David Mohr, owner of Storm Distillery in Inverness, died after suffering severe burn injuries in an April 17 explosion that also injured three. State investigators are probing the cause.

Licensed foster homes in Florida have declined sharply, leaving fewer beds for children. Local nonprofits and students are recruiting and training new foster parents.

An 18‑year‑old former Braves catcher was arrested after a chain‑reaction crash on southbound I‑75 in Manatee County killed a truck driver. Troopers say the team helped identify a damaged Mustang.

An RV on Skywood Drive ignited a fast-moving brush fire in Valrico; crews contained the blaze in about 25 minutes and no injuries were reported.

A midday shooting in a Tampa business park left a man dead; deputies say the homicide probe is active and investigators are asking for tips.

A Clearwater caretaker was arrested in Largo after police say she opened a bank account in a stroke patient's name and spent more than $6,900.

Gov. DeSantis signed SB 182 on April 20, 2026, restoring cursive instruction for grades 3–5 and requiring proficiency by the end of fifth grade. The law also mandates presidential portraits and a teacher-mentoring program.

Mostly cloudy this morning in Tampa with highs near 85°F. Small craft advisory eases by mid‑morning as winds subside.

Tampa’s Naked Farmer is expanding to West Palm Beach, with state filings and the chain’s locations page pointing to a Palm Beach Lakes outlet spot in 2026. Exact unit and timeline differ across sources.

HCFR fought a 100-by-50-foot brush fire on Lola Drive in Spring Hill and activated USAR to free a tree‑trimming worker stuck in a cherry picker. Crews advised avoiding the area.

Tennessee women’s golf captured its first SEC championship at Pelican Golf Club, capped by Kyra Van Kan’s title-clinching putt in a dramatic match-play final.

A Hialeah man pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearms charges after agents seized roughly 100 kilograms of marijuana and five firearms, prosecutors say.

A former incident responder from Land O’Lakes pleaded guilty to conspiring with the BlackCat ransomware gang and faces federal prison.