The Pasco Sheriff's Office is searching for Marissa Morton, a missing 15-year-old last seen in Holiday on February 17, and is seeking public assistance.

A 22-year-old Brandon driver was arrested Tuesday after a Jan. 24 three-vehicle crash on U.S. 301 that left one passenger dead and others injured.

Deputies removed 43 animals from Hess Haven in Floral City after finding dead pets and filthy conditions. Owner Jordyn Hess faces felony and misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges.

Patchy morning fog through the weekend with sunny afternoons near 80°F; a cold front Sunday could bring showers and a sharp cool-down early next week.

Construction is underway at Premier Sports Campus North; Manatee County says the 44,000‑sq‑ft Athletics & Aquatics Center and 24 pickleball courts will open late this year.

A 73‑year‑old Dade City man remained at the scene after his Jeep struck a pedestrian on U.S. 301 late Monday; the walker was pronounced dead, troopers say.

A man was shot Monday near 27th Street and 98th Avenue in Tampa; police say the victim is stable and a person of interest has been detained. The investigation is active.

A House subcommittee advanced a budget provision on Monday that would transfer USF Sarasota‑Manatee’s campus — and about $53M in dorm debt — to New College of Florida.

OFAC says Bradenton's IMG Academy agreed to pay $1.72M after accepting 89 tuition payments tied to two sanctioned individuals.

Tampa Bay honors residents for water-efficient landscapes amid drought and launches a new Florida-Friendly Landscaping program to encourage sustainable practices.

Tampa Fire Rescue hosted college students from the Tampa Bay Chamber Leadership Tampa Collegiate Leadership Class, providing them with interactive experiences and tours to educate them about public safety roles and emergency response operations.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office advises potential recruits on the importance of physical fitness and conversational skills through a Facebook post and podcast series.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office warns against romance scams on Valentine's Day, advising public caution to prevent financial and emotional exploitation.