PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco County is taking precautionary measures ahead of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Milton. Four comfort stations located on the west side of the county will close tonight, October 5th, at 8:00 PM until further notice. The affected comfort stations…
The political committee spearheading the campaign to pass a proposed constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights in Florida has ramped up spending in the final weeks before the November election. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the committee behind the amendment, spent over $11 million between September 21st and…
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – A tense situation unfolded in Pinellas Park on Friday afternoon when police responded to a report of an armed domestic disturbance. The incident, which occurred at a residence on 50th Way N, resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Russell Rippey. Upon…
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-214, declaring a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties in preparation for the anticipated impacts of Tropical Storm Milton. This storm is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it approaches the Gulf Coast, with potentially…
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco County is taking precautionary measures ahead of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Milton. Four comfort stations located on the west side of the county will close tonight, October 5th, at 8:00 PM until further notice. The affected comfort stations…
The political committee spearheading the campaign to pass a proposed constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights in Florida has ramped up spending in the final weeks before the November election. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the committee behind the amendment, spent over $11 million between September 21st and…
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – A tense situation unfolded in Pinellas Park on Friday afternoon when police responded to a report of an armed domestic disturbance. The incident, which occurred at a residence on 50th Way N, resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Russell Rippey. Upon…
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-214, declaring a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties in preparation for the anticipated impacts of Tropical Storm Milton. This storm is expected to intensify into a hurricane as it approaches the Gulf Coast, with potentially…
Expert meteorologists are urging Florida’s Gulf Coast residents, businesses, and emergency officials to prepare for severe weather impacts from Hurricane Milton, expected to make landfall midweek. Widespread heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous storm surges are forecast for much of the peninsula, with the potential…
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Pasco County Schools announced Saturday that they are closely monitoring Tropical Depression 14 in conjunction with Pasco County Emergency Management. As of now, schools are expected to remain open on Monday. However, the district is encouraging families to use the weekend…
Florida is once again bracing for a potential hurricane strike as Tropical Depression Fourteen strengthens in the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters anticipate the system will become Tropical Storm Milton later today or Sunday, with further intensification into a hurricane possible as early as Monday. The…
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Ameira Lee, who was reported missing/runaway from the Hudson area. Lee was last seen on October 4th around 9:00 PM in the vicinity of Hunt Call Street in…
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring multiple systems in the Atlantic basin, including two named hurricanes and a developing tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico that poses a potential threat to Florida and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. A broad area of low pressure over the…
The financial impact of Hurricane Helene continues to mount, with estimated insured losses in Florida now exceeding $900 million. Data released by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation reveals a grim picture of the storm’s aftermath. As of Friday, the estimated total in insured losses…
An Uber driver in Florida found himself in the middle of a real-life thriller when his passenger, 33-year-old Carlos Agustin Flores, revealed a fiery plan for revenge. Apparently, a friend of Flores had borrowed $100 at a strip club a few nights prior and, despite…
Following the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September jobs report, which showed the U.S. unemployment rate climbing to 4.1%, up from 3.8% in September 2023, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) issued a pointed statement criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the economy. The report…
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Winter Haven resident Crystal Tigner, 45, was arrested on Thursday evening, October 3rd, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office following a disturbance in Jan Phyl Village. Deputies were called to St. Paul Drive, where they encountered a man with a ripped…
LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing and endangered woman. Christina Strunk, 43, was last seen around 5:00 p.m. on October 4th in the Causeway Boulevard area of Land O’ Lakes. Description: How…
TAMPA, Fla. – To assist residents impacted by Hurricane Helene, the City of Tampa is providing free Uber vouchers for transportation to and from Comfort Stations. These stations offer essential resources for those recovering from the storm. Free Rides to Comfort Stations: The “Tampa Emergency…
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…
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…
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…
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…
An Uber driver in Florida found himself in the middle of a real-life thriller when his passenger, 33-year-old Carlos Agustin Flores, revealed a fiery plan for revenge. Apparently, a friend of Flores had borrowed $100 at a strip club a few nights prior and, despite…
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Winter Haven resident Crystal Tigner, 45, was arrested on Thursday evening, October 3rd, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office following a disturbance in Jan Phyl Village. Deputies were called to St. Paul Drive, where they encountered a man with a ripped…
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Ameira Lee, who was reported missing/runaway from the Hudson area. Lee was last seen on October 4th around 9:00 PM in the vicinity of Hunt Call Street in…
LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. – The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing and endangered woman. Christina Strunk, 43, was last seen around 5:00 p.m. on October 4th in the Causeway Boulevard area of Land O’ Lakes. Description: How…
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…
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 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…
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…
The political committee spearheading the campaign to pass a proposed constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights in Florida has ramped up spending in the final weeks before the November election. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the committee behind the amendment, spent over $11 million between September 21st and…
Following the release of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September jobs report, which showed the U.S. unemployment rate climbing to 4.1%, up from 3.8% in September 2023, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) issued a pointed statement criticizing the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the economy. The report…
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®,…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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 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…
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…
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…
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, 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.…
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…