Records show a $24,300 donation tied to a controversial Clearwater dock permit has divided neighbors and regulators over manatee and habitat safety.

Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms may hit Tampa this afternoon. A sharp cool‑down follows Monday night into Tuesday.

A 20-year-old Port Charlotte man was sentenced to 25 years after authorities say a large fentanyl stash was seized. Prosecutors say the weight of the drug triggered the mandatory minimum.

Miami-based Sailormen Inc. filed Chapter 11 in January; court papers and reporting show roughly 20 Popeyes locations in Florida and Georgia have closed amid lender disputes.

Bill Edwards will step down in May, and the Mahaffey's management is unsettled after the city received only one bid. Officials are reviewing that lone proposal while the city plans to operate the venue short‑term.

Swig now runs two Lutz shops and franchise partners say construction for a Wesley Chapel location at Curley and Overpass has begun.

After a deadly April shooting, FSU welcomed fans back to Dick Howser Stadium with a pregame moment of reflection and honors for first responders.

A 37‑year‑old registered sex offender was arrested Wednesday in Sarasota during a multi‑agency crimes‑against‑children operation. He now faces 10 counts of promoting child pornography.

Pinellas Recovers is offering grants and reimbursements to Largo residents affected by the 2024 storms; case managers will hold pop-up help at Largo Public Library March 17 618.

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

Longlake Preserve is wrapping up in Largo as Habitat moves to build roughly 100 more townhomes on a nearby eight‑acre parcel. The shift reflects land and cost pressures in Pinellas.

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.