5 hospitalized after shooting in downtown Fort Lauderdale, police say

Five people were hospitalized after a shooting outside a bar in downtown Fort Lauderdale, in the early hours of Sunday morning, December 28, according to police.

Man dead in crash at St. Pete intersection, police say

Police say a 31-year-old man was traveling at a high rate of speed in his vehicle when he was killed in a crash Saturday night at an intersection in St. Petersburg.

Florida’s oyster industry plans comeback after years of decline

Florida’s Apalachicola Bay, once producing 90% of the state’s oysters, has been closed since 2020 due to environmental collapse.

Man charged with DUI after crash that killed teen: HCSO

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man for the death of a 16-year-old after a traffic crash.

9-year-old girl killed in US 301 crash near Selmon Expressway: FHP

A 9-year-old Riverview girl is dead after a crash on U.S. 301 near the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway interchange Saturday night.

Fire erupts at Brandon home: HCFR

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews battled a fire at a home in Brandon on Saturday afternoon.

Haines City man accused of fire station break-in on Christmas, stealing PCSO Grady Judd cowboy hat

According to the Winter Haven Police Department, Daniel Puga, 22, is accused of stealing a Polk County Sheriff’s Office Grady Judd cowboy hat from a truck and breaking into a Winter Haven Fire Station early Christmas morning.

Death investigation underway at gas station in Sarasota: SCSO

Detectives are investigating after a 911 caller reported a person was found dead near a vehicle in a Sarasota gas station parking lot early Saturday morning.

Fire breaks out at Riverview home: HCFR

Firefighters extinguished flames after a home caught on fire in Riverview Saturday morning, according to Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Scooter driver killed in crash on US 27 in Davenport: PCSO

A 52-year-old man is dead after a crash involving a scooter and a car in Davenport Christmas morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Could a 50-year mortgage make homeownership more affordable?

As people look ahead to 2026, many are hoping it’s the year they can finally afford to buy a home. One idea that’s gaining traction is a 50-year mortgage, pitched as a way to lower monthly payments.

Sun City Center man concerned about damaged homes, safety from golf balls flying over netting

Sal Perniciaro says he moved to the 55+ community Fairway Pointe in Sun City Center to retire in peace and quiet, but he can't because he's constantly worrying about golf balls flying around and over the net from the golf course that butts up to his backyard.

Local Ukrainians react as Trump, Zelenskyy prepare for meeting in Florida

As world leaders prepare for peace deal talks in Florida, the war in Ukraine feels anything but distant for members of the Ukrainian community in Tampa. 

New sticker program helps Manatee County deputies 'respond with care'

It's a small sticker, with a big job in Manatee County. A 'Respond with Care' sticker alerts first responders to situations that could bring them face to face with someone with special needs.

Archaeologists uncover site of America’s first Christmas near Florida capitol

Florida archaeologists have confirmed a stunning find hidden in plain sight: the site of Hernando de Soto’s winter encampment of 1539–1540 — and the location of the first Christmas ever celebrated on land that would become the United States. The hilltop sits just steps from Florida’s state archaeology headquarters in Tallahassee.

Holiday cleanup: what to recycle and what to throw away

Christmas 2025 is officially in the books, and now it’s time for the cleanup. Solid waste officials say don’t recycle artificial trees.