POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two individuals were taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on October 10th, 2024, for allegedly burglarizing a vacant home in Lake Wales while Hurricane Milton impacted the region. Deputies responded to a burglary in progress call at a…
Latest News
Florida’s “Insurer Of Last Resort” Finally Getting A Break?
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-backed insurer of last resort, has experienced continued growth, exceeding 1.268 million policies last week. This trend, however, is anticipated to reverse as a depopulation program takes effect, allowing private insurers to assume a significant portion of Citizens’ policies. The…
Missing Port Richey Teen, Located Safe: Pasco County Sheriff
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Emma Weyde has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. PREVIOUS REPORT: The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing teenager. Emma Weyde, 16, was last seen in the early morning hours of…
Georgia-Bound Florida Man Who Abandoned Dog For Dead On I-75 During Hurricane Charged
A Florida man is facing serious consequences after allegedly abandoning his dog on the side of Interstate 75 while fleeing Hurricane Milton. State Attorney Suzy Lopez has charged Giovanny Aldama Garcia with aggravated animal cruelty for the heartless act. Garcia reportedly admitted to leaving his…
News Scroll
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Duo Arrested For Burglarizing Lake Wales Home During Hurricane Milton: Polk County Sheriff
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two individuals were taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on October 10th, 2024, for allegedly burglarizing a vacant home in Lake Wales while Hurricane Milton impacted the region. Deputies responded to a burglary in progress call at a…
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Florida’s “Insurer Of Last Resort” Finally Getting A Break?
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-backed insurer of last resort, has experienced continued growth, exceeding 1.268 million policies last week. This trend, however, is anticipated to reverse as a depopulation program takes effect, allowing private insurers to assume a significant portion of Citizens’ policies. The…
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Missing Port Richey Teen, Located Safe: Pasco County Sheriff
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Emma Weyde has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. PREVIOUS REPORT: The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing teenager. Emma Weyde, 16, was last seen in the early morning hours of…
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Georgia-Bound Florida Man Who Abandoned Dog For Dead On I-75 During Hurricane Charged
A Florida man is facing serious consequences after allegedly abandoning his dog on the side of Interstate 75 while fleeing Hurricane Milton. State Attorney Suzy Lopez has charged Giovanny Aldama Garcia with aggravated animal cruelty for the heartless act. Garcia reportedly admitted to leaving his…
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AccuWeather: Growing Flood Risk, Tornadoes After Back-To-Back Hurricanes In Florida
AccuWeather meteorologists are closely monitoring a tropical rainstorm that threatens Puerto Rico and Hispaniola with life-threatening flooding and mudslides later this week. Following Hurricane Milton’s destruction across Florida, concerns now shift to the Caribbean, where mountainous terrain in Puerto Rico and Hispaniola could experience up…
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Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit Helps Nab Armed Robbery Suspects
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla.- Two suspects are behind bars thanks to the quick thinking of their victims and the aerial assistance of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. On Monday night, two individuals were robbed at gunpoint while sitting in their car outside an apartment building…
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Lakeland Motorcyclist Dies In Single-Vehicle Crash: Polk County Sheriff
LAKELAND, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred late Monday night north of Lakeland. At approximately 11:03 p.m. on Monday, deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the crash at the intersection of…
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Winter Haven Welcomes New Police Chief Vance Monroe
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The City of Winter Haven is pleased to announce Vance Monroe as its new Chief of Police. Monroe, a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran and seasoned law enforcement professional, brings over 26 years of experience to the role. He most recently…
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E-Scooter Rider Fatally Struck By PSTA Bus In St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A tragic accident this morning claimed the life of an e-scooter rider in St. Petersburg. At approximately 11:00 a.m., a PSTA bus collided with the individual operating the scooter at the intersection of 22nd Avenue North and the Pinellas Trail. Emergency…
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Hide-And-Seek Gone Wrong: Florida Man Found Hiding Under House In Trap Door – Polk County Sheriff
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Fort Meade man learned the hard way that playing hide-and-seek with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is not a winning game, especially when there’s a warrant out for your arrest. In the wee hours of Tuesday, October 15th, deputies arrived…
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Atlantic Disturbance AL94 May Become Tropical Storm, Threatening Florida
The National Weather Service (NWS) is closely monitoring a weather system in the Atlantic, designated AL94, for potential tropical development. If it strengthens, it will be named Tropical Storm Nadine. Spaghetti models suggest AL94 is likely to track northwest, passing north of Antigua and Barbuda,…
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Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Tampa For Hurricane Victims: Residents And Businesses
TAMPA, Fla. – In response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby, Hillsborough County, in partnership with the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the City of Tampa, has established a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)…
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Florida Public Universities Revamp General Ed Courses Amidst “Woke Ideology” Concerns
Florida’s public universities are purging general education courses that include “woke ideologies,” following a state law enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Politico reported Monday. Hundreds of courses previously required for graduation will now either be offered as electives or removed, following a GOP-led 2023 law that forced…
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U.S. Troops Arrive In Israel Amid Escalating Conflict
On Monday, U.S. servicemembers arrived in Israel to support the country’s defense as it faces a multi-front conflict with various regional actors. The Pentagon confirmed that more troops are expected to arrive soon as part of an ongoing U.S. military deployment to bolster Israel’s defenses.…
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$1 Million Dreams Come True For Florida Woman With Lottery Win After Publix Stop
Angel Colon of Plant City is celebrating a life-changing win after claiming a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s “$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR” scratch-off game. Colon chose to receive her winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $640,000. The winning ticket…
Sports
Lightning To Spark Community Support With Hurricane Relief Drive
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning are calling on fans to join them in assisting those affected by recent hurricanes. The team will host a donation drive at their upcoming home games on Tuesday, October 15th, and Thursday, October 17th, to benefit Feeding Tampa…
Buccaneers Explode For 51 Points In Dominant Win Over Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers overcame a sloppy start filled with penalties and turnovers to secure a resounding 51-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints. This offensive explosion marks the second-highest scoring game in Buccaneers franchise history. The Bucs’ ground game proved unstoppable, racking up 277…
Lightning Strikes Back With Discounted Tickets And Support For Hurricane Recovery
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning are offering discounted tickets to their first three home games as part of a #TampaBayStrong initiative to unite the community after Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Fans can snag lower and club level seats starting at $75 and upper…
USF Bulls’ Emotional Week In Orlando Ends In Loss To Memphis
ORLANDO, Fla. – A tip of the helmet is due to many people at USF and in Orlando for making it possible that the Bulls and Memphis could take the field this weekend in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. What was scheduled to be a…
Cops And Crime
Duo Arrested For Burglarizing Lake Wales Home During Hurricane Milton: Polk County Sheriff
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Two individuals were taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on October 10th, 2024, for allegedly burglarizing a vacant home in Lake Wales while Hurricane Milton impacted the region. Deputies responded to a burglary in progress call at a…
Georgia-Bound Florida Man Who Abandoned Dog For Dead On I-75 During Hurricane Charged
A Florida man is facing serious consequences after allegedly abandoning his dog on the side of Interstate 75 while fleeing Hurricane Milton. State Attorney Suzy Lopez has charged Giovanny Aldama Garcia with aggravated animal cruelty for the heartless act. Garcia reportedly admitted to leaving his…
Cold Case
Missing Port Richey Teen, Located Safe: Pasco County Sheriff
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Emma Weyde has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. PREVIOUS REPORT: The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing teenager. Emma Weyde, 16, was last seen in the early morning hours of…
Florida Missing Child Alert Canceled: Body Of Missing 7-Year-Old Emerson Felix Found In Water
Tragically, the search for 7-year-old Emerson Felix has ended in heartbreak. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that deputies found Emerson deceased in a body of water near his home, where he was initially reported missing. The circumstances surrounding Emerson’s death are still under…
Body Of Missing Spring Hill Woman Found In Submerged Vehicle In Pasco County
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – Tragically, Ms. Bossard, who was reported missing, has been found deceased. On October 13th, 2024, her body was discovered inside her vehicle, which was submerged in a body of water in Pasco County. Sheriff Al Nienhuis and the Hernando County Sheriff’s…
Florida Agriculture
Florida Citrus Industry Faces Devastating Blow After Hurricane Milton
Florida’s citrus industry, already reeling from citrus greening disease and the impact of previous hurricanes, has been dealt another severe blow by Hurricane Milton. A new federal report projected a 16.8% decline in citrus production for the 2024-2025 season even before Milton struck, and the…
UF/IFAS Needs Your Help To Assess Hurricane Milton’s Impact On Florida Agriculture
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is requesting that agricultural producers participate in a survey to assess Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida’s agricultural sector. The survey, conducted by the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP), aims to gather crucial data…
University Of Florida Researchers Use AI, Lasers To Pioneer Precision Spraying To Combat Mosquitoes
Researchers from the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL) and the Florida Museum of Natural History are working to revolutionize mosquito control by using artificial intelligence to improve the precision of mosquito control. Their research aims to make it easier to apply larvicide effectively but…
Politics
Florida Public Universities Revamp General Ed Courses Amidst “Woke Ideology” Concerns
Florida’s public universities are purging general education courses that include “woke ideologies,” following a state law enacted by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Politico reported Monday. Hundreds of courses previously required for graduation will now either be offered as electives or removed, following a GOP-led 2023 law that forced…
U.S. Troops Arrive In Israel Amid Escalating Conflict
On Monday, U.S. servicemembers arrived in Israel to support the country’s defense as it faces a multi-front conflict with various regional actors. The Pentagon confirmed that more troops are expected to arrive soon as part of an ongoing U.S. military deployment to bolster Israel’s defenses.…
Lottery
$1 Million Dreams Come True For Florida Woman With Lottery Win After Publix Stop
Angel Colon of Plant City is celebrating a life-changing win after claiming a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s “$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR” scratch-off game. Colon chose to receive her winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $640,000. The winning ticket…
$1 Million Scratch-Off Ticket Makes Florida Man An Instant Winner
Artolino De Castro, a 48-year-old from Fort Myers, has won a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s “$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR” scratch-off game. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum of $640,000, the lottery announced last week. De…
$1 Million Richer: Florida Man Wins Big On Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket
Clifford Rogers, 47, of Orlando, is celebrating a $1 million win on the “$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR” scratch-off game. Rogers chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum of $640,000, the Florida Lottery announced last week. The winning ticket was purchased…
Florida Lottery Launches Limited-Time $500 Raffle Promotion
The Florida Lottery is thrilled to announce its new $500 Raffle Promotion, which will run from September 23rd to October 27th or until all raffle tickets are sold out. Players who purchase a single $10 or more ticket for CASH POP™, FLORIDA LOTTO®, MEGA MILLIONS®,…
Job News
Florida Unemployment Claims Defy Hurricane Helene, Taking A Dip
Despite Hurricane Helene’s impact on Florida, the number of unemployment claims filed in the state surprisingly decreased last week. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that 5,367 initial claims were filed in Florida during the week ending September 28th, down from 6,454 the previous week.…
Florida Sees Drop In Unemployment Claims Ahead of Labor Day
Unemployment claims in Florida decreased last week, offering a positive sign for the state’s labor market as the Labor Day weekend approached. The U.S. Department of Labor reported an estimated 5,932 claims filed in Florida, a drop from the revised count of 6,402 the previous…
Florida Sees Drop In New Unemployment Claims
Florida saw a decrease in the number of people filing for unemployment benefits for the first time last week. The U.S. Department of Labor estimated that 6,219 new claims were filed, a notable decline from the 7,715 claims in the prior week. While this figure…
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Now Available For Floridians Affected By Hurricane Debby
Florida residents and businesses in certain counties impacted by Hurricane Debby can now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if they lost their jobs or self-employment due to the storm and are ineligible for regular unemployment benefits. Eligible individuals must have been employed or self-employed…
Good Eats
Lip-Smackin’ Good: Peanut Butter Challenge Returns
Few culinary pleasures transcend kiddom. But whether crunchy or smooth, paired with jelly, crackers or bread, peanut butter is a food nearly everyone can enjoy. High in protein, it’s also among food banks’ most requested items. Since 2012, UF/IFAS Extension and partner institution Florida A&M…
“Patriots Palate” Event Canceled And Will Be Rescheduled
TAMPA, Fla. – This event has been canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date. We will update this as soon as the new date is released. Hillsborough County Extension Service is hosting a special cooking event for military families newly stationed at MacDill…
Red Lobster Continues Cuts, Closes 23 More Restaurants Amid Bankruptcy, 3 In Florida
Red Lobster, previously struggling and undergoing a turnaround after filing for bankruptcy, has now targeted an additional 23 locations for closure. Three of those locations are in Florida. The company, which once boasted over 700 restaurants globally, began its journey in 1968 in Lakeland, Florida.…
University Of Florida Olive Oil Study Suggests ‘Less-Is-More’ Approach
As a staple of plant-based diets like the Mediterranean diet, olive oil has long been lauded for its ability to lower heart disease risk. A recently published University of Florida study, however, suggests other elements of that diet may play a greater role in achieving…