The United States and the United Kingdom carried out joint airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, according to U.S. officials. This action comes in response to the Iran-backed Houthi group’s escalating aggression in the region, including attacks on international shipping in the Red…
Latest News
US Supreme Court Agrees To Consider Woman’s Claim She Lost Job Because She Is Not Gay
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider a woman’s claim that she was demoted because she is straight. Marlean Ames, who began working for the Ohio Department of Youth Services in 2004, sued the department for sex-based discrimination in 2020, alleging she did not receive a promotion…
Red Tide Update: Bloom Concentrations Detected In Pinellas County
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has released its latest red tide update, confirming the presence of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, in 28 water samples collected from Southwest Florida over the past week. Bloom Concentrations: Of particular…
AccuWeather Warns Florida Is Facing 12″ Or More Of Flooding Rains, Tropical Threat
AccuWeather meteorologists are warning residents and businesses across the Florida Peninsula to brace for heavy rainfall and gusty winds starting Sunday as a tropical system develops in the Bay of Campeche and the southern Gulf of Mexico. This storm, which is expected to organize into…
News Scroll
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US, UK Strike Houthi Targets In Yemen After Attacks On Shipping And US Drone
The United States and the United Kingdom carried out joint airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, according to U.S. officials. This action comes in response to the Iran-backed Houthi group’s escalating aggression in the region, including attacks on international shipping in the Red…
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US Supreme Court Agrees To Consider Woman’s Claim She Lost Job Because She Is Not Gay
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider a woman’s claim that she was demoted because she is straight. Marlean Ames, who began working for the Ohio Department of Youth Services in 2004, sued the department for sex-based discrimination in 2020, alleging she did not receive a promotion…
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Red Tide Update: Bloom Concentrations Detected In Pinellas County
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has released its latest red tide update, confirming the presence of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, in 28 water samples collected from Southwest Florida over the past week. Bloom Concentrations: Of particular…
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AccuWeather Warns Florida Is Facing 12″ Or More Of Flooding Rains, Tropical Threat
AccuWeather meteorologists are warning residents and businesses across the Florida Peninsula to brace for heavy rainfall and gusty winds starting Sunday as a tropical system develops in the Bay of Campeche and the southern Gulf of Mexico. This storm, which is expected to organize into…
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Tampa Opens Sandbag Sites Ahead Of Weekend Rain
TAMPA, Fla. – With severe weather predicted for this weekend, the City of Tampa is offering residents and business owners the opportunity to prepare by providing sandbags. Sandbag Distribution: Two sandbag sites will be open on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5…
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Louisiana Hauler Arrested In Florida For Price Gouging, Illegal Dumping In Wake Of Hurricane Helene
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – A Louisiana hauler has been arrested for allegedly exploiting residents affected by Hurricane Helene and illegally dumping storm debris. Byram Washington was taken into custody by the New Port Richey Police Department on September 4th, 2024. He is accused of…
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Florida Senators Rubio, Scott Urge Biden To Expedite Resources For Hurricane Helene Recovery
Following the catastrophic landfall of Hurricane Helene as a Category 4 storm along Florida’s Gulf Coast, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL), along with Florida colleagues, have called on President Joe Biden to expedite federal resources and authorize key emergency policy flexibilities.…
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Tampa Traffic Alert: Howard Frankland Bridge Northbound Lanes Closing Overnight Tuesday
TAMPA, Fla. – If you’re planning to use the northbound lanes of I-275 on the Howard Frankland Bridge Tuesday night, you’ll need to find an alternate route. Construction on the new southbound Howard Frankland Bridge will require closing the northbound lanes between 11 p.m. on…
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Hillsborough County Prepares For Potential Heavy Rain With Sandbag Sites
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – In anticipation of potential heavy rainfall, Hillsborough County is taking proactive measures to assist residents. Two sandbag distribution sites will be open this Saturday, October 5th, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Read: Tampa Traffic Alert: Westbound SR 60…
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Pasco County Sheriff: Missing Lutz Woman Located Safe
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Kelly Schweigart has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Previous reporting: Pasco Sheriff’s deputies are currently searching for Kelly Schweigart, a missing/endangered 31-year-old. Schweigart is 5’3″, around 110 lbs., with blonde hair and brown eyes, and was…
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Florida Rep. Gaetz Demands Answers On FEMA Redirecting $1.4 Billion To Aid Illegal Aliens
U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) has sent a formal letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding clarification on whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has misused taxpayer funds meant for disaster relief. Gaetz’s inquiry follows allegations that FEMA redirected $1.4…
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Tampa Traffic Alert: Westbound SR 60 Lane Closures, Traffic Shift Scheduled For Monday
TAMPA, Fla. – The westbound travel lanes on State Road 60 (SR 60) will temporarily close between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Monday, October 7, weather permitting. During the closure, motorists will be redirected to the right side of the road to access westbound…
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Road Rage And A Really Bad Day: Florida Woman’s Temper Tantrum Leads To Arrest
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Winter Haven woman is facing serious charges after a road rage incident escalated into a violent assault. On September 25th, 2024, Chaniese Davis, 32, was a passenger in a vehicle when she became agitated with the driver’s speed. Davis, who…
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CBS, Paramount Reject Ad Exposing Dangers Of Sex Change Surgeries For Minors
A series of advertisements exposing the dangers of transgender mutilation for minors in some key swing states have been rejected by CBS and its parent company, Paramount. Pennsylvania, Nevada and Michigan’s Medicaid records along with Wisconsin’s medical records show that taxpayer dollars are being spent on sex change procedures for minors…
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US Economy Adds More Jobs Than Expected, Unemployment Drops
The US job market delivered a pleasant surprise in September, with employers adding a robust 254,000 jobs. This significantly exceeded economists’ expectations of 150,000 new jobs and provides a boost of confidence for the economy. The unemployment rate also edged down to 4.1%, offering further…
Sports
Tampa Bay Lightning Call Up Rising Star Forward Gabriel Szturc
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning are giving forward Gabriel Szturc his first taste of NHL action. The 21-year-old was recalled from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) today after an impressive season in the WHL. Szturc, a skilled center, led the Kelowna Rockets with 83…
Tampa Bay Lightning To Host USA Hockey Warrior Classic In Wesley Chapel For Disabled Veterans
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning will be hosting the eighth annual USA Hockey Warrior Classic presented by the NHL at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel from October 10th to 13th. This inspiring event will feature 39 Warrior hockey teams from across…
Lightning, Ferman Strike Back At Hurricane Helene With $3 Million In Aid For First Responders & Teachers
TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning are delivering a powerful assist to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Lightning Foundation has announced a $2 million grant focused on helping local heroes recover from the devastating storm. And in a truly inspiring move, Lightning Community…
Bucs Recovering While Getting Ready For The Falcons
TAMPA, Fla. – It was a short week for the Bucs coming off a win over the Eagles, but Tampa Bay had no time to rest, having to get ready to play the Falcons in Atlanta Thursday night. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles says he feels…
Cops And Crime
Louisiana Hauler Arrested In Florida For Price Gouging, Illegal Dumping In Wake Of Hurricane Helene
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – A Louisiana hauler has been arrested for allegedly exploiting residents affected by Hurricane Helene and illegally dumping storm debris. Byram Washington was taken into custody by the New Port Richey Police Department on September 4th, 2024. He is accused of…
Road Rage And A Really Bad Day: Florida Woman’s Temper Tantrum Leads To Arrest
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Winter Haven woman is facing serious charges after a road rage incident escalated into a violent assault. On September 25th, 2024, Chaniese Davis, 32, was a passenger in a vehicle when she became agitated with the driver’s speed. Davis, who…
Cold Case
Pasco County Sheriff: Missing Lutz Woman Located Safe
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Kelly Schweigart has been located and is safe, according to Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Previous reporting: Pasco Sheriff’s deputies are currently searching for Kelly Schweigart, a missing/endangered 31-year-old. Schweigart is 5’3″, around 110 lbs., with blonde hair and brown eyes, and was…
Florida MISSING CHILD Alert Canceled For 16-Year-Old Emma Peebles, Found Safe
This is a cancellation of the Florida Missing Child Alert for EMMA PEEBLES, which was activated on 09/17/2024. The child is safe. Previous report: A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for 16-year-old Emma Peebles. She is a white female, 5 feet 4 inches…
Florida Missing Child Alert Issued For Dylan Helms In Naples
A Florida MISSING CHILD Alert has been issued for 16-year-old Dylan Helms. Dylan is a white male, 4 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs 150 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Dylan is a double leg amputee and uses a wheelchair. He was…
Florida Agriculture
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…
Florida Launches Interest-Free Loan Program For Farmers, Ranchers Affected By Hurricane Helene
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that farmers, ranchers, and growers affected by Hurricane Helene can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. The loans aim to help eligible producers restore, repair, or replace…
Southern Land-Grant Universities Create AI Centers To Encourage Faster, Accurate Solutions To Practical Problems
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help feed the world and preserve our natural resources. To maximize the bandwidth of AI, scientists are working together to develop robotics and precision agriculture, use drones effectively and more. Recognizing the strength of collaboration, universities across the South are launching…
Politics
US, UK Strike Houthi Targets In Yemen After Attacks On Shipping And US Drone
The United States and the United Kingdom carried out joint airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, according to U.S. officials. This action comes in response to the Iran-backed Houthi group’s escalating aggression in the region, including attacks on international shipping in the Red…
US Supreme Court Agrees To Consider Woman’s Claim She Lost Job Because She Is Not Gay
The Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider a woman’s claim that she was demoted because she is straight. Marlean Ames, who began working for the Ohio Department of Youth Services in 2004, sued the department for sex-based discrimination in 2020, alleging she did not receive a promotion…
Lottery
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®,…
Florida Man Scores $1 Million Monopoly Doubler Win On Scratch-Off From Raceway
Roy Boyer II of Shalimar is celebrating a $1 million win on the Florida Lottery’s $20 MONOPOLY DOUBLER Scratch-Off game. Boyer opted for a one-time lump-sum payment of $798,985.00. The winning ticket was purchased at Raceway, located on 1183 North Eglin Parkway in Pensacola. This…
Orlando Man Strikes Gold With $1 Million Scratch-Off Win
Efren Villamar Herrera, a 56-year-old from Orlando, is celebrating a life-changing $1 million win from the Florida Lottery’s $20 GOLD RUSH LIMITED Scratch-Off game. Herrera opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $795,000.00. The lucky ticket was purchased at the Wawa on 3100 South…
Clearwater Man Wins $1 Million From Florida Lottery Scratch-Off
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Silver Gutierrez Figueredo, a 53-year-old resident of Clearwater, Florida, has claimed a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s “$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR” Scratch-Off game. He opted to receive his winnings as a one-time lump-sum payment of $640,000. Figueredo…
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…