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 watching her Chicago sports teams (go Cubs, Bears, Bulls & Blackhawks!) with her husband and dog.
The latest from Ariel Plasencia
Tampa Police Department rolls out virtual reality training pods to practice de-escalation techniques
The Tampa Police Department rolls out new virtual reality pods, so officers can practice de-escalation techniques.
Bradenton teen whose leg was amputated during 17-hour surgery to remove tumor heads home from hospital
A Bradenton teen is finally heading home after a nearly 17-hour surgery to remove a tumor and to amputate her left leg.
‘Dry January’ grows in popularity as alcohol consumption sees general decline
Known as Dry January, some are saying "no" to alcohol for the entire month. Some are even making the decision to abstain from alcohol for 31 days for health reasons.
3 Floridians among those ill after eating raw oysters amid national salmonella outbreak
Three Floridians reported falling ill from salmonella in a national outbreak that includes 64 total cases across 22 states. People are reporting eating raw oysters, according to the CDC.
Suspects accused of dumping sick puppies in a Largo park illegally bred dogs: Police
Two suspects were arrested and face 12 counts of felony animal cruelty charges each after police say they abandoned dogs in Taylor Park.
Manatee County dispatchers help deliver five babies over three months: 'Once I hung up, I had happy tears'
Manatee County 911 telecommunicators have helped callers deliver five babies over the phone in the last three months.
Tampa Bay delivers supplies and love as Jamaica continues to recover from Hurricane Melissa
40,000 pounds of supplies collected here in Tampa Bay were recently delivered to Jamaica. The large island nation is still recovering from Hurricane Melissa.
$17M upgrades completed to one of Tampa's oldest wastewater pumping stations
The city of Tampa just completed $17 million in upgrades to one of its oldest wastewater pumping stations.
Rare condition forces St. Petersburg doctors to amputate teen's leg
A Bradenton teen is recovering from a nearly 17-hour surgery where doctors at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg amputated her left leg.
All Pinellas County School District volunteers will be required to undergo Level 2 background screening
By next school year, all volunteers with the Pinellas County School District will be required to undergo Level 2 background screening.