Buffalo-born Wingnutz is opening a Lakeland location and will start accepting franchise offers later this spring. Public filings show a Florida LLC has been formed as the brand eyes national growth.

USF’s reported research expenditures climbed to $531M — a 15% gain in two years that is drawing federal and private dollars into Tampa Bay.

A state transportation bill would bar intentional engine revving and replace numeric decibel limits. Drivers answered with viral revving videos and online mockery.

State forecasts and federal estimates show deaths now outnumber births in Florida, leaving growth reliant on migration and raising questions about services and planning.

Hillsborough officials unveiled a boundary plan Tuesday that could reassign thousands of students and put several Tampa schools at risk of closure. The district says the moves aim to balance enrollment and cut costs.

A coalition of 32 groups is urging Florida lawmakers to tap trust‑fund receipts and boost appropriations after a state report found a roughly $759M parks repair backlog.

Florida’s unclaimed‑property program returned a record $88 million in February, with the Tampa–St. Petersburg area collecting about $23.8 million.

Florida’s top court refused to hear ARC Global’s venue challenge to Trump Media’s lawsuit, leaving an appeals‑court ruling intact and sending the fight back to Sarasota. The move keeps the dispute alive in the trial court.

A fatal crash on U.S. 19 in Hudson shut down part of the highway Tuesday morning while troopers investigated and emergency crews worked the scene.

Earle Ford, a U.S. Army veteran running in Florida's 13th, called trickle‑down economics a 'hoax' as his campaign touts $500K+ in grassroots donations.

Two dogs were dumped from a rented U‑Haul behind a Largo mall; one died and the other is critically injured as rescues seek tips and funds.

Patchy fog early Tuesday gives way to sun and highs near 90°F. A cold front Thursday raises the chance of showers and thunderstorms.

A Lakeland substitute who went by "Mr. Jeremiah" was arrested after students at Kathleen and Lake Gibson middle schools reported inappropriate touching and comments.