Good morning, Sarasota.

Sarasota single mother Aveon Polk received a fully furnished Habitat for Humanity home built with help from Warrick Dunn’s charity — the house features decorated bedrooms and a fully stocked kitchen so the family just needs to bring their clothes.

Hurricane Preparedness Week runs May 3-9 and offers daily tips on securing homes, preparing evacuation plans, and staying safe from storms.

NOAA and local weather services provide guidance on risks, supplies, and alerts to help residents plan ahead.

Duke Energy Florida will refund $90.5 million this summer after collecting excess hurricane restoration charges, and the fuel charge will drop 0.562 cents per kilowatt hour from June through September+covering storms Debby, Helene, and Milton to benefit 2 million customers.

County commissioners approved spending just under $21M to purchase Stickney Point Plaza (destined to become a public waterfront park) on Stickney Point Road at the Siesta Key gateway; the county will demolish the buildings and help a local boating business find a new site.

Florida cases raised alarm over AI chatbots after reports of harmful advice—mental health experts and lawmakers urged stricter safeguards to protect users.

The debate on regulation continued as state officials reviewed measures to boost user safety.

Mark Vengroff leads One Stop Housing’s push for affordable apartments near University Row, continuing his father’s mission to offer stable homes for local workers.

The company now manages over 4,000 rental units (with more in development) to help those earning modest incomes.

Seven local softball teams qualified for the FHSAA regional playoffs.

The matchups, featuring Parrish & Sarasota among others, begin Thursday, May 7 as teams aim to advance toward the state title with higher seeds hosting each game.

Gemma Mulhollen, a junior pitcher at Sarasota High School, was named ABC7 Athlete of the Month for April after leading the Lady Sailors to a district championship while recovering from a back injury.

ABC7 partnering with Carl Reynolds Law awarded her a $500 check to honor her resilience.

Freshman Sarai Castro helped lead Braden River High to a district championship on April 29 by finishing 2-for-4 and posting a .585 average as the Pirates beat Northeast 10-2; her strong play earned her the East County Athlete of the Week title.

High school sports from May 4 to 9 saw Cardinal Mooney baseball eliminated in the Region 2A-3 semifinal after a weather delay allowed Tampa Catholic to rally for an 8 to 6 win, while Parrish flag football fell 27 to 0 to East Lake, ending season at 13 to 6.

VELVET CORE Women's Pilates Retreat

9:30-11:30 a.m. — Suncoast Therapeutic Equine Partners — Cost not specified — Embrace horses, sound baths, and pilates in a scenic outdoor setting.

Mother's Day Buffet Brunch

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Phillippi Estate Park — Cost varies — Celebrate moms with a delicious buffet featuring breakfast classics and fun activities for kids.

Poetry Mic Featuring Georgia Court and Judith Rosner

12-1 p.m. — Bookstore1 — Free entry — Enjoy local poets share their original works and engage in discussion afterward.

Jazz Thursday with Barbara King and The Spirit of Jazz

5:30-8 p.m. — Sarasota Art Museum — Check website for pricing — Experience lively jazz rhythms and delightful bites at this vibrant monthly gathering.

Scott Curts Live Performance

5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Check venue for entry fees — Enjoy an eclectic musical experience with accomplished singer-songwriter Scott Curts and his loyal German Shepherd companion, Apollo.

Bri Rivera Live Performance

5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of vibrant Puerto Rican-inspired music with local talent Bri Rivera.

Ryan Faraday Live Performance

5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Experience an evening of live music from a talented guitarist and vocalist hailing from Boston, now based in Sarasota.

Live Music with Scott Curts

5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy eclectic performances from singer-songwriter Scott Curts as he captivates with his unique loop style.

Mystical Visions Concert

6-10 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Check venue for entry details — Enjoy the energetic vibes of a female fronted pop/rock cover band playing hits from the 60s to today.

2-Day Sound Healer Certification with Tuning Forks

9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Wild Ginger Apothecary — $895 — Explore the art and science of sound healing using tuning forks over two immersive days.