A 13-story, 310-room AC Hotel and Moxy is rising at 111 N. Meridian Ave, bringing rooftop dining, a pool deck and new street-level retail to the Channel District.

Sarasota police say overall crime fell 18% in 2025, the third straight year of declines.

A suspicious package briefly closed West Dampier Street in Inverness before the county bomb team declared it safe.

A Fantasy 5 ticket sold at a Lutz Publix matched Sunday’s midday draw for a $57,475 payout; winners must claim at a Florida Lottery district office.

A home under renovation in Ybor was consumed by fire Monday; Tampa Fire Rescue extinguished the blaze and no injuries were reported.

Governor DeSantis unveiled a bronze George Washington statue in Chipley as Florida launches a mobile museum and docuseries for the state's 250th events.

Will Weatherford is stepping down as chair of USF’s Board of Trustees and will remain a trustee while Mike Griffin prepares to take over amid major research gains and a $340M stadium project.

Plan‑review paperwork suggests a Dave’s Hot Chicken is planned at 4683 Park Blvd in Pinellas Park, joining a busy Park Boulevard dining strip. Local filings and tenant signs will confirm next steps.

Chris Cunningham bought a block on North Nebraska Avenue and turned a former feed store into a True Value that now supplies hospitals, utilities and contractors. The project pairs retail, e-commerce and B2B sales while opening space for future redevelopment.

Auburndale's former berry field has been remade as Camp Margaritaville, a tropical RV resort with pools, tiki bars and a Pitmasters BBQ this weekend.

A new tea room inside the Rialto Theatre in Tampa Heights has begun afternoon teas and will host a Kentucky Derby watch party on May 2 with a hat contest and $55 tickets.

A Polk County driver was arrested after deputies say she hit a patrol car, nearly ran over a deputy and later tested 0.22 for alcohol. The investigation is ongoing.

Tampa‑based XTEND won a $1.67M contract from Israel's defense ministry as it prepares for a planned Nasdaq debut and expands local manufacturing.