A Winter Haven resident claimed a $2M Jackpot Triple Play prize and accepted a $1.21M lump-sum after buying the ticket in Lakeland. The Florida Lottery confirmed the claim.

Mother’s has reopened in Northdale with a new chef, bigger dining room and a refreshed comfort-food menu. The move follows an unexpected closure last summer.

Pittsburgh’s NAI Burns Scalo acquired Fort Myers brokerage Commercial Property Southwest Florida and is positioning its construction and capital teams to develop along the Tampa–Fort Myers corridor.

Hernando County health officials issued a 60‑day rabies alert in Spring Hill after an unvaccinated cat was infected following a raccoon attack. Pet owners should check vaccinations and report bites.

Good Intentions, a well‑liked vegan restaurant in St. Petersburg, will close by mid‑summer 2026, owners say.

A routine pawn-shop inspection in Brandon led deputies to arrest a man accused of pawning more than $40,000 in his employer's equipment. Detectives say several generators, ladders and drills were recovered.

A Tampa jury convicted Terry Stephens of first-degree murder after prosecutors say he helped set up the ambush of his former boss; he now faces life in prison.

Kucherov's 130-point regular season earned him a second Hart Trophy in a razor‑thin PHWA vote.

Sheila E., Chris Botti and Larkin Poe headline Clearwater Jazz Holiday Oct. 15–18, with free Sunset Bluff viewing and local tributes. The four‑day festival returns to Coachman Park.

A Hillsborough County judge paused a murder trial after jurors reported being intimidated in a courthouse elevator. Court officials said a man and a woman could face contempt or tampering charges.

Polk County detention deputy Jonathan Morales Pabon, 32, died after an off‑duty crash on I‑4 near Haines City. The sheriff’s office says investigators are probing the collision.

Gov. DeSantis announced a $3 million Job Growth Grant to PHSC to expand aviation, pilot and drone maintenance training in Brooksville.

Hillsborough County will widen 0.75 miles of Big Bend Road to six lanes, add wide sidewalks and a 0.25‑mile trail in a $25.2M project aimed at easing congestion near Waterset.