‘Call your bondsman’: Polk Sheriff warns I-4 drivers to stop speeding as crackdown continues on highway

For the last year, Polk County deputies have been cracking down on speeders on I-4. The sheriff's office's traffic data shows that among the speeders they clocked, nearly 300 were spotted doing triple digit speeds. 

Newest Polk Sheriff Grady Judd bobblehead sells out within hours of its release

The folks in Polk County really love their sheriff. So much so, that within hours of the newest Grady Judd bobblehead going up for sale, all of the sheriff's office substations throughout the county sold out of their entire inventory.

St. Pete K9 helps capture 2 men accused of breaking into home on Hurricane Ian-damaged Sanibel Island

Two men who were supposed to be helping with Hurricane Ian relief efforts on Sanibel Island ended up in handcuffs after police say a K9 with the St. Petersburg Police Department caught them trying to break into a home. 

Has Florida man finally met his match? Meet the equally eccentric Florida sheriffs going after these guys

The Sunshine State has become internationally notorious for the oddball miscreants who populate its police blotters and local news reports — known collectively as Florida Man. But an equally eccentric cast of hard-boiled sheriffs make a career of going after these guys.

Bartow man drowns after boat capsizes in Mulberry pond, Polk deputies say

A Bartow man drowned Wednesday after a small boat capsized in a Mulberry pond. The man he was with attempted to save him but was unsuccessful.

'They are going to go to prison': DeSantis signs bill cracking down on dangerous drug dealers

The new law increases sentences for drug dealers caught selling fentanyl or methamphetamine. It gives prosecutors the ability to charge dealers with first-degree murder if methamphetamine leads to an overdose death. As a capital crime, dealers could face life in prison or even the death penalty.

'Such a heartbreaking sight': Unanswered questions after child found starved to death in Davenport

Back in 2019, the baby’s family was on the radar of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The case was closed after an “undisclosed” period of time when caseworkers determined that the baby was being fed appropriately, and she was improving.

Polk Sheriff Grady Judd named 'Sheriff of the Year'

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is a household name in the Bay Area, but now he's getting recognition on the national stage after being named "Sheriff of the Year" by the Major County Sheriffs of America.

Too drunk to drive? Polk deputies can offer rides home as last resort during NYE festivities, sheriff says

With 8 people dead in the past 44 hours due to fatal crashes in Polk County, Sheriff Grady Judd says the agency will offer free rides home -- as a last resort -- to those who become too intoxicated during this weekend's celebrations.

Sheriff: Deputy was justified in killing woman armed with shovel

Polk County's sheriff is defending the actions of one of his deputies who killed a woman who was armed with a shovel, calling it a deadly weapon.

‘I would have never let him out of custody’: Sheriff Grady Judd's reaction to search for Brian Laundrie

Sheriff Grady Judd is not involved in the Gabby Petito case, but the Polk County sheriff speculated on how he would’ve handled Brian Laundrie within his jurisdiction. For one, he said, Brian would have been taken into custody.

Sheriff Grady Judd: 'Don't listen to the politicians; get your vaccine'

One of the most respected sheriffs in the entire country just came out in favor of getting vaccinated for COVID-19. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd says being vaccinated may have saved his life, but he won’t mandate it for his deputies.

Polk deputies pause patrols for 'Fishin' With Sheriff Judd' event

A group of children in Polk County spent Wednesday morning learning how to bait a hook, cast a line, and reel in a whopper with Sheriff Grady Judd.