The Palm Beach Zoo has three precious capybara pups that need names, and they want the public to choose!

The trio was born in March to Iyari and Zeus, and now it's time to pick the perfect names for the adorable pups.

Voting runs April 17-22, and you have four options:

Apollo, Artemis & Aries (Keeping it mythological)

Guinness, Jameson & Bailey (Irish-themed names for their St. Patrick's Day birth timing)

Lucky, Patty & Tater (More Irish flair)

Clover, Flanigan & Finnegan (Classic Irish names)

Want your vote to count extra? Visit the capybaras during feeding times at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. and cast your ballot with a zoo staff member - it counts as TWO votes!

Vote now through April 22 and help give these capybara cuties the perfect names!

Nine people were arrested and six firearms were seized during a targeted enforcement operation in Pleasant City, the West Palm Beach Police Department announced Thursday.

The department said they executed four simultaneous search warrants on Monday as part of Operation Silent Spruce. Police said the investigation began early this year after community members submitted tips about nuisance properties associated with repeat offenses.

Police said they seized five handguns, one rifle, several hundred dollars in cash, drug paraphernalia and narcotics. The drugs included 1.5 pounds of marijuana, six grams of crack cocaine and two grams of bath salts.

"This investigation is a direct result of community members speaking up, trusting and sharing information with our officers. These partnerships are critical to our success," West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo said during Thursday's news conference. "We will continue working proactively to keep our neighborhoods safe. We encourage anyone with information to come forward; if you see something, say something."

The nine individuals who were arrested face 19 felony charges and one misdemeanor. The felonies include eight counts of sale of narcotics, three counts of sale of narcotics within 1,000 feet of a specified location, one count of possession of fentanyl, one count of possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, and six public order offenses. One person faces a misdemeanor count of failure to appear.

The city said it is reviewing the properties involved in criminal drug activity under its nuisance abatement ordinance. Police said Operation Silent Spruce is part of ongoing efforts to proactively address crime and enhance public safety.

A massive water main repair project will shut down portions of Cocoanut Row on Palm Beach until the fall, and West Palm Beach is footing the bill.

The project involves fixing a 2,500-foot-long, 16-inch water main from the 1940s that stretches underground from Royal Poinciana Way to Pendleton Lane. Leaders say the pipe, which supplies water to nearby homes and businesses, has reached the end of its useful life.

The repairs require trench laying and open cuts, shutting down the southern lane of Cocoanut Row and other stretches as needed. During a recent meeting, town council members were warned that traffic backups will worsen, with Phase 1 of the project considered the most difficult and uncertain.

"If you want to get out of town I recommend May to June," a representative with the project said during a town meeting. There are two phases of the water main project, with Phase 1 currently underway and Phase 2 picking up over the summer.

Town leaders were told the project will cost roughly $2.7 million, but a budget of $3.2 million was approved. Surprisingly, Palm Beach is not paying for the repairs.

"Wow, that cost ," a council member said.

A project rep responded, "West Palm is paying for this."

"Well, at least it's not costing us anything," said the the council member.

WPTV's Kayla McDermott found in a nearly 30-year-old contract that West Palm Beach agreed to not only provide water to the island through five pipes underneath the Intracoastal Waterway, but also take responsibility for Palm Beachs infrastructure.

The project manager, Jake Hurley, told McDermott over the phone that the fund paying for the repairs is comprised of people's water bills.

"In the Town of Palm Beach, potable water infrastructure improvements such as the Cocoanut Row Water Main Replacement Project, are paid for by the Utility Owner, which is the City of West Palm Beach," said Hurley. "When Town residents pay their water bill, a portion of those payments go to a Renewal and Replacement Fund, this fund exclusively pays for water main projects within the Town of Palm Beach."

"The money is there," a rep for the project said.

A representative for the city of West Palm Beach also confirmed the payment, stating, "The city of West Palm Beach provides water to the city, as well as the towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. The city owns the underground water lines, and funds or partially funds repairs/replacements."

That's something West Palm Beach residents were not aware of.

"I don't feel good about it at all," David Traupman said. "...It should be Palm Beach, they have the money."

The agreement between the town and the city is set to expire soon, meaning West Palm Beach might not be paying for repairs in the near future. However, the city will still front the bill on this project, which is not expected to wrap up until the fall.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Amazon is teaming up with Winn-Dixie to expand its same-day grocery delivery partnership across Florida's largest metropolitan areas, including West Palm Beach and surrounding areas.

The companies announced Tuesday that Winn-Dixie grocery delivery on Amazon is now available to customers throughout Florida, including

Delivery also extends to surrounding neighborhoods and nearby communities throughout each area, according to a news release.

Customers in participating areas can shop for more than 15,000 Winn-Dixie grocery items on Amazon and have them delivered to their doorstep.

The expansion to more areas of Florida comes after the collaboration began in September 2025, which launched in the Jacksonville and Orlando regions.

"Since launching in Jacksonville and Orlando last fall, weve seen how much customers value the combination of Winn-Dixie's trusted selection with Amazons convenient delivery. More Florida customers have been asking for the ability to shop their favorite local grocery store through Amazon, and were thrilled to deliver on that request. This expansion demonstrates our commitment to growing partnerships that customers love and bringing more local grocery favorites to more Florida families," Sophie Turrell, director of U.S. Grocery Partnerships at Amazon, said.

"Winn-Dixie is a trusted hometown grocer that Floridians have relied on for generations, and this expansion allows us to serve even more families with the fresh, quality products and everyday value they expect. Building on our initial launch, we're now reaching the majority of Florida householdsbringing added convenience and more savings to customers across the state," Gayle Shields, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer for Winn-Dixie, said.

Customers can shop Winn-Dixie and check delivery availability in their area by clicking here or using the Amazon shopping app.

For a limited time, both Prime members and customers without a Prime membership can enjoy free delivery on all Winn-Dixie orders over $25 with two-hour delivery windows.

Winn-Dixie Rewards members can also link their Rewards account with their Amazon account to earn Rewards value on each purchase that can be redeemed for dollars off future in-store purchases at Winn-Dixie.

The expansion of this service to the West Palm Beach area comes after the recent announcement that the longtime store on the corner of Northlake Boulevard and Military Trail will close April 19.

West Palm Beach police are investigating a body found in the Intracoastal Waterway near Currie Park.

Police responded to the 2000 block of North Flagler Drive at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, and located a deceased person in the water.

WPTV's Ethan Stein is at the scene and says divers are being sent in to recover the body. A construction superintendent working near the scene told WPTV they saw a body floating in the water.

The investigation is ongoing.

More than 11 million people in the U.S. are widowed, and the loss of a loved one can be a hard burden to bear.

A panel of women is coming together this weekend to share how they overcame loss, whether due to death, divorce or betrayal. The Restored Woman Experience: From Loss to Legacy luncheon is on Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

One of the guests on the panel will be Kim DeOrsey, who lost her husband when he was 30 years old in 2008.

"The goal in this event is to create a safe and empowering space where women can come together and be restored themselves, feel safe from the inside out. It's about helping others move forward, whether they're experienced loss, a transition, widowhood, or been betrayed," DeOrsey said. "So, we just want to help them, give them some clarity, some strength, and some purpose."

For more information on the luncheon or to purchase tickets, visit the Eventbrite page.

Students at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach County are taking their education to new heights by getting hands-on training for high-demand careers in aviation.

Aviation students at the school are utilizing a classroom flight simulator to gain real-world experience.

WATCH BELOW: Students train on flight simulators for high-demand aviation jobs

"It's pretty cool... it's almost like real life," student Alexander Batallan said.

For five years, aviation instructor Frank LoPresti has watched more students take an interest in aviation, and he noted the timing couldn't be better.

"Unless you have the actual feel of flying an airplane, which this simulator gives you, it's really hard to emulate that through text, lectures and PowerPoint presentations," LoPresti said.

According to Boeing's 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook, the aviation industry needs to hire 119,000 new commercial pilots over the next 20 years to meet demand and replace retiring pilots.

"It's making them aware of the demand, especially for air traffic controllers and pilots who need to retire after 65," LoPresti said.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office says air traffic controllers have decreased by 6% over the last decade.

"Technology is making it even more in demand through the military, commercial, and private. There are so many avenues they can take," LoPresti said.

The class is inspiring students like Sophia Durso, making her one of the few girls in the class and giving her the confidence to take the lead in a male-dominated industry.

"I plan on joining the military, the United States Air Force, and fly military aircraft, specifically fighter jets," Durso said. "I can do something that not a lot of women can do, I can perform just as well, and fly just as well as any man can."

A Miami woman received a surprise marriage proposal at the finish line of the second annual BillBone Olympic Triathlon at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach this morning.

Just after Cindy Alghawi finished the race, Hossam Sayegh dropped to his knees and proposed with a ring and a bouquet of roses. Alghawi said yes.

Alghawi's family was there to witness the event for the Lebanese couple from Miami.

A total of 368 athletes from 23 states and eight countries competed in the triathlon. Alghawi was in elite company, as three Olympic triathletes Team USA silver medalist Kevin McDowell, Kirsten Kasper and Matthew Sharpe also competed this morning.

Trial lawyer, native son and cycling advocate BillBone started the triathlon.

"The event continues to grow as a signature endurance race in Palm Beach County, drawing both competitive athletes and first-time participants," BillBone said.

April is Parkinsons Awareness Month, and Florida has the highest concentration of Parkinsons patients in the country.

To help spread awareness, the historic courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach will light up in blue on Saturday night.

WATCH:

The lighting honors Sharon, a local mother who fought Parkinsons disease for nearly two decades before she died six years ago. Her son, Dr. George Ackerman, started the nonprofit Together for Sharon to keep her memory alive.

"We didn't want her to be forgotten," Ackerman said.

Ackerman called his mother his best friend and a warrior who loved spending time with her grandchildren.

"I always joke and say I was proud to be a mama's boy. I made a shirt that says it. But she was someone who was always right by my side," Ackerman said.

"They used to love spending time on Sundays, blowing bubbles in the backyard and drawing in color books. And now I walk by and it's an empty backyard, and my mother is now with us," Ackerman said.

Through Together for Sharon, Ackerman has traveled to Washington, D.C., with the Michael J. Fox Foundation, authored books, and interviewed thousands of people affected by Parkinsons disease.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Sachs has been involved with the nonprofit since 2023. She said lighting the courthouse blue is for a wonderful cause.

"Blue shows a dignity that we have to look for every person who is suffering from this neurological disease and as blue skies as we look at, as we light up that beautiful old courthouse that's part of the dignity of Palm Beach County, we will see that we look towards the sky as finding a cure for this terrible disease," Sachs said.

Ackerman hopes the blue light and shared stories will culminate in a cure.

"I can do only so much. I'm only one voice, but when we all join together, our voices are so much stronger. Commissioner has been an incredible support," Ackerman said.

The Nora District in West Palm Beach is moving into its third phase of development, bringing luxury living to the area with an 11-story condominium building called Nora House.

Phase one of the district is currently open, and phase two, which includes a hotel, is under construction. Phase three will transform an empty lot across from the hotel into residential space.

WATCH BELOW: Multimillion-dollar condos being built in Nora District

WPTV reporter Kayla McDermott was told there will be 117 condos ranging from two to four bedrooms. Residents will have access to two pools, a fitness center, a spa, a bowling alley, a golf simulator, and two pickleball courts.

"It's really something that West Palm has been waiting for," Chris Scott, the director of sales on the project, said.

He also showed WPTV a model of what one of the units would look like, which is available to view inside 955 N Railroad Ave, for the public to drop by and see.

"Here you can really live above it all," Scott said. "We're on the second floor here. Please feel free to come up ... this would be a very good representation of what your kitchen would look like, flooring, bathrooms, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures."

When McDermott showed community members renderings of the next addition to the district, they shared their reactions.

"I love it," Lauren Jagernauth said.

"Wow, that's beautiful," Sharleen Rum said in awe.

"Those are, of course, very beautiful," Jimmy K said, but also voiced his concern, saying, "I'm hoping it's affordable for everyone. ... I highly doubt it is!"

When McDermott asked Rum to guess the price, she estimated the condos would cost $800,000, which is hundreds of thousands off.

"Condos start in the high one millions, and go up to about $5 million, $6 million," Scott said. "We're in the double digits on reservations."

During a Downtown Action Committee meeting discussing future plans, developers for more housing nearby said a 350-unit building is coming as an additional portion of phase 3. The project will include apartments and 52 units of workforce housing to create a mixed-income project.

"Implementing things like that is important," Jimmy K said.

It is still going to be a while before anyone officially calls The Nora District home, since groundbreaking is expected next year, with completion not expected until 2029.

Read more of our coverage of the Nora District:

West Palm Beach is in the midst of a construction boom cranes in the skyline, heavy machinery on the streets, and new developments transforming entire blocks.

But behind the promise of growth, neighbors say the reality is much louder, messier, and harder to live with.

The growing pains arent just downtown theyre spilling into quiet residential streets, where frustration is building and patience is wearing thin.

Now, homeowners surrounded by construction chaos are turning to WPTV's Joel Lopez for help.

He is on the ground, hearing their stories firsthand and pressing city leaders for answers.

Neighbors Say Construction Crews Are the Bigger Problem

Residents in West Palm Beach, south of Forest Hill Boulevard, say massive new houses being built in their neighborhood is one issue but its the challenges theyre facing with construction crews during the process that has them turning to us for help.

Theres noise and theres stuff and theres trucks all the time, said longtime resident Steven Fayer, who lives along Alhambra Place but has been seeing large new construction at nearly every turn.

Its not a peaceful community anymore, Fayer added.

During our interview, a truck drove by honking its horn.

Yes, you can hear it now, said Fayer.

Its been terrible, its been frustrating and we shared it with other neighbors, and we kinda feel helpless about doing anything, he said.

Early Morning Work, Blocked Sidewalks and Trash

On Leigh Street, one neighbor emailed Lopez saying crews were starting work at 4:30 in the morning, blocking sidewalks for what residents say have been days at a time, even leaving trash scattered.

After Lopez called the city of West Palm Beach, code enforcement officers were dispatched and found the contractor was violating multiple city codes and the company corrected the issue that same day.

The city issued a statement:

When you looked into it things started to happen, so we really appreciate your efforts, Fayer said.

Zoning Rules and Bigger Houses

But its not just the crews its the size of the houses thats drawing attention.

What are the rules? asked Veronica Whitlock, pointing to a massive house next door.

This was a two-bedroom bungalow and now its huge and two stories, Whitlock said.

The city responded that the new large houses do meet zoning and building regulations, explaining:

They say these standards are designed to prevent overdevelopment and make sure new homes fit within the neighborhood.

A neighbor living in newer construction didn't want to go on camera but told Lopez people should be allowed to build what they want on their property.

Frustrations Over Work Hours and Access

They have no consideration for my house. People are working after 8 oclock at night, all morning, all weekend. its just frustrating, Whitlock said.

City code states: Construction noise is permitted beginning at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends.

Residents have taken some matters into their own hands, putting orange traffic cones down at the end of their driveways to block construction cars from parking there, blocking them from leaving their homes.

Since October, the city investigated 18 code enforcement cases and issued five warnings for construction violations violations that could cause permits to be pulled until compliance is restored.

I understand people have to make a living but people are also living here and trying to have a life, said Whitlock.

City Urges Residents to Report Problems

A spokesperson acknowledged the growth the city of West Palm Beach is experiencing, and wants the appropriate action taken to maintain the quality of life for residents.

To ensure construction activity remains in compliance with city standards, if you have issues with construction activity, the city wants you to reach out to its code enforcement division and report it to the City of West Palm Beach Code Enforcement Division at (561) 822-1465.

MORE WPTV COVERAGE:

Florida lawmakers are once again asking the state to help pay for drainage improvements to Australian Avenue, a throughway to and from downtown West Palm Beach known for flooding.

Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed $742,000 to fix the problem last June, along with more than $500 million in state spending. This year, we learned about $430,000 is in the states budget for the project, which WPTV has tracked since October 2023.

WATCH: Neighbors waiting years for flood relief

The issue leads to homes, like the one belonging to Marion Hawkins, seeing water come up to their doors and leaving debris in their yards on a consistent basis.

She said she calls the road Lake Australian Avenue because it constantly floods when it rains and theres no drainage on the street.

These cars going southbound, they couldnt even tell where the lane was, Hawkins said. The water, rainwater, comes all the way up to my driveway and my yard and leaves this debris.

She said she wants government officials to fix the problem, but she doesnt think people are aware of the problems.

See how bad this street gets, Hawkins said. Thats what needs to be done. But you dont see no official come out here talking to the neighbors in the neighborhood.

Palm Beach County has had a plan to fix the street since at least November 2023. Then, county officials listened to a group of about 50 people at Gaines Park Community Center criticize their plan to fix the drainage problem on Australian Avenue, which officials said about 25,000 to 30,000 cars travel every day between 45th Street and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.

Officials said the new project will add a sidewalk along the water treatment facility, reconstruct a larger median to county safety standards and create a "refuge" area for left-turning vehicles.

They argued this would stop flooding because it would create more space for pipes underground. But some residents were concerned the plan would increase speeding because one travel lane would grow in size.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Residents say road is 'complete disaster' during flooding

"Australian Avenue is supposed to be 35 miles per hour," Mika said. "But they don't go 35. Usually, traffic is about 40, 50, 60. Widening the road is only going to make people go faster."

The project will also remove about 60 trees, which protects properties from cars traveling off the road. Unlike last year, when Rep. Jervonte Edmonds (D) sponsored the appropriations request, Rep. John Snyder (R) is sponsoring the appropriations request this time for the estimated $65 million project.

A spokesperson for the governors office didnt respond to our questions about their intentions to possibly veto the request.

WPTV heard from other people Thursday about flooding in downtown West Palm Beach, like on Flagler Drive.

The West Palm Beach Fire Department said it performed a rescue for a stalled car in the area on Thursday. Kay Joy, a city spokesperson, said the city is proactively investing in stormwater infrastructure and drainage improvements. She said the flooding from yesterday was the result of annually heavy rainfall, which can temporarily exceed the capacity of drainage infrastructure and lead to brief periods of storm flooding.

The Citys stormwater system is designed to manage typical rainfall conditions; however, during significant rainfall events, temporary ponding may occur while runoff moves through the system, she wrote. These conditions are generally short-lived and recede as weather conditions improve. The City continues to proactively invest in stormwater infrastructure and drainage improvements as part of our broader capital program, with an emphasis on increasing system capacity, strengthening system resilience, and reducing flooding impacts in vulnerable areas.

She recommended residents report flooding concerns through the WPB Key app so city teams can respond, assess conditions and prioritize improvements when needed.

FULL STATEMENT FROM THE CITY:

Residents in some of West Palm Beach's most historic neighborhoods say packed street parking, speeding cars and blocked driveways are creating safety hazards.

Neighbors in Northwood Hills and Mango Promenade say rapid growth without adequate infrastructure has turned quiet roads into tight corridors, making it difficult for residents to leave their homes and raising concerns about emergency vehicle access.

WATCH BELOW: Packed street parking creates safety hazards, residents tell WPTV

Mike Whitmire, a resident of Northwood Hills, said cars pack both sides of 29th Street, including commercial and broken-down vehicles.

"30% of the time I can't utilize my driveway," Whitmire said. "I have buyer's remorse."

Whitmire said the overcrowding creates a tight corridor, especially at night and on weekends.

"You can't get through it," he said.

Whitmire also expressed fear about speeding cars and the potential for pedestrians to be struck.

"We just had the hit and run right here," Whitmire said.

Whitmire said he has video showing an ambulance barely able to squeeze through the street. He says he contacted the city to ask for overnight parking bans, but said nothing has changed.

"I don't understand why they allow this," Whitmire said. "We have leaders here (who) just ignore the overcrowding."

Residents in the Mango Promenade historic district are experiencing similar issues on their narrow roads.

"Our cars can't get in and out of our driveway," resident Cynthia McAllister told WPTV this week.

"The city, I really hope, does something," resident Andrew Scharf told WPTV reporter Kayla McDermott.

McDermott reached out to the City of West Palm Beach to ask what action is being taken to ensure safety and if there is enough room for emergency vehicles.

A city representative said the city takes residents' concerns seriously and understands how increased demand for on-street parking impacts quality of life. While the city is not aware of specific parking issues in Northwood Hills, they monitor concerns as they arise.

The representative went on to say that residential streets are generally designed to accommodate parking on both sides while maintaining access for emergency vehicles. On narrower roadways, the city can evaluate and implement parking restrictions, such as limiting parking to one side.

Aside from investing in more development, increasing the population, Whitmire told McDermott that "they're more concerned by building high-rise kind of mediums, bringing more people to this area, and not really taking care of what's already here."

He also said a concern he has surrounds rental properties, "the overcrowding of the rental homes."

Whitmire said a home near him rents to far too many people, leading to an unnecessary number of cars parking on the street and yards.

"This front yard is loaded up with cars," Whitmire said.

In response to the claim that rentals have too many tenants, the city says it requires all rental units to obtain a license and undergo inspections to confirm code compliance. Residents are encouraged to report parking, safety, or code compliance concerns through the WPB Key app or website.

Currently, Whitmire said he has resorted to using his garbage can as a blockade to ensure he can leave his home.

"At the end of the day, the value of my home, the entire community, it's diminishing the value of it," Whitmire said.

Residents of West Palm Beach's historic Mango Promenade neighborhood say ongoing luxury development construction is destroying their century-old community with overwhelming parking and traffic problems that city officials have failed to address despite months of complaints.

Construction vehicles flood residential streets

Cynthia McAllister, who lives in the Mango Promenade community just south of downtown West Palm Beach, said construction workers from nearby luxury development projects are parking throughout her neighborhood's narrow, century-old streets.

"For years now, we have had a problem," McAllister told WPTV. "It's not built for these massive vehicles."

Andrew Scharf, another Mango Promenade resident, said the parking overflow creates dangerous conditions for neighbors trying to access their own driveways.

"We have a lot of construction workers parking here," Scharf said. "Our cars can't get in and out of our driveway safely."

Safety concerns mount as development accelerates

The residential parking crisis has created multiple safety hazards, according to residents. McAllister said blocked driveways force drivers to back out onto busy Dixie Highway, while speeding construction vehicles navigate streets too narrow for large trucks.

"Cars whizzing all over the place," Scharf said. "Really lucky nothing bad has happened."

When cars meet head-to-head on the narrow streets, drivers must reverse to wider areas to pass, creating additional traffic backups and safety risks.

Petition signed by 80% of homeowners goes nowhere

McAllister said more than 80% of Mango Promenade homeowners signed a petition requesting resident-only parking or no parking restrictions on their streets. However, the petition was denied by West Palm Beach city officials after months of delays.

"We've been begging, we've been screaming to see resident-only parking on our street, or even no parking," McAllister said. "It's been a process of stalling from the city ever since."

McAllister said she received no response from the city for months, and when she followed up, officials told her the parking request had been denied without explanation.

Why this matters for growing communities

As West Palm Beach experiences unprecedented development growth, the Mango Promenade situation highlights broader challenges facing established neighborhoods throughout South Florida.

Historic communities are struggling to maintain their character and livability while accommodating the infrastructure demands of luxury development projects that bring jobs and tax revenue but strain existing residential areas.

City responds with policy explanations

The city of West Palm Beach provided a statement acknowledging development creates "temporary challenges for surrounding neighborhoods, including increased parking demand."

City officials said they "take residents' concerns seriously" and work to "balance neighborhood access with broader community needs through planning, enforcement, and mobility strategies."

According to the city statement, Residential Parking Permit requests "are evaluated using objective, data-driven criteria in City Code to ensure fairness and consistency. Eligibility is based on documented, recurring interference from non-residential vehicles."

The city confirmed that while many construction projects include shuttle services for workers, "there may be instances where subcontractors or independent contractors are not utilizing those services and are instead parking in nearby neighborhoods."

One-way street proposal offers potential relief

On April 1, West Palm Beach proposed converting Vallette Way and nearby Croton Way into one-way streets to help manage traffic flow through the historic neighborhood.

"The city, I really hope, does something," Scharf said.

McAllister said the community has waited too long for action from city officials.

"It's been a long time coming," McAllister said. "We're a very special little neighborhood, which needs to be preserved and not destroyed, and we're not typical of an urban downtown environment. And we're valuable, we're rare."

The proposed one-way street changes would require city commission approval and could take several months to implement if approved.

FULL STATEMENT FROM CITY:

The Keiser University men's lacrosse team is chasing its fourth consecutive national championship as the season winds down.

Ranked No. 1 in the nation, the Seahawks currently hold a 7-0 record. The team has dominated its opponents, scoring 150 goals while allowing only 50.

WATCH BELOW: Keiser men's lacrosse chasing 4th straight national title

The energy and excitement displayed day in and day out by the team comes from a close brotherhood, a love for the game and talent.

"We have to have the lights on at 6 a.m. for practice, and for Coach (Leonard) Flocco and me, it's a lot of late nights, but for these guys, they do a great job of getting up and bringing some energy," head coach Jeff Desko said.

"We've won two conference tournaments and three national championships," attacker Aaron "AJ" Badik of Orlando said.

The team's success has made scheduling home games difficult, resulting in most of their matchups being played on the road.

"I love it, it's adversity, I mean, that's what the coach was kind of going for," Badik said. "He said everybody wants to be the bad guy (on our team), and we're actually doing it this year. Honestly, as much as we say it, we're a happy group of guys, we're not really bad guys."

"Knowing that this is coming to an end, at least with this special group, it keeps you in the moment, and keeps you motivated for every game every day," Desko said.

As Palm Beach County experiences a boom in high-end development, local residents are struggling to buy homes due to rising costs.

But one local organization is working to close the housing gap.

WATCH: Local program helps Palm Beach County residents buy homes

Luxury towers and high-end condo buildings are driving up housing costs, widening the gap between those who can afford homes and those who cannot.

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James told me he recognizes the issue.

"I can't afford to live in them. Most people who are historically residents of West Palm Beach probably cant," James said.

India and Obrien Edwards, a couple from Riviera Beach, spent nearly 10 years unable to find a house in the city where they grew up.

"The housing market from 2018 until now, increased by 50%. It was not so great," Obrien Edwards said.

"Oh, my goodness, it was ridiculous," India Edwards said.

The couple turned to Community Partners of South Florida, a "one-stop shop" in West Palm Beach.

"We have a comprehensive housing program that offers personalized credit and budgeting counseling," Ana Lopez said.

Lopez said the organization recently received over 150 inquiries from people struggling to find housing. The program helps families who make too much to qualify for subsidized housing but cannot afford luxury developments. Clientele incomes range from $25,000 to $187,000 a year.

Across the county, houses are currently selling for an average of close to $700,000. Lopez is working to get families into homes priced between $200,000 and

$390,000 by offering debt reduction, down payment assistance and mission-driven loans.

"These down payment assistance that come from the county or from the city, they do dry up real quickly. Our lender partners, they have within their organization some type of down payment assistance that do assist our clients," Lopez said.

WATCH: Florida ranks dead last for renters in the U.S.

The Edwards family took advantage of the help to secure a home.

"We would not be in our house right now if we did not turn to Community Partners. They really help you evaluate all your finances," India Edwards said.

While the Edwards family found success, many more residents are still searching for homes.

"Don't give up. Start with Community Partners. There are resources for middle-class families," India Edwards said.

The Woodlawn Cemetery, over 100 years old, located just south of the ever-growing downtown West Palm Beach, has long been considered a sacred site.

WATCH BELOW: 'To me, honestly, it would be a desecration of sacred space,' Joette Stambaugh Keen tells WPTV's Joel Lopez

The cemetery is steeped in history through its stone arches carved with the phrase reflecting on mortality that reads: That which is as universal as death must be a blessing.

But now, after more than a century surrounded by development, it has become the next target for a revitalization effort.

Concerns are growing among people with relatives buried at a cemetery as the revitalization project could transform the site into a mixed-use park complete with art and entertainment spaces, according to the project website.

Plans by the non profit Friends of Woodlawn include planting trees, improving walkways, and adding spaces for arts, small-scale music performances, and more.

For many families, these proposals stir deep concerns.

None of us want our family members to have people dancing on their graves, said Joette Stambaugh Keen, who has a plot reserved at the cemetery alongside four generations of family. Its extremely meaningful. To me, honestly, it would be a desecration of sacred space."

She said she only recently learned about the project after seeing pictures online.

There are a lot of people that honestly just havent known about this, I just found out about it," said Keen.

She's not alone, the discovery prompted about 20 people with ties to the cemetery to come together and push for answers.

Archer Barry, whose ancestors dating back to 1895 are buried at Woodlawn, echoed those concerns.

It was a shock, Barry said when asked about the project. I mean the city needs to improve it, Im not against improvement, I just want transparency.

WPTV pushed project officials for answers and Kara Renne, executive director of Reimagine Woodlawn, told us they plan to contact relatives and offered assurances in a statement:

The cemetery sits on city-owned land, a spokesperson told WPTV they're engaging in talks with the nonprofit but that no formal partnership has been established for the project.

They issued this statement:

When asked about the personal significance of the cemetery, Keen replied, Oh, it means a lot.

We want respect for the people that are buried there, Barry added.

Police in West Palm Beach are searching for a woman in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred last month.

Investigators said a motorcycle was struck by an SUV in the 4200 block of Broadway on March 10 at about 8:10 p.m.

Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating Kelly Anne Jacobson, 40, in the fatal hit-and-run. They consider her a person of interest in the case.

Jacobson is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with short blond hair. Police said she has a large mole on the right side of her nose.

She is known to work in the marine industry and frequent marinas in Riviera Beach and Palm Beach Gardens.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Streigold with the West Palm Beach Police Department at 561-822-1608 and reference case number 20260003830.

Police have not released the name of the victim or any other details on the crash.

To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 1-800-458-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online through the Crime Stoppers website.

The city of West Palm Beach is reopening streets and the waterfront after the boat show setup and breakdown caused nearly a month of traffic and pedestrian closures.

A city spokeswoman said northbound South Flagler Drive from Lakeview Avenue to Banyan Boulevard reopened at 6 p.m. Friday. The remainder of the street, from Lakeview Avenue to Fern Street, will open on Monday, April 6. The Green Market also returned on Saturday.

WATCH BELOW: West Palm Beach streets finally reopen after boat show delays

For weeks, chain-link fences, heavy equipment and a sea of cones have blocked off the waterfront and closed the northbound lanes of South Flagler. The closures have made traffic nearly unbearable for some and the area unwalkable for others.

WPTV has been hearing from downtown residents about their frustrations with the impact on their lives and the traffic it has caused.

"I definitely don't drive down here during those those times. And then I know that it does affect the walking, so I do stay away from it," resident Todd Bucey said.

"I think it's just annoying not being able to walk on the waterfront. That's one of the reasons that I live here," resident Neil Olmstead said.

Nick Lyons and his dog Floyd have lived downtown for six years.

"I thought by now it might be taken care of," Lyons said.

"We'll walk down the street (and find a) dead end, have to walk all the way back, go back down (and find another) dead end, and it just kind of creates a lot of chaos for us. So I love the boat show, but it is such a big project that it creates a lot of hassle for the locals," Lyons said.

When told about the reopening schedule, residents expressed relief.

"Well, that's great to hear," Lyons said.

"Is that what the expectation actually is? Yeah, it'd be great. I just think it was too long," Olmstead said.

Three people were hospitalized after being ejected from a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Beach County on April 4.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the vessel, which had three occupants, was traveling near Flagler Drive, south of Southern Boulevard, when the incident occurred.

First responders pulled the three victims from the water and transported them to an area hospital for treatment.

FWC officers responded to the scene alongside the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office, the West Palm Beach Police Department, and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

The FWC says the investigation is active and ongoing. Stay with WPTV for updates.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

South Dixie Highway is closed in both directions between Puritan Road and East Lakewood Road following a crash with injuries.

The West Palm Beach Police Department issued a traffic advisory regarding the closure.

This is a developing story. Stay with WPTV for updates.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A few dozen people came to the Palm Beach County Courthouse on Friday to protest immigration enforcement policies across the country.

The protests location was purposeful, after more suspected undocumented migrants were arrested in Palm Beach County than anywhere else in Florida, according to data from the State Board of Immigration Enforcement over an eight-month period.

Although federal and state agencies faced criticism at the event, there was also significant opposition to the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office (PBSO).

The data shows a majority of the 1,700 arrests, around 70%, came from Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). PBSO, according to the data, was responsible for 25% of those arrests. However, WPTV heard significantly more frustration about actions from the sheriffs office, even though they are responsible for significantly fewer arrests.

Im frustrated with PBSO mainly because Florida Highway Patrol is open about what theyre doing, said Mariana Blanco, director of operations for the Guatemalan Maya Center. Theyre [FHP] actively doing it. Theyre being aggressive about. We know they are one and one with Border Patrol. But the frustration with PBSO is that they continue to share this message that theyre not enforcing immigration. That theyre not ICE. But in their practices we see them being the same or worse than ICE.

According to the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, more suspected undocumented immigrants were encountered in Palm Beach County than anywhere else in the state over the eight-month period of state tracking. The database said only three other sheriffs offices (Martin, Lee and St. Johns) arrested more suspected undocumented migrants on federal immigration charges than the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office.

According to federal court records, some of those arrests have originated with people getting arrested for driving in Palm Beach County without a driver's license.

Blanco said her organization, which organized the protest and Good Friday service where the journey of an undocumented migrant was compared to the stations of the cross depicting Jesus Christs last day on earth, is aware of a number of cases where they feel like undocumented migrants were wrongly targeted for either immigration charges or arrested while calling for help from emergency services.

She said ultimately the event on Friday was to highlight the problem existing in Palm Beach County, which she believes is bigger because the local sheriffs office is pushing even more immigration arrests to federal agencies not included in the states data.

Our local law enforcement is taking action in a way that were not really seeing in other places, Blanco said. So thats certainly whats disappointing, primarily because Sheriff [Ric] Bradshaw has always spoken about being pro-immigrant and not targeting working-class families. And we dont think thats true."

A PBSO spokesperson declined to directly answer our questions, referring us to a provided video statement, which was made to look like a mock television interview on Facebook. In the video, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw (D) said his department wont participate in immigration sweeps but would make arrests if they ran into undocumented migrants while conducting their job.

Now if we come across somebody in a normal course of business like a traffic stop or domestic disturbance and we find out they're wanted and there is a hold on them, well take them into custody, he said. But its not that we went looking for them.

Bradshaw said the emphasis is on the bad guys like people involved in either gang activity or narcotics. However, Blanco said these statements are misleading and dont reflect the reality her organization is seeing on the ground.

I think theres lack of transparency in what hes saying and I think he knows how to work a microphone, she said. Its heavily misleading. If I wasnt on the ground I might be inclined to believe Sheriff Bradshaw, and I want to believe Sheriff Bradshaw. But his actions dont match his word.

A portion of State Road 7 in West Palm Beach has reopened in both directions after a fatal crash involving a dump truck and a motorcycle.

State Road 7 between Okeechobee Boulevard and Orange Grove Boulevard is now open.

The motorcyclist died, according to police.

This is a developing story. Stay with WPTV for updates.

West Palm Beach faces a growing housing affordability crisis as the city continues approving luxury residential developments while affordable housing options remain severely limited, according to city officials and housing advocates.

WATCH BELOW: 'There's more demand than there ever is supply,' Christine Frederick tells WPTV's Kayla McDermott

The latest example came Thursday morning when ground broke on the Shorecrest condominiums along Flagler Drive, adding to dozens of high-end residential buildings approved in recent years. The waterfront development represents millions in new property values but highlights the stark wealth disparity facing longtime residents.

Mayor Acknowledges Affordability Gap

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James openly acknowledged that most current residents cannot afford the luxury units being built in their city.

"I can't afford to live in them. Most people who are historically residents of West Palm Beach probably can't," James told WPTV's Kayla McDermott.

Despite this admission, James defended the luxury development strategy, citing economic benefits for the broader community.

"What I see as the mayor of the city is the potential that is being created, the potential for jobs, the potential for employment opportunities, for education opportunities for the residents here," James said.

"Let the Wealthy Come" Strategy Draws Criticism

When pressed about who these buildings actually serve, James took a direct approach to defending luxury development.

"Let the wealthy come to West Palm Beach. I don't care, because they're gonna pay their tax bills and help our city," James said.

However, the mayor also acknowledged the stark contrast within city limits.

"Mere blocks away, you have abject poverty," James admitted.

Housing Advocates Sound Alarm

Christine Frederick, CEO of The Lord's Place, a local homeless services organization, said affordable housing development is not keeping pace with demand.

Frederick said the people she helps are consistently saying they feel left out.

"They're really having a hard time surviving in this community," Frederick said of low-income residents. "We're always hearing about the disparity of housing. We're always hearing about, you know, we have this going on over here for this kind of demographic of folks, but we're kind of being left on the outs. And so there's a constant struggle and challenge and debate going on."

Frederick emphasized the supply shortage: "There's more demand than there ever is supply."

Residents Report Displacement Concerns

Local voters expressed concerns about changing demographics and rising costs pushing out longtime residents.

"The minorities a lot of them are being pushed out with taxes and with the infrastructure changing," resident Yahtta Gee told WPTV.

When presented with these resident concerns, James pushed back against criticism of the city's growth strategy.

"We're doing everything I can to avoid gentrification," James said. "Don't make growth an enemy because you can't afford to live here."

Development Numbers Tell the Story

The disparity becomes clear when examining upcoming projects. At least eight luxury buildings are slated for construction in West Palm Beach, while roughly six low-income housing projects are in development.

When asked about this imbalance, James acknowledged the shortfall while defending city efforts.

"There are more projects underway," James said, but added, "I won't say it's enough to fill the gap but we are doing everything we can."

Why This Housing Crisis Matters Now

West Palm Beach's housing challenges reflect broader affordability issues facing South Florida communities as property values surge and development favors high-end projects. The city's approach of welcoming luxury development while struggling to provide adequate affordable housing options could serve as a case study for other rapidly growing Florida municipalities facing similar pressures.

The housing disparity also raises questions about long-term community sustainability and whether current residents will be able to remain in neighborhoods their families have called home for generations.

A new high-rise building will soon be added to the burgeoning skyline of West Palm Beach, providing more luxury living to the city.

Real estate magnate and Miami Dolphins majority owner Stephen Ross was joined by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and others for a Thursday morning groundbreaking ceremony for the Shorecrest waterfront condominium.

The 28-story building, located at 1865 North Flagler Drive, will feature 98 private residences with prices starting at $3.2 million.

Developers said the condo will feature expansive layouts, floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Palm Beach.

The building will offer more than 18,000 square feet of amenities, including a rooftop pool deck, golf simulator, private dining room and a full-service wellness program, according to the Related Ross real estate firm.

"(The) boutique luxury waterfront condominium and a key milestone in the firm's $10 billion vision for West Palm Beach," according to a news release.

The new condominium is scheduled to be finished in 2027.

A boil water order was lifted at a West Palm Beach high school after students and staff went days without drinkable water.

Multiple students told WPTV the toilets inside Forest Hill Community High School werent flushing when a water main break occurred on March 27.

Although the bathroom issue was fixed by Monday, the school said students were still unable to drink from water fountains or use the sinks in the building until water quality testing was completed late Wednesday afternoon.

I can not thank you enough for how well everyone handled the water situation, Friday, said Forest Hill Community High School Principal Michael Aronson in an email on March 30. It was great to see how everyone went with the flow and rolled with the punches. As an update, we are still under a boil water order as they wait on one more test to be completed. With that being said, please do not drink the water. We will also be placing hand sanitizer outside of the staff bathrooms in buildings one, six and four. We will also put it outside of the bathrooms by the cafeteria and building 5. Please direct the students to those bathrooms until further notice.

In an email Wednesday afternoon, Aronson said the water was cleared for drinking and hand washing, ending the schools six-day water problems.

WPTVs Ethan Stein obtained photos of trucks bringing packages of water into the school, packs of water being left around the building, water fountains taped off or covered and individual bottles of hand sanitizer or plastic water bottles all over the school.

Blanca Escobar, a parent with a student at Forest Hill Community High School, said the school allowed parents to pick up their kids early on Friday after the water main break. She said on Wednesday shes concerned the problem was not getting fixed.

Thats not safe for them, said Escobar. I dont know when they want to fix it because its already been a week.

Ailani, a student at Forest Hill Community High School, said the situation inside the school was really nasty and weird before the water issues were fixed. She said shes been avoiding using the bathroom because of the problem and thinks the district should have canceled classes until the problem was fixed.

I personally haven't used the bathroom just because I don't want to go through the whole mumbo jumble of using hand sanitizer because I just think it's nasty, Ailani said.

Nate Lopez, who is also a student at the school, avoided the bathroom because he cant wash his hands, and told WPTV the situation kind of sucks on Wednesday. He said hes disappointed he had to bring his own water bottle to school this week, and at one point couldnt find drinkable water inside the building.

I personally try to get water during my last period, I got sixth period, and there was no water bottles left, so I personally couldn't drink anything, Lopez said. It sucks. I walked around the whole school trying to find water. There's nothing there.

According to a letter to families the School District of Palm Beach County released on Friday, the water disruption affected the air conditioning on campus and a cold lunch was provided to students.

Another letter the district released on Tuesday said the cafeteria was using safe water for food preparation as hot lunches were served.

The school district sent WPTV the following statement, which was sent to families and staff at Forest Hill Community High School on Wednesday:

The Run with the Cops 5K is back in West Palm Beach on Sunday, April 12, bringing the community and law enforcement together for a morning of fitness, fun, and unity.

Starting and finishing at the Meyer Amphitheatre on Flagler Drive, participants can run, walk, or jog the certified 5K course along the scenic Intracoastal. Kids ages 812 can join the 1K Sunrise Sprint, while children under 7 get their chance to race in the 100-yard Kids Dash.

Race day festivities include awards ceremonies, music, food, giveaways, and engaging static police displays including SWAT vehicles. Every finisher will receive a collectors medal, and participants can choose between a race tech shirt or tank top when picking up their packet.

The annual event benefits The Fund for West Palm Beach Police, helping provide resources that strengthen the relationship between officers and the community.

Early packet pickup will be Thursday, April 9 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Run Appeal on Okeechobee Boulevard. Race day registration and packet pickup run from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. at the race site.

More details and registration can be found at runwiththecops5k.com.

What do you want me to Shine A Light on? What are you most proud of where you live? Email me at tawalker@wptv.com.

West Palm Beachs city commission approved the Norton Museum of Arts proposal to double in size during their regular scheduled meeting on Monday night.

The Norton, one of the largest art museums in Florida, received prior approval to expand more than a decade ago from a previous commission, yet it needed additional approvals after bringing a larger proposal to the city.

WATCH: City's growth leads to expanded museum

The attorney for the museum said the decision to expand was spurred from West Palm Beachs population growth, which the U.S. Census Bureau estimated increased by 10% since 2020.

A lot has changed in 11 years, said Harvey Oyer III, who was the attorney for the Norton Museum of Art. We never, I dont think any of us anticipated Brightline and Covid and West Palm Beach becoming what it has become and because of that and because the Norton through its leadership, its board and its donor base have many more great works of art that they would like to share with our community. They would like to educate more of our citizenry and children.

Ghislain dHumires, director and CEO for the Norton Museum of Art, said in a written statement that this latest addition would add two buildings connected with a terrace with views of the intracoastal, part of a multiphase expansion plan. He said the museum saw extraordinary growth since reopening in 2019.

We saw record-breaking attendance from both residents and visitors alike, he said in a written statement. The Norton is growing alongside this community and we are thrilled to have the unanimous support of the City Commissioners as we move forward.

According to city staff, the museum was previously approved to build a four-story, 68-foot-high museum building with a gross building area of 171,795 square feet. Under this new plan, the museum will get to expand the current building to 70 feet with an area of around 231,000 square feet, along with a three-level parking garage with enough spots for around 350 vehicles.

Robert Blake said hes noticed the growth around West Palm Beach due to the amount of signs notifying the public about development proposals and the amount of high rises in the area. He said the growth has attracted some of his family members to look at moving to the area to retire.

I keep seeing the high rises go up, Blake said. Its interesting my daughter and son-in-law, theyre looking at retirement areas now theyre looking here.

The Keiser University women's softball team boasts one of the top records in the country, riding a 23-game winning streak that stands as the longest in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The No. 23 might bring to mind basketball legends, but on the softball diamond at Keiser University, it represents an incredible journey for a program that has built its foundation brick by brick.

WATCH BELOW: Keiser University softball team builds historic 23-game win streak

Head coach John Pryor and co-captains Macy Schaaf and Faith Campos have led the team to a 107-35 record, transforming them into one of the best teams in the nation after going 45-48 in 2022 and 2023.

"Year one, we kind of inherited what was left over from the previous head coach, which was mostly a group of freshmen," Pryor said.

That initial group of freshmen and their first-year head coach did not know one another at all. Now, they lean on Schaaf and Campos to lead the way.

"We definitely spent a lot of time together and learned the ins and outs. Everybody was kind of just thrown in different positions to see who would beat out who. I would say it created healthy competition," Campos said.

"It's a great feeling knowing that you can look to anyone on the field and off the field and know that they have your back," Schaaf said.

Many wrote the team off during their first two seasons. Now, they are a top 11 national seed.

"It was super exciting, but I would say it wasnt anything we weren't expecting when we first met and got here. I think we knew what we saw and how far we could go," Campos said.

The team was swept in the regional round of the playoffs last year, but they used that feeling to propel their current success.

"That was fun getting there for the first time last year, but now we've got a taste of it," Pryor said.

"Seeing how we started off and we'd be lucky if we could take one game out of three in a series in our conference, and now if we don't take all three, we're like, what did we do wrong?" Schaaf said.

We asked the team what it is like going from a struggling squad to the favorites to win the conference and make a national playoff push.

"We were always in fourth or third, or fighting for first or second, fighting for third, but this year we have a shot, and we know it," Pryor said.

Police were on scene behind the Downtown Food Store at the intersection of Seventh Street and N. Tamarind Avenue Monday morning, investigating an apparent overdose death.

Police responded to the scene just after 8 a.m. after a report of a deceased individual.

Detectives found a homeless person who had appeared to have died from a drug overdose.

Demonstrators gathered Saturday evening near Mar-a-Lago as part of a series of No Kings protests held across South Florida.

Organizers called the event the Twilight March, marking the final demonstration of the day. Participants traveled from across the region to attend the protest, held a few hundred feet from President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence.

WATCH: DEMONSTRATORS MARCH IN "NO KINGS" PROTESTS ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA

Crowds of varying ages lined the bridge, holding signs and chanting while advocating for their beliefs.

Im protesting with my grandma, said Rowan Wean.

Others expressed broader frustration with the current political climate.

Americans are getting fed up, said Per Lorentzen.

Demonstrators said they hoped the turnout would encourage more people to speak out.

If millions of people are out in the street today conveying the message, other people will find the courage to actually come out and express themselves as well, Lorentzen said.

Among those attending was Barbra Alessandrello, who said she has participated in every No Kings protest since the movement began in New York. She was visiting family in Florida and chose to continue her involvement.

I was like Im not going to break my streak. Alessandrello said.

She said she believes the demonstrations serve an important purpose.

People say that the No Kings protests dont do anything, but I think that they do. I think that they give hope to the people that are hopeless right now, she said.

The protest also drew first-time participants, including Bobby Pierce, who said he quickly became engaged after attending earlier events.

Today was my first day going to a protest and this is my third one [of the day] and I cant imagine not doing it again, Pierce said. I have three daughters. I would be a terrible father if I didnt stand up for them.

Pierce added that the experience left him feeling encouraged.

It feels like you are part of the thing that can change America for the better, he said.

Across the street, Trump supporters gathered in a counterprotest, chanting and expressing their own views. Despite the opposing perspectives both groups remained peaceful throughout the evening.

This is an awful regime and it needs to change, said Jeff MacDonald.

Theyre stealing the future from me and from my children, said Olivia Pare.

The demonstration was one of several held in the region Saturday as part of the broader No Kings movement.

A water main break at Forest Hill High School disrupted water and air conditioning, forcing the school to provide bottled water and cold lunches to students and staff on Friday.

Principal Michael Aronson informed families and staff that water service would not be restored before the end of the school day and that district maintenance teams are working to resolve the issue.

"We are taking measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff as we continue to follow a regular instructional day," Aronson stated in a message sent to families and staff.

The school said parents had the option to pick their child up early from school or call the school to provide authorization for students who walk or drive home from school. The school also said all absences today will be excused.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priorities," Aronson said. "We expect to be back to normal operations for classes on Monday."

With the president's promise to sign an emergency order, questions remain about how and when Transportation Security Administration workers will receive their missed pay.

TSA agents have missed $1 billion in paychecks since the beginning of the partial government shutdown. Despite the lack of pay, agents are still working at Palm Beach International Airport.

WATCH:

For agents like Mickey Alston, getting money for rent, food, and childcare is tough. She wants the shutdown to end.

"Right now it's hard. It's more so about gas and just getting paid. Most people are not getting to work because they don't have the gas money to get to work, so it's more so just getting paid," Alston said.

While lawmakers struggle to reach a deal, the community is stepping up to support unpaid workers. Organizers hosted a TSA Appreciation Day at the airport, offering meals and thanks to staff.

Ron Katz, owner of three Midas autobody shops, is helping TSA agents impacted by the shutdown by offering free oil changes and other vehicle repairs.

"I know times are rough for them and they're going to work every day like troopers," Katz said.

"I'm pretty much trying to do it at no charge. And it's something, uh, large or it's a big issue, I'll work out something with them to make it, to make it so they're back on the road," Katz said.

Katz said agents can bring their TSA-issued identification and a previous pay stub to his locations in West Palm, Cocoa, and Cutler Bay for assistance.

"They're keeping our flights safe and so on, so we need to keep them safe and their family safe as well," Katz said.

Overnight Friday, the U.S. Senate advanced a measure that would fund most of the agency, sending it to the House for a final vote.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is starting to offer a clearer picture of what he wants from a future property tax overhaul, but key questions remain about when lawmakers might return to Tallahassee and whether they can agree on a proposal in time to get it before voters in November.

Speaking at a fireside chat in West Palm Beach on Wednesday night, DeSantis said he wants to phase out taxes on homesteaded property over time while continuing to tax commercial property, rentals and second homes. He also suggested the state could help local governments absorb some of the lost revenue through grants.

WATCH: DeSantis offers new details on property tax cut plan, but path to ballot remains murky

What were saying is your homesteaded property should be excluded from tax, DeSantis said.

Any such change would require a constitutional amendment, meaning it would need support from 60% of both chambers of the Legislature to get on the ballot, and then approval from 60% of voters statewide. DeSantis acknowledged the process would take time and suggested he held back on rolling out more specifics while budget negotiations were still unresolved.

We kind of wanted to get through the budget before we really, you know, came out, DeSantis said. And then between now and the election, there will be something that will be done.

That is the clearest timeline the governor has offered so far, but it still leaves major uncertainty. Lawmakers have not set a date for a special session on property taxes, and they also remain at an impasse over the budget. There is still no filed bill language spelling out exactly what DeSantis wants lawmakers to pass.

The uncertainty comes even as House Republicans argue they have already acted. This session, the House passed what supporters described as an aggressive property tax proposal that would immediately eliminate non-school property taxes for homesteaders. But the Senate did not take it up.

State Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City Republican who helped lead the House effort, said the chamber had already delivered on the governors call for property tax relief.

Unfortunately, we didnt get it done in this session, Overdorf said. We would have preferred to do that.

He also suggested frustration inside the House over the lack of a more concrete next step from the governor.

Governor has made a lot of promises. We delivered on those promises. However, we haven't seen legislation come forward, Overdorf said at the end of the regular session. I expect that we're going to be delivering something on the ballot this fall.

Senate leaders have struck a more cautious tone. Senate President Ben Albritton said earlier this month that getting it right is what matters most, signaling concern not just about tax relief, but about preserving funding for basic local government services that property taxes help support.

Democrats, meanwhile, have continued to hammer the proposal as politically attractive but financially unrealistic. Rep.-elect Emily Gregory, who just won an upset special election in House District 87, argued that eliminating property taxes would not remove the cost of local government it would simply shift it elsewhere.

You'd have to still pay for municipal services through another revenue source, through another way, Gregory said. So, to make such an unserious proposal, the priority, is, I think, part of why you see this reaction in a different voice that District 87 is sending to Tallahassee.

DeSantis pushed back on resistance from some lawmakers, suggesting Republicans risk political fallout if they fail to advance a measure for voters.

I don't think you can be a Republican and not put something on the ballot and then face voters this year, he said.

For now, though, the governors comments amount to an outline, not a final plan. But without bill language, a special session date or agreement among DeSantis, the House and Senate, the future of any property tax cut proposal remains very much up in the air.

The 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show is underway along the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront and runs through Sunday, March 29. This years event is making waves with the debut of a brand-new superyacht and an unexpected attraction pickleball on water.

With more than $1 billion worth of boats on display, the boat show offers everything from sleek 8-foot inflatables to nearly 300-foot superyachts. Highlights include the 197-foot Alfa G by Oceanco, complete with a helipad, outdoor movie theater, pool, gym, and a duplex master suite, and the "James Bond"-themed Casino Royale yacht owned by entrepreneur John Staluppi.

New this year is a floating pickleball court located in the shows marina. Yacht crews will compete in a tournament for a trophy prize, and attendees will have the chance to play when matches are not in session.

The five-day event also features premium experiences including the Windward VIP Lounge, educational seminars, family-friendly activities like the Kids Fishing Clinic, immersive attractions in the Nautical Ventures AquaZone, and more than 75 food and beverage options.

Dates: 

Location:

Vessels: 

Debuts:

Tickets:

Family Day (March 29):

Active military/veterans:

More information and tickets are available at pbboatshow.com.

What do you want me to Shine A Light on? What are you most proud of where you live? Email me at tawalker@wptv.com.

More than 450 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit during the partial government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security said.

WATCH BELOW: 'Theres many of us that are suffering from this,' Mickey Alston tells WPTV's Ethan Stein

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union representing government workers, said about 234,000 employees are not getting paid in various federal agencies, including the Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and CIS, the agency responsible for the nations cybersecurity. Over the past six weeks, those employees have struggled to make ends meet during the partial government shutdown.

The union directed WPTVs Ethan Stein to photos released by Palm Beach International Airport showing a food distribution event last week where more than 150 boxes of food from the Palm Beach County Food Bank went to TSA workers and Customs and Border Protection workers. Both arent getting paid as a result of the partial government shutdown.

Mickey Alston, who is a a representative with AFGE Local 558, said theyve also received food from the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office and offers from local restaurants, like Roccos Tacos, for free meals. She said its difficult, because her daughter is going on a school trip and shes struggling to find the money so her daughter can feed herself.

I myself couldnt pay a phone bill, Alston said. My phone bill is only $43 and thats tough when you cant even pay a $43 phone bill. And Im not the only one. Theres many of us that are suffering from this."

Alston, who specifically represents TSA employees, is the only sector WPTV has heard from about the most recent government shutdown. She said she thinks other government employees are scared they will lose their job or get reprimanded if they speak out about the difficulties of working without pay, but she said it stops other people from understanding the effects of a government shutdown.

"I need my job too," she said. "However, I do believe that a voice is better to get the information out there, because without the information getting out there, youre not going to hear about it.

WATCH BELOW: 'If you really want to help us, help us monetarily,' William Watts tells WPTV's Kayla McDermott

Some unions representing government employees, like the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), are urging Congress to end the partial shutdown less publicly. The union representing the Customs Office of Field Operations and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center sent a letter to Congress urging them to end the shutdown.

Thats nearly a month of uncertainty where these frontline employees have had to wonder whether theyll be able to pay their mortgage or buy groceries and a month of not knowing how long this shutdown will last, said NTEU President Doreen Greenwald in the letter. Yet even with such uncertainty hanging over their heads, they still come to work every day to keep our country safe.

At this time, it is unclear when the shutdown will end. Congress is debating reforms for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and rules for voting.

As Vanderbilt University pushes forward with its fundraising campaign for a West Palm Beach campus, a major announcement Monday helped clear one of the final hurdles to make the project a reality.

Vanderbilt is coming to West Palm Beach, said Jeff Greene, founder of The Greene School. Its official. Its happening.

Greene announced he will donate eight parcels of land in downtown West Palm Beach, near Sapodilla Avenue and Datura and Fern streets, for the proposed campus.

Greene said he purchased the land years ago with the intention of eventually using it for a project that could have a broader community impactsuch as a museum or hospital. Now, that vision is taking shape through the university.

WATCH: How will Vanderbilt's campus impact West Palm Beach financially?

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier told WPTV reporter Victor Jorges the land donation was one of the final hurdles for the project. He said the gift allows for a continuous campus layout in downtown West Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter also spoke at the announcement, expressing support for the project and gratitude for Greenes donation.

Diermeier told WPTV the next step is designing the campus.

The new campus was approved in October 2024 by Palm Beach County commissioners.

Students asking for more classes isn't something you hear every day especially ones on financial literacy.

However, students at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach asked, and they received.

"Students were really wanting to learn more about investing, so we started developing this series of courses, and it just took off," economics teacher Rob Frackelton said. "Now, we have three sections. It's in high demand."

WPTV reporter Christy Waite spent a morning with the students to see how these classes go beyond the basics.

WATCH:

For students like Lucas Dahlstrom, these are more than just classes it's a passion.

"Ever since I was 13, I have been investing in the stock market," Dahlstrom said. "I started working at 14 so I could invest my paychecks, so this has been the natural progression of what I want to do."

Dahlstrom will be taking his experience from Oxbridge and applying it to the honors program at FAU where he will study finance. After graduation, he wants to work in private equity or investment banking.

Oxbridge makes a point to have its students learn about financial literacy at a young age, with all middle school students required to take a basic financial course. Once they reach high school, these classes become electives.

Students watch the stock market, learn how to buy and sell using real-world scenarios like the increase in gas prices and inflation. Students also get to connect with working professionals in the industry and have the opportunity for internships.

Earlier this month, students awarded $25,000 in grants to local nonprofits, giving $5,000 each to five finalists. The initiative followed a 19-week pilot course on nonprofit leadership, grantmaking, and collaborative decision-makingtopics typically taught at the college level.

Even for students who dont pursue careers in finance or business, the lessons stick. From budgeting to understanding the broader economic landscape, these classes are equipping students with essential, real-world skills theyll carry well beyond graduation.

A few dozen people held a rally in support of regime change in Cuba on Sunday, right along the route President Donald Trump uses to get to Palm Beach International Airport.

Some people at the event said they chose the rallys location along Southern Boulevard to lobby the president to continue pushing for a change in Cubas government.

While other people told WPTV they just wanted to express their support for the hardships in the country, which most recently included nationwide blackouts amid the United States' oil blockade of the island nation.

WATCH BELOW: Rally urges Trump to create regime change in Cuba

Barbra Garcia, who came to the rally with a few members of her family, said she promised her family in Cuba that she would attend Sundays rally to speak on their behalf because there isnt freedom of speech or demonstration in Cuba. She said seeing the number of people at the event was an emotional experience.

I was born there, and I've never been back since I was seven years old, Garcia said. "So this is very emotional for me. I havent been able to seemy family."

Rose Rodriguez, who said she came from Miami to participate in the rally, said the group chose the location on purpose to appeal their goals to President Donald Trump.

"He sees us We are supporting him (President Trump) and backing him up."

Support for the president was mixed at Sundays rally, which had a similar event last week.

WPTV reporter Ethan Stein saw people with flags and signs supporting Trump, like images showing the president attached to Cuban flags.

One person, Joseph Battaglia, wore a t-shirt and shorts set to match the Cuban flag, along with shoes with the presidents campaign sign. He said he came to the event because he sympathizes with Cubans hardships after traveling there twice a year, but he also came to show his support for Trump.

Bobby Francis, who was selling t-shirts at the rally, said the crowd went "crazy" when the president's motorcade crossed the rally. He said the circumstances show support for the president among Cubans in the area.

"The Cuban community supports Trump, Francis said. "If you take your microphone and ask everybody if they support what hes doing with Cuba, theyre going to say 'Yes' individually. Here were collectively saying we support freedom, and that is why you have this turnout over here."

In West Palm Beach, a combination of Mar-a-Lago road blocks, the Palm Beach International Boat Show and ongoing city construction is pushing heavy traffic onto smaller streets and pedestrians say its creating dangerous conditions.

WATCH BELOW: 'Its the drivers that are causing the issues,' Christine Stiely tells WPTV's Joel Lopez

Residents and walkers are voicing safety concerns, pointing specifically to Dixie Highway and Belvedere Road, where traffic is constant and residents said many vehicles fail to yield at crosswalks.

"I fear it's getting worse and worse," said Ira Schultheis, who walks to work along the busy road. "We take our life in jeopardy walking across the street, cars don't have no respect for pedestrians."

He wrote to WPTV's Joel Lopez saying:

I began investigating after receiving an email from Schultheis, who said hes had multiple near misses with drivers.

Have you had any close calls yourself? I asked.

I have, Schultheis replied. Last week I was walking in the middle and if I didnt stop and say, 'whoa' I wouldve got hit.

Schultheis wants longer crossing times and flashing warning lights to help make pedestrians more visible.

Please fix it, before its too late, before someone gets seriously injured and or killed, he said. I dont want to see it happen, I dont want to be injured, the higher ups need to get on the ball and fix it.

When I visited the intersection, I found traffic to be consistently busy. Crosswalks functioned as designed, but a few pedestrians with the walk light still had to stop for cars driving through the crosswalks.

I timed the crosswalk signal and observed: the white walk sign stays lit for about seven seconds before switching to a flashing stop signal for another 15 seconds.

Christine Stiely, who crosses daily for groceries and exercise, said drivers are the real danger.

Pedestrians follow the signals that are here for us, its the drivers that are causing the issues, she said.

When I asked, As a pedestrian, what would make it safer for you?

Stiely replied, I dont know, send drivers back to driving school?

WATCH BELOW: Flagler Drive closures cause traffic delays in West Palm Beach

I am awaiting responses from Palm Beach County officials, the Florida Department of Transportation, to learn whether crashes have been reported here and if safety upgrades are planned.

The West Palm Beach Police Department released crash information of accidents and hit & run over the last year within a one mile radius of 2751 s Dixie Hwy.

The findings show there were 656 incidents, which include 132 hit and runs, and 524 accidents and145 resulted in injuries but the findings did not clarify if the crashes involved pedestrians.

Its bad, its really bad, so I hope it gets improved, Schultheis said.

Read more of WPTV's coverage below:

Flying Saucers were spotted on Friday in West Palm Beach as a historic Carvel ice cream shop celebrated the company's 75th anniversary.

The frozen treat flies over the classic, iconic store on South Dixie Highway, which has survived decades, with its slanted roof and two giant ice cream cones on top.

To celebrate, Carvel selected the classic shop to offer $0.75 chocolate and vanilla Flying Saucers.

WATCH BELOW: Historic Carvel ice cream shop celebrates 75th anniversary

We were there listening to the stories and sharing the memories being passed on from one generation to the next.

At this Carvel shop, not much has changed, and kids still come here for ice cream.

"Yeah, they're really good," visitor Natalie Alaman said.

This Americana structure is pretty much how it looked when it was built in 1958. Gina Mejia Stoppa's family has owned this Carvel since 1973.

"I grew up in this store. I started making flying saucers when I was 10 years old," Mejia Stoppa said.

Decades before, when Stoppa's parents were owners here, the chain's founder, Tom Carvel, would test new products at the location. The big cones on the roof had to be replaced after Hurricane Frances, but it's the neighborhood people and visitors who have kept the business going.

"I used to live right around there, and then I moved west, but this place has always been special to me," said William Caviedes, who bought a Flying Saucer ice cream sandwich on Friday.

"People love Carvel and the nostalgia of it. It's a New York brand, a lot of people come from New York, they recognize it, and I can tell you almost every time someone walks in that door, they tell me a story," Mejia Stoppa said.

In a state where things can go away quickly, many hope this building and this business will not be going away soon.

"The whole community has been wonderful to us, supporting us through the years," Mejia Stoppa said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A 3-mile stretch of Flagler Drive through downtown West Palm Beach has become a traffic nightmare for drivers navigating major closures, including the ones from the upcoming Palm Beach International Boat Show.

WATCH BELOW: Flagler Drive closures cause traffic delays in West Palm Beach

Commuter Melissa Kajeejit said what usually would take 15 minutes to get to work is now taking nearly an hour to detours stretching well beyond downtown.

WPTV drove the area to see the detours firsthand. Starting at 45th Street and heading south on Flagler Drive, the first closure was in Northwood at 36th Street. Another closure at 34th Street forced a detour before I found another closure at Curry Park, then a detour at Pine Street, ending at the manhole construction at Flagler Drive and Lakeside Court.

Kajeejit lives north of 45th Street and reached out to WPTV's Joel Lopez for answers about the construction.

In the email she said:

Lopez met with Kajeejit who said she drives through Flagler at least six times a day and she showed the issue to us in person.

"I reached out to you, because I didn't hear about this manhole and I didn't know how long it was going to take to get repaired, so I assumed that it was just gonna go to the end of the summer time," she said.

When asked about how she would describe navigating through downtown West Palm Beach through the detours, Kajeejit said it was complete confusion.

"Chaotic," she said. "Essentially everything is under construction right now."

Another driver, Teri, got caught at the closure at Flagler Drive and Lakeside Court while headed to the hospital.

"I'm going crazy there's detours everywhere," Teri said after getting stuck and having to make U-turns at four detours. Teri was driving to the hospital for an appointment.

"We really just need to know and be aware for everyone that lives in the area," Kajeejit said.

I took these concerns to the city and learned last Friday's flooding damaged the manhole, prompting the road closure for repairs.

Below is a statement from the city:

Farther south, all around downtown, additional closures due to the Palm Beach International Boat Show are expected to remain in place into the first week of April.