Video shows multiple episodes of a dog being kicked and thrown at a Seminole Boulevard home; deputies arrested 36-year-old Michael Wayne Carey on an animal-cruelty charge.

A Winter Haven High teacher and coach was arrested July 23 after deputies say he sexually battered a 15‑year‑old student. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and district are investigating.

Hillsborough County detectives are investigating after a lawn‑care crew found a woman dead Thursday at a Plant City mobile home park. Officials have not released identity or cause.

Six Colombian nationals were brought to Tampa to face federal drug charges after Homeland Security Task Force investigations.

The State Board approved a uniform weighted GPA for honors and accelerated courses and a uniform core curriculum for teacher-prep programs, with staggered deadlines through 2027.

Tampa police found two people dead inside a Hunters Pond Drive home Thursday while searching for a person of interest. Autopsies are pending as investigators probe.

Hillsborough County will replace a failing 24‑inch forcemain along Waters Avenue in Town ’N’ Country with a $50M upgrade to boost wastewater reliability.

DOH‑Citrus issued a 60‑day rabies alert after an unvaccinated stray kitten near Floral City tested positive; officials urge vaccinations and immediate care for bites.

A Publix vendor told officials it will end unloading services at five distribution centers, cutting 168 warehouse roles across Lakeland and Sarasota.

A Sumter County detective was arrested after an audit found she allegedly accessed restricted law‑enforcement systems to track a private resident. The sheriff has ordered a wider audit and suspended ALPR access.

American Cruise Lines' new nine‑day Tulsa–to–Memphis Arkansas River Cruise saw fall sailings sell out quickly; the next available departures now show in May 2027. Fares start in the mid‑$5,000s.

Hillsborough deputies say a Tampa search yielded 12 firearms — three modified with bump‑fire stocks — and dozens of THC cartridges. Two people were arrested.

Tampa will top out near 97°F Friday with heat-index readings into the low-to-mid 100s. Isolated storms are possible Friday night, mainly inland.