guides on Anna Maria Island say they noticed changes on the front side of Joe’s Island up to Port Manatee two days ago.
As the Piney Point wastewater pond drains, environmental concerns grow. Fishing guides on Anna Maria Island say they noticed changes on the front side of Joe’s Island up to Port Manatee two days ago.
Sen. Rubio: Piney Point 'a ticking time bomb'
Sen. Marco Rubio called Piney Point "a ticking time bomb," Monday but stopped short of assigning blame.
Sen. Marco Rubio called Piney Point "a ticking time bomb," Monday but stopped short of assigning blame.
Piney Point leak: Wastewater pond could be emptied in two days
As contaminated water is slowly pumped out of the leaking Piney Point wastewater pond, the risk of a full breach and flooding decreases. But the threat to the environment is growing with every gallon that's piped into Tampa Bay.
As contaminated water is slowly pumped out of the leaking Piney Point wastewater pond, the risk of a full breach and flooding decreases. But the threat to the environment is growing with every gallon that's piped into Tampa Bay.
Large alligators wrestle in Lakewood Ranch backyard as mating season gets underway
Gordon Silver says it's common to see alligators in his Lakewood Ranch neighborhood, but was still shocked to capture incredible video of two large gators getting "acquainted," as he called it, right in his own backyard.
Gordon Silver says it's common to see alligators in his Lakewood Ranch neighborhood, but was still shocked to capture incredible video of two large gators getting "acquainted," as he called it, right in his own backyard.
Piney Point wastewater leak: A history of the former phosphate plant site
As crews rush to stabilize the Piney Point wastewater leak in Manatee County, many residents who are new to Florida may be hearing about this environmental dilemma for the first time. But it’s not a new issue and the current crisis is years in the making.
As crews rush to stabilize the Piney Point wastewater leak in Manatee County, many residents who are new to Florida may be hearing about this environmental dilemma for the first time. But it’s not a new issue and the current crisis is years in the making.
Piney Point neighbors have mixed reactions to evacuation order
With 316 homes under an evacuation notice in Manatee County, some residents are staying behind while others have left.
With 316 homes under an evacuation notice in Manatee County, some residents are staying behind while others have left.
Manatee County Schools suspend bus stops in the Piney Point evacuation zone
Some parents in Manatee County may have to find another way for their children to get to school on Monday morning.
Some parents in Manatee County may have to find another way for their children to get to school on Monday morning.
Business owners, residents want permanent solution to ‘reoccurring nightmare’ at Piney Point
Residents and business owners in Piney Point say they’ve dealt with this problem for long enough. They now want a more permanent solution.
Residents and business owners in Piney Point say they’ve dealt with this problem for long enough. They now want a more permanent solution.
Additional pumps brought to Piney Point to assist in controlled water release, prevent ‘catastrophic failure’
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be in Manatee County to provide an update on Piney Point as water continues to flow from a breach in a containment wall.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be in Manatee County to provide an update on Piney Point as water continues to flow from a breach in a containment wall.
Residents evacuated, US-41 closed, state of emergency declared as water continues flowing from Piney Point
Hundreds of residents around Piney Point have been asked to evacuate as 2-3 million gallons of water per day flow from a leak in a containment wall. Officials say the stack collapsed further despite overnight efforts from state and local crews.
Hundreds of residents around Piney Point have been asked to evacuate as 2-3 million gallons of water per day flow from a leak in a containment wall. Officials say the stack collapsed further despite overnight efforts from state and local crews.
Evacuations ordered north and south of Piney Point due to 'imminent' uncontrolled wastewater release
An evacuation order has been issued for a half-mile radius south and a 1-mile radius north of the old Piney Point fertilizer plant wastewater holding reservoir.
An evacuation order has been issued for a half-mile radius south and a 1-mile radius north of the old Piney Point fertilizer plant wastewater holding reservoir.
Breach at Piney Point would pose 'significant danger to environmental and public health'
The engineer of record for HRK Holdings, which manages the Piney Point phosphogypsum stack, says an uncontrolled release is a "real possibility at this stage," prompting commissioners to declare a local state of emergency in Manatee County.
The engineer of record for HRK Holdings, which manages the Piney Point phosphogypsum stack, says an uncontrolled release is a "real possibility at this stage," prompting commissioners to declare a local state of emergency in Manatee County.
Manatee County officials to receive update Thursday on phosphate plant leak
Wastewater is leaking from an old phosphate plant in Manatee County. The company in charge of the property says there is nothing it can do to prevent a catastrophic failure, so Florida environmental officials gave it the green light to release some of the water into Tampa Bay. Environmental advocates say it is a threat to the area.
Wastewater is leaking from an old phosphate plant in Manatee County. The company in charge of the property says there is nothing it can do to prevent a catastrophic failure, so Florida environmental officials gave it the green light to release some of the water into Tampa Bay. Environmental advocates say it is a threat to the area.
Bay Area school districts begin announcing learning plans for fall semester
It’ll be back to the classroom for students in two Bay Area districts this fall. Other local counties are still deciding what their plan will be.
It’ll be back to the classroom for students in two Bay Area districts this fall. Other local counties are still deciding what their plan will be.
Manatee County's beaches remain as popular -- and crowded -- as ever
Since March 1, the city of Holmes Beach has seen 650,000 vehicles in the city. At Coquina and Cortez beaches, 20,000 visitors pack the white sandy beaches each day.
Since March 1, the city of Holmes Beach has seen 650,000 vehicles in the city. At Coquina and Cortez beaches, 20,000 visitors pack the white sandy beaches each day.