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.

Two years after HB 1083 hid adoption photo listings, Tampa Heart Galleries and child‑welfare recruiters say the privacy-driven change is cutting casual interest and complicating matches.

A Frostproof man was arrested after deputies found a loaded Ruger and ammunition; he told deputies he kept the gun to guard against alligators. The firearm was later traced to a 2022 burglary.

A Lakeland man was given a 35-year sentence after police say he ran a motel-based trafficking ring that exploited four teenage runaways.

HCA’s West Florida division is set to finish a nearly $70M freestanding ER build with a Spring Hill center tied to Oak Hill Hospital. The project brings another 24/7 ER option to Hernando County.

Pasco County Schools reversed a proposal to withhold final grades from students who skip AP, IB or AICE exams after community concerns about fairness and access.

A St. Petersburg man was arrested after a late-night collision on Seminole Boulevard in Largo that killed an electric skateboard rider; police say breath tests read about .158 and .162.