Tampa Electric has filed plans for the Harvest Sun Solar Plant on roughly 400 acres near Parrish, with regulatory records showing a 74.5 MW project and a 2027 target.

County budget options include permanently closing a 40‑year‑old Hernando library, threatening programs and services in Brooksville and Spring Hill.

Byron Donalds rolled out 'Healthy Florida Healthy Families' — a plan to remove ultra‑processed foods from school meals, require contaminant testing and expand farm‑to‑school links.

A former Vineland man was sentenced to 12 years in Lee County after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping; the case follows his 2020 acquittal in a neighbor's death.

Lakeland detectives arrested a Tampa man after an undercover sting. Police allege a suitcase with sexual toys and a hatchet was inside his car.

DOH‑Citrus issued a 60‑day rabies alert after an unvaccinated stray kitten near Floral City tested positive; officials urge vaccinations and immediate care for bites.

Hillsborough deputies say a Tampa search yielded 12 firearms — three modified with bump‑fire stocks — and dozens of THC cartridges. Two people were arrested.

Tampa will top out near 97°F Friday with heat-index readings into the low-to-mid 100s. Isolated storms are possible Friday night, mainly inland.

Thirsty First will close this Sunday, July 26, ending a decade on the downtown bar circuit. Owner Greg Mikurak announced a final celebration at the Central Avenue location.

Hillsborough County detectives used modern DNA genealogy to identify three men whose remains were found between 2005 and 2012, giving families long‑sought answers. The cases were reopened last year and processed with outside lab partners.

Clear, muggy morning with highs near 96°F and heat‑index values up to 106°F. High rip‑current risk on Gulf beaches through this evening.

Two people were wounded in a shooting inside a bathroom at the Childs Park YMCA in St. Petersburg; police are investigating.

Local supervisors say public equipment tests, signature checks and audits will protect the 2026 vote across Tampa Bay and Florida.