A federal suit says i‑Ready's maker collects and shares sweeping student data, with filings alleging analytics payloads were sent to third-party trackers. Local districts are watching.

A Charlotte County narcotics search at a Punta Gorda home led to three arrests and a juvenile taken into DCF custody after deputies say they found meth and packaging materials.

A $250 spin turned into a $1.2 million jackpot at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa on a Dragon Link Panda Magic slot. The payout continues the property's run of big slot wins.

A Sarasota man was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot a family on Clearwater Beach because they were feeding birds, court paperwork shows.

Deputies swept River Ridge High in New Port Richey after an anonymous bomb threat — believed to be a swatting call — prompted the school's active‑threat plan.

A 19-year-old Gulfport man died after his motorcycle was struck by a turning cargo van at 18th Avenue South and Quincy Street South in St. Petersburg.

A boat fire near Marina Park in Venice left a woman and a 5-year-old boy with serious burns Sunday afternoon. Officials say the cause is under investigation.

Sarasota County reimposed a countywide burn ban April 19 after drought readings hit a critical KBDI threshold. Most open burning is barred until conditions improve.

New lab tests and a Lake Okeechobee operating change have scientists hopeful they can blunt red tide without hurting coastal ecosystems.

A Clearwater food company has filed to buy the North Greenwood National Guard Armory, surprising neighbors and setting off a redevelopment review.

Warm and sunny Sunday; Small Craft Advisories tonight and a Fire Weather Watch Monday for parts of Levy County. Boaters and those burning outdoors should take care.

A neighborhood coffee spot and a hotel brasserie joined Tampa Bay's dining scene this week, offering dessertlike lattes in St. Pete and coastal plates in Rocky Point.

The Olivette tower topped out Friday at Gasworx, honoring about 300 workers and advancing Phase Two with 376 apartments and a 28,000‑sq‑ft market. The milestone accelerates plans to stitch Ybor City to downtown.