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
$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.
Nobel Peace Prize winner rescued by Tampa-based organization
A Tampa-based organization conducted a complex and secret mission to get the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner out of her home country of Venezuela.
Travelers must have a REAL ID by February, or they'll be charged
The TSA is warning travelers that they must have a REAL ID by February or pay up.
Sarasota mom vows not to let fear silence son who accuses school staff member of touching him inappropriately
A Sarasota County mom is speaking out after her son says a staff member touched him inappropriately at school.
Local fire officials warn of potential holiday fire dangers
Bay Area officials are warning residents about potential fire hazards related to holiday decorations and batteries that aren’t disposed of properly.
Kendra Scott jewelry pieces helping Muma Children’s Hospital patients
Patients at the Muma Children’s Hospital at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) made their own Kendra Scott jewelry pieces at Monday’s pop-up event inside the hospital.
FDA approves new specialized glasses to help children with nearsightedness
The U.S. FDA authorized marketing of new specialized eyeglass lenses to help slow the progression of myopia in children ages 6 to 12 years old.
City of Tampa buying water earlier than normal to meet demand during shortage
The city of Tampa gets most of its water from the Hillsborough River, which isn’t very full right now because it wasn’t a very rainy “rainy season."