Hillsborough County cuts affordable housing funding for 2nd straight year
The Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners voted to keep some funding for affordable housing in the proposed FY 2025 budget.
Former Florida youth basketball coach accused of molesting children, holding teen captive
A former Boys and Girls Club basketball coach in Marion County is accused of child molestation, human trafficking, and the production and possession of child pornography, among other criminal acts, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Pasco County fire chief resigns
Pasco County Fire Chief Anthony Perez has resigned, the agency confirmed Thursday evening.
Gov. DeSantis steps up push for special session on Florida condo crisis
For the second time in a week, Gov. Ron DeSantis held a roundtable in Pinellas Park to pressure the Florida Legislature to hold a special session to help condo owners who are facing rising assessment fees.
18-year-old seriously injured in St. Pete hit-and-run crash
An 18-year-old was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after a hit-and-run crash in St. Petersburg Thursday afternoon, investigators said.
FDOT shares progress on years-long Howard Frankland Bridge project
The new Howard Frankland Bridge replacement project is one of the biggest projects in the Tampa Bay area over the past four years, and on Thursday FDOT gave a tour sharing progress crews have made so far.
Environmental restoration projects underway at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton
A Manatee County park has been working on upgrades to help water quality and to restore natural habitat.
‘Spirited’ shoplifting suspects busted when boozy birthday bash turns into liquor larceny: Deputies
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says it wants to help a ‘spirited’ shoplifting suspect celebrate her birthday with ‘a nice pair of silver bracelets, a spiffy blue outfit, and a free portrait of herself’ after they say she talked three of her friends into a liquor larceny to celebrate her big day.
Hillsborough County deputy killed in crash on U.S. 301
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its deputies following a deadly crash near Thonotosassa on Thursday morning.
Video shows where Trump assassination suspect lay in wait outside golf course
Video shows the area where Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh allegedly pointed a rifle through a fence as the former president was playing golf over the weekend.
Ammunition found on North Port school bus prompts school lock down
A school bus driver in North Port found ammunition on a school bus Thursday morning.
Hillsborough commissioners consider pulling $10M from affordable housing fund
Hillsborough County's affordable housing crisis is expected to come into focus Thursday night when residents on opposing sides of a funding dispute bring their concerns before commissioners.
24 Polk County students arrested for written threats since start of 2024 school year, authorities say
Since the start of the 2024-2025 school year in Polk County, 24 students have been arrested for written or online threats, Superintendent Fred Heid announced on Thursday.
Lakeland man arrested for stealing phone, wallet from person he played pickleball with
A man was arrested in Lakeland after stealing a phone and wallet from someone he had just played pickleball with.
Metallica extends world tour, coming to Tampa for 2 shows this summer
Metallica announced Thursday it's extending its M72 world tour into a third year, adding two Tampa shows at Raymond James Stadium.
St. Petersburg father who lost son to gun violence now works to help stop it
Gun violence is now the leading cause of death of teens and children. mAs communities look for solutions, one family who lost their son to gun violence is leading the conversation to keep other parents from facing the same gut-wrenching pain.
Do you know what to recycle and what’s trash? Many don’t, officials say
The City of Clearwater is calling on residents to be mindful of what they put in their recycling bins, after sharing that 50 percent of what crews collected as recycling lately ended up being garbage.
Bay Area meter reader saves co-worker’s life: 'I’m glad we were together that day'
For meter readers with the City of Temple Terrace, their days often start and end the same. But, for one employee, a day in August was anything but normal. He took quick action to save his co-worker’s life.
Hillsborough schools holds first town hall on teacher pay referendum ahead of November
For months now, Hillsborough County Public Schools has pleaded with taxpayers for more money. They said teachers will continue leaving if they don’t pass a millage increase in November.
Bay Area center has helped revolutionize forensic DNA technology
Forensic technology has been the key to solving criminal cases around the country, with many advancements originating in the Tampa Bay area.