Manatee County students must register to ride school buses

The start of the school year is still a few months away, but Bay Area school districts are already starting to plan for the fall as the governor announced schools can return to full capacity. 

Manatee County man and wife hold hands through glass after months separated by COVID-19

You can work out at the gym, go to the mall and go out to eat, but many Floridians still cannot see their loved ones. They’re wondering when they'll be able to see their relatives in person.

Financial assistance program now available for Manatee County residents

Starting Wednesday, Manatee County residents who need help making rent, mortgage or utility payments can apply online for one-time emergency assistance through the Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program. 

Congressman joins grieving mother in call to overhaul military training

At her home in Bradenton, Kimberly Weaver holds tight to memories of her son Army Specialist Nicholas Panipinto. The 20-year-old died from injuries following a training accident on November 6, 2019 in South Korea.

Juveniles among several arrested in Manatee County crime spree

Manatee County officials say a “county-wide crime spree” over the weekend resulted in damaged property, stolen motorcycles, and stolen goods. Now law enforcement is trying to round up dozens of suspects who may have been involved.

Manatee County bids farewell to non-traditional school year with parade 

The last trip of the school year for bus drivers didn't include picking up or dropping off students. Instead, school buses in Manatee County brought transportation staff to students and teachers. 

Mobile testing lab brings rapid tests to Bay Area long-term care facilities

Florida's new mobile COVID-19 testing lab is making its way to counties across the state, testing residents and staff at long-term care facilities, hopefully catching outbreaks before they take hold.

Manatee High class ring returned 52 years after being stolen from locker

Allan Ackles' 1968 class ring was stolen from his locker. 50 years later, Moody Johnson found it in a field. Now the ring is back with its rightful owner.

COVID-19 testing in long-term care facilities 'woefully inadequate'

Long-term care facilities continue to be dangerous and deadly hot spots for COVID-19 in the Tampa Bay area and throughout the state. Governor Ron DeSantis says testing is being done, but patient advocacy groups say it’s not enough.

Manatee County eases beach parking restrictions

Parking at Manatee County's beaches just got a whole lot easier. On Wednesday morning. the county lifted the 2-hour limit for beach parking. 

Long-term care lockdown continues as COVID-19 cases, deaths rise

Long-term care facilities have been off-limits to visitors since mid-March, keeping families apart and residents isolated.  Governor Ron DeSantis says the lockdown was to protect our most vulnerable, however, he signaled Friday he wants visitation restrictions at nursing homes relaxed soon.

Bay Area nursing home death toll nears 150, including some employees

The COVID-19 death toll connected to long-term care facilities in Florida continues to grow. Data released from the Florida Department of Health Thursday shows 39% of those who died from COVID-19 in Florida were residents at one of the state's 622 nursing homes or assisted living fatalities.