Carla Bayron
Carla Bayron is a general assignment reporter for FOX 13 covering Polk County. She joined the team in September 2023.
Carla is a Sunshine State native who grew up in Palm Harbor. She attended Palm Harbor University High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Telecommunications.
After nearly six years reporting throughout the state of Michigan, she's thrilled to be back in the Tampa Bay area and closer to family. She said she will miss the Fall season, the beaches along Lake Michigan, and yes, even the snow, but only around Christmas time!
Throughout her career, Carla has covered numerous high-profile events, including the mass shooting at Oxford High School in Oakland County, MI, the officer-involved shooting death of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, President Trump's 2016 campaign rally in Ocala, Florida and white nationalist Richard Spencer's speaking appearance at the University of Florida.
In her spare time, Carla enjoys creative writing, playing video games with her husband, and cheering on the Florida Gators and Tampa Bay sports teams. She also loves traveling, eating, and exploring the outdoors.
The latest from Carla Bayron
Florida SWAT Association holds first active shooter conference at Florida Southern College
Law enforcement officers from across the state have gathered at Florida Southern College for realistic tactical training drills. The exercises mark the first-ever conference hosted by the Florida SWAT Association to prepare teams for high-stakes emergencies.
State-of-the-art firefighter training center in Polk County features largest burn tower in the nation
Polk County Fire Rescue members can now train at their first-ever dedicated campus designed to simulate real-world emergencies. The state-of-the-art facility opened Tuesday in Winter Haven to support one of the busiest emergency organizations in Florida.
Lakeland police urge 'Red, White, and Kaboom' visitors to prepare for extreme heat
Downtown Lakeland will transform into a massive celebration Friday as city officials prepare for up to 50,000 visitors at the annual Red, White, and Kaboom event.
Florida school testing: DeSantis announces majority of students hit grade level benchmarks
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that a majority of Florida students are meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks under the state's progress-monitoring testing framework.
Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital to open in south Lakeland in July
A new 550,000-square-foot hospital will open in Lakeland on July 8, marking the first healthcare facility of its kind to open in the city in more than a century.
Haines City data center project stalled by water capacity shortage
A proposed data center project in Haines City has been stalled because the fast-growing city does not have enough water to supply the facility.
Grassroots group launches Fort Meade recall petition targeting 3 city officials over AI data center project
A political battle is heating up in Polk County as a local watchdog group seeks to oust three city leaders following the controversial approval of a massive artificial intelligence data center. The group accuses the officials of compromising public trust and failing to prioritize residents.
Polk County training facility: New Bartow center honors fallen deputy, K9 partner
The Polk County Sheriff's Office unveiled a specialized training center in Bartow designed to prepare K9's and their handlers for high-stakes field operations.
Permanent memorial at Lakeland sports bar preserves fallen hero Maj. Cody Khork's legacy of service
A permanent memorial display now honors U.S. Army Reserve Major Cody Khork at a Lakeland sports bar following his death in the conflict with Iran. The tribute celebrates the fallen hero's legacy alongside a growing university scholarship fund created in his memory.
Lake Wales downtown revival: Historic hotel restoration and new ACE district launch
A massive economic transformation is sweeping through downtown Lake Wales following the approval of a specialized entertainment district and a boutique hotel restoration project.