Investigation: Florida ban on mask mandates may violate civil rights of disabled students

Florida Gov. DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates is now at the center of a federal investigation, which will look into whether the directive violates the civil rights of disabled students.

Special Operations team honors lives lost on – and since – Sept. 11th

Through the sounds of ‘Amazing Grace,’ guests and officials from MacDill Air Force Base spent the morning remembering the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11th, and the lives of the brave who answered the call to serve during the last 20 years.

Tampa General Hospital to mandate vaccines for employees following Biden's announcement

Tampa General Hospital announced it will mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all of its physicians and employees following President Joe Biden's Thursday announcement, requiring employers with more than 100 workers to make the vaccines mandatory. 

After 31 years on the force, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan will retire

Brian Dugan describes his four years as the Tampa police chief as the "honor of a lifetime." Friday will be his final day as the city's top cop.

Franklin Boys Prep students will plant 2,977 flags in school’s front lawn

The students at Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy were not alive to witness the 9/11 attacks, but on Friday, they will place 2,977 flags on the school's front lawn. Each flag will have a name of the person who died that day and each child will choose a name to learn more about that individual.

Mixed reactions around Bay Area to President Biden’s vaccine mandates

Gov. DeSantis hinted at legal action following President Biden’s vaccine mandate. Closer to home, two groups plan to protest the Tampa mayor’s mandate for city employees outside City Hall, Meanwhile, BayCare announced new vaccine requirements.

Bucs-Cowboys season opener begins with Black national anthem

Players from the Cowboys and Buccaneers stood in their respective end zones and locked arms to show unity ahead of the season opener.

Capitol rioter who wants to change plea misses deadline to appeal sentence -- again

Jailed capitol rioter Paul Hodgkins wants to take back his guilty plea, but after he missed the deadline to appeal his sentence, the judge extended the deadline, which his new attorney failed to meet.

Hillsborough County extends school mask mandate for 30 days

The Hillsborough County School Board voted Thursday evening to extend the district's mask mandate for 30 days. 

‘Life is precious’: Teacher uses personal experience to educate students about Sept. 11th

Lauren Leto, who was in the 7th grade when America was attacked on September 11, 2001, uses a letter she wrote to herself about that day to teach her students at Strawberry Crest High School. 

Pregaming begins hours before Bucs kickoff with NFL Experience

Thursday will be a very busy day in Tampa with a sold-out crowd packing Raymond James Stadium tonight. But before that, the NFL Experience is once again taking over Julian B. Lane Park.

'We are going to do it': USF trustee says on-campus stadium will happen

During a groundbreaking ceremony for an indoor practice facility, USF chairman of the board Will Weatherford said it may take time, but he believes an on-campus stadium will be built at USF.

New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations slowly declining

The amount of new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations is slowly declining in Florida, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Florida Department of Health.

USF Board of Trustees chairman announces ambition for on-campus stadium

The groundbreaking for USF football's long-awaited indoor practice facility was going to just a be a nice photo op of all the university movers and shakers turning prop dirt to symbolically begin the 10-to-12-month project.

Murder victim's mother tearfully confronts young killer at sentencing

Five years ago, a teenager involved in a botched robbery shot and killed a young Tampa man. Today, the killer learned his fate. But before he was sentenced, the victim’s family had plenty to say.

50 years at Bern’s Steak House: Iconic restaurant's last original employee to retire

You could call him a historian of Tampa’s beloved Bern’s Steak House. He started as a carpenter and has had a hand in just about every big job at the restaurant in the last 50 years, from cars to casks.

NFL Experience opens in downtown Tampa before Bucs home opener

Hours before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium, football fans can gear up for the big game at the NFL Experience at Julian B. Lane Park.

Adventure Island water park to stay open year-round with heated pools

When the temperatures dip in Tampa, guests will still be able to enjoy the lazy river, water slides and pools – all thanks to new heaters that the park says will keep water temperatures comfortable any time of year.

From Seminole Heights killings to navigating the pandemic, Chief Dugan will step down after 4 years

From the Seminole Heights murders to the 2020 riots, Chief Brian Dugan has overseen a busy department. Now he's retiring on his own terms after living his dream, one he never expected would take him to the top.