WFTS

Pretty soon, children under 18 will be required to have a driver's license or learner's permit to get behind the wheel of a golf cart in Florida. More than 6,500 children are injured in golf cart accidents annually in this country, and about half are younger than 12. Currently, state law allows children over the age of 14 to drive with minimal supervision.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales is calling plays for the first time in his 14-year NFL career. He admits that there have been some hiccups during the first two games of the preseason, but they had nothing to do with the plays themselves. "The receiver that you have on your belt, there’s a button that you have on the side, and there’s a button on the top that allows you to just talk to the staff. I pressed that one a couple times, and Baker [Mayfield] has his arms out like this [gestures], and I was like, ‘Oh, shoot, other one.’ I had to get used to the mechanics, the mechanism of calling it," an upbeat Canales said while explaining the communication process. "I’ve had a lot of good mentors, and they’re like, ‘Hey, don’t overthink it, just call the next one. You liked all these plays going into it, you’ve repped it, the guys know what they’re doing, just call the next one.'"

Ashlee Bell struggles to walk right now. “My legs aren’t cooperating right. It hurts.” The 33-year-old has a fractured pelvis, broken rib, contusions and road rash. Doctors put 105 stitches in her head.

Florida's second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for 2023 starts on Saturday. The first disaster tax holiday took place at the end of May. During the sales tax holiday period, which ends on Friday, September 8, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax.

ABC Action News tracks tropical developments in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

We talk about foundation issues that can arise.

Hillsborough County is hosting an open house for its 4-H Youth Development Program this weekend. We headed to Riverview High School for a look at 4-H, which includes robotics, photography, art and public speaking. https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-hillsborough/hillsborough-county-hosts-4-h-open-house-for-students

Florida's second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday for 2023 starts on Saturday. The first disaster tax holiday took place at the end of May. During the sales tax holiday period, which ends on Friday, September 8, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness are exempt from sales tax. https://www.abcactionnews.com/weather/hurricane/floridas-2nd-disaster-preparedness-sales-tax-holiday-for-2023-starts-saturday

Sean Daly live at Howl O Scream prep

Pinellas Academy parking problems.

Despite the permanent closure of a New Tampa golf course, the state of the game in Florida is strong. We toured a new course under construction and another getting a massive renovation; experts think that trend will continue as more people take up the game. Over the past few months, ABC Action News has covered the drama surrounding what to do with the permanently closed Pebble Creek Golf Club in New Tampa. The owners requested it be rezoned to build homes on the old course. Hillsborough County Commissioners denied the request. That issue led us to several questions we wanted to answer about the current state of golf: from the economic and environmental impacts of courses that are open to what should happen to the land and all that green space when they suddenly close.

Wednesday, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch announced his decision to reinstate Jim Large after conducting interviews with employees past and present. “No one had firsthand knowledge or evidence of racial, homophobic, or sexist comments from the Chief,” Welch said, in part, in a video message. “Firefighters from diverse backgrounds have come forward to testify as to the professionalism of Chief Large’s management conduct.” However, the oversight of Large and his department’s culture may not end there. Thursday, a city council committee unanimously voted to get the ball rolling on a more formal review of St. Pete Fire Rescue’s operations and management.

Mantra Fitness, a Pilates studio, is helping raise money for those impacted by the wildfires on Maui. The fires started on August 8 and mainly impacted West Maui. Officials said the fires became the deadliest natural disaster in state history. Fires spread rapidly due to very dry conditions and powerful winds. Mantra Fitness locations are hosting a community class on August 29 at 9:30 a.m. The studio is suggesting clients make a $35 donation to the Maui Strong Fund. People do not have to be a member to attend.

Scientists say the rise in water temperatures is having an impact on crucial parts of our ecosystem.

ABC Action News tracks tropical developments in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

ABC Action News tracks tropical developments in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

New Not my Child initiative in St. Pete to fight crime. They spent every Friday going into the community and spending time with the teens and families.

The USF volleyball team is hosting a four-team shootout at Amalie this weekend with three of the best programs in the country. It's a warm-up for when Amalie hosts the NCAA volleyball final four in a few months.

If you’re an older adult behind on your utility bill or have a broken air conditioner, your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to help. "Not too warm in here today,” said Ernest Back, looking at his thermometer. “It's only 81 degrees, 71% humidity because outside on the porch, it's 92 to 94 degrees," said Bach.

A day after the first GOP debate, pundits question whether Florida’s governor got the boost his presidential campaign needed. Gov. Ron DeSantis, at times, was overshadowed by the others on the Milwaukee stage-- giving some the impression he was more a wallflower than a brawler. Like almost everyone else in the race, DeSantis claimed victory Thursday, doing a post-debate lap on morning talk shows and networks like FOX News.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri spent part of Wednesday pointing the finger at the homeless as being behind a rise in crime on St. Pete Beach. Sheriff Gualtieri had pictures in hand while making a presentation to Pinellas County Transportation leaders. He was backing a move to start charging for the Sunrunner express bus. The sheriff said his pictures showed what those living on the streets are doing now that they have free transportation to the beach.

Danita Cuevas spent Thanksgiving in Tampa remembering her son instead of eating with him. "There's just this tightness [in my chest], this pain, and this emptiness, right here," she said. That's after the Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) says her son, Kristian Lujan, was found dead November 14, on SW Harmony Lane near State Road 47 in Lake City.

It’s that time of year again: cold, flu, and COVID-19. Right now, we’re seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, and health experts want people to protect themselves, especially heading into the fall and winter months. Lindsay Eten has heard it’s been on the uptick. “We had a family reunion a couple weeks ago down in Seattle, and there's a couple people that couldn’t go because they've had it,” said Eten.

Roland Park students write to Maui residents

We talk about some great back to school products.