A 39-year-old man pleaded guilty to continuous sexual abuse of a young child and received a 25-year sentence in Fort Bend County. The abuse spanned Florida and the Katy/Richmond area.

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.

A Hillsborough County firefighter was hospitalized Monday after a garage fire spread into the attic of a Berger Road home in Lutz. Crews relied on tanker trucks because no hydrants were nearby.

Florida’s 2024 SNAP error rate topped 15%, and a troubled MyACCESS portal has advocates warning that tightened paperwork could cost the state nearly $1 billion. Lawmakers are racing to act.

Officials proposed two school closures, K‑8 consolidations and an employee childcare expansion as enrollment falls and building costs rise. Community meetings have been tense.

A Florida bill advanced Wednesday would require background checks for insurer officials, tighten model and rate rules, and create a statewide mitigation database for discounts. Sponsors say it builds on 2022 reforms to stabilize the market.

FAU faculty warn that a proposed statewide pause on new H‑1B hires would stall faculty searches and research; the Board of Governors will vote Feb. 23.

Polk County Fire Rescue tackled over 30 brush fires, with the largest consuming 400 acres near River Ranch. No evacuation or injuries reported, but drought conditions and a burn ban are in place.

Polk County prepares for intense brush fire season and addresses burn ban compliance in a press conference amidst battling numerous fires exacerbated by dry conditions and resident negligence.

Bahamian national Kenthen Swain sentenced to two years for illegal reentry into the U.S. after multiple felonies.

A Bartow High School teacher was arrested after a fire he started during a burn ban spread over five acres. The incident violated Polk County regulations amid a drought-induced State of Emergency.

A Lakeland woman is in custody after allegedly posing as a DCF case manager and trying to remove a 9‑year‑old from a home. She faces multiple felony counts and was held without bond.

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