Manatee County outlined Lasting Manatee, a $252.7M recovery package to repair homes, offer rental aid and fund buyouts and infrastructure upgrades.

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.

An early-morning crash shut both lanes of Sarasota Square Boulevard near Crockers Lake Boulevard; the Florida Highway Patrol says the crash was fatal.

Luma opened at SkyBeach Resort in January, bringing Mediterranean mezze, fire‑grilled fare and dock‑and‑dine access to south St. Pete.

A new Jersey‑style bagel shop from the team behind Santoro’s opened in North Hyde Park, serving kettle‑boiled bagels and stacked breakfast sandwiches.

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.

Elevator failures left seniors trapped in a six‑story Tampa building, exposing maintenance and oversight problems.

Emergency teams in Hillsborough County combated brush fires with coordinated efforts, deploying 19,600 gallons of water and evacuating residents without reporting any injuries.

Largo police say midnight-shift officers arrested two people and seized an assault-style rifle plus roughly 120g of cocaine and 140g of meth in a Friday-night bust.

Hardee County deputies say Jose Aguilar was arrested Tuesday on felony sexual‑battery and child‑pornography charges, the sheriff's office said. Investigators are asking for tips.

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.

Kevin Holloway, 55, was arrested after detectives re‑examined a 1999 cold case. New witness tips and a cold‑case review helped tie him to the killing of Esco Hunter Jr.

Tampa police arrested Emanuel Watson for attempted murder after a shooting left a man critically injured; the two men reportedly knew each other and had a dispute.