Gasparilla invasion route shifted due to wind forecast

The Gasparilla Pirate Fest has announced that the pirate's invasion route is changing due to the wind forecast. 

Florida looks to detect crop disease early with drones, AI as nation’s 3rd celery producer

As the nation’s third-leading producer of celery, Florida’s celery fields are valuable crops in the winter but susceptible to early blight disease, which can lead to costly losses. 

Gasparilla wardrobe: Store owners urging Tampa's pirates to wear layers ahead of cold invasion

Time is ticking for last-minute Gasparilla shoppers searching for the perfect pirate costume. A colder-than-usual forecast, though, has changed what people are buying ahead of Saturday’s festivities.

Fort Meade residents protest proposed data center, developers respond to questions

On Thursday night, the project developer behind a proposed data center in Fort Meade held a public forum at Fort Meade Middle-Senior High School to take questions about the project. 

New app feature aims to help foster youth who are at risk of human trafficking

For some teens in foster care, "home" isn’t a bedroom — it’s a backpack, and advocates say that instability can make young people more vulnerable to human trafficking.

Corrections officer arrested for allegedly assaulting inmate being treated at hospital

A corrections officer with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested and fired after he allegedly assaulted an inmate who was being treated at the hospital.

Fire sparks at business in Hyde Park Village: Crews

A fire sparked at a business in Hyde Park Village on West Snow Avenue Thursday afternoon, according to Tampa Fire Rescue. 

Mote Marine researchers study electronic pulse device aimed at deterring sharks from fishing lines

Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory are studying a device that could help fishermen. They just published research about an electronic pulse device aimed at deterring sharks from fishing lines.

Lakeland PD’s red-light program catching serious violations as they work to curb dangerous driving

A way that the Lakeland Police Department is trying to reduce the number of traffic homicides and crashes is by using red-light cameras, which have captured serious speeding violations and near-collisions.

Missing Bradenton man hit by vehicle on I-75 exit ramp: FHP

A 37-year-old man who was reported missing earlier this week in Manatee County was seriously injured Wednesday evening after being hit by a vehicle on an Interstate 75 exit ramp, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Skeletal remains identified as 19-year-old Florida man reported missing nearly a decade ago

The nine-year search for Jacob Lyon has ended after authorities confirmed on Monday that skeletal remains found in a wooded area of Florida’s Panhandle in 2022 belong to the missing 19-year-old.

Gasparilla 2026: Cold weather prep underway ahead of potentially coldest parade in Tampa history

With tens of thousands of revelers expected to flood Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday, Gasparilla weekend is lining up to feel more like winter than a typical Tampa pirate invasion.