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
Spring Break brings record number of passengers to TPA
The spring break travel season continued Saturday, a day Tampa International Airport officials believed would be the single busiest day during the entire five-week spring break period.
River O’ Green festival: Hillsborough River to turn green ahead of Tampa’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration
Saturday marks a busy day of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with the 2025 ‘River O’ Green’ festival in Tampa.
Cousins killed in Plant City crash, search warrant requests suspect driver's blood to be tested
A family is mourning the loss of two loved ones hit and killed by a driver, who reportedly admitted to having "several alcoholic beverages at a friend’s house."
President Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum imports to be felt by Bay Area pool companies
Some local pool companies said they will feel the impact of the Trump administration’s 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, specifically when it comes to selling screen enclosures around pools.
Tampa rapper, Doechii, was named Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year
Tampa native and Grammy-award winning rapper, Doechii, was named Billboard’s 2025 Woman of the Year.
Prosecutors want accused drug traffickers to remain behind bars
Four men who were arrested in connection to a large drug-trafficking ring with ties to "a network in Puerto Rico" appeared in Hillsborough County court for a bond hearing Friday.
Illegal immigrant sentenced in hit-and-run that killed Pinellas County deputy
An illegal immigrant who pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a hit-and-run that killed a Pinellas County deputy was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday.
Florida's legislative session begins this week. Here are some of the key bills filed in Tallahassee
This week, Florida lawmakers will gather in Tallahassee for their annual legislative session, with several key issues on the table.
Hundreds of federal NOAA employees – including weather forecasters – fired in DOGE cuts
Hundreds of federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees, including weather forecasters, were fired Thursday as part of DOGE cuts.
Tampa International Airport gears up for busy spring break season: ‘Our Super Bowl’
Tampa International Airport is preparing for an "all-time busiest spring break" period, which begins Saturday.