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.

Just Salad is renovating a roughly 2,000‑sq‑ft space at University Town Center in Bradenton — the chain will bring its MyBowl and BringBack reusable programs to Manatee County.

Palmetto-born The Greyson is opening a third location in Apollo Beach, bringing its game-day menu of wings, flatbreads and a full bar to the South Shore.

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.

Skanska won a $77M Hillsborough County contract to rebuild Stewart Middle and Just Elementary into a shared 135,000‑sq‑ft campus. Construction is slated for Feb 2026 through early 2028.

Baker McKenzie will close its downtown Tampa office and shift local staff to remote work as part of a global restructuring. The move follows earlier downsizing in the firm's Tampa hub.

Treasury sanctioned six people and two companies for DPRK IT‑worker fraud that reportedly funneled nearly $800M in 2024. DOJ and FBI actions form a coordinated crackdown on identity brokers and laptop farms.

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

Hurricane Eddie’s reopened on Thursday after 16 months of repairs, a visible sign that Gulfport’s waterfront recovery is gaining momentum.