Hillsborough deputies served a warrant on North 12th Street and arrested a repeat felon after seizing a loaded semi‑automatic and hundreds of grams of drugs. Prosecutors will review the evidence.

Two Tampa Bay medical office buildings sold for a combined $12.85M, and buyers plan quick move‑ins with only minimal renovations. The deals reflect steady demand for clinical‑ready space.

A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers asked President Trump to use the USMCA review to impose seasonal import limits after state data showed steep market‑share losses. Advocates say quotas would protect bell pepper, tomato and cucumber growers during peak months.

Bradenton detectives marked the third anniversary of Dwight Sutton Sr.’s 2023 killing and renewed reward offers as the investigation remains open. Tips are being sought.

A former '19 Kids and Counting' star was arrested after a 14‑year‑old said she was abused at age 9 during a 2020 Panama City Beach vacation.

OSHA has cited Primoris after an Aug. 12 electrocution in Seminole that killed one worker and left two severely burned; federal inspectors proposed $49,650 in penalties.

A Bradenton woman was sentenced to 15 months and ordered to repay $184,904.75 after admitting she used a fake passport to collect SNAP and Social Security benefits. Federal investigators say the scheme cost taxpayers nearly $185,000.

St. Petersburg plans to raise the Trop’s wind-and-flood insurance sublimit from $25M to $50M as repairs wrap up after Hurricane Milton. City staff call it a modest hedge.

The Chattaway, a longtime Old Southeast restaurant, is being sold, leaving neighbors uncertain about whether the garden patio, tea service and familiar menu will survive under new ownership.

FEMA has extended Direct Housing for survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to Oct. 11, 2026, keeping temporary units in place while families seek permanent housing. A phased rent schedule begins in April.

A former Fort Myers resident was sentenced to two years for buying Glock handguns prosecutors say were smuggled to Canada.

Webull moved its headquarters from New York to St. Petersburg and bought a 157,755‑sq‑ft Carillon Parkway building, citing talent and quality of life over Miami's crowded market.

Guests at a Punta Gorda Airbnb found a snake curled in a bed; local officials say step back and call animal control or FWC.