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 spending time outdoors – as close to water as possible! – with her husband, two kids and dog. She also loves cheering on the local sports teams – and her Chicago ones, too! (Go Cubs, Bears, Bulls & Blackhawks!)
The latest from Ariel Plasencia
Tampa rescue team: Firefighters recognized for Venezuela earthquake response
Three Tampa Fire Rescue firefighters were honored Friday after risking their lives in Venezuela to search through rubble and rescue survivors following two major June earthquakes.
St. Pete doctors see uptick in children ingesting hazardous household items: 'One pill can kill'
Doctors with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital have seen an uptick in cases of kids accidentally swallowing and ingesting hazardous items around the house.
Two children hospitalized after car crashes into Hillsborough County apartment
A truck crashed into two apartment units in Palm River-Clair Mel on Tuesday morning, sending two children to the hospital in serious condition, officials said.
More than 70 children drown in Florida as safety experts issue warnings
More than 70 Florida children have died by drowning, according to data by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) – which includes several cases in the Tampa Bay area.
Meet Waddles: The 350-pound pig at the center of animal cruelty trial
A legal battle in the case of a 350-pound pig named Waddles is heating up ahead of a non-jury trial Wednesday, following allegations that SPCA Tampa Bay left the animal to roast in the hot Florida sun.
Tampa police and UTampa launch new partnership that fast tracks college seniors into law enforcement careers
The Tampa Police Department and The University of Tampa are launching a first-of-its-kind formal partnership to fast-track college seniors directly into law enforcement careers.
Soaring utility costs impact Tampa residents during peak summer heat: 'I was shocked'
Tampa residents say their monthly electric bills have doubled or tripled as the summer heat forces air conditioners to work overtime.
South Tampa dog survives bufo toad encounter in backyard
A South Tampa woman is urging pet owners to be on the lookout for Bufo toads after her dog survived an encounter earlier this month.
How a small, underwater creature in Antarctica could help fight skin cancer in Florida
USF researchers traveled to Antarctica this year to continue their research into a tiny organism that could help in the fight against melanoma.
Pasture mealybug: Grass-eating pest spreads to 16 Florida counties
Agricultural experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) held an online workshop Friday about pasture mealybug, a tiny white insect that feasts on grasses.