July 4th: What's open and closed
Most major retail chains and restaurants nationwide will remain open on Independence Day, but be ready for select closures and modified holiday hours.
Most major retail chains and restaurants nationwide will remain open on Independence Day, but be ready for select closures and modified holiday hours.
BayCare partners with drone company to speed up medical deliveries in Pinellas County
BayCare Health System is launching a new drone pilot program later this year to bypass traffic and speed up medical deliveries across Pinellas County.
BayCare Health System is launching a new drone pilot program later this year to bypass traffic and speed up medical deliveries across Pinellas County.
Lightning strike kills 1, hurts 3 in Fort Myers Beach, officials say
Update (July 9): The Lee County Sheriff's Office identified the man killed as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk. The sheriff's office said Kiryk and three family members were in the water at the beach when lightning struck Kiryk. Three others were taken to the hospital. At last check, all three were expected to be OK. Click here for our updated story.
Update (July 9): The Lee County Sheriff's Office identified the man killed as 51-year-old Viktar Kiryk. The sheriff's office said Kiryk and three family members were in the water at the beach when lightning struck Kiryk. Three others were taken to the hospital. At last check, all three were expected to be OK. Click here for our updated story.
Tampa historical exhibit explores Florida's role as 14th colony for holiday weekend
Families are kicking off the Fourth of July weekend by discovering a surprising chapter of local history at the Tampa Bay History Center. A newly opened exhibition details how Florida served as a loyalist stronghold for the British during the Revolutionary War.
Families are kicking off the Fourth of July weekend by discovering a surprising chapter of local history at the Tampa Bay History Center. A newly opened exhibition details how Florida served as a loyalist stronghold for the British during the Revolutionary War.
Red, White & Kaboom: Thousands gather in Lakeland for early Independence Day celebration
Lakeland community members gathered a day early to kick off the holiday weekend with the annual Red, White & Kaboom celebration.
Lakeland community members gathered a day early to kick off the holiday weekend with the annual Red, White & Kaboom celebration.
Who is the 'redhead named Abigail,' Taylor Swift's high school BFF?
Abigail Anderson Berard, Swift's longtime close friend, was spotted leaving the Ritz-Carlton in New York City, likely heading to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.
Abigail Anderson Berard, Swift's longtime close friend, was spotted leaving the Ritz-Carlton in New York City, likely heading to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding.
New era: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married, publicist says
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially tied the knot. Here's what we know about the ceremony, the star-studded celebration and their “love story."
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially tied the knot. Here's what we know about the ceremony, the star-studded celebration and their “love story."
Florida man accused of stealing, selling Smokey Bear signs online for $1,900 a piece
A Florida Panhandle man is facing a federal charge after authorities accused him of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and selling them online.
A Florida Panhandle man is facing a federal charge after authorities accused him of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and selling them online.
Tophat's Sutlery: Sumterville workshop recreates 19th century military history
A specialized workshop in Sumterville is keeping 19th-century military history alive by handcrafting precise historical reproductions for re-enactors and museums.
A specialized workshop in Sumterville is keeping 19th-century military history alive by handcrafting precise historical reproductions for re-enactors and museums.
First public hearing on proposed large-scale data center moratorium scheduled for Monday in Lakeland
Lakeland officials are preparing to review a 12-month moratorium on large-scale computing facilities following heavy community pushback against a massive development project. The first public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday morning at city hall.
Lakeland officials are preparing to review a 12-month moratorium on large-scale computing facilities following heavy community pushback against a massive development project. The first public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday morning at city hall.
St. Pete boating: Police project historic Fourth of July traffic spike
Marine law enforcement crews are heavily reinforcing patrols around St. Petersburg to crack down on impaired operators as historic holiday crowds arrive on local waterways.
Marine law enforcement crews are heavily reinforcing patrols around St. Petersburg to crack down on impaired operators as historic holiday crowds arrive on local waterways.
The last time MSG hosted a wedding, 4,000 people got married
The last time Madison Square Garden hosted a wedding, 4,000 members of the Unification Church said, "I do."
The last time Madison Square Garden hosted a wedding, 4,000 members of the Unification Church said, "I do."
4 Tampa men sentenced to prison for armed robberies at Hillsborough County 7-Eleven stores
Four Tampa men who admitted to carrying out a pair of armed robberies at Hillsborough County convenience stores in 2024 have now been sentenced to prison, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Four Tampa men who admitted to carrying out a pair of armed robberies at Hillsborough County convenience stores in 2024 have now been sentenced to prison, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
Medicare patients could save $1.1 billion under new Trump rule
The Trump administration says a new rule could slash prescription drug costs for Medicare patients by $1.1 billion. Here's what could change.
The Trump administration says a new rule could slash prescription drug costs for Medicare patients by $1.1 billion. Here's what could change.
Woman allegedly planned to kill husband, burn home amid financial struggles, sheriff says
A 58-year-old North Carolina woman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after investigators say she admitted to attacking her husband while he slept because of alleged financial difficulties.
A 58-year-old North Carolina woman has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after investigators say she admitted to attacking her husband while he slept because of alleged financial difficulties.
Haines City man drank 'several beers' before crash that killed teen dirt bike rider: PCSO
A Haines City man was arrested on DUI-related charges after Polk County deputies say he caused a three-vehicle crash while trying to pass traffic in a no-passing zone, killing a 17-year-old dirt bike rider.
A Haines City man was arrested on DUI-related charges after Polk County deputies say he caused a three-vehicle crash while trying to pass traffic in a no-passing zone, killing a 17-year-old dirt bike rider.
America's most-searched ice cream brand may surprise you — and there's a healthy reason why
The most-searched ice cream brand reflects a major shift in how Americans indulge.
The most-searched ice cream brand reflects a major shift in how Americans indulge.
The most expensive celebrity weddings ever – and where Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce could rank
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce making history? Rumors say their upcoming wedding could become the most expensive celebrity wedding in U.S. history.
Are Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce making history? Rumors say their upcoming wedding could become the most expensive celebrity wedding in U.S. history.
Fourth of July weekend lane closures: Bay Area interstates, highways and bridges affected through next week
Drivers traveling across the Bay Area should prepare for overnight lane closures and ongoing construction projects as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues roadwork throughout the region next week.
Drivers traveling across the Bay Area should prepare for overnight lane closures and ongoing construction projects as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues roadwork throughout the region next week.
July 4th fireworks: How to watch & stream fireworks displays from across the US
On July 4, 2026, our nation commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations and fireworks displays will take place across the country. Here's how to watch live and stream fireworks displays from across the U.S.
On July 4, 2026, our nation commemorates and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations and fireworks displays will take place across the country. Here's how to watch live and stream fireworks displays from across the U.S.