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.

Federal and industry data say the Working Families Tax Cuts preserved roughly $1 trillion in output and helped protect hundreds of thousands of jobs in Florida. Officials point to new deductions and expensing rules as the drivers behind investment pledges.

Tesla began offering unsupervised Robotaxi rides in parts of downtown Tampa, including Tampa Heights and West Tampa. Early coverage shows a tight geofence and limited availability.

Rough Gulf swells prompted lifeguards to pull more than a dozen swimmers at Clearwater Beach. Officials warn swimmers to avoid the water and heed red-flag warnings.