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.

A Quebec man was extradited from Spain and charged in Tampa after prosecutors say he negotiated to send about 300,000 synthetic opioid pills tied to protonitazene.

Hillsborough health officials warned against swimming or letting pets in Lake Thonotosassa after tests found harmful blue‑green algae toxins, and DEP is monitoring the bloom.

A former Polk County deputy was sentenced to 32.5 years after a 2022 Courtney Campbell Causeway crash that killed two people and left survivors with lasting injuries.

Pinellas County has elevated Mark Sprague to director of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport as PIE presses forward on a terminal overhaul and a new parking garage.

A Winter Haven passenger was ejected from a Harley on Polk Parkway and struck by a trailing car; the rider was hospitalized and the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.

Manatee County is partnering with a state program to place conservation easements on two ranches, preserving 1,483 acres of working land from development.

A 66-year-old Ocala man was struck and killed while crossing State Road 200 north of East Buffalo Lane, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

A look back at Tampa's April 4–6, 2025 Women's Final Four: games at Amalie Arena, free fan festivals and an estimated $30M boost for downtown.

A suspected swatting call briefly put Innovation Preparatory Academy on a controlled campus status; deputies cleared the school and are investigating the hoax.