What was the most clicked on news of 2024? View a month-by-month breakdown

2024: A year in review

TAMPA, Fla. - The Bay Area faced a whirlwind 2024 that included two generational hurricanes, a historic solar eclipse, and a presidential election.

As millions of Bay Area residents searched for the latest, trustworthy news, FOX 13's reporters were there to provide it. 

Below is a collection of FOX13News.com's most clicked on news stories from each month of 2024:  

JANUARY:

In January, Bay Area residents clicked on a viral video from a New York City subway. The video, which first appeared on TikTok, showed dozens of rats hiding underneath a homeless person’s blanket.

Read the article here.

FEBRUARY: 

In February, our most clicked on story was of a pair of 8-week-old puppies being recovered by a good Samaritan after they were ‘mercilessly’ thrown on the side of a Tampa road. 

View FOX 13’s Kylie Jones’ in-depth reporting on the story here.

MARCH: 

In March, FOX 13's most viewed story was reporting detailing the rising economic standards required to be considered for a middle-class family in Florida--after inflation.

To read more on the Bay Area's ever-changing economy, click here.

APRIL: 

In April, millions of Americans nationwide looked to the skies to witness a total solar eclipse. While the Bay Area was not in the solar eclipse's path of totality, residents looking to partake in the rare eclipse could pierce into the sky and find partial coverage due to the rare event. Another solar eclipse is not expected to shade Florida until 2045.

Read FOX 13's full coverage before, during, and after the April eclipse here.

View FOX 13 News' most viewed Solar Eclipse articles:

• 2024 Solar Eclipse: Everything you need to know
• Solar Eclipse 2024: Peak times in Tampa Bay area, how to watch rare event
• WATCH: Partial solar eclipse over Tampa

MAY: 

In May, Tampa residents joined millions in clicking on FOX 5 DC's story of a woman who was demanding answers–and her dog back– after she discovered that her ‘euthanized dog’ was up for adoption.  

Read Dave Kaplan of FOX 5 DC’s reporting here.

JUNE: 

In June, FOX 13 viewers tuned in as authorities in Martin County responded to the drowning death of a Pennsylvania couple vacationing with their six children after they drowned in a rip current. 

Read FOX 13 News Staff’s reporting on the story here.

JULY: 

Bay Area residents eat fast food, too, and in July, FOX 13 viewers were curious about a USA Today survey about Americans' favorite fast-food chains. 

Chick–fil–A proved the casualty of the fast food wars, losing the top spot as America's favorite chain after a 10-year run. 

View the complete rankings of America’s most popular chain restaurants here.

AUGUST: 

In August, Bay Area residents wanted the details of the arrest of two men who ambushed, shot, and robbed a Tampa couple at their home after trailing them home from a big win at the Hard Rock Casino.

View FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis’ in-depth reporting on the incident here. 

SEPTEMBER: 

Hurricane Helene barreled into the Tampa Bay region in late September, bringing unprecedented rain and storm surges.

As towns and communities up and down Florida’s western coast grappled with the storm and the devastating impacts of mass flooding on the region, FOX 13 News was there to cover it all.

You can view FOX 13 News’ most clicked-on Hurricane Helene article here or view our in-depth coverage of the storm's long-term effects on the area here.

View FOX 13 News' most viewed Hurricane Helene articles:

• An Indian Rocks Beach surfer saved a dozen people that we trapped in flooded homes during Hurricane Helene
• A Clearwater father called riding out Hurricane Helene on his roof and boat the 'craziest night of my life'
• A Tampa councilman called for an investigation into the widespread flooding of the University Area and North Tampa from Hurricane Helene's storm surge 

OCTOBER: 

Two weeks after Hurricane Helene slammed Florida’s western coast with high rain and flooding, Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico.

While Hurricane Milton did not cause the same levels of flooding in the Bay Area, it still brought high levels of rain and unprecedented levels of wind, which posed unique challenges to the area.

Homes and businesses were left in the dark for the weeks following the back-to-back hurricanes as millions' journey to recovery began.

You can view FOX 13 News’ most clicked-on Hurricane Milton article here or our in-depth coverage of the storm's long-term effects on the area here. 

View FOX 13 News' most viewed Hurricane Milton articles:

• A dog that was found tied to a pole on a Tampa interstate was rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol as Hurricane Milton drew near
• The roof of Tropicana Field was ripped off by Hurricane Milton's strong winds
• A crane fell from a high rise in downtown St. Petersburg as Hurricane Milton's strong winds bared down on the city

NOVEMBER: 

If back-to-back hurricanes in September and October were not enough for the Bay Area, November brought its own unique storm: A deeply polarizing presidential election.

The race for the White House saw former President Donald Trump take on, and eventually defeat, sitting Vice President Kamala Harris in what proved a deeply divisive and expensive election. 

FOX 13 News reporters were there to provide Bay Area residents casting their ballots with the latest national, state, and local political news before, after, and during the election. 

View FOX 13 News' most viewed 2024 Election articles:

• Donald Trump wins the 2024 Presidential Election
• Rick Scott keeps U.S. Senate seat defeating Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
• Amendment 4 fails: Floridians made decision on abortion rights
• Amendment 3 fails: Floridians voted against legalizing recreational marijuana

Review FOX 13 News’ live coverage of election night here and view our in-depth coverage of the 2024 election cycle as a whole here. 

DECEMEBER:

In December, Bay Area residents wanted to stay up-to-date on all the new laws hitting the books in Florida when the clock strikes 12:00 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.

FOX 13 Digital Content Creator Nancy Gay compiled a list of some of the most important new laws taking effect in the new year that Floridians should be aware of.

Click here to read the article.

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