Hillsborough schools will ask voters to increase property taxes to raise teacher salaries

In a 4-3 vote, the Hillsborough County School Board agreed to add a referendum to the August primary ballot that will ask voters to increase their property taxes in order to raise teachers' salaries.

More than 20 dead, 14 live guinea pigs found dumped behind Carrollwood Walmart

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay said more than 20 dead guinea pigs were found dumped behind a Walmart in Carrollwood. About 15 other guinea pigs were also found still alive.

Family works to restore 120-year-old West Tampa cigar factory for wine company

West Tampa has a long history, and its become the new focus of the real estate boom. That's why Ted Boscaino and his family bought a 1908 cigar factory on North Albany Avenue.

City of Tampa giving away 1,000 free trees to improve urban canopy

Here's a chance to transform your home’s landscaping and help your neighborhood's environment in a big way. The city of Tampa is giving away 1,000 trees this weekend as part of Mayor Jane's Tree Giveaway.

FHP: 19-year-old passenger killed after Jeep rear-ends vehicle in Seffner

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said a Polk County driver failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle, killing the passenger inside at a Seffner intersection. 

Sheriff: Woman shot by deputy while trying to shoot ex-boyfriend

A man managed to escape his "extremely irate, almost irrational" ex-girlfriend after she confronted him with a gun and said she was going to kill him, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. But deputies who came to the man's call for help were forced to shoot the armed woman, the sheriff said.

Tampa International Airport lifts mask mandate after TSA removes rule

After a federal judge in Tampa struck down the federal mask mandate, Tampa International Airport will no longer require masks and face coverings.

Death of 4-year-old at East Tampa motel under investigation

A 4-year-old girl was pronounced dead Monday after being found unresponsive at Sunset Inn Motel in Tampa. Police are trying to figure out how she died. 

Deputies: Valrico man molested several young girls over course of 2 decades after befriending their families

Deputies say from 1998 through 2020, the suspect molested "numerous" young girls after befriending them and their families. Investigators are concerned there may be more victims out there.

'It's time to come back': Local churches expect more in-person worship for Easter Sunday

Many local congregations are expecting more in-person worshippers compared to the last two years this Easter Sunday. For some, this may be the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Family begs for answers after Pasco County man left in unconscious state after Lutz hit-and-run crash

A Pasco County father training for a triathlon was critically injured after a driver hit him while riding his bicycle. Florida Highway Patrol said the driver left the scene of the crash, and the man's family is begging for the person responsible to own up to it.

Drivers should avoid Gandy, Himes intersection as crews repair water main

A water main break Thursday afternoon turned the busy intersection at Himes Avenue and Gandy Boulevard into a mess of dirt and asphalt. Officials say it might not reopen until next week.

Man police link to seemingly random St. Pete killings now charged in similar Tampa shooting incident

The person of interest in two deadly, and apparently random, shootings in St. Petersburg this week now also faces charges related to similar incident in neighboring Hillsborough County. Before the arrest was announced Thursday, police seemed concerned they could be facing a serial killing situation.

Ardent Mills celebrates new state-of-the-art facility after decades in downtown Tampa

The old Ardent flour mill stood in the way of Water Street plans for five decades. The site was finally sold and acquired for development, but that's not how the story ends for Ardent Mills.

Hands-on construction workshops let students take the wheel

Tapping into the potential future workforce takes some creativity. Having cool tools to work with always helps. Florida Construction Career Day gives high school seniors an opportunity to learn what happens in the construction industry in a hands-on way.