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

Plant City High School went into a precautionary lockdown Friday as Hillsborough deputies investigated on campus; officials say there were no injuries.

A Hillsborough judge excluded a months‑old text thread prosecutors wanted to use in the trial of a University of Tampa student accused in her newborn’s death.

FWC has charged two men in the Lido Key jet‑ski collision that killed 19‑year‑old Orioles prospect Luis Guevara. The agency named the renter and a rider in the enforcement action.

An eight‑year‑old girl is recovering after an accidental shooting in Alachua County; investigators say children found an unsecured firearm while visiting a home. Officials are urging secure storage as the probe continues.

A Manatee County jury convicted a Lakewood Ranch mother in the death of her 2‑year‑old son after prosecutors said he was run over in the driveway.

Officer Ramon Ortega was fired after his duty belt — with a department-issued handgun and Taser — was recovered behind a Pasco County dumpster.

Two people were shot while sitting in a car near a Clearwater park Thursday evening; police are investigating and asking witnesses to come forward.

New reporting says St. Petersburg detectives and Toronto cold‑case teams are pursuing DNA leads that could tie a 1980 Toronto Brinks slaying to a 1982 Florida murder. Investigators say modern testing and cross‑border tips have reopened both probes.

DEA is shifting agents and resources to Florida as traffickers reroute shipments through South Florida and cocaine prices rise.

Three Pasco campuses were put on controlled campus Thursday while deputies investigated a threat; officials say increased law‑enforcement remained on site and updates are pending.

Wilkes County Register of Deeds Misty M. Smithey was arrested Wednesday and charged with felony meth and conspiracy following an SBI investigation.

Citrus County deputies arrested a 76-year-old volunteer after rescuing 52 cats and finding one deceased animal at her Hernando home. Authorities say the animals are receiving care and charges are pending.