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.
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.
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.
Christmas 2025 is officially in the books, and now it’s time for the cleanup. Solid waste officials say don’t recycle artificial trees.
8-year-old world record holder from Ukraine performing in Nik Wallenda's Wonderland: Believe
8-year-old Olesya Kucherenko is performing her hand balancing act in Nik Wallenda's Wonderland: Believe performance.
8-year-old Olesya Kucherenko is performing her hand balancing act in Nik Wallenda's Wonderland: Believe performance.
Indian Rocks Beach saying goodbye to free parking
A major change is on the horizon at one of Pinellas County’s most popular spots on the sand. Indian Rocks Beach is getting rid of free beach parking.
A major change is on the horizon at one of Pinellas County’s most popular spots on the sand. Indian Rocks Beach is getting rid of free beach parking.
'Giving Machine' brings unique way to donate to community this holiday season
Christmas shopping may be through, but the giving is not quite done yet.
Christmas shopping may be through, but the giving is not quite done yet.
Motorcyclist killed in Pasco County crash on Christmas Eve
A 55-year-old Holiday man is dead after a motorcycle crash Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A 55-year-old Holiday man is dead after a motorcycle crash Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Homeless man seriously burned in Clearwater fire; investigation underway
Police and firefighters are investigating after a 34-year-old homeless man was severely burned in Clearwater Wednesday night.
Police and firefighters are investigating after a 34-year-old homeless man was severely burned in Clearwater Wednesday night.
Metropolitan Ministries serves 1,000 hot meals as Christmas begins across Tampa Bay
Christmas Day got underway early at Metropolitan Ministries. Before sunrise, staff and volunteers filled the kitchen at the nonprofit’s Tampa campus, preparing 1,000 hot Christmas meals for people experiencing homelessness.
Christmas Day got underway early at Metropolitan Ministries. Before sunrise, staff and volunteers filled the kitchen at the nonprofit’s Tampa campus, preparing 1,000 hot Christmas meals for people experiencing homelessness.
Doctors warn of flu, RSV surge as cases more than double for children at Bay Area hospital
No one wants to see the smallest family members down for the count, but Tampa Bay area doctors said more kids are coming in sick this holiday season, some forced to stay in the hospital with respiratory illnesses.
No one wants to see the smallest family members down for the count, but Tampa Bay area doctors said more kids are coming in sick this holiday season, some forced to stay in the hospital with respiratory illnesses.
Volunteers prepare Christmas Eve meal for families at Metropolitan Ministries
A team of volunteers stepped into the kitchen at Metropolitan Ministries on Christmas Eve to prepare meals for families facing hard times.
A team of volunteers stepped into the kitchen at Metropolitan Ministries on Christmas Eve to prepare meals for families facing hard times.
Tampa travelers reunite with family for the holidays
As we are one sleep away from Christmas Day, there are many air travelers gearing up to reunite with their loved ones this Christmas holiday.
As we are one sleep away from Christmas Day, there are many air travelers gearing up to reunite with their loved ones this Christmas holiday.
How Salvation Army volunteers sort donated Angel Tree gifts to make sure every child gets a Christmas gift
The Angel Tree is a yearly program organized by the Salvation Army in partnership with Walmart stores to help bring Christmas joy to every child.
The Angel Tree is a yearly program organized by the Salvation Army in partnership with Walmart stores to help bring Christmas joy to every child.
Blood donations drop during the holidays as nationwide shortage grows
The holidays are often described as a season of giving. But this time of year, one gift is in especially short supply: blood.
The holidays are often described as a season of giving. But this time of year, one gift is in especially short supply: blood.
Family displaced after fire rips through roof of Oldsmar home: OFR
A family of two adults were displaced from their Oldsmar home on Christmas Eve after a fire burned through the roof, fire officials said.
A family of two adults were displaced from their Oldsmar home on Christmas Eve after a fire burned through the roof, fire officials said.
Holiday show highlights variety of work at Beach Art Center
An annual holiday show represents the second exhibition at the Beach Art Center since storm-related repairs this year.
An annual holiday show represents the second exhibition at the Beach Art Center since storm-related repairs this year.
Auburndale church member with wife and kids arrested for child porn possession: PCSO
An active member of the First Baptist Church of Auburndale has been arrested on 76 counts of possessing child porn, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
An active member of the First Baptist Church of Auburndale has been arrested on 76 counts of possessing child porn, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Golf cart driver crossing US-92 dies after being stuck by car: PCSO
A golf cart driver is dead after the Polk County Sheriff's Office says he drove across US-92 at the Schalamar Creek Drive intersection in Lakeland before he was struck by a Buick sedan on Tuesday evening.
A golf cart driver is dead after the Polk County Sheriff's Office says he drove across US-92 at the Schalamar Creek Drive intersection in Lakeland before he was struck by a Buick sedan on Tuesday evening.
Christmas Eve hours: what's open, what's closed and how shoppers are spending
Most grocery stores and retailers across Tampa Bay are closing early on Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day.
Most grocery stores and retailers across Tampa Bay are closing early on Christmas Eve and will be closed Christmas Day.
Citrus County woman receives life-extending treatment after advanced pancreatic cancer diagnosis
Mickie Rich, 65, of Homosassa, was facing what she believed would be her last holiday season after a Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
Mickie Rich, 65, of Homosassa, was facing what she believed would be her last holiday season after a Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.